For Your Safety and Security
Good Shepherd Medical Center is committed to improving quality of life and providing safe and healthy surroundings for patients, visitors and staff. Patients are encouraged to be actively involved in their own care for safety reasons.
SPEAK UP
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peak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know. |
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ay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. |
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ducate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and the treatment plan. |
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sk a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate. |
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now what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common healthcare errors. |
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se a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other health care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by the Joint Commission. |
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articipate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of health care team. |
To report a safety concern 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please call the Patient Safety Hotline at 903-315-BUZZ (2899).
You will frequently be asked to verify your identity by giving your name and birth date. This should occur every time you receive a medication, a test or a procedure. Do not hesitate to remind your caregivers and various members of the healthcare team to verify your identification before:
- Receiving medications or blood products
- Drawing blood
- Transporting you to another department
- Performing a procedure
Fall Safety
Patient Safety Tips
Tobacco-Free Environment
Fire Drills
Oxygen
Valuable or Lost Items
Guide to Wheelchair or Handicapped-Accessible Facilities
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Fall Safety
Please help us identify patients who are at risk for injury from falls before they happen. Patients at risk for falls include patients who have previously fallen, use a cane or walker, are confused or disoriented and/or are taking multiple medications.
Good Shepherd Medical Center’s Falling Star Program identifies patients at risk for falls upon admission and provides diversion activities. A Falling Star magnet is placed on the patient’s door to identify them.
How can you help?
- Discuss the patient’s normal routine with nurses.
- Provide nurses with information on the patient’s interests and hobbies so the best diversions can be used.
- Stay with your loved one as much as possible.
- Leave contact name and home number with the nurse in case help is needed.
Fall Safety Tips
- Wear nonskid footwear.
- Use supports such as handrails and walkers.
- Keep a bathroom light on.
- Be sure to keep walking areas clear of clutter.
- Ask the nurse to remove obstacles between the bed and the bathroom.
- Ensure clothing does not interfere with walking.
- Ask the nurse to place the call light within your reach.
- Sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes before trying to stand.
- Ask the nurse for assistance before attempting to walk alone.
Patient Safety Tips
Openly share your health history with your caregiver.
This includes the medication you take, any operations you’ve had, or any allergies you may have. The more your caregiver knows, the more successful your care plan and recovery will be.
Don’t recognize a medication?
Ask the caregiver to check it before you accept it.
Don’t understand something about your care?
If you have questions or concerns about your condition or treatment options, please be sure to ask.
Help reduce the risk of infection.
Remind caregivers to wash their hands before they care for you. Wash your own hands and keep any wounds clean and dry.
Know how to care for yourself at home.
Make sure your partner in care learns what to do, too.
Tobacco-Free Environment
All Good Shepherd Medical Center facilities are tobacco-free environments. Hospitalized patients who use tobacco products can receive special snacks, and nicotine alternatives are available by physician order.
Fire Drills
For your protection, the hospital regularly conducts fire and disaster drills. If a drill occurs while you are here, please remain in your room and do not become alarmed.
Oxygen
When patients are on oxygen, electrically operated non-hospital equipment and aerosol products are not permitted.
Valuable or Lost Items
Patients are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. If you do bring a small valuable item, such as a ring, cash or a credit card, it should be deposited in the safe in the Security Office. The hospital does not accept responsibility for items of value unless they are deposited in the safe.
If you lose something, please notify your nurse immediately. Unclaimed articles are turned in to Customer Service, where they are kept for 30 days. To inquire about lost items, call Customer Service at 903-315-5276.
Guide to Wheelchair or Handicapped-Accessible Facilities
 Our objective is to provide an accessible environment for all patients and visitors. For your information and convenience, wheelchair or handicap-accessible facilities are available at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Getting in and out of wheelchairs without assistance may be hazardous. Please ask for assistance from a member of the hospital staff.
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