Patient Advocacy

Ensuring your safety and well-being

Patient Safety Officer

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital employs a Patient Safety Officer to help ensure the well-being and safety of hospital patients, visitors, volunteers and staff. If you have concerns about hospital services or questions about your treatment during your stay, you may contact the Patient Safety Officer. The department manager may also be asked for assistance.

Hospital Safety Tips

• Be active in your care. Maintain a list of questions you’d like answered by your doctors and nurses. Participate in your healthcare decisions and insist upon fully understanding your care and the plan for your treatment.

• Never remove your armbands. Armbands help ensure accurate patient identification and, by their color, provide visual alerts to our staff regarding special healthcare concerns. Staff will check your armband each time you are given medicine or have a procedure. If they do not, insist upon it.

• Leave your valuables at home. Bring only the items that you need during your stay. You will be asked to complete a Belongings Sheet at the time you enter the hospital, each time you change rooms and at your discharge.

• Bring a list of current medications. Include the name, strength, frequency and time of day you take them.

• Wash your hands. Handwashing is the best way to limit the spread of germs. Staff may use the antibacterial gel located in each room. If they don’t, ask them to wash their hands before caring for you.

• Understand your discharge instructions. Don’t leave until you fully understand your medications, your need for follow-up appointments and other information pertaining to your specific healthcare needs.