Patient Safety
At Calvert Memorial, the safety of our patients is always our first priority. We spend millions of dollars in technology, training and new processes to continually improve the safety and quality of the care we deliver. (For a full article on patient safety at CMH, download the Spring 2005 Healthy Outlook)
But, everyone has a role in making health care safe - physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, technicians and you.
You can play a vital role making your care safe by becoming an active, informed member of your healthcare team. We encourage you to Speak Up !
Speak up! If you have questions or concerns or if you do not understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing and your treatment plan.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes.
Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center or other type of healthcare 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 on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations).
Calvert Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). For more information on the accreditation process as well as a downloadable brochure on medication safety, visit them at www.jcaho.org. |
