Safety

At McKenzie Health System we are dedicated to maintaining a high standard of patient safety. Our Safety and Quality Committees continually work on safety improvements throughout the health system. But we can’t do it alone, it is important that our patients are active partners in their safety.

Your Safety Comes First

We’ve taken every precaution to keep patients and our team safe during the COVID-19 health crisis, and we’re committed to continuing to improve and find innovative ways to provide safe, effective care to you for the immediate future and for years to come. We’ve thought through every aspect of your care journey – from how every treatment area is cleaned and sanitized to changes in our waiting rooms to ensure social distancing.

To support staff, patient and community health, all patients will be screened for COVID-19 and asked to wear a mask, which can be provided. When arriving at the physical location of the clinic, anyone entering the facility will go through a short screening. If you are calling for an appointment, either to the office phone number or central scheduling, you will be asked a short series of screening questions.

All McKenzie Health System staff are screened daily and required to wear masks when unable to maintain social distancing and when working with patients. Scheduling of appointments has been changed to best allow for social distancing. This includes grouping appointments for “well” visits in one part of the day and “sick” visits in another part of the day.

Our highly skilled environmental services staff, who themselves are screened for health daily, take pride in providing the most thorough cleaning and sanitizing measures. All surfaces are thoroughly disinfected with medical-grade cleaning agents. From doorknobs to faucets, light switches to equipment controls, each touchpoint is addressed regularly to ensure your safety.

Understand Your Treatment and Care

First and foremost, patients need to understand their medical condition and know the medications and procedures used for treatment. McKenzie Health System doctors and nurses are eager to provide you with information regarding your diagnoses and treatment plan. If you are ever unclear about anything, you are encouraged to ask as many questions as necessary to fully understand the condition, medications and treatment at hand.

As a patient, you have the right to be involved in making decisions about your healthcare. This means you should:

• Educate yourself about your illness.
• Learn about your medical tests and treatment plan.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate (advisor or supporter).
• Your advocate can help make sure you get the right medicines and treatments.
• Participate in all decisions about your treatment

You are at the center of your healthcare team. It is important that you both agree on your treatment and discharge plan. This will create a clear plan to get you back to normal activities.

Safety Involving Medications

When you are admitted into the hospital, all of the medications that you are taking will be documented and reviewed. It is important that an accurate list of current medications, doses and frequencies is shared with the health professionals to create an accurate treatment plan. Upon discharge from the hospital, patients are provided with a complete medication list.

Reducing the Risk of Hospital-Acquired Infections

McKenzie Health System complies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hand hygiene guidelines and other infection prevention activities.

While you are in the hospital, we encourage you to take an active part in protecting yourself from infection in the following ways:

• Ask everyone who comes to see you or treat you to wash their hands first. This includes your friends and family.
• Ask your friends and family not to visit if they are not feeling well. A phone call can be a good substitute for a personal visit.
• If recommended, get vaccinated! Flu, pneumonia, and other vaccines help prevent illness – particularly in young children, the elderly, and others who are at high risk for infection.

Preventing Patient Falls

All patients at risk for falls while at the hospital are constantly evaluated to ensure action is taken quickly. For increased safety, patients that require close monitoring for falls are placed into our fall reduction program. In some cases, family members may be asked to assist in the fall reduction program. If a patient needs to be admitted into the program, a thorough explanation will be provided to the patient and their family.

The following fall prevention measures should be followed by all patients:

• Be careful when moving from your bed or walking down hospital hallways, especially at night.
• Make sure you always have adequate light to see well.
• Make sure you know the location and know how to use the nurse “call” button. Always ask for help in getting to the bathroom before the need is urgent.
• If you wear eyeglasses, keep them close by so that you can put them on to see.
• Wear slippers or shoes with rubber soles when walking in the hospital.
• Make sure the brakes are locked before you get into or out of a wheelchair.