Patient Safety & Security

Throughout the SoutheastHEALTH system, our commitment to patient safety and security is always a top priority.

Patient Safety

SoutheastHEALTH is committed to your safety and we encourage you or your representative to actively participate in your care.

You can become involved by:

  • Understanding what we do to keep you safe
  • Knowing how we prevent infections
  • Being aware of how we prevent adverse events during your stay

Below are some of the steps we take to keep you safe as well as general safety information for you to consider in becoming active in your own care.

What We Do to Keep You Safe

  • Regularly ask you your name and birthdate or check your armband before we deliver any care, treatment or service.
  • Label any blood/specimen/urine containers in your presence.
  • Wash our hands (or foam in/foam out) before and after patient care. If we do not wash our hands (foam in/foam out), please ask us to.
  • Keep you informed about the plan for your care.
  • Wear photo ID badge. Please report to the hospital any suspicious person in your area who does not have an ID badge.
  • If you are going to have a procedure or surgery, we verify the correct procedure/surgery and the correct side/site is what the physician ordered for you.
  • If your procedure/surgery requires side/site marking, the person performing the procedure will mark the side/site prior to the procedure/surgery and with you/your family involved (if possible).
  • Before your procedure/surgery, we will perform a “time-out” during which all activities are suspended (without compromising your care) and we agree on the following: correct patient, correct procedure and correct site.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

It is important to stay involved in your care and in planning for discharge.
  • Review our Safety Checklist for Patients While in the Hospital
  • Ask questions of all patient care providers and express any concerns that you have.
  • Ask a family member/trusted friend to be your representative.
  • Know your medications and why you take them.
  • Wash your hands before you leave your room, when you return to your room, before and after using the bathroom and before and after meals.
  • Ask staff to wash their hands before they provide care to you.
  • Do not tamper with any equipment being used in your care.
  • In the event of fire, severe weather or an emergency situation, follow the directions of hospital staff.
  • Tell your nurse immediately if:
    • you have an IV and the dressing (or a wound dressing) is loose or gets wet.
    • If you have any type of catheter or drainage tube and it becomes loose or dislodged.
  • If you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how to control your blood sugar before, during and after your hospital stay.
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding breathing treatments and getting out of bed.
  • Ask family/friends not to visit if they are not feeling well.
  • If you use tobacco products, consult your physician regarding the use of nicotine replacement options to help your hospitalization be as comfortable as possible. The use of tobacco products of any kind are prohibited both inside and outside hospital property and grounds.
  • If you need help, ask for it.

Your Concerns About Safety

If you or your representative have concerns about safety, please discuss those concerns with:

  • Your nurse
  • The nurse manager/charge nurse in your area
  • The House Supervisor
  • The Director of Patient Care Services
  • The Patient Advocate/Representative in the Quality Management Department

Hospital Security

The safety of hospital patients, employees and visitors is a 24-hour priority of the Security Department at the Hospital. Security officers are on duty at all times to patrol hospital buildings and parking areas.

Security can assist you in securing your valuables in the hospital safe if you did not do so when you registered. The hospital is not responsible for the loss of valuables that you keep in your possession while here.

After regular visiting hours, identification is required for your visitors who have permission to remain in the hospital on your patient care unit.