Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay
Keeping you safe and well while in hospital is a priority for the staff looking after you.
There are also some simple things you can do to help keep yourself safe during your hospital stay
Ask for help if you don’t understand
Make staff aware if you need extra help to communicate, or need support from a friend, carer or family member.
Also let staff know if you need any assistance, have any needs, or have any questions or concerns.
Check your hospital wristband
This is important as your wristband will be checked by staff to confirm you are the right patient before they give you medication or carry out tests.
Tell someone right away if any of the information on your hospital wristband is wrong.
Make staff aware of any allergies
Tell staff if you have any allergies, such as to certain medicines, foods or materials like latex or plasters.
Tell staff about your medicines
Tell a member of staff before taking any medicines you brought into hospital with you, including any pain relief, vitamins or supplements.
This is important as they can sometimes react with new medicines or treatments you might be given in hospital.
Also tell staff if you have any medical alert cards or use any devices, for example, an insulin pump.
Ask if you don’t understand your medicines
Ask a member of staff:
- if you don’t understand what any new medicines are for and why you need to take them
- if you have questions about possible side effects
Take steps to prevent blood clots
• Take short walks, if you are able to.
• Do simple leg and ankle exercises.
• Drink plenty of water, or other fluids, unless staff have told you not to.
• You might also need to have injections to thin your blood
Preventing pressure ulcers
• Regularly change position in bed.
• Ask staff to help you move if you find it difficult.
• Staff can also get you a special mattress or cushion if you need them.
Protect yourself from slips and falls
When walking around the hospital:
• wear the right kind of footwear, such as snug fitting slippers or shoes with rubber soles, such as trainers
• use the walking aid you normally use
• wear your glasses and hearing aids if you have them
• ask a member of staff to help if you need any support.
..and when it’s time to go home
Make sure you:
• understand when you will receive your hospital discharge letter and any follow up appointments
• have been given any medicines to take at home; and you know what they’re for and how to take them
• know who to contact if you have any questions about your care or follow up arrangements
