Your Healthcare Partnership

Saint Mary's is committed to excellence.  This commitment extends to ensuring your safety throughout your experience with us.  Patients are the center of the healthcare team and therefore play a vital role in the planning and delivery of care.  We believe patients who are involved in their care do better and stay safer.  We encourage you to participate in your care by working together with physicians, nurses and other staff.

Here are ways you can help make your stay a safe and positive experience.

 Download the Notice of Privacy Practices  (PDF)
 Download Patient Rights & Responsibilities  (PDF)
 Download Patient Medical Information Form  (PDF)
 Download the Health Care Decision Making, Advance Directives  (PDF)
 Download the Declaration And Living Will  (PDF - English)
 Download the Durable Power Of Attorney  (PDF - English)
 Download the Declaration Andčill  (PDF - Spanish
 Download the Durable Power Očney  (PDF - Spanish)

Ask questions

• Ask for an interpreter if you are deaf or hearing impaired, or if English is not your primary language.



• Feel free to talk to your doctor and nurse about any concerns.  We welcome your questions.



• Ask questions if you do not understand.  It is your body and your right to know.



• If you think of questions when your doctor or nurse is not present, write down your questions so that you can ask them at a later time.

• Ask your doctor and nurse about your plan of care.  Make sure that you understand and agree with that plan.



• Ask a family member or friend to listen with you when a diagnosis, treatment plan, test results, or discharge plans are explained.  This will help you remember.



• Be informed about your treatments.  Ask when the treatments will be given and what they are for.



• If equipment is used for your care, know what it is for and how it should sound.



• Question anything that seems unusual or different from what you were told.

• Wear you hospital armband at all times.  If your armband comes off, ask someone to get you a new one.



• Check the information on your hospital armband to make sure that the information specific to you is correct.



• Make sure all staff check your armband before any procedure or test.

• Be aware that hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.



• Practice good personal hygiene.



• Let your nurse know if your gown or linens are soiled.



• Staff will welcome your reminder to wash their hands or wear gloves before examining you or giving you your medicine.



• Ask friends and relatives who have colds, respiratory symptoms, or other contagious illnesses not to visit you or anyone in the hospital.



• Get vaccinated, if it is recommended. Flu and pneumonia vaccines can help prevent illnesses in elderly and high-risk patients.

• Ask your nurse about your medicines-what they are, what they look like, what they do, when they are given, and what side effects they might have.



• If you do not recognize a medicine, verify that it is for you.



• Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any allergies or have had previous reactions to any drugs, foods, or latex.



• Tell your doctor and nurse about all medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and over-the-counter medicines.



• Do not take medicines that you brought into the hospital from home, unless told to do so by your doctor or hospital staff.



• In-house pharmacists are available for any questions on medication or for medication education while you are a patient.

• Ask for help when getting out of bed, especially at night.  The hospital is an unfamiliar place and most falls occur when patients try to get out of bed on their own to go to the bathroom.



• Make sure the nurse call-button on your bed works and you know how to use it.



• Let your nurse know if you will have trouble reaching the call button.



• If possible, call for help before the need to get to the bathroom becomes urgent.



• Make sure there is adequate light to see, and keep your eyeglasses within reach.



• Wear slippers with rubber soles to prevent slipping.



• Point out to staff any spills or obstructions on the floor.



• Make sure the brakes are locked when you get into and out of a wheel chair.

• Pay careful attention to where you place your dentures, hearing aids, and eye glasses, as they are all important to your comfort and well-being.



• Dentures are best stored in a cup.



• Glasses and hearing aids are best kept in a case with your name on it when you're not wearing them.  These items should be placed in the top drawer of your bedside table.

• Make sure you are clear about discharge instructions including medicines you need and information about a follow-up visit.  Be sure you are given a phone number to call if you have questions.

• Talk with your doctors and pharmacist. Ask questions, and write down what they say.



• You can get bed-side rails at home if you need them.



• Keep a phone or a bell near your bed if you might need help.



• Never smoke in bed.



• Be very cautious if you have oxygen equipment at home.  It is highly flammable.



• If you have medical equipment that needs to be plugged in, use a grounded or three-prong connector.  Do not use extension cords.