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    Learning About Your Health

    Patient Safety and Security in the Pediatric Unit & PICU

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    Note: Please read this handout with your family or support person.

    Important Patient Safety Tips

    Dear Parents,
    Here is helpful information to keep your child safe while he or she is in the hospital.

    1. Participate in the medical care and all decisions about your child's treatment. Write down questions for your doctor or nurse. Ask for written information about your child's medical condition and treatment. Make sure you understand all the information you get.

    2. Read all medical forms carefully. Ask your child's health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about the forms you are signing, such as consents for surgery. Get answers to your questions before you sign any forms.

    3. Make sure your health care provider checks your child's identity (I.D.). Your child's I.D. is the name and medical record number on your child's I.D. band. Your health care provider should check your child's I.D. band before giving any medicine, drawing blood or sending your child for tests, treatments or procedures.

    4. When your child is admitted to the Pediatric Unit or PICU, one I.D. band is placed on the wrist or ankle. Your child's nurse makes sure that the I.D. band with your child's name and medical record number is on at all times and will replace it if it falls off or is removed for a medical procedure.

    5. We are careful about who enters the Pediatric Unit and PICU to visit your child. At the time of admission, we will ask you to wear a purple I.D. band with your child's name on it so we can easily identify you as the parent. Visitors are allowed to visit your child only with your permission.

    6. If your child is six (6) years or under and staying in the Pediatric Unit, a second wrist or ankle band with a security tag will be placed on your child. The security tag helps your child's nurse monitor the location of your child at all times. The pediatric nurses or doctors will be with anyone who comes to take your child for a test. Always ask the care provider to show you proper photo identification before going for tests and procedures.

    7. Move around safely in the Pediatric Unit and PICU and at your child's bedside to prevent injury to yourself or your child:

      • Wear slippers or shoes whenever you are in the Pediatric Unit or PICU.

      • Make sure the side rails are always up on the crib or bed when you leave or turn away from your child’s bedside even for a moment.

      • All children under four (4) years of age must sleep in a crib with the side rails up.
    8. Learn about medication safety:
      • Bring a list of all of your child's medicines to the hospital. Include vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines you give to your child. Keep a record of vaccines your child has been given.

      • Understand your child's medicines. Ask questions about the medicines prescribed for your child in the Pediatric Unit or PICU until you feel we have answered them. Make sure you understand why the medicines are given.

      • Before you leave the hospital, you get a copy of your child's Medication List from the nurse or doctor. This list should match the instructions your doctor has given you about the medicines your child must take at home.
    9. Wash your hands before and after any contact with your child. Upon entering the Pediatric Unit and PICU, please wash your hands thoroughly.

      • To keep you and your child safe, health care providers clean their hands with soap and water, or alcohol-based waterless gel before and after caring for your child.

      • If you notice any of our staff not cleaning their hands before touching your child, please give them a friendly reminder. Handwashing is a very important step in keeping your child safe from infections.
    10. Playroom Guidelines: The playroom is for your child and their brothers and sisters. For the health of all of the children we ask that you check before taking children into the playroom. The staff will want to make sure that your children do not have colds, etc. that could be passed onto other children.

    11. Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your child's safety. Call (415) 600-2814 and leave a message with the Customer Service department. For the St. Luke’s Campus, call (415) 641-6773. Someone will respond within one (1) business day. For information on the web, visit:

    Produced by the Center for Patient and Community Education in association with the staff and physicians at California Pacific Medical Center. Date: 4/07


    Funded by: A generous donation from the Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Ciocca Foundation.

    Note: This information is not meant to replace any information or personal medical advice which you get directly from your doctor(s). If you have any questions about this information, such as the risks or benefits of the treatment listed, please ask your doctor(s).