Learning About Your Health

Patient Safety

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Please read this handout with your family or support person.

10 Important Patient Safety Tips

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

  2. Ask a family member or friend to be your "advocate." Choose an advocate who can sometimes speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself, who can come to your appointments to help ask questions and who can provide support while you get your care.

  3. Read all medical forms carefully. Ask your 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.

  4. Make sure your health care provider checks your identity (I.D.). Your I.D. is the name on your I.D. band as well as your medical record number and/or birthday. Your health care provider should check your I.D. band before giving you any medicine, drawing blood or sending you for tests, treatments or procedures.

  5. Before any surgery, test or procedure, review the correct procedure and operation site with the staff. The staff will ask you to confirm your name and the surgery or procedure you are having before they begin.

  6. Move around safely in your hospital room to prevent falls:
    • Know where the emergency call light is located.
    • Make sure you can reach your call light before the medical staff leaves the room.
    • Turn on your call light before you get out of bed.
    • Do not get out of bed without help from staff if you feel weak or dizzy.
    • Sit on the edge of your bed for a few minutes before you stand up. This helps prevent dizziness.
    • Wear slippers or shoes when you get up.
    • Make sure the path to your bathroom is clear.
  7. Learn about medication safety:
    • Bring a list of all of your medicines to your doctor's appointments and to the hospital. Include vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines you take. Keep a record of vaccines you have had.
    • Understand your medicines. When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can understand it.
    • Know the correct dose, time, and reason for your medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your medicine instructions.
    • Recognize your medicines: Tell your nurse right away if you notice the color, the imprint (label on the medicine), the dose, or the timing of your medicine is different than at home.
    • Tell your doctor/nurses about any allergies or side effects to medicines you have had in the past. If you feel suddenly short of breath, have a rash, hives or an itching sensation, tell your nurse right away. You may be allergic to a medicine.
    • Before you leave the hospital, you will get a copy of your Medication List from your nurse. This list should match the instructions your doctor has given you about your medicines.
  8. Learn how to use a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump (if you have one): Patient Control Analgesia (PCA) is a helpful way to treat pain. With the push of a button, you get a set amount of pain medicine through the intravenous (IV) line in your vein. Note: For your safety, a PCA pump is for patient use only. The PCA dosing button should not be pushed by anyone else except the patient. Ask for help when getting out of bed if you are using a PCA pump.
  9. Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating. To keep you safe, health care providers clean their hands with soap and water, or alcohol-based waterless gel before and after caring for patients.
  10. Speak up if you have questions or concerns about patient 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:
Note: This handout is also available in Chinese, Spanish and Russian.


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

© 2003-2008 California Pacific Medical Center

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).