Patient safety and privacy are top priorities at IWK Health. Our goal is to make sure that everyone who receives care from us is kept safe and that we continue to work to prevent unnecessary harm or injury to all patients. We also encourage you and your family to become part of the patient safety team by being fully informed and actively involved in your or your child’s care.
A few ways you can be involved include the following:
- Provide detailed information about your or your child’s condition.
- Clearly understand your diagnosis and treatment plan and know what to expect.
- Keep us informed of any changes in your or your child’s condition, good or bad, such as an allergic reaction to a drug.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions if you have doubts or concerns—feel free to Speak up! We want you to understand your or your child’s treatment.
- Involve your loved ones—keep your loved ones informed about your plan of care.
- Make sure you and all caregivers are clear about what medications you or your child should take
- Keep your hands clean. It’s both the easiest and most important way to stop the transmission of infection.
- Know what to do after you get home: Make sure you understand what is expected when at home and that you know who to call if you have further questions once you get home.
- View our patient safety checklist--it contains tips to help keep you and your family safe during your visit.
- Watch our helpful safety videos about your hospital visit, and about your child’s hospital visit.
Read our document Partners in Care: Our Shared Rights and Responsibilities, which explains the rights of patients and families as well as staff and describes shared responsibilities as partners in their health care.