Safety

Have you ever wondered why we seem to ask your name and birthday so frequently? And when we ask you what procedure you’re going to have done, do you think it’s because we don’t know? When we ask these types of questions, there is one important reason – your safety.

Each time we ask your name and birth date, we’re doing an important check to make sure we are administering a medication or treatment to the right patient at the right time. When we’re administering a medication, that question is just one in a series of checks and double-checks that we do to make sure we follow the five “rights” of medication administration:

1. The right patient
2. The right drug
3. The right dose
4. The right route
5. The right time

When you’re having a test of procedure, we’ll ask the same types of questions just to make sure the treatment you’re expecting is the one we are delivering.

This system of checks helps ensure your safe medical treatment. It also helps us identify any questions or concerns you have about your test, treatment or medication. To assist in this process, we encourage you to:

• Ask questions when there is anything you don’t understand.
• Ask to speak to the nurse manager, your physician or our patient advocate if you need further clarification.
• Tell us about any changes in your condition.
• Alert us if you feel unstable or unable to walk confidently on your own. Medication or inactivity can cause you to feel unbalanced, which can lead to a fall. Please let your nursing staff know if this condition exists and we will provide assistance.
• Please alert the nursing staff if you have trouble identifying a visitor as a hospital employee. All employees wear hospital name badges and will clearly identify themselves.

Coshocton Regional Medical Center is proud to offer a safe, comfortable environment for our patients. Clear communication between you and your care team will help ensure your stay is both a safe and pleasant one. If you have a question, please talk to your nurse or call the patient advocate by dialing 4139 from your hospital telephone.