Patient Safety
We are dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for all of our patients.
Communication
If you notice something that does not seem right or if you don’t recognize a staff member, medication or procedure, please ask an OSS Health staff member!
If you have any questions or concerns, please ask. There are no bad questions.
Request the results of your tests and procedures. Do not take the lack of feedback for good news.
Make sure all caregivers introduce themselves and their roles. Your identity must always be checked prior to the administration of any medication, lab sample, or blood testing.
Make sure you know what to do to safely return home after your hospital stay.
Medications
- Bring an updated list of all of your medications, including non-prescription medications, vitamins and herbals, to the hospital with you.
- Know and communicate all known medication allergies you may have.
- Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist any questions regarding your medications.
Hydrocodone Combination Products
Due to their abuse potential, the FDA announced that all hydrocodone combination products (ex. Vicodin, Norco, Lortab) will be reclassified as Schedule II Controlled Substances effective October 6, 2014. At that time, all hydrocodone scripts will fall into stricter prescribing regulations, thereby mimicking Oxycontin, Morphine, Dilaudid, etc.
- You cannot phone these prescriptions to a pharmacy.
- You cannot fax these prescriptions to a pharmacy.
- You cannot issue refills on these scripts.
- Most insurers dictate that a script volume be limited to a 30 day supply.
- Based on historical trends with schedule revisions, I suspect there will be a price increase for patients.
- Within the hospital, medications are already under a double-lock system, so processes will not change.
OSS Health is committed to providing the highest quality orthopaedic healthcare available. We want to ensure your medications needs are met. For that reason, we recommend that you allow a minimum of 48 hours for a refill request or new prescription to be generated.
Pre-Operative Screening Information
An important part of the preoperative evaluation is the identification of possible sources of infection. Patients having surgery at the OSS Orthopaedic Hospital will be screened for Staph aureus and MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). This is a precautionary measure that identifies patients who carry these bacteria so we can treat them prior to surgery helping to lower the risk of developing a surgical site infection.
Surgery
- Talk with your surgeon about your surgery and all of the items to which you consent.
- Talk with your surgeon about infection and possible risks of surgery.
- Be sure the proper surgical site is marked before going into surgery.
Prevent infections
Talk to your caregiver about their hand-washing policy and the use of alcohol hand sanitizer. Proper hand-washing is everyone’s responsibility.
- Ask your physician or caregiver about pneumonia and influenza vaccines.
- Understand isolation procedures
Prevent falls
Ask for help getting in and out of bed or a chair if needed:
- Use your bell to call for assistance
- Wear non skid shoes or slippers
- Ask for assistance if taking medications that may cause drowsiness
For any concerns regarding safety and quality, please contact one of the following:
- Carla Parker, Director of Quality Improvement/ Risk Manager 717-718-2035.