CCH - Patient Safety

Patient Safety

Patient Rights
Patients have the right to

Ask questions and express concerns
Receive safe and proper care
Privacy and dignity
Confidentiality
Competent staff and physicians
Be informed and participate in decision-making and the process of care
Request a second opinion Refuse treatment and be informed of the implications of their actions
Voice concerns and have them addressed
Contact the Director, Quality Performance, if concerns are not addressed to the patient's satisfaction

Patient Responsibilities
Patients and/or their representatives have the responsibility to

Use health care resources responsibly
Maintain an accurate history of personal medical information
Respect the rights and property of others
Participate in care
Provide accurate information
Keep all appointments or notify the appropriate department if unable to do so
Follow instructions for medications and other treatments
Make healthy choices about lifestyle and habits

Patient Safety Tips
Your health care, be involved

Be involved in your health care.
Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care
Tell a member of your health care team about your past illnesses and current health condition
Bring all of your medicines with you when you go to the hospital or to a medical appointment
Tell a member of your health care team if you have ever had an allergic or bad reaction to any medicine or food.
Make sure you know what to do when you go home from the hospital or from your medical appointment.

Do you have an allergy?

To be able to answer this question it is important to understand what an allergy actually is. An allergy is a reaction that occurs when one’s immune system responds to a drug, food or environmental source. It is extremely important that an allergy is not confused with intolerance. Intolerance is a non-allergic reaction to a medication that produces undesirable effects.

For example, aspirin can cause nausea or even trigger asthma. This does not mean that it is an allergic reaction. Many people may think they have a drug allergy when they have actually experienced an uncomfortable, but not serious, side effect.

Symptoms of non-allergic reactions include but are not limited to:

• Cough
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• High blood pressure

If a patient claims to have a drug allergy when they really have intolerance, types of treatments for that patient become limited when they should not be. For this reason, it is essential that allergies and intolerance are correctly identified.

Just like an address, an allergy can change with time. It is for this reason that patients are asked about allergies at every visit. We must ensure that our information is correct and up to date. As well, patients will be asked about allergies every time medications are given. This is all done to ensure the safety of all patients.

Click below to view the Cornwall Community Hospital's Patient Handbook