St. Mary's Medical Center is committed to making patient safety a high priority throughout the hospital and we have adopted the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations National Patient Safety Goal. Overall, patient safety depends on vigilance, a sense of care, and most importantly, communication between patient, family and the health care team of doctors, nursing staff and therapists who are caring for you.

We are providing this safety information to you and your family so that we can work together to provide a safe environment for you as a patient.

Smoking
Because we care about your health and the health of others, smoking is not allowed inside St. Mary's Medical Center. Smoking is allowed in designated areas outside the hospitals. For skilled nursing patients, please speak with your nurse.

Fire Drills
For your protection, St. Mary's conducts fire and disaster drills regularly. If a drill occurs while you are here, please remain in your room and do not become alarmed. The hospital staff will assist you.

Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available on all nursing units. Please ask for help getting in and out of the wheelchair from a member of the hospital staff.

Personal Belongings
Please bring only essential items such as a robe, slippers and personal care items and no more than $5 cash. Please do not bring jewelry, wallets or electrical appliances. Small valuables may be locked in a safe - please speak with your nurse. We recommend that arrangements be made to have wheelchairs, walkers and canes returned to your home during your hospitalization.
There is a space at your bedside for glasses, dentures, hearing aids and other personal items. Please ask your visitors not to leave valuables or personal belongings unattended.

Medications
All medications you take while in the hospital must be prescribed by your physician, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy and administered by a nurse. Patients are not permitted to keep their own drugs or keep personal medications (including vitamins, herbs or nutritional supplements) at their bedsides unless specifically ordered by their physician.

It is important that you or your family provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about the medications and supplements you are taking. You are also responsible for asking questions when you do not understand what you have been told about the safe and effective use of your medications.

• Whenever you are going to receive a new medication, tell your doctors and nurses about allergies you have or side effects you have had to medications in the past.
• Know what time of day you normally receive a medication. If you don't receive an expected medication, ask your nurse.

If you have any questions about your medication (dose, color of pill, number of pills, time of day), please ask the nurse.