Caring Together: Partnering for a Safer Hospital Stay

At Adventist Health, your safety and well-being are always our top priority. We believe the best care happens when patients, families, and care teams work together. Our physicians, nurses, and staff provide expert treatment, but your knowledge, advocacy, and support are just as essential. When you speak up, share information, and stay engaged, you become a powerful partner in your care and help ensure the safest possible experience.

Read on for some simple ways to ensure a safe, healing, and comfortable hospital stay.

Share your health story and medication list

Your care team can give you the safest, most effective treatment when they understand your health journey. Be sure to share your medical history, allergies, and all current medications — including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.

Keeping an up-to-date list of your medications with you when you come to the hospital makes this even easier and helps ensure nothing is overlooked. Update us at the start of your stay and anytime your health information changes. If you need an interpreter, we’ll provide one so nothing is lost in translation.

Why it matters: The more accurate the information, the more personalized your care will be.

Learn more: Four Tips for Medication Safety

Get oriented to your room

Your nurse will show you how to adjust your bed, turn on the television, and most importantly, how to call for assistance (using your call light). For your safety, please don’t get up alone — hospital beds are different from home beds, and falls are a common hospital risk. Always use the call button for help. If anything isn’t clear, ask for a reminder.

Why it matters: Knowing how to use your room features helps you feel comfortable and prevents accidents.

Know your care team

Every staff member should introduce themselves when they enter your room, and you’ll see their identification badge. If you’re unsure of someone’s role, it’s always okay to ask them to reintroduce themselves.

Why it matters: Knowing who is caring for you builds trust and helps you feel confident in your treatment.

Check before treatment

Before you receive any medication or treatment, your nurse or doctor should check your wristband and confirm your name. If something seems off, use your call light to let your nurse know — and if you’d like to directly speak with your doctor, simply ask your nurse to help you reach him or her.

Why it matters: Simple, easy checks prevent mix-ups and keep your care accurate.

Stay alert and speak up

If you notice a change in your condition or if you have any concerns, please share them with your care team. Your voice is an important part of your care, and we want to hear it. If you need immediate attention, press the call light to reach your nurse.

Why it matters: Your observations and questions help us respond quickly and keep your care on track.

Keep essential items close

Keeping your glasses, hearing aids, or mobility devices close helps you stay comfortable and independent during your stay. Let your care team know if you need help using them or if something goes missing. For valuables such as jewelry, we recommend leaving them at home or asking staff about secure storage options.

Why it matters: When you can see, hear, and move with ease, you feel more connected and reassured.

Confirm your discharge plan

Before you go home, take time to review your discharge instructions with your nurse. Go over your medications, follow‑up appointments, and any activity or diet changes. It can also help to repeat back key points in your own words to confirm you’ve understood them correctly.

Why it matters: After all the care you’ve received, discharge can feel like a quick farewell. Confirming your plan helps you leave well-prepared for continued healing.

Partner with your loved ones

Bring a trusted family member or friend into your care. They can help take notes, ask questions, and make sure your wishes are understood. You don’t have to remember everything on your own.

Why it matters: Having a loved one by your side can give you extra support and ensures your care team understands what’s most important to you.

Additionally, visiting friends and family can take simple actions to keep the hospital safe for you and those caring for you, including:

• Handwashing: Everyone should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based sanitizer when entering and leaving a patient’s room.
• Visiting only when well: Visitors who are experiencing flu‑like symptoms or other contagious illnesses should wait until they are fully recovered before coming to the hospital.
• Showing care in safe ways: Flowers are a thoughtful gift, but for safety reasons they aren’t allowed in intensive care units or in the rooms of patients with weakened immune systems. Instead, consider bringing cards, photos, or other small tokens of support — these can brighten a room and lift spirits just as much.