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We have an integrated system to prevent harm, committees designed to focus on patient safety, measures and processes in place to continually improve our health care delivery.
Constant Evaluation
To ensure we're exceeding national benchmarks and standards, we continually measure our quality through a variety of methods, including patient partnerships with state and national quality and safety initiatives, self reporting, and quality surveys.
- We are an active partner with The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The Institute helps accelerate change in health care by cultivating promising concepts for improving patient care and turning those ideas into action. We base our goals and improvement initiatives on IHI’s three identified key patient expectations: don’t hurt me, make me better and be nice to me.
- We are accredited by The Joint Commission every three years, and carefully review and comply with its annual National Patient Safety Goals.
- We participate in the Leapfrog annual survey to ensure we are meeting its identified quality initiatives as well. The Leapfrog Group is a voluntary program aimed at mobilizing employer purchasing power to alert America’s health industry that big leaps in health care safety, quality and customer value are recognized and rewarded. It also works with its employer members to encourage transparency and easy access to health care information.
See How We Compare In Wisconsin, hospitals are required to report on standard measures for quality, safety and value. See how we compare by going to Wisconsin Health Reports
Survey Success
In 2008, the hospital and clinics successfully passed an unannounced Joint Commission survey. There were no quality issues noted and surveyors were very pleased with our continuous improvement processes working towards delivering the best care through quality and safety.
Patient Safety Goals
What You Can Do to Get the Most From Your Health Care
Research shows that patients and families who are more involved with their care feel they get better results and are more satisfied. Safety and satisfaction are priorities at Hudson Hospital & Clinics. To become an active, involved, and informed member of your health care team, we recommend you:
- Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. We are here to help.
- Share health information about yourself - even if you think it might not be important.
- Make sure your nurse or doctor confirms your identity, asking your name and date of birth before any medicine or treatment is given. It is standard procedure for each staff member to ask for TWO forms of identification – even if you think they know you.
- Expect staff to introduce themselves when they enter your room. Look for their identification name badges.
- Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you are getting the right treatment by the right health care professional.
- Know the medications you are taking, why you are taking them and their potential side effects. Ask for additional information about your medications at any time.
- Know what time of day you normally receive a medicine. If it doesn’t happen, bring this to the attention of your doctor.
- Always verify that the medications you are given are intended for you. Your nurse should always verify your name and check your identification before giving medications.
- Tell your doctor, nurse and pharmacist about the medicines that you take. Remember to include the over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin and herbal supplements.
- Remind them about any drug allergies you have.
Medication Safety at Home
- Ask the doctor and pharmacist about medicine prescribed for you. What is the name, benefits, and possible side effects or reactions with other medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, or food/beverages?
- What is it: Make sure you know the name and color of the medicine. Take medicine in well-lit areas.
- What is it for? Make sure you know why the medicine is being taken.
- How do I take it? Ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain how to take the medicine and how often it should be taken.
- What should I look for? Ask what the results should be and possible reactions.
Double-Check Your Prescription
Before you leave the pharmacy, check your medicine to make sure it was correctly prepared for you. It’s important to look before you leave because pharmacies do not usually take medicine back once it has been purchased.
Destroy Old Medications
Don’t keep medications in your home that are no longer being taken. They can change chemically, which could alter how they work. It’s best to flush them down the toilet or pour them down the sink. If you still need the medication, call your health care professional about a new prescription.
Discuss Previous Allergies or Reactions
Make sure your health care provider and pharmacist know about any allergies or reactions to drugs you or your family member might have.
Hand Hygiene to Protect Patients and Yourself
Before visiting hospital patients or holding a newborn, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands or perform hand hygiene before entering a room. Use sinks located outside each patient room, or use one of our conveniently located antibacterial foam products hanging just outside the door. It is also important for you to again perform hand hygiene when leaving the room or hospital to protect yourself. Encourage hand hygiene for yourself, your visitors and your health care staff. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often. Feel free to ask a caregiver if they have washed their hands before caring for you.
Visiting When Sick
For safety of all patients, do not come to the hospital for a visit if you have a cold, cold sore or flu-like symptoms. Please see a nurse immediately to consult whether visiting is safe.
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