Personal Health Records

Personal Health Information

In general, your health information cannot be given to your employer, used or shared for things like sales calls or advertising, or used or shared for many other purposes unless you give your permission by signing an authorization form. To download the authorization form click here. This authorization form will let you decide who will get your information and what your information will be used for.


Patient Safety

Take a look at this video to learn more about your safety.

At Stillwater Medical Center we know that it is important that you feel safe and trust the care you receive. Our staff is committed to providing your healthcare in a safe manner. We encourage you to be actively involved in your making your care as safe as possible. To help you assist us in providing this care please keep the following tips in mind.

Patient Identification

• Always wear the ID band provided to you on admission.
• Everyone who takes care of you should ask to see your name band.
• If someone offers you medication, comes to draw your blood, or wants to take you for a procedure or test without asking to see your band, please request them to do so.

Falls

SMC has a fall prevention program that includes assessing patients for their risk of falling and using a colored star to assist patients and caregivers in knowing what to do to avoid falls.

• Know your star color and follow the corresonding precautions posted in your room.
• Do not hesitate to call for assistance, we are here to help.
• Hold on to the handrail in the bathroom.
• Get up slowly from the bed or chair to prevent dizziness.
• Wear nonskid footwear. Avoid loose fitting shoes such as flip-flops.
• Report spills or hazardous conditions to your healthcare team.
• Have necessary items placed within reach: phone, tissue, water, pitcher, call light and anything you need.
• Use your call light to call for assistance to get things that are beyond your reach.

Infection Control

Preventing infections in the hospital is everyone's responsibility. Here are four easy things you can do to fight the spread of infection:

1.) Make sure healthcare providers clean their hands and wear gloves.

• Doctors, nurses and other staff come into contact with lots of bacteria and viruses. Before they treat you, ask them if they've cleaned their hands. Everyone should either wash their hands with soap and water or use the alcohol hand rub when entering the room or before touching you and when leaving your room if they touched you or any object in the room.
• Health care providers should wear clean gloves when they perform tasks that may expose them to your blood or body fluids such as taking throat clutures, taking blood, or touching wounds. Don't be afraid to gently remind them to wear gloves.

2.) Clean your hands.

• Use soap and warm water. Rub your hands really well for at least 15 seconds. Rinse and dry hands. Shut faucet off with a paper towel.
• Clean your hands before touching or eating food and after you use the bathroom.

3.) Cover your mouth and nose. Many diseases are spread through sneezes and coughs. Cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of infection to others.

• Use a tissue! Be sure to throw away used tissues and then clean your hands.
• If you don't have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow. If you use your hands to cover a cough or sneeze, wash them right away.

4.) If you have a visitor or family members who are sick, ask them to delay their visit until they are well.

Medications

To ensure medication safety, be an active partner in your healthcare. We encourage you to ask questions about the medication you receive, what it does and the potential side effects.

• Don't be afraid to tell the nurse or doctor if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication.
• Tell your doctors and nurse about allergies or adverse reactions you are currently having or have had in the past.
• Keep a list of your medications including over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements. Bring the list with you to the hospital or when you visit your doctor. This medication list should be current and include what you are actually taking at home.
• Take a record of the medications prescribed at discharge to your physician when you go for your follow-up visit.
• Do not take medication from home, including vitamins or herbs, while you are in the hospital unless specifically instructed to by your doctor or nurse.

Surgery and Procedures

• Don't be afraid to ask questions before signing any consent forms or going for any procedure.
• You and/or your family will be asked to participate in verification of your surgical procedure and marking of the site.

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