HOW WE ENSURE YOUR SAFETY

At the Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui - UMC , our goal in providing excellent quality healthcare is driven by ensuring the safety of our patients throughout their visit or stay in our hospital.  To this end, our healthcare providers and services are committed to implementing safe practices which include:

-Verifying the correct identity of our patients upon every visit and upon admission to discharge.

-Ensuring that all information related to the patient’s care is communicated in an effective and timely manner.

-Ensuring the safety of medications, especially those that are considered as high-risk.

-All information regarding any interventional procedure is verified and communicated among the various healthcare teams and to our patients.

-Diligent about reducing the risk of acquiring healthcare-associated infections via adhering to established infection control and prevention procedures.

-Reducing the risk of harm from patient falls through timely evaluation and assessment.

To ensure the proper implementation of the above safety goals, and achieve high standards of care, our hospital staff and services:

-Rely on internationally recommended evidence based practices  

-Are encouraged to report any safety-related events or incidents 

-Are subject to internal safety audits

-Participate in national accreditation surveys

-Introduce and monitor well-established safety indicators

-Adopt a pro-active risk management culture

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Patient safety is a core principal that is embedded in our mission, vision and values and we are determined to not only make our patients healthier, but also to help them be key players in decisions involving their care plan.  

Below are a few tips for how you can participate in your care decisions and be a more informed patient about the medical care you receive before, during and following medical or surgical procedures:

Medication Safety:

• Tell your healthcare providers about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements. Tell them if you have any allergies or bad reactions to any medications or anesthesia.
•  Make sure you are informed about why and how to take your medications correctly.
• Do not share medications with others. 
• Immediately inform your caregivers of any unexpected changes or reactions due to a medication you were given.
• Upon leaving the hospital, make sure your healthcare team provides you with information regarding all the required home medications you must take, in addition to any specific instructions you must follow at home.

Hand Hygiene: 

• As a patient or visitor in a healthcare setting, you are at risk of getting an infection. Patients and their loved ones can play a role in asking and reminding your healthcare providers to clean their hands.
• Your hands can spread germs too, so protect yourself by cleaning your hands often.
• When should hands be cleaned?

-Before preparing or eating food

-Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

-Before and after changing wound dressings or bandages

-After using the bathroom

-After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

-After touching hospital surfaces such as bed rails, bedside tables, doorknobs, remote controls, or the phone

Speak up:

• Inform your healthcare provider of your health history; any previous surgeries, procedures, reactions or medications you have or are currently taking.

• Make sure you understand why, how and what will happen upon receiving treatment or surgery, in order to help you make an informed decision.
• Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns about the treatment you are getting.
• Take a relative or friend to your doctor appointment to help you ask questions and understand answers.
• Inform your caregivers of any unexpected change, discomfort or reaction due to any medical or surgical procedure given.
• Ask for your hospital ID card upon your visit or admission to the hospital.
• Get a second opinion about treatment options