Patient Safety

Your safety is our priority.

At Sharp, we are committed to ensuring you receive the safest care possible during your stay.

We believe in the importance of including both you and your loved ones in the healing process. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions. Please do not hesitate to speak with us whenever you have any concerns.

Confirming your identity, every time.

When you check in at one of our hospitals and throughout your stay, we will confirm your identity by asking you a series of questions — such as your date of birth and the reason you are being treated. We understand this can be annoying, but we do this for your protection and to make sure you receive the right treatment.

Please speak up if someone does not confirm your identity before giving you your medication or starting any treatment.

Your health information — secured.

Your electronic health record protects your safety by providing your caregivers:

• Access to your complete health records, as well as home and hospital medication lists
• Real-time test results
• Electronically generated prescriptions
• Automatic drug interaction checks
• Easy-to-read notes
• Timely safety information

Preventing infections with best practices.

Your health and safety is important for your healing and recovery. That's why we follow national best practices for sterilization, medication administration and staff training to prevent infections.

The No. 1 way to prevent infection is to wash your hands often — after using the bathroom, and before and after eating or handling food.

It's always OK to ask your visitors — as well as your caregivers — to wash their hands when they enter your room.

Delivering your medication safely.

We want to partner with you for medication safety, and we encourage you to be an active participant in your own health care. When you come to one of our hospitals, bring a complete list of all your current medications - including all prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements — so we can be sure you are receiving the best care possible.

You do not need to bring your prescribed medications with you; we will provide them during your stay. However, if any medication is likely to cause a negative reaction, you may not receive it while in our care. If you aren't receiving medications you usually take, be sure to speak up and ask why so that we may assist you.