Achieving desirable clinical outcomes within a comfortable, attentive setting requires continuous communication. Communication requires two parties - a sender and a receiver - in each situation! Providing information about your past history and experiences, current feelings and thoughts, even fears or uncertainty or just an uneasy feeling about the procedure, treatment or outcome is vital communication for your health care providers - nurses and physicians! In turn, the health care providers are committed to hear your words and to act responsively through sharing of information that will help you to offer explanations about our complex systems and treatment plans.

When your health care requires a visit to our hospital, the hospital staff wants you and your family to feel comfortable and confident as your immediate medical needs are addressed. A partnership of patients, families, and health care providers creates an environment where you and your family participate in achieving the desired clinical outcome within a "learning" system. We are continuously "learning" and exchanging information about your experience and what the providers can access regarding current medical technology and knowledge to assist you.

The opportunities for partnership are unlimited. Look at the following ways your health will benefit from a working partnership:

• Read or ask for an explanation or information about services available to you.
  Have an accurate medical history available. Share information about prior medical experiences and current symptoms. Medical conditions that run in your family may help your providers. Always tell your caregivers about any allergies or adverse reactions you have experienced.
  
  
• Bring a list of all medications! It is possible for medications to interact, so keep staff informed about your medication, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement - the dose, the time you take it and any effects.
  
  
• Bring your Advance Directive (Living Will) with you. It is important for health care professionals to be aware of your wishes.

• Ask questions about your care. Make a list of topics you want to discuss with your physician(s) each day. Ask nurses and others to explain procedures and to tell you about the medications.
  Discuss your preference for treatment. Let your physician and hospital staff know about your "Advance Directive" (Living Will), which is a document you prepare that will be followed if you become too seriously ill to make your wishes known.
  
  
• Accurate identification at all times is important. As you move throughout the hospital, identify yourself to staff and inquire identification of staff who assist you in daily care of special procedures. You may also actively participate in identifying the correct site for a procedure!
  
  
• Ask your caregivers about the plan of care for you. Seek education and understanding about your health issues. Inquire about reading or video material. Feel free to always ask questions about your care.
  
  
• Prepare for your discharge. Take notes about what you can expect after discharge. Obtain a complete understanding about medications, activities and follow up physician visits. Plan ahead for assistance with daily activities upon your discharge. Utilize assistance from Social Services and Case Managers in planning your discharge.
  
  
• As a partner we need to hear back from you about your hospitalization. You will receive a survey in the mail approximately two weeks after your discharge. Take time to complete this survey. Your comments help us to help others! Our part of the partnership for quality is our continuous effort to assist you in achieving the desired clinical outcomes in a comfortable environment. We want to be attentive to your needs throughout your stay. Our quality activities include:
  
  
• Care givers are constantly checking and rechecking the care provided to you.
  
  
• A nursing professional will assure that length of stay and setting of care compares favorably with the norm.
  
  
• Pharmacists review medication orders and administrations.
  
  
• Clinical Review Analysts review outcomes with comparable data to assess performance. Patient outcomes are reviewed by professionals to assess our performance.
  
  
• Committees of physicians, nurses, and board members review data on clinical outcomes, satisfactions scores, profitability and innovation on a continuous basis.
  
  
• Medical Staff and hospital staff members participate in routine competency verification and examinations to assess their skills. A credentials committee conducts extensive research and verification for physicians who request privileges to practice in our hospital.
  
  
• There are formal mechanisms for resolving grievances or complaints. Inform the Patient Representative if you have a formal grievance that cannot be resolved by the present staff.

Our hospital maintains an Accreditation with the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO). Accreditation involves an inspection at least every three years and an evaluation against professional standards of performance. There are random unannounced surveys by JCAHO and other state and federal agencies for verification of operations in accordance with strict standards. You may visit the JCAHO web site for additional information or call (630) 792-5800.