Why is patient safety important?
Patient safety is our top priority. Our aims are all centered on enabling us to provide a safe service for
our patients and staff. More than a million people are treated successfully each day in the NHS but some
patients admitted to hospital do experience adverse events or harm. These are unexpected and
unintended events related to medical care (e.g. an infection caught in hospital, the wrong dose of
medication, or a deep vein thrombosis after an operation). It is the responsibility of staff to keep you
safe but we want you to work with us and help us avoid such events.
We are here for you
Our vision is to be the recognised leader in healthcare for women, babies and their families. Our aims
are:
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To develop a well led, capable, motivated and entrepreneurial workforce
To be ambitious and efficient and make the best use of available resources
To deliver safe services
To participate in high quality research in order to deliver the most effective outcomes
To deliver the best possible experience for patients and staff
How you can help
There is a lot that you can do as a patient or relative to help us to improve safety:
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Tell us about your medical history and symptoms in full.
Know what medications you are taking (or have a list).
Tell us about your allergies and any problems you have had with medications.
Tell us about any health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, heart disease and stroke.
Check that the details on your identity band are correct and ask for a band if it is not put on or
falls off.
Ask questions if you have any concerns.
When a family member or friend is in hospital and has trouble speaking for themselves you can
ask questions for them.
If you are pregnant or you think you might be, make sure you tell the doctor or nurse before you
have any treatment, operations or X-rays.
Falls
Falls are common amongst patients in hospital. They can result in physical injuries such as broken
bones, and they increase the length of your stay in hospital. There is a lot that you can do to help us
prevent falls:
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Tell the staff if you have ever fallen before.
Ask staff to show you the call bell and leave it within easy reach.
If you have had surgery or an epidural/spinal anaesthetic, ask for help getting out of bed and
walking, if you need it.
Tell the staff if you use a stick or frame to help you stand or walk, and do not try to walk without
it in hospital.
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Get your eyesight checked regularly, at least every two years. Wear your glasses in hospital if you
normally wear them at home
Ensure that you have slippers that fit well and have non-slip
soles.
Drink plenty of fluids (unless advised otherwise by staff).
Ensure your belongings are stored away and not on the floor
around your bed.
Look out for “wet floor” warning signs
Infections
Most infections are caused by bacteria or viruses (bugs) that occur naturally all around us – in the air, on
surfaces and all over our bodies. It is important to remember that most of them will not do us any harm.
When we are not well or following an operation, our bodies’ natural defences (immune system) are
weaker and this can make us more susceptible to infections.
Keeping our patients safe by preventing infections is one of our top priorities. We are
doing everything we can to prevent and reduce the risk of our patients catching an
infection during their stay with us, but we also need your help. Hand hygiene is the
simplest and most effective way to prevent infection. It is important that hands are
washed with soap and water regularly and dried properly, especially before eating and
after going to the toilet. Visitors must clean their hands on entering a clinical area (where
there are patients) and before and after contact with a patient.
We also encourage patients and visitors to help us to prevent infection by:
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Asking our staff if they have washed their hands. Please remind staff if the antiseptic hand gel
container is empty.
Please tell staff if you notice that any areas of the ward or department are not clean.
Patients and visitors should remember not to touch any drips, drains or catheters that may be
put in during their hospital stay, to prevent transferring bacteria (bugs) from their hands.
People should not visit someone in hospital if they are suffering from a cough or cold and must
not come to visit if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
Visitors should not eat or drink in wards and other clinical areas.
Pressure ulcers
Pressure ulcers are also called ‘bedsores’ or ‘pressure sores’. A pressure ulcer is damage that occurs to
the skin and underlying tissue. It is caused by pressure from the weight of the body pushing down on the
skin. One of the best ways to prevent a pressure ulcer is to reduce or relieve pressure on areas that are
easily damaged such as the buttocks, lower back, heels, hips, and elbows. Most of our patients will be
up and able to walk around during their stay in our hospital but if you do have to stay in bed for long
periods, if possible, change your position at least every two hours - alternating between your back and
sides. Patients will be assisted by staff to do this if they cannot help themselves.
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PATIENT SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IF YOU
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU CAN SPEAK TO A MEMBER OF STAFF.
What else you can do to help us keep you safe:
Medicines
When you and your doctor have agreed that you should take a new medicine, it is very important that
we know as much as possible about what you are already taking, and how you take it.
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Tell us if you are planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding
If, for any reason, you have not been taking your medicationas prescribed by your doctor, please
tell us straight away.
For all outpatient appointments, and when you come into hospital, make sure that the doctors
and nurses looking after you know about ALL the medications you take, including eye and ear
drops, patches, inhalers, creams, injections, suppositories, oxygen and any other preparations.
Remember to tell us about any medication that you buy yourself, and vitamins or herbal
remedies. Please keep an up-to-date list which you can show to staff when you come in.
Make sure the doctors and nurses looking after you know about any allergies or side-effects you
have had with medications in the past. If you are a carer who manages medication for someone
else, please make sure you bring all of this information.
Always ask if there is something you don’t understand about your medicines.
Make sure staff check your wristband and ask your name and date of birth before giving you any
medicines.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and tell staff if you think you are about to receive or have received
the wrong medication.
Before you leave hospital, make sure that you understand what your medicines are for, how to
get more supplies and when to see your GP for any follow-up or blood tests. Before you leave
hospital, make sure you know what side effects to look out for and what to do if you get any new
symptoms.
If you need more help with managing your medication at home, please let us know.
If your medication has been changed, check that your GP has amended your repeat prescriptions
to make sure you do not have more than you need.
If some of your medication has been stopped, take any unused supplies back to your pharmacist.
Safe Surgery
In order to make sure that your operation is carried out safely we have introduced a series of checks at
various stages of your surgery. We call this a surgical safety checklist. For your safety the staff may ask
you the same questions at different times to make absolutely certain that the right person is going to
have the right operation. They will ask:
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Your name and date of birth
What surgery are you having
Do you have any allergies
If you, your child or someone you care for is going to have an operation, check all the
details on the consent form are correct before you sign it.
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After your operation make sure you tell the nurses and doctors how your pain is being controlled, if you
need more pain relief the staff can help you. Please speak up if you have any concerns.
Blood clots
Any patient coming into hospital could be at risk of developing blood clots in the deep veins in the legs
(deep vein thrombosis). These blood clots can break off and move to the lungs (pulmonary embolus).
The staff will assess your risk of developing blood clots when you come into hospital by asking you a
series of questions about your medical history. The doctor will discuss your risk with you and will tell
you if you need any treatment to reduce the risk.
The treatment will usually be wearing anti blood clot stockings and/or a daily injection of the blood
thinning drug heparin. You can also reduce your risk of developing a blood clot by:
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Drinking plenty of fluids to keep well hydrated (unless otherwise advised by the staff).
Getting out of bed (if you are able) and walking as soon as your condition allows. If you are
unable to get out of bed the nurses will show you some leg exercises that you can do to keep the
blood flowing freely in your veins.
Reminding staff to discuss your risks of developing blood clots (if they do not) and any treatment
you might need.
Reminding staff if your stockings are left off after being removed or you do not receive your
heparin (blood thinning) injection each day.
Recognising acute illness
Sometimes patients who come into hospital can become acutely ill. We
will monitor you (check you and your health) regularly whilst you are in
hospital so that we can pick up any early signs that your condition is
getting worse. While in hospital you should have your observations (vital
signs) measured at least every 12 hours. The nurses and doctors may
decide you need observations more or less frequently. Whenever your
observations (vital signs) are taken staff should measure the following:
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Your pulse rate
Your blood pressure
Your temperature
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How alert you are
How fast you are breathing
The amount of oxygen in your
blood
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last passed urine
If this isn’t being done please ask staff why. The staff will also use something called an Early Warning
Score to monitor your condition. We work out this score from your vital signs. If you are becoming
unwell your score increases.
Recognising acute illness in maternity
Maternity use an early warning system called MEWS (Maternal Early Warning Scores). The MEWS is
used to monitor, measure, interpret and prompt response to the acutely ill pregnant women.
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What happens if your Early Warning Score increases?
If your observations show that your health might be getting worse, staff will respond depending on how
serious the problem is. A small increase in your score indicates a minor problem. The Midwife in charge
will be told and your observations will be performed more frequently. If there is a more serious problem
a doctor will come and check on you.
What should relatives or friends do if they are worried that your health is worsening or
not improving?
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Talk to the staff and discuss why they are concerned.
Ask staff to explain what observations are being carried out, and ask what the patient’s early
warning score is.
Ask if there is a need for a senior nurse, or doctor to attend.
Infant Security
The safety and security of babies within our organisation is of paramount importance. We have various
measures in place to protect babies whilst in our care. These include:
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Placing identification bands on a baby as soon as possible following birth
Using an electronic security tag which is attached to a baby’s ankle (with an ankle band) on the
post-natal ward. The tag remains on baby until baby is just about to leave the ward to go home.
If a tag is tampered with or removed then an alarm is activated which will alert the staff. There
are systems and processes in place to ensure that staff reacts quickly to these alarms.
The entrance doors to the post natal wards and Delivery wards have controlled access. This
means that visitors can only gain access to these areas via a camera/ intercom system. This
includes visiting hours.
Yellow security passes are worn by staff in clinical areas that are designated to care for babies.
Do not leave your baby alone
The security and safety of your baby will be discussed with you by a member of the ward team. It is
important to remember that you should not leave your baby unattended. If for any reason you need to
leave the ward area you must inform a member of staff.
Safe sleeping
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In hospital keeping your baby close to you alongside your bed is encouraged.
The safest place always for your baby is in a cot beside your bed.
When you go home it is recommended that your baby share a room with mum for at least 6
months.
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IMPORTANT
You should not share a bed with a baby if you (or any other person
in the bed)
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Have drunk alcohol
Are a smoker (no matter where or when you smoked) as
this increases the risk of cot death
Have taken any medication or drug which could make you
extra sleepy
Are unusually tired (to a point where you would find it difficult to respond to your baby)
Have any condition or illness which affects your awareness of your baby
Are very overweight
If the baby is unwell – including if your baby has a high temperature
General safety issues
Please try not to walk around holding drinks. If you spill any drinks please report it to a member of staff
so that the spillage can be wiped up.
When you or your visitors are parking at the hospital please do not park on double yellow lines or
anywhere that might block access for the emergency services.
Staff identification
All staff must have their identification badges displayed at all times.
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If an identification badge is not clearly visible please ask the staff member to confirm their
identity by requesting to see their hospital identification badge.
Do not feel embarrassed by asking the person to confirm their identity.
If any health professional visits you at home it is important that you follow the same process
before allowing them into your home. If you have any queries about the identity of a health
professional please do not let this person into your home and contact the Liverpool Womens and
state your concerns. The Trust will be able to investigate and confirm to you that the person
who is visiting you is an employee and if not what actions you should take.
Thank you for taking the time to read this leaflet
Issued: 01/2014
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Governance Team
Review: 01/2015