Patient safety

International goals around patient safety:

1. Ensure accurate double identification of patients.
2. Promote accurate communication between health care providers.
3. Promote safety with high-risk medications.
4. Perform the right procedure, on the right side, on the right patient.
5. Reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections through proper hand hygiene.
6. Reduce the risk of injuries from falls.

Through specific procedures, our nurses, doctors and other staff members live up to these objectives to the maximum extent possible.

In addition, our quality department regularly measures several important aspects related to patient safety (such as identification, medication and hand hygiene, among others). They follow this closely so that - if necessary - we can quickly take the appropriate measures.

But you yourself also play an important role in monitoring your safety as a patient. Below we have summarized some tips that can make your stay in this hospital even safer.

• Identification
  When you are admitted to the hospital or cared for in the emergency department, you will be given an identification bracelet on your wrist with your name and date of birth on it. Check this information immediately. If anything is incorrect, notify the nurse or the front desk immediately. During your stay, our staff will regularly ask you for your name and date of birth. This can sometimes be disturbing, but it minimizes misunderstandings in connection with identification.
   
• Medication
  On admission, please bring a list of all the medication you take at home, both prescribed medication and medication or supplements you take on your own initiative. If necessary, go over this list with your doctor to make sure the list is complete. Be sure to inform the counselor about medications you do not tolerate, allergies and other health problems you have. Check that the medication you receive in the hospital is meant for you. Let us know if you think something is not right with your medication.
   
• Ask questions
  Always ask the doctor or nurse for an explanation, especially if something is unclear or you are worried about something. Always inform yourself about the treatment. Write down some things on paper, so you can ask for additional explanations afterwards if anything is still unclear. In this way, you as a patient can play an active role in your hospitalization and recovery. It is also best to ask for sufficient explanation when you are discharged: what will the further treatment look like, what medication should you take, what do you still need to think about...
   
• Precautions for a safe operation
  If you need surgery, discuss the procedure with the doctor beforehand. Have the doctor mark with an arrow where you will be operated on. Stay sober when asked.
   
• Maintain good personal hygiene
  Good hygiene is very important to stop the spread of bacteria and prevent infections. Wash and disinfect your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol gel. The nurses and doctors also do this and, if necessary, wear gloves when you are being cared for.
   
• Fall prevention
  Unsafe footwear (e.g. slippers) is often the cause of fall accidents, whether at home or in the hospital. Therefore, choose footwear with a closed heel and a firm sole. To prevent such accidents, when you are admitted, we will preventively check with you to see if you are at increased risk of falling.

Your opinion, experience or suggestions for improvement

Do you have a compliment, improvement suggestion or complaint? Or would you like to report an incident? Send an e-mail to kwaliteit@stzh.be and/or ombudsdienst@stzh.be, and we will get to work on it. You can read how we do this on our ombudsperson page.