Quality Care Initiatives

Preventing Errors

You, as the patient, can play a role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your health care team. The "Speak Up" program, sponsored by The Joint Commission, urges patients to get involved in their care. We at Jackson Hospital promote this program and encourage you to follow the Joint Commission’s advice listed below:

• Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again.
• Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medications.
• Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
• Know what medications you take and why you take them.
• Participate in all decisions about your treatment.

Preventing Infection

Avoiding contagious diseases like the common cold, strep throat, and the flu is important to everyone. At Jackson Hospital we believe we can all play a role in preventing the spread of infections. Here are four easy things, encouraged by The Joint Commission, that you can do to fight the spread of infection:

• Clean your hands often and for at least 15 seconds.
• Make sure health care providers clean their hands and wear gloves.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough because germs can travel three feet or more.
• If you are sick, avoid close contact with other people.

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