Patient Safety
The safety and security of your family is a top priority of NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. The following guidelines can keep your children as safe as possible while at the Hospital.
Parent Role
Take an active role in your child's care. Know the members of your child's health care team and ask questions so that you understand the care plan for your child each day.Staff Identification
Each staff member and volunteer is required to wear a photo identification badge. Do not hesitate to ask employees or visitors to identify themselves. If you have any concerns about the identity of any person entering your child's room, contact a member of the nursing staff immediately. Report any suspicious behavior immediately to security at extension 5-2222.Patient Identification
Be sure your child wears a patient identification bracelet at all times while in the hospital. This bracelet must be checked by the staff members before administering every dose of medication, transporting your child, or performing any test, blood draw, or procedure.Some other areas where parents and caregivers can help keep their children safe are described below.
Infection Control
Hand Washing Evidence is overwhelming that washing your hands is the single most important thing that anyone,including family members, visitors and the medical team, can do to prevent the spread of infection. Infections can spread when unwashed hands touch your child or any surface or object in his or her room. You can do your part to stop infections by:- Cleaning your hands every time you enter your child's room and before and after hand contact with your child.
- Use soap and water if you can see dirt on your hands.
- Use Purell alcohol sanitizer for all other times.
- If the Purell dispenser is empty, tell a nurse or housekeeper.
- Reminding others to wash their hands.
- Making sure everyone entering your child's room cleans their hands. This includes:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Technicians
- Any other staff
- Family Members
- Visitors
We expect our staff to clean their hands when they enter the room or before they examine your child, or touch him or her for any reason. However, reminders are always appreciated and welcome.
Everyone should clean hands before and after:
- Touching your child
- Eating food
- Feeding, including bottle or breastfeeding your child
- Touching surfaces in the room (e.g., phone, bed, table)
- Giving medications
- Changing diapers
- Using the restroom
- Wiping noses
Please help us in promoting a healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff by following these guidelines:
- Wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom, and encourage your child to do the same. An alcohol based hand sanitizer is also available and can be used instead of washing hands in many situations. Parents should also try to remember to clean their hands with Purell after touching monitors, cribs and other surfaces before they again touch their child.
- Do not share personal belongings, such as toys and blankets, with other patients.
- Advise family and friends who have the cold, the flu, or other contagious illnesses to wait until they are well before visiting.
Medication Safety
It is important to recognize your child's medications. If the medications given to your child do not look familiar, alert the doctor or nurse. Do the same when picking up medication(s) from your outside pharmacy.- Make sure that all of your child's doctors know all medications and supplements your child is currently taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
- Make sure your child's doctor and nurse know about any allergies and adverse reactions your child has had to medications.
- When your child's doctor writes a prescription, make sure you can read it and know what the medication is for and how it is used, and what reactions you might expect.
- Ask for information about your child's medicines in terms you can understand, both when the medicines are prescribed and when you receive them.
- When your child is being discharged from the hospital, ask the doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.
Gifts
Gifts can do a lot to cheer up a hospitalized child. Flowers, toys, stuffed animals, books and games are terrific items to give a patient. Balloons, however, are not permitted in the hospital. We have adopted this policy in response to concerns from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations regarding the following issues:- allergic reactions to latex
- deterioration of the physical environment resulting from released balloons that are difficult to remove from the ceiling and can potentially block air vents
Valuables
Please leave all valuables at home. Items such as jewelry, expensive toys or clothing, should not be brought to the Hospital. The Hospital is not responsible for the loss or damage to any personal property kept in your child's room. If an item must be secured, please ask a nurse to arrange for the Hospital's Security Office to assist you.Electrical Appliances
Electrical appliances from home are not permitted on the unit. Special permission may be granted in some instances. All electrical appliances brought from home must be examined by the Biomedical Engineering Department prior to use.No-Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted in any other Hospital buildings. If you wish to smoke, you may do so outside the Hospital in designated areas away from entrances and doorways.Other Important Tips for Parents
If your child is having surgery, make sure that you, your child's doctor and the surgeon all agree clearly on exactly what will be done. Make sure you know who is in charge of your child's care. This is particularly important when many people are involved in treatment or when your child has multiple health problems.Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have the right to know about your child's care. We encourage you to discuss your questions and concerns with your child's doctor or any member of the health care team.
If you feel your concern about patient care or safety has not been adequately addressed by Hospital staff, you may contact the Office of Quality Monitoring of The Joint Commission as follows:
Email: complaint@jointcommission.org
Fax: (630) 792-5636
Mail:
Office of Quality Monitoring
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
If you have questions about how to file your complaint, you may contact the Joint Commission at this toll free U.S. telephone number, 8:30 am - 5 pm, Central Time, weekdays. (800) 994-6610
If you have concerns regarding security, please contact the Security Office which is open at all times: Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital (212) 305-2222 (internal number: 5-2222).
