PatientInfoGuide - Flipbook - Page 10
ID Band
Your identification band has been issued for your
own protection. The band identifies both you
and your physician. If you have any allergies,
a separate red band will be applied to alert the
staff. Please wear your band or bands at all times.
Smoking
Ours is a smoke-free facility. Smoking tobacco
or e-cigarettes (vaping) is prohibited both
inside the building and on the grounds. SVMC
instituted this policy in recognition of the
dangerous effects smoking has on the smoker
and those exposed to secondhand smoke.
Drugs/Alcohol
SVMC does not permit patients or staff to
use—or have in their possession—alcohol or
drugs that have not been approved by
a physician for medical treatment.
Oxygen
Special regulations are in effect in rooms where
patients are receiving oxygen. Certain items
and activities are not allowed in these rooms,
including the use of certain electric equipment
and aerosol products.
Medications
All medications you take during your stay with
us must be prescribed by your physician. They
will be dispensed by our in-house pharmacy and
administered by a nurse. You should not bring
medications or herbal supplements from home
unless requested to do so by your physician. If
you do so without the consent of your physician,
you may be asked to send the items home. Do
not take any medicines on your own, because
they may interact with other medications you are
being given.
Preventing Infection
The best way to prevent infections is hand
washing. Your caregivers are required to clean
their hands before and after contact with you.
Either a waterless hand cleaner or soap and water
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can be used. Please feel free to ask any of our staff
to clean their hands while you are in our care.
At all times, we practice standard precautions
as recommended by the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Standard precautions include hand hygiene; use
of gloves, gowns, mask, eye protection or face
shield (depending on anticipated exposure);
safe injection practices; and respiratory
etiquette. Standard precautions protect against
the most common ways of transmitting an
illness. You also may see red signs that include
contact, droplet, or airborne precautions for
certain illnesses.
Remember, clean hands prevent the spread
of disease: This includes your clean hands,
and your family’s and friends’ as well as the
healthcare worker’s.
Electrical Appliances
For your safety, we ask that you refrain from
bringing electrical appliances with you to the
hospital. This includes hair dryers, radios, and
razors. If you did bring one of these items with you,
please send it home with a member of your family
or one of your visitors. SVMC has hair dryers
and electric shavers available for your use.
Patient Belongings and Valuables
Patients and visitors are responsible for all
personal belongings. SVHC is not responsible
for replacing lost or misplaced items, so we
recommend you bring only essential items to
the hospital and offer the following tips to help
keep your personal items secure:
Clothing: Storage space in patient rooms is
limited. We have hospital gowns and non-skid
socks for patients to wear during their stay.
We suggest that clothing worn to the hospital
be sent home with family/friends and that
appropriate clothing be brought to the hospital
shortly before patient discharge.
Denture Care: A staff member will provide
a denture cup for patients who use dentures
SOUTHWESTERN VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER