Keeping you safe is our priority.
Patient safety incidents are rare, however there are some simple things that all patients can do to help stay as safe as possible.
This includes:
Simple steps to stay safe
Avoiding blood clots
Preventing falls
Preventing wound infections
Personal hygiene
Cleaning and clutter
Simple steps to stay safe
Access a British Sign Language (BSL) version of 'Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay' (YouTube)
Useful links
'Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay' - patient information leaflet (NHS England)
Avoiding blood clots
Blood clots can be a significant risk to patients in hospitals. These are also called venous thromboembolism (VTE).
VTE comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
All patients must be assessed for VTE on admission. If you or someone in your family has previously had a blood clot, it's important that you tell our staff who are providing your care.
Useful links
Reducing the risk of hospital-associated blood clots - a patients' guide (Patient information leaflet)
Preventing wound infections
A wound infection is also known as a surgical site infection.
We have several measures in place to control these, which means most patients do not get a wound infection. However, it's important to be aware of what they are, risk factors and what you can do to help our teams prevent you getting one.
What is a wound infection
Either during or after surgery, bacteria from your body or the environment can enter your body through the cut made by the surgeon.
If the bacteria multiply, they can cause an infection at the site of surgery, for example your sternum (chest) or leg (where the vein is harvested for bypass surgery).
Risk factors
The two main risk factors of wound infections are having diabetes and/or being overweight.
Reducing your risk of wound infection
Our staff will take every precaution to reduce the chance of you developing a surgical site infection, but you can help us reduce the risk by following these steps:
- Be optimised ahead of surgery in terms of weight and diet.
- Apply your nasal gel as instructed before and after your operation. This helps reduce the number of bacteria in your nose.
- Use your special antiseptic body and hair wash as instructed before and after your operation. This helps reduce the number of bacteria on the skin.
- Please do not touch your wound site.
- Please do not apply any lotions, ointments or powders to any wound until it heals.
Useful links
'Preventing surgical site (wound) infections’ - patient information leaflet
Preventing falls
We work together with patients, their families and carers to do all we can to prevent falls in hospital.
To help reduce the risk, please let our nurses know if you require mobility aids or assistance, if you have an exisiting medical conditions (such as Parkinson's) or if you usually have help at home.
You should also follow our guidance on 'what to bring into hospital'.
Useful links
'Falls prevention in hospital' - patient information leaflet
Personal hygiene
Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning, viruses like flu and coronavirus (COVID-19), and wound infections.
This is because good hand hygiene removes dirt and reduces the number of organisms on your hands.
Please maintain robust hand hygiene throughout your stay by washing your hands for at least 30 seconds using the soap provided in your room.
We would empower you to ask our staff or your visitors to ensure they have performed hand hygiene before you receive personal care.
Making sure you have clean clothing is also important. We will provide you with clean towels and flannels.
Useful links
Video: How to wash your hands (nhs.uk)
Cleaning and clutter
To support us with cleaning your room to the very highest standards, please do not clutter your rooms with personal belongings. This allows our cleaners to access floors and surfaces.
Follow our guidance on 'what to bring (and not bring) into hospital'.