Patients & Visitors
Partnering in Your Care
Ask questions if you have concerns, and if you do not understand, ask again.
- Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers.
- If you think something is wrong, speak up. You have the right to ask about your own care.
- Tell your doctor and other members of your health care team about recent hospitalizations and care you are receiving.
- Thoroughly read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you do not understand, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them.
Involve your loved ones.
- If possible, have a friend or family member with you to help ask questions and understand the answers. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of information presented.
- Make sure this person understands your preferences for care and your wishes concerning resuscitation and life support.
Be sure you are identified appropriately.
- Whether your caregiver is taking blood, giving you medication, or performing a test or procedure, you want to make sure that it is meant for you.
Know your medications and supplements.
- You will be asked for the medications you take at home, including nonprescription medications, vitamins and herbal remedies.
- Ask about side effects and what to avoid while taking the medication.
- Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any drug or food allergies.
- Make sure your medication is what the doctor ordered and that you know what it is for and how to use it. Ask your caregiver about your medication if it looks different than you expected.
Help prevent the spread of infection.
- Remind friends, family and caregivers to wash/sanitize their hands before coming into direct contact with you. Cleaning hands is an important way to prevent the spread of infection.
- Discourage family or friends with an active cough from visiting you at the hospital or accompanying you to doctor visits.
Inform your caregiver if your pain is not being managed.
- Be involved in your pain control plan.
- Expect to be assessed regularly and agree on a plan to lessen your discomfort.
Understand what will happen if you need surgery.
- Make sure your surgeon has explained any potential complications.
- Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses about any allergies or bad reactions to anesthesia.
- Verify that the doctor or nurse has clearly marked the body part to be operated on.
Know what to do after you are discharged from the hospital.
- Make sure you feel comfortable with discharge instructions given by your caregivers.
- Review medications you are prescribed with your caregivers, including the medications' names, dosage amounts and how often you will be taking them.
- Ask your caregiver to provide the phone number to call if you have questions following your discharge.
As a patient, you have rights at Stevens Hospital. One of those rights is receiving safe care in a safe setting.
Patients and their families are important members of our care team. By actively participating in your own care, you can help us provide you with a safe care experience.
The Joint Commission and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services support the campaign for patient and family involvement and encourage you to participate in making your care experience a safe and positive one.
We encourage you to talk with your caregivers if you have any questions or concerns related to your care, however, if you feel those concerns are not being addressed, contact the patient advocate at 425.640.4365.
21601 76th Avenue West
Edmonds, WA 98026
425.640.4000
