Making your stay with us safe

Developed by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

Creative design by MultiAdaptor

Preventing falls

• Weartheredhospitalsocks, laced up or snug fitting shoes or slippers with rubber soles.

• Useyourusualwalking aids.

• Ifyouneedanyassistance, tell us.

• Wearyourhospital stockingsifadvisedandmoveasoftenasyoucan.

• Trytodosimplelegand ankle exercises.

• Drinkfluidsasrecommended.• Takeblood-thinningtablets

or injections as advised.

Preventing blood clots

8 simple steps to keep yourself safe during your stay in hospital.

Your medicines

Preventing infection

• Tellusifyouhaveanallergy,orifyoudonotunderstandwhatyourmedicinesarefor.

• Talktoyourdoctor,nurseor pharmacist about any concerns you may have.

• Askaboutpossible sideeffects.

• Wash/decontaminateyourhandsbeforeandaftervisitingthetoilet,andbeforeallmeals.

• Don’thesitatetoaskourstaff iftheyhavewashedtheirhandsbeforeanycontactwithyou.

• Tellusifyouhave diarrhoea or vomiting.

Pressure ulcers

•Ifyoucan,trytokeepmobile,eveninbed,andcallusifyouareuncomfortable.•Weareveryhappytohelpyou change position, and can provide a special mattress orcushionforsupport.

Any concerns

Leaving hospital

• Weareheretohelpyou—talktousifyouhaveany worries or concerns about your treatment, or about what will happen when you leave hospital.

Beforeyouleave,makesureyou:• Have your discharge letter.• Haveyourmedicinesandthey

have been explained to you.• Knowwhotocontactifyou

have any questions or concerns.• Knowwhenyournext

appointment is.

Identification

• Tellusifanyofyourpersonalinformationiswrong(IDband,address,GP,nextofkin).

• Tellusifyouhaveanyallergies and we will giveyouaredIDband.