OrientationOrientation@@Hartford HospitalHartford Hospital

OrientationOrientation@@Hartford HospitalHartford Hospital

We are happy to have you join us at Hartford Hospital.

This orientation will prepare you to be an active, knowledgeable participant within our hospital community.

We will provide you with general information about the hospital as well as specific training required by The Joint Commission (JC).

You will receive a Volunteer Handbook that contains much of this information in detail, as well as an information card that summarizes some of the safety information. We suggest that you carry this card with your hospital ID for quick review.

A little about us…..Hartford Hospital is an 822-bed, acute care hospital. As a major tertiary care and community health care center, it serves a statewide patient population.

The hospital has been a recipient of numerous highly prestigious national awards, recognizing the institution for its medical excellence, as well as its work in the areas of community relations, minority recruitment and the provision of health services within a diverse population.

An explosion at a local manufacturing firm led to the establishment of Hartford Hospital in 1854.

That first year Hartford Hospital treated 20 patients

In 2004, the hospital saw 33,000 admissions and over 180,000 outpatient and emergency department visits.

1854

The Institute Of Living, Hartford Hospital’s Mental Health Network, was founded in 1822 and is a comprehensive center for the evaluations, treatment and follow-up care of psychiatric, emotional and addiction disorders.

Vision Statement

To be the regional destination provider of innovative and complex care.

Mission StatementOur mission is to promote, restore, and maintain the health of the people we serve.

• 6,581 Employees• 67 Acres• 54 Buildings• 2.3 million ft2

Hartford Hospital OverviewHartford Hospital Overview

We Depend On YouIt is very important that you be consistent in fulfilling your schedule. If you are not able to come in for a scheduled shift, please call your supervisor as far in advance as possible, or give written notice when possible.

If you are ill please stay home and call to notify your department.

Leaving the program – On your last day at Hartford Hospital you must turn your photo ID to a Volunteer Services staff member.

There is a Dress Code at the Hospital

Standards of appearance are important for the security and comfort of our patients and their families.

Photo ID badge Must be worn at all times, as well as your volunteer nametag. Both should be clearly visible. This is a JC requirement.

Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne or scented lotions while at the hospital as patients may be sensitive to some fragrances.

In this business setting it is important to dress appropriately. Hiking boots, shorts, hats, tank tops, jeans, midriff shirts or “spaghetti” straps are not permitted. Open-toed shoes or sandals are only permitted in non-patient care areas. “Flip-flop” sandals are not permitted in any location due to noise and safety guidelines. Some departments may have additional restrictions. Please check with your supervisor during your department orientation.

Clothing Restrictions

Health Clearance for Tuberculosis

Individuals must provide documentation of a two-step tuberculin skin test performed within the previous 12 months or have one administered through the Hartford Hospital Occupational Health Department before beginning their service at the hospital. You can make an appointment by calling 545-2175.

Our Occupational Health team will provide you with documentation of your test results. Please bring this to Volunteer Services so we may record the information in your file.

If a positive reaction is detected, you will need to provide documentation of a negative chest x-ray as a follow-up. You will be directed to have this done through your own physician.

RESULTS

• Have you had a BCG vaccine?

• People who have had this vaccine should not be tested for Tuberculosis. Please tell a manager if you know you have had this vaccine.

Any coats, purses, etc. you bring to the hospital should be kept with you and taken to your assigned department. Cellular phones may be used in designated areas only. Please limit personal calls and texting while volunteering, and be sure to use them only when you are on break and in areas designated as safe for cell phone use (such as the lobby or cafeteria).

You should leave valuables at home.

All those coming on campus must sign in and out for each shift on the Department of Volunteer Services touch screen computer.

There are many important reasons for us to track this information, including liability coverage. Please help us keep accurate records by remembering to sign in and out.

If you forget to sign in or out for a shift, contact the department of Volunteer Services as soon as possible and relay the correct information regarding your hours. If the Touch Screen is not working, record your time in the book on the front desk or see a staff member for assistance.We have a 24 hour voice mail and you are welcome to leave the information there when we are away from the office.

Other Locations

Volunteers assigned to areas far from the main hospital building will be asked to either record their hours with their supervisor, or to call/e-mail them to the Volunteer Services office.

Any individual who is injured while on duty should report it to their supervisor. An incident report will be filled out, and if medical evaluation is necessary the individual will be directed to the Emergency Department.

Do not give medical advice (or discuss your personal opinions or experiences) with patients. Refer them back to medical staff.

Do not sign legal documents as a witness but rather refer patient/visitor to nursing staff for assistance.

SolicitationSolicitation of goods or services, requesting contributions, or distribution of literature of any kind on hospital property is prohibited.

GiftsYou are not allowed to accept gifts from the patients or their families for themselves or on behalf of Hartford Hospital. Please refer the individual to the Fund Development department, 545-2322.

Use of the Fitness Center

Access to Library resources

Recreational Activities Other Opportunities

• educational seminars

• health screenings.

Benefits to you include:

Code of Conduct

• To reinforce the shared commitment of all employees and volunteers to doing the right thing

• To remind ourselves how important integrity is to the Hospital’s mission and success

Regarding Patient Information

Rule of Thumb…What you SEE here & What you HEAR here…

STAYS HERE!

Although this was always a good “rule” it is now the “LAW”.

You will be asked to read about HIPAA and take a short exam after this orientation. Successful completion of the exam is mandatory. If you have any questions we are always available to assist you.

Rules of Conduct

Hartford Hospital reserves the right to terminate your status when, in the opinion of the hospital staff, such action is in your best interest and/or that of the hospital.

You are expected to adhere to the Hartford Hospital Sexual Harassment Policy, and will be disciplined or terminated for any violation thereof.

Individuals who encounter any abuse from anyone should discuss the matter immediately with their supervisor or director of their program.

Call Security at 545-2417 or ext. 52147

•for an escort to your car•to check lost and found, •in the event of theft or robbery

•for assistance for other problems

Security is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Fire prevention is the responsibility of everyone.

The best protection against fire is constant alertness to fire hazards and prompt action to eliminate unsafe conditions.

Should a fire occur, instantaneous action on your part may protect against loss of life and property.

Fire Safety

Decisive action is possible only if you are thoroughly familiar with the Fire Safety Program in the hospital.

Be sure you know the location of the alarm boxes and firefighting equipment in your area.

Fire Safety

Rescue those patients/people in immediate danger.Send in the Alarm immediately from the nearest fire alarm box, or call Security at 5-2147.Contain the fire/incident by closing appropriate doors and windows to prevent the spread of fire. Be sure to account for all patients.Extinguish the fire. (Only if you are comfortable and not putting yourself in danger.)

R

A

C

E

If a fire breaks out in your working area – follow the R.A.C. E. plan!

• Pull the pin on the extinguisher to activate the squeeze handle.

• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.• Squeeze the handle to activate the

extinguisher.• Sweep to cover the area of the fire with the

extinguishing agent.

Fire extinguishers are easy to operate and can prevent serious damage when used in the early stages of a fireTo operate a fire extinguisher, follow the P.A.S.S. plan

“DR. ROVER” is the Code Word For Fire What the hospital does:

During a fire drill or actual fire in the hospital, you will be notified over the paging system by the following phrase, “Attention all employees, Dr Rover in (location)”… When the alarm is over, they will announce.. “Attention all employees, Dr. Rover cancelled “

What you must know:–Movement through the hospital is restricted.–Fire doors at the end of hallways will drop

closed.– If you are in between two sets of closed fire

doors, stay put until the alarm is cancelled.

“DR. ROVER RED” is the Code Word For a Bomb ThreatWhat the hospital does:

In the event of a bomb threat, you will be notified over the paging system by the following phrase, “Attention all employees, Dr Rover Red”. Upon order to cancel the threat, you will hear “Attention all employees, Dr. Rover Red cancelled .“

What you must know:–Movement through the hospital is not restricted unless directed otherwise.–Do not close the fire doors.–Conduct a search of your area and report any suspicious objects to the Supervisor.

The Emergency Operations Plan is a collection of plans to deal with a variety of emergency situations ranging from a water outage in the hospital to a bomb explosion in the community.

When you hear the Emergency Operations Plan put into effect, follow your normal work routine unless otherwise instructed.

When an Emergency Operations Plan has been put into effect

What the hospital does:– Announcement over paging system– Security calls first person on each disaster

team (at work or at home) who must respond to the disaster.

– Disaster team leader calls remaining team members.

When an Emergency Operations Plan has been put into effect

What you must know:

– Normal movement through the hospital may or may not be restricted.

– Follow instructions from your Supervisor if you are signed in at the time of a true disaster.

Safety Alerts

• Some hospital buildings are not connected to the overhead page system. In these areas safety alerts are called to departments and shared verbally.

Your Wallet Card contains reminders of of the safety codes and the confidentiality statement.

Please carry this card with you while on the campus. We suggest carrying it in your ID badge holder.

Hartford Hospital cannot guarantee an environment free from exposure to infectious diseases. To protect yourself as much as possible:

–Wash your hands frequently.–Be observant of isolation signs on patient doors. Request assistance from staff regarding precaution procedures. Only go in the room if you are comfortable doing so.–Do not come in when you are sick.

Infection Control

Infection Control

Individuals who go into patient rooms for any reason MUST wash their hands upon entering and exiting the room, regardless of any physical contact with the patient or items in the room. You can use either soap and water or the Purell hand sanitizer to do this.

Do only those tasks for which you have been trained or properly instructed.

If a staff member asks for assistance outside of your responsibilities refer them to your supervisor for authorization.

If a patient requests assistance outside of your responsibilities, assure them you will alert someone to their need and then relay the information to a staff member or your supervisor for follow-through.

Things to remember:

It is our goal to provide you with an exceptional experience at Hartford Hospital.

If you have any questions, please ask them.

If you have any suggestions, please share them.

You are valued

On behalf of the patients, visitors and staff that you will serve, we thank you. We are so pleased that you have chosen to be part of our health care team !

This concludes the orientation. Please remember to complete your post test and HIPAA training.