Simple steps to keep you safe

While you are in hospital, keeping you safe and well is a priority for the staff looking after you. 

The NHS England National Patient Safety Team have created a video and a leaflet ‘Simple steps to keep you safe during your hospital stay’ (which is also available in other languages) providing tips on keeping yourself safe during your hospital stay. 

There are also some simple things you can do to help keep yourself safe during your hospital stay, such as asking for help when needed, protecting yourself from slips and falls, and helping to prevent blood clots.

Ask for help if you don’t understand

It’s important that you understand what staff are explaining to you, and that you can tell us if you need any assistance, have any additional needs, or have any questions or concerns. So please ask if you need extra help to communicate, or need support from a friend, carer or family member.

Check your hospital wristband

You’ll be given a wristband to tell staff who you are. Staff will regularly check this to confirm you’re the right patient before they give you medication or carry out tests. So it’s important to tell someone straightaway if any of the information is wrong. Staff will also ask if you have any allergies, such as to medicines, foods or materials like latex or plasters.

Tell us about your medicines

If you bring any of your own medicines into hospital, make sure you tell a member of staff before taking them, including any pain relief, vitamins or supplements you bought yourself. This is important as they can sometimes react with any new medication or treatments you might be given in hospital.

Also remember to tell us if you have any medical alert cards or use any devices, for example, an insulin pump. If you don’t understand what any new medicines you’re given in hospital are for; why you need to take them; or have questions about possible side effects; please ask a member of staff to explain.

Protect yourself from slips and falls

If you’re walking around in hospital, even just to go to the toilet, wear the right kind of footwear. This could be snug fitting slippers, or shoes with rubber soles such as trainers.

Remember to use any walking aid that you’d normally use, and put on your glasses and hearing aids before walking around, if you have them. If you need any support, use the call bell and a member of staff will help you.

Take steps to stop blood clots

To make sure you don’t get blood clots you might need to have injections to thin your blood, and you may need to wear hospital stockings. You will also need to move around as often as you can. Take short walks if you’re able to, and do some simple leg and ankle exercises.

Unless staff have told you not to drink water or other fluids, for example, before surgery, make sure you drink plenty to keep yourself well hydrated. It’s also important to regularly change your position in bed to help stop pressure ulcers, which can be painful. If you find it hard to move, ask a member of staff for help. They can also get you a special mattress or cushions if you need them.

Help to prevent infections

The most effective way to reduce your risk of infection is to maintain good hand hygiene. You should wash your hands: 

• after using the toilet, urinal, or commode
• prior to eating and drinking

Wipes will be provided at each mealtime and we ask you to use these prior to eating and or drinking.

Don't be afraid to ask staff and visitors if they have washed their hands before any contact with you.

Tell a member of staff if you:

• have any drips or tubes attached to you that have become sore or uncomfortable and ask about plans for removal of drips and catheters
• develop diarrhoea and or vomiting

Do not touch or allow your relatives and friends to touch wounds or any other device such as catheters or drips. 

Please also tell a doctor or nurse as soon as possible about any recent overseas travel or hospital admissions, so that you receive the most appropriate care and treatment and so that we can carry out additional tests required.

It is sometimes necessary to care for patients in isolation to prevent the spread of infection to other patients, visitors, and staff.

For more information visit Infection prevention and control

When it's time to go home

When it’s time to go home, make sure you understand when you will receive your hospital discharge letter and any follow up appointments.

If you’ve been given any medicines to take at home, ensure you know what they’re for and how to take them, and that you know who to contact if you have any questions about your care or follow up arrangements.

Remember, the staff caring for you in hospital are there to keep you safe and well. But we want you to be a partner in your care, so just ask if you have any questions, worries or concerns.

Find out more about how you can plan for going home from hospital.