Patient Safety

Wash Your Hands

After you move around your child’s room, touch things, or use the bathroom, always remember to wash your hands. It is OK to ask your caregivers whether they have washed their hands.

Speak Up When You Have Questions or Concerns

Not only is OK, but we encourage as well, to ask questions and to expect answers you can understand. Always ask questions before agreeing to any medical test, medication, or treatment.

Make Sure You Understand What Will Happen if You Need Surgery

Make sure that you, your child’s physician, and your child’s surgeon all understand and agree on exactly what will be done. By discussing the plan ahead of time, you can help prevent rare mistakes.

Make Sure That all Medical Professionals Involved in Your Child’s Care Have Important Health Information About You

Several health care professionals may ask you the same questions (e.g., does your child have any allergies). That’s all part of helping to make sure that we receive safe care. Be sure to share your child’s health and medication history with your care team.

Request That Your Wristband be Checked When You are Given Medications, Have Blood Drawn, or When Procedures are Performed.

This is part of our standard process, but if a nurse should forget, don’t hesitate to ask that your wrist band be checked.  Occasionally, a patient is mistaken for another patient. You can help prevent mistakes by having your identification wristband checked.

Make Sure You Know Who is Taking Care of Your Child

If a caregiver attempts to care for your child without an identification badge, ask them who they are, and tell a properly identified caregiver about the matter.

When Your Child is Discharged From the Hospital, Your Physician will Explain the Treatment Plan You Should Use at Home

This includes learning about your child’s medications and finding out when he/she can get back to regular activities.  If this doesn’t happen, please ask.

Notification in Accordance with the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 – Proposition 65

Proposition 65 requires the Governor to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.” It also requires California companies, including health care providers, to warn the public of potential exposures to these chemicals. Please be assured that Kaiser Permanente is committed to providing a safe environment for patients and members. However, some chemicals used in health care facilities, including Kaiser Permanente facilities, are on the Governor’s list. You may be exposed to the following chemical during your stay in a Kaiser Permanente facility: Chemical, Hazard and Source(s).

In addition to this chemical, some drugs prescribed to patients include chemicals known to the State to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Please consult your health care provider or pharmacist for specific information about any drugs prescribed for you.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)

phthalate (DEHP)

Reproductive toxicant for

males under three months of age.

Plastics, including

plastic tubing.