Cellular Telephones

Please do not use cellular telephones in designated areas. They may cause medical equipment malfunction. The use of cellular telephones is not allowed within six feet of patients on monitors or other monitoring equipment.

Domestic Violence

Because violence can occur in people’s lives and because there is help available for abused individuals, we ask every person about domestic violence. Rest assured that whatever you say is kept confidential, though we are required by law to report incidents that involve weapons or grave bodily illness or harm.

Electrical Safety

It is important to ensure all electrical devices used at Munroe Regional Medical Center meet safety standards. Personal items that are not permitted for use at Munroe include: clothes irons, coffee pots, electric blankets, fans, hot plates, tea pots, space heaters, personal televisions, electric toys and friction type toys.

Personal hygiene devices such as electric shavers and blow dryers are allowed, but must be in good condition.

Fall Prevention

The staff at Munroe care for you and your loved one and want to keep you safe. Patient assessments are made to determine the possible risks for falls, and actions are taken by the staff to prevent them.

For example:

• You may find the patient in bed with the side rails up.
• You may be asked to sit at the bedside with the patient then tell the staff when you leave.
• The assistance of family and friends is always very helpful and helps the patient feel more secure.

What can you do to help in fall prevention?

• Understand that identification of the patient as “being at risk for a fall” is to protect them.
• Patients who have been identified as being at risk for a fall will have an orange alert magnet on the hospital room door. This will let all hospital staff know that this patient needs special attention.
• When you are sitting with a patient who has been identified as being at risk for falls and you must leave the room, please let a staff member know.
• If you are asked by the patient to assist them out of bed and the patient has been identified as being at risk for a fall, please use the nurses’ call bell and ask for help.

HIV/AIDS Testing

Because of the nature of the work done in the healthcare setting, associates may be exposed to blood and body fluid. Florida law states that we must inform the patient if an employee has been exposed to a patient’s blood or body fluid, such as through an accidental needle stick. If this occurs, the patient’s blood will be tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This is necessary to treat the injured associate appropriately and quickly. The patient’s physician will also be notified of this incident and testing will be at no cost to the patient. Those test results will be kept confidential in Employee Health Services and a copy will be sent to the patient’s physician, who will inform the patient of the test results.

Personal Property

Please keep personal aids such as dentures, eyeglasses and hearing aids in a safe place when you are not using them. It is recommended you do not place any of these items on your meal tray.

Safety Questions

A member of Munroe’s Security staff is always available to answer questions you may have. If you have questions or concerns regarding safety, please call (352) 402-5300.

Security

• Possessing or carrying any weapons onto hospital property is prohibited.
• The possession and/or use of illegal substances or alcohol are prohibited.
• If there are circumstances when you feel you need to have extra security precautions taken when you are in the hospital, please let your nurse know and request he/she contact Security so you can discuss the situation with them.
• If you have any questions or concerns regarding safety, please call (352) 402-5300.

Smoking

For the safety of Munroe patients and visitors, smoking is not allowed in any building. Please check with staff for directions to outside smoking areas.

As a patient, your physician must write an order giving you permission to smoke. Please understand that if you must smoke while a patient at Munroe, you must go to a designated patient/visitor smoking area outside the building. If you are given permission to smoke, please let your nurse know when you are leaving your room to go outside to smoke.

Valuables

Please do not keep valuables such as jewelry, watches, cash, checkbooks or credit cards with you in the hospital. If at all possible, please send your valuables and personal belongings home. If you are unable to send them home, please tell the staff. Munroe will make arrangements to have your valuables secured by a Security officer. The hospital will not assume liability for damage or loss to valuables that are not secured by Munroe.