Patient Safety at City of Hope

The City of Hope^® commitment to patient safety is to ensure that every patient receives care that is safe and transparent with a goal of zero preventable harm at all times. Bringing together innovative technology and clinical expertise, our team of physicians, nurses and staff maintains the highest standards of patient safety while prioritizing your voice — because we know that the key to creating a safe, patient-centered healing environment is through a partnership with you and your loved ones.

City of Hope is dedicated to delivering cancer care that is compassionate, innovative and consistently safe. Our commitment to patient safety promotes a patient-focused approach that strives toward a goal of zero preventable harm and zero avoidable risk while encouraging patients to voice their concerns. By working together, we ensure that each appointment and every patient interaction is safe, consistent and focused on you and your health needs.

Our team of cancer experts and support staff are committed to patient safety. Our core principles include:

• A culture of safety, founded on open communication, leaders who prioritize listening and a daily focus on safe and reliable behaviors
• Dedication to preventing harm before it happens by focusing on proactive screening for health issues, sharing strategies for staying safe during treatment and prioritizing consistent medication checks
• A commitment to learning and improving across our entire staff, as well as transparency about how we are improving patient safety and providing safety training for all our providers
• Partnerships with patients and families, including safety and wellness checks, as well as a focus on shared decision-making and the need to “speak up”

When patients and cancer care teams work together, patient safety improves. Patient safety at City of Hope is a partnership between our clinical providers and you, our patients. By speaking up, asking questions and sharing information with your caregivers, you help make patient care safer for yourself and for every patient at City of Hope. Here are ten steps you can take to contribute to our mission to provide safe, patient-centered care.

1. Speak up immediately
   
   If something doesn’t look or feel right, or if something doesn’t make sense, tell us straight away. Your instincts are one of the strongest safety tools at your disposal.
    
2. Keep an accurate medication list
   
   Make sure you bring an up-to-date list of all medications, supplements or over-the-counter products you are taking to every appointment. Share any changes to your medication regime right away, even if they are small. Make sure to tell your care team about any allergies to medications.
    
3. Ask questions about medications and procedures
   
   When talking to your care team about any new medication or an upcoming procedure, it is a good idea to ask what the medication or procedure is for, how it works and whether you can expect any side effects.
    
4. Report fevers, chills or feeling “off” right away
   
   Infections are a common issue for many patients – and they can cause serious health issues if they are not found early. Call your care team immediately if you experience a fever of 100.4°F or higher; chills or shaking; sudden weakness or dizziness; a new cough or shortness of breath; or burning during urination.
    
5. Watch for signs of bleeding or bruising
   
   Many cancer patients undergo treatments that affect their blood count. Tell your care team immediately if you notice bleeding gums; nosebleeds; new bruise or red spots; or blood in your urine or stool.
    
6. Prevent falls by asking for help
   
   Always call for help before getting up, even if you feel steady. Other ways to prevent falls include wearing nonskid socks or closed back shoes, as well as using handrails or walkers.
    
7. Practice strong infection prevention
   
   Some simple steps can help reduce the chance of an infection. These include washing your hands often, wearing a face mask when it is required, avoiding interactions with those who are sick and following your care team’s recommendations if you have low blood cell counts.
    
8. Bring a caregiver or a support person
   
   Patients who bring caregivers with them have an extra set of eyes and ears to help watch out for new symptoms, manage mobility issues and ask questions about new medications.
    
9. Keep all scheduled labs and appointments
   
   Delaying follow-up care can increase a patient’s risk of complications, so it is important to keep all your appointments for check-ins with your care team, transfusions or lab tests.
    
10. Tell us about any changes — even small ones
    
    Changes to your mood or your physical health can be early warning signs of complications or health issues. Tell your care team if you are experiencing appetite issues, new fatigue symptoms, confusion, swelling, pain or any other changes, no matter how small.