HIPAA Privacy Rule
Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, patients have the right to “opt-out” of the facility’s patient directory.
Should they choose to exercise this right, their name will not be listed in the directory. If a friend, family member or other outside person inquires as to whether the individual is a patient here, they will be told that there is no listing for that patient in the directory.
The patient privacy laws also prevent our staff from accessing any other patient files to respond to inquiries regarding a patient that has chosen not to be listed. Any additional information would need to be obtained directly from the patient’s family.
Questions About Your Stay
We encourage you and your family to inform us of any issues you may have about our service and care. Bringing a concern to our attention will not, in any manner, compromise the medical care given to you or a loved one, or future access to services.
During your stay, you may voice your opinions to any staff member. If you have a complaint or concern, please don’t wait until after you’ve left the hospital. Rather, tell us during your In the event you are not satisfied with our staff’s response, please feel free to contact Hospital Administration at ext. 5442 or (818) 885-5442.
Rest assured that all issues are reviewed, evaluated and responded to appropriately. You may also contact The Joint Commission (TJC), an organization that accredits nearly 15,000 healthcare facilities, including Northridge Hospital Medical Center.
Ethics-Based Approach to Patient Care
Consistent with our Mission, Vision and Values, we believe and actively encourage patients and their families/caregivers to participate in patient care and decision-making. We recognize that serious and vitally important healthcare decisions can be stressful and difficult for patients and families.
They may even sometimes cause conflict between family members or between the family and healthcare team. Northridge Hospital’s Ethics Committee is structured to handle any ethics issue that may arise during your hospital stay. This Ethics Committee is comprised of members of the hospital’s medical staff, nursing, social services, and clergy and can be convened at your request.
The Committee will address your issue with the utmost professionalism, dignity, compassion, and confidence. Should you have a need for this service or to obtain further information related to the hospital’s ethics and patient rights program, please feel free to contact your physician, nurse or other hospital employee who will make the appropriate referral.
Patient Safety
We take patient safety very seriously 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, 365 days a year! Patients, families, physicians and our health care team are all responsible for increasing health care safety.
We invite you to learn more about our hospital safety goals, and how you can help to prevent medical errors by reading the Speak-Up information.
Speak UP for Healthcare Safety
Everyone has a role in making healthcare safe -- physicians, healthcare executives, nurses and technicians. Healthcare organizations across the country are working to make healthcare safety a priority.
You, as the patient, can also play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved and informed member of your healthcare team. An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report has identified the occurrence of medical errors as a serious problem in the healthcare system.
The IOM recommends, among other things, that a concerted effort be made to improve the public’s awareness of the problem. The Speak Up program, sponsored by The Joint Commission, urges patients to get involved in their care. Such efforts to increase consumer awareness and involvement are supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
This initiative provides simple advice on how you, as the patient, can make your care a positive experience. After all, research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their healthcare are more likely to have better outcomes.
Speak Up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again.
It’s your body and you have a right to know.
Your health is too important to worry about being embarrassed if you don’t understand something that your doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional tells you. Don’t be afraid to ask about safety. If you’re having surgery, for example, ask the doctor to mark the area that is to be operated upon so that there’s no confusion in the operating room.
Don’t be afraid to tell the nurse or the doctor if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication. Don’t hesitate to tell the healthcare professional if you think he or she has confused you with another patient.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving.
Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medications by the right healthcare professionals. Don’t assume anything.
Tell your nurse or doctor if something doesn’t seem quite right. Expect healthcare workers to introduce themselves when they enter your room and look for their identification badges. A new mother, for example, should know the person to whom she is handing her baby. If you are unsure, ask.
Notice whether your caregivers have washed their hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections. Don’t be afraid to gently remind a doctor or nurse to do this.
Know what time of day you normally receive a medication. If it doesn’t happen, bring this to the attention of your nurse or doctor. Make sure your nurse or doctor confirms your identity, that is, checks your wristband or asks your name, before he or she administers any medication or treatment.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing and your treatment plan.
Ask your doctor about the specialized training and experience that qualifies him or her to treat your illness (and be sure to ask the same questions of those physicians to whom he or she refers you).
Gather information about your condition. Good sources include your doctor, your library, respected websites, and support groups. Write down important facts your doctor tells you, so that you can look for additional information later. And ask your doctor if he or she has any written information you can keep.
Thoroughly read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you don’t understand, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them. Make sure you are familiar with the operation of any equipment that is being used in your care. If you will be using oxygen at home, do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke near you while oxygen is in use.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think of while you are under stress. Ask this person to stay with you, even overnight, when you are hospitalized. You will be able to rest more comfortably and your advocate can help to make sure you get the right medications and treatments.
Your advocate can also help remember answers to questions you have asked, and Speak Up for you if you cannot. Make sure this person understands your preferences for care and your wishes concerning resuscitation and life support.
Review consents for treatment with your advocate before you sign them and make sure you both understand exactly what you are agreeing to. Make sure your advocate understands the type of care you will need when you get home. Your advocate should know what to look for if your condition is getting worse and whom to call for help.
Know what medications you take and why you take them.
Medication errors are the most common healthcare mistakes. Ask about the purpose of the medication and ask for written information about it, including its brand and generic names. Also inquire about the side effects of the medication. If you do not recognize a medication, verify that it is for you. Ask about oral medications before swallowing, and read the contents of bags of intravenous (IV) fluids. If you’re not well enough to do this, ask your advocate to do it. If you are given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take for the liquid to “run out.” Tell the nurse if it doesn’t seem to be dripping properly (if it is too fast or too slow).
Whenever you are going to receive a new medication, tell your doctors and nurses about allergies you have, or negative reactions you have had to medications in the past. If you are taking multiple medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take those medications together. This holds true for vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs too. Make sure you can read the handwriting on any prescriptions written by your doctor. If you can’t read it, the pharmacist may not be able to either.
Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of healthcare organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation.
Northridge Hospital Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission to ensure state-of-the-art quality and safety standards.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the healthcare team.
You and your doctor should agree on exactly what will be done during each step of your care. Know who will be taking care of you, how long the treatment will last and how you should feel. Understand that more tests or medications may not always be better. Ask your doctor what a new test or medication is likely to achieve. Keep copies of your medical records from previous hospitalizations and share them with your healthcare team. This will give them a more complete picture of your health history.
Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. If you are unsure about the nature of your illness and the best treatment, consult with one or two additional specialists. The more information you have about the options available to you, the more confident you will be in the decisions made.
Ask to speak with others who have undergone the procedure you are considering. These individuals can help you prepare for the days and weeks ahead. They also can tell you what to expect and what worked best for them as they recovered.
