Murphy Medical Center

Patient Information

Sharing in Safety –

Tips for Safe Healthcare

Murphy Medical Center’ physicians and staff are proud of the quality care we deliver to our patients. We appreciate your joining with us to make sure you have the experience that patients have come to expect.

Know your healthcare provider - All employees and nursing staff are required to wear a name badge with their picture displayed openly. If someone approaches you without a badge ask to see his/her identification. Make sure you know who is in charge of your care - This is particularly important when many people are involved in your treatment, or when you have many health problems.

Speak up if you have questions or concerns - You have the right to know about your care and ask questions of any member of your care team. Spanish version

Recognize your medication - Murphy Medical Center treat many patients each day. Each patient is prescribed medications specifically for them. There is a detailed process to make sure that the medications the patient receives are, indeed, the proper ones.

There are two things to keep in mind, 1) Ask about the medications you are receiving and why you are getting them, 2) If the medications you are given do not look familiar, ask your caregiver about them. Chances are, despite its appearance, the medicine is correct, but it doesn’t hurt to double check.

Make sure your caregivers wash or sanitize their hands if they perform any “hands on “procedures - Washing or sanitizing your hands is the single most important thing anyone including your caregiver-can do to prevent the spread of infection. Murphy Medical Center’s policy mandates that every care provider, including doctors, nurses, and other staff, wash or sanitize their hands before and after performing any “hands on” procedures with patients. If you notice a member of your healthcare team has forgotten to wash or sanitize their hands, remind them-it’s for everyone’s benefit.

If you need surgery, make sure that you and your surgeon agree clearly on what needs to be done. While you are a patient in the hospital, keep in mind that you are not at your usual physical condition, you may be weak, unsteady on your feet, medications may make you drowsy or less alert than usual, and you are not in a familiar place. All of these things can put you at risk for falling. The staff will work with you to help reduce your risks for falling and here are ways you can help:

Turn on the lights before getting out of bed so you can see better to avoid a fall.
Call for help before you get out of bed if you are unsteady. Also call for help to get back to bed. There are call bells in the bathroom.
Keep things you need within reach, such as the call bell, phone, and your glasses.
Wear safe, sturdy shoes and slippers with non-slip soles. • Use your walker or cane. Keep it within reach.
Get up slowly from the bed or chair so you will not get dizzy. Being in bed for a while and medication can make you dizzy. Tell your nurse if this happens.
Wear your glasses and hearing aide. This makes a big difference in balance.
Tell your nurse if you have fallen at home in the past 6 months, so we can know about your needs for safety.

Something seem unsafe? See something we’ve missed or something we can do better? Please let us know. We welcome your questions and concerns. Your physicians, nurses, and other staff will know whom to contact to address the issue.

If you prefer, you may contact: Murphy Medical Center Patient Safety Officer– 828-835-7519

Inpatient Information

Your Room All of our rooms are private. Your room assignment at Murphy Medical Center is based upon your admitting diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission. All patient rooms in the hospital are heated and air-conditioned. If your room temperature is not comfortable, please tell your nurse.

Your Hospital Bed Our hospital beds are electronically operated, and our nurse will show you how to work your bed properly. Your bed is probably higher and narrower than your bed at home. Be cautious as you get in and out of bed and request assistance if you need it. Bedside rails are for your safety. They may be raised at night or during the day if you’re resting, recovering from surgery, or taking certain medications that may make you at risk-for-fall. If the side rails are up, please do not lower them without first consulting your nurse. The call system is found next to every bed and is connected directly to the nurses station. Press the button, wait for a response.

Calling Your Nurse . Your nurse will show you the call button and how to use it. . A staff member will respond to your signal as soon as possible. Please call for help when you need it or for assistance to go to the bathroom. When you call, please tell us what you need. This will help us send the right person to you as quickly as possible.

During the Night Please stay in bed after you have been prepared for the night. Unfamiliar surroundings, lighting and medications may make you unsure of where you are when you get out of bed. If you feel you need assistance during the night, please use your call button. A staff member will respond to your signal as soon as possible.

Leaving Your Room You may feel well enough to walk around during your recovery, and your doctor may recommend it. If so, we would prefer that you stay on your nursing unit. If you do leave, please tell your nurse.

Rest and Privacy Your hospital stay is likely to be short and very busy. You need as much rest as possible between test and procedures. If you feel you are having too many visitors and telephone calls, a nurse can place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door and temporarily block incoming calls.

Television Color television sets are provided free of charge in each room. Patient Education may be found on cable Channel 4. Please notify a staff member if you should require assistance. Please be considerate of others by setting your volume on low.

Telephones Telephones are provided in each room. Family and friends may call you by dialing the main number for Murphy Medical Center (828) 837-8161, the Information Desk will transfer the call to your room.

Patients may receive calls in their rooms from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Local calls are free. Dial a 9 to get an outside line, and then dial the number you wish to call. To place long distance or credit card calls dial 9-1-800-225-5288. If you are having trouble placing your long distance call, the hospital operator can assist you. Call 0 for the hospital operator.

Public telephones are located in the main lobby of the hospital and in the Emergency Department waiting area.

Quality and Safety at Murphy Medical Center

Murphy Medical Center staff is committed to ensuring patient health and safety. We want patients, families and significant others to be informed, participate in treatment choices and be an active participant in healthcare.

We participate in publicly reporting the quality of our care in the following areas: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI or heart attack), Pneumonia, and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). This data allows consumers to evaluate and compare the information from different hospitals. For more information on hospital reporting, see: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.

MMC participates in many projects to assess and improve the delivery of healthcare. We are dedicated to improving our patients’ lives. Our organization strives to be proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and preventing errors or injury.

We are concerned for the safety and satisfaction of all of our patients. If you would like to share a concern or discuss an issue regarding medical care, please contact our Patient Safety Manger at 828-835-7519. We will promptly respond to your concern.

The public may also directly contact the Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring to report any of these concerns or complaints by emailing: complaint@jcaho.org or calling 1-800-994-6610.

Murphy Medical Center
4130 US Highway 64 East
Murphy, North Carolina 28906
828.837.8161