Patient Safety

To continually improve procedures to assure patient safety at our hospital, we measure ourselves against standards set nationally through The Joint Commission. This includes achieving compliance with The Joint Commission's 2011 National Patient Safety Goals, which we apply at our hospital each and every day. We encourage our patients' and families' active participation in their care. Learn more about how you can help by clicking here.

You will meet your anesthesiologist in person immediately before your operation. He or she will review your medical records for a clear understanding of your needs and medical conditions. Your anesthesiologist will be able to answer any questions you may have about anesthesia. He or she will also discuss the anesthesia consent and arbitration agreement with you.

Falls Prevention

The prevention of a fall in the hospital is essential to optimal patient health and experience. As an integral part of patient safety, the Falls Prevention Safety Program was created to ensure maximum precautions against patient falls. The program spans all units and hospital departments. Read more about our program in our Guide For Preventing Falls brochure.

Medication Safety

San Antonio Community Hospital takes care to minimize errors in all aspects of medication delivery.

There are several things that you can do to avoid medication errors including: 

• Maintain a list of prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs and other products, such as vitamins and minerals that you are taking.
• Take this list with you whenever you visit a health care provider and have him or her review it.

Hosptial Inpatient Care  

• Always ask the doctor or nurse what medications you are being given at the hospital.
• Do not take a drug without being told the purpose for doing so.
• Prior to surgery, ask whether there are medications, especially prescription antibiotics, that you should take or any that you should stop taking preoperatively.
• Prior to surgery, ask whether there are medications, especially prescription antibiotics, that you should take or any that you should stop taking postoperatively.
• Prior to discharge, ask for a list of the medications that you should be taking at home, have a provider review them with you, and be sure you understand how these medications should be taken.