Patient Safety
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has long been a leader in pediatric healthcare with innovative programs and high-quality, family-centered care. Building upon this strong foundation, the Hospital intends to become the safest children’s hospital by 2015, as patient safety and keeping every child safe every day is truly our highest priority.
Our online safety resources offers websites and other resources on this important topic.
What is patient safety?
Patient safety is the focus on preventing medical errors that could lead to adverse healthcare outcomes for our patients. It includes all aspects of the care experience — effective communication, adherance to processes, proper hand hygiene and safe systems for ordering and giving medications, to name a few.
What is your role as a parent or caregiver?
Communication between staff and families helps to create a partnership that keeps patients safe. You know your child best. Sharing your observations and concerns with your child's healthcare team enables us to provide him with the best — and safest — care possible. Never hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand something, or if anything seems wrong.
Share your concerns with us
- Sharing helps us provide the safest care for your child.
- Ask us to explain or repeat anything you don’t understand.
- Write down your questions and concerns and share them with staff.
You know your child best
- Trust your instincts: Let us know if you see any changes in your child.
- Let the team know what medicines your child takes at home.
- Remind us of any allergies your child may have.
Participate in your child’s care
- You are a partner on the care team.
- Ask staff and visitors to wash their hands.
- Ask us to introduce ourselves.
- Expect us to check your child’s ID band.
We value your input
- Your observations make a difference.
- If you feel that your concerns are not heard, ask to talk with the charge nurse or resident on duty.
- Ask about your child’s medicine: potential side effects, doses, color.
What are the Six Rights of Medication Administration?
The Six Rights of Medication Administration are a set of six guidelines that medical professionals adhere to when administering medication, to ensure the highest level of safety for the patient. They are:
1. Identify the right patient
Before a CHOP staff member gives your child medication, make sure the person checks the ID band, verifying the full name and medical record number.
2. Verify the right medication
Ask questions if the medication looks different than usual.
3. Right indication for use
When a CHOP staff member gives your child medication, don’t be afraid to ask what it is and why your child is receiving it.
4. Calculate the right dose
Learn about what medications your child will be taking during treatment, including what they do, what dose is needed, and any possible side effects.
5. Make sure it's the right time
Ask questions if the medication is being given at a different time than usual.
6. Check the right route
Learn about what medications your child will be taking during treatment, including when and how to take them.
Contact Us
- 1-800-879-2467
- (1-800-TRY-CHOP)
- Contact Us Online
