LANSING, Mich. — You shouldn’t have to think about your safety while you or your loved one is receiving care at a hospital. That’s why McLaren Greater Lansing is adding to its already robust safety measures with new policies and procedures to help everyone on its campus.
Patients can take comfort in newly added ceiling tiles that remind them to call for assistance rather than trying to get out of bed on their own. The phrase “call don’t fall” is prominently displayed above a patient’s bed so they can see it and remember to page their care team first in order to stay safe.
New placemats are being used throughout the hospital that signify a patient’s food allergies. Food and nutrition staff have implemented red placemats to show that a tray of food is going to a patient who has special dietary needs from a food allergy. The simple reminder from the placemats was recently recognized during a rigorous on-site review from the Joint Commission as a practice that is being considered for recommendation to other hospitals.
Additional security policies are also being added result of thorough planning from McLaren’s Safe Together task force, which brought together hospital leadership to consider new and innovative policies to increase safety while allowing patients to access the quality health care they need.
McLaren Greater Lansing is rolling out new signs in each room that give clear guidelines to caregivers, patients, and their families on acceptable language and policies for recording and taking photographs inside the hospital. The signs also detail the measures that can be taken if the expectations that are used to create a safe environment are not followed.
Security staff will also be increased during specific hours in order to ensure that there is an officer present at a central entrance point. In order to do this, the emergency department entrance will be the only point of entry from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. During this time, all visitors will check in with security staff and receive a badge that shows the room number they are visiting. Visitor bags will be searched, and patients’ bags may be searched at the request of emergency staff.
McLaren Greater Lansing also has a dedicated K9 officer that can handle a variety of situations along with his handler. The three-year-old German shepherd named Scout can be a comforting presence for patients or staff who need a calming moment, or he can act as a mitigating force if necessary, to keep everyone at the hospital safe.
“The safety of our patients, visitors, and staff is our top priority,” said Kirk Ray, McLaren Greater Lansing President and CEO. “We’re proud of the commitment our staff has made through the Safe Together task force, and we will continue to explore innovative
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