For Your Safety
Be Involved in your Care
To optimize results for a speedy recovery, and safely, play an active part in your health care.
Wash your Hands
Hand washing is the most important way to protect against infection in the hospital.
- Each person who comes into your room must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer to eliminate germs.
- Hand hygiene is essential to good infection control. To properly wash hands, lather with soap; rub hands vigorously for 15 seconds and rinse thoroughly.
- If a caregiver enters a patient room and does not wash his or her hands, say something. Hand washing must always be the first and last step of your care, even if gloves are worn.
- You should wash your hands:
- When you enter the hospital.
- After you touch any body fluid.
- Before and after eating and drinking.
- After you use the bathroom, sneeze, cough or blow your nose.
- As you’re leaving the hospital and once you return home.
- Please use public restrooms or hand sanitizers mounted throughout the hospital to wash your hands. Put a dime size amount of sanitizer in the palm of your hand and rub hands together briskly until dry. Please note that patient bathrooms are for patient use only.
Help Us Control Infection
For your well being and that of our patients, do not visit the hospital if you have a cold, the flu, a stomach virus, a fever or a rash. The viruses or bacteria that can cause these symptoms are usually very contagious and can spread.
- If you see an infection control sign posted on the room of a patient, please follow those guidelines.
- For any questions and or concerns regarding infection control, please do not hesitate to call extension 718-670-1255.
No Smoking
NewYork-Presbyterian Queens is a smoke-free hospital.
- Ready to quit? Talk to your doctor or call toll-free: 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).
Personal Medication List
For your safety, complete a personal medication list and show it to your doctor.
- Your doctors need to know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
- Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies or adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
- When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it.
- Ask for information about your medicine in terms that you can understand.
Valuables
Valuables should stay at home. If an item of value needs to be secured, please call Security at 718-670-1020 for safe storage.
Emergency Drills
The hospital periodically conducts fire and emergency drills to test our readiness for emergency situations.
- Do not to be concerned if you are told that a drill that may occur. Drills are necessary for ensuring everyone’s safety.
- You will be notified in the event of an actual emergency.
Department of Security
The department of security is responsible for the protection of medical center patients, members of the medical staff, employees, visitors and volunteers. The department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For additional information, call 718-670-1020.