Policies & Forms

In accordance with the Indiana Administrative Code, if the patient or the patient’s representative brings in medications (part or all of which) are still present at such time a patient expires, the medications shall be delivered to the hospital pharmacy for appropriate destruction. Such drugs may not be turned over to the patient’s representatives. Patients who are discharged shall take with them their own medications brought to the hospital. If a patient is discharged and leaves medications brought from home at the hospital, either deliberately or inadvertently, the medications will be stored by the hospital for a maximum of seven days. If the drugs are not claimed by the patient or the patient’s representative within seven days, the drugs will be destroyed.

Preventing the spread of infection has always been important at Riverview Hospital. Today, it is more important than ever — for the safety of our patients as well as hospital staff. That’s why Riverview maintains an infection control program.

 

An illness or infection can sometimes be spread through body substances like blood, secretions from the nose and mouth, or contact with urine, stool or drainage from an open sore. Since you may have an infection and not be aware of it, we will be following special precautions while you are in the hospital.

 

The hospital staff will wear gloves while caring for you. Sometimes they may also wear masks, gowns, aprons or goggles to help prevent the spread of infection.

 

All individuals should wash their hands or use an antibacterial waterless cleaner before and after patient contact. It is important for you to wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before you eat. Handwashing is the most important means of preventing the spread of infection. If you have any bandages, dressings or open areas, avoid touching them. If you have any questions about this information, please ask your nurse.

 

Riverview’s Infection Control Committee is comprised of physicians and hospital employees. Its primary goal is to create and monitor a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors. Committee members accomplish this by implementing policies which will ensure safety, as well as compliance with infection control standards. One process, known as Standard Precautions, instructs employees in handwashing and the use of personal protective equipment.

 

The type of personal protective equipment used in a given situation may vary — but as a patient, you can expect to see hospital employees wearing such equipment when performing procedures involving contact with blood or body fluids. Protective equipment might include gloves, masks, eye protection, aprons, cover gowns, lab coats, clinic jackets or similar outer garments to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious material. Of course, when the procedure is completed, the employee will discard the personal protective equipment and wash his or her hands before moving on to the next patient.

 

Standard Precautions are required by the Centers for Disease Control, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Indiana State Department of Health, in order to minimize the spread of infectious agents. By practicing Standard Precautions, the spread of diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can be prevented.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about Standard Precautions and its practice at Riverview Hospital, please call the Infection Control Department at extension 7359.