Safety in Critical Care: Protecting our Patients, Visitors and Team Members

Ensuring the safety of our patients, visitors and health care providers is an important part of practice within critical care.

Critical illness and the care of critically ill patients impose inherent risks to each of these groups. LHSC has a number of important policies and practice standards in place that have been developed to safeguard our patients, visitors and staff members from harm or avoidable complications.

Safety measures are in place to prevent the spread of infection, minimize exposure to harmful substances and prevent injuries. These policies protect patients, visitors and staff.

Protecting Our Patients, Visitors and Staff Members

Each health team member has been educated and is accountable to perform a risk assessment, and to deliver care according to LHSC Policies. The expected practices are available to all LHSC employees through our corporate policy and procedural manuals. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the Coordinator or Manager of the critical care unit.

Although the urgency of a situation may at times make adherence to safety precautions more difficult, the health and safety of our team members must always be maintained. All employees must be protected from acquired illness or injury in the workplace; our ability to deliver care to our patients also depends upon their continued health.

The following resources provide QUICK LINKS to expected safety standards in critical care. These standards must be met with every patient interaction or when in contact with equipment, waste products or the health care environment.

Patient Identification Policy

Patient and Family-Centred Care - Principles, Definitions and Vital Behaviours

Procedural Safety Pause

Infection Control Manual