Welcome! As an Experiential Learner at Western Reserve Hospital, you are responsible for following specific organizational and safety guidelines to protect you from risks in the hospital. This information is important to keep you and our patients safe and healthy. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Experiential Learning team at explearning@westernreservehospital.org.

General Guidelines

  • Parking: Park in areas designated for employees. North E lot, areas marked “E,” Billows Funeral Home, or at the Masonic Temple.  Refer to the Parking Map for more information.
  • Identification Badges: An identification badge will be provided on your first day and must be worn at all times while in the hospital.
  • Smoking: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the hospital campus.
  • Phones: Phones may be used inside the hospital except in specific areas indicated by signs.

  • Confidentiality: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws are clear that all patient information is private. Patient information should be discussed only with those involved in the direct care of the patient. Patient information should not be discussed in cafeterias, waiting rooms, elevators, or other public areas. Please be aware of your surroundings when speaking. Patient information is released only to authorized individuals and in accordance with the hospital policy. Patient records, electronic or written, shall be kept confidential. Telephone conversations should be conducted with discretion. Breaches in confidentiality are unacceptable. 

  • Service Excellence: Western Reserve Hospital believes in treating our patients and visitors with the utmost compassion, courtesy, and kindness. As an experiential learner you are expected to do the same. 

Emergency Information

When in the hospital, dial 88 from any hospital phone to report an emergency.  

Emergency Codes:

For more information regarding the response to any code, refer to the red Emergency Response Manual located in each department.

  • Code Blue: Medical Emergency
  • Code Red: Fire
  • Code Violet: Violent Person
  • Code Brown: Missing Adult
  • Code Adam: Missing Child
  • Code Yellow: Disaster
  • Code Orange: Patient Decontamination
  • Code Green: Evacuation
  • Code Black: Bomb Threat
  • Code Silver: Armed Intruder
  • Life Flight: Clear helicopter landing area (yellow lined spaces)
  • Severe Weather: Tornado or Storm Warning

Environmental Safety

Hazard Communication refers to chemical safety. All chemicals can be hazardous.  Do not use any chemicals unless trained in their proper use.  All departments have a chemical inventory, training, labeling, and safety data sheets (SDS) for each chemical. Report any chemical spills to your department preceptor.

Infection Prevention

  • Hand Hygiene: Handwashing is very important to protect you, your patients, and others. Always wash your hands before and after you have contact with a patient, or handle anything that a patient has touched.  Handwashing includes using soap and water and scrubbing at least 20 seconds.  Alcohol hand wash may be used whenever your hands are not visibly soiled. 
  • Infectious Waste: This is any material or sharp (needle) contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. Dispose of infectious waste in red biohazard bins, bags, or sharps containers. If you have an exposure (splash or injury) to any infectious waste material or sharp, notify your department preceptor. 
  • Isolation: Patients are placed into isolation precautions to prevent the spread of suspected or known diseases. Isolated patient rooms will be marked with a colored stop sign on the doorway. Experiential learners must discuss if entry is needed with their department preceptor and if so, must adhere to instructions written on the stop signs.
  • Personal Health: Do not come to the hospital if you have any of the following symptoms; fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, or draining wounds. 
  • Vectors: These are insects and rodents. All exterior doors and windows must be kept closed to prevent vectors from entering the building.

Safety Regulations

  • Report any facility damages, spills, or hazards to you department preceptor.
  • Maintain means of egress. Keep carts, bins, workstation on wheels, etc. to one side of the hallway. 
  • Do not block fire pull stations, fire extinguishers, or electrical panels with any items. 
  • Ask for assistance if you must lift something heavy or large.
  • Do not attempt to clean up or move items that you cannot identify. 
  • If you have an injury or exposure of any kind, report this immediately to your department preceptor. 

Personal Dress and Appearance

  • Good personal hygiene must be maintained.
  • Fragrances/perfumes/colognes must be kept at a minimum. 
  • Appropriate dress is required based on the job performed. Ex: scrubs, business casual, comfortable shoes, etc. Contact your department preceptor for dress requirements.

Compliance

Western Reserve Hospital is committed to honest and responsible corporate conduct. Our commitment is formalized in the Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Plan. Experiential learners are encourages to read these documents which are available at www.westernreservehospital.org. Each learner agrees to act in compliance with all laws and regulations including, without limitation, Medicare and Medicaid program requirements as applicable. 

Quality

The Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement (QAPI) program of Western Reserve Hospital is a organization-wide, comprehensive, data-driven, integrated system. It is designed to objectively assess the quality of healthcare services focusing on improving health outcomes, promoting and ensuring safety to patients, visitors, and hospital staff, and the prevention and reduction of medical errors. 

Experiential learners must be aware of our regulatory compliance and their department's participation in hospital-wide QAPI programs. 

Patient Rights

Western Reserve Hospital must protect and promote each patient's right and responsibilities. Protection of patient's right is demonstrated through a variety of modalities which includes privacy, safety, confidentiality of records, the grievance process, advance directives, participation in the plan of care, and the use of restraints or seclusion. 

The Patient's Rights and Responsibilities are posted through out public areas of Western Reserve Hospital. 

Signature Required

Now that you have read and understand the Experiential Learning Orientation materials, please download, print, and sign the Experiential Learning Consent and Waiver signature page.