Help Prevent Errors in Your Care
Patient Advocate
740.393.9890
Ohio Department of Health
800.342.0553 or
614.752.6490
It is our role to educate and encourage you to become an informed patient.
It is our privilege to provide you with great care, close to home.
– Bruce White
Chief Executive Officer |
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Everyone has a role in making health care safe. That includes doctors, health care executives, nurses and other members of your healthcare team. Health care organizations all across the country are working to make health care safe. As a patient, you can make your care safer by being an active, involved and informed member of your health care team.
 PEAK UP if you have questions or concerns. If you still don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body
and you have a right to know.
 AY ATTENTION to the care you get. Always make sure you’re getting the right treatments and
medicines by the right health care professionals. Don’t assume anything.
 DUCATE YOURSELF about your illness. Learn about the medical tests you get, and your
treatment plan.
 SK a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate (advisor or supporter).
 NOW what medicines you take and why you take them. Medicine errors are the most common
health care mistakes.
 SE a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has been carefully checked out. For example, The Joint Commission visits hospitals to see if they are meeting The Joint Commission’s quality standards.
 ARTICIPATE in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.
Hand Hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infections, including the common cold, flu and even hard-to-treat infections such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Use soap and water when your hands look dirty; otherwise, you can use an alcohol-based hand rub. You and your loved ones should clean your hands often, especially after touching objects or surfaces in the hospital room, before eating, and after using the restroom. Your health care providers should practice hand hygiene every time they enter your room.
Patient Grievance Resolution Process:
Knox Community Hospital encourages you to contact management about your concerns regarding patient rights, quality of care, patient safety or discharge readiness. Please ask to speak to the Director or supervisor of the department providing your care, or to the Patient Advocate (the Patient Advocate may be contacted directly at 740.393.9890).
If we are not able to resolve your concerns regarding patient care at the time of the complaint, you will receive a written response advising you of the steps being taken to resolve or to further investigate your concern. We will advise you in writing of the actions taken to address your concern, or, if your concern cannot be resolved within 30 days, when you can expect a resolution.
If you are not satisfied with the resolution of your concern, you may, within 30 days of receiving notice of the resolution, request in writing that the Quality Committee of the Board of Trustees review your concern. The Quality Committee will review and respond to your concern within 60 days of receiving your request.
Requests for review by the Quality Committee
of the Board of Trustees should be addressed to:
Chair, Board Quality Committee
Knox Community Hospital
1330 Coshocton Avenue
Mount Vernon, OH 43050 | To file a complaint about a health facility
with the State certification agency, contact:
Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
800.342.0553
TDD 614.752.6490
Fax 614.728.9169 |
All information provided by: 
The Joint Commission is the largest health care accrediting body in the United States
that promotes quality and safety. |
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