SMHS supports a culture of zero harm where we strive towards causing no harm to our patients.

There are many ways our patients, families and carers can actively support our efforts towards a zero-harm culture.

Clean hands make the difference

Washing your hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand rub, is known as hand hygiene and is an important part of good patient care.

Read about our commitment to hand hygiene and how to practise good hand hygiene.

Preventing healthcare acquired infections

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are infections that people may get while receiving healthcare.

Read how by working together we can reduce your risk of getting a HAI.

About public reporting

We encourage openness, transparency and continual improvement of the safety, quality and effectiveness of care provided to our patients.

Publicly reporting safety and quality indicators such as our rates for hand hygiene and healthcare associated infections:

• helps our patients and consumers to actively participate in their health care by increasing their understanding of the benefits and risks of making informed decisions about and actively participating in their health care
• empowers our clinicians and hospital staff to:
  • continue to drive improvements in the safety and quality of care we provide
  • increase transparency and accountability within SMHS.