The best safety precaution is a specialized caregiver known as a hospital sitter. Hospital sitters provide round-the-clock companionship and make observations of any problems the patient may be experiencing. Sitters monitor and keep the patient company, converse, read and/or even run errands for the patient. However, sitters cannot aid or participate in any patient care or physical contact and they must stay out of the way of hospital staff. Hospital sitters are under the direction of the patient registered nurse.