About Your Hospital Stay

We do everything we can to create a positive experience for you and your loved ones. We understand that coming to the hospital can be stressful, but it helps when you know what to expect. We’re here to answer your questions and create a positive, healing environment.

Every day, you’ll receive regular visits from members of your care team. They use your care plan — a plan that’s developed by your care team and you and your family — as an important guide to ensure you receive the best possible care. Your care plan describes the actions the medical team will take to meet your medical needs. If you’d like a copy of your plan, just ask your nurse.

We offer in-room televisions, free Wi-Fi, and on-site conveniences such as gift shops and cafés to make your stay a little more comfortable.

Communication About Your Condition. You control who receives information about your health status.

We only provide personal information about your diagnosis and treatment to the people you designate to receive this information. If you have family or friends you’d like your care team to communicate with, please let your nurse know.

Hospitalists

Your hospitalist manages and coordinates your care while you’re in the hospital.

Hospitalists are doctors and nurse practitioners who specialize in caring for people in the hospital. They work in partnership with your primary care provider to make sure all your health needs are met during your stay. They work closely with your primary care provider, coordinate tests and care with specialists, and ensure you have proper follow-up care once you leave the hospital.

Pain Management

Learn how we keep you comfortable and control pain.

From the moment you arrive and throughout your stay, your care team will ask you to evaluate your pain intensity on a scale from 1 to 10. Your provider can prescribe safe, effective methods to control your pain — it not only makes you more comfortable, it can help you heal more quickly. If your pain level changes during your stay, make sure you tell a member of your care team.

We encourage you to:

• Ask for pain relief when pain first begins.
• Ask your healthcare provider or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management.
• Discuss pain relief options with your providers and nurses to develop a pain management plan.
• Share any concerns you have about taking pain medicine with your provider or nurse.
• Tell your provider or nurse if your pain isn’t being controlled.

Patient Safety

We take a number of precautions to ensure your health and safety.

To protect your health, members of your care team:

• Ask for your name and date of birth multiple times. We ask you before any tests, procedures, and medicines are given. This ensures the right patient receives the right medical care.
• Wash their hands before and after each patient visit. Your care team uses hand sanitizer or soap and water before and after caring for each patient. It's important for your visitors to have clean hands, too.
• Make sure your medicines are given properly. Before you receive medication, we check your armband to make sure you receive the correct medicine and dosage at the right time. Be sure to tell your nurse and provider about all the medicines and supplements you’re taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Rapid Response Team

We’re here to respond to all concerns from patients, families, and staff 24/7.

Our team of specialized clinicians, including a respiratory therapist and critical care nurse, are available to evaluate your condition at any time.

Recommended Adult Immunizations

Find out what immunizations we recommend for all our adult patients.

In order to protect your health and the health of other patients, we recommend these immunizations:

• Pneumonia – Recommended for people 65 or older. There are two types of pneumonia immunizations. Depending on the immunization you’ve received, you may need a single dose or two doses. If you haven’t had a pneumonia immunization as an adult, or you’re not sure if you have, talk to your primary care provider.
• Influenza (flu) – Recommended annually for everyone 6 months and older. Flu season generally lasts from October through March. If you haven’t had your flu vaccination and it’s flu season, please plan on receiving a flu shot. If you have any questions, talk to your nurse or primary care provider.

Visitors

Learn about our policies for visitors while you’re in the hospital.

We understand how essential visitors are when you're in the hospital. They not only lift your spirits, they're an important part of healing. We welcome visitors, but we have guidelines to protect you — our patients' health and safety come first:

• All visitors should be considerate of other patients and maintain a quiet, safe environment.
• Children under 13 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult (other than you), and children under 17 who are visiting a patient aren’t allowed to spend the night in the hospital. To protect children from germs or other hazards, they shouldn’t sit, crawl, or sleep on the floor.
• Check with your nurse before accepting any food, beverages, or medicines from friends or family.
• If friends or family have a fever, cough, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or any contagious disease, they shouldn’t visit you in the hospital.
• We ask that all family and friends have clean hands when they visit. Some departments may require visitors to wear masks to prevent the spread of germs.
• You or your support person may designate anyone as an approved visitor. You may also restrict any visitor.