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For your convenience, patient information is organized as frequently-asked questions under four headings: overnight stays, outpatient testing, day surgery, and emergency department.
Frequently asked questions about overnight stays:
Frequently asked questions about day surgery:
What is the admitting procedure and patient guidelines?
The patient registration department at Advocate South Suburban Hospital is open 24 hours a day. It is located behind the front lobby information desk on the first floor. Patients should bring their insurance cards and proper identification. For outpatient tests, please bring the prescription for that test from your physician. Pregnant women can obtain forms for preadmission from the hospital's family birth center or the patient registration area.
Cell phone policy: Use of cellular phones within the hospital is prohibited as their signals may interfere with functioning of medical equipment.
Smoking policy: Clean air is important to good health! Advocate South Suburban Hospital is a smoke-free institution. Therefore, patients and visitors as well as employees, medical staff and volunteers are not allowed to smoke anywhere inside the hospital.
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What should I bring with me?
Patients are advised to bring their insurance and identification cards and any referrals from their physician.
Clothing and valuables
It is important to bring all prescription medications that you routinely take. Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, deodorant) also should be brought from home. While gowns are provided, patients are welcome to bring their own pajamas. Patients may wish to bring a bathrobe and slippers for further comfort. A favorite pillow also can be brought from home, provided that a colored pillowcase is used so it is not lost with the hospital linens. Pediatric patients are encouraged to bring a favorite blanket or stuffed toy to make their stay more comfortable.
Patients are advised to leave all valuables at home. This includes jewelry, computers, credit cards and large sums of money. A few dollars to purchase a newspaper or an item from the hospitality cart are all patients usually need.
Advocate South Suburban Hospital cannot assume responsibility for personal property kept in patients' rooms. The hospital encourages patients to send valuables home with family members or have jewelry and currency in excess of $5 placed in the hospital safe. The public safety department will issue a signed receipt for items placed in the safe.
Dentures, glasses and hearing aids should be kept in the drawer of the bedside table when not in use. Patients should take care not to leave them on the bed or meal tray because they could be discarded. Public safety has a lost and found for missing items. The department can be reached by dialing extension 3115 from any hospital phone.
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How do I prepare for surgery?
Unless you are undergoing an emergency procedure, preparation will begin the day prior to surgery. This may include restrictions on eating or drinking after midnight. Surgery may be canceled if these restrictions are not followed. Your caregiver will explain the surgery to you and what you can expect before, during and after. You also will be asked to sign consent forms for your procedure and anesthesia. From your patient room, you will be transported by cart to the surgical holding area. This is where you will speak to an anesthesiologist and/or your doctor. One family member may remain with you in this area.
Anesthesia
Before your procedure, you will meet with the anesthesiologist who will describe the type of anesthesia that will be used. Your anesthesia options may include:
General anesthesia—you are completely asleep.
Spinal anesthesia—numbs the area below your waist to be operated on, you may be in a light sleep.
Sedative anesthesia—makes you relaxed or provides a light sleep-you are conscious and able to respond to questions, but you will remember little if nothing of the procedure.
Local anesthesia—numbs just the area of your body the surgeon is operating on, while you are awake.
A block—numbs a specific area, such as an arm or leg and helps with pain control after the procedure.
During surgery, a waiting room will be available for your family members. Your family also will be given a pager. When your surgery is complete, they will be paged to return to the waiting room where they will speak with your surgeon and be updated on your status.
After surgery, you may be taken to the recovery room or you may return directly to your patient room. It is not uncommon to experience some discomfort or pain after a procedure. Your caregiver will work to minimize your discomfort as much as possible. Your physician may give you a prescription for pain medication at discharge.
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What are the food service options?
Breakfast: 7 to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner: 5 to 7 p.m.
Patients may select meals of their choice according to the menus that are delivered on their breakfast trays. Menus will be picked up between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Menus also may be taken to the nurse's station for collection. Please write your name and room number on the menu. Patients who have not had an opportunity to select their meals or whose diet has been changed may receive a preselected "house diet." A nurse can help patients who have questions or special request regarding the hospital food service.
Dining for visitors is provided in the cafeteria on the hospital's lower level during the following hours:
Breakfast
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6:30 a.m.
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Coffee, sweet rolls, muffins, fruit and juice
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7 to 9 a.m.
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Self-serve hot breakfast, coffee, muffins, fruit and juice
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9 to 10 a.m.
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Coffee, sweet rolls, muffins, fruit and juice
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10 to 11 a.m.
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Cafeteria closed; use vending machines
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Lunch
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11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Hot lunch, salad bar, grill and deli
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2 to 5 p.m.
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Cafeteria closed; use vending machines
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Dinner
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5 to 7 p.m.
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Hot dinner, salad bar, grill and deli
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7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
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Cafeteria closed; use vending machines
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Snack-vending area: A 24-hour vending area is available within the cafeteria. Sandwiches, fruit, juice, chips, candy, coffee, pop and entrees are offered.
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What are the amenities and conveniences such as television, phone and ATM?
The majority of patient rooms at Advocate South Suburban Hospital are semi-private. The very few private rooms available at the hospital are usually reserved for patients who require isolation in accordance with standard precautions against infection.
Telephone services:
All patient rooms, with the exception of the intensive care unit, are equipped with telephones. To place local calls, dial "9" and the outside number. To place long-distance and credit card calls, dial "9", listen for the tone, then dial "0" and the outside operator will assist you.
Patients may receive phone calls in their room between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. They may dial out at any time. Patients rooms can be dialed direct with a touch-tone phone by dialing the hospital at 708.799.8000 and the extension number that is shown on each patient's phone. For most patient rooms, the extension number represents the patient's bed number followed by the room number. For example, to reach a patient in Bed 2, Room 317, dial ext. 2317.
Special phones and a TDD for patients with hearing impairments are available upon request. Please contact your nurse if you are in need of either of these devices. To call the hospital, persons with hearing impairments may use the TDD number, 708.799.6190.
The telephones located at the nursing stations and in hospital offices are for the use of hospital personnel only. Public telephones are available in the lobbies for use by visitors. Use of cellular phones within the hospital is prohibited as their signals may interfere with medical equipment functioning.
Inbound call process: All patient rooms, with the exception of the intensive care unit, are equipped with telephones. Patients may receive phone calls in their room between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. They may dial out at any time. Patients rooms can be dialed direct with a touch-tone phone by dialing the hospital at 708.799.8000 and the extension number that is shown on each patient's phone. For most patient rooms, the extension number represents the patient's bed number followed by the room number. For example, to reach a patient in bed 2, room 317, dial ext. 2317.
Outbound call process: To place local calls, dial "9" and the outside number. To place long-distance and credit card calls, dial "9," listen for the tone, then dial "0" and the outside operator will assist you.
Television and Radios
Advocate South Suburban Hospital provides free television services in all patient rooms. As a courtesy to other patients, please keep televisions at a low volume, if requested. All television sets should be turned off by 11 p.m. Due to safety regulations, patients may not bring their own televisions to the hospital. However, battery-operated radios are permitted.
The following channels listing include local stations, selected cable channels and hospital information channels. A patient education channel guide is located inside your nightstand. Program schedules for channels not included in this viewing guide are available in the local newspaper.
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Channel
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Station
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2
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CBS
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3
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WCIU, Channel 26
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4
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Fox Network
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5
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NBC
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6
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WHSN
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7
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ABC
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8
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WCFC, Channel 38
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9
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WGN
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10
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WSNS, Channel 44
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11
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WTTW (PBS)
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12
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Hospital movie channel
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14
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USA Network
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15
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WPWR, Channel 50
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17
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CNN
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18
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ESPN
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19
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Fox Network
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21
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FAM
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22
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WHSN
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23
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WTBS
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28
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Spiritual Care Channel
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ATM locations
There is an ATM located in the hospital's main lobby (east entrance) on the first floor.
Hospitality cart
A hospitality cart carrying gifts, candy and magazines for sale tours the patient floors each day.
Newspapers
Patients or visitors also may purchase local or Chicago newspapers from volunteers who circulate throughout the hospital daily.
Hair care/barber
The services of a barber or beautician can be obtained by special request. Patients should ask their nurse for more information.
Notary public
A nurse will help patients or family arrange for the complimentary services of a notary public if needed.
Flowers and mail
Flowers, packages and mail are delivered to patient rooms daily. Live flowers or plants are not permitted in the intensive care unit. Patients may give outgoing mail to any member of the nursing staff for mailing. Mail or flowers received after a patient is discharged will be forwarded to the patient's home address.
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Where do I park?
Patients and their visitors are advised to park in the front of the hospital at 17800 S. Kedzie Avenue and enter through the main entrance (east lobby).
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What type of spiritual care services are available?
Chaplains are available to provide spiritual care for patients, families, hospital associates and visitors, especially during times of crisis, grief or loss. Services include visitation and prayer, ethical consultation, advance directives (Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Mental Health Treatment Preference and Declaration), and spiritual and emotional support. Chaplains are in the hospital Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For spiritual care, call extension 3779. After these hours a chaplain may be reached via long range pager by dialing "0" for the operator. There also is a "Prayer and Praise Line." By dialing HOPE (ext. 4673) from any in-house phone, callers will hear a short story, lesson and scripture. After the tone, callers can leave a confidential prayer request or praise report. Chaplains will check messages and remember these prayers during the daily prayer time and weekly prayer service.
Patients often wish to have a visit from their pastor, priest, iman or rabbi. When a patient, upon admission, gives the name of his or her church, temple or synagogue, the hospital's office for mission and spiritual care will notify the designated church, if requested. Visits also can be arranged for patients who did not register the church or synagogue name. To contact the office for mission and spiritual care, dial ext. 3779.
The Elizabeth Karnes Vaughan Chapel opened in May 1997 and is located on the first floor near the hospital's west entrance. Its special chapel in the round design was chosen by a religiously diverse task force to evoke a sense of inclusion and being embraced, where persons of all faiths can come together for prayer and mediation. Open 24 hours a day, the chapel is dedicated to the memory of Elizabeth Karnes Vaughan, a former volunteer and wife of former hospital board member D. Throop Vaughan.
A non-denominational room for prayer and mediation is located off the hospital's main lobby, and is open to patients, visitors and hospital associates during the day and evening.
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What services are available for people with special needs?
Advocate South Suburban Hospital is committed to serving patients who have disabilities. To ensure that patients with impaired mobility, vision and hearing or who are non-English speaking have an equal opportunity to benefit from hospital services, a variety of specialized services are available at no cost to patients. The hospital will provide sign or foreign language interpreter services and additional assistive devices to patients and their representatives who are deaf, hard of hearing or need language assistance upon request. Signs posted in the admission, emergency room and outpatient waiting areas refer you to whom you direct questions, comments and/or complaints. Your nurse can provide more information about specific aids that are available or help to arrange for auxiliary aid or interpreter services.
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What are advance directives such as a living will or do not resuscitate order?
Statement of Illinois law on advance directives
You have the right to make decisions about the health care you get now and in the future. An advance directive is a written statement about how you want medical decisions made when you can no longer make them. Federal law requires that you be told of your right to make an advance directive, when you are admitted to a health care facility. Illinois has these advance directives: (1) health care power of attorney, (2) living will, and (3) mental health treatment preference declaration. If you have an advance directive, tell your doctor and other health care providers and provide them with a copy.
The health care power of attorney lets you choose someone to make health care decisions for you if you cannot. You are called the "principal" in the power of attorney form and the person you choose is called your "agent." You can use a standard form or write your own. You may give your agent specific directions about the health care you do or do not want.
The agent you choose cannot be your doctor or other health care provider. You should have someone who is not your agent witness your power of attorney. You can cancel your power of attorney by telling someone or by canceling it in writing. You can name a backup agent in case the first one cannot or will not take action. If you want to change your power of attorney, you must do so in writing.
A living will lets you tell your doctor if you want death-delaying procedures used if you have a terminal condition and are unable to state your wishes. Withdrawal of food and water cannot be done if it would be the only cause of death. If you are pregnant and doctors feel you could have a live birth, your living will cannot go into effect.
You can use a standard living will form or write your own. You may write specific directions about the death-delaying procedures you do or do not want. The living will must be witnessed by two people. Your doctor cannot be a witness. You must tell your doctor about the existence of a living will. You can cancel your living will by telling someone or by canceling it in writing. If you have both a health care power of attorney and a living will, the agent you name in your power of attorney will make your health care decisions unless he or she is unavailable.
A mental health treatment preference/declaration lets you say if you want to receive electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) or psychotropic medicine when you have a mental illness. You also can say whether you wish to be admitted to a mental health facility for up to 17 days of treatment.
You can write your wishes or choose someone to make your mental health decisions for you. In a mental health treatment declaration, you may choose someone to make a decision about mental health treatment if you are incapable. In the declaration, you are called the "principal" and the person you choose is called an "attorney-in-fact." The attorney-in-fact must do what you say in your declaration unless a court orders differently or an emergency threatens your life or health.
Your mental health treatment declaration expires in three years. If you are competent, you may cancel your declaration in writing at an earlier time. If you are in mental health treatment, the declaration may last longer than three years and you may not cancel it. Two witnesses must sign the declaration. Your doctor may not be a witness.
You also may ask your doctor about a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR order). A DNR order means that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will not be started if your heart stops. You and your doctor may decide together that your doctor should write a DNR order into your medical chart. If you have an accident, such as choking on food, the DNR order still allows health care workers to give you the Heimlich maneuver or take other appropriate action.
What happens if you don't have an advance directive?
A health care surrogate may be chosen for you if you cannot make health care decisions and do not have an advance directive. This health care surrogate will be one of the following persons (in order of priority): guardian of the person, spouse, any adult child (ren), either parent, any adult brother or sister, any adult grandchild(ren), a close friend, or guardian of the estate.
The surrogate can make all health care decisions for you, with four exceptions. First, a health care surrogate cannot tell your doctor to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment unless you have a "qualifying condition," which is a terminal condition, permanent unconsciousness, or an incurable or irreversible condition. Two doctors must certify that you cannot make decisions and have a qualifying condition in order to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment.
A health care surrogate cannot make decisions concerning mental health treatment, including treatment by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), psychotropic medication or admission to a mental health facility. A health care surrogate can petition a court to allow these mental health services.
You should talk to your family, your physician, or any agent or attorney-in-fact that you appoint about your decision to make an advance directive. If they know what health care you want, they will find it easier to follow your wishes. If you change your mind and cancel your advance directive, tell your family, your doctor, or any agent or attorney-in-fact you appoint.
No facility, doctor or insurer can make you execute an advance directive. It is entirely your decision. If a facility, doctor, or insurer objects to following your advance directive, they must tell you and offer you assistance in finding alternative care.
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What are my rights and responsibilities as a patient?
It is your right as an Advocate patient:
- To be informed of your rights.
- To be given care regardless of your race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability or disability, or life style.
- To be given care that respects your individual cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, personal values, beliefs and preferences and which promotes your dignity, privacy, safety and comfort.
- To be given care without verbal, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, annoyance or neglect.
- To be placed in restraints or isolation only when it is medically necessary to improve your well-being, protect you from harm and/or prevent you from harming others and to have you or your family informed.
- To have your pain well managed, and help in developing a plan to manage your pain.
- To be told about the condition of your health, including descriptions of your illness and types of treatment available, their expected results and possible risks, benefits, alternatives and costs, and to be part of your health care decisions.
- To expect that we will talk with you in a way that you can understand.
- To help plan your care and treatment, including making decisions regarding your care. To accept or refuse recommended tests or treatments or request treatment; and to bring up issues of concern about your care with your caregivers.
- To get information and get help with advance directives, so we know what treatment you do or do not want if you can't tell us yourself. These include a living will, power of attorney for health care (where you pick someone to speak for you) or mental health treatment preference declaration. To expect that your wishes will be followed within the law and the hospital's ability. To let the hospital appoint a person to make decisions about your care if you have not already picked someone.
- To receive healthcare that treats the whole person by addressing your spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
- To get information about and access to needed resources and services that protect and help you.
- To be told the name of the doctor or other staff that are responsible for your care.
- To have visitors, mail and telephone services unless you have been informed that there are sound medical or institutional reasons to restrict such access.
- To be told of the risks and benefits of any proposed research or experimental treatment that may be considered in your care, and to agree or disagree to participate.
- To express complaints about the quality of care or service without fear, and to get a prompt and courteous answer to your concerns. The Illinois Department of Public Health may be contacted at 217.782.4977 or 800.547.0466 (TTY). You will be provided with information as to how to file a complaint with the hospital and with the state of Illinois.
- To get information contained in your hospital records within a reasonable time after you ask for them and to be certain that other rights concerning your hospital record, as described in the hospital's Notice of Privacy Practices, will be respected.
- To have your insurance plan billed for your hospital services, and to receive financial counseling. This may include information about any charges that you may have to pay, an explanation of your bill, if you ask for it, or information on available financial assistance.
- To be told how to get financial assistance, if you need it.
- To be told when you are ready to leave the hospital. If you think you are being asked to leave the hospital too soon, you may ask to talk to your caregivers about this.
- To have a family member or a person of your choice, and your doctor, promptly notified that you are in the hospital.
- To understand that medical and personal information will be handled in a private manner.
- To be given care in a safe setting that respects you and maintains your dignity.
- To receive the best and safest care that we can provide.
It is your responsibility as an Advocate patient, resident or client:
- To provide all personal and family health information needed to give you the best care possible.
- To help make the best decisions about your medical treatment, to follow instructions and to follow your plan of care. To accept and understand what may happen if you do not follow your plan of care.
- To talk to your doctor or other care provider if you desire a transfer of care to another doctor, caregiver or facility.
- To ask questions of your doctor or other care providers when you do not understand information or instructions.
- To show respect and be considerate of others getting and providing care.
- To follow the rules about smoking, noise and the number of visitors.
- To understand that your health care services must be paid for and to work with the hospital on a payment plan, as described in the hospital's Statement of Patient Billing Rights and Responsibilities.
- To tell your doctor or other hospital staff if you need to apply for financial assistance.
revised January 31, 2006
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What do I need to know when I leave the hospital?
Discharge planning
Generally, when your vital signs are stable and you have met the criteria for discharge you will return home. Before doing so, your nurse will review the discharge instructions carefully with you. When a patient is ready to leave the hospital, the physician will write a discharge order on the chart and discuss the release with the patient and appropriate relatives or guardian.
Case management
Advocate South Suburban Hospital's case management program helps coordinate patient care and identifies potential discharge planning needs. This process is carried out by the case manager who is a registered nurse with specialized training to monitor care and assess a patient's needs at discharge.
There is a case manager assigned to each nursing unit who follows each patient from admission to discharge. If you have questions about your care or feel that you may need assistance after discharge, request to see the case manager assigned to your care.
Social services
Illness is stressful and often brings about changes that affect both patients and their families. The hospital's professionally trained, licensed social workers are here to listen to patients and their families with compassion and confidentiality. They can help in dealing with the emotional effects of illness while patients are in the hospital and arrange for needed services following discharge.
Hospital stays are often shorter today than in the past. This means that many patients continue to require services after they leave the hospital. Social workers routinely work with hospital case managers, patients and their families early in their hospital stay to help them begin planning for the services they may need. Social workers are familiar with community resources and can assist in arranging nursing home placement, home health care or meals. Social workers also are available after discharge to help with problems that may arise.
Home care
If home care services are necessary to facilitate your recovery, arrangements will be made prior to your discharge home.
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What if I have questions about my insurance or bill?
When the patient's account has been settled in full by cash, check or credit card payment, insurance confirmation or arrangements with the patient accounts department, a discharge slip will be issued. The discharge slip can be picked up at the cashier's window in the east lobby by the family member or friend who is taking the patient home. In some cases, additional processing may be necessary and the person will be referred to the account representative.
The patient should give the discharge slip to the nurse before leaving the nursing unit.
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Who do I call with a complaint or concern?
Your concerns are important to us. Please contact your nurse with any questions or concerns you may have during your stay. If you do not believe your concerns have been fully addressed, request to speak with the nursing director or the house supervisor.
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Where do I register?
Most outpatient testing services at Advocate South Suburban Hospital are located on the first floor of the hospital. Services include, but are not limited to: laboratory services; cardiac testing; diagnostic imaging, employer-based wellness and screening programs and a sleep disorder center.
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What do I need to bring to be sure my test is covered by Medicare?
Advanced beneficiary notification, known as ABNs, are issued to Medicare outpatients in situations where a doctors' diagnosis (ie., reason for ordering the test) does not meet the Medicare criteria for "medical necessity." When an ABN is issued to a Medicare patient, it means that Medicare will not pay the claim and the patient will be responsible for paying the bill.
In order to avoid being issued an ABN, Medicare patients should: 1) bring in their doctor's order for the test on their date of service; 2) make sure the doctor has included a written diagnosis on the order; and 3) make sure that the physician's diagnosis is acceptable to Medicare so that Medicare will pay the claim and the patient only will be responsible for a co-payment.
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What do I need to know before my day surgery?
The Advocate South Suburban Hospital ambulatory surgery department is located on the first floor of the hospital.
Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes milk products, candy and gum. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of your procedure. You may brush your teeth the day of surgery.
You will be asked to cut back on your smoking 24 hours prior to surgery and not to smoke the morning of surgery. You should not drink any alcohol within 24 hours of surgery.
Arrange for transportation to and from the hospital by a family member or friend. You only will be allowed to leave the hospital with a responsible adult. For your own safety, the hospital cannot allow you to return home alone in a taxi or any other form of public transportation. Ambulatory surgery patients are asked to refrain from driving and making important decisions for 24 hours after surgery. It is suggested that someone stay with you at home during this time.
The day of surgery
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing
- Do not wear any makeup, hairspray, perfume or nail polish
- Leave valuables, such as credit cards and jewelry at home
What to bring
- Minors will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Foster or adoptive parents will have to present legal documentation.
- Eyeglasses and/or hearing aids. Contact lenses may not be worn to surgery.
- Children are encouraged to bring a special toy or blanket.
- Insurance and prescription cards
- Referrals or pre-certification forms
- X-rays, if you were instructed to bring them
- Crutches, walkers or braces, if needed
Checking in
You may be instructed to arrive two to three hours before your scheduled procedure. You will be contacted the evening before your surgery and given an exact time to arrive at the hospital. When you check into ambulatory surgery, you will be taken to a patient room. This is where the staff will prepare you, give you a identification wristband and ask you to change into a hospital gown. You will be asked to sign consent forms for your procedure and anesthesia. From your patient room, you will be transported by cart to the surgical holding area. This is where you will speak to an anesthesiologist and/or your doctor. One family member may remain with you in this area.
Anesthesia
Before your procedure, you will meet with the anesthesiologist who will describe the type of anesthesia that will be used. Your anesthesia options may include:
General anesthesia-makes you are completely asleep.
Spinal anesthesia-numbs your body below your waist to be operated on, you may be in a light sleep.
Sedative anesthesia-makes you relaxed or provides a light sleep-you are conscious.
Local anesthesia-numbs just the area of your body the surgeon is operating on. You may be in a light sleep.
A block-numbs a specific area such as an arm or leg and helps with pain control after the procedure.
Going home
Generally, when your vital signs are stable and you have met the criteria for discharge you will return to your home. Before doing so, your nurse will review the discharge instructions carefully with you. You will receive a follow-up call the next day from the staff, to see how you are recovering.
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What is the scope of services in the emergency department?
Advocate South Suburban Hospital's emergency department is a state-of-the art facility that offers the following:
Staff Excellence
- All emergency physicians are board certified
- All emergency nurses have certifications in several areas of emergency care
- Emergency technicians are specially trained
Fast Track
- Ability to expand emergency facilities after 4 p.m.
- Provides care for less serious ailments such as strains, simple fractures, lacerations and colds
Privacy
- Treatment rooms have doors and floor-to-ceiling walls
- Separate triage booths allow staff members to interview patients and family members privately
- Registration booths are designed to provide privacy and confidentiality
- Special consultation room allows physicians to meet privately with family members
Comfort and convenience
- Waiting area offers separate sections for television watching, reading and conversation
- Special play area for children in waiting area is a gift from the hospital's auxiliary
- Convenient parking is available in a specially designated area
- One-way circular drive allows convenient drop-off for patients under a protective canopy
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What is the emergency admitting procedure?
The hospital's emergency department was developed with the belief that emergency care is about people. As a patient in our emergency department, you will be treated with dignity, care and compassion. To provide you with the best medical care, you will go through the following process when you arrive at our emergency department:
Triage: Upon arrival, a registered nurse will see you at triage. This is the beginning of your medical treatment. The triage nurse will ask the reason for your visit, inquire about your medical history and may perform a brief exam. Triage is done to help determine the severity of your condition and to assure that the most urgent patients are seen by the physician first. This is why someone who arrives after you may be taken in before you.
Registration: Next, the registration process is done to obtain the necessary information to begin your chart. If available, you will be taken directly to an exam room. Otherwise, you may be asked to wait in the reception area until a room becomes available.
Treatment: Once you have been brought into the treatment area, the nursing and physician assessment will take place. Depending on your condition, tests such as labs and X-rays may be ordered. The results of your tests may take one to two hours. Depending on the results of your tests and re-evaluation by your physician, you will either be discharged or admitted to the hospital.
Discharge: When you are discharged from the efmergency department, you will be given complete written after-care instructions to follow at home. Be sure that you understand and follow these instructions and that you follow-up with your physician.
Admitted to the hospital: If you are to be admitted you will remain in the emergency department until there is an available bed. Our goal is to provide the same level of comfort and care in the emergency department that is found on the inpatient unit. That is why, if you have to wait longer than six hours, you will be given nourishment and provided with a comfortable hospital bed.
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What are the visiting and other policies?
The treatment area inside the emergency department is very limited and frequently crowded. We welcome relatives and friends to either accompany the patient or join the patient after the physician's medical evaluation. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of patients while maintaining their privacy. That is why we limit visitors to one or two per patient. Both parents may accompany their child.
While the patient is undergoing treatment, you must remain in the waiting room. Rest assured that a triage nurse or assistant is always accessible to answer your questions regarding the patient's condition. If they don't approach you with information, ask the nurse at the front desk and they will assist you.
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What special services are available?
Vending machines equipped with snacks and refreshments are in the emergency department waiting area. There also is a cafeteria located on the lower level of the hospital near the east elevators. The cafeteria has 24-hour vending and serves meals during the following hours:
Breakfast: 6:30 to 10 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
Dinner: 5 to 7 p.m.
While you are waiting to be seen, we ask that you remain in the waiting area and not visit the cafeteria in case you are called to an exam room.
For convenience and safety, a family consultation room is available for families to converse with clergy and physicians. It is adjacent to the triage area. An outdoor smoking area is available outside the hospital's west entrance. Smoking is not allowed within the hospital or anywhere else on the hospital campus.
Public telephones and restrooms are conveniently located in the waiting room. Cellular phone usage is not allowed in anywhere in the emergency department. A children's play area also is located in the waiting room.
The Elizabeth Karnes Vaughan Chapel is located on the first floor, near the west entrance of the hospital. Open 24 hours a day, this beautiful and peaceful chapel is available for your spiritual needs.
A public safety officer is on duty 24 hours a day. Public safety officers are available to assist with patient transport. They also can escort you to your vehicle at night, if necessary.
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Who do I call with a complaint or concern?
Complaints and concerns during your emergency department visit can be directed the department's nursing director. Please ask for her name, in-house phone extension and/or pager number.
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