Preparing For Admission
CONSENT FORMS
The Patient Registration Representative will ask you to sign consent forms authorizing your physician and the hospital to care for you during your hospital stay. The consent form also allows us to release information for the purposes of billing your insurance company. During your stay, you may also be asked to sign additional consent forms which are specific to certain surgeries or procedures. These forms may be signed by you or your authorized representative or a guardian for minors. You have the right to speak with your attending physician or the physician who will perform the procedure and have your questions answered before signing.
PRE-CERTIFICATION/AUTHORIZATION
If you are having outpatient surgery or a special procedure, you and your physician are responsible for the pre-certification of services according to your health insurance coverage. An SRMC Insurance Verification Representative will contact your physician’s office for the authorization or pre-certification numbers. Questions concerning your bill can be answered by contacting our Business Office at 862-5700. Patient Billing Services can be reached at extension 5700, between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday. For your convenience, when all extensions are busy, we offer voice mail.
LIVING WILL OR DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH DECISIONS
Advance directives give you an opportunity to express your wishes for end-of-life decisions. If you have an advance directive, we ask that you bring a copy of it to the hospital at the time of admission. A copy of your advance directive will be placed in your medical record. Additional information about advance directives is included in your Patient Information Packet.
Understanding Your Personal Environment
ROOM ARRANGEMENTS
You may have the choice of a private or semiprivate room. We will make every effort to honor your request. If your preferred accommodation is not available, efforts will be made to transfer you to another room as one becomes available. Unless a private room has been ordered by your physician, you are responsible for payment of the room rate difference. If you have requested a private room, a deposit to cover this room rate difference is required.
SMOKING
The hospital is a smoke-free facility. Patient smoking is not permitted, and your physician cannot write an order to allow you to smoke. You may want to discuss smoking alternatives with your physician. For visitors and employees, smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas outside the building. Ask a staff member for directions.
ROOM TEMPERATURE
If you need help in adjusting your room temperature, ask your nurse for assistance or call our EPD Service Hotline at ext. 4212.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DRILLS
As part of our concern for your welfare and care, the staff feels that reactions to possible internal and external disasters must be prompt. During your stay, we may have various drills to maintain our state of preparedness. The drills will not interrupt your care.
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
It will be necessary for you to bring:
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Payment for deposits due upon admission (This may be discussed during a pre-admission telephone call)
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Your insurance card(s)
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A list of current medications including over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal and vitamin supplements. For prescription medications, be sure to include dosage and frequency.
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A list of your allergies
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A copy of your Advance Directive if you have one.
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You may wish to bring:
If you should misplace or lose an article, please report it right away to a staff member. If you discover an article missing after discharge, call our Lost and Found at 862-5838.
PERSONAL APPLIANCES
For safety reasons, personal hygiene appliances (curlers, hairdryers, etc.) and personal entertainment appliances (radios, video games, etc.) are permitted only if they are battery-operated.
EYEGLASSES/DENTURES
It is recommended that items such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, dentures, personal wheelchairs, walkers, and canes be labeled with your name. The hospital accepts no responsibility for the loss of these items.
WIRELESS & DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
The use of cellular phones, computers, transmitters and/or receivers is permitted in restricted areas only due to possible interference with hospital electronic/monitoring equipment. Personal cell phones may not be used in patient rooms.
VALUABLES
You are strongly encouraged to leave all valuables at home. The hospital is not responsible for the loss of any valuables brought into the hospital. A valuables safe is available in an emergency situation or in the event you have no other option. Call our Security office at 862-5838 if you need assistance.
VOLUNTEERS
The Hospital Guild, known as the TWIGs, have over 200 members and the SRMC volunteer program has an additional 300 members. These volunteers contribute their time, energy, and talent assisting the hospital in accomplishing its mission.
All volunteers receive extensive training which enables them to provide comfort and aid to patients and family members, assist in patient and nursing unit support and perform community outreach and fund-raising activities. You can recognize the TWIGs in green aprons, our adult volunteers by their pink, green or tan jackets, and our junior volunteers in SRMC green shirts and tan slacks. Volunteer Services can be reached at Extension 5787.
Knowing Patient Services
USING THE TELEPHONE
Each patient room is equipped with a telephone. You may give your direct dial number
to family and friends. Your direct dial phone number is 862-5+ your room number. For example, room number 410 would have a direct dial number of 862-5410.
To dial a local number, dial 8, then the number.
To dial long distance, dial 8, then 0, and use one of the following methods:
TDD telephones and amplifiers for the hearing impaired are available upon request. Call the operator or ask your nurse for assistance.
USE OF CELL PHONES
The use of personal cell phones is permitted in certain restricted areas throughout the
medical center. Look for cell phone signs indicating acceptable areas for cell phone use. Cell phones may NOT be used in patient rooms.
TELEVISION
Television service is provided at no additional cost in all patient rooms. Closed-caption units are available upon request. A Patient Education channel is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Channel 4.
NUTRITION SERVICES
Upon admission, a patient menu will be delivered with your first meal. “Next day” menus will be delivered each day with your breakfast meal. A completed menu should be given to your dietary hostess prior to lunch each day. If your physician orders a dietary change, it may require a change to your menu selections. If your doctor orders a special diet for you, or if you have certain food preferences, a clinical dietitian is available to discuss any concern you might have. Ask your nurse to contact a clinical dietitian for you.
GUEST TRAYS
Guest trays may be ordered and delivered to your room at the same time your patient tray is delivered. The charge for this service is: $2.00 for breakfast, $3.00 for lunch or dinner. Menus for guest trays may be obtained from your dietary hostess or nurse. Completed guest menus and payment should be taken to the cafeteria cashier before 7:00am for breakfast, 11:30am for lunch and 4:30pm for dinner. Vending machines are located near the cafeteria and are available 24 hours a day.
ETHICAL ISSUES
Sometimes healthcare decisions are difficult to make. You and your family have our Ethics Committee available to you as a resource. The Ethics Committee can also provide assistance in resolving conflicts with families and care providers or with discharge issues. Ask your nurse to put you in touch with the Ethics Committee if you would like their assistance.