GENERAL INFORMATION
ADMISSION AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Admission:
From the very start, we at SRMC want to make sure your stay with us is a pleasant one. Your admission to SRMC was requested by your physician, who is a member of the medical staff. The admitting personnel asked you and your family members many questions. This information is important in helping us to understand your medical and financial needs. It will, of course, be held in confidence.
Your room:
We have designed, furnished, and equipped your room to make your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
- Your TotalCare hospital bed is electrically operated; your nurse will show you how to adjust it properly.
- Your room offers several areas of storage. If you wear glasses and/or dentures, please keep them in a safe place to protect them. Please do not put them on meal trays or in your bed, and make sure you have packed personal items before you leave for home.
- To call your nurse, use the button located at your bedside. A staff member will respond to your call as soon as possible.
Television:
A television set is available in each patient room (except on Third East) free of charge to the patient. Personal television sets may not be brought into the hospital.
Telephone:
There is a telephone in each patient room. If you do not wish to receive calls from outside, please let the switchboard know.
- To place a local call, please dial 9, and then dial the number desired.
- To call long distance, dial 9-0; then dial area code and number desired. The operator will come on the line only after you have completely finished dialing. Long-distance calls should be charged to your telephone credit card or to a third party, or you may call collect.
- Public phones are located in the Main Lobby and in the emergency waiting area. For special needs equipment for sight- and hearing- impaired patients, please call the Patient Relations department.
Valuables:
We prefer that you leave money, jewelry, and other valuables at home. We cannot be responsible for such articles unless arrangements are made at the time of your admission for securing your items. These may be given to the nurse after you have gone to your room; they may be picked up at the time of discharge by presenting the receipt that you were given when depositing your property with us for safekeeping. Please do not lose this receipt.
For your safety:
Since your health and safety are of prime concern to us, we ask that you take these precautions:
- Ask your nurse to assist you getting in or out of bed unless your nurse has advised you otherwise.
- All SRMC employees and staff who enter your room will be wearing an identification badge. If there is any question as to whether or not a person is staff, please contact your nurse.
- Any small electrical appliance brought with you must be checked by our engineering staff.
- Leave all medications at home. Your physician and our pharmacy will take care of your medication needs.
FOR YOUR CARE
Food services:
Meals for patients are served beginning at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. However, if you require laboratory tests or x-ray studies, your meal may be delayed.
Regular and modified diets are served to patients. Your diet, like other treatments, is prescribed by your doctor and depends on your condition. It is important that you not eat food brought in from outside if you have been placed on a restricted diet by your physician.
Registered dietitians are on staff and may be consulted when specific needs are identified.
Nursing care:
Your round-the-clock care will be planned and provided by a highly skilled and dedicated nursing team led by a registered nurse (RN) working closely with your own physician. In addition to your registered nurse, our patient care staff includes licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and clerical coordinators. Each of these employees performs assigned tasks according to his or her education and training and always under a professional leader.
Private duty sitters:
If a private duty sitter is needed, the nursing office on the first floor will attempt to arrange for this service. Payment for private duty sitters is made by the patient directly to the sitter and not through SRMC. For more information on private duty sitters, ask your nurse.
Patient relations:
Our Patient Relations staff is here to help you with any problems or special needs you may have. Patient representatives can provide pathways for you to pursue explanations, seek assistance, or address grievances. They offer you a place to turn if you have a need or concern and are not sure who can help.
They also:
- Serve as advocates for you and your family.
- Interpret your rights and responsibilities as a patient.
- Listen to and follow up on your concerns about SRMC by investigating the issues and providing a prompt response.
- Provide a link between you and SRMC by communicating requests to the appropriate departments on you behalf.
- Recommend changes in procedures and policies to improve services for you and your family or visitors.
- Arrange for special services or direct you to resources within SRMC, its affiliates, and the community.
- Arrange for assistance if you are disabled, hearing impaired, or need a foreign-language interpreter.
- Arrange for notary services to assist with advance directives.
- Act as friends and guides in a complex institution.
You may reach this service by calling Patient Relations at (910) 671-5592 or in-house Ext. 5592.
Advance directives:
If you are 18 years or older and mentally competent, you have the right to make decisions about your medical treatment.
If, for any reason, you become unable to make these decisions, your wishes can still be followed through an Advance Directive – also known as a Living Will, Health Care Power of Attorney, or Advance Instruction for Mental Health.
For more information, contact the Patient Relations representative.
Ethics committee:
SRMC has established a Medical and Organizational Ethics Committee made up of physicians, nurses, social workers, pastors, patient representatives, and community members. This committee can guide you and your family if you believe you have an ethical concern, one which may give rise to conflict among patient/family/physician/other health care workers related to such issues as brain death, withholding or withdrawing treatment, refusing treatment, or requesting futile treatment.
To contact the Medical and Organizational Ethics Committee, ask your nurse or other staff member to assist you with completing an Ethics Consultation Request Form. You will be contacted by a member of the Committee regarding your request, and the Committee’s recommendation will be made available to you.
GOING HOME
Your doctor will inform you of your discharge date, notify the nursing staff on your floor, and recommend any follow-up care you may need. Please arrange for a family member or friend to help in your departure from the Medical Center.
Before leaving:
Please check closets and drawers to make sure you have all your personal items. SRMC cannot be responsible for articles left behind. Also make sure you reclaim any valuables you may have deposited at the time of your admission.
Wheelchair transportation from your room to the discharge area will be provided for all patients.
Consumer health information:
If you need more information about your condition after you leave the hospital, contact the Community Health Education Center (CHEC) in Biggs Park Mall. This service is free and offers information in a wide variety of formats in both English and Spanish. Drop by or call (910) 671–9393.
Support groups:
SRMC either hosts or sponsors meetings of several support groups at the Medical Center and its affiliates. For a free brochure, please call Public Relations at (910) 671-5499 or in-house Ext. 5499 or check the calendar of events.
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