What to Expect

Your health history and information are very important to us. During the admission process, our nurses strive to be as efficient and thorough as possible. The admission process can last from 15 minutes to 60 minutes or more, depending on your condition and health history. We encourage you bring a list of your current medications as well as have someone who is familiar with your health history remain at your bedside to assist you in answering health questions during this time.

Staff will obtain your height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations and amount of pain along with other assessments. You will also learn how to use the bed controls and how to call for assistance when you need the nurse or nurse assistant.

You may also receive medications and treatments during your admission. Staff will tell you the name of the medication and what it is for. They will also tell you the purpose of any treatments the provider has ordered for you.

The admission process can be overwhelming for some patients and families. If you find yourself with several questions after staff have left your room, please use the call button to ask for a nurse to return to your room. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Introductions

We knock or announce ourselves when entering your room. Staff introduce themselves at the beginning of each shift, 7:15 a.m., 7:15 p.m., or when you are awake. When leaving your room, we ask if there is anything else we can do for you.

Our nursing staff wear color coordinated uniforms. Nurses wear navy, nursing assistants ceil blue, and our social worker wears pink.

Communication or White Board

The communication board provides basic information needed to safely assist you. You will also know which staff will be caring for you each shift and which nursing supervisor is on duty. There is also room on the board for writing down questions to ask your provider or other care team members.

Healthcare Provider Rounds

We believe in an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare. Your healthcare provider will make regular visits to see you while you are in the hospital. Other staff who may be present while your provider is visiting are the nursing supervisor and your nurse, one of our pharmacists, a respiratory therapist, physical therapist, and case management. We encourage you to have a family spokesperson be with you when your provider visits you. If you wish, this person can share information about your condition with your family and friends to keep them updated on your progress.

Plain Language

It is our goal to use plain language when explaining your medical condition and how to care for yourself once you leave the hospital. An example of using plain language would be: “There is a germ growing in the urine sample you gave in the emergency department. Your provider will review your test results and decide how to treat the germ.” Just ask if we use a word or phrase that you don’t understand.

Understanding Your Condition

We provide you with written information about your condition and how to care for yourself after leaving the hospital. For those with chronic conditions, we also provide educational videos and a variety of written materials to help you understand and determine how you can best manage your disease at home. If you would like to have information in a format other than what was provided to you, just ask. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Understanding Your Concerns

By understanding your fears and concerns we hope to reduce anxiety. Staff take time to sit down with you, hear your story, and learn about you as a person. We will answer questions to the best of our ability.

Our case management nurse and social worker, along with the nursing staff, want you to be successful in managing your health after you leave the hospital. We will take into consideration whether or not you have the help and resources you need to successfully manage your health and care at home. Being able to manage your symptoms and recognize a decline in your health after you leave the hospital is one of our top priorities. Each patient is unique and we do our best to incorporate your wishes into a health plan that works for you.

If you have concerns about the nursing care provided, please ask to speak with the Nurse Supervisor. If your concerns are not addressed to your satisfaction, please contact the Inpatient Director from your room phone by dialing 7260.

Teach Back Your Understanding

The “Teach Back” technique allows you and/or your support person to tell the nurse what you know about your new medications and how to care for yourself at home. Staff will know if we have done a good job teaching you what you need to know to be healthy at home.

You might explain to the nurse:

The purpose of taking a medication
When to take a medication
Side effects of a medication
How to check your blood sugar level
Steps to manage a chronic condition
Who to contact if you have questions or concerns once you are home