Your Hospital Stay

Admission

Your admission to Roxborough Memorial Hospital has been requested by your physician who is a member of the hospitals medical staff. Unless you have been admitted through the Emergency Room, your first stop will be the Patient Access (Admissions) department. Good medical practice requires that detailed information be obtained from you. The information you provide is confidential and will not be disclosed without your permission. The Patient Access registrar is required by law to discuss advance directives and patient confidentiality with you.

Advance Directives

Federal law requires hospitals to inform all patients of their rights to make decisions in advance concerning their acceptance or refusal of medical or surgical treatment. Accordingly, Roxborough Memorial which recognizes that patients generally have the authority to make their own health care decisions wants you to know what your rights and options are. Before you are admitted to the hospital you will receive information about advance directives along with an Advance Directive Declaration. If you already have an Advance Directive, please bring it with you at the time of admission. Federal law requires that we attach a copy of your directive to your medical records.

Pre-Admission Testing

Your physician may have scheduled you to have tests such as radiology or laboratory work prior to your admission. Pre-admission testing enables your physician to have the results before your admission.

Personal Belongings

The only personal items you should need while in the hospital are your robe, slippers, pajamas or nightgown, comb or brush, basic toiletry items, eyeglasses with case, dentures (see below), and perhaps some reading material. Necessary toiletry items will be provided if you do not have them with you. Please ask your caregiver for assistance.

Please do not bring valuables such as cash, credit cards, jewelry, cell phones or electronic and battery-operated recording devices. If you do bring them at time of admission, please send them home with a relative or friend or have them stored in the hospital safe. If you decide to keep cash or valuables with you at your bedside, the hospital cannot be responsible for damage or loss.

Eyeglasses and Dentures

Please take care to protect your belongings from accidental loss or damage, especially eyeglasses and dentures that may be misplaced in the busy hospital environment. In particular, we recommend that you do not place dentures under your pillow or on your meal tray, do not leave them in your bathroom, or do not wrap them in a tissue or handkerchief and leave them in any place where they may be mistakenly discarded. When necessary, store belongings such as dentures, eyeglasses, and reading material in your bedside tables when they are not being used.

Personal Medications

It is not necessary to bring medications from home unless your physician specifically requests that you do so. Medications needed during your hospitalization will be prescribed by your physician and provided by the hospital pharmacy.

Identification Band

Your identification bracelet lists your name, patient number and your physicians name. The band must be worn throughout your hospital stay. This will ensure that all staff involved in your care will know who you are, even when you are sleeping or away from your room.

Discharge

Discharge planning is incorporated into the organization plan for each patient. Depending upon the individuals needs, you may be contacted by a social worker, home care coordinator or case manager. Your physician will advise you and your nurses when you are able to be discharged. Targeted discharge time is 11:00 a.m. Please help us to get you home quickly by arranging for transportation from a family member or friend to be available mid-morning on your likely discharge day.