Inpatient Information

Patients admitted to our hospital receive a variety of information designed to keep them informed and safe. The information below is some of the important information provided in our patient packets. If you have a loved one in the hospital then the information found here can help you better understand the care we are providing.

• Fall Prevention
• Medication Side Effects

Call Light and Fall Risk

Your safety is one of our top goals, so we’ll make sure you know how to use your call light to ask for our help. If you are ill, just had surgery or are taking new medication(s), you may be a little shaky on your feet and at risk for a fall. If that’s the case, we’ll give you a red armband to wear so your entire health care team knows to help you avoid a fall.

Hourly Rounding

We want to be sure your pain is under control and your needs are being met. To help with this, your nurse and nursing aide will check on you each hour of the day and every two hours during the night. We’ll also make sure the items you need are within reach so you don’t have to get up and risk a fall.

The large red button on your call light as well as the red nurse button on your bed will send a call to the nurses’ station. When we answer, be sure to tell us exactly what’s going on so we can understand the urgency of your need.

Using Your Phone, Bed and TV

You have your own personal phone right in your room. A couple of tips:

• Dial 9 first to reach a phone number outside of the hospital
• Dial hospital extensions directly—such as dialing 16411 to reach our dining services.

We want you to be as comfortable as possible in your bed, so make use of the controls on each side of the bedrails. Head up, head down, knees up, knees down—whatever feels best to you!

Your room’s TV remote control gives you access to cable service. If you’d like a channel guide, just ask us.

Meals and Guest Options

Meals are served from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Your doctor will decide if you have any special dietary restrictions. If you have your own requests, please let us know! Beyond that, you’re welcome to order room service by dialing extension 16411.

Your guests may get hungry too, so make sure they know they can visit Garden Café on the lower level or try the vending machines by the Emergency Department waiting area.

Visitors and Handwashing

We know patients who are supported by loved ones heal the best and fastest. That’s why we welcome your visitors anytime, as long as they don’t disrupt your care or other patients’ rest. If you want a family member to stay the night with you, we will do our best to find a recliner or a cot. We ask all our visitors to understand how important handwashing is in reducing the risk of infection—for you and for them.

We are required to perform handwashing before and after your care. Your room has its own sink and foam dispenser, so feel free to remind your visitors and staff to wash their hands if they miss this important step. Together we can greatly reduce your risk of acquiring an infection while in the hospital.

Personal Care and Belongings

Almost nothing feels as good as freshening up while you’re in the hospital. That’s why we’ll help you with a bed bath or shower each day. We also have personal care items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo on hand for you.

If you have any valuables (cell phone, dentures, glasses, etc.) with you when you arrive, please let your nurse know. If you’ve brought any medications from home, we’ll keep them safely locked in your personal medication drawer for you until you’re discharged.

Nighttime Routine

Your rest is a huge part of your healing experience. We want to protect your rest, even while we take care of your important health needs during the night. With that in mind, here’s how a typical night looks at Adventist Medical Center:

• Between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., your night team will come by to meet you and answer any questions you have. We’ll take your vital signs while we say hello and then come by every two hours during the night.
• Medications you’ll need before bedtime are usually given between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Some medications you’ll have to take during the night—we’ll keep track for you.
• We will take your vitals and assess your pain and any concerns at midnight and 4 a.m. It’s an important hospital practice to help you stay safe and comfortable.
• Our wonderful lab team will come by between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. so they can take your blood and process it in time for your doctor to review the results and plan your care for the day.
• Our care is tailored to your specific medical needs, so we may have to check on you more often, while still doing our best to help you get the rest you need.

We know how important your rest is, and we hate to interrupt it. Please know we only come by during the night when necessary to provide you with the best healing care we can.