Room selection
Your room will be assigned based on your medical condition as well as your preference and room availability. If we are unable to place you in the room of your choice at the time of admission, we will do so as soon as possible. Simply remind the nurse of your preference.

For your safety, please observe these guidelines

• If you need help to lower bedrails, please call for assistance.
• Always use bedroom slippers when out of bed.
• Never use a bedside cabinet or over-bed table for support. It may move under your weight.
• Be careful when walking on floors wet from cleaning. They may be slick.
• Ask for assistance getting in and out of a wheelchair.
• Please tell your nurse about any unsafe conditions.

Bathrooms
We ask that family members and other visitors not use the patient’s bathroom. Ask the nurse for the location of the closest restroom for visitors.

Telephone
In most cases family and friends may call directly into the patient’s room. The phone number should be posted in the room or is available from your nurse. The area code for Sacred Heart Medical Center is 541. For help making outgoing local or long-distance calls, see the Guide to Patient Services in your room.

Telephone amplifiers and TTY machines are available for the hearing impaired; talk to your nurse.

Television
Your room has a color TV set with a wide range of television and radio stations available. The channel numbers are not the same as yours at home. Consult the Guide to Patient Services in your room for a complete listing of TV and radio channels.

Out of consideration for other patients, please play your TV softly and turn off your TV at bedtime.

Channel 2, the Care Channel, features special programming to promote relaxation and support healing. A variety of health education programs are shown on Channel 50, the hospital’s patient information channel. Additional patient education videos can be seen on Channels 51 through 57 on the Sacred Heart Video-On-Demand system. Your nurse can provide a listing of these videos. You can order one directly by telephone from your hospital room.

Information for Family and Friends

Visitors are welcome
The presence of family and close friends can help aid healing. Visitors are welcome at any hour on many units. However, some units do limit visitation to help patients get the rest they need. Please check with your nurse.

Most units prefer that you limit the number of visitors to two at any time. Please control the noise in your room. Remember that this is a smoke-free hospital; visitors wishing to smoke may check at the Reception Desk in the main lobby for information about outdoor smoking locations.

Hospital entrances are open from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Family members may enter after hours through the Emergency Department entrance after checking with the officer at the security desk there. The officer will contact the nursing staff of the unit caring for you to verify the visit and issue an ID badge to your visitors. This check-in is vital to maintaining a secure hospital environment.

Where family and friends may wait during surgery

There are two family waiting areas, one near the Short Stay Unit and one near Elevator A on Sacred Heart’s main floor. Upon admission ask your nurse which would be the best place for family or friends to wait.

Food services for visitors
The hospital cafeteria is located on the first floor and is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Late night hours are 1:45 to 4:30 a.m.

Espresso PRN is a specialty coffee shop located on the third floor, near the main elevator.

Open weekdays 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9:30 to 11:45 p.m.
Open Saturdays 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 9:30 to 11:45 p.m.
Closed Sundays and major holidays.

Vending machines are located on the first floor near the cafeteria and are open 24 hours. Visitors will also find many restaurants within a block or two of the hospital.

Mail and flowers
Volunteers deliver letters, packages, e-mails sent via the hospital’s web site and flowers to patients daily. Friends and family members can send e-mail greetings to you while you are in the hospital via this web site's E-mail A Patient service. Letters that come after your discharge will be sent to your home. Flowers that come after your discharge will be returned to the florist. Stamps, stationery and cards may be purchased in the Gift Shop. 

Gift Shop
Open weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Open weekends and holidays 1 to 4 p.m.

Magazines, paperback books, candies and gift items are available in the volunteer-operated gift shop, just off the main floor lobby. A gift cart visits patient areas weekday mornings with newspapers, small gift items and snacks for sale. All proceeds benefit patient care at Sacred Heart.

An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is located across the hall from the gift shop entrance. Newspaper racks are in the hallway near the cafeteria and elevator C on the first floor.

Discounted lodging 

Tips for the caregiver
Eat well. Regular nutritious meals are a must for you to maintain your strength. Make changes to your diet one step at a time.

Get enough sleep. Take short naps when the person you are caring for is sleeping. You will need these naps if your sleep is interrupted at night.

Walk every day. Spirits are replenished with exercise. Regular and moderate exercise is essential for you to maintain good health.

Relax. Breathe fully and deeply. Listen to beautiful music. Laugh aloud every day as you assist your loved one to recovery.

Get needed information. Staying informed will reduce your anxiety. Two good resources are the hospital’s Department of Medical Social Work (686-6965) and the Center for Senior Health (687-6234).

Accept your feelings. Depression and anger are natural responses to hurt and loss. Your feelings indicate how deeply you’ve been affected by your loved one’s condition. Tears can be cleansing. Acceptance of your feelings leads to relief.

Touch one another. Share a hug! Everyone needs love and support, particularly when caring for a loved one.

Get support. Everyone needs and deserves support and encouragement. Don’t turn down loving help from caring friends and family.

Tell your story. Describe your concerns and experiences to clarify your reality and bring order from chaos. It will help you feel less lonely. Sharing is a normal way to work through the feelings you have as a caregiver.

Celebrate. Each milestone passed and every measurable success during this period is a cause for celebration. Recognizing process is progress!

Going Home

Plan ahead for your return home
Before your surgery, be sure to talk with your doctor or nurse about what you may need after your hospital stay. While you are recovering, you may need:

• Medications
• Crutches or other equipment
• Changes in your home environment
• Caregiver support by a family member, friend or paid helper
• Follow-up appointments

Leaving Sacred Heart
Discharge time from the hospital is 11 a.m., though obstetrics patients may check out at 1 p.m. Please make transportation arrangements well in advance of your discharge. A charge equal to half the daily semi-private room rate may be assessed if you stay beyond your discharge time.

At discharge you will be escorted to the parking structure via the third floor sky bridge. Please instruct the person providing your transportation to park in our Central Parking Structure, located on the north side of 13th Avenue between Hilyard and Patterson streets. There are discharge parking spaces for Mother/ Baby and Pediatrics patients close by the units. If you are being discharged from these units, ask your nurse for the location of the spaces.

On the day of discharge, use the discharge parking voucher included in your admission packet. The hospital staff will be happy to assist you in making these arrangements and to answer any questions you may have about the discharge policy. 

Home care instructions
Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care. Be sure you understand any special instructions you may receive, including dietary restrictions, prescription medications to take, or follow-up office visits. You may also need to arrange for equipment or care at home. A social worker can help families arrange for care at home or in another setting with additional support, particularly during a period of convalescence.

Before going home

• Claim your valuables, which were stored at the time of admission.
• Pack all your personal belongings. Check the restroom, bedside table and closets.
• Ask the staff for any assistance you need.
• Don’t forget to take your flowers, cards and gifts.
• Make sure you have any written prescriptions and follow-up appointment reminders.

Lost and Found
If anything is missing as you prepare to leave, please check with your nurse. If you already know that something has been lost, please call Environmental Services at 686-7105.

Medical social workers provide support and guidance
Health concerns often involve enormous social, emotional and financial concerns as well. Sacred Heart’s medical social workers team with patients and their families to assess their needs and find the best available solutions to their concerns. Social workers can provide emotional support and guidance.

Social workers also assist with planning and arranging for post-hospital care, including in-home care or care in nursing facilities, foster homes and residential care facilities. Social workers can serve as liaisons between patients and families and a wide range of community agencies and organizations. Social workers can provide written materials about many community resources as well. For more information call 686-6965 weekdays or talk with your nurse.

Home Health and Hospice may continue your care at home
Home Health provides licensed nursing and therapy services for people who can otherwise get the care support they need at home. Skilled home health services require an order from your physician. Hospital staff can advise you of the agencies proving skilled home care services in your area. Medicare and most insurance plans will cover all or part of the cost if your care qualifies.

Hospice is a special program of compassionate care and support for patients nearing the end of life and their families. Services can be provided in patients’ homes (if additional care support is available) or in other types of care facilities. Hospice is a Medicare certified benefit and a benefit covered by many commercial insurance plans. A physician’s order is required.

Making early arrangements for in-home care will ensure continuous care and may help you get home sooner.