During Your Stay

WHAT TO BRING

When you come to the hospital there are certain personal items and information that can make your stay more comfortable and provide your caregivers with important information they need to tailor your care to meet your needs.

Items to bring to the hospital:

• Personal items and clothing such as; pajamas, robe, skid resistant slippers, toothbrush, eyeglasses, hearing aides, reading material, playing cards, hairbrush, comb or shaving equipment. Any electrical equipment you bring must be checked by Plant Maintenance to ensure safety prior to use.

• Information such as health care insurance, Advanced Directives, Living Wills and a list of current medications you are taking.

Items to be sent home or locked in our safe:

• Valuables such as money, jewelry, credit cards and bankcards.

We will ask that any valuables brought to Peace Harbor Hospital be placed in our safe or taken home by a family member. Valuables may be withdrawn from the safe at the time of your discharge. We cannot be responsible for money, jewelry, credit cards or other valuables left in your room.

PARTICIPATE IN YOUR CARE

At Peace Harbor Hospital our medical staff and employees are dedicated to providing care while preserving your dignity, privacy and respect. You are encouraged to actively participate in decisions regarding your care. The best way to start is by asking your doctor for information regarding:

• Your care and condition in terms you can understand.

• “Informed Consent” before the start of any procedure. Except in emergencies this information usually includes a description of the procedure, risks involved, how long you may be incapacitated and reasonable medical alternatives.

• Medications you are taking.

• Your continuing health requirements after you leave the hospital.

If you need to transfer (or transferring) to another facility, your physician will explain both the need and the alternatives available to you.

In addition to the doctor primarily responsible for your care you should ask for the names and relationships of all doctors who may be involved in your care. You may consult with another physician upon your request.

You may choose to refuse treatment and will be informed of the medical consequences of your refusal.

PREVENTING INFECTIONS IN THE HOSPITAL

Infections can occur after many types of medical procedures. This is particularly true if you are having surgery. Following these 10 simple steps to prevent infections may help reduce your risk of complications.

1. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water after handling any
   type of soiled material, after using the bathroom, if your hands are
   visibly dirty, or after leaving your room for any reason. Also, use hand
   gel before leaving the room. Encourage your visitors and family
   members to cleanse their hands when they visit.

2. “It’s OK to Ask.” If you do not see a staff member cleansing their
   hands, it’s okay to remind them to do so before they take care of you.

3. If you have diabetes, be sure that you and your doctor discuss the
   best way to control your blood sugar before, during and after your
   hospital stay. High blood sugar increases the risk of infection.

4. Let your nurse know if the dressing on your intravenous catheter
   works loose or gets wet. Keep the area clean and dry.

5. Let your nurse know if you have a dressing on a wound that works
   loose or gets wet.

6. Let your nurse know if your drainage tube or catheter becomes loose
   or dislodged.

7. If possible, ask your friends and relatives not to visit if they feel ill.

8. Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions regarding breathing
   treatments and getting out of bed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help,
   advice or sufficient pain medications.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your care so that you may
   fully understand your treatment plan and expected outcomes. You
   and your family or friends will be able to better facilitate your
   recovery.

10. If you are a smoker, consider taking part in Sacred Heart’s smoking
    cessation program. This will reduce the chance of developing a lung
    infection while in the hospital and may improve your healing abilities
    following surgery. For more information, ask your nurse or physician.

Medication Safety

Medication errors can be very serious and lead to complications or worse. The good news is that patients and family members can help prevent medication errors. Here are some important things you should know. Monitor…your medications by keeping a complete list. Always take this list each time you see a health care provider. New lists can be downloaded and printed at http://www.peacehealth.org/mapyourmeds. Ask…your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to review (with you) their record and your list to make sure they match. Also, make sure you understand why you are taking every medication. Change the information on your list each time you start or stop taking a medication. Throw away medications you no longer take. Prevent…medication errors by adhering to this checklist:

• Keep your medication list accurate.

• Take your medication list each time you go to the hospital, emergency room, or clinic.

• Keep a medication list with you when you travel.

• If you are too sick to do so yourself, ask a family member to show the medication list to your doctors and nurses.

• Make sure your family has your doctor’s name and phone number.

• Keep your medication list in an accessible location so it is available in an emergency situation.

• When you leave the hospital, talk with the doctor or nurse about the medications you will take at home.

• Pick a single pharmacy in the community so they can check for potential drug interactions every time you submit a prescription.

PAIN CONTROL

Pain is both a medical symptom and a medical problem. Too much pain can slow healing. Pain is also very individual. If you are in pain, tell your nurse and be prepared to describe its location, sensation (dull, piercng), duration (when it started) and intensity on a scale of 1 to 10. Your caregivers want to treat your pain quickly and effectively.

SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CONDITION

People who care about you may call the hospital asking about your status. To protect your privacy, it is our policy to not share any medical information over the phone. However, if callers ask if you are a patient here, we would tell them that you are unless you tell your nurse that you want “Do Not Announce” (DNA) status. This means our staff will not tell any visitors or callers, including immediate family, that you are here. You will not receive any mail or flowers.

YOUR ROOM

When you enter the hospital you will be assigned a room based on availability on the day of your admission and your diagnosis. All rooms are private and furnished with an adjustable bed, television and telephone. Each room has a private bathroom and closet for your clothes. 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.

PATIENT FOOD SERVICES

Patient Meals

We serve three scheduled meals daily from the hospital kitchen. Please
notify nursing staff of any special diet requirements you may have.

• Breakfast arrives between 7:30 and 8:45 a.m.
• Lunch arrives between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Dinner arrives between 5 and 6:15 p.m.

Your first meal may be preselected for you, but a menu to select today’s
lunch and dinner and tomorrow’s breakfast will come with your breakfast
tray, and is also available at each nursing station. Your doctor may order
diet restrictions, resulting in changes to your meal selections. Dietitians
are available to discuss:

• Diets and restrictions
• Your individual needs
• Your needs at home
  An assortment of snacks and beverages are available to patients

Visitor Meals

Visitors can purchase meals in the hospital cafeteria during posted meal times. Meals may be eaten in the cafeteria or taken back to the patient room if desired. Trays are provided to assist in carrying meals to the patient rooms. Please keep in mind when using the cafeteria that hospital personnel have limited lunch periods and need to return to work. The bulk of the hospital personnel have their lunch from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Your understanding in not scheduling your lunch in the cafeteria during this time is appreciated. There are vending machines provided in the cafeteria for use outside of posted meal times.

YOUR RIGHTS AS A PATIENT

In keeping with PeaceHealth’s mission, core values and commitment to the delivery of quality health care, Peace Harbor Hospital recognizes, protects and promotes the following rights for each patient to include, as appropriate, the patient’s legally authorized representative. If you have questions about these rights and responsibilities please talk to our staff members or a department manager.

As a Peace Harbor Hospital patient, you have the right to:

• Impartial access to medically indicated services available at Peace Harbor Hospital.
• Have a family member or representative of your choice and your own physician notified promptly of your admission to the hospital.
• Considerate, respectful care, including respect for your personal values and beliefs.
• Refuse treatment and to be informed of the medical consequences of your refusal.
• Know the names of doctors caring for you and which doctor is coordinating your care.
• Receive from your doctor information concerning your care and condition in terms you can understand.
• Information pertaining to the need for transfer to another health care facility if indicated and the alternatives to transfer.
• Information regarding your health status, treatment and outlook for recovery including your continuing health requirements after you leave the hospital.
• Request reasonable treatment options that are considered standard of care.
• Consult with another doctor at your own request and expense.
• Privacy in the performance of your medical care.
• Under Oregon law, prepare and submit a Directive to Physician or Power of Attorney for Health Care, which are commonly known as Advanced Directives.
• Be involved in care planning and treatment, including pain assessment and management.
• Receive care in a safe environment.
• Be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary.
• Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
• Access the Department of Human Services when needed. The information needed to do this in Florence is: 3180 Hwy. 101, P.O. Box U, Florence, Oregon 97439, Ph. (541) 997-8251.
• Confidentiality of records and communications regarding your care. Certain information may be released to appropriate persons or agencies such as insurance companies, according to state and/or federal laws.
• Give or withhold your consent to participate in research projects, procedures or medication administration.
• Information necessary to give informed consents before the start of any procedure. Except in emergencies, this information usually includes a description of the procedure, significant risks involved, how long you may be incapacitated and reasonable medical alternatives.
• The right to examine and receive an explanation of your hospital bill.
• Have access to information contained in your medical records in accordance with state and federal regulations and hospital policy.
• Be informed or when appropriate, have family informed about the outcomes of care including unanticipated outcomes.
• Voice any concerns or complaints regarding to your care with staff members and department managers. If you are not satisfied with the outcome a formal grievance could be filed. If you choose, you have the right to contact the Department of Human Services/Health Care Licensure and Certification, 800 NE Oregon St., Mail Room 21, Suite 640, Portland OR 97232, Ph. (503) 731-4013.
• Be informed of Peace Harbor’s rules and regulations that apply to patient care and conduct.
• The right to participate in consideration of ethical issues that arise in your care.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PATIENT

Advanced Directives (Living Wills)

Tobacco

Fragrances

The Peace Harbor Hospital Foundation has been established to receive and manage various types of gifts to the hospital. Gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible. If you would like to learn more about various opportunities for giving to our Foundation, call us at 997-8704.