Acute Patient Care

What to Expect

Upon Arrival

There may be many monitoring devices that must be applied and an initial assessment of the patient’s condition must be made and appropriate treatment measures initiated. Monitoring protocols include blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and cardiac rhythm monitors.

Once the patient is settled into his or her room and made as comfortable as possible, we will allow visitation with family. In some instances, a family member may be asked to provide pertinent information regarding the patient’s medical history and current illness. After the initial visit and assurance that your loved one is being well taken care of, we will ask that our visitation regulations be followed.

Patient Inquiries

To minimize nurses’ time away from their patients, we ask that phone calls be kept to a minimum and that each family designate a spokesperson who will be responsible for keeping other family members updated on the condition of their loved one. In accordance with the law (HIPAA), pertinent patient information can only be given to such designated callers. We also ask that calls are withheld between 6 am – 8 am and 6 pm – 8 pm while nurses change shifts. There are phones in the patient rooms that family members may call.

Personal Items

Family members are welcome to bring personal items for patients such as cards and photographs that may encourage recovery. Please keep personal items of value, like jewelry or cash, at home.

Visiting

8:00 am- 9:00 pm

We ask that the visitation hours and guidelines be followed when you have a loved one in the hospital. All entrances are locked at 9:00 pm. Entrance through the Emergency Room is granted by the Emergency room nurses after that time.

Infection Control

All caregivers and visitors must wash their hands or use alcohol foam before caring or visiting with any patient. There may be times when visitors may be asked to wear a mask and gloves before entering the patient's room. No one who is sick should visit a patient in the hospital.