Preparing for Your Stay

While you are at CarePoint Health, you will be cared for by a skilled care team, which could include surgeons, physicians, nurses, health care technicians and a hospitalist. Your team will work closely with your primary care provider throughout your hospital stay. In order to ensure a smooth transition of care, your medical records will be electronically updated and securely exchanged with your doctor. Your care team will also help ensure that you resume care with your personal physician(s) to promote what is known as “continuity of care.”

We recommend that you leave your valuables at home. It is easy for items to get lost if you need to be transferred from one unit to another. If you do bring valuables to the hospital, please send them home with a loved one or request that we secure your valuables with our security staff.

What to Bring

When packing for a planned visit, we recommend only bringing the necessities:

Government issued photo ID
Insurance card
List of current medications (including dosages)

Additional optional items to bring include:

Personal care items (hairbrush, toothbrush, lip balm, etc.)
Copy of your advance directive
Devices such as eyeglasses, hearing aids or dentures
Change of clothes to go home (if you have swelling, had surgery or just delivered a baby, we recommend loose-fitting garments and shoes that are sturdy and easy to slip on)

What not to bring

Again, leave all valuables such as jewelry (including wedding rings) and large sums of cash at home.
CarePoint Health hospitals and facilities are tobacco-free. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere, including your room. Please leave all cigarettes, matches and other smoking devices at home.
Large electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and portable DVD players are not recommended.
If possible, give your cell phone to a family member or friend to hold until you get settled in your room. Cell phones are permitted in rooms except in the critical care units.

Make transportation arrangements

Please make arrangements for an adult to bring you to the hospital and accompany you home. Please note that a parent or legal guardian must accompany minors. If you have anesthesia, you may need assistance for 12–24 hours after your procedure.

If you have an advance health care directive

Please bring a copy with you when you’re admitted to the hospital so you can discuss your wishes with your health care team. Your advance health care directive will be placed in your medical chart.

What to Know While You Are With Us

Television—If you would like to watch television, we can turn it on for you. After it is turned on, you will be able to operate it with a device equipped with a remote control unit, and an under-pillow speaker.

Cell Phones—If possible, give your cell phone to a family member or friend to hold until you get settled in your room. Cell phones are permitted in rooms except in the critical care units.

Spiritual Care—We are committed to providing spiritual care and support to you and your loved ones. Members of our pastoral care staff are available to minister to people of all faiths who are hospitalized or have come to the hospital for outpatient treatments. Religious services of several denominations are offered. Ask a member of our staff for a schedule of services.

Pet Therapy—A visit from a pet and its handler while in the hospital can be just the prescription for a positive outlook on your future. If you are interested, let your doctor or other caregiver know. He or she will arrange for a dog and its handler to visit your hospital room. They typically stay for about 10 to 15 minutes. You are welcome to pet the dog and ask the handler questions.

Speak Up™— We enthusiastically endorse the Speak Up initiative—a national campaign to urge patients to take a role in preventing health care errors by becoming active, involved and informed participants on the health care team. We encourage you to:

Speak up if you have questions or concerns. If you still don’t understand, ask again. It’s your body and you have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you get. Always make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medicines by the right health care professionals. Don’t assume anything.
Educate yourself about your illness. Learn about the medical tests you get and your treatment plan.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate (adviser or supporter).
Know what medicines you take and why you take them. Medicine errors are the most common health care mistakes.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.

Readmission Reduction Program—This program provides our patients with the specialized tools and self-management skills they need to meet their health care needs and ensure continuity of care as they transition from the inpatient to the outpatient setting. This community outreach initiative allows patients to receive services in the home, increase quality of life and avoid hospital readmissions. Through the program, patients receive home visits and telephone follow-up calls. The program works in coordination with visiting nurse programs.

What to Know Before Going Home

For patients and caregivers preparing to leave the hospital, please review the Patient and Family Discharge packet.