Your Stay at GVH
Comfort and Convenience
Patient Representative
A Patient Representative is available to assist you if you have questions or problems concerning your stay that are not resolved by your nurse or physician. The Patient Representative may be contacted at extension 4975. If you are unable to reach the Patient Representative, call the switchboard operator and ask for the Nursing Supervisor on duty.
Calling Your Nurse
Near your pillow, you will find a call button that signals the nursing station for assistance. A nurse will either come to your room or respond to your call through the intercom system above your bed. If you feel weak, please call your nurse before attempting to get out of bed. When the side rails on your bed are raised for your protection, do not attempt to get out of bed without the assistance of a nurse. If you feel weak while in the bathroom, push the emergency signal button to call for assistance.
Pain Management
We strive to provide you with the most current and acceptable methods of pain management promptly and compassionately. Should you experience pain, contact your nurse immediately. Pain causes discomfort and may prolong your recovery. Tense bodies heal more slowly. For more information about pain management, refer to the brochure, A Patient’s Guide to Pain Control.
Visiting Policy
General visiting hours are from 2-8 pm. Some units have special visiting hours. To be considerate of other patients, we request that no more than two visitors be present per patient in semi-private rooms. Visits by children under age 12 are discouraged. However, in cases where a visit by a child or grandchild would be therapeutic, supervised visits by children are permitted.
Non-Smoking Policy
Grand View Hospital endeavors to maintain a smoke-free environment. As of February 14, 2007, smoking and other tobacco products are prohibited in all buildings occupied by and property owned by Grand View Hospital. This restriction applies to all patients, visitors and staff.
Air Conditioning
Contact your nurse if the temperature in your room is uncomfortable.
Meals
At Your Request Room Service dining, allows you to order what you want, when you want it. We hope this helps meet your nutritional needs and makes your stay more enjoyable. Place your order by dialing 4444 any time between 7 am and 6:30 pm.
- Please allow up to 45 minutes for delivery.
- If you are on a modified or restricted diet, our Room Service Operator will help you with your selections.
- Please be aware of the following when you call to order:
- Your room number
- Your prescribed diet order
- The foods you would like to order
- You may pre-order your meals. To do so, please inform our Room Service Operator when placing your order.
- Family members may place orders from home if needed.
For Diabetic Management
Please notify the nursing staff immediately after ordering each meal so we can help you manage your diabetes. As you know, timing of blood sugar checks and medication is critical in keeping your blood sugar as normal as possible. May we suggest the following meal times:
Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 am
Lunch: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Dinner: 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Please note the number of grams of carbohydrate (#) are listed after each appropriate item.
If you have nutritional concerns or would like written information about your specific diet, the Grand View Hospital Dietitians will be happy to visit you. Just inform the Room Service Operator of your request or call the Dietitians directly by dialing 4633.
Visitors may dine in the cafeteria, purchase food in the cafeteria to bring to your room, or order a guest tray. The charge for a guest tray is added to your hospital bill and is not covered by insurance. The cafeteria is open:
- Monday-Friday, 7 am-6:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 8 am-6:30 pm
In addition, food is always available in the vending machines adjacent to the cafeteria dining room.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol, like any drug, may interfere with your treatment and, therefore, is prohibited in the hospital.
Gift Shop
Staffed by hospital volunteers, the Corner Cupboard Gift Shop, located off the main lobby, offers cards, flowers, candy, beverages, newspapers, jewelry and other gift items. Check with your nurse if you wish to visit the gift shop. The gift shop is open:
- Monday-Friday, 9 am-8 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 pm
Mail, Flowers and Balloons
Hospital volunteers deliver mail, flowers and mylar balloons to patients in their rooms. Outgoing mail may be sent from the hospital by giving it to your nurse. Please note that flowers are not permitted in the Intensive and Coronary Care Unit (ICCU).
Only balloons made of mylar – a foil material that holds helium – are permitted in the hospital. Balloons made of other materials, such as latex, are prohibited because many patients and staff members are allergic to latex.
Newspapers
Regional and local newspapers are available in the hospital gift shop.
Library Cart
Volunteers with a book cart circulate throughout the hospital daily. These library aides will lend you books and/or magazines. Large print books are available.You may request reading materials by calling Volunteer Services at extension 4619.
Hair Care
A hair-care service for patients is available several days each week. At your request, your nurse may make an appointment for volunteers to shampoo, set and comb your hair.You may also have your own barber or hairdresser provide your hair care, provided you consult with your nurse, who can advise you of any planned test or treatment.
Telephone
For your convenience, patient rooms are equipped with direct-dial telephones. Incoming calls may be received between 7 am and 9 pm. Please inform your friends and family of your phone number after you are admitted.You will be charged a fee for telephone service regardless of the number of local calls you make or receive. This charge is not covered by insurance and must be paid by you when you are discharged. If you do not desire to have a phone, inform the Cashier at extension 4635.
Telephone Directions
With telephone service, local calls may be made without charge. Toll calls or long-distance calls may be placed as collect calls or credit-card calls or charged to your home phone.
- To call a hospital department, dial the last four digits of the telephone number.
- To make a local call, dial 8, listen for the dial tone and then dial the telephone number.
- To call outside the local area, dial 6, listen for the dial tone and then dial 0. When the operator answers, give your name and explain that you are placing a collect call, a credit-card call or a call that is to be billed to your home phone.
- If you reach a wrong number, dial 6, listen for the dial tone and then dial 0. Explain the mistake when the operator answers.
Cellular Phones
Due to the risk of interference with medical equipment, cellular phones may be used only in the main and outpatient lobbies, Emergency Department waiting room, ICCU waiting room and cafeteria.You and your visitors must turn off cellular phones completely in all other areas of the hospital. This restriction is necessary to ensure patient safety.We apologize for any inconvenience.
Television and Other Electronic Devices
Individual TV units are available in each patient room and may be rented for a daily fee. The hospital provides a patient education channel, which is available for your viewing even if you do not rent a TV. This channel features educational programming and several movies each day. TV charges are not covered by insurance.You must pay the rental fees at discharge.
Electronic devices such as cell phones, PDAs and computers may interfere with special electronic equipment used in some areas of the hospital. As a result, please refrain from using them in patient areas. This restriction is necessary to ensure patient safety.We apologize for any inconvenience.
Interpreters and Assistance for the Hearing-Impaired
Contact your nurse if you need the services of a language interpreter or assistance to manage a hearing impairment. TDD devices and closedcaption adapters for the TV are also available.
Parking
Parking is available to patients and visitors in the lots adjacent to the hospital. Handicapped parking is provided near the hospital entrances and adjacent professional building. Although no parking is permitted at the entrances, patients and any visitors who have difficulty walking may be dropped off or picked up at either entrance. A “gopher cart” is usually available on weekdays from 7:30 am-3:30 pm to transport visitors from the parking lots to the entrance.
Valuables
Grand View is not responsible for items left at your bedside and encourages you not to keep valuable items in the hospital. Please send them home with your family or friends. If this is not possible, ask your nurse to have your valuables placed in the hospital safe.
Be especially careful of personal care items such as dentures, eye glasses and hearing aids. These items can be safely stored in your bedside cabinet. A container for your dentures or hearing aid will be provided upon request.
Gratuities
The hospital staff is here to serve you and takes pride in caring for you and your family.We request that you refrain from offering tips or gifts to individual staff members, as they are not permitted to accept gratuities. Please complete your patient satisfaction survey and describe your interaction with any outstanding staff members. Grand View acknowledges all staff members mentioned in patient satisfaction surveys.
|
