|
Your Room
Your room assignment is based upon your admitting diagnosis and bed availability on the day of your admission. Private (single bed) and semi-private (two bed) rooms are generally available. Medical insurance usually does not cover the full cost of a private room. 
Your Bed
Most hospital beds are electrically operated. Your nurses will show you how to work your bed properly. Because your bed is higher and narrower than your bed at home, bedside rails are provided for your protection. The bed rails may be raised at night, or during the day if you are resting, recovering from surgery or taking certain medications.
Using Your Phone
Telephones are provided in all rooms except in the critical care unit, recovery room and Lifeline unit. Your room assignment has an individual phone number for direct calls that the operator can give you. To make a local call, press 9 and the number. If the call is a 312 or 847 area code, press 9-1, the area code and the number. To make a long distance call, press "O" and the operator will assist you. You will need to use your credit card, or charge calls to your home number. To determine whether a call is local or long distance, please press “0” and ask the operator.
Calling Your Nurse
Our nurse call system uses sophisticated computer technology to expedite our staff’s response to your requests. This is how it works:
-
When you push the nurse call button, located at your bedside, it alerts the unit clerk that you have a need.
-
When the unit clerk answers your call, he or she will know your name, which room and bed you are in and your caregivers.
-
Using the speaker phone located on the wall behind you, the unit clerk will ask you what you need.
-
This information immediately will be relayed to your caregivers via pocket pager, enabling our staff to meet your needs more quickly.
Television
Television sets are provided free of charge in each room. In addition to the major networks and local stations, a closed circuit channel featuring educational and spiritual programming is available.
ATM at the Hospital
A LaSalle Bank ATM is now available on the first floor of the hospital between the "A" and "B" elevators. The machine dispenses cash only. No deposits can be made.
Personal Belongings
We encourage you to leave personal property like cash, jewelry and electrical appliances at home. Any needed belongings should be stored in closets or drawers.
Be sure to keep items like eyeglasses, contacts or dentures in their containers labeled with your name when not in use. We cannot be responsible for any lost or stolen items. You can store valuables, however, by asking the nursing supervisor or security personnel to put the valubles in a hospital safe.
Smoking
As part of our commitment to the promotion of healthy lifestyles, smoking is prohibited at Weiss Memorial Hospital. We are proud to be smoke-free and have alternatives to assist smokers adapt to our smoke-free environment. Ask your nurse for details.
Visiting Hours
Visitors can be good medicine for patients, so we have made visiting hours as generous as possible - from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. In some areas like the maternity floor and the critical care unit, visiting hours may vary. Contact the individual unit for specific information.
Visiting Regulations
The following guidelines take into consideration patient comfort and need for rest and support from family and friends:
-
Two visitors per patient generally are considered appropriate.
-
Be considerate of other patients by reminding visitors to keep noise to a minimum.
-
People with colds, sore throats or contagious diseases should not visit patients.
-
Visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments, or when the doctor or nurse needs to see the patient.
-
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the hospital.
Late Evening Visits
Overnight, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., visitors will need to use the hospital's emergency department entrance located at the northwest corner of the main hospital building. During this time, the hospital's main entrance is closed for security purposes.
Your Discharge
When your doctor determines you are ready to leave the hospital, a discharge order will be written. You may leave the hospital directly after checking with your nurse. If you do not have insurance and did not make arrangements for your bill, you will need to make a stop at the Patient Business Office before leaving the hospital.
Checkout Time
Checkout time is 11:00 a.m. on most units. You will need to make arrangements for someone to pick you up soon after you are discharged. If you cannot check out by 11:00 a.m., please notify your nurse so alternate arrangements can be made. You may be billed for extra time in your room, and this charge is not covered by most insurance plans.
|
