Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County

Patients being admitted under the provisions of Medicare or Medicaid should present their health insurance cards or coupons. It is the patient's responsibility to pre-authorize their hospital admission with their insurance company prior to admission. Your physician will make all the necessary arrangements for treatment while you are in our care.

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Accomodations
We wish to make your stay as comfortable as possible at MHSC. We offer a choice of accommodations and will do our utmost to honor your preferences. For your convenience, we have a safe for the keeping of your valuables. Should you avail yourself of the use of our safe, we allow 24 hour access to your valuables through our Security Department.

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General Information
Part of your emotional well being and recovery may include visits from family and friends. As these visitors are guests in the hospital, we ask that they observe the guidelines of the nursing department they are visiting. If unsure of those guidelines, please call ahead or ask at the nurse's station in that department.

The Department of Nutrition Services operates a cafeteria serving a continental breakfast from 8:00 am - 10:00 am; lunch from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm; and dinner from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm. Coffee is free of charge to the public. The cafeteria is located downstairs in the hospital and the food is excellent.

MHSC has a trained security staff that may occasionally be needed to assist in an emergency. They are available 24 hours a day.

A non-denominational chapel is available on the first floor and local chaplains regularly visit patients.

Periodically, the hospital practices emergency drills. The type of drill and location are announced overhead. During a fire drill, all main doors will automatically close and your patient room door will be closed by a member of the nursing staff. In the event of a real emergency, all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of our patients and visitors.

MHSC offer complimentary notary services. Should you require such a service, notify the nursing staff or call the Administrative office.

MHSC has developed a patient "hotline" as a courtesy to our patients. Should you have any concerns you would like addressed, dial "555" and a member of the administration will make themselves available to discuss those concerns with you as soon as practical.

Financial Arrangements
As part of your hospital service, we will submit a claim to your insurance company or entitlement program for your care. After your claim has been paid, or if your insurance company does not reimburse the hospital in a timely manner, the balance of the account becomes your responsibility. Your hospitalization coverage is an agreement between your insurance company and you. Hospital personnel will fully cooperate in expediting your insurance claims. However, you are ultimately responsible for the resolution of your hospital accounts.

If you have limited or no insurance coverage, we encourage you to contact the Business Office as soon as possible so that we can assist you in making payment arrangements and provide you with information about a medical assistance program that is available at MHSC.

Please note, our bill does not include your attending physician's fee. There may also be a separate charge for the radiologist, the anesthesiologist, and other physicians for their services. These charges will be billed directly to you by the physician.

Social Services / Discharge Planning
The Social Services/Discharge Planning Department is available to assist you in assessing discharge needs and making referrals to agencies specializing in home health services. They can assist in obtaining medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen. Post- discharge visits can be made to assist with unexpected needs. This department also offers information regarding financial assistance and bereavement counseling.

Surgery and Anesthesia
The most recent technologies have enhanced the surgical and anesthesia services at MHSC. The benefits the patient receives are shorter hospital stays, less discomfort and a more rapid return to normal activities. Physicians, surgeons, and surgical nurses trained in a variety of specialties can meet the needs of their patients through MHSC's well equipped surgery department. Following the surgical procedure, the patient is transferred to the recovery room for vital monitoring prior to being returned to his/her hospital room.

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The Patient's Bill of Rights
We consider you a partner in your hospital care. When you are well informed, participate in treatment decisions, and communicate openly with your doctor and other health professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. This hospital encourages respect for the personal preferences, values and beliefs of each individual.

2. You have the right to be well informed about your illness, possible treatments, and likely outcome and to discuss this information with your doctor. You have the right to know the names and roles of people treating you.

3. You have the right to consent to or refuse a treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care.

4. You have the right to have an Advance Directive, such as a living will, healthcare proxy, and/or a CPR Directive. These documents express your choices about your future care or name someone to decide if you cannot speak for yourself.

5. You have the right to privacy. The hospital, your doctor, and others caring for you will protect your privacy as much as possible.

6. You have the right to expect that treatment records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information or reporting is required or permitted by law. When the hospital releases records to others, such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.

7. You have the right to review and receive your medical records, per hospital policy, and to have the information explained, except when restricted by law.

8. You have the right to expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended or requested, you will be informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.

9. You have the right to know if this hospital has relationships with outside parties that may influence your treatment and care. These relationships may be with educational institutions, other healthcare providers, or insurers.

10. You have the right to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.

11. You have the right to be told of realistic care alternatives when hospital care is no longer appropriate.

12. You have the right to know about hospital rules that affect you and your treatment and about charges and payment methods.

13. You have the right to know about hospital resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees, that can help you resolve problems and questions about your hospital stay and care.

14. You have the right to expect that you will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, financial capability, or marital status in receiving services.

15. You have the right to expect attention to your normal body functions and food and fluid needs, no matter the treatment or safety issues involved in your care.

16. As a patient, you can expect information about pain and pain relief measures, a concerned staff committed to pain prevention and management who respond appropriately to reports of pain, and that your reports of pain will be acknowledged, assessed, and managed.

17. You have the right to the proper and safe use of restraints in acute medical and surgical care. You have the right to the proper and safe use of seclusion and restraints in behavioral management.

18. You have the right to present concerns or comments if you are having problems with the care or treatment you are receiving. The hospital has designated a Patient Relations Representative that you may contact by dialing "0" (the hospital operator) or extension 8412. Your comments will be registered by the representative and a member of the hospital administrative staff will contact you as soon as possible.

*These rights can be exercised on the patient's behalf by a designated surrogate or proxy decision maker if the patient lacks decision making capacity, is legally incompetent, or is a minor.

Revised and Approved by Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Board of Trustees 1/01

1. You are responsible for providing information about your health, including past illnesses, hospital stays, and use of medicine.

2. You are responsible for asking questions when you do not understand information or instructions.

3. You are responsible for informing your physician and other care-givers if you anticipate problems in following prescribed treatment or if you refuse any medical procedure or treatment.

4. You are responsible for providing your healthcare provider information about any pain you experience as it begins and as it changes. You are also responsible for working with your healthcare providers to develop and implement a pain management plan.

5. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff, and the hospital facilities.

6. You are responsible for providing insurance information and for working with the hospital to make payment arrangements, when necessary.

7. You are responsible to let the nurse and your family know if you feel you are receiving too many outside visitors.

8. If you have a written Advance Directive, you are responsible for providing a copy to the hospital, your family, and your doctor.

9. Your health depends not just on your hospital care but, in the long term, on the decisions you make in your daily life. You are responsible for recognizing the effect of life-style on your personal health.

This hospital works to provide care efficiently and fairly to all patients and the community. A hospital serves many purposes. Hospitals work to improve people's health; treat people with injury and disease; educate doctors, health professionals, patients, and community members; and improve understanding of health and disease. In carrying out these activities, this institution works to respect your values and dignity.

Revised and Approved by Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Board of Trustees 1/01