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Patient Centered Care
At St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center we deliver patient-centered
care. In other words, the healthcare we provide is based on the
needs of each individual. This care is guided by our mission.
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to continue the healing ministry of the
Catholic Church in the Spirit of St. Marguerite
d’Youville by providing preventive, curative, restorative,
and supportive services with compassion and respect
for everyone.
We commit to these values
as guides to
our decisions and behavior:
Respect
The intentional affirmation that all human beings are gifted with
life and uniqueness and deserve to be treated with dignity.
Excellence
The deliberate effort toward achieving outcomes of the highest quality
while striving for innovation and continual improvement.
Compassion
The individualized and personalized caring and comforting offered
through our holistic presence as health care providers.
Stewardship
The responsible and accountable use of all our human, material,
and financial resources.
Your Care—
All patients receive care and treatment based on the best and most
recent advancements in healthcare. As an inpatient, you will have
a team working together to assure that you receive the finest care
available. You and your family members are the most important part
of this team. We encourage you to ask questions and offer your opinions
in your treatment and care. If you have any concerns about your
care, we encourage you to contact your Patient Representative at
777-8208 or Risk Management at 777-8241. You may be referred to
another agency if you desire.
Preparing for Your Pre-admission Testing (PAT)
Visit
What should I bring?
- Social Security Number
- Insurance Information
- List of medications
- PAT Order Sheet from your doctor
- Any letter from your insurance company
Bring your insurance card, if you have one. To bill
your insurance carrier(s) for services rendered, we will need the
name of the carrier (company), their complete mailing address, your
policy’s group number, and your personal identification number.
If your insurance carrier requires a referral form, please bring
it with you to your first appointment. If you are covered by Medicare
or Medicaid, please bring the appropriate card as well. You will
be asked to pay for services not covered by insurance (your co-pay
and/or deductible). Please bring cash, check, or major credit card
(Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).
Medical Records
If your visit is for a second opinion or on a physician’s
referral, you may need to bring medical records, x-rays, results
from lab tests, pathology slides, or other materials. Your physician
may have sent these to us already. Be sure to ask your doctor before
you visit here.
What should I bring for
my hospital stay?
- Personal toiletries, bathrobe,
slippers or socks.
- A list of medications you usually
take.
- Your glasses, dentures, hearing
aid, etc.
- Any instructions your physician
may have provided.
- Your phone card for long distance
calls. Local calls are free.
- Walkers, canes, crutches.
What should I leave at home?
- Jewelry or other valuables.
- SMRMC is not responsible for personal
items.
- A lot of money or extra credit cards (you
may, however, want a few dollars to buy a magazine or snacks).
- Hair dryer, electric shaver, radio or
other electrical appliances.
Our Visiting Policy
Your family and friends over 16 years of age are welcome to visit.
Only two visitors are recommended in a patient room at a time so
that you can rest and recuperate. Visitors should enter through
the main lobby (Campus Avenue) entrance. Visiting hours and policies
vary; please check the information provided in your hospital room.
Donating/Storing Blood
If your physician recommends, you may choose to donate and store
a supply of your own blood before a scheduled surgery. You may also
want to donate blood for family members or friends, if you have
a compatible blood type. Call 777-8400 for more information.
Advance Directives
You have the right to make informed decisions about your health
care, including right to refuse treatment. You also may give directions,
in advance, about your wishes for healthcare should the time come
when you cannot communicate yourself. If you have an advance directive,
such as a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare,
please bring it with you at the time of admission. Our Chaplains
or Social Workers can help you fill out these documents or answer
any questions you may have.
Ethics Consultation
Some decisions about your healthcare or the care of a loved one
who is very ill are difficult to make. In addition to speaking with
your physician and healthcare team, you may want to consult with
the Institutional Ethics Committee. Please ask your nurse to contact
a representative.
Your Safety
At St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, your safety is our
priority. All the members of your healthcare team work hard to provide
the safest environment and care. You are the most important member
of the healthcare team! Listed below are five steps to safer health
care:
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ASK QUESTIONS!
•Speak up if you have concerns. It’s OK to ask questions
and expect answers you can understand.
•Choose a doctor you feel comfortable talking to about
your health and treatment.
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MEDICATIONS
•Keep a list of all medicines you take and bring with
you when you come in to the hospital.
•Tell your doctor and pharmacist about ALL medicines you
take including over the counter medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen,
vitamins or herbal preparations..
•Tell your doctor and pharmacist any DRUG ALLERGIES.
•Ask about side effects of medications you are taking.
•If the medicine looks different than expected ASK your
nurse, doctor, or pharmacist.
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TEST RESULTS
•Ask the doctor or nurse when and how you will get results
of tests and procedures.
•Don’t assume the results are OK if you don’t
get them back when expected. ASK your doctor.
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SURGERY
•Make sure you understand what will happen if you need
surgery. You, your doctor, and your surgeon should all agree
on exactly what will be done during the operation.
•Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse if you
have allergies or ever had a bad reaction to anesthesia.
•Ask your surgeon “Who will take charge of my care
while I’m in the hospital?”.
•Ask your doctor “Exactly what will you be doing?”,
“How long will it take?”, “What will happen
after surgery?”, How can I expect to feel during my recovery?”.
What to Expect When You
Have Surgery
This segment will provide you and your family with information about
your hospitalization and our facility. It will give you an idea
of what to expect before, during, and after surgery. The better
you are informed about and involved in your own care, the better
your recovery. Remember, you are the most important member of the
healthcare team.
Before Your Surgery
When you are scheduled for surgery, you will be scheduled for Pre-admission
Testing (PAT). Routine tests, such as an EKG, chest X-ray, urine
test and/or blood test will be performed, and an interview with
a Registered Nurse will be conducted. These tests give the doctors
a “baseline” before you come to the hospital for surgery.
As you are recovering, these tests may be repeated and the results
compared to your pre-operative tests. You will be asked questions
about your past medical history. Also, please bring us a list of
your current medications. The more we know about you, the better
we can take care of you.Before your surgery, your doctor will explain
the surgical procedure, its risks, and its benefits. You will be
asked to sign a legal consent form. It is helpful to write down
any questions you have in advance, so you can ask the doctor these
questions at this time. Family members are encouraged to be present
when the surgeon visits.
You will meet a Pre-Admission Testing nurse at your
appointment. The Anesthesiologist will meet and speak with you on
the day of your surgery. Remember to discuss your allergies and
any past surgeries with him/her. There are many different types
of anesthesia, which the anesthesiologist will discuss with you.
A certain type of anesthesia may be suggested, based on your general
health, medications, preferences, and procedure. Your nurse will
discuss other aspects of your surgery with you. Please ask her/him
any questions you may have.
Morning of Surgery
You will be asked to call 777-8232 (Admitting Office) the day before
your surgery to confirm when to arrive and where to go the morning
of your surgery. There is a surgery waiting area (on the 1st floor))
in the hospital where your family may wait for you.
You will be asked to remove make-up, nail polish,
jewelry, dentures, glasses, contact lenses, wigs, hairpieces, hearing
aids, and hairpins prior to surgery. Please avoid powder, lotion,
or perfume on the day of your surgery. You may bathe or shower with
your regular soap before surgery. Please send any valuables home
with your family (rings, watches, earrings, wallets, etc.), or ask
your nurse to call security so they can be locked in a safe. The
hospital cannot be responsible for lost or damaged valuables or
personal belongings.
You will not be allowed to have anything to eat or
drink from midnight on the night before your surgery. You may hear
the term NPO, which means nothing by mouth. Follow any other special
instructions your doctor or nurse gives you regarding your medications
or procedure. About one hour before your surgery is scheduled, you
will be transported to the preoperative holding room where an IV
will be inserted. Once you are in the operating room, you will be
asked to breathe oxygen through a mask, and the anesthesiologist
will give you medication through your IV that will quickly put you
to sleep. When you are fully asleep, surgery will begin.
When your operation is over, the surgeon will let
your family know how you are doing and where you are. You may wake
up in the POST ANESTHESIA CARE UNIT (recovery room). The nurses
will be monitoring your blood pressure and heart rate frequently
as well as checking your bandage/incision. You may have some oxygen
over your nose until you awaken fully. The nurses may ask you questions
and instruct you to take deep breaths and cough. This is to help
remove congestion from your lungs and prevent pneumonia.
After Surgery
Your activity and diet after surgery will depend on your procedure.
Usually, the doctors want you to get up as soon as possible, and
the nurses or physical therapist will help you do this. DO NOT try
to get up alone. You will increase activity slowly over the first
day or two. Your IV will remain in place until you are able to drink
liquids without any nausea or other problems. If the IV becomes
painful, red, or swollen, please tell your nurse. You will be asked
to wear surgical stockings (with or without a compression pump)
to decrease the risk of blood clots while you are less active.
Immediately after your procedure, you may have a
PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) pump that enables you to get
a safe dose of pain medication through your IV with the push of
a button. Later, you may take a pill for pain medication. Ask your
nurse for this medication, it will not be given to you automatically.
Keep your nurses and doctors informed about your pain. Waiting until
the pain is very severe makes it more difficult for you to get comfortable.
Your doctor and nurses will give you instructions
before you are discharged. You will be told about wound care or
dressings, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments. After
discharge, should you experience a fever greater than 101 degrees,
redness, drainage, severe pain, swelling, shortness of breath, nausea,
or vomiting, please call the hospital immediately at 777- 8100.
Ask for your doctor or the doctor on call.
Recovering From Your Surgery
Making the Best Recovery
This segment will provide you and your family with information you
need to reduce complications during your hospitalization and to
make the best recovery from your surgery. Your recovery will be
quicker if you are involved in your own care and work with those
health care team members who are trying to help you. Remember, you
are the most important member of the health care team.
Post-Operative Activity Guidelines
After surgery, you may be uncomfortable and may have pain. It is
important that you perform the following exercises:
Deep-Breathing And Coughing
Because of pain after surgery, patients often do not take deep breaths,
causing mucus to collect in the lungs. By taking deep breaths, you
will cough mucus out and prevent it from collecting. You should
continue deep-breathing exercises throughout your hospital stay.
Deep-Breathing Exercises
The most comfortable position for taking deep breaths is on your
back with the head of the bed raised a little. Breathe in through
your nose and out through your mouth. Do each exercise 10 times
each hour you are awake.
- Put your hand on your abdomen between your
stomach and chest. Your hand should feel like it’s on top
of an inflating balloon. Now let the air out through your mouth
by relaxing.
- Put your hands on the sides of your
chest. As you take a deep breath, try to make your hands spread
away from each other on either side of your chest. Now let the
air out through your mouth by relaxing.
- A plastic breathing device called
a Triflo may be given to you after surgery. The Triflo has three
blue balls inside a clear plastic box. You are to make the balls
rise by sucking air into your chest as you would suck on a straw.
The light blue ball will come up first, followed by the medium
blue ball, and finally the dark blue ball. Try to hold up as many
balls as possible, then relax, and let the balls drop.
Coughing Exercises
The most comfortable position in which to cough is sitting upright.
Holding a pillow or rolled-up blanket against your stitches or staples
may make coughing easier. When you cough, relax your neck and shoulders
and cough from your belly, not from your throat. Bending your knees
may also make coughing more comfortable. Cough two or three times
then rest. Do not be afraid to cough. Your incision is firmly held
together by stitches or staples.
Leg Exercises
Each exercise is to be done while lying on your back with your legs
straight in front of you on the mattress.
- Keeping your legs on the mattress,
draw circles with your toes, moving your foot at the ankle. Do
this five times in each direction.
- Pump your feet up and down like
you would press on a gas pedal. You can pump with both feet at
the same time.
- Slide one foot up towards your buttocks
and back down. Now do the same with your other leg.
- Keeping your knees straight, slide
one leg at a time out to the edge of the mattress and back to
the center.
You can stop doing these exercises when you start
walking outside your room at least four times a day.
Moving In Bed
Any movement may be painful or uncomfortable, but moving in bed
is very important. You should be changing your position at least
every two hours to prevent your skin from getting too much pressure,
which can lead to pressure sores.
Getting Out Of Bed
Getting out of bed may be difficult after surgery, but it is very
important to avoid problems from inactivity. The first time you
get out of bed you should have someone there to help you in case
you feel dizzy or weak. Follow the steps here to make it easier:
- Roll onto your side, slide your
legs over the edge of the bed, and push up with your arms. This
puts less stress on your stomach muscles and uses the weight of
your legs to help you sit up.
- To stand from the edge of the bed,
push down with your arms and stand up. Stand still for a minute
to make sure you are balanced and not dizzy. The first time you
walk have someone with you for safety.
- If you continue to have difficulty
getting out of bed or walking, the doctor may have a physical
therapist work with you and/or your family on exercising or using
an assistive device to help you walk.
Individualized Care
Your surgeon will give you more specific instructions regarding
your post-operative activity/restrictions. Make notes and call with
questions. At St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, we see each
patient as an individual with his/her own concerns. We also know
that each situation and procedure is different. Please feel free
to ask your doctor or nurse for more detailed information. We understand
that you are concerned.
Pain Control After Surgery
This segment will provide you and your family with information about
pain control during your hospitalization. Your recovery will be
the best it can be if you are involved in your own pain management
and you are as comfortable as possible after surgery. It is our
goal to minimize your pain.
What Is Pain?
Pain is the sensation you experience after injury or damage, such
as surgery or a trauma to your body tissue. The degree of your pain
is whatever you tell us it is. We accept your report and try to
make you as comfortable as possible. To help others understand the
degree or severity of your pain, you can express pain by using the
numeric pain intensity scale, rating it from 0-10.
Why Is Pain Control Important?
Pain control after surgery is important to your recovery. When your
pain is controlled, you are able to speed your recovery by participating
in your care, focusing on getting well, and avoiding problems that
can occur after surgery. There are two types of pain control: medication
and non-medication. After surgery, both types can be used to manage
your pain.
Medications Used For Pain
Control
Although there are methods of pain control that do not involve medication,
many times medications are needed to make patients feel more comfortable.
There are different types of medications that may be used for your
pain control. There are also many different ways you can receive
pain medication. The kind of surgery you are having will be a factor
in the pain control choices you will have available to you. You
and your doctor will discuss the ways your pain can be controlled.
Receiving Your Medication
PCA or patient controlled analgesia is pain medication administered
through your IV. You press a button to obtain medication as needed.
A special pump assures safe doses are delivered. If you receive
medicine in this way, you will be taught how to use the pump to
best control your pain.
An epidural involves a small tube inserted into your
back by an anesthesiologist. Pain medicine is given through this
tube continuously. A special pump delivers the medication in very
small amounts.
Injections (shots) may be given to you at regular
intervals around the clock to help control your pain. Please be
sure to ask BEFORE your pain is 2 or greater on the 0-5 pain scale.
Medication can be taken by mouth as a capsule, tablet,
or liquid when you begin to take liquids again. The nurse will give
you your medication, which should be taken at regular intervals
around the clock to control your pain. Be sure to ask for the medication
when you feel it is time.
Non-Medication Pain Control
Non-medication pain control techniques can be used, with or without
medication. They can provide you with some pain relief and increase
the effectiveness of your medication.
Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises can help you control your pain:
- Breathe in slowly and deeply
- Begin to breathe out slowly. You should be able
to feel yourself beginning to relax and the tension leaving your
body.
- Now, breathe in and out slowly at a rate that
is comfortable for you.
- Imagine yourself in a calming and relaxing place.
- Continue this exercise for up to 20 minutes.
Physical Agents
- Massage may be helpful after your
particular surgery.
- Cold packs may help by reducing
swelling and therefore reducing pain.
- Relaxation.
Your Part In Pain Control
Most pain medication is prescribed on an as-needed basis. It will
not be given to you automatically. Therefore, be sure to ask for
your pain medication as you need it. DON’T be afraid of becoming
dependent on your pain medication. Dependency in such a short amount
of time is rare. We want you to have as little pain as possible
without any side effects. If you have any questions about how you
are to receive your medication, feel free to contact any one of
your health care providers to assist you and answer your questions.
Let your doctor or nurse know if you are having any side effects
from your medication such as itching, nausea, constipation, vomiting,
or drowsiness. Information on your medication is available to you
on request.
Planning For Discharge
It is important to plan ahead. You will need transportation home,
and somebody to assist you with meals and household duties for the
first few days. You may need the assistance of home health nurses
or a short stay at a recovery facility.
Updated: 3/21/03
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