Patient Information

• Your health insurance card
• A list of current medications. Your nurse will review these with your physician, who will make a decision on which medications you should continue to take during your stay. Your nurse will bring
• your medication to you as ordered by your physician.
• Any outside test results or X-rays from services that were not done at Queen of the Valley.
• Personal hygiene items (e.g. toothbrush, shampoo)
• Clothing for your stay in the hospital and trip home. Slippers should be worn when you leave your bed.
• Your eyeglasses, hearing aid, or dentures. These items require special care. Tell your nurse that you use these items. Please take care not to leave these items on your meal tray or lying on your bed.
• Reading and writing materials. Children may bring a favorite toy or blanket.
• Advance health care Directives (This is a form that provides instructions in advance to your health care team if you become incapable of making your own decisions.)
• Telephone Calling Card (Optional): See section on Telephone Service under Accommodations for more information

• Valuables - We recommend all jewelry, important papers, credit cards, keys, wallets, rings and cash in excess of $10 be sent home. If you are unable to do so, please tell your nurse who can arrange for your valuables to be stored in our safe until your discharge. Queen of the Valley Medical Center assumes no responsibility for personal property retained by the patient.
• Medications - All medications you may have brought with you, including non-prescription medications, herbal supplements and vitamins should be returned home as they may interfere or interact with tests or medicines ordered for your treatment. If you must use your own medication from home, a physician order must be obtained. The medication will then be kept in the medication cart and given to you by your nurse at the proper time.
• Herbal Supplements and Vitamins - See the previous paragraph on Medications.
• Electrical appliances - Home appliances brought into the hospital can create fire hazards or cause electrical interference with our medical equipment.
• Cell phones and pagers - These items can cause electrical interference with our medical equipment.

Queen of the Valley Medical Center cannot take responsibility for the loss of these items. Should you bring items of value, they should be deposited in the medical center's safe. Be sure to ask for a receipt.

You will be given a wrist band with your name and medical record number, thus ensuring that anyone treating you while you’re in the medical center will know exactly who you are. You will receive a special wristband if you have any allergies or if you were admitted through our Emergency Department.

For your safety, do not remove your wristband(s).

The parents of newborn children are required to wear wristband identification that links them to their baby.

Advance Directives are written instructions you can make regarding your treatment should you be unable to speak for yourself. They include durable power of attorneys, living wills and living trusts. These instructions require thoughtful consideration and are best completed prior to hospitalization. Upon admission, adult patients are asked if they have current advanced directives. If applicable, the advance directive is placed in the patient’s medical record. If not, a pamphlet explaining advance directives is available at the time of admission or in advance by contacting the Admitting Department. You are not required to have an advance directive in order to receive care.

When a physician makes a diagnosis that a patient has a terminal illness, the physician shall, upon the patient's request, provide the patient/surrogate decision-maker with comprehensive information and counseling regarding legal end-of-life care options. If you would like more information about our end of life services download the document below.

• Has your physician or nurse discussed medications, limitations, special diet, and subsequent treatment with you?
• Have you made arrangements for any necessary post-medical center care?
• Have you contacted a financial counselor at ext. 4054 regarding insurance and payment arrangements?
• Do you have all your belongings?
• Do you have valuables in the safe? If so, please give your claim receipt to the Admitting Department staff and obtain your valuables.
• Please remember to buckle up on your ride home. Children under 6 years of age and 60 pounds must be secured in a car seat.

Discharge prescriptions are not filled at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. If possible, you may want to ask your physician about any medications needed upon discharge and make arrangements with a pharmacy for home delivery or have a family member pick up your medications prior to your discharge.

As you prepare to be discharged from the medical center, you may have concerns regarding continuing care. Case Management is available to work with you, your family, and your physician to help evaluate your post-medical center care needs and to provide resource information and access to a variety of services that may aid you. If you have questions or concerns about your continuum of care, ask your nurse to contact a representative from the Case Management Department at ext. 3472

The C.A.R.E. Channel provides ambient television programming for you and your family during your time with us as a restful alternative to commercial television.

The C.A.R.E. Channel helps create an environment that is supportive of recovery and improves comfort and rest. Our staff is committed to the highest standard of care which includes responding to both your medical and non-medical needs. Available on a 24-hour basis, The C.A.R.E. Channel provides beautiful nature images and instrumental music that has been composed and produced specifically to support healing environments. We hope you enjoy this offering.

Additional Information on the C.A.R.E. Channel:

• English
• Spanish