Patient Guide

We want your stay with us to be as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please let us know.

What to wear to the hospital

Please dress in loose, comfortable clothing that can be folded for storage. We will provide a gown and slippers. Leave any jewelry, hair accessories and valuables at home.

You may wear contact lenses to the hospital, but you must remove them prior to surgery. Please bring a storage case with you.

Surgery

If you are having surgery, please contact the admitting department and we will be happy to answer your questions. Please be sure to pre-register online or by calling the admitting department before coming to the hospital.

During surgery and the initial recovery period, your family and friends may stay in the main lobby on the first floor. Immediately following surgery, your physician will meet with your family in the waiting area to let them know how the procedure went and to discuss post-operative care. Additional, detailed information about what to expect can be found in Surgery.

Calling your nurse

The intercom system in your room is mounted on the wall above the bedside table. This system is used for direct voice contact with the staff members at the nursing station.

Extending from the intercom is a pillow speaker that can be clipped to your bed for convenience. To call the nursing station, press the top bar marked "NURSE" and a staff member will respond via the intercom. When the nursing staff member answers, please make your request in a normal speaking voice. Some beds have the nurse call button built into the siderail. Please clarify with your nurse as to which nurse call system you have.

Fall prevention

Fall prevention is a joint responsibility between patients, family members, and the healthcare team. Your medical condition may change your ability to move safely. In fact, patients often fall because they are on medications that make them dizzy or drowsy, they are weak and unsteady due to illness or medical procedures, or because they've been sitting or lying down for long periods. Your fall risk is assessed when you come in to the hospital and this assessment is repeated frequently during your stay. If you are at risk of falling, a yellow tab is placed on your hospital I.D. band.

Because we are committed to your safety, we will require that you:

DO NOT get up unattended - use your call light
Keep necessary items in reach, including your call light
Wear the provided skid proof foot ware
Do not go to the restroom without our assistance
Do not remove, unplug, or disable provided safety alarms

In addition to the above, your health care team will:

Provide you with individualized fall prevention strategies
Provide special safety equipment (i.e. bed, lift, transfer equipment, etc.)
Provide supervision
Visit you frequently throughout the day & night
Educate you and your family on fall prevention

Televisions are provided in each patient room. Please be considerate of others and keep the TV volume down. The sets are controlled by the pillow speaker which may be clipped to your bed or by controls located on the side rail panel. Channel listings are located at the back of your Patient Guide. All televisions have closed captioning available for the hearing impaired.

Phone calls

Telephones are provided in all patient rooms. Incoming calls go directly to your room. Special volume-controlled telephones, ringing flashers and translation services are available upon request.

To place a call:

Contact the operator by dialing ”O” and ask to be connected to the number you provide.
If you call the number yourself, the call is automatically diverted to a third-party connection service outside of Providence. Certain area codes are considered long distance and will be more expensive.

If you have questions, please ask your nurse, or call a hospital operator by dialing “O” on the patient’s room phone.

Electrical appliances

Electrical appliances including hair dryers, curling irons, razors, radios, heating pads, portable heaters, VCRs, computers and other devices are not permitted in patient rooms. You may use only battery-operated devices.

Food services

Overall health depends a lot on the foods you eat, that is why at Providence Medical Centers, we provide wholesome, nourishing and well-balanced meals. We'll make every effort to provide nutritious meals that are prepared according to your doctor's orders.

To help us know your preferences, simply mark the items you want for the next day on the menu you receive each morning. If you prefer, a dietician will review your selections and adjust them according to your needs. Occasionally your meal may be delayed due to medical treatment. Whenever possible, you will be served after your examination or test.

Meal delivery schedule

Breakfast: 7 - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Snacks: 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Dining options for visitors

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center has a variety of dining options available to meet your needs, whether you want a quick cup of coffee, a freshly-made sandwich, a delicious hot meal or a light snack.

Cafeteria (North Tower, Lower Level)