Your Care Team
We encourage you to have family and friends present when you talk to your hospital care team and to help you determine the goals of your care. If you have questions about your care, ask anyone on your team. We want you to have the best care possible, so let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Your hospital care team includes:
Clinical care team
Doctors - There will always be one hospitalist (attending doctor) who is in charge of your care, in addition to other specialists who may see you. Your hospitalist may discuss your care with your primary doctor while you are in the hospital or after you are discharged. After you leave the hospital, your care will again be provided by your primary doctor. Hospitalists rotate shifts weekly.
Nursing team - Nursing staff members include nurse managers, nurses, patient care assistants and nursing assistants. In addition, our health unit coordinators are typically found at the main desk of the patient care unit and can provide general information for you and your family. During your stay, the nursing staff will check on you hourly during the daytime and every two hours at night. If you are not sleeping, they will offer to assist you to the bathroom, check your comfort level, answer questions and attend to other needs. Our nurses will also help teach you about your illness or condition and prepare you for discharge.
Surgery team - If you are here for surgery, your nurse and other members of the surgical team will prepare you for surgery. An anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist will talk to you about your medical history and the type of anesthesia that will be used to keep you comfortable during surgery. The surgeon will make sure you understand the procedure and will have you sign a consent form.
Radiology - While you are in the hospital, your doctor may schedule radiology tests. Some tests last only a few minutes while other tests may take several hours and require preparing the night before. When X-rays are needed, they will be taken by a radiology technologist and then studied by a radiologist. If you have questions about your X-rays, please ask your doctor or the technologist in the Radiology department.
Laboratory services - Laboratory tests help identify and keep track of many medical conditions. Most lab tests are done early in the morning so results can be available for the doctor during the day. Some tests, for a correct reading, require that you do not eat before the test. Our Medical Laboratory is nationally accredited by the College of American Pathologists to perform highly complex testing. You can be assured of safe testing procedures, the latest technology, accurate interpretation and fast results that exceed the national quality standards.
Rehabilitation Care - Often, your body needs an active plan for renewal. Whether you’ve suffered from an injury, undergone a medical procedure, or simply need to build healthier habits, you may need help getting back into the swing of things. When you do, it’s comforting to know you can receive that care close to home. Our Rehabilitation Center offers both inpatient and outpatient services. Inpatient services are available every day of the week.
Complementary care therapy is offered on a limited basis to help patients with pain, stress, anxiety and nausea. They include are massage, Healing Touch, music therapy and pet therapy. Complementary care therapies can be used alongside your medical care and may help with the healing process. Please ask your nurse, social worker or case manager if these therapies are available and appropriate for your plan of care.
Your support team may include these services:
• Pharmacy
• Social workers & case managers
• A volunteer chaplain
• Nutrition services
• Housekeeping services
• Patient representatives
• Volunteers
Care Board
Most patient rooms have a Care Board. This is one more way to communicate with your care team. Your Care Board has valuable information about your daily activities; the names of your hospitalist (attending doctor), nurse and nursing assistant; questions for your doctor; and an anticipated discharge date. The Care Board is reviewed and updated by you and your nursing team during the nurses’ change of shift.