Your hospital stay
What to bring
Prepare for your hospital stay by bringing:
We will assist you in filing the appropriate insurance claims. During admission, you are asked to provide your insurance card for photocopying. This gives us a record of your insurance company name, address and policy number. You will also be asked to sign insurance and billing authorizations that will help us bill your insurance carrier for your medical treatment. A reminder to new parents: You will need to add your baby to your insurance policy. Some insurance companies have time limits. If you have no insurance, please contact your local social service office immediately.
If there are items you wish to have for your hospital stay, such as your own pajamas or nightgown, robe, slippers, and personal cosmetic and care items (such as toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, facial tissue, etc.), please pack these for your stay. Personal care items are also available if you do not provide your own.
Maternity patients will need to bring baby clothes for the baby's trip home.
We recommend you do not bring any valuables to the hospital. If it is necessary, please ask about checking in your valuables for safekeeping. We will only be responsible for valuables if they are checked in at switchboard/admitting for safekeeping.
Bring your regular medications along with any medical information from medical providers at non-Lake Region Healthcare facilities.
Before You Arrive
Lake Region Healthcare is a Scent-Free environment. Scented products such as hair spray, perfume, and deodorant can trigger reactions such as respiratory distress and headaches. Staff, patients, and visitors are asked to refrain from using scented products while in our facility.
Checking in
Please use the hospital entrance off Cascade Street. We have a convenient volunteer and information desk located at the main doors of the hospital.
We are committed to making your check-in as smooth as possible. Admissions personnel will ask a number of questions necessary for your medical care. This information is held in strict confidence.
During Your Stay
Hospitalist Care
Patients who are admitted to Lake Region Healthcare’s hospital are provided care by a Hospitalist during their stay.
Patients who are admitted to Lake Region Healthcare’s hospital are provided care by a Hospitalist during their stay. Hospitalists are doctors who are experts in taking care of people in the hospital. They are internal medicine physicians who specialize in inpatient medicine and manage the care of hospitalized patients similar to the way primary care physicians manage the care of outpatients.
The hospitalist manages your course of care while you’re in the hospital, coordinating and consulting with other specialties, closely monitoring your progress, and staying in close touch with you, your family and your doctor.
Since primary care doctors spend most of the day at their clinic, they cannot always be at your bedside when emergencies or concerns arise. However, your regular physician is still kept in touch regarding your care.
When you are admitted to the hospital, your regular physician communicates with the hospitalist about your condition and transfers the management of your care to the hospitalist.
On your discharge from the hospital, the hospitalist will communicate with your doctor to plan your future course of care. This two-way communication between the hospitalist and your regular physician
enables a smooth transfer of care back to your regular physician. Your hospitalist will ensure that key information and a summary of your hospital stay will be in your regular physician’s hands well before your first
follow-up visit. After you leave the hospital any questions you have may be handled by your regular physician.
Having a hospitalist is like having your doctor just down the hall from your room throughout your stay here. If you or family members have any questions or concerns, the hospitalist can be easily contacted any time.
Your hospitalist knows every specialist and department in the hospital, ensuring timely follow-up on tests and treatments. The result is high quality care for you.
A Team of Support
Our entire team is committed to providing you with Centered On You care to make your hospital stay as pleasant and successful as possible. Safe, quality, compassionate care is our standard. Some important support services during your stay include:
Eating nutritious wholesome food is an important part of your treatment and recovery. Dietitians assist patients who require medical nutrition therapy for the management of chronic or acute illness. Inpatient dietitian services include assessment of:
- Weight status.
- Food intake.
- Past medical history.
- Labs and medication pertaining to nutrition.
- Estimated nutritional needs.
- Dietary recommendations.
- Parenteral and enteral nutrition needs.
- Diet education needs for patients and caregivers.
Dietitians also help ensure that your meals at Lake Region Healthcare are prepared according to the diet prescribed by your doctor. Lake Region Healthcare is proud to offer room service dining. With this program, patients order food from the menu anytime during our service hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Many changes accompany a sudden debilitating illness or injury beyond the physical challenges. A social worker will assist patients and their families with details of the stay, provide ongoing contact and support, and assist with coordinating discharge. A social worker works together with other team members in reaching your goals and ensuring a smooth transition from the hospital to your community.
Social workers also provide assistance with:
- Financial concerns.
- Education about community resources.
- Scheduling home evaluation, family training, community re-integration and therapeutic pass, per team recommendation.
- Coordinating all recommended services (e.g., home healthcare/outpatient) and ensuring that equipment is secured prior to discharge.
- Patient advocacy.
- Providing counseling and support.
- Conducting follow-up calls.
Lake Region Healthcare's Chaplaincy Services attends to the spiritual care needs of patients and families. At times the chaplains help contact and facilitate care provided by local clergy and their congregations, and at other times chaplains respond to the spiritual needs and preferences of the patients and their families directly. At all times, chaplains strive to be a listening presence, at times of crisis, difficulty, relief and joy
Spiritual care can include identifying meaning and values related to illness, wellness and end of life; rites, rituals, prayer and scripture reading; and respectful awareness and sensitivity to cultural and religious diversity. Chapel space is available in the hospital (ground floor across from the gift shop entrance) and at the Cancer Care & Research Center.
Chaplain-led groups are offered for patients on the Bridgeway behavioral health unit. Bible studies and worship services are conducted at the Mill Street Residence. Individual visits are available throughout the system.
Our staff includes two professional, board-certified chaplains. There are also several volunteers trained in Stephen Ministry who assist in assessment visits, as well as several community clergy who volunteer on weekends and holidays.
In addition to the chaplaincy services described above, our department uses animal-assisted therapy with a Pet Partners-certified canine companion.
Patients, family members and staff can request chaplaincy services directly or through a member of the healthcare team.
Visitors
Family and close friends can be an important part of the care and healing process. Please see our current visitor guidelines here.
Going home
Going home is often the best part of any hospital stay. When you are medically ready to leave the hospital, you will receive discharge orders. Before you leave the hospital, our staff will help you prepare to go home by helping you:
- Understand how to care for yourself and what type of help you might need after you leave the hospital.
- Learn about symptoms or warning signs to look for after you leave the hospital.
- Reclaim any valuables placed in safekeeping.
- Get information needed to obtain medication or supplies.
- Arrange for follow-up appointments or treatment.
We will assist you in making arrangements to go home. This may involve conferences with your physician and other healthcare professionals. If home care is necessary, our Social Services staff can assist with recommendations, or a referral can be made to another agency of your choice.
If you need to wait for someone to pick you up, you are welcome to stay in your room or in the lounge on your unit. If you need help in arranging a ride home, we will be happy to assist.
If you have questions after you return home, please don't hesitate to call your doctor or nurse at the numbers provided with your discharge instructions.