When You Arrive
Your first stop is the Admitting and Discharge desk. The hospital keeps detailed and accurate records, so you need to present your Health Care Insurance card and complete a few forms.
If your doctor has pre-scheduled your admission, please arrive at the time specified.
Contact the hospital at 393-8700 if you are delayed.
All patients going to the Emergency Room will get an ID bracelet. This is for your safety and ensures you receive the treatment needed. If you have allergies, you will also be given an allergy bracelet. Please keep these bracelets on at all times during your hospital stay. If the bracelet is damaged or comes off, please notify your nurse immediately.
For appointments with Radiology, Ultrasound, CT Scanning and Mammography, arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for processing paperwork at Medical Imaging desk.
For appointments in the Minor Procedure Room, pre-booked ER procedures or Cardiac Stress Testing please arrive in time to complete the necessary paperwork at the Admitting and Discharge desk.
Patient Responsibilities
One key to getting the best health care is to be an active member of your health care team. It is important that you understand your health problems, what is happening in the hospital and what is planned. Be involved in your health care. Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care.
It is also crucial the hospital has your cooperation and assistance in the plan for treatment. It is your responsibility to advise the people caring for you whether or not you agree to follow your treatment plan. You are the one who knows the most about your health. Tell a member of your health care team about any past illnesses and your current health condition. Also tell a member of your health care team if you have ever had an allergic or bad reaction to any medicine or food.
If you have an allergy to Latex, please tell us.
You are encouraged to include a family member or friend in your care and treatment. It is often helpful to have a family member or friend with you when you talk to your heath care team. If you need an interpreter, ask in advance if there will be one there or bring someone who can interpret for you.
You also need to understand what will happen when you are discharged from hospital. Make sure you know how you getting home; what you can do when you get home; are you going to need any help; whether you will have to pick up a prescription or aids to daily living such as crutches, before you go home, etc.
Follow up instructions such as doctor’s appointment, dressing changes, when you can go back to normal activities such as school, work, exercise and driving should be clarified before you leave. Ask your family or friends to help you.
Medication Safety
To protect you, your health care team must know about everything you take. This includes all prescription drugs, over the counter medications, street drugs, vitamins, herbs and herbal remedies and food supplements. Bringing the medications with you to the hospital along with a list of times and dosages helps the health care team understand your current treatment. It is important that you and your family understand the reason why you need the medication, when to take it and how to take it as well as any side effects and possible drug interactions.
Remember to keep your medicine in the bottle it came in.
Infection Control
Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infections. Ask your health care team who provide direct care to you whether they have washed their hands. You are reminded to wash your hands before handling food; after using the bathroom; sneezing or coughing; changing a diaper; touching a pet or taking care of someone sick.
Your visitors should also be reminded to wash their hands and to use the Microsan units located throughout the hospital, specifically provided for this purpose.
Please let us know if you have been admitted to another hospital elsewhere in Canada in the past 6 months, or to hospital outside of Canada in the past year.