Patient Handbook

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YOUR SAFETY
Our hospital prides itself on being a safe, secure facility and is staffed by professionally trained police officers. Our free, conveniently located parking lot is patrolled by Police and Protective Services. These officers are also available day and night to escort visitors to their cars and intervene in the unlikely event of a confrontation or security problem. If you would like to arrange for an officer's assistance for yourself or a visitor, please call the hospital operator.

We would like to remind you that all personal valuables should be left at home, but if you have an item with you that you are concerned about, we would be more than happy to lock it in the hospital safe. Contact the nursing staff to make arrangements.

If you lose something during your stay, notify the nursing staff or Patient Advocate to assist you.

To help ensure your safety and that of your visitors, please observe the following suggestions:

  • Wear slippers when you are not in bed.
  • If you need help getting out of bed or going to the bathroom, use the nurse call button.
  • Check with your nurse before changing the position of your bed. They will be aware of any special orders from your doctor, such as limitations regarding bed positions.
  • Ask for assistance when getting in or out of a wheelchair. Step on the floor instead of the footrest. Keep your weight centered in the chair and lock the wheels.
  • Only battery-operated appliances are permitted in patient rooms.
  • Obtain your nurse's consent before eating food brought in by visitors. They will be aware of any dietary restrictions ordered by your physicians.
  • Watch for "wet floor" signs, and avoid wet floors. We clean the floors during the day so you can sleep at night. Please note that the National Safety Council lists falls as the greatest cause of accidents in hospitals.
  • Do not leave your nursing unit.

Fire Drills
Robinson Memorial Hospital is required to routinely test its fire protection system. During your stay, you may hear alarms or see firefighters. If you hear an alarm, please remain calm and stay in your room. Hospital personnel will inform you of any steps that may be required.

How You Can Help
Robinson Memorial Hospital, in cooperation with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), encourages each patient to assist us in providing a safe environment for you (our patient), your family and members of the health care team. We encourage you to do the following:

  • Speak up if you have questions or concerns or don't understand what is happening with your care.
  • Question any member of the health care team if you think you are being given the wrong medication, treatment or procedure.
  • Assist us by ensuring that your arm band identification is checked when blood is drawn, medications are given or tests are administered.
  • If you don't see us wash our hands, feel free to remind us so we can decrease the spread of infection. Also, please do this yourself and ask visitors and family to participate.
  • Read the forms you are asked to sign and ask questions if you don't understand them.
  • Help us by designating one member of the family with whom your care should be discussed if you are unable to make decisions or just want family help.
  • Remind us about any food or drug allergies that you have - frequently.
  • If you are not confident about how to care for yourself after leaving the hospital, ask to speak with a case manager or social worker who may help arrange a discharge plan or home care.

If you have questions, please ask:

  • Your Physician
  • Your Nurse
  • The Patient Advocates
  • The Nurse Manager on your unit

Our goal is to work with you to keep you safe and secure and to return you to your home as soon as possible.

YOUR CAREGIVERS
Your needs are our concern. The medical, nursing and support staff of Robinson Memorial Hospital makes every effort to meet your needs. This can be done best through the collective efforts of many highly trained individuals. Under your physician's supervision, care may be provided by house staff physicians, residents, nurses and other health care professionals.

You may come in contact with a number of nursing professionals during your stay at Robinson Memorial Hospital. These individuals have different titles and responsibilities with respect to your care. This information will help clarify each person's role:

Director/Manager: A Registered Nurse in charge of the unit on a 24-hour basis. He or she may be contacted for questions or problems at any time.

Clinical Nurse Specialist: A Registered Nurse with advanced education in a specialty field such as obstetrics, oncology, cardiology, psychiatry or adult health.

Case Manager (RN) and Social Worker: Facilitates communication among all team members to ensure coordination of care and effective discharge planning.

Clinical Coordinator: A Registered Nurse supervisor who may be contacted for questions or problems during the 3 to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shifts.

Staff Nurse: Registered Nurse and patient care advocate responsible for the coordination and delivery of care on a daily basis. Some of their areas of responsibility include: assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating patient care on a daily basis.

LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse responsible for providing patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Patient Care Assistants/Technicians: Under the supervision of the staff nurse, the PCA and PCT assist patients with bathing, meals, toileting, moving, training, walking and taking vital signs such as: temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure. In addition, they assist with many other needed duties.

There are many specialists who may contribute to your care as well. These may include dietitians, pharmacists, ultrasonagraphers, speech therapists, physical therapists, surgical technicians, respiratory therapists, laboratory technicians, occupational therapists, cardiovascular technicians, radiology technologists (X-ray) and others. They are all professionals who work together to provide you with thorough, high-quality care.

Health Education
Robinson Memorial Hospital professionals make their expertise available to you through preventive and educational programs that enhance your road to recovery. Our Health Education Center offers a full spectrum of programs for patients and the community that promotes healthy living and maximizes your state of wellness. Some of our offerings include: inpatient education programs, health screenings, support groups, diabetes education classes and childbirth education.

For additional information on these services, call (330) 297-2576 or ext. 72576.

A gift of gratitude
We do our best to provide high-quality healthcare. Charitable contributions are most welcome and provide you with a way to express your appreciation for services provided, or to dedicate a memorial to a loved one or friend. To discuss the Foundation's current projects, call (330) 297-8802 or ext. 78802.

Contributions can be made payable to the Robinson Memorial Hospital  Foundation and mailed to:
Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation
6847 North Chestnut Street
Ravenna, Ohio 44266-1204

YOUR SERVICES
Volunteer Services
Friendly hospital volunteers personally deliver mail and flowers to our patients daily. If we receive cards or letters sent to you after you have gone home, they will be forwarded to your home address. Flowers will be returned to the florist, who will deliver them to your home.

Our "Volunteers At Your Service" program is available to assist you Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. whether you need an item from the gift shop, a newspaper, or an errand, simply call ext. 72919 and we'll be "At Your Service."

For your reading pleasure, the hospital volunteers stock our waiting rooms with paperback books and magazines which you may borrow.

The Auxiliary Gift Shop is located on the first floor off the Main Lobby. This shop is staffed by hospital volunteers and offers a wide assortment of greeting cards, magazines, gifts and snacks.

You may also receive a visit from one of our "Love on a Leash" pet partner teams. These specially-qualified dogs and volunteers offer warmth, friendly visits and a wonderful diversion. Patients or family members may request a visit by calling ext. 72591 and leaving a message.

Television Service
Television service is free of charge. You receive PBS, cable channels, network stations, hospital education programming and two music channels, 9 and 29. To receive TV service, simply touch the TV button on your pillow speaker. Closed caption TV is available for deaf or hearing impaired patients. If you have a problem with your TV, please tell your nurse, or call our Engineering Department at ext. 72462.

YOUR MEALS

Robinson Memorial Hospital is pleased to offer Room Service to our patients in order to provide an excellent meal experience. A Room Service menu is located in your room. Use this menu to order your meals from a wide variety of food choices at times that are convenient for you. Once you have made your selections, please call your Room Service Representative at ext. 72390. They will assist you with your menu selections based on the diet your doctor has ordered for you and answer your questions.

A family member may order for you from outside the hospital by calling (330) 297-2390. Please ask your visitors to check with nursing staff before bringing outside food into your room. Robinson Memorial Hospital is not responsible for food brought in from outside sources.

Meals for Visitors
For your convenience, visitors may purchase a guest meal selected from the Room Service menu to be sent up with the patient’s tray. Stop by the cafeteria to purchase a Guest Meal Certificate then place your order from bedside by calling ext. 72390. Your Room Service Representative can provide additional details and pricing.

We welcome visitors to dine in our cafeteria. The cafeteria is open every day of the week to visitors from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Hot Meal service times are:
Breakfast                   7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch                        11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Dinner                       4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Between hot meal times, salads, deli items, snacks and beverages are available for purchase.

Perks
Visitors may also relax at Perks located in the Robinson Professional Center. Perks offers gourmet coffee, handcrafted specialty beverages, the Grab-n-Go Gourmet and Perks’ Paninis.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. or call (330) 297-8866 (ext. 78866 from inside the hospital) for more information.

Call our menu hotline at ext. 73333 to hear the cafeteria and Perks menu Monday through Friday. Cash and major credit/debit cards are accepted at all dining locations.

Gift Shop
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Closed on Holidays

Telephones
Robinson Memorial Hospital provides telephones in patient rooms free of charge. Family and friends may call directly to a patient's room from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Incoming calls later than 10 p.m. will be transferred to the hospital operator. Patients may make calls to others within the hospital, outside (local) and long distance calls as well. To make a call, follow these procedures:

Other hospital extensions: Dial the 5-digit extension.

Local calls: Dial 9, then the 10-digit local telephone number. Area code + telephone number are required even for local calls.

Long Distance: To reach an AT&T operator for all long distance calls in or outside Ohio, dial 600. Long distance calls can be made collect, third party collect, person to person, or calling card only. If you have a calling card, simply dial 9, followed by the toll-free telephone number.

If you change rooms during your hospital stay, please inform family and friends of your new room number and telephone number.

We have amplified telephones available upon request. For more information, call Patient Information at ext. 72448.

Robinson Memorial Hospital offers the following TTY services:

  • To reach Robinson Memorial Hospital, call the TTY telephone number (330) 297-2449.
  • A TTY is available by the public telephone in the hospital main lobby elevator area.
  • A TTY Unit can be requested to be sent to an inpatient room by calling the hospital operator by dialing "0."

YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS
We understand that a hospital stay disrupts your daily routine. At times you may find yourself confused or even frustrated. We have professionals on our staff whose primary concern is your emotional well-being. These individuals are available to provide you with the support you need because we believe that caring is part of the cure.

Patient Advocates
Your patient advocates are available 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. They offer a number of services for you and your family, which include:

  • Assistance regarding patient rights and responsibilities.
  • Assistance with questions and concerns regarding hospital procedures and ethical issues.
  • Special needs assistance, i.e., phones for the hard of hearing, language interpreters, closed caption devices for deaf or hearing impaired patients.
  • Notary Public Service at no charge for Robinson Memorial Hospital patients.
  • Assistance with overnight accommodations for patients with out-of-town relatives or guests.
  • Assistance in handling complaints.

If it is important to you, it is important to us. You may request a patient advocate by calling the hospital operator by dialing "0."

Health Education
You may have questions about your health and/or your diagnosis. Please feel free to discuss your concerns with the nursing staff. In addition, our Health Education Center can help answer your health-related questions and teach you how to live a healthier, more productive life. Educational programs are taught by highly trained healthcare professionals who are sensitive to your individual needs. They counsel patients and families on such topics as diabetes, ostomies, cardiac care and pregnancy and child care. Written materials, personalized care and audio-visual aids are available by calling the Health Education Center at ext. 72576.

Spiritual Needs
The department of Pastoral Care will arrange for the hospital Chaplain or your clergy to see you as soon as possible to provide spiritual support. If there is a special need or emergency, you may call the Chaplain's office at ext. 72445 during the day, or you may ask a member of the nursing staff to contact the Chaplain at night.

Our beautiful chapel is located on the first floor and is open at all times for patients, family and staff.

Social Work and Case Management
Social Work and Case Management Planning for your discharge begins shortly after your admission to the hospital. A social worker or case manager can assist you and serve as a source of information about community resources and placements. Based on discussions with you, your physician, the nursing staff and others, an assessment of your continuing care is formulated. Your social worker and case manager will assist you with counseling, community education opportunities, extended care facilities and various community services available to you in our area.

Your social worker or case manager can also provide information on how to arrange for home healthcare, home medical equipment and Lifeline - the personal emergency response system which helps elderly, handicapped and disabled people to live independently. Notify your nurse if you would like social work or case management assistance.

Ethical Issues
The hospital Ethics Committee is available to work with you and your health care provider when ethical dilemmas or conflicts arise around your care. The nursing staff will assist you in contacting a member of the hospital Ethics Committee.

Patient Complaints
If you have a complaint during your or a family member's stay at Robinson Memorial Hospital, please call ext. 72901 for a Patient Advocate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you need to reach someone after hours or on the weekend, please dial "0" for the operator, and ask the operator to speak with either the clinical coordinator on duty or the manager of your unit.

Patients and Family Members
If you have a concern or issue that has not been addressed by our staff regarding patient care and safety in the hospital or its affiliates, please contact Administration during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at (330) 297-2300. If your concerns are unable to be resolved through the hospital, you may contact the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling (800) 994-6610 or sending an e-mail to complaint@jointcommission.org (please see "How to File a Complaint" download at top right); or you may contact the Ohio Department of Health at (800) 342-0553, www.odh.ohio.gov or by writing to:

Ohio Department of Health
PCSU
246 N. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215

YOUR DISCHARGE
Our goal is an 11 a.m. discharge, and discharge planning is ongoing during your stay. Once your physician has given either a written or verbal order for your discharge, your nurse begins your discharge paperwork. A nurse will review physician instructions for your follow-up care, including prescriptions, physician office visits, wound care, etc. The nurse will also make arrangements for you to be seen by a dietitian or a Health Education Center staff member if your doctor has so ordered.

After you have received your instructions and signed your discharge form, the nurse will arrange for a member of the health care team to accompany you to the main lobby.

It would be in your best interest to make the following preparations prior to discharge:

  • Arrange for transportation home
  • Have clothes to wear home
  • Arrange to pick up prescriptions, if necessary

YOUR SATISFACTION
Robinson Memorial Hospital wants to know about your experience with us. We strive to deliver the highest quality health care services in a professional and caring way. Following your stay at the hospital, you will receive a satisfaction survey. We ask that you please complete and return the survey to help us evaluate and improve our service.

Financial Counseling Assistance
It is very important for you to provide the hospital with correct, current insurance information when you are admitted. The financial counselors in the Admitting Department will verify your coverage and benefits. Please work with your primary care physician to make sure all referrals and per-authorizations have been completed to avoid any penalties or denials.

At times, a patient may be placed on Observation Status, which is considered an outpatient service even though the patient may be hospitalized overnight. If your admission status is considered Observation, please call your insurance company to determine your benefits.

The financial counselors can also advise patients without insurance how to apply for Medicaid and charity care. Please contact our financial counselors at ext. 72912 or 72340 for assistance.

Account Billing Customer Service
We recognize that after your hospital stay, you may receive a number of medical bills and explanations of payments from your insurance carrier. To receive a detailed copy of your bill from Robinson Memorial Hospital and answers to any questions, contact the Patient Financial Services Department Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (330) 297-2361 or (800) 441-8004.

Professional Service Charges
There are physician charges associated with many of the tests and services you received during your stay at Robinson Memorial Hospital. You may receive a separate bill from one or more of the following:

 

Physician Emergency Services  (330) 297-1733
West Branch Anesthesia Associates, Inc.
 (330) 296-4816
Portage Pathology  (800) 627-7081
Ravenna Radiology  (330) 686-5944
Inpatient Medical Services (IMS)  (330) 379-5786
Northeast Ohio Pulmonary Associates  (330) 253-1411
Kennedy Group Enterprises  (440) 879-007

Please contact the office directly regarding the bills you receive.