Advance Directives
At the time of admission, adult patients are asked if they have
a Living Will and/or Medical Power of Attorney documents. Each
patient also receives an informational brochure describing the
right to make decisions regarding medical treatment. Talk to your
nurse, chaplain or social worker if you have any questions about
Advance Directives.
Beds
Hospital beds are usually higher and narrower than your bed at
home. Your nurse will show you how to adjust your bed properly.
For your safety, the rails on your bed may be raised during the
day. They may also be raised during the night for your protection.
If you have any questions about how to operate the controls for
your bed, please speak to your nurse.
Blood Draws
While you are a patient in the hospital, your doctor will order
blood to be drawn for testing. Often blood is taken to check for
infection, anemia, electrolyte balance, or to monitor the level
of a medication in your blood stream. These blood tests are done
to assist in understanding your health problems and how you are
responding to treatment.
Depending on the reason for the
test, blood may be taken at different times during the day. Frequently,
blood is drawn before breakfast (5 a.m. to 7 a.m.) because food
alters many lab values. Early morning blood draws also allow laboratory
staff time to complete the tests and have the results on the chart
for your doctor to see during morning rounds. Blood taken later
in the day is often used to re-evaluate your condition or to monitor
the level of a medication.
The doctors and Mercy Staff try to
limit the number of blood draws you experience. If you have any
questions or concerns about your blood draws, please talk with
your nurse, doctor, or the laboratory staff.
Bringing Food Into The Hospital
Patients and guests are allowed to bring food into the hospital.
However, food storage must follow hospital guidelines. Food must
also be within the guidelines of the diet your doctor orders for
you. Ask your nurse for more information.
Cafeteria
Our kitchen staff takes great pride in preparing delicious meals
from fresh ingredients. You will receive a selective menu with
a variety of foods prepared to meet your nutritional needs. At
meal times, a tray will be brought to you and removed after you
are finished. If you have any questions about your diet or meal,
please speak with your nurse or dietitian.
Cellular Phones
Due to potential interference with patient care equipment, cellular
phones and radio transmitters are prohibited in many patient areas.
Please ask your caregiver about where you can use your telephone.
Chapel
The chapel is located on the first floor. It is open around-the-clock
for prayer or private reflection. Chapel services are held daily
Monday through Friday, and are televised four times a day over
Channel 18 in patient rooms.
Communication Assistance
Interpreter services and communication devices are available for
those in need. Please contact your nurse to access these services.
Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee is a group of community and hospital professionals
that serve as a resource for patients, families, physicians, and
hospital staff. The committee works to clarify difficult health
care issues and offer consultations and education. If you would
like to meet with a member of the Ethics Committee, please speak
to your physician, nurse or social worker.
Financial Assistance
Consistent with its Core Values, Mercy Medical Center is committed to making quality care affordable to those with limited financial means. We have representatives who can work with you to determine your assistance options, including federal, state and county programs and our own patient financial assistance program.
How To Get Assistance
To determine if you are eligible for financial assistance, please contact us:
Prior to Service
Business Office 563-244-5674
After Receipt of Bill
Business Office 563-244-5674
If You Have Private Insurance Coverage
Many private insurance agencies require pre-certification before admission to the hospital, or within 24 hours. If pre-certification is mandatory for your insurance and was not completed on admission, please call our admitting office. Please remember that it is important for you to understand the terms and requirements of your insurance policy.
Physician Billing
Physician services provided during your stay are billed separately
from your hospital bill. Such services may include your own personal
physician, radiology and pathology interpretations, emergency
physicians and anesthesiology. If you have questions about your
radiology, pathology or emergency room physician bill please call:
Radiology - 1-800-728-3044
Pathology - (563) 242-5316
Emergency - 1-800-355-2470 Fire Alarm
In case of a fire alarm or drill, it is important for you to stay
where you are until given instructions by Mercy staff. Our building
is fire-resistant, and our employees are trained in the proper
procedures to ensure your safety.
Gift Shops/Coffee Shop
The Mercy Gift Shops are staffed entirely by Mercy Auxiliary volunteers.
The Gift Shops are located at Mercy North and South. The Coffee
Shop is located at Mercy North. Stop by and browse a great selection
of gifts, magazines, and other treats.
Medical Social Work
Medical social work staff counsel patients and their families
on problems associated with hospitalization as well as personal
issues. Each social worker is professionally trained to listen
to your concerns and help you make plans to meet your needs. The
social worker can especially help with your concerns about taking
care of yourself after leaving the hospital. Medical social work
can also coordinate discharge plans with you and your family.
Other assistance available through medical social work includes
agency referrals, financial assistance, and personal or family
counseling.
If you have concerns about meeting
hospital expenses or other issues, speak to your social worker.
He or she will be happy to help.
Medications
All medications you take while at Mercy are prescribed by your
physician and dispensed by your nurse. For your safety, please
do not take medications, food additives or supplements, or vitamins
brought from home unless approved by your physician during your
hospital visit. Our pharmacists are available if you have any
questions about your medication or drug therapy while you are
at Mercy.
Nurse Call
You have a Nurse Call button within reach of your bed. If at any
time you need assistance, press the Nurse Call button and your
nurse will respond as quickly as possible.
Pastoral Care Services
Pastoral care services provide for the spiritual needs of our
patients and their families. Our hospital chaplains and other
pastoral staff visit with each patient to assure their spiritual
needs are being met. A chaplain is available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. If you or your family are interested in visiting
with a member of our pastoral care team, ask your nurse to contact
them. The pastoral care staff will contact your own pastor if
you ask them.
Patient Rooms
Patient rooms are assigned based on your medical diagnosis and
the beds that are available on the day of your admission. Mercy
North is centrally heated and air-conditioned. If you are uncomfortable
with your room temperature, please speak to your nurse.
Patient Satisfaction
It is our goal to provide each patient with quality care, compassion
and as comfortable a stay as possible. If you are not satisfied
with any aspect of your care, please talk with your nurse or the
department director who will put you in contact with the appropriate
member of Mercy's staff to address your needs.
Students
Mercy Medical Center partners with area colleges to provide training
for students in medical professions. To provide patients with
highly trained staff, we encourage the colleges to give students
real clinical experiences. As a patient, please realize that their
instructors closely supervise all of the students participating
in clinical rotations, while staff members from Mercy provide
guidance and education. We appreciate the support our patients
have given in allowing students to participate in their care.
Smoking
Mercy is a tobacco-free health care environment. For your safety
and well-being, smoking and tobacco products are prohibited at all
campuses including buildings, parking areas and sidewalks. Patients
who smoke are encouraged to talk with their physician about what
he or she may
recommend during a hospital stay.
Television
A color television is in your room for your viewing pleasure.
Remember to be considerate of others by keeping the volume low.
Please turn off the television when you are not watching. Valuables
Your patient rights allow you to use and retain personal clothing
and possessions. With this right also goes responsibility. Please
consider carefully what personal belongings you keep while staying
at the hospital. Send home with your family any items you will
not be using at the hospital. If this is not possible, speak to
your nurse about having your valuables secured by the hospital.
Be sure to keep eye glasses, contacts, hearing aids, and dentures
in their proper containers when you are not using them. The hospital
cannot be responsible for the loss of personal property that is
not placed in safe storage.
Vending Area
There are vending areas located near the cafeteria and by the
main lobby with cold beverages and snacks available 24 hours a
day.
Visitors
Mercy welcomes visitors! However, the area you are in may have
specific visiting hours or restrictions to help patients receive
the highest quality care and adequate rest. Please speak to your
nurse regarding any visiting regulations.
Telephone Information
Receiving Calls Your telephone number is located on your room
phone. Family and friends can reach you by dialing this number.
Please give callers your new number if you move to another room.
If you do not want to receive calls, talk to your nurse about
having your calls held.
Local Calls
To call a local number dial "9" and the number you are calling.
Long Distance Calling
You will need to charge any long distance calls you make to your
home phone or a telephone credit card. To place a long distance
call, dial "8." Then dial "0" followed by the area code and number.
An outside operator will take your billing information.
Public Phones
Public telephones are available in the main lobby.
Communication Devices
Mercy has communication devices available for people with hearing
impairments. Please contact your nurse for more information.
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