YOUR HOSPITAL STAY
Hospital beds are electronically operated. Your nurse will show you how to work your bed properly. The bed rails are for your protection. They will be raised at night or during the day if you are resting, recovering from surgery or taking medications.
Calling Your Nurse A button to call your nurse is located at your bedside. When you press the button it alerts the nursing station that you need assistance. A staff member will respond to your call as soon as possible by intercom or by a visit. For your personal safety, always use your call button to notify your nurse rather than attempt action or movement that could result in an accidental strain or fall. Please use the utmost care if you get out of bed alone or walk unassisted to the restroom. do not attempt to do so until your doctor tells you it is safe.
Telephones are provided in your room at no extra charge. To place a local call, press "9", wait for the dial tone and dial the number. For long distance calls, press "9", wait for the dial tone, and dial "0" plus the area code (if different from 479) then the number. No long distance calls may be billed to the hospital. Bedside telephones are not available in critical care units.
For patient safety, absolutely no cell phone use in permitted in Harvey Jones Tower 2 on the Northwest Medical Center - Springdale campus.
Mail Letters and packages for patients are delivered each afternoon by volunteers. If a letter or parcel arrives after you are discharged, it is forwarded to your home. Outgoing mail may be left at the nurse's station or given to a volunteer. Stationary and greeting cards can be purchased in the hospital gift shop.
Flowers Deliveries will be brought to your room by volunteers. Flowers cannot be delivered to patients in the intensive care or critical care units. Flowers may be purchased in the hospital gift shop.
Newspapers are available for puchase outside the main entrance of the hospital.
Room Temperature Some rooms in the hospital are centrally heated and air-conditioned. If the temperature of your room is not comfortable, please notify your nurse.
Televisions are provided in each room. A remote control is located at your bedside. Please be considerate of other patients by keeping the volume low and by turning off your television at bedtime.
Food Service
Your Meals The Food Service Department provides healthful and attractive meals. Your meals are based upon the orders of your physician who may prescribe a diet with special restrictions to assist in managing your medical condition. A registered dietitian or dietetic technician will be happy to explain your prescribed diet.
Your Menu At Northwest Health System, you will have the opportunity to make your menu choices. If you are on a special diet prescribed by your doctor, you will receive menus tailored to your specific needs. You will be visited by a food service representative daily. You will be given the opportunity to select food from "The Spoken Menu" the same day of service.
Meal Times are dependent on your room location. If you are scheduled for a special test or treatment, your meal may be delayed. Whenever possible, you will be served a meal or snack after your test or examination.
Snacks are available if you get hungry between meals. Just notify your nurse, as each nursing station keeps a small selection of healthful snacks on hand.
Nutrition Counseling and Education Your physician may send you home on special dietary restrictions to help manage your medical condition. A registered dietitian or dietetic technician will discuss these restrictions with you and give you materials to use at home. Have your nurse contact the dietitian working with your nursing area to visit you and discuss special dietary needs.
Your Safety & Security
Medications you take while a patient in the hospital are prescribed by your doctor, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy and administered by a nurse. Patients must never administer their own medications or keep personal medications at their bedside without a doctor's order. Medications brought from home should be sent home after being reviewed and recorded by your nurse.
Valuables such as jewelry or cash, should be left at home, or you may deposit such items in the hospital safe. The hospital cannot be responsible for personal items kept in your room. Dentures, hearing aids, contacts or eyeglasses should be placed in protective containers (not wrapped in facial tissue) when not in use to prevent loss or damage.
Gratuities are neither expected nor permitted. We earnestly request adherence to this policy. Cash, checks and gift certificates may not be accepted by our employees as gifts of thanks.
Cameras & Cell Phones Northwest Health System understands your desire at times to take photographs of your loved ones. However, in order to protect our patient's confidentiality under the HIPAA, please check with the Nursing Charge Nurse before you use a camera, videotape machine or a camera phone. (Note that cell phones with or without a camera are now allowed in Tower 2 at Northwest Medical Center - Springdale due to interference with equipment).
Smoking anywhere on hospital grounds is a Class C misdemeanor under Arkansas Law Act 20-27-706.
Fire Drills and Disaster Drills are conducted regularly. If a Code Red occurs while you are here, please remain in your room and remain calm. The hospital is a fire resistant building and the staff is trained in fire protection.
Safety Precautions All electrical devices brought in from home must be checked by the maintenance department before being used by patients or guests. Electric blankets, heating pads and fans are prohibited in the hospital.
Wheelchairs are available on all nursing units, but getting in and out of them without assistance may be hazardous. Please ask for help from a member of the hospital staff.
Complaint Resolution Should you have a complaint or concern, please ask to speak with the charge nurse, the clinical director or the Vice President of Patient Care Services.
Going Home from the Hospital
Your Discharge Planning for discharge from the hospital begins when you are admitted. Every effort is made to identify what your needs will be and staff members of Northwest health will help you make plans to meet those needs. Your physician will authorize your discharge. You may be requested to meet with a Patient Financial Services Representative prior to discharge. When your ride home has arrived, you will be escorted to your car by a staff member. In order to prepare for incoming patients, we ask that you make arrangements to vacate your room by 2pm.
Personal Belongings Before you leave, please check your room carefully to be sure that all personal belongings have been collected. Please notify the nurse if you have valuables stored in the hospital safe.
Discharge Instructions Your doctor and your nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care. If you have questions about your diet, activities or other matters, please be sure to ask. We have several services available to help provide for your needs after you leave the hospital.
Medications If your doctor gives you a prescription, it will need to be filled outside the hospital.
Case Management & Discharge Planning Your admission into the hospital is followed by a case manager or social worker to ensure that the most appropriate course of interventions and referrals are provided during your stay and after your discharge. This department is responsible for coordinating your clinical care on a daily casis with your insurance company, HMO or utilization review company to ensure that you receive the highest quality of care in the most cost effective manner. Post-discharge care may include arranging for medical equipment, home health care, transportation, Lifeline emergency response services, extended care and other services for your successful recovery.
Northwest Communities Home Health is a Medicare-certified home care agency that provides a full range of services. Communities Home Health offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapy, education for patients and families, as well as supportive health services. The nurses at CHH work closely with your physician to establish a home care program that meets your goals for health independence. For information, call (479) 751-1601or (800) 823-0199.
Home Medical Equipment If you need special equipment at home, the social workers at Northwest Health System will be happy to help you make arrangements For more information, call the Social Workers office at the appropriate hospital campus.
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