Fast Facts for Your Stay

Billing

If you have any questions about billing while you are a patient, our Business office can help you. If you are uninsured, you will receive a discount on your bill. If you are insured, you may qualify for financial assistance based on need. To obtain a financial assistance application, call ext. 16171.

Brahms’ Lullaby

When you hear this lullaby overhead, it means that a baby has just been born in our hospital. Take a moment and celebrate with us.

Calling Your Nurse

Purposeful interval rounding means that nurses and support personnel will round on you on a regular basis. If you need your nurse between visits, you may press the call button for assistance. 

Cellphones

Cellphones and other wireless devices may be used throughout the hospital except in restricted areas, so check with your nurse about the restrictions in your patient area. Cellphones may be used in all family waiting areas.

Electrical Devices

Any electrical equipment such as breathing machines or other medical devices that you brought from home must be approved by the Biomedical Department for safety. Notify your nurse if you brought any electrical devices from home.

Fall Alert

If you need special fall precautions, an armband with the words “Fall Risk” will be placed on your wrist to remind your caregivers that you require special assistance when moving around or getting to a chair. Only hospital staff should remove this armband during your hospital stay. We encourage family members to stay with you whenever possible, but remember your nurse is available to assist you, so do not hesitate to call.

Fire Safety

We conduct fire drills from time to time. If you hear an alarm, stay where you are. In an actual emergency, hospital staff will tell you what to do.

Gift Shop

Location: First floor across from the Information Desk

Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

(Closed weekends)

Our gift shop offers great gift selections, baby items, greeting cards, books, magazines, candies, women’s clothing and more. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Call 731.541.6192.

Inspirations Boutique

Location: Kirkland Cancer Center

For the special needs of cancer patients, call 731.541.1710.

Hearing Impaired

Sign language interpreting will be provided by American Sign Language staff or video remote interpreting services. These services are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need assistance with communication. Please speak with your nurse about coordinating these services. For more information, please contact our Interpreter Services Department at ext. 14676.

Hospital Safe

If you cannot send your valuables home, please speak with your nurse about storing them in the hospital safe. If you would like to place your valuables there, please call Security from your bedside phone at ext. 16006.

Housekeeping

Your room is cleaned and disinfected for your protection. Please tell your housekeeper if you have special cleaning needs, or call Environmental Services at ext. 16496. Your linens will be changed by nursing staff unless otherwise directed by you. Please call your nurse if your linens have become wet or soiled.

Interpreters

Free language interpreting services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need assistance with communication. Language services offered include: in-person, over the phone and video remote interpreting. Please speak with your nurse about coordinating these services. For more information, please contact our Interpreter Services Department at ext. 14676.

Leave Your Valuables at Home

Please give valuables such as jewelry, credit cards or cash to a relative or friend for safekeeping. Keep your contact lenses, eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures in containers labeled with your name and place them in the drawer of your bedside table when not in use. Please do not put these items on your bed or food tray as they may be damaged or lost. The hospital cannot be responsible for your personal valuables.

Lost and Found

If you have lost an item, notify your nurse immediately. If you discover after discharge that you have forgotten an item at the hospital, please call Patient Relations at 731.541.6184.

Mail and Flowers

Flowers, packages and mail will be delivered to you. Any mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home address. Please note that flowers are prohibited in critical care rooms. If you have outgoing mail, you may give it to your nurse, or a family member can take it to the Information Desk. Stamps can be purchased in the gift shop.

Medical Equipment

In the Hospital

If you do not understand a piece of equipment used in your care, ask your nurse or doctor. If an alarm on equipment is sounding, call for your nurse. Please do not try to turn off any alarms or change any settings yourself. Any equipment that is continuously needed will be plugged into a red outlet. If the power goes out, all equipment connected to a red outlet will be run by an emergency generator.

At Home

Our hospital staff will instruct you about any equipment you need to use at home. Before you discharge, be sure you and your family are comfortable using the equipment and know who to call if you have problems. If another business is providing equipment, be sure someone teaches you how to use it properly. Do not alter any medical equipment at home or use the equipment for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was intended.

Medicines

Please do not bring any prescription or over-the-counter medicines to the hospital. All medicines you take in the hospital need to be prescribed, filled and given to you by hospital staff. Tell your doctor about any medicines you regularly take. If you still need them, hospital staff will give them to you.

Oxygen Machines

When oxygen is being administered in your room, please do not use electrical equipment. Any kind of flames are strictly prohibited.

Patient Meals

If you are a patient with a full menu, your breakfast will be delivered from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. If your doctor has ordered diet restrictions, check with your dietitian or nurse before eating any other food or snack. If you arrive to your room between meals, boxed meals are available.

Rounding

Purposeful interval rounding means that nurses and support personnel will round on you on a regular basis.

Smoking

Smoking and/or the use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted in the hospital or anywhere on our hospital campus.

Spiritual Care

A hospital chaplain and volunteer chaplains are here to serve your spiritual needs. Our chapel is open 24/7 and is located by the Information Desk at the front entrance. Morning devotions are offered Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and on Channel 84—all are welcome. 

Telephone

Telephones are provided in all patient rooms except our critical care rooms. To place an outside local call, dial 9 then number. To call long distance, please use your phone card or purchase one at the gift shop.

TV

Televisions are in each patient room. Be considerate of others by keeping your volume down or off at night. Please tell your nurse if you need closed captioning on your TV.

Popular Channels

• Channel 14: Music and Nature
• Channel 16: Patient Education
• Channel 19: TV Channel Guide 
• Channel 24: Patient Information 
• Channel 84: Morning Devotions (Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m.)
• Channel 89: White Noise – Sleep Channel
  

Wet Floors

Everyone should observe any wet floor signs. Walk around the areas that housekeeping has wet-mopped, be careful and ask for help if you need it. Please also report any water or food spills. 

Wireless Internet

We provide wireless internet for patients. Computers are available for research in our Learning Library. 

Your Hospital Bed

Your bed has features that are set for your safety. Your nurse will show you how to adjust your bed for comfort. The side rails of the bed should not be lowered by anyone except hospital staff. If your doctor or nurse has asked that you not get out of bed without assistance, please call for your nurse early.

Please Call, Don’t Fall

Your medicines may make you dizzy or unsteady. When getting out of bed, move slowly and sit on the side of the bed for a short time. Make sure you have assistance before getting up, and wear nonslip slippers or shoes for walking. Walk close to the wall and hold onto handrails. Turn on a light if you need to get up at night. Ask your nurse to move equipment so you can walk around the cords and not have to step over them. Have your necessary items within easy reach, such as your call light, telephone, glasses and tissues.

Your Room

Your room is designed to make your stay comfortable and private. Staff and visitors should always knock before entering. If you do not wish to have visitors, please tell your nurse. Room temperatures vary, so feel free to adjust your thermostat. If you need an extra blanket, just ask your nurse.