Preparing for Hospitalization

What To Bring

Please bring only the minimum essentials necessary. If you are anticipating an overnight stay you may bring personal toilet articles and containers for storing health aids (eye glasses, contact lenses, hearing devices, etc.). Personal articles may be stored in the drawer of your bedside table. Limit your extra clothing to a comfortable dressing gown or pajamas, a robe and slippers.


Please bring your insurance card and/or insurance billing information and your Advanced Directive. If you do not have an Advanced Directive you can complete this form and bring it with you or request one upon admission.

What Not To Bring

Please do not bring actual medications to the hospital unless instructed to do so by your doctor. All medications required to treat your illness will be carefully dispensed by the hospital pharmacists and administered by nurses. Please bring a list of medications you are presently taking. With permission from your doctor, however, you may bring items such as nitroglycerin, eye drops and antacids.


Due to fire and safety regulation, this hospital prohibits patients and their visitors from bringing any electrical appliances into the hospital including electrically powered radios, televisions, razors and hair dryers.


You are advised against bringing a large amount of money or other valuables to the hospital. Dignity Health cannot assume responsibility for loss of any items while at the hospital.

Advance Directive

An Advance Directive allows you to provide direction about your care even if you cannot speak for yourself at the time. It also allows you to state your wishes regarding the withholding of life-sustaining treatment and pain control, and allows you to appoint someone of your choice to direct this care, if you wish. All information is helpful to your doctor, the nursing professionals caring for you and the family or friends who may be called upon if and when you cannot speak for yourself.


If you already have an advance directive, bring a copy with you to the hospital and give it to the nurse during your hospital admission. It will be placed in your medical record.


If you do not have an advanced directive, you may fill out the form available online or ask for the form when you arrive at the hospital. A chaplain or social worker will assist you if you have questions while filling out the necessary information.


The following is provided for your convenience:


Meals

Dignity Health's hospital staff provides nutrition assessment, evaluation, counseling and personalized diet instructions for you. Your meals are served daily during the following times:


Breakfast: 7:15 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Lunch: 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Smoking

Our hospitals are tobacco free campuses. Please refrain from consuming any tobacco products anywhere on the campus, including the parking areas.

Telephone

Patient rooms can be reached from outside of the hospital by dialing the 10-digit telephone number assigned to the room or by calling the hospital switchboard.

Interpreter Services

If you need an interpreter, please ask your nurse or other hospital personnel. Sign language interpreters, if required, are also available upon request.

Spiritual Care Services

The healing of the whole person physically, psychologically and spiritually is important to us. A chaplain is available to minister to any spiritual concerns you may have. A chaplain may be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Notify your nurse if you wish to talk with the chaplain or dial "0" and ask for Chaplain Services.