Your Room
Your room assignment at Anderson Hospital is based upon your admitting diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission.  Private rooms may be requested based on availability.

Your Hospital Bed
Hospital beds are electrically operated, and your nurse will show you how to work your bed properly.  Your hospital bed is probably higher and narrower than your bed at home.  Bedside rails are for your protection.  You may use them if you're resting, recovering from surgery or taking certain medications.

Room Temperature
All rooms in the hospital are centrally heated and air conditioned.  If your room temperature is not comfortable, please notify the nursing staff.

Calling Your Nurse
A button to call your nurse is located at your bedside.  The button ON your bed will NOT work.  When you press the button, the nursing station is alerted that you need assistance, and a light flashes above your door.  A staff member will respond to your signal as soon as possible.  Call light response is important to us.  If you have any concerns, please contact the nursing supervisor.

During the Night
Please stay in bed after you have been prepared for the night.  Strange surroundings and sleeping medications may create a hazard if you get out of bed.  For assistance during the night, use your call button.

Telephones
Telephones are provided in each room.  Patients may receive calls in their rooms from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Local calls may be made at any time from the room by dialing 9 and the number.  Long distance and toll calls can be made at any time by dialing 9-0… and the operator will assist you.  Long distance calls cannot be charged to your room.  You can make a credit card call or charge a long distance call back to your home number.  Your family and friends can call you in your room by dialing 288-5711 then pressing 1 followed by your room number.  You may call the hospital operator by dialing "0" at any time for assistance.

Television
Color television sets are provided free of charge in each room.  The hospital provides a patient education channel for all patients (Channel 10).  Please be considerate of other patients by playing TV sets softly and by turning off your set at bedtime.  The TV can be turned on/off and channels accessed by using the TV remote connected to your bed.  NOTE:  The TV button on your bedrail does not access the TV.

Leaving the Unit
If you want to leave the unit, please check first at the nurses' station to make sure your doctor has given approval and to let the staff know where you can be reached.  It is important to stay in your room until your doctor has made rounds and treatments have been completed.

Your Hospital Team  
Our Hospital team of physicians, nurses, and clinical staff are here to provide you with excellent quality health are.  We are committed to listening carefully to you, explaining your treatment in a way you can understand and treating you with courtesy and respect.  We are dedicated to doing everything we can to help you with your pain.  We will educate you about all aspects of your medications.  Before you go home we will make sure you have the help you need after you leave the hospital and give you information about any symptoms or health problems to look out for after you leave.  If at any time during your hospital stay we do not meet these commitments, please let us know.  We are here to serve you.

The Medical Staff
The physician who admits you is responsible for directing your care while you are in the hospital.  Your physician, as the coordinator for your treatment program, should be consulted if you have questions about your illness.  It is very important that you have the time to communicate with your physician.  If you do not feel your needs are met, please contact the Nursing Supervisor.  The physicians on the Medical Staff of Anderson Hospital are independent contractors and/or provide service under contract.  They are not employees, agents or servants of Anderson Hospital.

The Nursing Staff
Twenty-four hour nursing care is provided by a team of professional registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse assistants.  A nurse manager is responsible for directing and coordinating nursing care on each unit.  Please feel free to contact your nurse or the nurse manager if you have questions or concerns.  We are here to serve you and hope to meet all your needs!

Dietitians
The hospital maintains a staff of full-time registered dietitians to meet your dietary needs during your stay. If you have questions about your diet, call extension 5528.

Social Workers
Social workers are assigned to each patient care area and are trained to help patients and family members deal with financial, social and emotional problems that relate to illness or hospitalization.  Members of the department work with patients and families to help deal with long-term illnesses and rehabilitation and are involved in discharge planning.  They can also assist you with planning your Advance Directives (Living Will and Power of Attorney for Healthcare).

Patient Accounting
A representative from the Patient Accounting Department can answer questions about your hospital bill and help you interpret financial policies and billing procedures at the hospital.  You may contact Patient Accounting by calling 1-877-444-6382 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Housekeepers
Your room is cleaned daily by a member of the housekeeping staff.  If there is a housekeeping problem in your room, tell your nurse, and it will be taken care of as soon as possible.

Volunteers
Volunteers contribute many hours of service and financial assistance to the hospital.  They supplement the services of the hospital staff in many ways and can be identified by their uniforms.

Other Personnel
During your stay you may be visited by many other healthcare professionals, including personnel from the laboratory, radiology, respiratory and rehab services (physical, occupational and speech therapists).  In addition, the Anderson Hospital family includes many behind-the-scenes workers, such as accountants, engineers, secretaries, food service workers and others who contribute greatly toward your well-being while you are here.

All hospital personnel who come into contact with you during your visit should be wearing an identification badge, and all staff members should verify your name prior to any procedures.

Food Service  
Wholesome, nourishing and well-balanced meals are an important part of your treatment and recovery.  Anderson Hospital makes every effort to provide nutritious meals that are prepared according to your doctor’s orders.

Patients can utilize the Room Service program between the hours of 6:00 am and 6:00 pm to order “whatever they want – whenever they want” within the guidelines of their physician-ordered therapeutic diet.  Simply dial ext 5347 and a Dietary staff member will assist you with your meal selections using the Room Service menu found in your room.  Meals are individually prepared and delivered to the bedside within 45 minutes.

Occasionally your meals are held due to a test or procedure.  Once your physician has released your diet – you may call Room Service and order a meal or snack.  

If a family member or friend would like to eat in the room with you – Guest Trays may be ordered from the Room Service menu also.  There is a fee that will be collected at the time of tray delivery.  The Dietary staff member that takes the order will discuss these guidelines with you or your guest.    

Cafeteria
The cafeteria is open to visitors from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a short break in full service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Cold food items and other carry-out foods are still available during that break.

Vending Machines
Vending machines for snacks and beverages are available 24 hours a day in the basement of the hospital, across from the cafeteria.

For Your Safety and Security

Smoking
Anderson Hospital and its offsite facilities are entirely tobacco free – inside and outside.  Tobacco use is completely prohibited anywhere on our property.

Fire Drills
For your protection, the hospital conducts fire and disaster drills regularly.  If a drill occurs while you are here, please remain in your room and do not become alarmed.  The hospital is a sprinkler protected building, and the staff is trained in fire protection.

Oxygen
Special regulations are in effect in areas where patients are receiving oxygen.  Electrically operated equipment and aerosol products are not permitted in these areas.  Absolutely no smoking is permitted in any room where oxygen is in use or on standby.

Medications
All medications you take while in the hospital are prescribed by your doctor, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy and administered by a nurse.  Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or keep personal medications at their bedsides.  We urge you to ask your nurse any questions you have regarding medications!

Wheelchairs and Other Assistance Items
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.  Also available for in-house use are reachers, walkers, leg lifters and canes.

Valuable or Lost Items
Patients are asked NOT to bring items of value to the hospital.  If you do bring a valuable item, it should be deposited in the safe in the Nursing Office.  You will be given a written receipt for all items, which must be presented when you withdraw them.  The hospital does not accept responsibility for the loss of items of value unless they are deposited in the safe.  If you lose something, please notify your nurse immediately, and we will make every effort to help you find it.  Unclaimed articles are turned in to the Housekeeping Office, where they are kept for 30 days.  To inquire about lost articles, call Housekeeping at extension 5459.  If no answer ask the operator to page Housekeeping.  Anyone answering will do their best to assist you.

Going Home

Your Discharge
When your doctor decides you are ready to leave the hospital, a discharge order will be written.  You may want to make arrangements with a family member or friend to help you when it's time to go home.  Some important things to remember concerning:

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.

Escort Service
When you are ready to leave, a member of the hospital staff or volunteer will escort you to the front entrance and help you into the car.

Home Healthcare
Is a full service Medicare certified agency providing health care in the home to patients in our surrounding communities.  Services provided include Skilled Nursing, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Social Service, and Home Health Aides Services.  To arrange for services or to inquire on availability and coverage, please contact Anderson Home Health Services at (618) 288-9355.

Home Medical Equipment
This is a durable medical equipment company which provides a wide range of medical equipment supplies and oxygen therapy equipment to patients in their homes.  The Utilization Review Nurse or social worker will assist you in obtaining medical equipment ordered by your physician.