Staying informed is the best way for you and your family to prepare for your hospital stay.  Remember to review your rights and responsibilities as a patient and to discuss your medical care with your family.

Patient's Rights (A list of your rights as a patient will be given to you upon admission.)

At St. Joseph's Medical Center each patient is entitled to compassionate and professionally competent care delivered with respect for individual dignity.  All hospital personnel must comply with specific patient rights.

Privacy

Our staff respect the confidentiality of all patients and their right to access their medical information.  If you have questions about privacy issues, feel your privacy has been breeched, or you would like additional privacy for discussion of your personal matters, please feel free to contact a member of your health care team.

Advance Directive

We encourage you to become involved in decisions about your own care and to talk with your doctor and family about those decisions. Planning ahead in the event you cannot speak for yourself is especially important.  An Advance Directive (or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare) allows you to do this.

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 appoint someone of your choice to direct this care, if you wish.  This person should be someone who knows you, your values and what is important to you.  This person does not have to be a family member.  It also allows you to state your wishes regarding the withholding of life-sustaining treatment and pain control.  You may make an Advance Directive orally or in writing, but you can be very clear if you write it.  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.

Upon admission, you are asked about an Advance Directive, if you have completed one, or if you desire more information.  We encourage you to complete the Advance Directive before you enter the hospital.  If you have a completed Advance Directive, please bring it with you upon admission to the hospital.  If you wish to talk to someone about this, please ask your nurse to contact the Social Worker or Chaplain.  They will discuss it with you further.

What to Bring

For your comfort, you may wish to bring a pair of pajamas or a nightgown, slippers, robe, toothbrush and hairbrush for use during your hospital stay.

If you wear eyeglasses, dentures or hearing aids, be sure to store them properly with your belongings when they are not in use.  Ask your nurse for a container labeled with your name to safely store your dentures.  Please do not place any of these items on your meal tray or in the tissue boxes.

To endure your safety, we ask that you refrain from using any electrical appliances brought from home.

Please do not bring valuables to the hospital (cash, jewelry and other important items). We urge you to keep no more than $5 in your room.  If you bring valuables to the hospital by mistake, we urge you to as a friend or relative to take them home for you.  You may also check your valuables, which will be itemized on a receipt and placed in the hospital safe until your discharge.  We cannot be held liable for any possessions not placed in our safe and itemized on a receipt.

Please bring a list of prescription medications as well as any over-the-counter drugs and herbs you are currently taking.  Please leave your medications at home unless specifically directed otherwise by your physician.

Remember to bring your insurance cards and health insurance information.

Family Spokesperson

We ask that one family member be designated as the spokesperson who will communicate with and update the rest of the family as well as friends.  The staff will keep the spokesperson informed of your condition. 

24-Hour Bedside Attention

If 24-hour bedside attention is required, our staff can assist you in securing such services.  However, the patient/family is financially responsible.

Parking

24-hour patient and visitor parking is available in the parking lot directly across from the hospital's main entrance on Maple Street.  The underground parking garage on Maple Street is open from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The cost for parking in either lot is $3 per vehicle, per day.  Anyone with a Handicapped placard can access our parking lots at no charge.

The Emergency Department parking lot on Maple Street is reserved only for patients seeking emergency medical assistance.

The circular drive at the hospital's main entrance is for dropping off and picking up patients only.  For patients requiring assistance, see either the uniformed parking attendant at the entrance, the volunteers at the information desk or the Admitting department just inside the entrance.

St. Joseph's Medical Center has a 24-hour Public Safety department.  If you would like an escort from the hospital to your vehicle or if you have any other security need or concern, call the hospital operator by dialing "O' on any house phone and ask for security.  If it is an emergency, dial 4-4-4 and the hospital operator will pick up immediately.