Patient Guide
ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
You have the right to make choices regarding your health care. You can
prepare for the possibility that you will be unable to make health care
decisions by making your wishes known in advance. Your wishes can be communicated
through "advance directives." You have the right to name someone
else to make health care decisions for you when you cannot. You can do
this by completing a power of attorney for health care. In this document,
you can name an adult relative or friend that you trust as your "agent"
to speak for you when you are too sick to make your own decisions. After
you chose your agent, be sure that your agent understands your wishes
and will be comfortable communicating your wishes should the need arise.
The types of decisions your agent can make include to approval or disapproval
of tests, procedures and medications; selection and discharge of a provider
or institution; directions to provide, withhold/withdraw artificial nutrition
and hydration, and all other forms of health care.
If you wish, you can limit the type of decisions your agent can make for
you. You can also give an advance directive about when you would or would
not want medical treatment. You can indicate when you would choose to
prolong life, whether you wish to be kept free of pain, even if it were
to speed up death, or any other special wishes you have regarding your
healthcare. Please discuss your wishes with your physicians, especially
your primary care physician.
You can also give an advance directive as to which, if any, organs you
would like to donate in the event of your death. You do not have to have
a written advance directive. You may communicate your wishes to your physicians
and nurses, and ask them to write down your wishes in the chart. However,
your wishes will probably be clearer and more likely to be accepted by
your family and others, if your write them down. For more information
about advance directives, please contact Social Services department.
CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS
If you are concerned about something whether it is your care, your room,
your meals, your testing schedule, your visitors or anything else - please
let us know without delay; and we will try to remedy the situation immediately.
Be assured that you can speak to your care givers in confidence. If you
would rather not talk about your problem with your nurse, you may meet
with the supervisor or manager on your unit for a confidential discussion
of your concern. You can also contact our Chief Nursing Officer located
in the Administration office on the first floor or by calling (530) 244-5454
Please be assured that the presentation of a complaint or concern will
not compromise your treatment. Our goal is to provide healthcare that
is supportive of patient and family wishes, recognizing that situations
and decision-making can, at times, cause conflicts in the course of healthcare delivery.
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK
Our Case Management Department is a part of the total healthcare team that
is working to assure that the support and compassionate care our patients
and families need during hospitalization is there. We can assist you and
your family in dealing with emotional, social and/or economic stresses
which may occur as a result of illness and hospitalization. We are also
specialists in identifying the many community, state and federal resources
that may be of help to you in the weeks ahead. If you need help in sorting
out your needs, ask your nurse to contact a social worker for you, or
you can leave a message on our . Case Management Hotline number (530) 244-8207.
INFORMED CONSENT
You have the right to be informed about any procedures, tests, or operations
to be performed on you. It is expected that the physician will talk with
you about the benefits of your treatments and will explain the risks,
complications including unanticipated outcomes that could happen, as well
as other treatment that could help you.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Pain management is an important part of your care. You have the right to
expect that pain will be identified, addressed, and treated. Good pain
control allows you to feel more rested, more in control and speeds up
your recovery. We, here at Shasta Regional Medical Center, feel responsible
to listen to your concerns about pain. Even though it is not always possible
to provide you with complete pain relief, controlling your pain will help
you to be more comfortable.
This will allow you to move easier after your surgery or procedure, help
prevent complications, and can even shorten your hospital stay. We will
help you make reasonable and desirable pain relief goals. One of the most
important things you can do is tell us about your pain. Sometimes people
assume we can tell they are having pain, but this is not always true.
Only you know when you are in pain, how bad it is, and what it feels like.
When you describe the intensity, type, location and duration of your pain,
you help us to do a better job of caring for you. Your healthcare providers
will listen to the way you describe your pain and how you think it will
be relieved to help them decide what medicine or other pain relief measures to use.
MEDICAL RECORDS
The records of your hospital stay are kept in the hospital Medical Records
Department. You have been issued a unique medical record number and all
of your records will be compiled into a unit record under that number.
If you have a need for a copy of your record for personal use, there is
a nominal charge. We will be happy to copy your record for any physician
who is to provide continued medical care for your well being at no charge.
Although we are staffed seven days a week for the processing of records,
we are only open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday. We are closed evenings, weekends and holidays. You can reach us
by phone at (530) 244-5300 or come into the hospital located at 1100 Butte Street.
MEDICATION INFORMATION
Visit ConsumerMedSafetry.org a user-friendly, online resource that imparts
knowledge about safe medication practices in ways you can easily access,
view, and use. The real-world content can be searched by topic or prescription.
SMOKING
To provide a healthful and comfortable environment for all patients and
visitors, Shasta Regional Medical Center maintains a smoke free environment.
Patients and visitors are not allowed to smoke anywhere on the hospital
campus. Smoking is also prohibited on the grounds, except where designated
by signage, for patients only.
PATIENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION
We believe that patient education is one of the most important ways every
patient can help their own recovery. Knowing what is wrong with you and
what treatments are available, allow you to help make the decisions about
your care that you want. We have an education patient video on channel
3 that covers Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke Awareness, Managing your
Diabetes and Tips on how to Quit Smoking. We know that everyone has his
or her own ways of learning. We want to help you learn about your condition
in the easiest way possible. You will be asked questions about how you
learn best, if you have any religious or cultural beliefs that will affect
our teaching. The types of topics we want to cover include how to be safe,
nutrition, how to safely take your medicines, how to use any equipment
you need and any questions you have about your diagnosis.
CONDITION UPDATES
When friends call to inquire about your condition, the call will be directed
to your room. More detailed information can be released to one immediate
family member designated by you. If you'd prefer that we withhold
all information, including your condition and location within the hospital,
please notify your nurse.
YOUR ENVIRONMENT
A big part of getting settled is becoming acquainted with your new surroundings.
Your room is where you will spend most of your time, and it is designed
to be as cheerful and pleasant as possible, while allowing for comfort
and safety. If your accommodations are semi-private, please be considerate
of your roommate's needs, and limit your visitors and activities accordingly.
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES
Shasta Regional Medical Center has interpretive services available to all
patients and families requiring communication assistance, please review
our interpreter services
here.
Review our Interpreter Services Policy
here. Para los servicios de interpretación en español, haga
clic aquí.
THE CALL BUTTON
There is a call button at your bedside and a pull cord in the bathroom
to summon assistance. Just press the button or pull the cord and a staff
member will respond in person or by intercom. Please don't hesitate
to use it if you have questions or need help.
TELEPHONES
Keeping in touch with loved ones is important, especially when you are
ill. For your convenience, there is a private phone on your bedside table.
Your extension number is your room number, with the exception of specialty
areas such as ICU. If friends or family want to reach you, they can call
(530) 244-5400 and ask the operator to connect them to your room. Special
amplifying devices for those hearing impaired are available upon request.
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Cellular telephone use is prohibited while in the hospital building, as
it may interfere with patient monitoring and other medical equipment.
TELEVISION
Sometimes the days can seem long, when you are in the hospital. For your
comfort, your room is equipped with a television set. To hear television
programs, change channels, and tune into radio stations, use the bedside
control. Special channels are available in certain areas.
PERSONAL VALUABLES AND BELONGINGS
Shasta Regional Medical Center cannot be responsible for valuables that
you keep in your possession. Please leave your jewelry, money (large sum),
wallets and purses at home to ensure their safekeeping. Please be alert
concerning your belongings such as dentures, contact lenses, eyeglasses,
hearing aids and comparable personal belongings. Please store these items
carefully when not in use. Never leave them on a meal tray or wrap them
in tissue paper. If you forget to leave your valuables at home and do
not wish to entrust them to a friend or relative, they may be deposited
in the Shasta Regional Medical Center safe for safekeeping. Ask your nurse
for assistance.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
For your safety and the safety of others, we maintain strict safety requirements
on all electrical and battery operated appliances used in the patient
care environment. No personal electrical devices are allowed, including
hair dryers, curling irons, electric shavers, radios and similar equipment.
MEALTIMES
Breakfast is usually served by a health team member between 7:00 and 7:30
a.m. Lunch is delivered between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. Dinner usually arrives
between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Snacks are available upon request and are served,
if your diet is not restricted.
FOOD SERVICE
Proper nutrition can be as crucial to your health as the right therapy
or medication. In fact, food can play such an important role in your recovery
that your diet is personally prescribed by your physician and carefully
planned by a registered dietitian. All patients will receive a menu listing
several approved selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner (except those
patients in ICU). A guest tray is also available upon request for those
participating in the care of the patient Please feel free to ask your
nurse questions regarding your meals.
HOUSEKEEPING
Our housekeeping staff makes sure your room is neat and clean each day.
They're especially sensitive to your needs for privacy and quiet and
try to complete their tasks discreetly, with as little disturbance as
possible. If you have any special housekeeping requests, please let one
of our staff members know.