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 4:00 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 consumermedsafety.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.