| Thank you for choosing us as your healthcare provider. Below are some things you may be wondering about. |
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| You Will Be Asked Many Questions… |
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It may seem you are asked the same questions repeatedly. In particular, you will be asked for your name and birth date every time you are given a drug or any kind of treatment. Please know that this is an important nursing standard designed to keep you safe. |
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| Tell Us About Your Pain |
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You have the right to treatment of pain during all aspects of your care. We are committed to working with you and your family to help manage your pain effectively. We believe that you are the expert on your pain so:
- Ask for pain relief when your pain first begins.
- Help your doctor or nurse by describing your pain, specifically.
- Tell your doctor or nurse if your pain level is not relieved or acceptable.
- Talk to your doctor or nurse about your pain relief options and what results you may expect.
Tell your doctor or nurse about any concerns you have about taking pain medicine. |
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| Private Rooms |
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Your room assignment is based upon your admitting diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission. We will certainly give you a private room if one is available. |
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| Phones & TV |
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Each room has a free TV and free local phone service. |
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Room Service |
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We are very proud to offer our patients room service that allows you to order “what you want, when you want it.” Your meal will be brought to you in 45 minutes or less. There is no charge for these diet-appropriate meals. We also offer guest trays to friends and family members, and their meal can be delivered right along with yours. Coupons for guest meal trays may be purchased in the Café. |
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| Cell Phones |
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Cell phones emit radio frequencies that can disrupt medical care by interfering with electronic equipment. They can activate or turn off alarms on monitors, cause ventilators to shut down or deliver the wrong amount of gas or cause infant warmers and incubators to overheat.
To reduce the potential risk of medical equipment malfunctions, the use of cellular phones is not permitted within twenty (20) feet of critically monitored patients. Cellular phones may be used in public areas, in offices and at nursing stations. |
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| Oxygen |
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Special regulations are in effect in areas where patients are receiving oxygen. Electrically operated equipment, battery-operated devices, aerosol products and items that produce a static discharge are not permitted in these areas. |
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| Balloons |
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Latex balloons can cause allergic reactions in some people. They are also a choking hazard for children. For these reasons, they are not allowed in the hospital. Mylar (foil) balloons are a safe alternative. |
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| Wheelchairs |
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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. |
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| Smoking Policy |
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Valley Hospital & Medical Center is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is allowed outside in posted areas only and in accordance with state law. If you have any questions, please check with your nurse.
If you want to leave your room to smoke, please consider the following:
- You must be able to leave the unit by walking or via wheelchair.
- You may not ask hospital staff to transport or supervise you.
If you cannot leave your room to smoke, the following options are available to you:
- You can decide to stop smoking during your hospitalization.
- Your doctor can prescribe medications that reduce or eliminate smoking “withdrawal” symptoms, such as a nicotine patch or gum.
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| Progress Reports |
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We will update patients on their condition, and they can choose to share information with family members/significant others. For a patient unable to share or understand information, please select a spokesperson to be responsible for informing other family members/significant others of the patient's progress. Let your nurse know how to reach the spokesperson at all times. Disclosure of the patient's condition may be restricted due to confidentiality concerns. |
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| Identifying Employees and Volunteers |
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All employees and volunteers wear an identification badge that includes their name, picture and department. Caregivers will identify themselves and tell you what they are going to do before they give care or treatment. Do not hesitate to ask them who they are or what they are doing. |
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| Mail and Flowers |
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Our hospital volunteers deliver the mail and flowers. If we should receive mail or flowers for you after you are discharged, we will contact you and make every effort to get these items to you. |
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| Spiritual Care and Chapel |
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The Pastoral Services Department provides care and support for patients, families and staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our hospital staff chaplains offer pastoral care to individuals of all faiths or of no particular faith at all. Specific denominational affiliation is not required to use our services. Press "0" and the hospital operator will page a chaplain for you. A non-denominational chapel is open for patients, families, and staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The chapel offers a quiet place for families and staff to gather, collect their thoughts and discuss personal matters with one another. The entrance to the chapel is located on the first floor near the Café. |
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| Parking |
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The parking lots are monitored 24 hours a day by security guards, but the hospital cannot be responsible for theft or damage done to a vehicle while in one of our lots. Patients who have driven to Valley Hospital and Medical Center and plan to keep a vehicle on the premises during their stay are asked to secure the vehicle and contact Security at 2007, who will record the vehicle make and model, registration plate number, expected length of stay and the area where the vehicle is parked. Please take note of reserved parking areas for medical staff and handicapped individuals. |
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| Security Escort Service |
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If your family leaves the hospital late at night and would like an escort to their vehicle, dial extension "2007" or contact your nurse. |
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| Financial Arrangements |
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During your hospital stay, a Patient Advocate may come to your room to collect your co-pay or deductible. If more convenient, you or a family member can visit the Patient Advocate’s desk, located next to the Admitting office on the first floor of Valley Hospital & Medical Center. If the Patient Advocate’s office is closed at the time of your discharge, a statement of your account will be mailed to your home address. The Patient Advocate’s hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You may settle your account by any of the following means:
- Valid major credit cards - Visa, American Express, or MasterCard
- Cash
- Debit Card
- Personal Check
- Money Order
Please contact our Patient Accounts office at 473-4791 if you have questions regarding payment of your account or hospital charges or if you are unable to pay your deductible at this time. Medicaid patients do not have deductibles, but most insurances do.
After you are discharged from the hospital you will receive a summary statement of your account for your hospital services. You will receive a separate bill from your physician and could receive other bills, depending on the services provided. Payment of your hospital bill is your responsibility. Valley Hospital & Medical Center will file your insurance claims as a service to you. However, you may have a deductible or co-pay and you would be responsible for that. If your insurance company does not pay within 60 days, you may be billed for the full balance due. Any payment that is your responsibility is expected to be paid in full upon receipt of your statement.
In an effort to support the communities we serve, Valley Hospital and Medical Center has a discount policy for patients who do not have insurance or other means of health care coverage. EHS will provide Charity Care to the patients in our community who are not eligible for other funding such as insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid and whose income meets the poverty guidelines set in place by the Federal Government and State of Washington. We also honor community benefit programs such as Project Access.
We are more than happy to answer any questions and assist you in applying for Charity Care. Please call our Patient Advocate at (509) 473-4791 for more information. |
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| Have a Concern? |
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If you have a concern or complaint, we want to respond as quickly as possible, preferably while you are still in the hospital. Feel free to talk to the manager of the unit you are on or dial “0” and ask for the Administrative Supervisor. More information |