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YOUR OPINION MATTERS - PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW WE'RE DOING
All hospital staff and volunteers are committed to providing quality care. An outside organization assists with monitoring our patient satisfaction. You will receive a survey in the mail a few days following your dismissal from the hospital. Please provide open feedback and promptly return the survey if you are contacted. All comments are confidential.
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ADMITTING & REGISTRATION
Patient registration is the first step of your inpatient hospital visit. Admitting Services is located at the Emergency Services entrance of the hospital. We accept admissions 24 hours per day, seven days a week. You may be asked several questions and should be able to provide insurance information. Through this service, you will complete all necessary admission requirements on the way to your hospital room.
Registration for outpatient procedures, including single-day surgery, radiology tests and laboratory tests, is also available through Admitting Services from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm weekdays.
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MEALS
Inpatient meals are served at approximately 7:30 am, Noon and 5:00 pm. Each day you will receive a menu selection from Dietary Services allowing you to select your meals. If you have special dietary needs, your menu plans may be adjusted to meet these needs. Always check with your nurse before eating any snacks brought from home.
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YOUR PERSONAL PLAN OF CARE
While you are an inpatient in the hospital, your healthcare will be provided by a team of healthcare professionals. These professionals include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, case managers, discharge planners, physical therapists and assistants, occupational and speech therapists, spiritual care providers, dietitians, and others. This team approach will ensure that all your healthcare needs are being met.
You will be assigned a case manager to coordinate your care. Please expect a visit from your case manager, as well as your discharge planner. In addition to coordinating your care, your case manager may assist you and your family with social, emotional, or family problems, as well as educate you about your illness and possible lifestyle changes. Your case manager will also work with your physician, nurses, and other hospital personnel to ensure that you receive the most appropriate and efficient care while at St. Clare Medical Center.
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LEAVING THE HOSPITAL - DISCHARGE PROCESS
Our goal at St. Clare is to make the transition from hospital to home as easy and convenient as possible for our inpatients and their families. Typically your physician will discharge you during regular rounds. Once the paperwork is completed, you will be ready to go. The nursing staff will be happy to work with you and your family in coordinating your discharge time and follow-up plans.
If you need assistance with discharge plans, your nurse will put you in touch with a discharge planner. He or she will be happy to assist you with the discharge procedure and transportation plans. As a part of your discharge plan, your planner may also help you and your family locate and arrange for appropriate community resources, i.e., housing, community programs, finances and home support services. Various transportation options are available including The Sunshine Van and the local taxi service.
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REQUESTING YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS
To request information from your medical records, please call Health Information Services at 765-364-3125 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You will be asked to sign a release of information consent. Allow a 24-hour notice to the Health Information Services Department for processing. There may be a fee charged for this service depending upon who requests the records. The fee rate is set by the State of Indiana.
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UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
Healthcare facilities providing services in which there is a risk of skin, eye, mucous membrane, parenteral contact to human blood or other potentially infectious materials must practice Universal Precautions. Universal Precautions is the prevention of disease transmission through the use of infection control practices with all patients.
This hospital complies with the infection control practices required by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), which were adopted by Indiana law, Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) standards and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. The following control practices include, but are not limited to, those required by Universal Precautions and are used to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens to patients and treating staff:
- Appropriate use of protective barriers for hand contact, including gloves, masks, gowns, laboratory coats, and protective eyewear or face shields for procedures having the potential of creating a spray or splatter of blood or other potentially infectious materials.
- Gloves, when required, are changed and hands are washed after each patient.
- Heat stable, nondisposable instruments requiring sterilization that are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials are heat sterilized after treatment of each patient.
- Precautions are taken to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels, and other contaminated sharp instruments during procedures.
- Surfaces and equipment contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials that need not be sterilized are cleaned and disinfected after treatment of each patient. Disposable coverings may be used on some surfaces to prevent contamination.
- Infectious waste is placed in containers labeled with the biohazard symbol, impervious to moisture and of sufficient strength to prevent expulsion.
- Containers of infectious waste are stored in a secure area prior to treatment and final disposal.
- Patient care staff receives training on infection control practices.
The infection control procedures listed, and others that are not readily observable, protect you from disease transmission. Indiana law requires that health care facilities be committed to appropriate use of Universal Precautions. Any deviation from this commitment should be brought to the attention of the hospital.
If you are not satisfied with the explanation of Universal Precautions provided by this facility, you may file an official complaint with the Indiana State Department of Health by writing to the following address:
Indiana State Department of Health
c/o Universal Precautions Coordinator
1330 West Michigan Street
P. O. Box 1964
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1964
phone: 317-633-0825
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PATIENT COMPLAINTS
Patients may initiate any complaints with any member of the hospital staff; however, you may wish to contact the individual unit manager or administration.
All complaints will be reviewed by the individual unit manager or the hospital administrator. An administrative team will analyze all complaints and when indicated, take appropriate corrective action. The administrator has the ultimate responsibility to resolve or approve the resolution of patient complaints. You can reach members of the administrative team at 765-364-3100 or the nursing supervisor after hours by contacting the hospital operator asking to connect you. The patient and/or family will be provided feedback regarding the investigation of the complaint in a timely manner.
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