Patient Information
Your Room
Your room assignment is based on your admitting diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission. Private (single bed) and semi-private (two bed) rooms are available. Insurance usually does not cover the full cost of a private room.
Calling Your Nurse
A button to call your nurse is located at your bedside. When you press the button, the nurses' station is alerted that you need assistance, and you may speak to the nurse to convey your concerns. A member of the Caro Community Hospital staff will respond to your call as soon as possible.
Your Bed
Hospital beds are electrically operated, and your nurse will show you how to work yours properly. Your hospital bed is probably higher and narrower than your bed at home, so you should try to remember that it may affect your movement a little bit.
Telephones
Telephones are provided in each room, except in the monitoring unit. Patients may receive calls in their room during their stay. Local calls may be made from patient rooms by dialing “8” and the number.
Long-distance calls may be made by going through the hospital operator: dial “0” to begin. These calls may not be charged to the patient room, so they will need to be prepaid (calling card or collect). You may dial the hospital operator at “0” from 6:30 AM until midnight.
Cellular Phones
Due to the potential risk of interfering with patient equipment, Caro Community Hospital restricts the use of wireless communication devices. These may be used in the hospital's lobby area only, and should be turned off in all other areas.
Television
Color television sets are provided in each patient room, except in the monitoring unit. Please be considerate of other patients by keeping the volume low, and by turning your set off at bedtime.
Food Service
Wholesome, nourishing, and well-balanced meals are an important part of your treatment and recovery. Caro Community Hospital makes every effort to provide nutritious meals that are prepared according to your doctor's orders 7:30 AM; lunch at approximately 11:30 AM; and dinner at approximately 4:30 PM. Occasionally, your meal may be delayed if your are scheduled for a special test or treatment. Whenever possible, you will be served after your examination or test.
Your breakfast tray will include a menu from which you can order your meals for the next day. Please mark your menu so it will be ready for pickup; if you require assistance, please notify a member of the nursing staff. If you are on a special diet prescribed by your doctor, you will receive menus tailored to your specific needs.
If a family member or friend would like you eat in your room with you, he or she may go to the cafeteria, buy a meal there, and take it back to your room.
Cafeteria
The CCH cafeteria is open daily from 8:00AM to 10:30 AM for breakfast; 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM for lunch; and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM for dinner. While it is primarily designed to serve hospital employees, visitors are welcome to eat in the cafeteria any time it is open.
Vending Machines
Vending Machines for beverages are located in the ER waiting room and are available 24 hours a day.
The Medical Staff
Your admitting physician is responsible for directing your care while you are in the hospital. As the coordinator for your treatment program, he or she should be consulted if you have any questions about you hospitalization.
The Nursing Staff
A team of professional registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse assistants provide 24-hour nursing care at the Caro Community Hospital. The Director of Nursing, along with the Nursing Supervisors, coordinate nursing care at all times. Please feel free to contact your nurse of the Director of Nursing if you have questions or concerns.
Dietitian
Caro Community Hospital maintains a full-time Registered Dietitian to meet your dietary needs during your stay. If you have questions about your meals or your diet during your stay, please let your nurse know and your concerns will be conveyed to the Dietitian.
Social Services
The Director of Social Services at Caro Community Hospital is trained to help patients and their families deal with financial, social, and emotional problems that relate to illness or hospitalization, including, including long-term care, rehabilitation, and discharged planning.
Housekeepers
A member of the housekeeping staff cleans your room daily, striving to maintain the environment dedicated to your healing in a spotless manner. If you should have any concerns, please tell your nurse and they will be addressed as soon as possible.
Volunteers
A large number of volunteers contribute many hours of service and assistance to Caro Community Hospital. They may be members of the CCH Board of Trustees, CCH Endowment Foundation, the CCH Auxiliary, or others dedicated to the continued operation of this hospital.
Other Personnel
Other health care professionals may visit you during your stay here, including personnel from the Laboratory, Radiology, and Physical or Respiratory Therapy Departments. Behind the scenes, many others working daily for you, including accountants, custodians, secretaries, food service workers, and many others.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited in Caro Community Hospital. Persons wishing to smoke will be directed to designated areas outside the building. Patients wishing to smoke must have a physician's order.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available throughout the hospital. We suggest you ask for assistance when getting in or out of them.
Fire Drills
For your protection, CCH conducts fire and disaster drills regularly. If either occurs while you are here, please remain in your room and do not be alarmed. The hospital is a fire-resistant building and the staff is trained in fire protection.
Oxygen
Special regulations are in effect wherever patients are receiving oxygen.
Medications
While you are in CCH, all medications you take are prescribed by your physician, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy, and administered by a nurse. Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or keep personal medications at their bedsides. If medications are brought to the hospital from home, the nursing staff will lock them up during the patient's hospitalization.
Valuable or Lost Items
Patients are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. If you do, however, they should be deposited in the hospital safe. You will be given a written receipt for all items, which must be presented when you withdraw them. Caro Community Hospital does not accept responsibility for items of value unless they are deposited in the safe.
Advance Directive
If you are 18 years old or older and mentally able, you have the right to make decisions about your medical treatment. If you want to control decisions about your health care, so that when you become unable to make or express them yourself, you will need an Advance Directive. This is a set of instructions you give about the health care you want, in the event that you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. These forms are available from the CCH Social Services Department.
CCH staff members will deliver letters and packages for patients. Letters and parcels that arrive after you have been discharged will be forwarded to your home. Stamps may be purchased in the hospital Gift Shop, located in the front lobby area. Outgoing mail may be left at the nurses' station.
Flowers and Newspaper
CCH staff members will deliver flowers to your room. Please keep in mind that large plants and flowers are difficult to deliver and remove upon discharge. Local newspapers may be purchased in the hospital Gift Shop.
Notary Public
The services of a notary for health care reasons are available for patients at no charge. Please ask your nurse for details.
Gift Shop
The Caro Community Hospital Heartfelt Gift Shop, staffed by volunteers from the CCH Auxiliary is open daily from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Items are always affordable an usually unique, including gifts, jewelry, books, newspapers, greeting cards, candy, and selected clothing items. In addition, the Gift Shop offers special sales throughout the year, including a popular Christmas gift sale. The Gift Shop extension number is 2313.
For the Hearing Impaired
Arrangements with an interpreter can be made for a hearing-impaired or deaf patient. If you should require these services, please have someone let your nurse know.
If You Have Health Insurance
We will need a copy of your health insurance cards. We may also need the insurance forms, which are supplied by your employer or your insurance company. You will be asked to assign benefits from the insurance company directly to CCH.
If You Are a Member of an HMO or PPO
Your plan may have special requirements, such as a second surgical opinion or precertification for certain tests, procedures, or inpatient admission. It is your responsibility to make sure the requirements are met. If your plan’s requirements are not followed, you will be financially responsible for all or part of the services rendered by the hospital and/or respective providers
If You Are Covered by Medicare/ Medicaid
We will need a copy of your Medicare card to verify eligibility and process your Medicare claim. You should be aware that Medicare specifically excludes payment for certain items and services, such as cosmetic surgery, some oral surgery procedures, personal comfort items, outpatient self-administered drugs (oral medications, etc.), and patient-requested private rooms. Deductibles and co-payments also are the responsibility of the patient.
Supplemental insurance will be billed by our staff. We will need a copy of you Medicaid card to determine which program you are enrolled in and what benefits are available for you.
If You Have No Insurance
A representative from the hospital will discuss financial arrangements with you. A hospital representative is also available to assist you in applying for Medicaid, other government assistance programs, or a charity care application, if eligible.
Your Caro Community Hospital Bill
The hospital will submit to your insurance company, and will do everything possible to expedite your claim. You should remember, however, that your policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, and you have the final responsibility for payment of your hospital bill.
Caro Community Hospital will bill you for the difference between your total bill and that portion which your insurance company elects to pay.
If you have certain tests or treatments in the hospital, you may receive bills from physicians you have not seen in person. These bills are for diagnosing and interpreting test results while you were a patient. Pathologists, radiologist, emergency room physicians, anesthetists, and other specialists perform these services and are required to submit separate bills you your insurance carrier. If you have questions about these bills, please call the number on the statement you receive from them.
Going Home
When your physician decides you are ready to leave the hospital, a discharge order will be written. You may want to make arrangements with a family member or friend to help you when it’s time to go home. The following are important things to remember as you prepare to leave the hospital.
Discharge Time
Physicians see patients throughout the day at Caro Community Hospital. If your physician feels that you are ready to go home, a discharge order will be written. Nursing will inform you of the approximate time your discharge instructions will be ready.
Personal Belongings
Please collect all your belongings and double-check closets and drawers. If you have anything stored in the hospital safe, please notify nursing and arrangements will be made to bring those belongings to you.
Discharge Instructions
Your physician and your nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care. If you have questions about your diet, activities, or other matters, please be sure to ask.
Medications
If your physician gives you a prescription, it can be filled at the pharmacy of your choice. If you brought your medications from home that were kept at the nurses’ station, please notify nursing and these medications will be returned to you at the time of discharge.
Transportation Service
When you are ready to leave, a member of the CCH staff will escort you to the front entrance and help you into your car.
After Your Discharge
There are occasions when patients need additional treatment or care after they are discharged from Caro Community Hospital. If your condition at discharge warrants Home Health Care or Home Medical Equipment, a list of these resources will be provided to you. You may choose the agency your prefer, and the CCH Director of Social Services will make the appropriate referrals.
If You Have Further Questions
Many patients have additional questions and concerns after they have been discharged from the hospital. Naturally, most of these are properly directed to your personal physician. However, if you have any questions or concerns that relate to your hospital stay, please do not hesitate to contact Caro Community Hospital. When you explain the reason for your call, you will be referred to the appropriate person who can help you.
Standards for Privacy of Protected Health Information
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you have rights concerning the use of individually identifiable health information. Only individuals with a legitimate “need to know” may access, use, or disclose patient information. Protected health information may be released to other covered health care providers without patient authorization if used for treatment, payment, health care operations, or for public purposes as permitted by state and federal laws. Disclosure of protected health information for uses and disclosures outside treatment, payment, and health care operations require patient authorization.
If You Have a Question or Concern
At Caro Community Hospital, we seek to treat our patients with fairness and concern. If you have any questions or problems that have not been addressed to your satisfaction, please advise our Compliance and Risk Management Department; its extension number is 2241.