Your Hospital Stay
 

Admitting services is located at the main entrance of the hospital. We accept admissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, before 7:00 p.m. After that time, admissions are accepted through the Emergency Center entrance. The nursing supervisor is available 24 hours a day to accept direct admissions. You will be requested to complete all necessary admission requirements. You can expedite the admitting process by pre-registering and taking care of any pre-admission testing your doctor has ordered. To schedule an appointment, call the admissions department on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at 706.879.4741. A friend or relative may register for critically ill or emergency patients. If you have an advance directive, you will need to present it at the time of your admission. Some forms can only be signed by the patient or power of attorney (proof required).

Important papers you MUST bring:

• Medical insurance cards
• Photo Identification (legal photo ID, such as driver's license, passport, military ID, etc.)
• Name and address of employer
• Name, address, and telephone number of closest family member
• List of all medications you are currently taking
• Advance Directive (Living Will) and Durable Power of Attorney
• Consent Forms

You may be asked to sign consent forms for certain types of treatment, tests and/or procedures which should have been explained to you by your physician. If you do not understand the procedure or test you are asked to consent to, tell your nurse and your doctor will be notified. It is important for you to understand the risks, benefits and alternatives available to you for the services you will receive.

Personal Belongings

As we cannot accept responsibility for personal items or valuables left in your room, we strongly encourage you to give money, medications, credit cards, wallets, jewelry, etc. to a family member to take home. You will only need a few personal items during your stay.

The following checklist might be helpful as you prepare for your admittance:

• Nightwear, robe, rubber-soled slippers (hospital gowns are available)
• Personal toiletries (makeup, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, dentures, etc.)
• Reading materials and your address book
• Phone calling card

If you are packing for your child, you may wish to include:

• Comfortable nightclothes (child-size hospital gowns are available)
• A special toy or two, clearly labeled with your child’s name
• Coloring books, crayons, books, etc.

Your Hospital Room

Your room includes a bedside stand with a console, and a nurse call button that rings at the nurse’s station. A staff member will respond to your signal as soon as possible. Your bed has an electrical control enabling you to raise or lower the foot or the head of the bed. There is an emergency button in your bathroom and an emergency cord in the shower should you require assistance. Extra pillows and blankets are available simply by asking your nurse.

Telephones

All rooms (except ICU) have a telephone so that guests can keep in touch with friends and family. The phone number to your room is a 7 plus your room number. To make a local call from your room, dial 9 to get an outside line, and then dial the number you wish to call. All long distance calls must be made with a valid credit card or by calling collect. To make a long distance call, dial 9 for an outside line, then 0 plus the area code and number. After you hear the tone, dial your telephone credit card number. To reach the operator, dial 0.

Television

Your room is furnished with cable television. The television is operated using the remote attached to your bed. One press on the button above the “Nurse Call” button turns on the television. Press that button again to change channels. Hold in that same button to turn off the television. A button on the upper right hand side of the remote controls the volume. Please keep the volume low so other guests are not disturbed. Talk with your nurse if you have any questions about the television.

Wireless Internet Access

For patients or visitors wishing to use laptops within the hospital, the hospital provides wireless internet access. Each nursing station has an access code that can be given upon request. Use the code to log into the internet, and once logged in, you may browse like you normally would in your own home.

Your Health Care Team

Many people work as part of your health care team. Your physician directs your medical care and prescribes your treatment. Your nursing care is directed by experienced registered nurses that work closely with your physician to care for you. Licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, technologists and therapists, with extensive training in their fields, are only a few of the skilled professionals who give care, administer and analyze tests, provide rehabilitation and prescribed treatment, take x-rays, plan for your nutritional needs, and plan your discharge. If you have questions about your care, please direct any questions to the primary nurse, charge nurse, or your physician.

Pastoral Care

Spiritual care can be an important part of total healing. Our Chaplain and his team of volunteer chaplains make routine patient visits every day. You or your family may request a chaplain by calling the Chaplain's office at extension 2203, or by placing a request with your nursing staff. If you prefer, you can contact your own minister, rabbi, or priest.

Compliments/Suggestions

Gordon Hospital encourages feedback regarding patients’ experiences. This information serves as an opportunity to improve our future care and services to you. “Share a Compliment” and “Share a Suggestion” cards are available throughout the hospital or you may request that a staff member provide you with one. Because we want to provide the best customer service to you and your family, every employee attends training through our SHARE program.

SHARE stands for:

• Sense people’s needs before they ask.
• Help each other out.
• Acknowledge people’s feelings.
• Respect the dignity and privacy of others.
• Explain what’s happening.

Your Opinion

Your satisfaction is so important that we actually measure it. In a few weeks, you may receive a call from our field research group. Using a scale of 1 to 5, you will be asked to rate your satisfaction with Gordon. Since your opinion counts, we hope you will take a few minutes to answer the questions our researcher asks. Our goal is to exceed your expectations during your stay with us. We strive for a score of 5, and we hope that you are completely satisfied.

Bank ATM

An ATM (North Georgia National Bank) is located on the first floor, in the Emergency Center lobby.

Parking

Free patient and visitor parking is available in front of the hospital entrance. Special parking spaces are available for Emergency Center physicians and patients near the Emergency entrance. Parking spaces are also designated for chaplains and the handicapped.

Flowers & Mail

Hospital volunteers deliver flowers and mail to guest rooms daily. No live flowers are allowed in ICU. Any mail received after discharge will be forwarded to the guest’s home. Mail should be addressed:

Patient Name and Room Number
C/O Gordon Hospital
P.O. Box 12938
Calhoun, GA 30703-7013

Friends and family members may also send Ecards to hospital patients or send prayer requests.

Newspapers

Complimentary copies of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution are available for patients at each nursing unit on weekday mornings. Please ask a staff member for a copy. Copies of The Calhoun Times are delivered to the information desk in the main lobby on Wednesday afternoons.

Our Smoke Free Policy

As a health institution, Gordon Hospital recognizes the hazards of smoking and has adopted a no smoking policy. Patients, visitors, employees, physicians and volunteers are not permitted to smoke on the indoor premises. For your health and the health of others, smoking is only permitted outside of the hospital in the designated area near the Garden of Hope. Please speak with your physician in regards to alternative measures. The use of tobacco products is harmful to your health, and can contribute to disease and death. We offer a free smoking cessation program entitle “Breathe Free”. Call 706.879.4718 for more information.