Thank you for choosing Orchard Hospital.  We are committed to providing you with quality service.  The following pages will provide you with information to help prepare and guide you through the inpatient/outpatient process.

Getting Started

When you arrive at Orchard Hospital, you will enter the Registration area, where a Registration Technician will complete your admission. Our Registration Technician will give you the following information and forms to sign:

• Admission Consent Form (All patients must sign this form)
• Surgery/Special Diagnostic Procedure Patients must sign a separate consent form(s) if applicable
• Information about Advance Directives
• Important Message from Medicare for patients covered by Medicare
• Detailed Notice of Discharge covering a patients right to appeal a discharge decision

To expedite your admission, please come prepared with the following items:

• A list of all medications you are currently taking
• Health insurance card, Medi-Cal or Medicare card, and photo identification (requested for your protection to ensure we have the correct patient in our system)
• Advance Health Care Directive form or other advance directives
• Your Social Security Number

Once in your room, you will be greeted by a member of our nursing staff. Your nurse will ask questions about your health history and will make an initial assessment of your condition.  He or she will also show you how to use the nurse call bell, television controls and will instruct you on general hospital procedures.

What to Bring

We suggest that you bring a few personal items that you will need as a patient.

• Slippers
• Bathrobe
• Toiletries

Valuables

All money, valuables, and sentimental value items are encouraged to be left at home or with family. Please keep track of your hearing aids and store eyeglasses or contact lenses in their cases.

Orchard Hospital cannot accept responsibility for:

• Valuables left in your room
• Breakage of dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc

Inpatient Stays

Your Medical Care

While you are hospitalized, your doctor is responsible for your medical treatment. Your doctor is a member of Orchard Hospital’s medical staff, a highly qualified group of physicians who have been carefully screened and selected to care for you.

Isolation Patients

It is sometimes necessary to isolate patients based on their current medical state.  We know this can be difficult, and we appreciate your cooperation with our isolation policies.

• The door will be identified with an isolation sign and kept closed
• Patients are restricted from visiting the hospital cafeteria and gift shop
• The staff and/or patient will wear protective gowns, gloves, and in some cases, masks

We Care About Our Patients

Under your doctor's leadership and guidance, you will be cared for by a trained team of health care professionals who will plan and institute a treatment program designed to help you recover from your illness or surgery.

Your healthcare team may include:

• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Registered Nurses
• Licensed Vocational Nurses
• Certified Nursing Assistants
• Respiratory Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Therapists
• Discharge Planners
• Registered Dietitians
• Other Medical Professionals

Medication

Your doctor will prescribe any medications you may need during your hospital stay. Your nurse will administer these medications as prescribed by your doctor. Please do not bring medicines from home, including over-the-counter items such as herbs or pain relievers. This is necessary so that your doctor can control your medication while you are hospitalized.

Food Services

While you are hospitalized, our team of Registered Dietitians will arrange your meal plan under your physician's direction. If you would like to speak with a Dietitian about your meals or have special dietary requirements based on cultural or religious practices, please ask your nurse to arrange a visit from your Dietitian. Because your physician may have ordered a special diet as part of your hospital care, we request that you talk to your nurse before eating food brought by family or friends.

* We offer a vegetarian menu as well as a regular menu.

** For the safety of everyone, patients will not be permitted in the cafeteria. If you have a particular request, please speak with your nurse.

Going Home: Preparing for your Discharge

Discharge Planning

Our Discharge Planning team begins making plans for your return home as soon as you enter the hospital. Discharge Planners oversee your transition home to ensure that all of your post-discharge medical needs are met.

Our staff will work with you and your healthcare providers to arrange for special equipment and home care services. We can also assist you with placement in a skilled nursing or residential facility if you require transitional care.

Preparing for Discharge

To help make your discharge a smooth process, the following is a list of things to have ready:

• A reliable ride to pick you up from the hospital.
• Gather all of your belongings, including any valuables.
• Confirm with your nurse any follow-up appointments, outpatient procedures or prescriptions your doctor may have changed or ordered for you.

Discharge Medications

Orchard Hospital will assist you if you need to fill a medication your doctor has prescribed. If you need to fill a prescription when leaving, we are happy to phone and/or fax your prescription to a pharmacy of your choice. Please bring your discharge instructions and discharge medication list to your first post-hospitalization office visit with your Primary Care Physician.