Your Hospital Stay
We strive to make your stay at Eden Medical Center the best it can be. We hope that this information is useful in preparing you for your hospital stay.
Know Your Caregivers | Participate in Your Care | Keep a Notebook | Pain Management | Infection Control | Patient Education | Spiritual Care | Bioethics | Change of Shift | Food and Nutrition | Parking | Safety & Security | Going HomeKnow Your Caregivers
Along with your physician, the registered nurse (RN) is your primary caregiver at the hospital and your main point of contact with other caregivers. Other nursing personnel, such as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) are important members of your nursing team. The state of California recently instituted mandatory nurse-to-patient staffing levels, which take effect in January 2004, and Eden Medical Center meets or exceeds these requirements, which vary for every unit. You will also receive care or assistance from other staff members. Laboratory technicians, radiology technologists, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians, housekeepers and others all play an important role in your hospital stay. Because the staff rotates shifts three times daily, you may not see the same faces throughout your stay. Every member of our staff wears a photo identification badge for security reasons. Feel free to ask names and responsibilities and request to see proper identification of anyone who enters your room. The rooms also have a message board, which can be used to write down the name of your registered nurse on each shift if you wish.
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Participate in Your Care
You know your health and your body better than anyone else. We encourage you to ask questions and provide information to the caregivers as often as possible in order to provide you with the best care that is right for you. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, inform your nurse, even if he or she has already asked you about your pain. You have a right to participate in every aspect of your care and decisions about your care. Feel free to ask questions of anyone who enters your room – staff members are required to wear identification, but you can ask the reason for their presence in the room, what procedures are being done and why. If you need a warm blanket, need the room cleaned or have any concern, let the staff know right away. You are not being a pest to the staff – we are here to take care of you. If you are not satisfied with an answer you receive or would like additional assistance, the unit manager can assist you as well.
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Keep a Notebook
Throughout your hospital stay, you will think of questions to ask your caregiver but may not always have the opportunity to ask right away. To help your remember important questions, we will provide you with a sheet called, "Ask Me!" as well as a notebook and pen to jot down questions as they arise. This is especially helpful for questions for the doctor or specialist, who are not on the unit your entire stay. You can also use this notebook to write down any unfamiliar terms, names of caregivers, tests and procedures, instructions or information you may wish to share with family members. The notebook is a good tool for family members to use to take notes as well, for those times when you may be asleep or on medication. We wil also provide you with a folder for you to keep all forms and records you receive throughout your hospital stay, as well as for your discharge instructions.
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Pain Management
Your comfort is of primary concern to us while you are in our care. While you are in the hospital, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort, alert the nursing staff so they can provide relief as quickly as possible. One of the most important things you can do while a patient is to let your nurse know when you are experiencing pain. When you notify the staff, you can expect a quick response, information about pain and pain relief measures, and effective pain management. Your nurse will ask you to rate any pain you are experiencing in a numerical scale. This will help the nurse learn a few ways to describe your pain as clearly as possible in order to make an accurate assessment and provide treatment. Our staff will ask you to define a realistic comfort goal so that we can best assist you. The goal of pain management is to reduce your level of pain to a degree that will allow you to carry on daily activities, although you may still experience some discomfort. The staff will reassess your pain -- often referred to as the "fifth vital sign" -- throughout your stay.
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Infection Control
Eden Medical Center takes special care in protecting patients, visitors and employees from the spread of infectious diseases. Hand washing is our most important preventive measure. You can assist in infection protection by washing your hands frequently. Your family members, if providing you with care, should also follow this same easy and effective prevention procedure. We also encourage you, at any time, to ask if your caregivers have washed their hands, both for your peace of mind and to encourage hand hygiene at all times.
You can expect that staff members will follow infection control practices while carrying out any procedure where the patient is involved. Standard precautions promote the use of gloves, gowns, masks and eye protection by health care workers when performing some procedures when there might be contact with body substances, i.e., drawing blood, starting an IV or emptying a bed pan. In addition, special care is taken in the disposal of linen, waste material and needles. Any questions about infection control may be addressed to the Infection Control Practitioner at (510) 727-2727.
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Patient Education
Education is an important part of the healing process. Your physician and nurse will provide you with information and education specific to your diagnosis and treatment. The staff can provide you with educational materials or videos, if available, to help you understand your diagnosis, your medications, and continuing care.
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Spiritual Care
Spiritual Care is available to patients and their family members for spiritual support and comfort. Our chaplain will visit patients upon request and can provide comfort, prayer, ceremony, or can assist you in contacting other individuals who can help meet your religious or spiritual needs. The chapel/meditation room is located on the first floor near the Intensive Care Unit and is open to patients and visitors. You can request a visit by informing your nurse, calling the hospital operator for assistance or contacting Eden's Social Work Services Department at (510)728-1614.
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Bioethics
Eden Medical Center provides the support of its Bioethics Committee to assist, educate and recommend alternative decisions for patients, family members or medical professionals who are facing an ethical dilemma. The committee is composed of physicians, nurses, social workers, the hospital’s spiritual care coordinator, administration and community liaison person.
The Bioethics Committee is an advisory committee that provides options and offers recommendations, not decisions, based on the information gathered.
To make a referral to or receive more information about the Bioethics Committee, contact Eden Medical Center’s Social Work Services Department at (510)728-1614.
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Change of Shift
Shift changes occur at 7:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. For approximately 30 minutes before and after each shift change, the nursing staff meets to discuss the care of every patient on the unit, provide direction to the oncoming shift and make any adjustments as needed. Generally, visitors are not allowed in the critical care areas or the nursing stations during the change of shift.
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Food and Nutrition
We've all heard the jokes about hospital food! Our Nutritional Services staff prepares fresh, nutritious and delicious meals daily and takes pride in offering more than the infamous lime Jello! Your meals are tailored specifically to your nutritional and healthcare needs as prescribed by your physician. This means that, if you are on a modified diet (such as for high blood pressure), you will receive a special low-salt, low-fat menu as directed by your physician. But low-fat doesn’t have to mean low taste. Take the time to complete your menu daily at the hospital to ensure you make the best selections based on your personal taste. Meals are generally served during the following times:
Your nutrition is an important part of your care and recovery while in the hospital. Consult your nurse before consuming food or beverages that are not part of the hospital menu. Well-meaning friends and family members may bring in food or drinks for your comfort, but these may interfere with medications or with diet modifications. The nursing staff and dietitians are happy to help you enjoy the comforts of home while ensuring your care and safety.
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Parking
Patient and visitor parking is free and close to the hospital. There is also a parking garage adjacent to the hospital with direct access to the hospital via the 5th floor. If you need to leave your car on campus for more than a day, please inform our Security personnel.
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Safety & Security
For your protection, the hospital conducts fire and disaster drills regularly. Eden Medical Center staff is trained in fire and disaster safety and evacuation procedures. If the fire alarm sounds, please remain calm, keep doors closed (after they close automatically), and await instruction from the staff. The staff will inform you of any actions that need to be taken. The medical center also conducts other safety and security drills regularly, and the staff will inform you if there is any action needed. Please feel free to ask the staff at any time about our safety practices and procedures, as well as any unfamiliar sounds or actions you may observe.
Please do not keep any valuables in your room at any time. We strongly encourage patients leave any valuables at home. Your valuables include jewelry (including wedding rings), money, credit cards, your wallet or purse, keys, etc. If you must bring these items, we can have our Security personnel store them in our safe; however, it is always best to leave your valuables in the safety of your home or in the care of a family member. It is very difficult for patients to watch over personal items when medicated, disoriented, if you must leave your room, in an emergency situation, or if valuables must be taken off for a procedure. Staff will do their best to secure these items for you, but it is quite easy to set jewelry, glasses, hearing aids, etc. on a food tray or have them lost in the linens without the staff's knowledge.
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Going Home
Your physician determines when you are ready to return home or be transferred to another facility, such as a rehabilitation unit, for further care. Eden’s health care team works with you throughout your stay to prepare you for home or transfer. For example, physical therapists will work with you during your stay to improve mobility, and occupational therapists will ensure that you have proper assistive devices (e.g., a walker or cane) as needed. Before discharge, the care team will provide you with information about how to care for yourself at home (or how your family may provide care for you), information on medications and follow-up care. Eden Medical Center’s Discharge Planning is also available to all patients. The case manager, working with you, your physician and other members of the health care team, coordinates services you need once discharged. These services include home care, acute rehabilitation, convalescent hospital care, and medical equipment. Feel free to contact any member of the staff if you have questions or concerns about your care after your hospital stay. You can reach a case manager through the nursing unit or by calling (510) 889-5040.
Click here for the Discharge Planning Guide
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