A Positive Experience

Whether recovering from a complex procedure or welcoming a new baby into the family, we strive to offer patients a comfortable setting and convenient amenities.

All of Monroe Clinic's employees are responsible for providing you with service that meets or exceeds your expectations. You should feel free to bring any concerns or problems to their attention. When you have any immediate needs, please ask a nurse or physician for assistance. If you have any questions or concerns you feel have not been resolved to your satisfaction, please call the patient advocate at extension 1400 during normal business hours.

Admissions

Whether you're at Monroe Clinic for just the morning or several days, our goal is to help you have a speedy recovery and get back home quickly.

The day of your procedure, enter the hospital at the front entrance and tell the receptionist that you are scheduled for surgery. You will then be escorted to your destination in the Monroe Clinic hospital. When you arrive wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that can easily be removed and will not irritate your surgical area. It is best not to wear makeup, nail polish or jewelry. We suggest you leave cash, extra credit cards and other valuables at home.

In addition, you should consider bringing the following items with you the day of your surgery:

• Insurance ID card(s) and drug insurance card(s)
• Medicare or Medicaid ID card
• Check or credit card to pay for services or prescriptions
• Advance directives or living will
• Sleepwear, bath robe, slippers
• Personal grooming items
• Containers for dentures, contact lenses, eyeglasses
• List of your current medications

While you are in surgery at Monroe Clinic your family or friends are provided with a beeper. The beeper will notify them when your surgery is complete and your surgeon will meet them at a predetermined location to provide an update.

Visitor Policies and Hours

• Only two visitors allowed at a time
• Visits should be kept short
• Family members may choose to stay overnight at Monroe Clinic Inn
• Children need to be accompanied by an adult
• Make arrangements with nursing staff prior to visiting children
• If a visitor is sick, ask them to wait to visit until they feel better-to avoid spreading germs to you or other patients-or to pick up a mask upon arrival at Monroe Clinic

See also:

Your Hospital Team
Going Home
Monroe Clinic Cafeteria
Patient Forms

Your Hospital Team

While in the hospital, you will be supported by a knowledgeable team of caregivers whose skills are collectively focused on your health, comfort and recovery. All members of your team are here for you to meet your care needs and answer your questions-or to find someone who can.

• Admitting Physician. The physician who admits you will coordinate your care while you are in the hospital and answer questions about your illness or treatment plan.
• Nursing Staff. A team of professional registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse assistants provides 24-hour nursing care. A nurse manager is responsible for directing and coordinating nursing care on each unit. Please feel free to contact your nurse or the nurse manager if you have questions or concerns.
• Hospitalists. The hospitalist service (PDF) includes of a team of physicians and nurses who specialize in caring only for hospitalized patients. Your hospitalist physician is board certified in internal medicine, serves as your primary care physician's "partner" during your hospital stay. The hospitalist physician will be in daily contact with your primary care physician discussing your medical history and collaborating on the most appropriate treatment plan for your course of treatment and is accessible to speak with you and your family 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Dietitians.A staff of full-time registered dietitians is available to meet your dietary needs during your stay. If you have questions about your meals or diet, call ext.1240.
• Volunteers.Volunteers provide many services to help ensure your comfort while you are a patient at Monroe Clinic, are trained to work in a patient care setting, and share our employees' concern for your confidentiality and privacy. For more information about our Volunteer services, click here.

Going Home

When you are well enough to leave, your physician will write a discharge order. Your physician and nurse will review any instructions for your continued care. Checkout time is 11 a.m. As a service to our patients, the pharmacy fills take-home prescriptions. These charges are not paid by your clinic insurance plan, and will not be added to your bill. Payment by credit card, drug insurance card or cash (including co-pays) will be accepted.

Standards for Privacy of Protected Health Information
You have the right to request that your hospital stay remain confidential. If you would like to receive deliveries of cards and flowers however, then we will need to include your name in the hospital directory. Your name will also appear on a list for clergy members of your faith. For detailed information about Monroe Clinic's privacy practices, click here (PDF).