PATIENT GUIDE. What Are Advance Directives? SAVE MONEY NOW! START PLANNING KEEP TRACK OF MEDS. SPEAK UP Ask questions and voice concerns. See page 11.

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1 REMEMBER TO SPEAK UP Ask questions and voice concerns. See page 11. SAVE MONEY NOW! MDSave can help. Page 33 What Are Advance Directives? Page 21 START PLANNING Your Discharge Now! Page 28 KEEP TRACK OF MEDS while in the Hospital. Page 43 Fall 2017 beaufortmemorial.org (843) PATIENT GUIDE

2 Getting kidney disease was never your choice. But your dialysis options are. If you re dealing with kidney disease, you should know you have a choice of treatment options. Fresenius Kidney Care, the leader in dialysis treatment, is here to help you understand them with our Treatment Options Program. For a program near you, call (888) Fresenius Medical Care Low Country 10 Johnny Morrall Circle, Two Professional Drive Port Royal, SC Included. Did you know that River Oaks includes housekeeping, transportation and chef-prepared meals? River Oaks offers all these great amenities along with the safety and security from our highly trained staff to offer the right amount of support when needed in our assisted living or in our new specialized memory care community Lady s Island Drive Port Royal, SC (843) Ask About Our New Secured Memory Care Program! Rates Starting at $ per Month No Move-In Fee for a Limited Time! A Company Providing Exceptional Assisted Living Care Where you choose how to live your life!

3 In This Guide Welcome to Beaufort Memorial Hospital 3 About Us 4 Telephone Directory 5 During Your Stay 6-10 Visiting Hours 6 Your Room 6 Calling Your Nurse 6 Preventing Infections 6 Telephone 7 Medications 7 Valuables 7 Smoking 7 Interpreters 7 Cafeteria 8 Security 8 Fire Safety 8 Latex Balloon Policy 8 TV 8 Flowers 8 Internet Access 8 Television Channel Listing 9 Music Channel Listing 9 Gift Shop 10 Chapel 10 Cheer Cards 10 Patient Meals/Guest Trays 10 Get Vaccinated 10 Speak Up Take charge of your care Get Vaccinated Flu and pneumonia shots offered here. 11 Speak Up Take charge of your care. 18 Stay Safe You can contribute to health care safety. TM The editorial content displayed here is the responsibility of PatientPoint. This material is for your educational use only. It does not contain, nor should it be construed as containing, medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making any lifestyle or treatment changes. Sponsors are responsible for the material provided, and your healthcare provider s participation in the program does not represent an explicit or implied endorsement of any material presented. The people shown are models and are not known to have any health condition. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Image credits: Getty Images, istockphoto PatientPoint Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide beaufortmemorial.org : 1

4 In This Guide continued 28 Don t Leave Until... 6 things you should know before you walk out the door. 34 For the Caregiver Your role as patient advocate. 36 Resources Your Rights & Responsibilities Patient Guide to Medicare Outpatient Observation Stay Safe You can contribute to health care safety What Are Your Advance Directives? Do You Have Pain? 23 Word Search 24 Sudoku 25 Your Privacy & Information Don t Leave Until Preparing for Discharge For the Caregiver 34 Your role as a patient advocate. Giving Back 35 BMH Foundation 35 Volunteer 35 Resources Staff Definitions 36 Wound Care Center 37 OneBlood 38 Blood Conservation Program 38 Rehab Services 38 Lewis Blackman Hospital Patient Safety Act 39 LifeFit Wellness Services 40 Diabetes Education Program 40 LifeFit Wellness Center 40 Chest Pain/Heart Attack & Stroke 41 Quit Smoking 41 Caregiver Resources 42 Universal Medication Form : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide

5 Welcome to Beaufort Memorial Hospital Thank you for choosing Beaufort Memorial for your health care needs. We want you to know you can count on us to meet and exceed your expectations while you are in our care. Our top priority is your safety and the safety of our staff. In addition to earning the gold seal of approval from The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, we recently received several awards and recognition for quality and safety, including: n Leapfrog Group s Grade A Award for quality and safety n Hospital Compare s four-star rating for Medicare patient outcomes n Commission on Cancer s Accreditation with Commendation for oncology services n National Comprehensive Breast Care Certification for the Women s Imaging Center n American Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation certification n The Joint Commission s disease-specific certification for total hip and knee replacements n Blue Cross & Blue Shield s disease-specific certification for obstetrical care If you have questions or suggestions during your stay, please contact your nurse or any member of our staff we value your feedback. In the meantime, I hope you will take advantage of a convenient way to access your medical information: MyBMH Patient Portal. Visit or call the MyBMH Support Center 24/7 at or toll-free at Once again, thank you for choosing Beaufort Memorial. Russell Baxley, MHA President and CEO Mission To deliver superior health care services to our patients and to improve the health of our community. Vision To exceed expectations for quality and excellence. Culture To implement our vision of quality and excellence through our core values. Core Values Integrity Know the right thing and DO it consistently Compassion Act with genuine concern for the wellbeing of others Communication Respectfully seek and share communication Responsibility Be collectively and personally accountable for the success of BMH Safety Keep patients, visitors, co-workers and ourselves free from injury and harm beaufortmemorial.org : 3

6 About Us OUR ADDRESS 955 Ribaut Rd. Beaufort, SC Your Opinion Counts Soon after your discharge, an independent company may call you on behalf of this hospital to conduct a confidential patient satisfaction survey. Please take the time to speak with the representative and share your opinions about your hospital stay. Your feedback is an important part of our goal of improving the care and services we provide. Patient Satisfaction Survey Beaufort Memorial Hospital uses an independent research firm, HealthStream Research, as the administrator of our Patient Satisfaction Survey. As an inpatient who has received services at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, you may be contacted by HealthStream to gain knowledge about your experiences and the quality of our care and services while you were here. HealthStream randomly selects patients to survey. If you are chosen, you will receive a phone call from a HealthStream representative shortly after your visit with us. The HealthStream representative will ask you questions about your satisfaction with the care that you received at Beaufort Memorial. Your opinions will help us improve our services or simply give our staff a pat on the back for a job well done. We hope you will take a few minutes to share your opinions with HealthStream. If you prefer not to be contacted, please inform a Beaufort Memorial staff member as soon as possible. Your individual responses will remain confidential and anonymous, unless you request to be contacted by a staff member. If you have questions or concerns about this survey, please contact the patient advocate at : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

7 Telephone Directory Department Extension Admitting/Patient Registration 5759 Birthing Center 5176 BMH Foundation 5774 Care Coordination/Discharge Planning 5052 Dietary Office 5643 Doctor Referral 5152 Emergency Department 5101 Food & Nutrition Services 5644 Gift Shop 5733 Human Resources 5680 Information/Lobby 5730 Intensive Care Unit 5286 Laboratory 5125 Marketing and Communications 5171 Mental Health Services 5269 Operator 5200 Patient Care Services 7652 Patient/Family Advocate 5172 Patient Financial Services 5150 Radiology 5130 Rehabilitation Services 5630 Scheduling 5015 Security Services 5800 Volunteer Services 7928 Women s Imaging Center 5029 Wound Care Center 5300 MAIN NUMBER Billing (A-L last names) (M-Z last names) Cafeteria Care Coordination/ Discharge Planning Gift Shop Patient Information/Lobby Please visit us at beaufortmemorial.org. Calling a Department WITHIN the Hospital? Simply dial the four-digit extension beaufortmemorial.org : 5

8 During Your Stay VISITING HOURS Regular visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Patients may have one visitor in the ED and up to two visitors at a time in their inpatient room. Children under age 13 are discouraged from visiting the hospital. If children under age 13 do visit the hospital, they must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Parents/adults with minor children are responsible for their children s safety/welfare while visiting this facility. The hospital allows a family member, friend or other individual to be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of the stay. The patient has the right to designate his or her visitor or deny visitor consent. There may be circumstances where patient visitation may be limited for the safety and well-being of staff, patients and visitors. Ask your nurse for a full listing of visitation restrictions, which can be found in the Patient Visitation Policy (RRI 05.12). We have policies and procedures in place to ensure patient and visitor privacy and safety, and to help you and your family work with our doctors, nurses and staff to get the most from your hospital stay. Please take a few minutes to review these guidelines with your loved ones. n Mental Health Unit Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, no visiting hours due to group scheduling Saturday, Sunday & holidays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors need to be 18 years of age or older. n Acute Rehabilitation Unit To help maximize patient treatment schedule, visiting hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. n Ante-Partum Visitors are allowed after Triage is completed. n Nursery n Parents of boarding infants in boarder room n Grandparents may visit with the banded parent n Parents of sick newborn unable to leave the nursery Your Room Your room assignment is based on your admitting diagnosis and bed availability. Each hospital room has its own thermostat that you are welcome to adjust if needed. Calling Your Nurse If you need assistance, you may use the nurse call button on the TV remote (red square with the white plus sign) or call your nurse/cna directly using the house phone and the four-digit number on the whiteboard. Preventing Infections n If you have an intravenous catheter, keep the skin around the dressing clean and dry. n If you have a dressing on a wound, let your nurse know promptly if the dressing gets loose or wet. n Let your nurse know if your gowns or linens are soiled. 6 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

9 n If you have any type of catheter or drainage tube, let your nurse know promptly if it becomes loose or dislodged. n Some patients are on isolation precautions. This is done to protect the patient and others from infectious diseases. Gloves, gowns and masks are sometimes required. Telephone Telephones are in all patient rooms, except in ICU. Most patient phone numbers are the same as their room number. For example, if you are in room 324, your phone number is If you are staying in a semiprivate room, the bed closest to the door is Bed A and the bed closest to the window is Bed B. Please refer to the instructions below to determine your telephone number, or ask your nurse for assistance. If you are located in Rehabilitation Unit, 2 Central or PCU: Bed A, dial the three-digit room number Bed B, dial the three-digit room number If you are located on the third floor in Room 330: Bed A, dial Bed B, dial If you are located on the fourth floor in Room 430: Bed A, dial Bed B, dial To call someone within the hospital, just dial the fourdigit extension. To make outside (local) calls, dial 9 + number. There is no charge for local calls. If you have any problems, dial 0 and the hospital operator will assist you. Medications If you take any medications regularly, you should put them in a bag and bring them with you to the hospital. Your nurse and pharmacist need to know which medicines you are taking. As soon as your nurse makes a note of all your medicines, ask a family member or friend to take them back home. The hospital pharmacy will provide all your medicine during your stay. Please Leave Your Valuables At Home Beaufort Memorial Hospital cannot be responsible for misplaced or stolen pieces of personal property. To prevent such losses, we advise you to send your valuables home with a family member or friend. Valuables If your valuables cannot be sent home, please deposit them in the hospital safe. To store your valuables, ask your nurse to contact a security officer. Smoking Our campus is entirely smoke free. Interpreters Assistance is available for patients who are visually or hearing impaired, or for non-english speaking patients. Let your nurse know if you need any of these services; reasonable accommodations will be made. beaufortmemorial.org : 7

10 During Your Stay Where s the Cafeteria? The Riverview Cafeteria is located on the hospital s lower level. HOURS OF OPERATION: Breakfast 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dinner 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Night Shift 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. For your convenience, a canteen and vending machines are located on the lower level outside of the cafeteria. Vending machines also are located in the Emergency Room and Maternity areas. Security Hospital security officers are available to maintain a secure environment for our patients and visitors. They can be called on to escort visitors to their cars in the parking lot and can help with minor emergencies, like a dead battery. For assistance, call the operator and he or she will contact a security officer for you. Fire Safety For your protection, the hospital conducts fire and disaster drills regularly. If a drill 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 fully trained in fire protection. If you are in danger, the staff will evacuate you. Latex Balloon Policy Latex balloons are not permitted in BMH; please use foil or Mylar balloons as an alternative. TV Color TVs with cable access are provided free of charge. Each TV has a remote control. Please be considerate of other patients by keeping the volume down and turning your TV off at bedtime. Let your nurse know if you have any problems with your TV. Flowers Mail and packages will be delivered to you by a hospital volunteer. Individual florists deliver flowers to patient rooms. Please note that flowers are prohibited in Intensive Care units. Patient mail received after discharge will be forwarded to the patient s home. Outgoing mail may be taken to the nursing station or given to your attending nurse. Internet Access To use wireless internet access by connecting to the Beaufort Network, you first need a wireless network adapter that is B compliant. Please use the following steps to connect: n Double click your wireless connection in your task tray (next to your clock). n Under the general tab, click View Wireless Networks. n Choose the Beaufort Network and click connect, or simply double click it. 8 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

11 TV Channel Listing 2 PBS - Pembroke, GA 3 NBC - Savannah, GA 4 ABC - Savannah, GA 5 Hargray Channel 6 The Weather Channel 7 PBS - Beaufort, SC 8 WHHI 9 Govt. Access/Military 10 FOX - Savannah, GA 11 CBS - Savannah, GA 12 WGN - Superstation-Chicago 13 CW - Baxley, GA 14 Oxygen Channel 15 Lifetime Network 16 WE - Womens Entertainment 17 BIO 18 Bravo 19 Food Network 20 The Golf Channel 21 NBC Sports Network 22 Sports South 23 ESPN 24 ESPN2 25 ESPN Classic 26 NFL Network 27 Speed 28 Big Ten Network 29 USA Network 30 FX 31 TNT 32 Animal Planet 33 BET 34 A&E 35 Syfy 36 Discovery Fit & Health 37 trutv 38 History 39 The Discovery Channel 40 National Geographic 41 HGTV - Home & Garden TV 42 TLC 43 The Travel Channel 44 CNN 45 CNN Headline News 46 MSNBC 47 Fox News Channel 48 CNBC 49 E! Entertainment TV 50 American Movie Classics 51 Turner Classic Movies 52 WTBS - Superstation 53 Spike TV 54 Comedy Central 55 TV Land 56 The Disney Channel 57 Disney XD 58 Nickelodeon 59 Cartoon Network 77 Univision 84 Patient Channel 85 Health Education 87 Care Channel 95 Freeform 96 MTV 97 VH1 98 Rolling Guide 99 CMT Music Channels 69 Classic Country 70 Today s Country 71 R&B Classics 72 Soft Rock 73 Singers and Swing 74 Soundscapes 75 Light Classical 76 Pop Latino beaufortmemorial.org : 9

12 During Your Stay Gift Shop Our gift shop is conveniently located off the main lobby. It features a variety of items including candy, flowers, books, CDs, magazines and other gift ideas. Friends and family who are unable to visit the hospital can order cards and gifts on the hospital s website, and our volunteers will deliver them to the patient s room. Chapel The chapel is located on the first floor next to the Cochrane Heart Center. Cheer Cards Friends and family can send free greeting cards to hospitalized friends and loved ones by logging onto the hospital s website. Click on Patients & Visitors, then click on Patient Cheer Cards; select a card and our volunteers will have them delivered to a patient s room. Patient Meals/Guest Trays Your meals will be prepared according to your doctor s order. We are pleased to offer At Your Request Room Service Dining. This innovative program allows you to select meals from a variety of foods designed to enhance your experience as though you were eating at your favorite restaurant. Place your meal orders between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. by calling the At Your Request operator at ext. FOOD (3663) or from an outside line. Your meal will be delivered within 45 minutes or less from the time you order your meal or at the time you specified when you ordered. Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you have any problems with your meals or food service, please contact the dietary supervisor at ext Guest trays can be purchased for visitors during normal business hours in the Riverview Cafeteria. Guest trays are delivered with patient meals; please use the menu in the room for meal selections. The cost for breakfast is $3; lunch and dinner are $5 each. Get Vaccinated All Beaufort Memorial Hospital employees are required to get flu vaccinations, and we urge the community to do the same. So if you qualify, why not let us vaccinate you while you are here? Flu Vaccines Yearly vaccine. Age 6 months and up. Given during flu season October through March. Pneumonia Vaccines Only one or two doses required. Given all year round. If first dose at age 64 or younger, get second dose five years later, no further doses required. If first dose at age 65 or older, no further doses required. Ask your nurse about receiving your vaccinations today. Let him or her know of any severe allergic reaction to vaccine in the past, severe allergy to eggs or history of Guillian-Barre Syndrome. 10 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

13 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Boldness be my friend. Speak Up! Take charge of your care. During your stay, the doctors, nurses and staff of your hospital will treat you and your family as partners in your own care. One important way that you can be involved is to speak up. Ask questions, voice your concerns, and don t be afraid to raise any issues relating not only to your care and treatment, but also to overall hospital services. See the Universal Medication Form to keep track of what you are given in the hospital. STEP UP & SPEAK UP SPEAK UP Ask questions and voice concerns. It s your body, and you have a right to know. PAY ATTENTION Make sure you re getting the right treatments and medicines. EDUCATE YOURSELF Learn about the medical tests you get and your treatment plan. TM In the pages that follow, you ll find a step-by-step guide to making the most of your hospital stay how to stay safe, get the information you need, ask the right questions and interact effectively with your doctors, nurses and hospital staff. STAT NOTE n Write down any questions you have n Choose a support person to communicate with the doctors and staff n Keep a list of doctors you see and the medications they prescribe FIND AN ADVOCATE Pick a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate or support person. WHAT MEDS & WHY Know what medicines you take and why you take them. CHECK BEFORE YOU GO Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center or other type of health care organization that meets The Joint Commission s quality standards. PARTICIPATE IN YOUR CARE You are the center of the health care team. Courtesy of The Joint Commission. Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide beaufortmemorial.org : 11

14 Your Rights & Responsibilities As a patient, you have the right to respectful and considerate care. The following is a list of specific rights and responsibilities you have during your hospital stay. You Have the Right to: Personal spokesperson, visitation, and communication: 1. Patient s Personal Spokesperson: Each patient has the right to a personal spokesperson. The personal does not have to be a blood relative of the patient. 2. Visitation: The patient has the right to choose who his/her family members are including, but not limited to, a spouse, domestic partner, same-sex partner, other family members, or friends who the patient considers to be his/her family. The patient has the right to receive visitation from these family members and other guests during their Beaufort Memorial stay. Family and visitors have a responsibility to comply with any visitation restrictions recommended and communicated by the healthcare team, based on the needs of the patient. 3. Communication: Know what patient support services are available, including access to an interpreter if language is a problem. Respect and nondiscrimination: 1. Access to Treatment: Patient will receive considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances. 2. Personal Privacy: The right of the patient to expect privacy and dignity in treatment consistent with providing you with good medical and psychiatric care. 3. Restraint and Seclusion: The patient shall be free from restraints of any form that are not medically necessary. The patient has the right to be free from restraints and seclusion except in case of an emergency, when there is an imminent risk of an individual physically harming him/ her or others, and less restrictive interventions would be ineffective. 4. Psychosocial, Culture, and Spiritual Values: The patient has a right to exercise your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences and spiritual beliefs as long as they do not interfere with the well-being of others, or the planned course of any medical care. The patient has access to professionals to assist you with emotional and/or spiritual care Participation in treatment decisions: 1. Advanced Directives: Formulate advance directives and appoint a surrogate to make healthcare decisions on your behalf to the extent permitted by law. 2. Explanation of Medical Care: Expect prompt and reasonable responses to your questions; be informed of medical alternatives for care or treatment. 3. Medical Decisions: The patient has the right to participate in the decision-making process related to 12 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

15 the plan of care. The patient has the right to be informed of the nature of your condition, proposed treatment or procedure, risks, benefits and prognosis, and any continuing healthcare requirements after his/her discharge in terms he/she can understand. 4. Refusal of Care: The patient may refuse treatment, except as otherwise provided by law, and to be informed of the consequences of his/her refusal. 5. Ethical Consideration: Participate in the discussion of ethical issues that may arise. Confidentiality and information disclosure: 1. Confidentiality and Privacy: Patients have rights under a federal law that protects health information. Health information will be used and disclosed for purposes of treatment, payment and health care operations; additional rights are described in the Beaufort Memorial Notice of Privacy Practices, which he/she has a copy of or is available to patients. 2. Identify of Caregivers: Know the identity and professional status of caregivers and know who is responsible for authorizing and performing a patient s procedures or treatments. 3. Investigational Studies/Research Subjects: Know if the medical treatment prescribed for the patient is for experimental purposes and to give written consent to participate if the patient chooses. You Are Responsible for: 1. Provision of Information: The patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, providing accurate and complete information to your health care providers about your present and past medical conditions and all other matters pertaining to your health. 2. Change in Condition: The patient will report unexpected changes in condition to his/her health care providers. 3. Asking Questions: Patients are responsible for asking questions when they do not understand what they have been told about their care or what they are expected to do. The patient will inform their health care providers whether or not he/ she understands the plan of care and what is expected of the patient. 4. Following Instructions: The patient is responsible for following the proposed care and/or treatment plan recommended by healthcare providers. The patient has the responsibility to express any concerns he/she has in their ability to follow or comply with the proposed care or treatment. The patient will keep appointments and, if cannot, will notify the proper person. 5. Refusal of Treatment/Accepting Consequences: Knowing the consequences and is responsible for his/her own actions if the patient refuses treatment or does not follow the healthcare providers instructions. 6. Beaufort Memorial Charges: The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her healthcare are fulfilled as promptly as possible. beaufortmemorial.org : 13

16 Your Rights & Responsibilities 7. Beaufort Memorial Rules and Regulations: The patient is responsible for following Beaufort Memorial rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct. 8. Respect and Consideration: The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and to follow hospital policy and regulations regarding care and conduct. Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances The patient, patient s spokesperson, family or legal guardian has a right to voice concerns, complaints, or grievances regarding patient safety, quality of care received or premature discharge. If you have concerns, please talk with your doctor or nurse; you also may call our Patient Advocate at Beaufort Memorial has a process for prompt resolution of patient concerns; voicing a concern, complaint, or grievance will result in timely review, response and, when possible, resolution. Voicing concerns will not affect future care received at Beaufort Memorial. Notice of Financial Assistance Program If you do not qualify for a federal or state medical assistance program and are either uninsured or underinsured, you may qualify for assistance for assistance through a discount on your balance through the Financial Assistance Program. If you think you might need assistance with your medical bill, please contact Patient Financial Services toll free at (A-L last names) or (M-Z last names). You may obtain an application by mail or online atbeaufortmemorial.org/ patients_financial.htm. We are happy to work with you. Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Beaufort Memorial does not exclude people or discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Beaufort Memorial provides free aids and services to people with disabilities or whose primary language is not English to communicate effectively with us, such as qualified sign language interpreters; written information in audible and/or electronic formats; and, information written in other languages. If you need these services contact our Patient Advocate at If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you may contact the agencies below: n S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Bull St. Columbia, SC n The Joint Commission One Renaissance Blvd. Oakbrook Terrace, IL patientsafetyreport@ jointcommission.org 14 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

17 n Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence (Medicaid & Medicare only) Stoneridge Dr., Suite 200 Columbia, SC n U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights TDD: Independence Ave., SW Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, DC Complaint forms are available at hhs. gov/ocr/office/file/index.html Notice of Non-discrimination English: ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. (TTY: 9-711) Spanish: ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. (TTY: 9-711) Chinese: 注意 : 如果您使用繁體中文, 您可以免費獲得語言援助服務 請致電 (TTY: 9-711) Vietnamese: CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. (TTY: 9-711) Korean: 주의 : 한국어를사용하시는경우, 언어지원서비스를무료로이용하실수있습니다. (TTY: 9-711) 번으로전화해주십시오. French: ATTENTION: Si vous parlez français, des services d aide linguistique vous sont proposés gratuitement. (ATS : 9-711) Tagalog: PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, maaari kang gumamit ng mga serbisyo ng tulong sa wika nang walang bayad. (TTY: 9-711) Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ:Если вы говорите на русском языке, то вам доступны бесплатные услуги перевода. (телетайп: 9-711) German: ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlos sprachliche Hilfsdienstleistungen zur Verfügung. (TTY: 9-711) Gujarati: સ ચન : જ તમ ગ જર ત બ લત હ, ત ન :શ લ ક ભ ષ સહ ય સ વ ઓ તમ ર મ ટ ઉપલબ ધ છ. (TTY: 9-711) Arabic ملحوظة: إذا كنت تتحدث اذكر اللغة فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية تتوافر لك بالمجان. )رقم هاتف الصم والبكم: ( Portuguese: ATENÇÃO: Se fala português, encontram-se disponíveis serviços linguísticos, grátis (TTY: 9-711). Japanese: 注意事項 : 日本語を話される場合 無料の言語支援をご利用いただけます (TTY: 9-711) まで お電話にてご連絡ください Ukrainian: УВАГА! Якщо ви розмовляєте українською мовою, ви можете звернутися до безкоштовної служби мовної підтримки. (телетайп: 9-711). Hindi: ध य न द : यद आप ह द ब लत ह त आपक ल ए म फ त म भ ष सह यत स व ए उपलब ध ह (TTY: 9-711) पर क ल कर Cambodian: រយ ត ន ប ស នជ អ នកន យ យ ភ ស ខ ម រ, ស វ ជ ន យផ ន កភ ស ដ យម នគ តឈ ន ល គ អ ចម នស រ ប ប រ អ នក ច រ ទ រស ព ទ (TTY: 9-711) beaufortmemorial.org : 15

18 Patient Guide to Medicare Outpatient Observation Observation is a special outpatient service at a hospital that allows your doctor to watch your condition for changes What is outpatient observation? Observation is a special outpatient service at a hospital that allows your doctor to watch your condition for changes. Your doctor must decide if your condition could get worse after you leave the hospital. This extra time will help your doctor and the nurses decide if your condition could change enough for you to stay at the hospital as an inpatient. If the doctor hasn t written an order to admit you as an inpatient, you can be an outpatient and receive Emergency Department services, transfer to the Observation Unit, receive medications, lab tests and/or X-rays, and even spend the night at the hospital. Will you please explain the kind of illness I might have that would require outpatient observation services? Some problems you could have are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, fever and some types of chest pain. Patients usually get well in short amounts of time, such as 24 to 48 hours for these problems. Your doctor may need you to stay because of concern for your health for some of these problems. Your doctor also could want to place you in outpatient observation because of problems after your outpatient operation such as pain, bleeding or because you have not been able to use the bathroom. What happens at the end of the short time period of 24 to 48 hours? Your doctor and the nurses will carefully watch your condition and will decide if you are sick enough for admission as an inpatient of the hospital or well enough to go home. Your care may continue with visits in your doctor s office if you get to go home. 16 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide

19 What if I live alone and just want to stay at the hospital after my emergency room visit or outpatient surgery? Medicare will not pay for the hospital care if you want to stay because of your home life or because you do not have a ride home from the hospital. Your doctor must make the decision based only on your illness or a health problem for Medicare. You will receive the same quality attention as any patient at the hospital. How much money will I owe? Medicare pays for observation as an outpatient service. This means your Part B annual deductible of $ could be due, and you could owe co-pays for the outpatient services you receive. You will receive separate bills from your doctor and the hospital. You also will owe for any drugs that you can give yourself, such as pain pills or high blood pressure medicine, while in outpatient observation. Medicare considers these drugs as self-administrable and does not pay for these drugs when you are an outpatient at the hospital. What is the difference in the quality of services I will receive in outpatient observation? None. You will receive the same care by your doctor, nurses and other hospital staff, and receive the same quality attention as any patient at the hospital. If you have any questions about this information, please ask to speak to a care coordinator when you reach the floor. Care coordinators are available Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide beaufortmemorial.org : 17

20 HENRY H. TWEEDY Fear is the father of courage and the mother of safety. YOU RE IN CHARGE Errors can occur during your hospital stay. They can involve medications, procedures or paperwork for example, being given salt with a meal when you re on a salt-free diet, or receiving someone else s medical forms. Stay Safe You can contribute to health care safety. While you are in the hospital, many people will enter your room. The following information will help make your hospital stay safe and comfortable. Don t Be Afraid to Ask A number of people may enter your hospital room. Be sure to: n Ask for the ID of everyone who comes into your room. n Speak up if hospital staff doesn t ask to check your ID. n Ask if the person has washed his or her hands or used the alcohol-based sanitizer before he or she touches you. n If you are told you need certain tests or procedures, ask why you need them, when they will happen, and how long it will be before you get the results. You can help prevent errors by taking charge of your care. Be sure to: n stay informed about your medical condition n know the details of your treatment plan n understand the tests and procedures you will undergo Your doctor can answer these questions. Take notes when you speak with your doctor, or have a trusted friend or family member take notes for you so you can refer to them later. Also ask for any written information your doctor may be able to provide about your condition and/ or treatments. Remember you re in charge. 18 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide

21 Fighting Infections While you re in the hospital to get well, you should know that there is the possibility of developing an infection. The single most important thing you can do to help prevent infections is to wash your hands and make sure that everyone who touches you including your doctors and nurses washes his or her hands, too. You, your family and friends should wash hands: 1. after touching objects or surfaces in the hospital room 2. before eating 3. after using the restroom 4. upon entering and exiting your room It also is important that your health care providers clean their hands with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer every time, before and after they touch you. Health care providers know to practice hand hygiene, but sometimes they forget. You and your family should not be afraid or embarrassed to speak up and ask them to wash their hands. Preventing Medication Errors By taking part in your own care, you can help the members of your health care team avoid medication errors. Here s how: n Be sure that all of your doctors know what medications you have been taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal and vitamin supplements, natural remedies and recreational drugs. n Be sure that all of your doctors know of any allergies you may have to medications, anesthesia, foods, latex products, etc. n When you are brought medications or IV fluids, ask the person to check to be sure you are the patient who is supposed to receive the medications. n Show that person your ID bracelet to double-check. Remember you play an important role in helping to reduce medication errors. Happy Birthday to You! Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds. That s about the same amount of time that it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. No Soap? Try this! Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are as effective as soap and water in killing germs. To use, apply the sanitizer to the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Keep rubbing over all the surfaces of your fingers and hands until they are dry. With visible soiling, one always must use soap and water. The alcoholbased hand sanitizer may be used unless you are in Contact Plus Precautions. In this instance, washing your hands with soap and water is best. beaufortmemorial.org : 19

22 Stay Safe continued Patients of all ages are at risk of falls because of medications that may make them dizzy, weak or unsteady. Know Your Meds While you are hospitalized, your doctor may prescribe medications for you. Be sure that you understand exactly what they are and why they are being prescribed. Use this checklist to help you get the information you need from your doctor: What is the name of the medicine? What is its generic name? Why am I taking this medicine? What dose will I be taking? How often, and for how long? What are the possible side effects? Can I take this medicine while taking my other medications or dietary supplements? Are there any foods, drinks or activities that I should avoid while taking this medicine? USE THE UNIVERSAL MEDICATION FORM ON PAGE 43 TO HELP YOU MONITOR YOUR MEDICATIONS. Preventing Falls Patients of all ages are at risk of falls because their medication may make them dizzy, weak or unsteady. Just being in the hospital on bed rest also can increase your fall risk. For your safety, please: n Always call for assistance before getting out of bed. n Keep the call button within easy reach. n Have necessary items within reach, such as your glasses, tissues, the telephone and anything else you need. n When you get assistance, rise slowly from your bed or chair to prevent dizziness. n Walk close to the wall and hold onto the handrail while in the bathroom. DVT: LOWER YOUR RISK Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form in the legs and block circulation. The clots can lodge in the brain, heart or lungs, causing damage or even death. When you re hospitalized and in bed with limited physical activity, your risk of DVT increases. Ask your doctor about using compression boots or stockings and/or blood thinners to prevent DVT during your stay. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any of the following warning signs: A leg cramp or charley horse that gets worse Swelling and discoloration in your leg, upper arm or neck Unexplained shortness of breath Chest discomfort that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough Lightheadedness or blacking out 20 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

23 What Are Your Advance Directives? Advance directives a living will, health care proxy and durable power of attorney are the legal documents that allow you to give direction to medical personnel, family and friends concerning your future care when you cannot speak for yourself. You do not need a lawyer in order to complete advance directives. There are two types of advance directives in South Carolina: the living will and the health care power of attorney. When you provide BMH copies of your advance directives, BMH will honor them. FYI You can obtain more information about living wills and advance directives by contacting the Care Coordination Department at ext Advance directive forms also are available on Beaufort Memorial s website. Click on Patient/Visitor Info then Advance Directives. Patient Services Advance Directives You have the right to make decisions about your own medical treatment. These decisions become more difficult if, due to illness or a change in mental condition, you are unable to tell your doctor and loved ones what kind of health care treatments you want. That is why it is important for you to make your wishes known in advance. It is much more difficult to execute advance directives once you become a patient in the hospital. State beaufortmemorial.org : 21

24 What Are Your Advance Directives? law requires the presence of a state ombudsman, which can take 2 to 3 days. Here is a brief description of each kind of directive: Living Will A set of instructions documenting your wishes about life-sustaining medical care. It is used if you become terminally ill, incapacitated, or unable to communicate or make decisions. A living will protects your rights to accept or refuse medical care and removes the burden for making decisions from your family, friends and medical professionals. The living will most commonly used in South Carolina is the Declaration of a Desire for a Natural Death. Health Care Proxy A person (agent) you appoint to make your medical decisions if you are unable to do so. Choose someone you know well and trust to represent your preferences. Be sure to discuss this with the person before naming him or her as your agent. Remember that an agent may have to use his or her judgment in the event of a medical decision for which your wishes aren t known. Durable Power of Attorney For health care: A legal document that names your health care proxy. Once written, it should be signed, dated, witnessed, notarized, copied and put into your medical record. For finances: You also may want to appoint someone to manage your financial affairs when you cannot. A durable power of attorney for finances is a separate legal document from the durable power of attorney for health care. You may choose the same person for both, or choose different people to represent you. Bioethics Committee Our Medical Ethics Committee can help you with difficult medical decisions. A member of the committee is available day or night. Call the hospital operator by dialing 0 or ext. 5200, and ask to speak to a member of the Medical Ethics Committee. Notes 22 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

25 LIVE THE FIVE STAR LIFE CALL TO SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY MORNINGSIDE OF BEAUFORT 109 Old Salem Road Beaufort, SC ASSISTED LIVING SUMMIT PLACE OF BEAUFORT 1119 Pickpocket Plantation Drive Beaufort, SC ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE 2017 Five Star Senior Living You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you you ll win, no matter what the outcome. Patch Adams Friends of Caroline provides a dedicated team of professionals physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers at no cost to the patient, regardless of their economic status or where they call home. Our team provides encouragement, hope, support, and care to those living with a life-limiting illness and to their families and friends. Since 1980, Friends of Caroline has been caring for the Lowcountry community, providing care that treats the whole person, not just the illness. To learn more about how we can help you and your family add life to their days, call us at friendsofcarolinehospice.org th Street Port Royal, SC Spot a Stroke F. A.S.T. Arm. Speech. Time to call 911. Face. StrokeAssociation.org

26 BAYVIEW MANOR At Bayview Manor, our mission is to help each resident improve their quality of life, while providing the optimum healing environment. Our goal is to meet and often exceed our customer s expectations. Our mission is realized through the development of clinical skills, ethical management and attention to our customers needs and satisfaction. Our therapy program is designed to maximize an individual s ability to function, enabling them to reach their highest level of independence as quickly as possible TODD DRIVE, BEAUFORT, SC Home Health Care It s at the heart of what we do Skilled Nursing Home Health Aides Medical Social Workers Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Chronic Care Management Programs Amedisys of Beaufort 2121 Boundary Street, Suite 200 Beaufort, SC Amedisys of Bluffton 59 Sheridan Park Circle, Suite A Bluffton, SC

27 Voted Best In-Home Care EXPERIENCE A HIGHER STANDARD OF HOME CARE with Registered Nurse Oversight and a customized care plan for every client. > Specialty care: dementia and Alzheimer s > Respite, family relief & hospice assistance > Laundry, grocery shopping, meal prep, light housekeeping, transportation & errands > Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring & medication reminders > Medication management, blood draws, injections, infusions & therapies > All caregivers: licensed, bonded, insured, drug & background checked zero tolerance > 24/7 availability Let us know how we can help! Phone: Proudly Serving: Beaufort, Hilton Head, Bluffton, Sun City and Surrounding Areas Pediatric Specialists 1055 Ribaut Road, Suite 20A, Beaufort, South Carolina MUSCkids.org/Beaufort Changing What s Possible

28 Specializing in the Diagnosis & Treatment of: Alzheimer s Disease Parkinson s Disease Headache/Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Stroke Neuropathy Seizure/Epilepsy Back/Neck Pain Clinical Research 1833 N. PARIS AVE. PORT ROYAL Paul Mazzeo, MD Board Certified Norman Bettle, MD Board Certified Anne Taylor, ANP, MSN Adult Nurse Practitioner Shelly Perry, FNP Family Nurse Practitioner to schedule an appointment Call (843) Offices in Bluffton and Hampton (843) Toll-Free: (877) We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Providing service the public has relied upon since 1994 Urgent and non- urgent medical transports Specialized Services Include: 12- Lead EKG AutoVent CPAP Infusion Pumps Handheld Pulse Oximetry Telemetry Stryker Power Pro CAREpoint & Rosetta: Universal Approach to 12-Lead Transmission and STEMI Treatment We transport patients to and from: Nursing Homes Hospice Homes Hospitals (including ERs) Dialysis Centers Doctor Appointments Outpatient Facilities Residences Charleston Moncks Corner Walterboro Beaufort Bluffton Okatie Hampton Estill An Affiliate of National Healthcare Corporation thepalmettosbluffton.com LIFE MAY CHANGE, BU T IT NEVER GETS OLD. Short-Term & Long-Term Rehabilitation Long-Term Care Memory Care

29 TORI AMOS 1963-PRESENT Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it. Do You Have Pain? Manage your pain so your hospital stay is as comfortable as possible. You are the expert about how you are feeling. Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse when you have any kind of pain. To help describe your pain, be sure to report: n When the pain began. n Where you feel pain. n How the pain feels sharp, dull, throbbing, burning, tingling. n If the pain is constant, or if it comes and goes. n What, if anything, makes the pain feel better. n What, if anything, makes the pain feel worse. n How much pain, if any, your medicine is taking away. n If your medicine helps with the pain, how many hours of relief do you get? USE THE PAIN RATING SCALE BELOW TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE HOW YOUR PAIN IS AFFECTING YOU. beaufortmemorial.org : 23

30 DAVID NIVEN Keep the circus going inside you, keep it going, don t take anything too seriously, it ll all work out in the end. Word Search P S C I R T A I D E P D N M E I N F E C T I O N I W X G E R K E K X T D T H S E E M O D A K E T R Y H Y U F R S S U I C N Z A L E E R V I J H R D C E F E Q R A G L A D E G L U I B H R A Z E N H N E G Y X O N T U P C O Y C T H X F B E D E N Y Z N D L H O I V E N B P F E J T N E O S B V C V C J A S M Z X E H P C O Z E E I J T A T M H J I L C T Y A R X R I F A W T T H V U L O L F Y W E E E B A T Y C N E G R E M E N T R L X W K B A N D A G E L T Y T BANDAGE BED CARE DOCTOR EMERGENCY FEVER HEART HOSPITAL INFECTION MEDICINE NURSE OXYGEN PATIENT PEDIATRICS RECOVERY SAFETY SNEEZE SURGEON THERAPY TREATMENT WHEELCHAIR XRAY How did you do? Check your answers below. ANSWER KEY P S C I R T A I D E P D N M E I N F E C T I O N I W X G E R K E K X T D T H S E E M O D A K E T R Y H Y U F R S S U I C N Z A L E E R V I J H R D C E F E Q R A G L A D E G L U I X H R A Z E N H N E G Y X O N T U P C O Y C T H X F B E D E N Y Z N D L H O I V E N B P F E J T N E O S B V C V C J A S M Z X E H P C O Z E E I J T A T M H J I L C T Y A R X R I F A W T T H V U L O L F Y W E E E B A T Y C N E G R E M E N T R L X W K B A N D A G E L T Y T 24 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

31 WOODY ALLEN 1935-PRESENT It is impossible to travel faster than the speed of light, and certainly not desirable, as one s hat keeps blowing off. Sudoku Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 through 9. How did you do? Check your answers here. ANSWER KEY Source: beaufortmemorial.org : 25

32 Your Privacy & Information Your Information If you believe your health information was used or shared in a way that is not allowed under the privacy law, or if you weren t able to exercise your rights, you can file a complaint with your provider or health insurer. You also can file a complaint with the U.S. government. Go online to ocr/smartscreen/main.jsf for more information. You may contact the Beaufort Memorial HIPAA privacy officer at with concerns about your privacy rights. Privacy & Your Health Information You have privacy rights under a federal law that protect your health information. These rights are important for you to know. Federal law sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. Who must follow this law? n Doctors, nurses, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and many other health care providers and their vendors n Health insurance companies, HMOs and most employer group health plans n Certain government programs that pay for health care, such as Medicare and Medicaid What information is protected? n Information your doctors, nurses and other health care providers put in your medical records n Conversations your doctor has with nurses and others regarding your care or treatment n Information about you in your health insurer s computer system n Billing information about you at your clinic n Most other health information about you held by those who must follow this law You have rights over your health information. Providers and health insurers who are required to follow this law must comply with your right to: n Ask to see and get a copy of your health records n Request an amendment to your health information n Receive a notice that tells you how your health information may be used and shared n Decide if you want to give your permission before your health information can be used or shared for certain purposes, such as for marketing n Get a report on when and why your health information was shared for certain purposes n File a complaint 26 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide

33 To make sure that your health information is protected in a way that doesn t interfere with your health care, your information can be used and shared: n For your treatment and care coordination n To pay doctors and hospitals for your health care and help run their businesses n With your family, relatives, friends or others you identify who are involved with your health care or your health care bills, unless you object n To make sure doctors give good care and nursing homes are clean and safe n To protect the public s health, such as by reporting when the flu is in your area n To make required reports to the police, such as reporting gunshot wounds A separate law provides additional privacy protections to patients of alcohol and drug treatment programs. For more information, go online to Without your written permission, your provider cannot: n Give your health information to your employer n Share private notes about your mental health counseling sessions Adapted from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide beaufortmemorial.org : 27

34 LOUIS PASTEUR In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind. Don t Leave Until Also see Preparing for Discharge on page things to know before you walk out that hospital door. When it s time to be released from the hospital, your physician will authorize a hospital discharge. This doesn t necessarily mean that you are completely well it only means that you no longer need hospital If You Disagree You or your support person can appeal your doctor s discharge decision. If you are a Medicare patient and were inpatient status, be sure you are given An Important Message from Medicare from the hospital s discharge planner or caseworker. This details your rights to remain in the hospital for care and provides information on who to contact to appeal a discharge decision. services. If you disagree, you or your caregiver can appeal the decision (see If You Disagree, at left). On the other hand, you may be pleased to learn that your doctor has approved your discharge. But before you can leave the hospital, there are several things that you or your caregiver must attend to. The first step is to know who will be involved in your discharge process. This starts with the hospital s discharge planner, who may be a nurse, social worker or administrator, or may have some other title. You and your caregiver should meet this person relatively early in your hospital stay; if not, find out who this person is and be sure to meet with him or her well before your expected discharge date. 28 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide

35 Make sure you have the following information before you leave the hospital: 1. Discharge summary. This is an overview of why you were in the hospital, which health care professionals saw you, what procedures were done and what medications were prescribed. 2. Medications list. This is a listing of what medications you are taking, why, in what dosage and who prescribed them. (You ll already have this if you use the Universal Medication Form on page 43 to keep track while you re in the hospital.) But also having a list prepared by the hospital is a good way to doublecheck the information. 3. Rx. If your physician gives you prescriptions for medications, you should have these filled as soon as possible. 4. Follow-up care instructions. Make sure you have paperwork that tells you: n what, if any, dietary restrictions you need to follow and for how long n what kinds of activities you can and can t do, and for how long n how to properly care for any injury or incisions you may have n what follow-up tests you may need and when you need to schedule them n what medicines you must take, why and for how long n when you need to see your physician n any other home care instructions for your caregiver, such as how to get you in and out of bed, how to use and monitor any equipment, and what Be sure to meet with the hospital s care coordinator early in your stay to ensure a smooth discharge process later on. signs and symptoms to watch out for n telephone numbers to call if you or your caregiver has any questions pertaining to your after-hospital care 5. Other services. When you leave the hospital, you may need to spend time in a rehabilitation facility, nursing home or other institution. Or you may need to schedule tests at an imaging center, have treatments at a cancer center or have outpatient therapy. Be sure to speak with your nurse or physician to get all the details you need before you leave. 6. Community resources. You and your caregiver may feel unprepared for what will happen after your discharge. Make sure your care coordinator provides you with information about local resources, such as agencies that can provide services like transportation, equipment, home care and respite care. Some of these services can be covered by your health insurance and some may have an out-ofpocket cost associated with them. Your care coordinator will be able to help you determine what is covered/not covered by your insurance. beaufortmemorial.org : 29

36 Don t Leave Until continued Outpatient Rehabilitation Services The goal of rehabilitation services is to facilitate your best recovery of function. Outpatient Rehabilitation Services include the professional care of physical therapists, occupational therapists and/or speech-language pathologists. If you need the continued care of a rehabilitation professional and are not home bound, then our outpatient services may best serve your needs. Home Health Care Home health is health care provided by medical professionals in a patient s home to maintain or restore health. It includes a range of skilled services to include nursing care, physical, occupational and speech therapies and social work services. Medicare defines home health care as intermittent, physician-ordered medical services or treatment. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medical equipment that is ordered by a doctor for use in a patient s home. Examples are walkers, crutches, wheelchairs and hospital beds. DME is paid for under Medicare Part B and Part A for home health services. Independent Living Communities for seniors who are very independent and have few medical problems. All communities offer different amenities for their residents so be sure to ask what might be included in the monthly cost. Assisted Living An apartment in a long-term care facility for elderly or disabled people who can no longer live on their own but who don t need a high level of care. Assisted living facilities provide assistance with medications, meals in a cafeteria or restaurant-like setting, and housekeeping services. Nursing staff is on-site. Most facilities have social activities and provide transportation to doctors appointments, shopping, etc. Nursing Home A residential facility for people with chronic illness or disability, particularly elderly people who need assistance for most or all of their daily living activities such as bathing, dressing and toileting. Nursing homes provide 24-hour skilled care and also are called convalescent homes or long-term care facilities. Many nursing homes also provide short-term rehabilitative stays for patients recovering from an injury or illness. Some facilities also have a separate unit for residents with Alzheimer s disease or memory loss. Hospice A licensed or certified program that provides care to people who are terminally ill and their families. Hospice care can be provided at home, in a hospice or other freestanding facility, or within a hospital. Also referred to as palliative care, hospice care emphasizes the management of pain and discomfort and addresses the physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, financial and legal needs of the patient and his or her family. 30 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

37 Preparing for Discharge Going Home When your doctor feels that you are ready to leave the hospital, he or she will authorize a hospital discharge. Please speak with your nurse about our discharge procedures. Here are a few tips to make the discharge process run smoothly: n Be sure you and/or your caregiver has spoken with a discharge planner and you understand what services you may need after leaving the hospital. (See Don t Leave Until on page 28 for more discharge advice.) n Verify your discharge date and time with your nurse or doctor. n Have someone available to pick you up. n Check your room, bathroom and bedside table carefully for any personal items. n Make sure you and/or your caregiver has all necessary paperwork for billing, referrals, prescriptions, etc. n Please leave behind all hospital-related equipment such as walkers, safety belts, etc. If you have any questions about your bill, or think you will need assistance, please call a financial counselor toll free at (A-L last names) or (M-Z last names). Billing What a Hospital Bill Covers The hospital bill covers the cost of your room, meals, 24-hour nursing care, laboratory work, tests, medication, therapy and the services of hospital employees. You will receive a separate bill from your physicians for their professional services. The hospital is responsible for submitting bills to your insurance company and will do everything possible to expedite your claim. You should remember that your policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, and you have the final responsibility for payment of your hospital bill. When You Are Discharged Your physician determines when you are ready to be discharged. Your physician and nurse will give you discharge instructions and answer any questions you have about managing your treatment and medications once you are home. If you are confused or unsure about what you need to do, what medications you must take, or if you have to restrict your diet or activities, don t be afraid to ask and take notes. Be sure you understand any instructions you have been given before you leave the hospital. beaufortmemorial.org : 31

38 Preparing for Discharge If you need home health, medical equipment, or other follow-up appointments after discharge, you will be seen by a care coordinator to assist you and your family. It is your right to choose which company you want to provide these, but if your insurance or managed care plan has preferred providers and you do not choose one of these, you may have to pay more out of your own pocket. Social Work Services also are available for the Beaufort Memorial outpatient departments to assist you in obtaining home care support services, medical equipment and to advise you regarding other available community resources. Ask your nurse or therapist if you need more information. Uninsured? If you need help with your hospital bill, contact Hospital Financial Counseling toll free at (A-L last names) or (M-Z last names). Coordination of Benefits (COB) Coordination of Benefits, referred to as COB, is a term used by insurance companies when you are covered under two or more insurance policies. This usually happens when spouses or partners are listed on each other s insurance policies, when both parents carry their children on their individual policies or when there is eligibility under two federal programs. This also can occur when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and have medical insurance and automobile insurance. Most insurance companies have COB provisions that determine who is the primary payer when medical expenses are incurred. This prevents duplicate payments. COB priority must be identified at admission in order to comply with insurance guidelines. Your insurance may request a completed COB form before paying a claim, and every attempt will be made to notify you if this occurs. The hospital cannot provide this information to your insurance company. You must resolve this issue with your insurance carrier in order for the claim to be paid. Medicare This hospital is an approved Medicare provider. All services billed to Medicare follow federal guidelines and procedures. Medicare has a COB clause. At the time of service, you will be asked to answer questions to help determine the primary insurance carrier paying for your visit. This is referred to as an MSP Questionnaire and is required by federal law. Your assistance in providing accurate information will allow us to bill the correct insurance company. Self-administrable drugs (SADs) are statutorily excluded from Medicare coverage. Your secondary insurance may or may not pay for these noncovered SAD charges. Medicare deductibles and coinsurance are covered by your secondary insurance. If you do not have secondary insurance, or if your secondary insurance does not pay these amounts, you will be asked to pay or establish a payment plan. If you are unable to pay these 32 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL Beaufort Memorial Hospital Patient Guide

39 amounts, we will help you determine if you qualify for a state-funded program or financial assistance. Commercial Insurance As a service to our customers, we will forward a claim to your commercial insurance carrier based on the information you provide at the time of registration. It is very important for you to provide all related information such as policy number, group number and the correct mailing address for your insurance company. Let Us Help With Your Health Care Costs We are committed to providing financial assistance for our patients who need help covering their bills. We will qualify patients who are eligible for the following programs: n Medicaid n Medically Indigent Assistance Program n Crime Victim s Assistance n Vocational Rehabilitation n Best Chance Network n Women s Health Matters MDSave Lower out-of-pocket health expenses. If you have a high-deductible health plan or are uninsured, you can purchase procedures, services and primary care visits online and save up to 60 percent on your care. Visit mdsave.com/savings to learn more. BMH Financial Assistance Program If you do not qualify for assistance but are either uninsured or underinsured, you may qualify for a discount on your balance after insurance has paid. To learn more, please contact Patient Financial Services toll free at (A-L last names) or (M-Z last names). You may obtain a financial assistance application by mail or online at We are happy to work with you. Self-Pay Statements The Patient Financial Services department will send statements for payment of balances due from the patient (either self-pay balances or amounts owed after insurance payments). You will receive three billing statements, and we will attempt to contact you by phone over a 90-day period to obtain a payment or to make payment arrangements. If payment arrangements are not established and payment is not made in full during the 90-day period, the account will be placed with a collection agency. If you need an itemized statement, please call Patient Financial Services toll free at (A-L last names) or (M-Z last names). Self-Pay Billing Discount Policy All patients with no form of insurance and who do not otherwise qualify for the above programs (selfpay patients) will be given a 30 percent discount on their total hospital bill. beaufortmemorial.org : 33

40 BUDDHA In compassion lies the world s true strength. For the Caregiver Your role as a patient advocate. Caregiver, remember to care for yourself! CAREGIVER... know what condition your loved one is being treated for. patient s rights Know your patient s rights and responsibilities (see page 12). advance directives Know whether or not your loved one has an advance directive and if so, what it specifies (see page 21). While your loved one is in the hospital, who will speak up for him or her? You can, by being the patient s advocate the person who will help the patient work with doctors, nurses and hospital staff. To help your loved one make the best decisions about his or her care and treatment, follow the advice in the caregiver list at right. While you are making sure that your loved one s needs are being met, don t neglect your own. Caregiving is a stressful and time-consuming job. You may neglect your diet, your normal exercise routine and your sleep needs. You may find that you have little or no time to spend with friends, to relax, or to just be by yourself for a while. But downtime is important. Don t be reluctant to ask for help in caring for your loved one. Take advantage of friends offers to help and look into local adult daycare programs. Find out more about how you can ease the stress of caregiving at ask questions If your loved one is too ill or reluctant to ask questions, make note of his or her concerns and any you may have, and don t be afraid to speak up (see Speak Up! on page 11). help track medications Your loved one may be prescribed medications while in the hospital and may be seen by several doctors. Keep track of it all with Universal Medication Form on page 43. what s next? Will your loved one need home care or care at another facility? Ask to speak with a case manager to find out what your options are. 34 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

41 Giving Back BMH Foundation Helping Us Help Others The BMH Foundation helps Beaufort Memorial Hospital fulfill its mission of providing superior health care. The Foundation receives direct contributions and bequests, manages the popular Valentine Ball and offers charitable gift annuities. Foundation trustees carefully oversee the distribution of your gifts to ensure they meet your wishes and the health care needs of our community. Just a sampling of the technology, improvements and services made possible through patient and community gifts to the BMH Foundation are: n The Keyserling Cancer Center n Cochrane Heart Center n CHiP Mobile Wellness Unit n LifeFit Wellness Gym n Patient Ventilators n Digital Mammography n Patient Monitors n Nursing Scholarships n Camp Sea Breeze for children with asthma Honor a Caregiver Oftentimes patients want to express their gratitude to personnel encountered during their hospital stay with a tangible gift. Through our Honor a Caregiver program, you may make a gift to the BMH Foundation in honor of a doctor, nurse or other caregiver who has shown special concern or outstanding care. The caregiver will be notified that you have recognized them. Go to honoracaregiver.org or call the Foundation for more information. Many of our caregivers actually give back to the hospital themselves. In fact, Beaufort Memorial employees rank among the most generous in the nation, adding yet another dimension to the excellent care and compassion that we are privileged to provide our patients. Visit the BMH Foundation Donor Recognition Wall in the main lobby to see our growing list of special supporters. To learn more about the BMH Foundation or for assistance in making a tax-deductible gift to support Beaufort Memorial Hospital, please call the Foundation, or visit bmhfoundationsc.org where you can make your gift online. Contact us: BMH Foundation P.O. Box 2233 Beaufort, SC ( from hospital phones) Hospital Volunteers Volunteers give thousands of hours each year to our hospital to enhance the care of our patients and their families. They provide support throughout the hospital, including staffing the information desk, delivering mail and flowers, operating the gift shop and escorting patients. If you re interested in volunteering at Beaufort Memorial, call beaufortmemorial.org : 35

42 Resources Staff Definitions Physicians Your primary care physician, a resident physician on duty or a hospitalist will supervise your care while you are in the hospital. Nurses In each nursing unit, a registered nurse is responsible for supervising patient care and directing the nursing and support staff of the unit. Registered nurses are assisted by nursing assistants and nurse technicians. The nursing staff is available around the clock. Dietitians A registered dietitian will review your medical record and work with your health care team to develop a nutrition care plan for you. Registered dietitians also are available to educate you about any diets you may need to follow after you are discharged. Rehabilitation Therapists Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists will work with you, your family and your medical team to help meet goals of recovery. Therapy may range from brief consultation to long-term rehab intervention, based on the extent of your injuries or illness. Should you require a longer course of care, ask your physician about our Rehabilitation Unit or Outpatient Clinics. Technicians and Technologists Skilled health professionals perform and assist with laboratory and other procedures, including X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, cardiac catheterization, radiation therapy and other procedures that help in diagnosing and treating your illness or injury. Care Coordinators & Social Workers Case managers will review your medical record and discuss your discharge planning. They also are available to assist you with arrangement for home care, admission to a longterm care facility or rehabilitation care. Social workers offer emotional support, counseling, and guidance to help patients and their families deal with financial, social and emotional problems related to illness or hospitalization. Pharmacists While you are in the hospital, all of your medications are dispensed by our hospital pharmacists. They can answer any questions you have regarding your medications. Pastoral Care A group of volunteer ministers is available to all patients and their families. Please contact your nurse to request these services. Patient/Family Advocacy Office Our Patient/Family Advocacy Office can assist you with special needs or requests, or address any issues that you 36 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

43 may have. Call , Monday through Friday, during work hours, or ask for the nursing supervisor in the evenings or on weekends. Hospitalists BMH employs a team of physician specialists called hospitalists who provide attentive, expert and continuous patient care while you are in the hospital. Many area physicians contract with our hospitalists to ensure you have around-the-clock access to a physician during your stay. All BMH hospitalists are board certified or board eligible in internal medicine or family medicine. Hospital Resources Rapid Response Team (RRT) The role of the RRT is to provide early rapid interventions for patients, promote improved outcomes and reduce hospital mortality. The team consists of a critical care RN and a respiratory therapist. When activated, the team will respond to the bedside within five minutes. The attending physician will be contacted and given a report on each RRT call. Criteria for activating the RRT: A nurse, patient or family member may call a rapid response when he or she believes a patient may be deteriorating. The criterion to activate the RRT may include any of the following: n Acute change in heart rate n Acute change in systolic blood pressure n Acute change in respiratory rate n Acute change in oxygen saturation n Acute change in mental status n Acute change in urine output less than 50 ml for four hours n Chest pain n Nurse, patient or family is acutely concerned n Physician request n Acute change in pain level n New onset, prolonged or repeated seizures Procedure for activating the RRT: n Dial the internal paging system 5780 n Enter 888 and the patient s room number Example: (if 229 is the room number) Exceptions: The rapid response team will not cover: n Labor and delivery n Nursery n Pediatric patients n Surgical Services (OR, PACU, Endo) n ER n Cath lab n ICU Wound Care Center The Wound Care Center is an outpatient treatment center that provides comprehensive wound treatment, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Patients who suffer from nonhealing wounds benefit greatly from targeted wound care. To schedule an appointment, call beaufortmemorial.org : 37

44 Resources OneBlood Beaufort Memorial Hospital partners with OneBlood to provide our patients with blood products. OneBlood is a not-for-profit community asset that supplies blood to more than 200 hospitals in Florida and parts of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Safety of the blood supply is OneBlood s top priority. If you are interested in donating blood, you can walk in or schedule an appointment at the OneBlood Community Blood Donation Center. The blood center is located at 1001 Boundary St. in Beaufort. To contact the blood center, call You also can donate through any of OneBlood s Mobile Drives. Just look for the Big Red Bus. Blood Conservation Program Reducing Your Risk of Blood Transfusion Beaufort Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing you with a progressive approach in the treatment of anemia. As a blood conservation hospital, our physicians offer sound medical and surgical methods to reduce or eliminate your chances of having to receive a blood transfusion. The ultimate goal is high-quality patient care and better patient outcomes. If you simply prefer to avoid a transfusion or refuse a blood transfusion, please notify your health care professionals. Throughout your stay, we will ensure that you receive the best care possible, while respecting your personal and/or religious beliefs. To contact the blood conservation coordinator, call For more information, visit our website at beaufortmemorial.org under Medical Services, then Blood Conservation. Beaufort Memorial Outpatient Rehab Beaufort Memorial provides outpatient comprehensive rehabilitation in several locations throughout the county. Our outpatient therapists are clinicians experienced in treating complaints secondary to musculoskeletal, neurological, degenerative and traumatic issues. They have wide-ranging expertise in orthopedics, manual therapy, ergonomics, pediatrics, lymphedema, sports injury, hand and upper extremity trauma, communication and swallowing disorders. Providing comprehensive services in the following locations: n Physical, occupational and speech therapies for adults offered at the Beaufort Memorial Medical and Administrative Center (BMAC) at 990 Ribaut Road in Beaufort. n Pediatric rehab services offered through HealthLink for Children at 989 Ribaut Road in Beaufort (Beaufort Medical Plaza) and at 31 Innovation Drive in Bluffton. n Adult physical therapy with a focus on orthopedic conditions offered at 1251 Ribaut Road in Beaufort. n Physical, occupational and speech therapies available at Bluffton 38 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

45 Medical Services at 11 Arley Way in Bluffton. Lewis Blackman Hospital Patient Safety Act The Lewis Blackman Hospital Patient Safety Act requires hospitals to provide specific information to patients who require inpatient care or outpatient surgery. All staff members, people in learning, as well as doctors on the medical staff will be wearing a badge stating their name, department, job or job title. We do this to help you recognize who is involved in your personal care, treatment decisions or surgical procedures. Our clinical staff includes credentialed physicians, physician s assistants, nurses, nursing aides, medical technicians and therapists. Clinical trainees include resident physicians, medical students, nursing students and other health care professionals training in a hospital. A credentialed caregiver is a nurse practitioner or physician s assistant who is licensed to care for patients within his or her scope of practice. A credentialed physician is a licensed physician who has completed his or her postgraduate medical training and has medical staff privileges at the hospital. An attending physician is a licensed physician who is primarily responsible for a patient s care. A designee is a credentialed physician or caregiver who has been designated to care for a patient, in the absence of the attending physician. Medical students are individuals enrolled in a program culminating in a degree in medicine. A resident physician is an individual who is participating in any graduate medical education program. An intern is an individual who is an advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience. These individuals are supervised by fully trained individuals. A patient is an individual who is being treated by a physician in a hospital and includes a patient s representative or an individual allowed by law to make decisions for a patient who is a minor or who is unable to consent to health care treatment for himself or herself, or both. Beaufort Memorial Hospital does contract with some physician groups. These independent contractors are the Emergency Department physicians, anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists and hospitalists. The nursing staff works closely with the physicians and others involved in your care. If at any time you have questions, contact your nurse/clinical staff member. The nurse or clinical staff member can contact a physician, clinical supervisor and/or member of administration for you, if requested. LifeFit Wellness Services The LifeFit team provides education, guidance and encouragement to individuals who wish to improve or maintain a healthy lifestyle. We assist our clients with their health beaufortmemorial.org : 39

46 Resources improvement goals. Services include: n Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation n Diabetes Care Program n LifeFit Wellness Center n Community Health Improvement including CHiP mobile wellness van and Baby University. (To schedule the CHiP mobile wellness van, call ) Cardiac Rehabilitation Cardiac rehabilitation is a customized program that is designed to help you recover from a heart attack, surgery to treat heart disease or other forms of heart disease. Cardiac rehab can help you: n Prevent future hospital stays and heart problems. n Address risk factors that can lead to coronary heart disease such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, being overweight or obese, diabetes, smoking, lack of physical activity, depression and other emotional health concerns. n Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that helps to improve the well-being of people with chronic breathing problems. PR will provide you with: n Exercise training n Nutritional counseling n Education on your lung disease or condition and how to manage it n Energy-conserving techniques n Breathing strategies 40 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL n Psychological counseling and/or group support Call LifeFit Wellness Services at for more information on cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation. Diabetes Care Program Providing both inpatient and outpatient services, the diabetes education staff is specially trained in diabetes and risk factor reduction. General patient goals include attaining and maintaining an ideal blood glucose level, developing and following a customized diet and exercise plan, and working through the emotional aspects of diabetes. Certified by the American Diabetes Association. LifeFit Wellness Center The LifeFit Wellness Center is not just a gym. Every LifeFit member is assigned a wellness coach who coordinates a care plan including an exercise prescription that is customized for each client. Please visit beaufortmemorial.org for more information on a LifeFit Wellness Membership. For more information on all LifeFit Services, call Baby University Baby University offers a series of childbirth and parenting preparation programs. Most calls are free. Call to learn more. Healthy Hearts and Lungs Program This program is designed for patients with congestive heart failure or other heart/lung diseases that need extra assistance with exercise and education.

47 This is a monthlong (two days a week) program that will provide you with information on stress management, nutrition, exercise and support groups. For more information, please call Call a doctor if you have any of these symptoms: n Sudden weight gain of more than three pounds n Trouble sleeping or lying flat n Shortness of breath with usual activities n Swollen abdomen (fullness) n Frequent dry, hacking cough, worse at night n Dizzy spells n Swelling of ankles, feet, legs, hands n Chest pain or tightness n Unusual tiredness or lack of energy Key steps to reduce chest pain/heart attack risk: n Lower high blood pressure n Manage diabetes n Reduce high cholesterol n Be physically active every day n Aim for and maintain a healthy weight n Stop smoking n Eat a diet low in fat, cholesterol and salt n If diabetic, eat an ADA diet as prescribed by your doctor. Check blood sugar often and keep diabetes under control Call 911 if you have any of these signs & symptoms: n Pressure, fullness, tightness, burning or squeezing in your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back n Unexplained upper body discomfort that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back n Pain that goes into your shoulders, neck, arms, jaw or back n Sweating and discomfort in chest n Lightheaded, faint, sick to your stomach or short of breath STROKE is an Emergency! Act F.A.S.T. Every Minute Counts! F ace: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A rms: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does an arm drift downward? S peech: Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence? Is the sentence repeated correctly? T ime: If the person shows any of these symptoms, CALL immediately! Want to quit smoking? n Get ready: Set a quit date and stick to it. Think about past attempts to quit. Why didn t they work? n Get support and encouragement: Tell your family, friends and co-workers you are quitting. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider. Get group, individual or telephone counseling. n Learn new skills and behaviors: Change your routine. Reduce stress. Distract yourself from urges to beaufortmemorial.org : 41

48 Resources smoke. Plan something enjoyable to do each day. Drink lots of water and other fluids. n Talk to your health care provider about which medication is best for you. n Be prepared for relapse in difficult situations: Avoid alcohol. Be careful around or avoid other smokers. Improve your mood by other means. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. For more information on smoking cessation opportunities, call Mental Health Services BMH Mental Health Services offers a confidential crisis hotline 24/7. Call Eldercare Locator Help with locating aging services throughout the U.S. 800-MEDICARE then search for caregivers Official U.S. government site for people with Medicare National Alliance for Caregiving Support for family caregivers and the professionals who serve them Caregiver Action Network Caregiver Resources Caregiver resources from the Administration for Community Living Online support groups and articles on caregiving 42 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

49 beaufortmemorial.org : 43

50 UNIVERSAL MEDICATION FORM Patient: 1. ALWAYS KEEP THIS FORM WITH YOU. You may want to fold it and keep it in your wallet. For more copies of this form, visit the BMH website at and click on Universal Medication Form. 2. Write down all of the medicines you are taking. 3. Take this form to ALL doctor visits, when you go for tests and ALL hospital visits. 4. WRITE DOWN ALL CHANGES MADE TO YOUR MEDICINES on this form. If you stop taking a certain medicine, draw a line through it and write the date it was stopped. If help is needed, ask your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or family member to help you fill out this form and keep it up-to-date. 5. In the NOTES column, write down the name of the doctor who told you to take the medicine(s). You also may write down why you are taking the medicine (Examples: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol). When you are discharged from the hospital, you will get a new form. Someone will talk with you about it and will give you a copy. YOU WILL KNOW WHICH MEDICINES TO TAKE AND WHICH MEDICINES TO STOP TAKING. When you return to your doctor, take your new form with you. This will keep everyone up-to-date on your medicines. HOW DOES THIS FORM HELP YOU? 1. This form helps you and your family members remember all of the medicines you are taking. 2. Provides your doctor(s) and others with a current list of ALL of your medicines. 3. Helps you we could catch and prevent mistakes by knowing what medicines you are taking. 44 : PHYSICIAN REFERRAL

51 Only those who care for others know what it s really like to care for others. That s why AARP created a community with experts and other caregivers to help us better care for ourselves and for the ones we love. aarp.org/caregiving or call

52 A new collaboration is making the delivery of health care in the Lowcountry even better. Annually, thousands of Beaufort County residents benefit from innovative, integrated care provided by Beaufort Memorial Hospital, local caregivers and physicians at the Medical University of South Carolina. Last year, BMH entered into a formal affiliation with MUSC Health to expand access to care by creating an even stronger relationship with the state s only academic medical center. Patients have local access to cancer clinical trials through one of the country s elite, NCI-designated cancer centers, advanced stroke care through a telehealth network that is a model for other states and pediatric specialists working with local pediatricians. Patients who need to be treated in Charleston have access to the Lowcountry s only Level One Trauma Center, the state s only transplant center, a nationally respected Children s Hospital and hundreds of specialists. Beaufort Memorial and MUSC Health, working together to take care of you and your family. MUSChealth.org bmhsc.org