The TB Unit at Vancouver General Hospital

The TB Unit at Vancouver General Hospital

Contents Welcome... 1 Visiting hours... 2 Negative air flow... 2 Isolation precautions... 2 Clothing and valuables... 2 Smoking policy... 3 Meals... 3 Entering and leaving the unit... 4 Passes... 4 Phone calls... 4 Call bell system... 4 Fire alarms... 5 Your health care team... 6 Doctors... 6 Nurses... 6 Nursing unit clerk... 6 Dietitian... 6 Clergy... 7 Social worker... 7 Care Management leader (CML)... 7 Guidelines for Conduct... 8 i

Visiting hours Visiting hours are between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit; this is for their own protection. Welcome to the TB Unit This unit provides care and treatment for people with tuberculosis. This unit may be your home for several weeks and the staff would like your stay to be comfortable and as pleasant as possible. We rely on everyone s co-operation to achieve this goal and the staff will be able to answer any of your questions or concerns. Our goal is for all patients to have a positive hospital experience. Negative air flow The unit is designed with negative airflow to keep the tuberculosis germs from going out into the hallway. All windows and doors are to be kept shut at all times for this system to be effective. Isolation precautions When leaving your room you need to wear a mask, unless otherwise directed by you nurse. You do not need to wear a mask while in you room with the door closed. For the safety of your visitors/family they will need to wear a mask while visiting with you in your room. Clothing and valuables There is a locker in your room for you to store your personal belongings such as clothes. If you have money or other valuables, ask the staff to assist you in putting your items in safekeeping. The hospital is not responsible for any loss. 1 2

Smoking policy Smoking is not allowed on Vancouver Coastal Health property, including the grounds, parking lots and vehicles. If you are concerned about nicotine withdrawal, please let the doctor or nurse know. They will make every effort to help you manage your symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy is available. Meals Your diet will be high in protein and calories. If you have a special medical condition, your doctor will order a special diet for you. Meal times are: breakfast at approximately 8:30 a.m.; lunch at 13:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. An evening snack is provided. There is a kitchenette on the unit for you to use if your family brings food in for you. Menus for the following day come with breakfast trays each morning. Please fill out these menus every day and return them with your breakfast tray. Meals are to be eaten in your room unless authorized to dine somewhere else on the ward. We ask that you take your empty trays to the dietary cart. You may have noticed significant weight loss with your TB infection. For this reason we encourage you to order extra food on your menus. Your nurse can assist you in doing so. Entering and leaving the unit The doors to enter and exit the unit are secured. This prevents the likelihood of someone entering the unit that shouldn t. A staff member will assist you when entering and exiting the unit. Passes Passes to leave the unit are given at the discretion of your doctor, depending on if you are infectious. They are given based on the stage of your condition and are decided on a case by case basis. Phone calls A phone is available in your room for you to receive phone calls from relatives and friends. All patient phones share a single line. For this reason we ask that you limit calls to 10 minutes. The unit clerk or the nurse will inform you when the telephone call is for you. There is no charge for phone or TV service. Cell phone use is limited in some areas of the hospital. Please check with staff. Call bell system The call bell system is available for you to communicate with. the nursing station. If you require assistance, use the bell to call the nurse. 3 4

Fire alarms When the fire alarm rings, return to your room and close your door. Remain there until the all clear signal is given or until a staff member asks you to evacuate the building. Do not use the elevators. Staff will provide you with direction in cases of fire or emergency. Medications Your recovery depends on you taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor. Your nurse must directly watch you each time you take your medication. This directly-observed therapy (DOT) is to make sure you are taking the right TB medications, in the right dose at the right time. This also allows your nurse to watch for and manage any side effects you may have. As needed, your medication schedule can be changed so you tolerated your medication better. Your Health Care Team Doctors Your doctor or designate will direct your medical care on a daily basis. They are available to answer any questions you may have. Nurses Your nurses are on shift 24 hours a day and will provide you care and treatment. for your tuberculosis. Nursing unit clerk The nursing unit clerk works from 8:00 am-4:00 pm Monday to Friday. The clerk is responsible for processing paper work and keeping your medical charts current. The clerk is available to pick up things you may need from the store, Monday through Friday. There is no one available on weekends to go shopping. He or she will also obtain your money or valuables from the cashier Monday through Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Dietitian A dietitian is available to help with your nutritional needs. The hospital is able to accommodate most diet requests, whether for religious or health reasons. Please speak to the dietitian about your needs. 5 6

Clergy A member of the clergy is available to visit with you. If you wish to visit with a member of your faith, please let a staff member know and arrangements will be made. Social worker A social worker is available to discuss any issues you may have during your stay (such as financial, family or personal concerns). Care Management Leader (CML) A CML is a nurse who works with hospital and home care staff to plan and arrange your discharge. Guidelines for Conduct Please respect the privacy and values of other patients and staff on the ward. Be considerate about noise (radio, TV, phone), and keep your room neat and tidy. There may be a need to move you to another room to accommodate new admissions. Alcohol and drugs use are not permitted on the unit as they will impede your treatment. With your cooperation these items will be removed from your room to be disposed, sent home or stored and returned to you upon your discharge. If you are concerned about drug, nicotine or alcohol withdrawal please let the nurses/doctors know. They will make every effort to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. Swearing and abusive language toward staff, other patients or visitors is not tolerated Theft from the hospital and other patients is not tolerated Violence or threats to the staff, patients and visitors is not tolerated Leaving the hospital against medical advice or failing to return from your pass may result in the staff contacting your family, security, police and the medical health officer. 7 8

For more copies, go online at http://vch.eduhealth.ca or email phem@vch.ca and quote Catalogue No. FG.582.T885 Vancouver Coastal Health, February 2012 The information in this document is intended solely for the person to whom it was given by the health care team. www.vch.ca