Enabling People to Live Healthier and More Fulfilled Lives Essential Information for Patients 1
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Welcome Welcome to Kerry General Hospital. Kerry General Hospital is committed to the highest standards of quality and safety in the provision of patient care. We know that the prospect of coming into hospital can be a worrying time for you and your family. Our staff will strive to make your stay as comfortable as possible. It is important that you understand all aspects of your care this booklet provides information that may be helpful to you during your stay. We hope you find it useful. 3
What do I need to do when I am going into Kerry General Hospital? We will have provisionally booked a bed for you on the day of your admission. If you are unable to come in to hospital please inform the admissions office (066 7184220/4120) as soon as possible so that we can give your bed to someone else. For patients staying overnight Upon arrival please report to the Admissions Office which is accessed from the Main Entrance via the main Reception. Go past the Hospital Shop, follow the corridor to the left and enter the second door on the right. For day case procedure patients If you are being admitted for a day case procedure/surgery you will have received details by post or at your OPD clinic. Follow the instructions you have received and go straight to the relevant area / department at the specified time. ission. If you are unable to come into hospital please inform the admissions office (066 718 4220/4120) as soon as possible so that we can give your bed to 4
What should I bring with me when I am coming to hospital? When you are coming into the hospital please bring the following with you, where relevant: Medical Card Number and expiry date. Health insurance number and plan e.g. VHI, LAYA, AVIVA etc. Garda Medical Aid number. On your admission you will be asked to sign certain forms so that the hospital can send your account to the relevant company for payment. Other Necessities A list of your current medications including any complementary medicines you are taking. If you have any cards e.g. warfarin, blood glucose, ICD, pacemaker records please bring these also. Your own nightwear, dressing gown, well fitting non slip slippers. Towels, face cloth, toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, razor, wipes etc.) Maternity patients should refer to the checklist in the antenatal pack issued at your first clinic 5
Space for personal belongings is very limited so please do not bring extra personal clothing. As the hospital does not provide a personal laundry service, please make arrangements with your relatives or friends to do your personal laundry for you.. Please note that you are responsible at all times for your own personal belongings. Valuables and Cash Please do not bring any valuables, jewellery, or large amounts of money (except a small amount of cash for newspapers, etc.) with you. The hospital does not accept responsibility for the loss of any of these items. Please ensure that you take your personal property home with you on discharge. not bring any valuables, jewellery, or large Security Security monitoring systems are in place throughout the hospital. In the interests of your personal safety you will be asked to wear an identity bracelet during your stay. Please alert a member of staff if there are any inaccuracies in the details on your bracelet. Security monitoring systems are in place throughout 6
Who will look after me while I am in hospital? Medical Team: A named consultant is responsible for your care. The consultant is supported by a team of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Nursing Team: Each ward is under the management of a Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) who manages your nursing care. There are also clinical nurse specialists who may be involved in your care. Other Health Professionals: A number of other health professionals may also contribute to your care e.g. dieticians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech & language therapists, radiographers, healthcare assistant, porters. Will students be involved in my care? Kerry General Hospital is a teaching hospital. Senior staff will allocate students to assist in your care. Please inform staff if you so not wish to have students involved in your care. 7
Tests While in hospital you may have a blood test or other tests carried out. It is vital for your safety that test bottles are correctly labelled with your name, date of birth and hospital number. When someone takes blood from you, they should ask you for your name and date of birth. Please show staff your identity bracelet so that they may check your details. Help us to make sure we know who you are! How do I get access to my health care records? You have the right to seek access to your personal health information. Please contact the Medical Records Officer (066 7184259) for further details. A separate leaflet called Statement of Information Practices is available which explains whey we ask for your personal information, how that information will be used and how you can see your information. Leaving Hospital Patients must vacate their beds by 11am on the day of discharge. This is to facilitate other patients who are being admitted to hospital. Payment of Your Account You will receive an invoice shortly after your discharge from hospital. Methods of payment include: cash, cheque, credit card and debit card. Patients who request private treatment are liable for fees of all 8 consultants involved in their treatment. 8
Please ask Questions No question is ever too simple. Please raise any questions, queries or concerns that you may have, whether it is about: Your procedure Your tests Your care Your discharge Your medication Your after care Your account Questions I need to ask: 1. 2. 3. 4. 9
Can I have Visitors? Visiting times in the general ward areas and maternity postnatal wards are: 2pm 4pm and 6.30pm 8.30pm only. Visitors must adhere to these visiting times. Visitors who visit outside of these hours may be asked to leave. This is to facilitate staff in caring for patients. No more than two people should visit at any one time. All children must be strictly supervised. Visitors may be asked to leave in the interest of security or due to space limitation on wards. Some of our wards have special visiting times: Ardagh Ward Intensive Care Coronary Care Neonatal Unit 4pm 8pm daily. 3 4pm and 6 8pm. Immediate family only. 3 4pm and 6 8pm.Immediate family only. Only parents, grandparents and siblings may visit. Postnatal Ward Partner and children may visit 12.30pm 8.30pm. Children s Ward Parents/Guardians may visit from 8.30am 9pm.Children under 12 other than the patient s own brothers and sisters are not allowed in this ward. 10
Infection Control We aim to maintain the highest Standards of hygiene throughout Kerry General Hospital. The most Important thing that can be done to Stop the spread of infection is to Wash your hands. There is alcohol hand hygiene gel located at the main entrance and exits to the hospital and at the entrance to all ward areas. Remember it is ok to ask our staff or your visitors to clean their hands. Your health may depend on it. Please observe the following: If you have diarrhoea or vomiting or have been in contact with persons who have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours, please telephone the Admissions Office (066 7184220/4120 8am 9pm) prior to admission. Visitors should wash their hands before and after visiting. Visitors are requested not to use patient toilets on the ward. Public toilets are available on the ground floor. Patients should not visit other patients in the ward or any other part of the hospital 11
It may be necessary for you to move ward or room during your stay and we request your co operation in this regard. Please help keep our hospital clean and use the waste bins provided. If you see anything that needs cleaning please inform a member of staff. Please ensure that your visitors do not visit you if they are feeling unwell e.g. diarrhoea, cold, flu etc. or have been in contact with people who have had diarrhoea/vomiting. Please refrain from touching dressings, drips, catheters etc. Food/beverages/ takeaways for patients are not permitted without prior consultation. Visitors are requested not to bring flowers to high risk areas. Visitors are asked not to sit/ lie on beds. Please use the chairs provided. 12
Catering Services Meals Meals are served at the following times: Breakfast 8am Lunch 12pm Tea 4.30pm Beverages 10am and 8pm Please inform the Ward Manager if you have any special dietary requirements. We operate a Protected Mealtimes Policy 12 12.30 to ensure patients receive their main meal undisturbed. Coffee Dock in the main hospital foyer Open Mon Fri 9.30am 4.30pm Hospital Restaurant Weekdays Weekends 8.15am 11.45am 12.15pm 2.30pm 5.00pm 7.00pm 11.00pm 1am 8.15am 11.30am 12.30pm 2pm 3.15pm 4.15pm 5.00pm 7.00pm 11.00pm 1am Shop Monday Friday 9am 8pm Weekends/Holidays 2.30pm 5.30pm; 6pm 8pm There is a trolley service to the wards between 9am 10.30am daily. A delivery service is also available from 10.30am 3.00pm. Call 066 7184466 13 13
Chapel An inter denominational prayer area (Chapel of Christ the Healer) is situated next to the Emergency Department. A pastoral care team for all denominations is available on request. Mass times are as follows: Weekdays 1.10pm Saturdays 8.15pm Sundays 11 am Car Parking There is a public car park for patients and visitors located within the hospital grounds. Car parking charges apply. There are two parking ticket pay machines: in the Accident and Emergency Department and in the Hospital Main Reception area. Disabled parking is available at the main entrance to the hospital. This area is only for drivers that hold a valid disabled parking permit. Patient Drop Off/Collection There is a set down/collection point at the Main Entrance of the hospital. There is a set down point for emergency patients adjacent to the Emergency Department. Drivers should go to the public car park if they wish to accompany patients into the hospital. 14
Other Miscellaneous Information Postal Services Letters and parcels are delivered to and collected from the ward daily. Telephones Public phones are located outside the entrance to ward area and near to the admissions area on the restaurant corridor. You may make and receive calls from these phones. The numbers are displayed on the phones. You will need coins to use these telephones. Support Groups Information in relation to the various support groups is available. Please ask a member of staff for information. Mobile Phones Mobile phones can cause problems with certain medical equipment. Mobile phones should NOT be used in wards or areas where there are patients. In order to safeguard confidentiality mobile phones/smart phones/other recording devices must not be used to record conversations while in hospital without the consent of the people involved. Electrical Items In the interests of safety we discourage the use of any personal electrical items. 15
Smoking Kerry General Hospital is a tobacco free campus from January 6 th 2014. You are not permitted to smoke, this includes e cigarettes, anywhere inside or outside the hospital, or on the surrounding hospital grounds from the main entrance. On admission, you will be asked about your smoking habits. If you wish to stop smoking, support and treatment is available. Please let your doctor/ nurse know if you wish to avail of this support. Fire Safety Familiarise yourself with the fire exits on your ward. In the event of a fire, please cooperate with instructions issued byte person in charge. Bus Services There is a bus to Tralee town centre from the main hospital entrance at quarter to the hour, every hour during daytime business hours. Bus Eireann services stop outside the hospital on request. Interpreter Service If you have difficulty understanding English we may be able to get you an interpreter. Ask the nurse in charge about this. 16
Health Promoting Hospital Kerry General Hospital is a health promoting hospital. This means that staff are assisted in undertaking an active role in their own health, in promoting health for you, and also the health of the wider community. There are health promotion leaflets on display in the ward areas, the emergency department, outpatients and at the main hospital entrance. Active Travel Active travel is using walking or cycling to make everyday journeys to work, to the shops or to the hospital if appropriate. Active travel is an easy and accessible way for people to build physical activity into their daily lives. A cycle shelter is available at the hospital Our staff are always on hand to help with any queries you may have. 17
You and Your Health Service The HSE Patient Charter is available on wards and in various locations throughout Kerry General Hospital. It includes 8 key principles that we consider fundamental to both health services employees and to those who use our services: Access Dignity & Respect Safe & Effective Care Communication & Information Participation Privacy Improving Health Accountability What you can expect from Kerry General Hospital Our services are organized to ensure equity of access. We treat people with dignity, respect and compassion. We respect diversity of culture, beliefs and values once they do not interfere with your care and treatment. We provide services in a safe environment, delivered by competent, skilled and trusted staff. We listen carefully and provide clear, comprehensive and understandable health information. We involve patients, their families and carers in shared decision making about their health care. We ensure adequate personal space to ensure privacy in providing care and personal social services. We maintain strict confidentiality of personal information. Consent will be obtained as appropriate prior to interventions by your healthcare worker. Your healthcare information may be communicated to other healthcare professionals. See the KGH Statement of Information Practices. Our services promote health, prevent disease and support and empower those with chronic illness to self care. We welcome your complaints and feedback about care and services. Please let us know if you have a complaint or feedback. What we expect from you Keep appointments and use our services only when you need them. Treat staff and other patients with respect, dignity and consideration. Support the delivery of safe and effective care. Promote clear communication and provide information about your condition. Become more involved in shared decision making about your care. Support health services to safeguard patient confidentiality. Take care of yourself, maintain and protect your health and prevent the spread of infection. Comment on care and have your concerns addressed. 18
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Your Comments We encourage you to give comments and feedback about our services. For a complaint, please first talk to the Nurse in Charge or the Head of the Department. We also have a Complaints Officer who you can contact: Complaints Officer, Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, Co. Kerry. You can also give feedback by completing the Tell us about your experience comment cards which are available on each ward and the main hospital entrance. Please ask a member of staff for assistance if necessary. You can contact the HSE directly by: Email: yoursay@hse.ie Tel: 1850241850 Website: Visit Your Comments at www.hse.ie Kerry General Hospital, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry Telephone: 066 718 4000/6222 Vol 2 2014 Form 351 Booklet 20