When you or a loved one is admitted to a Saint Francis facility you know you have the backing of eastern Oklahoma's only locally governed and operated health system. For nearly 60 years, Saint Francis has been the name to trust in healthcare thanks to our expert physicians, nurses and staff. This group of people is dedicated to making you or your loved one as comfortable as possible in your new setting.
What to Expect
Upon admission, your nurse will review the doctor's orders and will ask additional questions to complete your medical record. They will include important contact names and numbers on your white board and go over any meal plans with you. Should you need anything to help with you or your guests comfort, please let them know.
Identification
When you complete the admissions interview, you are assigned a permanent medical record number to use any time you are a patient at Saint Francis Health System. You will also receive an identification bracelet that must be worn during your entire hospital stay. If you are allergic to any drugs, you will get another bracelet to identify your allergy.
Valuables
You will need only essentials such as toiletries and sleeping apparel in your room. The hospital cannot be responsible for money or personal belongings, so please send credit cards, jewelry and all but a few dollars home.
Dentures
If you wear dentures, please ask the nurse for a denture container. Dentures wrapped in tissue and left on table tops could be discarded accidentally.
Meals
Your meals are prepared according to your physician’s instruction and are served at or about around 7:30 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. Each morning, a food service technician will bring a menu for you to select your meals for the next day. If you have any special nutritional problems or questions, registered dietitians are available to help you.
Services for the Hearing-impaired
Services are available during hospitalization for hearing-impaired patients. Ask your admitting physician, nurse or social worker for help setting up this service. The hospitals also have TDD machines that connect to the telephone so deaf patients can communicate with people outside the hospital.
Television
A television is provided in every patient room. In addition to the local TV channels, the hospital provides educational programs. A complete listing of hospital television programs is provided in the Patient Information booklet found in your room.
Mail and Flowers
Volunteers deliver mail and flowers to your room. If mail arrives after you leave the hospital, it will be forwarded to your home. Flowers arriving after your dismissal will be returned to the florist for home delivery.
Notary Public
Notary public services are available for patients from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Your nurse can arrange for one to come to your room. Other hospital personnel may not act as witnesses for personal documents.
Care and Safety While in the Hospital
Saint Francis Health System physicians, staff and volunteers take the care and safety of patients and their families very seriously. Please follow all guidelines laid out to you by your care team and in the Patient Information booklet found in your room.
Medications
If your doctor allowed you to bring medications from home, you’ll be asked to check them with the nurse. Only medications prescribed by your doctor during your hospital stay may be taken. For your convenience, we have Patient Information cards which you can use to keep a listing of your medications and health history. Ask your nurse about receiving one of these cards or print the PDF now.
Bed Safety
Your bed can be raised or lowered electrically. At bedtime, the bed is usually placed in a low position with the top side rails raised. The rails will not obstruct you from getting in and out of bed; they actually provide a handrail for you to steady yourself. If you feel unsteady or have taken sedatives, please use your signal light to call for assistance to get out of bed. For your safety, do not cover your night light. It will help orient you to your new surroundings should you wake in the middle of the night.
In-Hospital Physicians
Hospital care is generally managed by a group of specialized physicians called hospitalists. A hospitalist is a physician who solely cares for patients in the hospital. Hospitalists are proficient in managing a full spectrum of serious illnesses and most have a background in primary care.
Hospitalists are on site 24/7 and work directly with a patient's primary care physician to insure a seamless transition from outpatient care to inpatient service and back to outpatient care. During the course of a hospitalization, the hospitalist and the patient's primary care physician will regularly discuss the patient's care plan.
Benefits of Hospitalists
- Keeping a close eye on you: In the case of an emergency, your hospitalist is never more than a few minutes away. He/she works in the hospital and is able to see you more than once a day, if needed. Hospitalists have access to every specialty and department in the hospital to assist you to a smooth and speedy recovery.
- Answering your family's questions: Hospitalists provide the answers in person whenever possible. During critical and stressful moments, they offer honest and considerate answers to your questions.
- Monitoring treatment in a timely manner: Since hospitalists only work in the hospital, they are always nearby. They cover the hospital 24/7 and can order and interpret tests, as well as provide care in a very efficient and prompt manner - anytime of day or night.
Private Duty Nurses
If your doctor has ordered a private duty nurse, your hospital nurse will make arrangements for you through the nursing staffing office.
Pastoral Care
One of your first visitors may be a Chaplain, who is a member of the Pastoral Care Department. Chaplains try to visit each patient to make sure overall hospital needs and spiritual needs are being met. If you state a religious preference at admission, you may receive a visit from your local minister. If you are not a local resident and would like a minister to visit you, ask the Chaplain or your nurse to make arrangements.
Social Work Services
Illness and hospitalization often cause personal or family problems that may complicate your recovery. Social workers may help you by contacting community resources, arranging home health care or nursing home care, or obtaining special equipment. Your doctor or nurse can arrange a meeting with a social worker if you or a family member would like to speak to one.
Going Home from the Hospital
In preparation for discharge from the hospital, your hospitalist will communicate with your primary care physician to discuss further treatment needs. They will help arrange follow-up appointments and prescribe the necessary medications needed after discharge. Follow-up outpatient care will then be managed by the patient's primary care physician.
Lost and Found
The Housekeeping Department is responsible for lost and found articles. If you lose something, please contact the nursing station on your floor to help you or call the hospital's main number and ask for Housekeeping.
Your Account
The daily rate quoted to you includes private or semi private accommodations, local phone use, meals and the services of the nursing staff and house staff. Our policy is to charge for the day of admission, but not for the day of discharge. Discharge time is no later than noon. The daily rate does not include the services of your personal physician or other physicians consulting on your case. If you have any questions about your account while still in the hospital, please talk with your nurse. They can connect you to the appropriate department. Should you have questions after discharge, visit our Patient Billing page for FAQs and contact information.