Your admission to Columbus Regional Healthcare System is requested by your physician who is a member of the medical staff of Columbus Regional Healthcare System. Upon admission, you will be asked many questions by admitting personnel.

 In addition you will be asked if you are an organ donor and if you have advance directives (living will or healthcare power of attorney). This information is necessary and we appreciate your cooperation.

VALUABLES

Columbus Regional Healthcare System does not assume responsibility for the loss of any valuables during your stay.

CAFETERIA/VENDING MACHINES

The hospital cafeteria, located on the first floor, is open to visitors as well as staff. Breakfast is served from 6:00 am – 10:00 am; lunch from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm; dinner from 4:30pm – 6:30 pm. Vending machines are located on the first floor at the Visitor Entrance, Outpatient Entrance and the Emergency Department. For your convenience, the cafeteria dining area is open 24 hours a day.

MAE COFFEE SHOP

Gourmet hot and cold beverages, coffee, sandwiches and rolls/pastries are available at Mae Coffee Shop located directly across from the Sunshine Shop on first floor.

THE SUNSHINE SHOP

The hospital gift shop, “The Sunshine Shop,” is located on the first floor in the lobby area. Open seven days a week and operated by our volunteer staff, The Sunshine Shop offers beautiful gifts, cards and flowers.

CELLULAR PHONE USE

Columbus Regional Healthcare System restricts the use of wireless communication in certain areas of the hospital. If you are unsure if it is safe to use wireless communication, please consult the nursing staff in your area.

VISITING HOURS

Visitors can be good medicine for patients. Family members and friends are welcome to visit. However, patient care is our primary concern. In order to enhance the quality of care, the following visiting hours and regulations have been established.

Critical Care Unit (CCU)

5:00 am	–	5:30 am
9:00 am	–	9:30 am
11:00 am	–	11:30 am
1:00 pm	–	1:30 pm
3:00 pm	–	5:00 pm (open – two visitors/room)
8:30 pm	–	9:30 pm

Family Birthing Center, 4th, 5th & 6th floor and Non-Critical Care Unit
 8:00 am – 8:30 pm

Emergency Department
Only one visitor is allowed with a patient at any time. The exception is children, who may have both parents with them in the Emergency Department.

PARKING

Parking for patients and visitors is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients and visitors are cautioned not to park in reserved areas or certain designated areas. While security is typically not a problem, we ask that you be sure to lock your car and store valuables in your trunk. If something happens that requires assistance with your vehicle, please call the Operator or the Security Department at Ext. 2333.

WAITING AREAS

There are specially-designated waiting areas for visitors on each patient floor and on the main floor in the lobby. They are located as follows:

Main Waiting	................	Main lobby
Ambulatory Surgery	................	Yellow canopy entrance
Surgical Services	................	Main corridor – first floor, phone 910-642-9652
Nursing Units	................	East end near visitor elevator
CCU Waiting Area	................	Phone 642-9975

 All outpatient Ancillary Departments have waiting areas as well.

PASTORAL CARE SERVICES

Pastoral Care Services are available to our patients and their families. Our chaplain can be reached at ext. 1702 or 910-642-1702. The Chaplain’s Office is located on the first floor near the main lobby. Our chapel is open 24 hours a day and is also located near the main lobby.

PARTNERING WITH OUR PATIENTS FOR YOUR SAFETY

Many hospitals across the country are working to make health care safety a priority. We encourage our patients to be active participants in their healthcare through the use of the “Speak Up” program.

Speak up if you have questions or concerns and if you don’t understand, ask again.

Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Ask questions when you don’t understand.

Educate yourself about your diagnosis, medical tests and your plan of care.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to be with you if you are unable to ask questions for yourself.

Know what medications you take.

Use a health care organization that has undergone rigorous on-site evaluations.

Participate in decisions about your treatment. You are the center of your health care team.

HELP US KEEP YOU SAFE

Anytime you or a family member is a patient at Columbus Regional Healthcare System, please bring your current medications or a list of them (and dosage) as well as any drug and/or food allergies you may have.

All medications you take while in the hospital are prescribed by your doctor, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy and administered by a nurse. Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or keep personal medications at their bedsides.

INFECTION CONTROL

Infections can occur after many types of medical procedures and at Columbus Regional Healthcare System policies and procedures are in place to avoid such infections. However, there are several things you can do to help prevent infections from developing in the hospital such as: hand washing, hand sanitizing, keeping dressings clean and dry and asking friends and family not to visit if they themselves feel ill, among others. Talk to your nurse promptly if you have an infection control question.

FIRE DRILLS

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 become alarmed. The hospital is a fire-resistant building, and the staff is trained in fire protection.

If you have concerns about patient care or safety at Columbus Regional Healthcare System or any of its affiliates, you are encouraged to share your concerns with your nurse, the supervisor on duty or administration.

If preferred you may contact the following:

Quality Management Department (910) 642-9419
Administration (910)-642-1771

If your concerns are not resolved by these means, you may contact the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) directly. JCAHO surveys hospital facilities to evaluate compliance with nationally established JCAHO standards. Anyone believing that they have pertinent and valid information about quality-of-care issues or the safety of the care environment in our hospital is encouraged to contact JCAHO:

Office of Quality Monitoring
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Phone: 1-800-994-6610
Email: complaint@jcaho.org


Thank you for choosing Columbus Regional Healthcare System as your healthcare provider!