PATIENT GUIDE

We want your stay to be as comfortable as possible. In your room, you will find:

 

• Communication board with information about your care team and your care plan for the day

 

• Alexa and iPads (availability may vary); if you do not have one of these devices and would like one, please let a staff member know

 

• Television with a controller attached to your bed

 

• In most cases, furniture for a guest to sit and/or stay overnight

 

• Space for storage

 

• Emergency pull cords or buttons in the restroom, next to the toilet and in the shower

 

For your comfort, you may:

 

• Adjust the temperature in your room

 

• Adjust your bed using the buttons on the side

 

• Ask your nurse for additional blankets or pillows

 

• Ask your nurse for toiletries if needed

 

Housekeeping staff will clean your room daily, and the nursing staff will change bed linens. If your room needs more attention, please ask your nurse to contact our housekeeping or maintenance staff.

Your nurse or a nursing assistant will stop by your room frequently to assess your safety and comfort needs. At the start and end of every shift, your current nurse and the next nurse in charge of your care will come into your room to discuss your condition and care goals for the next shift. You may also receive a visit from the charge nurse or nurse leader.

We are committed to providing each patient with a safe environment of caring, and we encourage every patient and family member to be an active participant in hospital care.

 

You may reach your nurse by pressing the call button on the controller attached to your bed, and the unit secretary will route your concerns. To reach your nurse directly, call the number on the communication board.

 

If you notice a change in medical condition, such as chest pain, sudden change in blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate or mental status that continues to be a concern after notifying your nurse, you or a loved one may call our Clinical Emergency Response Team (CERT). 

 

To reach the CERT team after speaking with your nurse, please call 346.618.2100 and give the operator your name and room number.

Managing your pain is one of our key goals while you're here. We want to make sure you're as comfortable as possible. You are the only one who can measure your pain. Please tell your nurse or doctor when you experience any level of pain. We are committed to responding to your pain quickly and to helping you prevent pain when we can.

 

 

At Houston Methodist, we use the scale above to help patients communicate your pain level. This scale is also located on the communication board in your room.

Doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and many other professionals may make up your health care team.

 

Case managers are nurses who help with discharge planning, including home care, transfer to another health care facility, or arranging for medical equipment.

 

Chaplains are available to help you address your emotional and spiritual needs. They can talk with you directly, or they can assist you in contacting a representative of your faith.

 

Patient liaisons may work with you and your health care team to act as your advocate – helping sort out any concerns and assisting with communications related to services and procedures.  

 

Pharmacists are on duty 24/7 and review your medication list regularly to ensure medication safety.

 

Physical therapists, occupational therapists and/or speech pathologists may be consulted by your health care team to identify resources you may need to continue your recovery after you leave the hospital.

 

Registered dietitians may review your medical record and work with your health care team to develop a nutrition care plan. Dietitians are available for education and questions.

 

Social workers offer guidance to help patients and families connect with financial, social and emotional resources.

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone at Houston Methodist, and we prohibit disruptive or abusive behavior toward our employees.

The Houston Methodist Pharmacy Department is committed to partnering with you to meet all your medication needs. We can answer any questions you have about your prescribed medications.

 

The hospital pharmacy will:

 

• Provide all medications your doctor orders during your stay

 

• Work with your doctor to choose other medications if an ordered medication is not in stock

 

• Not dispense or provide non-FDA regulated herbal supplements

 

In some situations, we may need to provide medications you bring from home.

 

To make your discharge as smooth as possible, we provide a concierge service called Meds-to-Bed that allows you to receive your discharge medications and avoid a stop at a local pharmacy. This service also includes a one-on-one educational consult with a pharmacist so that all your questions are addressed before you leave the hospital. Please take advantage of this convenient service by letting your nurse know you are interested.

A service animal may accompany the partner/handler in any area of the hospital that is not specifically prohibited, as long as the service animal does not pose a direct threat and the presence of the service animal does not require fundamental alteration in the hospital's policies, practices or procedures. The care and supervision of the service animal is the sole responsibility of the partner/handler.

At Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, we invested in technology that creates a more personalized health care experience for you and your family. This innovative technology gives you more say and better visibility into your overall health and well-being and provides a seamless way to connect with your health care team.

Advanced technologies offer you and your care team new, convenient options that allow you to focus on what’s most important: getting better.

 

Here are some examples of the technology that is available in every room in the hospital:

 

• Wearable Monitor: A small device the patient wears that continuously monitors and records vitals — such as heartbeat, blood pressure and respiration — reducing the need for a nurse to disturb a patient’s rest for spot checks and manual chart updates. If a patient shows signs of distress, the button alerts the nurse. <Watch video to learn more.>
  
  
• Digital Door Sign: The Digital Door Sign, also called a hall monitor, alerts our hospital staff to timely, important information specific to each patient — like your doctors’ and nurses’ names, whether you are fasting for a procedure, and unique safety messages or alerts. The Digital Door Sign also displays a “Do Not Disturb” notification, as well as any requests you’ve made, such as for water or an extra blanket. <Watch video to learn more.>
  
  
• Digital Whiteboard: An interactive display that shares patient details such as medication updates, treatment plan, dietary restrictions and trackable notes. <Watch video to learn more.>
  
  
• Room Controls: Room Controls: Patients can now control the settings of their room or make service requests conveniently from their bed. Scan the QR code located in your room to access the web app. The platform is connected to the digital door sign, making requests of your care team easier than ever.

 

• Virtual Care: Your “Care AI” camera is here to provide extra convenience and peace of mind by giving you even more access to expert nurses and doctors during your stay. <Watch video to learn more.>
  
  
• Voice Controls: Through simple voice commands using the in-room Alexa, patients can control room settings, such as changing the room temperature, dimming the lights, and ordering a meal or can utilize services like calling the nurse. <Watch video to learn more.>

 

Alexa commands include:

 

Request	Alexa Command,  "Alexa,...."
Helpful information about Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital (FAQs):	Alexa, what is the hospital address? Alexa, where is the cafeteria? Alexa, what is the phone number for the hospital? Alexa, what room is this? Alexa, what are the visiting hours?
Room Commands:	Alexa, turn on all lights Alexa, turn off all lights Alexa, what is the room temperature? Alexa, change the room temperature to 70 degrees Alexa, turn the TV on Alexa, turn the TV off Alexa, turn the TV volume up Alexa, turn the TV volume down Alexa, change TV channel up Alexa, change the TV channel down
Music:	Alexa, play "Artist Name" (Example: Alexa, play George Strait) Alexa, play "Genre Radio" (Example: Alexa, play Jazz Radio) Alexa, play music (Example: Alexa, play country music)
Sleep and Relaxing Sounds:	Alexa, play sleep sounds (Example: Alexa, ask sleep sounds to play white noise or Alexa, ask sleep sounds to play rain) Alexa, open relaxing sounds (Example: Alexa, ask relaxing sounds to play thunderstorm or Alexa, ask relaxing sounds to play ocean noises) Alexa, open Tea House Meditations
Entertainment and Sports:	Alexa, open Twenty Questions Alexa, open Fun Facts Trivia Alexa, open Disney Hits Challenge Alexa, open Guess the Price Alexa, open Memory Game Alexa, open Joke of the Day Alexa, play Name that Tune Alexa, play Country Music Quiz Alexa, play ESPN Alexa, This Day in History
Device Features:	To Change the Volume for Alexa Device: Alexa, turn the volume up or Alexa, turn the volume down To Set a Reminder for Alexa Device: Alexa, set a reminder for me to ask my doctor about my new medication To Cancel a Reminder for Alexa Device: Alexa, cancel a reminder for me to ask my doctor about my new medication To Mute the Alexa Device: Please ask your care team for assistance.