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 guests to sit and 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.

You may press the call button on the controller attached to your bed, and a unit secretary will route your concerns to your nurse or patient care assistant. To reach your nurse directly, call the number on the communication board.

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.

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.

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.

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.

To offer you the most specialized care, we may need doctors at different locations to share information using electronic devices — called telemedicine. If we believe telemedicine is important to your care, we will give you more information and allow you to make the best decision for you.

 

Please do not take photos or videos of caregivers without their permission.

Houston Methodist doctors and employees wear identification badges. Feel free to ask everyone who enters your room their name, role and purpose. If someone visits your room without a badge, tell your nurse.

 

You received a patient identification band. Staff members who provide a service to you will check your full name and date of birth before every test, procedure, treatment or medication. While this may feel overwhelming, it is the greatest action we can take to ensure your safety.