Registration | ID Bracelet | Patient Rights & Responsiblities | Patient Pass Code
Advance Directives | Partnership in Safety

Registration

• Physician’s orders with a diagnosis
• Photo identification
• List of allergies
• List of all medications with dosages, including vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications
• Insurance information
• Advance directive documents (if any)
• MED-KEY card for faster registration

Registration will consist of the following:

•  If you have not been pre-registered, your address, telephone number, place of employment and insurance information will be confirmed
•  Verification of pre-certification, as appropriate
•  Copying of physician’s orders Obtaining your signature on each of the following: consent for treatment, authorization to bill your insurance, notice of privacy practices, patient rights and responsibilities,  acknowledgement of receipt of Patient Services and Information Guide and not responsible for personal belongings paperwork
•  Payment of co-pay, deductible and/or co-insurance

ID Bracelet

Patient's will receive a special identification (ID) bracelet that states name and hospital number, physician’s name and other important information. The ID bracelet will be checked often during a patient stay. It is important that patients wear their ID bracelet at all times to prevent delays with important lab tests, x-rays and various other tests and treatments.

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

As a patient, you have many rights that this hospital is committed to protecting and promoting. Whenever possible, patients are informed of rights in advance of furnishing or discontinuing care. Patient rights and responsibilities have been established with the expectation that observation of these rights and responsibilities will contribute to more effective patient care and greater patient satisfaction. Upon admission, all patients or their representatives will be given a copy of the "Patient Rights and Responsibilities." 

Patient Pass Code

Patients will receive a pass code during registration. This code will serve as the patient’s authorization to disclose health information for purposes such as communicating results, findings, care decisions to family members/friends in possession of the pass code. It is the patient’s responsibility to provide the pass code to those they wish to have information disclosed. The family member or friend seeking information will need to provide the pass code to the hospital employee in order to receive any information other than general condition. Pass codes cannot be used after discharge to obtain test results.

Advance Directives

Patients have a choice in making advanced healthcare decisions. Advance directives are written or oral choices/statements made and witnessed in advance of serious illness or injury. With an advance directive, a patient's physician and/or family will know how medical decisions should be made on his or her behalf. 

Living Wills

A living will generally states the kind of medical care an individual would want or would not want if he or she became unable to make his or her own decisions. It is called a living will because it takes effect while the person is still living. The living will contains personal directions about life-prolonging treatment in the case of serious illness or injury that could cause death.

Health Care Surrogate Designations

A health care surrogate designation is a signed, dated and witnessed document naming another person such as a husband, wife, daughter, son or close friend as an agent to make medical decisions for an individual who is unable to make them for himself or herself. 

Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney is a written declaration wherein an individual designates an adult to make all healthcare decisions for himself or herself in the event of his or her later incompetency/incapacity. The declaration is generally without guidance as to what decision shall be made. If the declaration concerns medical care, it is generally considered a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. If it concerns financial matters, it is a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters.The two types of declarations may be combined into one.

What to do with an Advance Directive?

Make sure that someone such as a physician, lawyer or family member knows that an advance directive has been executed and where it is located. Consider the following:

• Bring a copy to the hospital to be placed in the medical record
• Give a copy to the physician for the office medical file

Partnership in Safety

Research has shown that the best way to prevent medical errors is for patients and families to take an active part in their medical care. Patient safety is a top priority at Seven Rivers Regional. As the patient, you also play an important role in safe care. Please assist us by following these simple tips.

• Ask for information about your condition from your physician or nurse. Patient information in the form of brochures or videos is often available.
• Write down important facts your physician tells you.
• Read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you don’t understand, ask your physician or nurse to explain them.
• Give us complete and correct information about your health history, personal habits (such as alcohol or smoking), diet and medications you are taking (including dosage).
• Tell your medical team about any allergies, side effects or problems you have had with medications in the past or are currently experiencing. Know what medications you take and why you take them.
• Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care. If you don’t understand something, ask. It’s your body and you have a right to know. Ask a family member or friend to speak for you if you are not able to speak for yourself.
• To prevent the spread of infection, feel free to ask health care team members if they have washed their hands before they provide care to you. Good hand washing is still the best way to prevent the spread of germs.
• To prevent falls, let us help you out of bed until we know you are steady on your feet. Always call your nurse if you are unsure about your ability to get out of bed.
• Be sure you know what to expect when you go home and know what to report to your doctor.
• Just prior to discharge, you will receive a Medication Record. We encourage you to complete this record once you are home and to update it as your medications change. Keep it with you at all times, as it will assist us and other health care professionals in your future care.