At Thibodaux Regional, we're centered on our patients. We believe in providing you with all the information you need before you arrive to help you enjoy your stay with us. It is also important to us that your family and visitors are comfortable. We hope you will study the following information on patient rights and responsibilities, admission procedures, financial arrangements, information on policies and tips on how to prepare for your stay. If you need any additional assistance during or prior to your stay, please call Case Management at 435-4813.

PATIENT RIGHTS

Patients have the following rights:

Right to the Appropriate Level of Care/Service

Right to Respect

Right to Privacy and Confidentiality

Right to be involved in Care Decisions

Right to a Safe and Secure Environment

Right to Refuse Care

Right to an Advance Directive

Right to Information

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Patients Have the Following Responsibilities:

CONFIDENTIALITY

Your name, room number and physician's name will be displayed on a patient roster board on your assigned unit. No diagnostic information will be displayed. If you have any objections, please let your nurse know immediately.

ADMISSION

Your physician will make all preliminary arrangements for your admission to Thibodaux Regional. It is important that the office of Patient Registration receive complete financial and insurance information before you enter the hospital.

If you have insurance, the following verifiable guarantees will be needed, depending upon your type of coverage:

In addition, please check with your insurance carrier on other specific requirements they may need, such as second opinions on surgeries, before care is provided.

EMERGENCY ADMISSION

If you are critically ill or being admitted as an emergency patient, a relative or family friend may register you with the help of your admissions representative.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

You are ultimately responsible for all hospital charges incurred. As a courtesy, we will file all claims for our services to your primary insurance company and secondary carrier when noted. Once your insurance(s) have paid their portion of the bill, you will be responsible for paying the remaining balance.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

All persons are eligible for admission by a member of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center's medical staff regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, financial status, sexual orientation or handicap.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

Toothbrush, toilet articles, bathrobe, slippers, nightgown or pajamas. Maternity patients should include an infant car seat as well as an outfit for the baby to wear home.

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME

Jewelry, money or anything of value. The hospital cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. There is a vault available for emergency situations when valuables cannot be sent home with family members. Please speak to the nurse on duty if you must store articles in the vault. In the interest of patient and staff safety, the use of all privately-owned electrical appliances, coffee pots, hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, televisions and radios is strictly prohibited.

YOUR ROOM

Room assignments are made based on your preference, your physician's recommendation and room availability. If your first choice is not available but becomes available during your stay, we will make every effort to transfer you. Thibodaux Regional has private and semi-private rooms, as well as a critical care unit (CCU) for patients requiring special nursing care.

NO SMOKING POLICY

For your good health and personal safety, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center is a smoke-free campus.

NURSE CALL SYSTEM

To speak to a nurse, please press the nurse call button at your bedside. A sound at the Nurses' Station will alert the staff that you need assistance. The staff will speak to you over an intercom to take your request.

ALARMS

In the event of a fire drill or "CODE RED" alert, patients and visitors should remain in their rooms with the doors closed until the "ALL CLEAR" is given or until an authorized staff member comes to evacuate you.

TELEPHONE

All rooms are equipped with telephone service except those located in special care areas. To ensure patient comfort, no calls will be transferred by our operator before 7 am or after 9 pm.

LONG DISTANCE CALLS

Thibodaux Regional is not responsible for any patient long distance charges. All long distance calls must be charged to your home or business number or made collect. The local phone company for Thibodaux Regional is AT & T. Charge calls within the 985 area code will be billed by AT & T. Long distance calls outside of this area code will be handled by Metropolitan Interconnect. Calls may be made collect or charged to your home number or telephone credit card. You have the right to reach other long distance carriers to service your call. You can do so by dialing the access code provided by your preferred carrier. All charges you incur will be billed by the long distance carrier.

HOW TO MAKE A LONG DISTANCE CALL

THE SURGERY LOBBY

If you are scheduled for surgery or an ambulatory care procedure, members of your family may be present in the Surgery Lobby, on the first floor of the hospital in the Medical Mall. Family members should register with the volunteer when they arrive. The volunteer will keep them informed of your progress with your consent.

THE GIFT SHOP

Located in the Inpatient Services Lobby, the Gift Shop is operated by Volunteer Services. The Gift Shop is open Monday through Friday; hours are posted on the door. If you need assistance in the purchase and delivery of personal items not stocked on the nursing unit, call the Gift Shop, ext. 1181. A volunteer will assist you.

INTERPRETERS/TELEPHONIC DEVICES

Thibodaux Regional subscribes to AT&T Language Line services for telephonic interpreters and Sign Language Services International along with a volunteer list for signing interpreters. Additionally, we can assist you in obtaining telephonic devices or a volunteer reader if needed. If you need assistance, please contact your Case Manager or Nurse for assistance.

LOST AND FOUND

Please contact Security if you have left something behind following discharge.

MAIL AND FLOWER DELIVERY

All mail, packages and flowers addressed to you will be delivered to your room. Mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home. Flowers delivered after your discharge will not be accepted. Flowers are not permitted in CCU.

NEWSPAPER

You will receive a complimentary copy of The Daily Comet each weekday during your stay.

TELEVISION

Television service is provided free of charge. To report a problem with your set please inform your nurse.

SECURITY

Security A uniformed security guard is on duty at all times. Additionally, video cameras are located strategically to ensure your personal safety. Please cooperate with Security and help safeguard your personal property while in the hospital. To report an incident anywhere on the medical campus, call the Switchboard at ext. 1100. Also, if the hour is late and you wish to be escorted to your car, please call the Switchboard at ext. 1100.

VALET PARKING

Free Valet Parking is available at the Medical Mall entrance Monday through Friday from

7 am to 3 pm. Tipping is neither expected nor accepted. Please use this service for your convenience.

VENDING MACHINES

Vending machines and a change machine are located near the Inpatient Services Lobby on the first floor and are accessible for snacks and cold drinks on a 24-hour basis.

VISITOR ACCOMODATIONS

Cafe Bon Manger is open to visitors and hospital staff seven days a week from 7 - 9:30 am for breakfast, from 11 am to 1:15 pm for lunch and from 4:30 - 6:00 pm for dinner.

GUEST MEAL SERVICE

If a family member or sitter is unable to leave a patient's room for meals, guest meals are available and can be delivered to the patient's room. To place an order from the menus below, dial ext. 4711. Please pay for guest meals when they are delivered.

Breakfast

Lunch & Dinner

Weekend Meals $5


MEALS

You will be served three meals per day or as scheduled by your physician. Breakfast between 8 and 8:30 am; lunch between noon and 12:30 pm; dinner between 5 and 5:30 pm. Menus are planned and coordinated by our Food and Nutritional Services staff. If you have special food requests, please call ext. 4711 and we will bring you a menu. If your physician orders a special diet for you, a clinical dietitian will explain the diet, assist you in making the right selections, and give you instructions for following your diet after you are home.

SPIRITUAL CARE

The hospital Meditation Room is located near the Inpatient Services Lobby and is open 24 hours a day. Ministers visit the hospital daily and may be reached through the nurse on duty.

PASTORAL CARE

Area clergy are available for spiritual and emotional support, and providing the sacrament of the sick and final blessings upon patient and family requests. The hospital's Meditation Room is located near the first floor Inpatient Lobby.

OUTPATIENT NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING

Nutritional consultations are available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm for a minimal charge. Information about this service can be obtained by calling the Scheduling Department, 493-4304.

GOING HOME

Before your discharge from the hospital, you, a relative, or a friend must contact Patient Financial Services, 493-4739, or ext. 4739, to finalize your financial arrangements.

YOUR HOSPITAL BILL

If you foresee any problem settling your account, contact a financial counselor immediately by calling 493-4739, or ext. 4739. Your final bill will be mailed to you. Any unpaid patient balance should be paid upon receipt of your bill, unless other arrangements have been

FEES NOT COVERED

Your final bill will not include fees for professional charges of your physician, surgeon or any consulting physicians. In addition, the bill does not reflect fees for professional services of the anesthesiologist, cardiologist, oncologist, pathologist, radiologist or emergency room physician. These fees are billed directly to you by the physician.

VISITING HOURS

Visitors play an important role in patient recovery. Thibodaux Regional's visiting hours end at 9 pm. We ask that children with contagious illness not be allowed to visit, in order to prevent the spread of infection. All visiting children should be supervised by a responsible adult.

VISITING HOURS/CRITICAL CARE UNIT

The following guidelines apply to the Critical Care Unit

CELLULAR PHONES

The use of cellular telephones is discouraged in high technology areas such as the Emergency Center and Critical Care Unit.

COMPLAINTS/PROBLEMS

Thibodaux Regional is committed to providing quality health care. There are Case Managers available to assist you with a complaint or problem. The Case Management Department can be reached at 435-4813. If your complaint is not handled to your satisfaction you have the right to file a grievance. For assistance in filling a grievance contact the Chief Quality Resource Officer at 493-4761, or ext. 4761.

The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. If your concerns about patient care and safety in the hospital are not resolved at the hospital level, you are encouraged to contact the Joint Commission Survey Operations and Support Department at One Renaissance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, either in writing, by phone, (800) 994-6610, or by fax (630) 792-5636.