Patient Handbook
Table of Contents
The Trinity Hospital of Augusta family thanks you for allowing us to provide for your healthcare needs. As the only faith-based hospital in Augusta, Trinity Hospital of Augusta recognizes the importance of faith as it relates to a person’s health and overall well-being. Our mission of extending the work of Christ through healthcare services recognizes that the entire patient must be treated - mind, body and spirit. It is the goal of our medical staff, associates and volunteers to daily live this mission, providing you with healthcare that is safe, healthcare that works and healthcare that leaves no one behind.
As you make plans for your care when you leave the hospital, we want you to know that we are available to assist you and your family with any discharge planning needs that you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need our assistance. We hope that you will have a pleasant stay with us, and if you or your family needs hospital care in the future you will once again choose Trinity Hospital of Augusta .
Thank you for putting your faith in us.
Table of Contents
Caring for You - Mind, Body & Spirit
MISSION STATEMENT
To extend the work of Christ through health care services.
VALUES
Service of the Poor – Generosity of spirit, especially for persons most in need.
Reverence – Respect and compassion for the dignity and diversity of life.
Integrity – Inspiring trust through personal leadership.
Wisdom – Integrating excellence and stewardship.
Creativity – Courageous innovation.
Dedication – Affirming the hope and joy of our ministry.
YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PATIENT
You Have A Right To:
- Considerate and respectful care in a safe setting with recognition of your personal privacy, dignity, value, and belief system
- Information from your physician concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms you understand
- Make informed decisions about your healthcare and participate in your plan of care
- Comprehensive pain assessment and management
- Refuse medical treatment to the extent permitted by law
- Confidentiality of your medical records and a right to access the information
- Be informed of the process for patient complaints and ethical issues
- Be informed of Advance Directives and develop one upon request
- Examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of payment source
- All Patient Rights as outlined in the hospital’s Notice of Privacy Practice
Georgia Law now requires an "Informed Consent" be obtained prior to performing any medical treatment or procedure on a patient. An Informed consent is a document that confirms in writing the physician/patient communication process regarding the indications for test or treatment, probable benefits & risks, treatment alternatives and the risks of forgoing tests or care.
You Are Responsible For:
- Providing accurate, complete, and current medical, demographic and insurance information to all hospital associates upon request and reporting any changes to the information
- Complying with your plan of care and reporting changes in your condition
- Cooperating with your pain management
- Consideration of other patients’ rights and complying with hospital rules and regulations
- Choosing a lifestyle conducive to good health
Please note that this may not be a complete list. If you have any questions, please ask your healthcare provider.
TO HEAL, TO COMFORT & TO CARE
Our Commitment to Competent & Compassionate Care
Modern medicine offers many marvelous cures and benefits. But even with the advances of science and technology, our ability to cure is limited. It is not always possible to find a cure for every illness. In some cases, a physical cure may be possible, but involve treatments that are too burdensome (from the patients perspective). In other cases, a treatment might offer some benefit, but not enough benefit to outweigh its burdens. Every patient's situation is different. People have different needs and experience different limits to what they can endure. Yet, competent and compassionate care should always be provided, even when a physical cure is no longer an option. We believe that every human life is sacred and valuable. Each person possesses a basic dignity that deserves our deepest respect and reverence. We believe we must provide comfort, care and support to the suffering. We also believe that dying is a part of the mystery of life. Sharing in that mission, we are committed to providing quality health care that attempts to meet your spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs. It is because of our commitment to you and to these values that we offer you this guide. We hope it will help you make important decisions about your health care. We encourage you and your loved ones to discuss these matters with each other and your caregivers.
Talking About Your Needs
Medical, spiritual and emotional needs can change from day to day. It is important for you to tell your caregivers when your needs have changed; to tell them when you are not satisfied with your care or treatment. This will enable them to respond more appropriately to your needs. When others must make decisions for you, they also should tell your caregivers when your needs have changed. They should make sure all your needs are being met satisfactorily. Many people may be involved in making arrangements for your continued care--loved ones, doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains and many other professionals. It takes time for new information to get to the right people. Sometimes you may have to repeat yourself--to enable your caregivers to work together more effectively for your benefit.
Comfort and Pain Management
Pain associated with a serious illness can be disabling and often frightening. Depression and anxiety can also accompany pain and illness. There are many different kinds of medications and treatments that can provide relief for these conditions. By telling your caregivers how you feel from day to day, they can respond more effectively to your needs. They can provide you with pain relief, comfort and other supports. It is the duty and the desire of your caregivers to respond with skill and compassion to your pain, feelings and concerns. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to talk to them about these matters. Your privacy will be respected. When your symptoms are managed well, you will be able to attend to other things that are important to you.
Making Treatment Decisions
Your doctors, nurses and other caregivers form a team. They will discuss treatment options with you and make recommendations. They will explain to you the expected benefits, burdens and risks of treatment, and any reasonable alternatives. You have the right to promote your own spiritual and physical well being, according to your needs and understanding. You are free to choose a recommended treatment. You are also free to refuse a recommended treatment or stop a treatment, even if this decision might indirectly hasten death. For example, the treatment could be too painful. Or, you might refuse a treatment because it goes against your religious beliefs and values. Should you decide to refuse or stop a treatment--whether CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), a life-support device, a medication or surgery--your health care team will still provide you with quality care and comfort.
When Others Must Decide You may have concerns about the kind of care and treatment you would receive if you were no longer able to make decisions. It is important for your caregivers to know your wishes, should you lose decision-making capacity. Understanding your wishes could be critical for making future treatment decisions and plans. We recommend that you discuss your wishes with your doctor and loved ones. We also encourage you to write down your wishes in the form of an advanced directive. You may choose to appoint another person to make decisions for you. Or, you may prefer that the health care team turns to your loved ones to make those decisions. In any case, your caregivers will do their best to respect your wishes and to make sure you receive quality care and comfort. We have people who can answer questions and provide advanced directive materials for making your wishes clear to others. They can also tell you about other services we can offer, or about services that are available through other agencies. Ask your doctor or nurse.
Advance Directives
A written instruction, such as a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, that provides instructions for the provision of medical treatment in anticipation of those times when the individual executing the document no longer has decision-making capacity. In accordance with federal law, e.g. the Patient Self-Determination Act, no patient or nursing home resident may be discriminated against if they do not have an advance directive. Individual state statutes governing advance directives vary. In compliance with federal law, a Catholic health care institution will make available to patients information about their rights, under the laws of their state, to make an advance directive for their medical treatment. The institution, however, will not honor an advance directive that is contrary to Catholic teaching. If the advance directive conflicts with Catholic teaching, an explanation should be provided as to why the directive cannot be honored (Ethical and Religious Directives, Part Three, n. 24).
Living Will
A type of advance directive that states the desire to die a "natural" death and not be kept alive by extraordinary or disproportionate medical interventions. Living wills become effective on the determination of terminal illness or imminent death, when the patient can no longer participate in decision making. Many state statutes recognize that artificially administered nutrition and hydration may be discontinued in the case of persistent vegetative state (PVS), usually requiring independent diagnosis by two physicians. A "living will" is to be distinguished from a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity. The appointed surrogate is often referred to as the patient advocate, patient proxy, or patient representative. The laws governing the authority this individual does or does not have may vary from state to state and is dependent upon the specific instructions of the document.
Ethical Consultation
Trinity Hospital of Augusta offers twenty-four hour access to Ethics Consultation. When families, staff, or physicians would like a group of unbiased persons to review an ethical question pertaining to care of patient in the hospital, request can be made by calling 7000. The operator will alert the Consult team on call and they will meet with those involved in the question. The Ethics Consult team will not make a decision, but will assist in the decision making process of the caregivers or patient.
PASTORAL CARE – PRAYER LINE
Our Pastoral Care staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for patients and guests. So if you’d like someone to pray with, are interested in counseling or just want to talk, give us a call at 706-481-7677. Mass is celebrated at noon each weekday. Anyone is welcome to join us in the chapel on the first floor of the Lobby. If you can’t physically make it to the chapel we televise the services on Channel 22.
We also have prayer services at 8:00 a.m. each day, which you are welcome to join. If you’d like us to say a special prayer at one of these services, you’ll find prayer request forms by a box outside the chapel. Just fill it out, put it in the box, and we’ll say a prayer for you at the next session.
Our Pastoral Care staff serves as our patient representatives. So if there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to call them. From your patient phone dial 481-PRAY (481-7729) to hear a recorded prayer or leave a prayer request.
PATIENT SAFETY
If you have not received a patient safety handbook, please request one from your nurse.
Safety & Security
Please see the patient safety handbook for this information. If you have not received a handbook, please request a copy from your nurse. Security is maintained 24 hours a day. Dial 0 on your phone for immediate assistance.
Electrical Safety
The use of any non-hospital owned electrical equipment, appliances, and extension cords are not allowed without prior approval from hospital safety and the engineering department. The purpose for this is to minimize the potential for fire, injuries and to prevent interference with patient care.
Valuables
All jewelry and money (other than small change) should be left at home or secured in the hospital safe. The hospital cannot be responsible for loss of money or valuables kept in rooms. Do not leave items of value on food trays, tops of cabinets, or wrapped up in linens, paper towels, or tissues that may be accidentally discarded. Do not leave purses, wallets, watches, jewelry, money, or other valuables unprotected. Keep your eyeglasses in a drawer or other safe place. Use storage cups provided for protection of your dentures.
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The Admissions Process
ADMISSION TO Trinity Hospital of Augusta & OUTPATIENT REGISTRATION
All registration sites are located on the 1st floor
Admissions and Emergency Department:
Monday-Sunday, 24 hours a day
Emergency Room Visits, Admissions, weekend and holiday outpatient visits
Day Surgery:
Monday –Friday 5:30am – 5:00pm
Same day surgery and OR procedures, Cath Lab, Endoscopy Suite, Pre-op registration
Outpatient Registration:
Monday – Friday 6:30am – 6:00pm
X-Ray, Laboratory, Cardioplumonary-vascular, Ambulatory Care, Health Screenings
Maternity Admission
Please go directly to our Labor and Delivery area of our Family Focused Childbirth unit located on the 3rd floor. For information about Family Focused Childbirth, please contact Women’s health Services at 706-481-7227.
What to Bring
- If your visit requires you to stay over night, you will need only a few personal items such as a bathrobe, slippers, sleepwear, and toiletries.
- Please bring only currently prescribed medication and supplements. Please let your nurse or physician know about medications and have them available for him/her at admission time
- We ask that you leave all your valuables at home as we cannot be responsible for them. However, an admission’s representative or your nurse can assist you should you have any items that need to be secured.
Please bring your insurance card(s) and a picture ID for all visits. Advance Directives may also be given at time of admission.
Pre-authorization
A scheduled procedure, test, or surgery may require an authorization from your insurance company. You and/or your physician are responsible for obtaining this information prior to your visit. Patient Access representatives are available to assist you with any questions about coverage or obtaining authorization.
Insurance
Trinity Hospital of Augusta will file your insurance on your behalf. Please be prepared to present your cards upon registration. A Financial Counselor will notify your insurance company of an emergency admission and is available to assist you with any questions about your insurance.
Financial and Insurance Assistance
| Admissions |
24hrs/day |
(706) 481-7589 |
| Insurance Verification |
M-F 7:30am – 4:00pm |
(706) 481-7592,7593 |
| Financial Counselors |
M-F 7:30am – 4:00pm |
(706) 481-7590, 7591 |
Worker’s Compensation and Automobile Claim Filing
We must have correct information and authorization from the appropriate parties in order to file claims for you. You are responsible for the bill until this information is obtained.
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Visitor Information
Trinity Hospital of Augusta recognizes the importance of family and significant others’ involvement in the patient’s care and well being. We have no established visiting hours and encourage family to visit whenever it will benefit the patient. However, we do encourage visiting to occur primarily between the hours of 11:00 am and 8:30 pm and have only two visitors at a time in order to allow the patient to receive the care needed and to provide sufficient rest periods.
Children under twelve (12) years are permitted to visit members of their immediate family, but must be accompanied by an adult. Children’s visits should not exceed thirty minutes. We request that visiting children not be ill.
Special care units include ICU, NICU, Maternity and pediatric patients. Limited hours and exceptions apply to special care units. Please see a member of the unit’s staff for further information.
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General Information
Gift Shop
The Susan Hagler Gift Shop, located on the first floor, offers a wide variety of gifts, books, magazines, and flowers, among other things. We are open 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
Mail, Flowers & Gifts
Volunteers deliver mail to patient rooms in the mornings, Monday through Friday. If mail arrives for you after you’ve gone home, we’ll forward it to you. Our volunteers will also be glad to pick up any outgoing mail. You can tell family and friend to address their cards to:
Your Name
Trinity Hospital of Augusta , Room #
2260 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, GA 30904
You’ll find newspaper stands on the first floor in the atrium.
Trinity Hospital of Augusta Auxiliary and Volunteer Services
The Auxiliary of Trinity Hospital of Augusta welcomes persons who want to work with them in the hospital as greeters at the information desk, and assistance with dismissals, as reporter of news from surgery, as gift shop salesperson, file clerk in the offices around the hospital, and transporter from registration to departments. The auxiliary and volunteers assist the employees and staff of the hospital in any way they can. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you may call 481-7647 for an application.
Beauticare
Nothing can perk you up like a new haircut or manicure. And we’ll arrange for you to have one in your room if you like. Just call 481-7687 to set up an appointment. Please note the following – you will need permission from your physician in order to use Beauticare’s services and you’ll need to pay your stylist personally by cash or check.
Cafeteria & Vending Room
Food services are available to your family and visitors in the Crossroads Café, located on the ground floor of the Madonna Wing. Selections include soup & sandwiches; breakfast, lunch and dinner hot foods; salad bar; pizza; ice cream and other desserts; tasty snacks and a full range of beverages including cappuccino. Also, a 24-hour vending room is located on the ground floor. For your convenience, please note the service hours posted outside the Cafeteria.
Television & Telephones
All rooms have a television and direct-dial telephone. Phones for the hearing impaired are available upon request. Local calls are free and may be made by dialing 9 to get an outside line. In placing a long distance call, you have a right to reach other long distance carriers. You may do so by dialing the access code provided by that carrier.
Cellular phones must be in a powered off condition when carried onto the Telemetry Area/Floor. The signal may interfere with the operation of lifesaving patient monitoring equipment.
Bedside Assistance and Safety
Falls in the hospital can be very serious. Many falls can be prevented by thinking ahead and by providing a safe environment. There are several ways to protect our patients and reduce the chances of a fall ever happening. If you have a friend or relative at Trinity Hospital of Augusta, we need your assistance in providing for their safety. Please consider the safety practices outlined below.
If you have any concerns about safety, especially the risk of falls, please talk to the nurses. Together we can provide a safe and comfortable environment while your loved one is a patient.
- How Are Falls Prevented?
Socks, stockings, and knitted slippers can be very slick on a bare floor. Hard-soled shoes, such as those with rubber soles, are much safer for use in the hospital. If you provide shoes or slippers for a patient, be sure they have non-slip soles to help prevent falls. Trinity Hospital of Augusta will gladly provide slippers with non-slip soles for their patients.
- Why Do The Hospital Beds Have Rails On Them?
Bed rails serve many purposes. When the upper rails are raised, they provide a means for the patient to re-position himself or herself. They remind patients to stay in bed if they are not supposed to get up by themselves. Lower side rails should be raised only after discussing with the nurse.
- Visitors and Sitters
Many times the risk of a patient falling decreases when friends or family members stay with the patient. Having someone there may make some measures such as restraining vests unnecessary. If patients are confused about where they are or what has happened to them, a close family member can often talk with them and help them remember. Patients may then be less likely to try to get out of bed by themselves.
- Restraints
If a patient is unable to follow instructions that would prevent an injury (i.e. climbing out of bed or pulling at tube or intravenous lines), it may become necessary to use a restraining device. It is Trinity Hospital of Augusta's philosophy that alternatives to restraints be considered first. Family members are encouraged to provide someone to sit with the patient whenever possible. Have personal items from home, favorite music, etc. will often help to calm a confused patient. If it becomes necessary to use a vest or wrist holder to maintain a safe environment for the patient, the least restrictive devise possible will be utilized.
- What Do We Do If A Patient Has A Problem With An IV and IV Pump or Other Equipment?
If a patient experiences a problem with an IV, IV pumps, or other equipment, please call the nurse immediately.
- Should The Call Light Be Within Reach?
If you are visiting or staying with a patient in the hospital, be sure the call light is within their reach. If the patient needs assistance getting out of bed, encourage them to use the call light. If it seems to be taking longer than it should for the nurse to come help, press the call light again.
- Where Should Personal Items Be Kept?
Personal items need to be within reach. Such things as the telephone, water pitcher and glass, eyeglasses, etc., should be arranged so that patients can easily get to them. If you remove personal items from the patient’s easy reach while you are helping them up or back to bed, please be sure to replace them before you leave.
No Smoking Policy
Trinity Hospital of Augusta has adopted a “smoke free” environment policy. The use of tobacco or smoking is prohibited at Trinity Hospital of Augusta and at all of its other facilities. Visitors are requested to extinguish all smoking items prior to entering St. Joseph Hospital. Smoking may occur in hospital designated areas.
Fire and Other Safety Drills
During your stay here at Trinity Hospital of Augusta there may be a drill or practice exercise for a fire or disaster event. Please do not be disturbed if you see or hear any evidence of the practice exercise. These exercises are conducted to ensure that the hospital staff remains highly trained and prepared to respond to any actual event.
In the event of an actual fire or disaster, please follow the instructions and directions of hospital personnel. The staff is highly trained and keeps your safety and welfare as their primary concern.
TDD Devices and Interpreters
If your hearing is impaired, a TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) can be made available for your phone, and a closed-captioned device can be made available for your television. Ask your nurse for assistance.
If you are non-English speaking patient and are not accompanied by someone who can interpret for you; we provide a telephone interpreter service through which we are able to contact an interpreter for you within a very few minutes.
Hotel Accommodations
If family members should need in town accommodations during your hospital stay, we receive special healthcare rates from various hotels in the Augusta area. For more information on this service, please call the Community Relations Department at 481-7461.
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Problems, Concerns and Grievances
Trinity Hospital of Augusta is dedicated to providing appropriate patient care, which includes, but is not limited to, patient and family assistance in the resolution of all complaints. All complaints will be checked out as soon as possible to correct a deficiency, which may exist. Your voiced concern does not affect the care you receive as we are committed to excellence in all we do.
Who Can Provide Assistance?
All members of the hospital staff are available to provide assistance when difficulties arise. Each patient care area or department has a manager or supervisor who is expertly qualified in problem solving. In the absence of the manager/supervisor, there is also a Nursing Administrative Shift Supervisor on duty. The Nursing Administrative Shift Supervisor may be reached through the hospital Operator by dialing “0” or by dialing 706-481-7000.
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Need an Advocate?
Occasionally concerns arise which may require more than the normal attention. Pastoral Care will work on your behalf as problem solvers and patient advocates to resolve your concerns. Follow up is provided within the day. You may contact the Pastoral Care department by calling 706-481-7677.
Where Can I get Forms For Advance Directives?
You can obtain Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for health care forms by writing or calling the Medical Association of Georgia, the State Bar Association, the Georgia Hospital Association or your local hospital, nursing facility, home health agency, or hospice program, you or your family members will be responsible for assuring witnesses (other than hospital, nursing facility, home health agency, or hospice program personnel) are present when you sign the documents.
Georgia Hospital Association
1676 Terrell Mill Road
Marietta, GA 30067
1-800-233-2964
Medical Association of Georgia
938 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
State Bar of Georgia
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30303-2934
For Additional Information and/or Forms Contact:
Pastoral Care Department
706-481-7677
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Discharge Procedures
Case Management/Discharge Planning/Social Workers
- Services include home healthcare, durable medical equipment, nursing home placement, or referrals to other healthcare providers
- Community resources or government agencies to provide assistance through state or federally funded programs
- Crisis intervention and counseling
RELEASE PROCEDURES
Your doctor will discuss your release with you and will write a discharge order. Your nurse will work with your doctor and other staff to make all of the necessary arrangements for your release. Do not forget to check for personal belonging upon departure.
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