During Your Stay at Saint Anne's Hospital
Accommodations
Patients are assigned to a unit and room dependent upon the reason for hospitalization. Most patients will be in a private room. Your health care team will quickly orient you to your surroundings, explain hospital routines, and discuss your plan of care with you and/or a designated family member or partner in care.
Hospitalist Staff
As a patient at Saint Anne’s Hospital, you may be cared for by our team of hospitalists, who are physicians specially trained in the care of hospitalized patients. Working in collaboration with primary care doctors, hospitalists care for patients from the time they are admitted to the hospital until they are discharged. Hospitalists review care, prescribe medications, order tests and treatments, and coordinate follow-up care after discharge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hospitalist Doctors
Will my regular doctor be seeing me while I am in the hospital?
In most cases, your care will be managed by a special doctor called a hospitalist.
Who will take care of me if I don’t have a regular doctor?
Your care will be managed by a special doctor called a hospitalist. Hospitalists are doctors who have special training to care for people while they are in the hospital. Once you leave the hospital, you will see your regular doctor. If you don’t have a regular doctor, we can help connect you with one.
Will the hospitalist talk to my regular doctor or doctors (specialists)?
The hospitalist manages your care, talks to specialists about your care if needed, and tells your regular doctor what happens to you in the hospital.
How often will I see the hospitalist?
A hospitalist will visit you every day.
Will I have the same hospitalist the whole time I am in the hospital?
You may have more than one hospitalist. Hospitalists work for seven days on, then have seven days off. Hospitalists tell the next hospitalist caring for you all about your medical condition, your tests, and your plan of care before they leave.
What are some of the things the hospitalist will do for me?
The hospitalist will ask you questions about your medical conditions and how you are feeling today. He/she will examine you and may order tests. The hospitalist will explain the results of the tests and talk to you about your plan of care.
How can my family talk to the hospitalist?
The hospitalist will talk with your family while visiting you (with your permission). Sometimes, hospitalists may call the family at the end of the day if the family asks the nurse to talk to the hospitalist. If desired, your nurse can help arrange a private meeting.
When does a hospitalist get a specialist to see me?
If you already have a specialist, like a heart doctor (cardiologist), the hospitalist may talk to him or her about your care. Sometimes, a hospitalist will ask a doctor with special training in your medical condition to visit you to help plan your care.
What if I want to talk to the doctor after he or she has seen me already that day?
The hospitalist and your nurse try to visit you together. Sometimes, a nurse can answer your questions on behalf of the hospitalist or contact the hospitalist for you later in the day.
Can I request a specific hospitalist?
Hospitalists are assigned patients similar to the way nurses are assigned to patients. All are qualified to provide excellent care while you are in the hospital. If you have concerns about anyone caring for you, including any of your doctors, please ask to speak with the Patient Care Director or the Patient Advocate.
How will my regular doctor know what has happened to me while I was in the hospital?
The hospitalist will send a report to your regular doctor when you leave the hospital. He/she may also talk to your regular doctor during your hospital stay.
Nursing
After admission to the hospital, patients are assigned to a registered nurse (RN). Your nurse will direct your care based on the care plan that your health care team has determined is right for you.
Interpreter Services
Trained medical interpreters are available round-the-clock at no cost to patients, family members or significant others. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are available as needed to meet the communication needs of our deaf patients via video conferencing. In-person ASL interpreters can be booked through the Interpreter Services with advanced notice. In emergency or short-notice situation in which an interpreter isn’t immediately available, we will utilize a telephonic and/or video remote interpreter. To contact our Interpreter Services, please call:
English/Portuguese: 508-235-5235
Spanish: 508-235-5236
Cape Verdean/Creole: 508-235-5237
Patient Advocate
If you have care-related questions or concerns, feel free to speak with any of your caregivers at any time. If you prefer, our patient advocate is available to discuss any concerns you or your family may have about your individual care or other issues. Call 508-674-5600, ext. 2020, to speak with the patient advocate.
Family and Visitor Guidelines
We encourage family members and friends to visit and we have no set visiting hours. To provide a restful and safe environment, we ask that all visitors comply with the following guidelines:
- Be considerate of other patients by keeping noise to a minimum.
- Refrain from visiting if you have a cold, sore throat, or any contagious disease.
- Keep in mind that the hospital observes quiet time after 8 p.m.
Smoke-Free Environment
Our hospital is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
Amenities
Meals
Whether you are on a regular or special diet, have cultural, ethnic or religious food preferences, or if you have specific food allergies or intolerances, we will accommodate your needs. Each morning of your hospital stay you will have the opportunity to choose your meals from our varied menu with the help of a representative from our Food and Nutrition Services. Additionally, a registered dietitian is available to answer any questions you may have. Meals are served during the following times:
- Breakfast: 7:15 to 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Dinner: 4:15 to5:30 p.m.
Telephone and Television
Televisions and telephones are available in all rooms at no cost to our patients.
Cell Phones
Cell phone use is allowed in the hospital except where the phone might interfere with patient safety or in areas where sensitive equipment is used. If you do need to use your cell phone, please speak in a low voice to not disturb the comfort of others. Do not take pictures or videos or record conversations without first talking with staff.
Mail and Flowers
Mail and flowers may be sent to an individual’s attention in care of Saint Anne’s Hospital and are delivered directly to your room.
Wireless Internet
While at the hospital you may use your personal laptop/tablet computer to access the web. When logging on, you must first accept an online service agreement. If you need assistance, a quick-reference guide to the Guest Internet Service can be obtained from a staff member on the unit. The guide includes directions on accessing the information as well as frequently asked questions about access, procedures, bandwidth and security. Please note that our information services staff does not provide support services to users of the Guest Internet.
Spiritual Care
Saint Anne’s provides for your spiritual needs as well as medical needs. Trained hospital chaplains of many different faiths are available for patients, family and friends. Please ask staff to call Spiritual Care. An on-call chaplain can be paged for after-hours.
The hospital chapel is located on the first floor of the Stoico Building. All are welcome to the praying of the Rosary, daily at 11:00 a.m., and daily Mass at 11:30 a.m. in the hospital chapel. Special intentions for the daily Rosary and Mass also are welcome for any day of the week. To request a special intention or learn more, contact Spiritual Care at 508-674-5600, ext. 2920 or ext. 2061.
Discharge Planning Begins at Admission
Before You Leave
Planning for your recovery and health care needs before your discharge day is important so you can continue to heal and manage your health. Your doctor will prepare your discharge order, which doesn’t necessarily mean you are completely well – it means that you no longer need hospital-level health care. Here are key things you can do to make sure your discharge goes smoothly:
- Be sure you and/or your caregiver have spoken with your health care team and understand what services you may need after leaving the hospital.
- Please verify your discharge time with your nurse prior to making set plans for your ride home.
- Please have someone available to pick you up at your designated discharge time. Discharges are often between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., but can vary.
- Make sure you understand any new medications or medication changes prescribed for you.
- Make sure you understand any special diet recommendations from your doctor.