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At Takoma Regional Hospital, we want to be your choice for healthcare. As a guest at Takoma, we will do everything possible to make your stay here pleasant and comfortable. We know that no one ever wants to be sick or in the hospital. But if you find that you or a family member needs medical care, you can count on Takoma. Our goal is to continue to offer you the most advanced services and the best possible care.
Spiritual Needs
At Takoma Regional Hospital, care for an individual's body, mind and spirit is taken very seriously. Our Chaplain services address the spiritual needs of our patients and their families. They are available for counseling, prayer, communion, bereavement care, crisis intervention, weddings, funerals, and other spiritual and emotional support for you and your family. If you would like to speak to a chaplain, call 798- 8137 or ask your nurse to call for you.
Visitation
Most of the time you will find that visitors are good medicine. However, because rest is an important part of your therapy, we ask that your visitors help in your recovery by considering the following suggestions:
• Only two visitors per patient at a time.
• Keep visits brief 10 to 15 minutes.
• Speak quietly and avoid unnecessary noise.
• Do not leave children unattended in the hospital.
• When visiting in a semi-private room, be especially considerate of the other patient.
• Visitors may not spend the night in the room when both beds are occupied.
• Abide by visiting hours and leave when asked by hospital personnel.
Your Hospital Stay
What to Bring
• A list of medications you are taking.
• Medical information or records (including X-rays) from your personal physician, if possible.
• Your medical insurance information.
• Your own nightgown or pajamas, robe, slippers, toiletries, reading glasses and a small amount of cash, if you wish.
Please do NOT use your own heating pad, heater, heating blanket, curling iron, VCR or television set.
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Checking In
We want your check-in to be as smooth as possible. Whether you are coming to Takoma as an outpatient or an inpatient, you will be greeted then escorted to your room or treatment area where you will be registered for your procedure or stay. There are several different ways to be admitted:
• Directly from the Emergency Department
• Outpatient surgery scheduled by your physician
• In-patient medical treatment or surgery scheduled by your physician
• Maternity labor and delivery
For Your Safety
Unless you have been told it is okay, it is best not to get in or out of bed by yourself. Whenever you get out of bed, always wear non-skid footwear. Your nurse can provide you with non-skid slippers at a nominal fee if you do not have any with you. Never hesitate to use the nurse call system for assistance. The nurses are here to help you. The safety rails on your bed help you turn as well as protect you from falling. Your side rail may be raised to assist you in turning and to provide access to the bed, TV controls, and nurse call system.
• Unless your physician gives a specific order to do so, do not take any medicines you brought with you from home. Send personal medicines home with your family.
• All money and items you value should be sent home with your family. In emergency situations, a hospital safe is available. Ask the nurse to help you with this. The hospital will not be responsible for money or other valuables kept in your room.
• Dentures should be placed in denture cups available from the nurse, never in regular drinking cups or paper towels. When not in use, hearing aids and eyeglasses should be placed in their cases. Do not leave these or other important personal items on your tray table or bedside cabinet. The hospital will not be responsible for their breakage or loss.
• Hospital associates will frequently wear gloves while caring for you. Sometimes they may also wear masks, gowns, or goggles. It is important for you to wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before you eat. All this is done to prevent the possible spread of infection.
Fire Safety
If you hear a fire alarm, stay where you are until you are given directions. If action is needed, the staff will advise you on what to do.
To make sure you will be safe in case of fire, Takoma often conducts fire drills for staff. If you hear a fire alert, stay calm and in your room. A nurse will come by to ensure your safety.
Newspaper Delivery
Upon your request, a copy of the Greeneville Sun can be made available to you. The Greeneville Sun and USA Today can be purchased from the stands available at the entrance.
Flower and Mail Delivery
In order to receive your mail daily, ask your friends and family to send cards and letters to:
Your attention
Takoma Regional Hospital
401 Takoma Avenue
Greeneville, TN 37743
Outgoing mail may be placed at the nursing station or given to the volunteer who brings your mail. Mail arriving after you go home will be forwarded to your home address.
Bedside Controls
Your caregiver will orient you to your hospital room and answer any questions on the operation of the equipment in your room, such as the television, telephone, bed controls, etc.
Telephone Service
• Local calls: Dial 9, then the local number.
• Long distance calls: A call must be collect, billed to a third number or charged to a telephone or credit card. Charges may not be billed to your room. To place a long distance call, dial 0 for the hospital operator.
Your Diet
Based on the diet prescribed by your doctor, you will be able to select your meals from a menu. Many factors, such as your condition, your diet and medications, can affect how much you enjoy your food. Every effort will be made to provide you with appetizing, nutritious meals. Tell your nurse if you would like to talk to a dietitian about your hospital diet, cultural or religious food requirements or about healthy eating habits at home.
Cafeteria
Visitors are welcome in the cafeteria located on the second floor.
Open Monday thru Friday
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Refreshments are available 24 hours a day from the vending area located inside the cafeteria.
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Guest Trays
When you are critically ill or your family member or guest is unable to leave the room, guest trays are available for a nominal fee. Simply pay the business office cashier at least two hours before mealtime and the cashier will order your guest tray. A free tray is provided for one member of the family staying with a patient under the age of 10.
Smoking
Takoma Regional Hospital recognizes that the use of tobacco products is the greatest preventable cause of disease and death. We are committed to the promotion of a healthful lifestyle within our community therefore smoking is not allowed inside the building. Smoking is permitted only in the Gazebo located near the ambulance entrance to the ER. Please do not smoke at the hospital entrances.
If you would be interested in learning more about our Tobacco Intervention Program, contact the office of Dr. Frederic Seifer at 422-7813.
Personal Security
If you or your family has a concern about your personal safety, please tell the nurse caring for you. The nurse will immediately notify security. For everyone's safety, concealed weapons are prohibited on premises.
Lost and Found
Misplaced items are kept for 30 days after they are found. Notify your nurse as soon as you realize your loss.
Forget-me-Not Shoppe
Located adjacent to the cafeteria, The Forget-me-Not Shoppe carries balloons, flowers, candy, magazines, unique gifts, postage stamps, and personal care items.
Hours are:
Monday 9 am - 6 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 4 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 4 pm
Thursday 9 am - 4 pm
Friday 7 am - 4 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday 12noon to 4pm
The Gift Shoppe
is sponsored by the Takoma Regional Hospital Volunteers. Proceeds are used to purchase hospital equipment and improve services. Call the Gift Shoppe at 639-3151 ext. 2104 for more information.
Social Services
Social Services helps patients and their families understand and better deal with the stresses that can accompany illness. These committed individuals are available to discuss your concerns about your care after you go home, help you obtain special equipment and supplies, coordinate transfer to another health care facility or referral to a community agency for the help you need. In addition to providing discharge planning, we are here to provide you with crisis intervention, counseling and supportive services. Social Services also can provide information about advanced directives. If you would like to speak with a Social Worker, ask your nurse to schedule a visit or call ext. 2391.
Advance Care Plan
Who will decide your fate if you are ever incapacitated and can't speak for yourself? If you want the decision-maker to be you, then you may want to fill out an "advance care plan" (formerly called a "living will") and an "appointment of health care agent" (previously called a "medical power of attorney" form).
In July of 2004, a new law called the "Health Care Decisions Act" went into
effect that made several changes to the "living will" and "power of
attorney" forms we used to use. The new forms are written in clear, easy to
understand language and make it an easier process to complete.
Once the forms are filled out they can be either witnessed by two
individuals that meet the qualifications listed on the forms, or notarized.
An "advance care plan" is a document that lets you determine what quality of
life is unacceptable to you and what treatments you do or do not want under
those circumstances. An "appointment of health care agent" form is another
type of advance directive that allows you to name a person to make health
care decisions for you if you are too sick to make healthcare decisions for
yourself. In this case, your doctor will follow your written requests as
specified on the form.
Advanced directive forms are available through Takoma by contacting Cindy
Luttrell at 636-2391 or emailing her at cindy.luttrell@ahss.org or may be downloaded at http://www2.state.tn.us/health/Boards/AdvanceDirectives/index.htm.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities Download PDF
Privacy Practices Download PDF
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Discharge
Going Home Before you leave the hospital, the nursing staff will prepare you for going home and will instruct you, as well as your family or friends, about any special needs you may have after leaving the hospital. Here are some easy steps to remember:
• Your physician writes a discharge order on your chart.
• A discharge slip is given to you to present at the cashier's office.
• You or the nurse presents the discharge slip at the cashier's office to settle your account. When this is completed, you are ready to go home.
• For your safety, a member of our nursing staff will escort you to your vehicle. Whenever you can, please check out by 12 noon This will enable us to prepare the room for one of the many patients who are admitted each afternoon.
Lifeline
After you return home, the Lifeline personal emergency response system can put help at your fingertips 24 hours a day. To alert our trained staff, simply push a button worn around your neck. Help will be sent immediately. Lifeline provides security and freedom. Call 636-0700 for more information.
Takoma Home Health Care
Takoma Home Health Care is available for your continuing healthcare support after discharge from the hospital. Visiting nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and home health aides are available to assist you in the transition to a more independent lifestyle. Ask your physician about Takoma Home Health, or call 636-0700.
Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation Services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language therapy are available following discharges on an outpatient or home health basis to help with your recovery. Ask your physician, nurse or social worker, or call 783-7911.
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Finance and Insurance
Insurance and Payment
Often insurance plans do not provide full coverage for your entire hospital bill. Your hospitalization coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company. While you are fully responsible for settling your account with the hospital, we will cooperate completely in speeding up the processing of your claim. At the cashier's office before you leave, you may be asked to pay the estimated balance of your bill not reimbursable by insurance. You may pay by cash, check, MasterCard or VISA.
Late Charges
Occasionally there may be delayed charges or credits which will not appear on your bill when you leave. When this happens, we will send you a statement including these delayed charges or credits as soon as possible.
Physicians Fees
Your hospital bill does not include charges from the independent physicians who provided services at the emergency room, your personal physician, your surgeon, consultants such as radiologists or anesthesiologists or other professional services provided to you by physicians. These physicians will bill you directly for any charges.
Financial Questions
After you go home, you may have questions or concerns regarding your bill or arrangements for payment. Feel free to contact one of our representatives at 639-3151 should you have questions or concerns.
General Visiting Hours
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Maternity
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Please knock before entering as baby may be nursing. Siblings and other children are welcome to visit the new addition, however, we ask that anyone with a temperature, cold or other illness not visit the baby at any time.
Critical Care
6:00 a.m. to 6:20 a.m.
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Other visitation allowed with special permission from the ICU staff. Emergency Center After initial physician evaluation, the patient may have two visitors, friend or family. Children 12 and under may have both parents or guardians remain with them. In a crisis situation, no visitors are allowed.
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