Your Hospital Stay
A Message from Our CEO
“On behalf of our physicians, staff and volunteers, welcome, and thank you for choosing Confluence Health for your healthcare needs. Our patients are at the heart of all we do. We want you to feel welcome here, and we are proud that you have chosen to partner with our dedicated team of caregivers for your health. With our doctors, nurses, providers and support staff all working together for you, everyone at Confluence Health is a caregiver and plays a rucial role in your care.
“Your family and friends are also important members of your healthcare team, and we encourage you to discuss and plan your care with them. If you have any questions, concerns or comments that might help us serve you better, please be sure to speak with your provider, nurse or the director of the unit providing your care.
“Each day, the dedicated caregivers at Confluence Health strive to provide the care you deserve as our patient and to honor the trust you have placed in us. We look forward to partnering with you for your health.” — Andrew Jones, MD, Confluence Health CEO
We respect your right to make your own medical treatment decisions. If you are 18 years of age or older and are mentally competent, you have the right to make decisions about your medical treatment. You have the right to accept or refuse treatments recommended by your providers. An advance directive gives you the power to control decisions about your healthcare should you become unable to communicate.
An advance directive is a set of directions you give about the healthcare you want should you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. There are two types of advance directives:
- Healthcare directive (“living will”)
- Healthcare power of attorney
For more information about these directives, ask to meet with a social worker or a case manager.
Healthcare Directive (Living Will)
A living will is a document that conveys your orders that you want to die a natural death if you are terminally and incurably sick or in a persistent vegetative state from which you will not recover. A living will allows you to direct your healthcare provider regarding the type of treatments you do and do not wish should your condition become terminal.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
In the event that you become unable to make medical decisions related to your care, you may name a person to make these decisions for you. This person is called your healthcare agent. The healthcare power of attorney allows you to name your healthcare agent, who can say what medical treatments you would want and what you would not want. Your agent then knows what choices to make should you become unable to communicate with them.
If you have an advance directive, healthcare directive or a healthcare power of attorney, please have a copy brought to Confluence Health Hospital for your records.
The Inpatient Pharmacy provides 24 hour service to patients in the hospital. Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians work closely with Physicians and Nurses to assure that patients are receiving appropriate medications while hospitalized. Pharmacists also educate patients on medications that they will be receiving at home following their discharge from the hospital.
Pharmacists are available on all nursing units to help answer any medication related questions that you may have, so please feel free to ask for your Pharmacist.
Your physician will write the orders for your discharge and for any medication, dietary instructions or special services you will need when you leave the hospital. A social worker or nurse case manager is available to help make your transition back to the community a smooth one, helping you to arrange for services such as home care or to address concerns you may have about your discharge. The medical team involved with your care will teach you any procedures you need to follow at home.
Discharge Instructions
You will receive written discharge instructions that explain how you should care for yourself at home. These instructions will include any medication you can and/or should take, when you can return to normal activities, and a phone number you can call if you have questions.
New Medicines
If you need medicines that you do not already have, your physician will give you a prescription. For your convenience, Confluence Health Hospital | Central Campus Professional Pharmacy (outpatient pharmacy) can fill your discharge prescription between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Mon – Fri) and 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (Sat). The Professional Pharmacy is easily accessed in the Professional Building and can be reached by calling 509.667.3333.
Leaving Against Medical Advice
It is Confluence Health Hospital | Central Campus policy to discourage you from leaving the hospital against the advice of your physician. This is called leaving against medical advice. When you want to leave the hospital before the physician says it is okay to leave, your nurse will contact your physician. If you insist on leaving, our staff will ask you to sign the Discharge against Medical Advice form.
Your safety and the safety of those around you are our primary concern. Here are several ways you can help ensure your safety.
Valuables
Personal valuables and cash should be left at home. If you cannot send your valuables home, they will be placed in a hospital safe. Personal items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures should be stored in your bedside drawer. The Central Campus of Confluence Health Hospital cannot assume responsibility for the loss of money or other valuables kept in your room.
Lost Items
If you lose a personal item, please tell your nurse immediately. Articles found are kept in the Environmental Services Department. Lost items may be claimed by presenting identification and describing the lost article. Unclaimed items are kept for 30 days. Jewelry and other items of value will be kept for 90 days. Lost and Found can be reached by dialing extension 2440.
Fire Drills
The hospital has fire and disaster drills regularly. If you hear a fire alarm, please stay in your room. Our staff is well trained in fire protection and disaster response, and you will be told whether the alarm is an actual emergency or just a drill.
Patient Safety
Your safety and the safety of those around you are our primary concern. Here are several ways you can help ensure your safety:
Call System
Your nurse will explain how to use any nurse call button in your room or bathroom. Each button turns on a light above the door to your room and rings at the nurses’ station. One of our staff will respond to your call light as soon as possible.
Beds
Most hospital beds are electronically operated for your comfort and convenience. Your nurse can help you understand all of the functions of your bed and answer any questions you might have. Keep the upper rails of your bed up for your safety. Your physician may request that the lower rails be kept up as well, if necessary.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms located in patient rooms are for patient use only. All patient bathrooms have a nurse call button. Please call your nurse if you feel dizzy or need any help getting to the bathroom or while in the bathroom.
Preventing Falls
The hospital has a fall prevention program to keep you safe. We ask that you wear skid free slippers when up and call for help whenever you feel dizzy or unsure of your ability to get out of bed. Do not get out of bed alone until your nurse has helped you up at least once and has told you that you may get up alone.
Preventing Medication Errors
Tell your physician or nurse which medications you are taking, and why you take them, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements and herbal remedies. Medications, including aspirin, vitamins and herbal supplements, can interfere or interact with tests or medicines ordered for your treatment.
- Give your physician or nurse a list of any medications that you are taking, including the dosage and times.
- Tell your nurse if you brought any medications from home. You must send your personal medications home or give them to your nurse to secure in the Pharmacy.
- Tell your physician or nurse about any allergies you have to medications, food, or anything else.
When you or a loved one is ill or undergoing a medical procedure, you may find strength in sharing your concerns with a chaplain. We provide compassionate spiritual and emotional support to all interested patients. Whether you are a patient, family member, friend, staff member or student, we are ready to assist in your time of need. The chaplain will make daily rounds in the patient-care areas during the week and on call anytime, whenever the need arises.
Services for Patients, Families and Staff
We believe that the best patient care includes not only medical care, but also spiritual and emotional care of the whole person—for people of every faith. In your time of need, we will be there to comfort, listen, talk or pray. We respect your personal religious beliefs and cultural values.
Request a Chaplain Visit
Contact us at (509) 665-6044 or ask a doctor or nurse to make the call for you.
Find Your Expert Provider
Explore our full network of physicians, specialists and care teams — filter by service, language, location and insurance to find the right match for you.