Your Health Care Team
• Nurses
• Dietitian
• Discharge Planner
• Laboratory Technicians
• Diagnostic Imaging Team
• Physicians
• Occupational Therapist
• Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians
• Physiotherapists
• Rehabilitation Assistant
• Personal Support Workers
• Respiratory Therapist
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Student nurses and physicians
• Clergy / Pastoral / Spiritual Care
• Palliative Care Volunteers
Infection Prevention and Control
The hospital is a place you come to get well, but you also can come in contact with germs that can make you feel worse. Reduce your chances of infection by taking these safety precautions:
1. Clean your hands
a. After touching hospital objects or surfaces;
b. Before eating; and
c. After using the washroom.
2. Ask hospital staff members to clean their hands
a. This should be standard practice for staff, but don’t be afraid to remind them if they forget or to ask them to wear gloves when touching you. Ask your visitors to clean their hands too!
3. Cover your cough if you are sick
a. If you get an infection, limit the spread of germs by sneezing and coughing into tissues that you promptly throw away, and avoid touching other people. Ask the staff if there is anything else you should do - like wear a protective mask - to prevent the spread of germs.
4. Keep an eye on bandages and dressings
a. If a dressing on a wound or IV becomes loose or wet, let your nurse know. Also, if you have a catheter or drainage tube, tell your nurse if it becomes loose or dislodged.
5. Keep your vaccinations up-to-date a. Make sure you are as protected as possible from the spread of infection. Check with hospital staff about whether it’s safe for you to receive any vaccines you might need.
6. Keep your room tidy
a. Do not bring too many belongings into the hospital. If your bed area becomes too cluttered, it is difficult for the housekeeping staff to clean. Patients should limit the number of personal belongings they bring with them to the hospital, such as magazines, pictures, and clothes.
Tell your friends and family not to visit if they are sick, and make sure all your guests clean their hands when they enter your room.
Cleaning Tip: Use soap and water or alcohol- based hand sanitizer under your nails, in between your fingers, and on the palms and backs of your hands. Rub for 30 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).
Some patients are on “isolation precautions”. This is usually done to protect the patient and others from infection. If you are in “isolation,” ask your nurse what your isolation means and what you should expect from the hospital staff or visitors. Gloves, gowns and masks are sometimes appropriate, depending on the illness.
Fall Risk Reduction
A fall can happen to anyone in any place at any time. During your stay in the hospital, we will:
• Ask questions about how you move around or if you have had a fall before.
• Show you around your room, bathroom, and nursing unit.
• Keep your room and walkways clear and free of tripping hazards.
• Keep important things close to you so you can reach them, such as your call bell, walker, glasses, phone, and this Patient Handbook.
• Check in on you every hour to make sure you are comfortable and have what you need.
• If your patient care team concludes that you are at risk for falls, they will add special safety measures to your care plan.
To prevent falls:
• Wear non-skid shoes that fit well.
• Take your time and use your mobility aid when moving around.
• Sit upright for a few moments on the edge of your bed before standing.
• If you feel weak, sleepy or dizzy, ask your nurse for help before you get up.
• Get up slowly and make sure you feel steady before walking.
• If your patient care team has told you that you need help getting up or to walk, always use the call bell and ask for help.
It’s Okay to Ask
Everyone wants to have the safest care possible while in the hospital.
Our staff realize this and are committed to providing you with safe, quality care. We encourage you to take an active role in your health by paying attention to the care you receive and by asking your healthcare team questions regarding your care. We want you to know that it’s OK to ask when you’re not sure:
• Have they washed their hands to prevent the spread of infection?
• Have they checked your identification before providing tests, treatments, etc.?
• Do you need help or have any questions?
Private Rooms
Are you deciding to stay in a PRIVATE or a SEMI-PRIVATE Hospital Room?
If you are, here are some questions to ask yourself and your Health Insurance Provider.
• Am I a chronic care patient?
• Will my insurance cover the cost of my room?
• What is the daily maximum amount that my insurance will cover?
• Is there a maximum amount per stay that my insurance will cover?
• What percentage (%) of the cost will my insurance cover?
It is important for you to know the answers to the above questions, and if you are unsure, call your insurance provider. If your insurance does not cover the full cost during your stay, any portion not covered by your insurance will be your responsibility to pay.
Here at HGMH, we want all our patients to recover in a room of their choosing, and when making this choice, having full knowledge about the potential costs associated with PRIVATE and SEMIPRIVATE rooms.
Our Patient Registration Staff will make every effort to provide you with the type of accommodation you request. We will endeavor to provide patients with their requested accommodations. However, isolation cases and occupancy may prevent us from doing so.
If you have insurance coverage, please let our staff know. During your stay, you may be admitted to a mixed gender room.
Paperwork Overview
Upon Admission to the hospital, you will need to review and/or sign off on the following paperwork:
• Consent form for your physician who will be looking after you;
• That you are responsible for your valuables;
• That you understand that the hospital and hospital grounds are non-smoking;
• What type of room you request and are insured for, if applicable; and
• Ministry of Health Claim form if you are a non-resident of the province of Ontario.
Wireless Internet Access
HGMH is pleased to provide all patients and guests free access to our public wireless network. Select HGMH-Guest under your network options on your mobile, tablet or laptop device, and read and accept the usage agreement. No password is required.
Cooperation
• To provide accurate information about your past illnesses, previous hospitalizations, and medications and to report any unexpected changes in your condition.
• To follow the treatment plan as discussed and mutually agreed by you and your physician.
• To keep appointments or to contact the hospital when this is not possible.
Safety for Everyone
• To observe the hospital isolation and smoking restriction policies.
• Follow instructions during emergency measures and outbreak of infections.
• Verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated.
Participation
• To make appropriate and timely arrangements for leaving the hospital upon discharge by your physician.
• To ensure that any personal financial obligations for your health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.
Participate in your Health Care
Participating in your health care is a right and responsibility. Being active member of your health care team is one of the keys to recovery. Take part and be involved in every decision about your care.
Be involved and speak up:
• Tell your nurse or doctor if something does not seem right.
• Know what time of day you normally get your medicine. If you do not receive it, tell your nurse or doctor.
• Do not be afraid to ask for more information about a medication, test or procedures.
• Write down important facts your doctors tells you, or questions you might have.
• Read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you do not understand, ask your doctor or health care professional to explain.
HGMH encourages and counts on you to participate actively in your care and welcomes your ideas to assist us in helping you.
Pool
HGMH is proud to provide the first therapeutic pool facility in a 100km radius of Alexandria. Our pool has complete wheelchair accessibility and is also equipped with a ‘water wheelchair’ for those requiring help descending into the pool.
Rehabilitation programs using the pool may be part of your care plan to support your recovery.
Patient Identifiers
Patients are identified by their bracelets. Additional identification or signage may be used at the room entrances to identify violent patients or patients on isolation. If you are unsure what signage means, ask your healthcare team for clarification.
For your safety, you will be asked frequently to identify yourself or to confirm your identity prior to medication or treatments being administered.
Call bells
You have access to a call bell. Call bells will be within reach of your bed and your chair. If you require assistance from your healthcare team, we encourage you to use your bell. Should you have difficulty using the call-bell that has been provided to you, please speak with your nurse about other options that are available.
Whiteboards
There is a whiteboard located in every patient space. This whiteboard is to help provide information to the medical care team, the patient and family members. This information is used to help with communication, patient safety and patient care quality.
Some information that can be found on this board includes:
• Treatment schedule
• The names of the staff looking after you
• Diet options
• Allergies
• Medication times
• The extension for your bedside phone
Important Numbers
If you wish to make an external call, press 8 followed by the number you wish to call.
If you or your designated person have questions about your care, call the nursing station at extension 4126. For questions about billing and your TV services, contact the Business Office by pressing 0.
Anyone wishing to reach you by telephone during your stay can call 613.525.2222 followed by the extension listed on the whiteboard in your hospital room.
Leaves of Absence
As part of your rehabilitative process, you may be encouraged to go out on day or weekend passes. This will help the health care team to identify any problems or issues that may require further work before you are discharged. When your health care team determines that it safe to do so a gradual plan will be developed to assure safe transition.
Interpreter Services
Our hospital offers service to all patients in both official languages, English and French. You should inform the admitting staff of your preferred language of communication on admission.
However, if you or your designated person requires interpretation services in a different language, this can be arranged. Ask your nurse or doctor if you need an interpreter in another language.
Spiritual & Religious Care
All patients have the opportunity to receive visits from pastoral care volunteer services. Specially trained members of the Auxiliary attend to the spiritual needs of the patients and their families. Alternatively, should you wish to receive visits from your priest or other denominational clergy, please contact your nurse so arrangements can be made.
Should you wish to send out mail, the nursing staff will forward your correspondence to the Business Office. Regular postal fees in effect will be charged.
It is best that you do not have your own personal mail forwarded to the hospital. Please make other arrangements to have your personal mail taken care of.
Housekeeping
Our housekeeping staff are very polite and social individuals; however, they have their daily cleaning tasks that must be completed. Please keep conversation with the housekeeping staff short.
You can help our housekeeping staff keep the room clean by limiting the number of personal items in your room.
Television Rental & Channel Guide
Televisions are available to rent. Ask your nurse if you wish to rent a television during your stay at our hospital. A headset must be used at all times when the television is in use so as not to disturb the rest or care of other patients.
When requesting a television rental, you will be required to sign a Patient Consent for Rental of Television form stipulating your request for TV rental and ensuring payment to the hospital for said rental. The request will be completed by the Business Office during office hours only.
of Rentals:
Headsets
Complex Continuing Care (CCC) / Stroke Rehabilitation Patients:
Therapeutic Garden
Additional headsets are available for $4 each.
Our Therapeutic Garden got its roots in 2011 with a grant from the Ontario Healthy Communities Fund through the HGMH Foundation. Over the years, the garden has more than quadrupled its original size and is used regularly by rehabilitation patients as part of their therapy. Patients participate in gardening tasks such as planting, weeding, and harvesting. This experience requires physical exercise, stimulates thought, encourages awareness of the external environment, and improves dexterity and balance. Harvests from the garden are incorporated into foods prepared in the cafeteria.
If you are interested in working in or just visiting the garden, speak to a member of your healthcare team.
Security
Security is on site Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm and every day from 10:30 pm to 6:30am.
• Whether someone will be making plans with you for home care
• What medicine you must take, how to take it, and any side effects
• What foods you should eat or avoid
• When you can go back to normal activities, such as work, school, exercise, and driving
• What follow-up appointments you will need and who will make them
You can write this information down or it may be helpful to have a family member or friend with you. They can help you to record what you should know about your care.
How Your Caregivers Can Help in Your Recovery
Your caregiver is an excellent resource and often and “expert” in your medical history. It is important to have them present (if you wish) to take notes and help with your discharge plan. Listed below are some common care responsibilities that your caregiver might assist you with:
• Personal care: bathing, eating, dressing, toileting
• Household care: cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping
• Healthcare: medication management, appointments with your doctor, physical therapy, wound treatment, injections, medical equipment and techniques
• Emotional care: companionship, meaningful activities, conversation Community organizations can help with services such as transportation, meals, support groups, counseling, and possibly a break from your care responsibilities to allow your caretaker to rest and take care of themselves. Finding those services can take some time and several phone calls.
Palliative Care
We are committed to providing quality palliative and end of life care as well as compassionate support for patients who are dying and their families through all the stages of life. This includes care that addresses physical, emotional, social, spiritual needs and delivering effective and timely pain and symptom management.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is available at Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital. Through this service, it’s possible you could save a drive to:
• The Ottawa Hospital
• Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
• Montfort Hospital
• Queensway Carleton Hospital
• University Health Network in Toronto
• Or other hospital locations in Ontario
Telemedicine uses secure videoconference technology to provide specialized health care in our own hospital. It helps improve access to specialized medical services that are not often available in rural communities. Examples of services that can be provided at HGMH by videoconference with specialized cameras and stethoscopes include:
• Pre-Operative Assessments; Mental Health Consultations; Nephrology, Cardiology, Vascular, Oncology, Hematology, Neurology, etc.
• Ask your physician when they refer you to a specialist if a telemedicine consultation is possible or ask your specialist if your next appointment can be done through telemedicine. Health care services you need can be available closer to home.
OÙ L’ON EST CHEZ SOI
