During your hospital stay

Check with your nurse on what you can wear during your stay. While you may be able to wear your own comfy pajamas, you may need to wear a hospital gown for certain treatment and procedures.

Take advantage of free wireless internet access in patient rooms and throughout the hospital. If you need assistance, use your hospital room phone to call ext. 4559.

If you need anything, push the call button at your bedside. You'll talk to a member of our nursing staff through a handheld speaker.

You need a peaceful environment for healing and rest. Let your nurse know if it's too noisy and we'll make every effort to reduce the noise. If it isn't resolved, you can dial "0" on your hospital room phone and ask to speak with a hospital administrator, who will respond as quickly as possible.

Learn more about our Quiet at Night program to keep noise levels low.

Cell phones are allowed in patient rooms and public areas of the hospital. You can also use public phones in our waiting areas to make local calls.

Most patient rooms have bedside phones. You can use the phone to:

• Make long-distance and international calls at your expense. Dial "0" to reach the hospital operator if you need assistance. For international calls, dial "9" plus "011" plus the number you are calling. To bill the call to your room, dial "9" plus "1" plus the number you are calling
• Reach different hospital departments by dialing the last four digits of their phone number (for example, Patient Business Services can be reached by dialing ext. 4910)

Family and friends can reach you by calling the hospital switchboard. When you’re admitted, you’ll be provided with a pin number for loved ones to use when they call and ask to speak with you. We’ll connect them to your room unless you have chosen “no information status.” Our staff is unable to screen calls or give information about your condition over the phone in most cases. We suggest choosing a person you're close to for family members and friends to call for updates.

Use correct postage and leave outgoing mail at the information desk in the main lobby.

Enjoy reading local newspapers and magazines delivered to your room by Community Hospital Auxiliary volunteers.

Community Hospital is a smoke-free environment. Patients are not allowed to smoke during their stay because smoking makes it harder for your body to heal. Ask your nurse if you'd like help to stop smoking.

Any patient or family member can request live music in a patient room. Soothing Sounds, our therapeutic music program, is available six days a week. Ask your nurse or call ext. 2892 from any hospital phone.

Our musicians use live music and sound to enhance healing and the hospital environment. Enjoy benefits like relaxation, comfort, and less stress and anxiety, especially during health challenges or transitions such as birth or the end of life.

Watch free TV in all patient rooms except those in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Garden Pavilion. Use your bedside remote control to turn the TV on and off, select channels, and adjust volume. Earphones are available.

Ask your nurse if you have questions.

Friends and loved ones who want to see you during your hospital stay should review our visiting hours and policies. You may be able to make arrangements to have a support person stay with you overnight, and many rooms include pull-out couches.

A doctor will see you every day. The time of the visit depends on your doctor's schedule. Check with your nurse for an estimated time.

You may get care from a hospitalist, a doctor who specializes in taking care of hospital patients.

A registered nurse (RN) will be assigned to your care. The RN may also have help from another nursing staff member, such as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

Students from the Maurine Church Coburn School of Nursing at Monterey Peninsula College receive clinical training at our hospital. If you don’t want students to participate in your care, tell your nurse.

You may have bedside shift reports about your care. When it's time for your nurse to end their shift, they'll exchange information at your hospital bedside with your new nurse.

Your new nurse will introduce themselves to you and any friends or family members visiting you. With your permission, your visitors are welcome to stay during the shift report. During the report, your nurses will discuss your health, medications, and ask you about your goals for the day.

You're encouraged to participate because:

• You're the most important member of your medical team, and your input is important
• We want to make sure we're explaining things clearly, we've answered all your questions, and you have the information you need to make decisions about your health and medical care

Leave your prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements at home, but share a list of them with your care team. If you do bring these items, they must be stored in the hospital Pharmacy or sent home.

While you're here, you'll receive your medications from the hospital Pharmacy. Depend on our staff to make sure you receive the correct medication and dose, so it's safe and effective. Learn more about our medication policies, other guidelines, and your rights.

You may be transferred (moved) to another hospital room or nursing department if your condition changes or you need a different level of care. If you need services we don't offer, you may transfer to another healthcare facility.

Count on your healthcare providers to explain your treatment plan and answer any questions you have about your care.

Tests and procedures are scheduled daily, with emergencies handled first. Your nurse will know if you'll have a test or procedure that will take place in the morning or afternoon.

Tell your doctor if you'd like a second opinion from another physician about your condition or treatment plan. You can ask your nurse for help getting a second opinion.