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Patients
Admissions
If your physician requested your admission to Tahlequah City Hospital, then he/she has notified our admissions office that you will be arriving. For your convenience, we have made every effort to ensure that this admission process, as well as all out-patient procedures, will progress as quickly and easily as possible. TCH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, nor limit access to treatment in its programs or activities. Our admission and treatment questions are not intended as an invasion of privacy, but as a mode of providing you with the best medical care possible.
You will be asked to sign several forms, including consent for treatment and assignment of insurance benefits. Advance Directives will also be discussed during this admission process. TCH is committed to providing quality care in a courteous environment. We welcome comments and suggestions for improvement.
Medical Care
Your physician, or their designee, is responsible for your medical treatment. They will make all the necessary arrangements for your diagnostic testing, medications, nutrition and other required hospital services. You may notify your nurse if at any time you feel a need to speak with your physician regarding treatment.
Hospitalist Program
A Hospitalist is a licensed physician who does not have an out-patient practice. They work only with patients admitted to the hospital. They specialize in hospital care.
The Hosptialists at Tahlequah City Hospital care for patients who live out of town or out of state, who live in the area but do not have an established relationship with a physician, or whose primary care physician practices medicine outside of Tahlequah. Your primary care physician may elect to have a hospitalist care for you during your stay with us.
Nursing Care
A highly skilled team of professional nurses and nursing assistants will provide your nursing care. They will consult with you, your physician and other health care providers to ensure that you receive the best possible care.
Assistance
When you need assistance, you should press the call button located on your bed or use the pull cord in the bathroom. A staff member will answer your call over the intercom in your room or check on you in person.
Accidents and falls happen unexpectedly. You are most susceptible to falls when you are sick or injured. Our desire is that your hospital stay is as safe and pleasant as possible. With that in mind, we ask that you always ask for help from the staff when you:
• Need to go to the bathroom
• Are getting into or out of bed
• Are transferring to a chair, wheelchair or bedside commode
• Have difficulty operating the bed or other equipment
Personal Identification
At the time of your admission, an identification bracelet will be placed on your wrist. You will be required to wear this identification bracelet until you are discharged from the hospital. The bracelet will serve as personal identification and is checked each time you have a test, receive medication or require a surgical procedure.
Medication
Please provide your nurse with a list of current medications. Your nurse will review these with your physician who will decide which medications you should continue to take during your hospital stay. Medications from home are not to be taken unless they have been inventoried and identified by our pharmacist and ordered by your physician. If you have questions concerning medications, please contact your nurse.
Discharge
Your physician will determine when you are ready to be discharged from the hospital. When you are ready to leave and the person who will drive you home has arrived, you will be escorted out of the hospital by a TCH representative.
Discharge Planning/Social Services
The Discharge Planning/Social Services department is an integrated member of the health care team whose primary responsibilities are discharge planning, information and referral. This department actively participates in planning for post-hospital care of patients who need continued healthcare and acts as a liaison between the hospital and community resources.
The key to successful recovery is having realistic expectations about how long it will take to recover. After discharge, allow time to adjust both physically and emotionally. Specific instructions are given for care after hospitalization. If you or family members have questions about after-discharge care, please ask the doctor or nurse.
Many patients need additional care after discharge. Social Services will assist patients and their families with home health, rehabilitation, nursing homes, assisted living, or other post discharge healthcare needs.
Financial Arrangements
As an inpatient, there will be separate bills from the hospital and physicians. The bill from TCH is for hospital services only. It includes all tests, procedures, supplies and technologists involved in the services that you received. This bill is not for professional services provided by your physician, other physicians who conducted tests and procedures, or interpreted results.
Our patient financial services department is available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our staff will consult with you during your stay with us and/or after discharge. TCH offers a prompt pay discount of 20 percent of the patient’s portion of the bill for full payments made within 60 days of the final bill.
We assist many patients with payment arrangements, an itemized statement, or answers about your bill. Please call (918) 456-0641 and ask for a patient representative.