Patients & Visitors

Admission Information

Registration Advance Directives Identification Bracelet Medical Information Privacy Policy Room Orientation What to bring with you

Valuables Personal Electronics Identifying Personnel Room Assignments Medications Pain

Registration

The registration process is the first step in establishing the medical record for your healthcare visit. It is important that the information obtained be accurate. You will be asked to sign certain documents during the registration process, such as consent for treatment and a release of information, so that we may bill your insurance company.

Advance Directives

Advance Directives include a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. We ask that you complete and sign these documents while you’re still medically stable and competent to make important decisions about your medical treatment. In the event that you become unstable or incompetent, Advance Directives documents are the legally established means for you to communicate your wishes.

Franciscan St. James accepts and will follow these directives as long as they are in keeping with the Catholic Code of Ethics and Illinois state law. The hospital will not discriminate against any individual based on whether he/she has signed an Advance Directive.

During the admitting process, you will be asked if you have executed an Advance Directive. A copy of the statement of Illinois Law on Advance Directives will also be given to you. Patient information regarding Advance Directives is recorded in your medical records. If additional information on Advance Directives is available, you will be advised. For more information, call ext. 6675 at the Chicago Heights campus or ext. 1012 at the Olympia Fields campus.

As a Catholic healthcare facility, Franciscan St. James Health abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services, approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Identification Bracelet

During your admission to Franciscan St. James, an identification bracelet was placed around your wrist. It should be worn at all times during your stay, because it enables our healthcare team to quickly and positively identify you. For example, your bracelet will be checked when medication is administered, lab work is drawn, or a procedure is performed.

Medical Information Privacy Policy

Franciscan St. James values the privacy of our patients. Your medical records are kept strictly confidential and will only be released to other parties with your written consent. If you would like a copy of your medical records after you leave the hospital, please call the Medical Records Department at ext. 6191 at Chicago Heights or ext. 1254 at Olympia Fields.

Room Orientation

After being helped to your room, a member of the nursing staff will greet you, acquaint you with your surroundings and instruct you on the proper use of equipment, including the nurse call system.

What to Bring with You

Clothing and accessories you may need while hospitalized include:

• A list of home medications
• Slippers, robe, pajamas or night gown—a hospital gown is provided
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shaving products
• A minimal amount of cosmetics and additional toiletries
• Petty cash — we recommend less than $10 for incidentals

Valuables

Jewelry, watches and other valuables should be sent home with a relative. St. James cannot be responsible for the loss of personal items. If this is not possible, ask that your valuables be deposited in the hospital safe.

Personal Electronics

For your safety, an employee of St. James must visually inspect personal electronic items such as blow dryers, radios, electric razors and other items that may be plugged into an outlet, prior to use in your room. Please let your nurse know if you’ve brought any of these items with you.

Identifying Personnel

During your stay at St. James, you will encounter a number of people who will be caring for you. You will be able to easily identify nurses by the uniforms they wear. Our nurses who work on the inpatient units can be identified by their royal blue and white uniforms.

Room Assignment

We have assigned you a room based on your needs. If your assigned room does not meet those needs, please inform a nurse and we will make every effort to see that you are made comfortable during your stay. Private rooms are not usually covered by insurance; if requested, you may be responsible for this extra charge.

Medications

The Franciscan St. James Pharmacy will furnish all medications needed during your stay. All prescriptions must be ordered by your physician and filled by our Pharmacy Department. Please send home any medications you may have brought to the hospital.

Pain

Feel free to tell any staff member at Franciscan St. James Health about any pain that you may feel. The staff will relay the information to your nurse and/or Physician. For more information about pain and pain management, click here.