Chicago Heights Campus Olympia Fields Campus Chicago Heights - Statue of St. Francis Olympia Fields CCI Olympia Fields HVI

Patients & Visitors

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Patients & Visitors

Policies & Services

Phone Calls

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Local calls may be made free of charge by dialing 9+ the phone number. Calls are considered local if they are within a 15-mile radius of the hospital. Long distance calls and third-party billing calls may be placed by dialing 9+0+0 and the operator will assist you. Should you need other assistance, dial zero. Amplified phones are available to patients with hearing loss, as are telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD). For more information at either campus, please dial “O” for the Operator.

Cell phones

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Please turn off all cellular devices when you enter the hospital. The radio waves emitted by cell phones have been proven to interfere with many types of healthcare machines and monitoring devices. This interference can carry into other rooms, and even other floors, with extremely serious consequences.

You may notice that the nursing staff carries cellular phones. Franciscan St. James Health has introduced new technology, Spectrolink phones, to better serve you and your physician. These are not for personal use, but to better support communication between the nursing staff and your physician. These cell phones are hospital-owned and approved to provide ready access to your physician. Please under- stand if your nurse excuses herself to answer a call from a physician; she or he is discussing care issues.

ATMs

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24-hour automated cash stations are available in the main lobby of each hospital.

Mail & Deliveries

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Any mail or flowers sent to you will be delivered to your room. Your mail will be delivered to you Monday through Friday. Friends and family should address correspondence to you as follows:

Your Name
Patient at St. James Hospital and Health Centers
1423 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
-or-
20201 South Crawford Avenue, Olympia Fields, IL 60461

Any mail received at the hospital after you have returned home will be forwarded to your home address. If after leaving the hospital your address will be different from your home address, please provide the correct forwarding address to the Admitting Department.

Newspapers

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At the Chicago Heights campus, coin-operated newspaper machines are located in the Emer- gency Center lobby and outside the main entrance. At the Olympia Fields campus, newspapers can be purchased in the Gift Shop. If you wish to have a newspaper delivered to your room, please call the Volunteer Office at ext. 6215 at Chicago Heights or ext. 1236 at Olympia Fields between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Internet

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Free wireless Internet access is now available in selected areas at St. James. Visitors may bring their own laptop computers, PDAs, or other WiFi-capable devices and connect to “Guestnet” to browse Web sites, check e-mail, or perform other basic Internet tasks while in our facility. St. James WiFi hot spots include cafeterias, lounges and most waiting areas. These areas can be identified
by signs marked “WiFi Accessible.” Information cards regarding usage of Guestnet are available throughout each hospital campus. St. James does not supply help desk support, computers or other devices to use on Guestnet.

After your stay, we invite you to periodically visit our website (www.StJamesHospital.org) to stay informed on news, events and the latest procedures and technologies available at St. James.

Concerns/Grievances

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We encourage you to present any concerns you may have to the Guest Relations Department at ext. 6889 at the Chicago Heights campus or ext. 5087 at the Olympia Fields campus.
Regardless of whether you have used the hospital’s grievance process, each patient has the right to address his/her concerns to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 535 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL 62761-0001. The Public Health Hotline is 1-800-252-4343; fax is (217) 524-8885.

Gift shops

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Our gift shops are located in the main lobby of each hospital campus. Our gift shops offer a wide assortment of stationery, clothing, baby toys, handbags, jewelry and gift items. All proceeds from sales benefit St. James Hospital and Health Centers.

Gift Shop Hours
Chicago Heights

Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
From your room, the Gift Shop may be reached by dialing ext. 6225.

Olympia Fields

Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday, Noon-3:00 p.m.
From your room, the Gift Shop may be reached by dialing ext. 1119.

Smoking Policy

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As a healthcare organization, we have taken a leadership role in becoming tobacco free, both inside and outside. All Franciscan St. James properties including parking lots and private pedestrian walkways at both hospital campuses are tobacco free. Therefore, please refrain from smoking in any area considered hospital property.

Smoking Cessation programs
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If you’re trying to quit, you’re not alone. The organizations listed below are helpful resources for helping you quit. Should you have questions, please contact your physician or nurse.

American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345  local: (708) 633-7770
www.cancer.org

American Lung Association
1-800-LUNG-USA   local: (312) 243-2000
www.lungusa.org/stop-smoking/

American Heart Association
1-800-AHA-USA1
www.americanheart.org

National Cancer Institute
1-800-4-CANCER
www.cancer.gov

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
1-800-358-9295
www.ahrq.gov

CDC: Office on Smoking/Health
1-800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov/tobacco

American Academy of Family Physicians
1-800-274-2237
www.aafp.org

Web-based support groups include:

Facts on the effects of smoking:
  • Smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths and is responsible for most cancers of the larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus and bladder.
  • Secondhand smoke is responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths among U.S. nonsmokers each year.
  • Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical agents, including over 60 substances that are known to cause cancer.
  • Tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States.
  • Cigarette smoking also causes chronic lung disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis), cardiovascular disease, stroke and cataracts.
  • Smoking during pregnancy can cause stillbirth, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other serious pregnancy complications.
  • Children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma attacks, ear infections and other lung diseases.

Food Services

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For Our Patients

The St. James Food and Nutrition Services Department is pleased to serve you healthy meals planned by professional dietitians. Each morning, a member of our department will visit you and help you fill out your menu in accordance with your physician’s dietary order. Our staff will also deliver your meal tray and check back with you to make sure you have everything you need.

Meals are served during the following hours:

Hot Breakfast: 7:00–10:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast: 10:00–10:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4:15 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Snacks are offered once a day in the evening. A staff member will visit your room with a selection of healthy snacks from which to choose.

Occasionally, tests and procedures necessitate special meals in place of your selections. These tests are ordered by your physician as part of your treatment. Your cooperation in following these dietary requirements is appreciated. Should your meal service be delayed by a procedure, light sand- wich meals are available in your nursing unit.

Each day we feature several items from which to choose. If the daily choices do not appeal to you, you may request an item from our alternative menu. If your doctor has prescribed a special diet, we may have to adjust your menu selections, but we will do our best to honor your food preferences. If you have questions about your meals, please call the Food and Nutrition Services Department at ext. 6560 at Chicago Heights and ext. 1035 at Olympia Fields.

For Your Guests

Your visitors are welcome to eat in our cafeterias, located on the first floors of each hospital campus. The cafeterias are open seven days a week:

Breakfast: 7:00–10:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Vending areas, located near the cafeteria main entrances, are accessible 24 hours a day.

Palliative Care

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Palliative care specializes in the relief of pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to ensure the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Franciscan St. James Health offers palliative care services at each hospital campus.

How do I know if palliative care is right for me?

Palliative care may be right for you if you suffer from pain or other symptoms due to a serious illness. Serious illnesses include but are not limited to: cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis. Palliative care can be utilized at any stage of illness and alongside curative treatment.

What can I expect from palliative care?

When you receive palliative care, you can expect relief from distressing symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Palliative care improves your ability to carry on with your daily life. It improves your ability to tolerate medical treatments and helps you to better understand your condition and your choices for medical care. In short, you can expect the best possible quality of life.

Who provides palliative care?

Palliative care is usually provided by a team of experts, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers. Teams can also include chaplains, massage therapists, nutritionists, ethicists and others. Teams will usually vary from hospital to hospital.

Where do I receive palliative care?

Palliative care can be offered in a variety of locations, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices or at home.

Does my insurance pay for palliative care?

Many insurance plans cover all or a portion of the palliative care treatment you receive in the hospital, similar to other hospital and medical services. This is also true of Medicare and Medicaid. Drugs, medical supplies and equipment may also be covered. If you have financial concerns, a social worker or financial consultant from the palliative care team can assist you with payment options.

How do I start getting palliative care?

Ask for palliative care! Start by talking with your primary physician or attending nurse. Make your wishes for palliative care known to family, friends and caregivers. Then, ask for a palliative care referral. To learn more, go to www.getpalliativecare.org. This site is provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care.

Spiritual Care services

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Members of our Spiritual Care Services team are available to respond to your needs. Our team is comprised of a director, Catholic priests, Protestant chaplains, religious sisters and lay pastoral associates. Each is available for anyone who desires spiritual or emotional support.

The Chapel, located on the first floor of each hospital campus, is always open for meditation and prayer. Mass is televised free on channel 28. At your request, your priest, minister or rabbi will be notified as soon as possible.

Holy Communion is distributed daily to Catholic patients requesting it. To request any Spiritual Care Services, call ext. 6675 at Chicago Heights or ext. 1012 at Olympia Fields.

Mass Schedule at Chicago Heights Monday–Friday & Holy Days: 6:45 a.m. Sundays & Holidays: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday Ecumenical Service: 2:00 p.m.

Mass Schedule at Olympia Fields
Tuesdays & Thursdays: Noon

Outpatient Pharmacy

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Once you are discharged, you may have a need for prescription medications. If so, the St. James Outpatient Pharmacy, located in the 3700 building on the Olympia Fields campus, can be of service to you. We can also meet the pharmacy services needs of your friends or family. We offer fast, friendly service and senior discounts. We also accept most major insurance plans. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The pharmacy can be reached at (708) 747-7283. Our fax number is (708) 503-2372.