At USA Medical Center, we believe that a smooth admitting procedure is one of the keys in helping to make your stay more pleasant. All information gathered at the time of admission is required by the State of Alabama, Department of Public Health, federal agencies or health insurance companies. If you do not have insurance, Medicare or Medicaid cards with you at the time of admission, please have a member of your family bring them to the Admitting Office as soon as possible. Any deductible and or co-payment amounts are due at the time of service unless prior arrangements have been made.

In accordance with the Alabama Natural Death Act, you will be requested to provide the hospital with advance directives in the form of either a valid "living will" or a current healthcare durable power of attorney. You will receive materials on this topic upon admission, but should you need more information, please contact the Department of Social Services at (251) 471-7380.

USA Medical Center provides private rooms. However, crowded conditions may on occasion make it necessary to assign other accommodations.

This bracelet is designed for your protection and for positive identification. Hospital personnel will verify your bracelet information to assure that your doctor's orders are followed correctly. We ask that you please wear it until you leave the hospital.

You will need only a few items from home, such as sleep wear, a robe, slippers, and your own personal toiletries including toothpaste, shampoo and lotion. Eyeglasses, contact lenses and dentures should be kept in protective containers when not in use. Please do not leave these items on your food tray, on your bedside table or other places where they might get lost or damaged.

Please leave your valuables (money, jewelry, personal effects) at home or have them placed in the hospital safe upon admission. The hospital cannot assume responsibility for valuables retained by you during your hospitalization.

Please notify your nurse promptly for assistance in the event an article is lost. Lost and found articles will be maintained for no longer than thirty (30) days.

No Smoking
Smoking is prohibited throughout USA Medical Center . Tobacco smoke has been proven to contribute to many health problems, even for those who breathe the smoke of others. That is why it is a smoke-free building.

Wheelchairs, Walkers, Bedside Commodes
Please allow one of your hospital staff to assist you at all times when getting in and out of any of these devices.

Medicines
In order for you to continue taking any medicines you have been taking at home, they must be properly identified. If you have brought your home medicines to the hospital with you, we will identify them to be sure we know what they are, the strength, and the directions. Please give your nurse any medication your doctor instructed you to bring to the hospital. You will be able to relax with the knowledge that your nurse will make sure that you get the correct dosage at the correct time.

A hospital usually does not carry every drug in a similar group of drugs. For example, there may be 10 drugs which all work the same way. A hospital would usually carry one or two of these instead of all 10. These similar drugs may be substituted for ones you may have been taking at home. Occasionally, we may ask that you use some of your own prescription drugs while you are a patient, so your drug therapy is not interrupted. Otherwise, all of your home medications should be sent home with a family member.

Alarms and Drills
Fire and disaster drills for our staff are a necessary part of maintaining employee preparedness for these events. If a drill should take place while you are here, you may see or hear signs of it. If so, please do not let this activity concern you. Staff members will inform you of any action to be taken.

Personal Electrical Devices
Personal television sets, radios, heating pads, hair dryers or other electrical devices are not permitted in the hospital. Cell phones may not be used in the intensive care units.

Ask Questions
Speak up if you have concerns. Ask a relative or friend to be with you if this will help you ask questions and understand the answers. Write down your questions as you think of them so you will not forget them when your health care providers come to visit you.

Identification for Treatment
Whenever you are receiving any medication or blood, or are having a blood sample drawn, your name band should be checked for identification by the health care worker. If they forget, remind them to check it.

Medications
Keep a list of all the medication you take. Make sure it's the medicine, strength and frequency that your doctor ordered. If it looks different than you expected, ask about it. Tell your doctor, pharmacist and nurse about any drug allergies you have and all medications you are taking including vitamins and herbals.

Test Results
Ask the doctor or nurse when and how you will get the results of all tests and procedures.

In the Hospital
Talk with your doctor about your care options. Before you leave the hospital, ask about follow-up care and understand all instructions.

Surgery
If you need surgery there are several questions you should ask the surgeon. They are:

Exactly what will you be doing and where on my body will you be doing it?

Who will take charge of my care while I am in the hospital?

How long will it take?

What will happen after the surgery?

How can I expect to feel during recovery?

Also tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses if you have allergies or ever had a bad reaction to anesthesia.

Infection Control
The best way to prevent the spread of infection is through proper hand washing. Health care personnel should wash their hands before and after providing hands-on care to patients.

Identification of Hospital Personnel
Hospital and medical staff are required to wear ID badges while on duty. To assure pediatric safety, please check the hospital ID badge of any person who takes your child from the room.

Accessibility
USA Medical Center strives to make all services accessible to all patient with disabilities. If you have special needs, please discuss them with your nurse or call the Patient Representative at (251) 471-7127.

Telephones
To make a local call, dial "9" on your telephone and wait for the dial tone, then dial the desired number. Long distance calls may be dialed directly from your telephone by dialing 9-0-0. These calls must be charged to your home phone number, placed collect, or billed to a credit card. Please dial "0" for the hospital operator's assistance or information.

Use of a cell phone is not allowed in any of the intensive care units. This could interfere with the hospital equipment and we appreciate your cooperation for the safety of our patients.

Television
USA Medical Center has color televisions equipped with basic cable.

Mail and Flowers
Mail and flowers will be delivered to your room. Mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home. Flowers are not allowed in the intensive care units.

Spiritual Needs
A quiet room for meditation, prayer and worship is available on the first floor. This room is open any time, day or night, for patients and visitors. Volunteer Chaplains provide pastoral care for patients and their families. You may direct your request for a chaplain to the hospital operator by dialing "0".

Gift Shop
USA Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary operates a gift shop located on the first floor. Gifts, magazines, cards, toiletries, flowers and other items are available. Hours of operation:

•Monday - Friday   9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
•Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
•Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Housekeeping Services
Housekeeping will clean your room and empty waste containers once daily. If you require additional services or you have any concerns regarding the cleanliness of the hospital, please call Environmental Services at 7-7405.

Lost and Found
If you lose a personal item during your stay, notify your nurse immediately. We will attempt to locate any lost or missing property as quickly as possible. Property left over thirty (30) days will not be retained.

Although rest is a vital part of your treatment, we know how important a visit from friends or relatives can be. Visiting hours and regulations are designed to serve your welfare and insure the quickest possible recovery. We ask that visitors cooperate by respecting the visitor regulations.

Visitors may park in the visitors' parking lot in front of the hospital. Overflow parking is accommodated in the lot on the corner of Fillingim Street and Stanton Road.

While the hospital is open for general visiting hours twenty-four hours a day, visitation is a privilege. Visitors should consider the needs of the patient and display respect for hospital property and rules. Nurses may ask visitors to leave the room while procedures are being conducted or if it is judged best for the well-being of the patient. If you do not want visitors in your room or information released about your stay, please tell your nurse.

Visitation Hours
Intensive Care and Progressive Care
• 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The Burn Center does not have set times for visiting patients. We understand the importance of communication to both patients and family. Guidelines for visitation are as follows:

Your Special Diet
The diet prescribed by your physician is an important part of your total care. Our Dietary Department prepares a special menu for you each day which matches your physician's orders. If you have a question about your diet or choices, please ask to see the dietitian. Because your nutrition plays a vital role in your care, gifts of food should not be eaten without first checking with your nurse to ensure that the food is compatible with your physician's orders.

Mealtimes
If certain tests or treatments interrupt your regular mealtime, your nursing staff will make arrangements for a late meal or small snack. Light snacks are available between regular meal service hours.

Your visitors have 24 hour a day access to the cafeteria vending machines located in the second floor dining area.

Cafeteria
The hospital cafeteria is located on the second floor. It is open 7 days a week.

Meal service hours are:
• Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
• Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Dinner: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Pain Management
Your care team will assess your pain and your physician will provide appropriate treatment. Tell your nurse or doctor if pain medicines are not working. Ask about different methods of pain relief. You may request medication from the nurse if you are having pain. Medication can only be given in the dosage and frequency ordered by the physician.

Medical Staff
Your physician will make all the necessary arrangements for laboratory and x-ray examinations, medication, diets, and special treatments. He or she belongs to a highly qualified medical staff of carefully selected individuals. The services of your physician are special in nature and will be billed separately from those of the hospital. During your stay at USA Medical Center, your medical care will be directed by an attending physician who is a faculty member of the USA College of Medicine. Because USA Medical Center is part of an academic health center, you may be seen by a team of physicians who will assist your attending physician. This team may include medical students in their third and fourth year and resident physicians who have completed their medical school training and are pursuing studies in a specialty area. These physicians and students are important members of your health care team who will work closely with your attending physician to provide for your medical needs. All medical personnel are supervised by your attending physician who has primary responsibility for your care. The attending physician maintains the highest possible standards of care not only for the patient's benefit, but for the success of the teaching program. If you have questions about your diagnosis or treatment, ask your doctor.

Nursing Staff
The professional nursing staff are members of your healthcare team. You will see many members of our nursing service staff during your stay including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, student nurses, patient care assistants and unit secretaries. The nurse manager on your floor is available to you and will be more than happy to answer any questions which may arise about your nursing care.

Ancillary Services
The medical and nursing teams are supported by a range of other health care professionals including pharmacists, social workers, dieticians, respiratory and physical therapists and laboratory and radiology technicians. All play important roles in providing the care you need. To help you identify the people who are providing services to you, each hospital employee wears a picture identification badge which shows his or her job title. Each student wears an identification badge that identifies them as a student health care provider.

Private Duty Nurses or Sitters
After discussion with the physician, you or your family may decide that a private duty nurse or sitter would best serve your needs. The patient and family are responsible for this expense. Such nurses are employees of the patient, rather than the hospital, so fees should be paid directly to them. Private duty nurses or sitters are allowed on general medical/surgical floors only.

Volunteers
USA Medical Center has an active group of volunteers who are a valuable source of support to our patients. The volunteers work in various capacities throughout the hospital including the gift shop, day of surgery waiting room and admitting office. They also deliver our patients' mail and flowers. Refer to the "Quick Reference" page for the volunteers' phone extension. For more information about how you can become a volunteer, see volunteer opportunities.

Cafeteria Hours
•Breakfast 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
•Lunch 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
•Dinner 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Gift Shop Hours
• Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
•Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
•Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Telephone Dialing Instructions
• Local Calls: Dial 9 and Number
•Credit Card Calls: Dial 9,0,0
•Third Party Billing and Operator Assisted Calls: Dial 9,0,0
•For Operator Assistance: Dial 0

Important Hospital Phone Numbers
• Admitting: 7-7250
•Business Office Representative: 7-5882
•Gift Shop: 7-7524
•Hospital Operator: 0
•Hospital Main Number: 7-7000
•Nursing Supervisor: 7-7290
•Patient Representative: 7-7127
•Security: 7-7195
•Social Services: 7-7380
•Volunteer Services: 7-7265

Hospital Address:
USA Medical Center
2451 Fillingim Street
Mobile, Alabama 36617-2293