What to Bring

Documents:

• Ontario Health Card
• Details of any additional health coverage or insurance policies
• For workplace sustained injuries please bring your Social Insurance Card and WSIB claim number.
• Power of Attorney for Personal Care Information
• Health Care directives if applicable
• Emergency contact numbers

Medications:

• Current medications which you are taking (preferably in their original containers) or a current list of your medications and instructions.
• These medications will be returned to you at the end of your stay or at your request.
• On rare occasions we may ask if we can use your own medications for an item that the hospital does not normally stock.

Personal Items:

• Sleep attire, robe , non-slip slippers or shoes and / or comfortable clothing
• Grooming items such as toothbrush, tooth paste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, Kleenex tissues, shaving supplies and sanitary items
• Lip balm and skin cream
• Address book with phone numbers you require
• Small amounts of money for newspapers, magazines, gift shop items, toiletries
• Reading material, telephone calling card.

Electrical Equipment:

You are welcome to provide your own electric razors and hair dryers, but they must be checked and approved by the Maintenance Department prior to being used. Please ask your nurse to arrange for this check. Battery-operated appliances are preferred.

What NOT to Bring

Please do not bring:

• Large sums of money
• Jewellery and other items of sentimental value
• Cell phones and other radio frequency transmitting devices
• Non-prescription drugs or alcohol The hospital is NOT responsible for lost or stolen articles. You will NOT be reimbursed for missing articles.

Patient Accommodation

Residents of Ontario are covered by OHIP and are entitled to standard unit care (four beds in one room). You may choose to upgrade your room to:

• Semi-Private (two beds in one room)
• Private (single room)

If you prefer a semi-private or private room, it is important to realize that you may be billed for the difference, depending on your insurance coverage. Check with your insurer before you arrive if possible.

Phones

Patient phones are available in each room with no charge for local calls.

Pay phones are located at the Emergency entrance and beside the Cafeteria.

Cellular phones, mobile phones and transmitting devices are prohibited in designated patient care areas and the Emergency Room waiting area as their signals can interfere with the operations of sensitive medical equipment used for patient care.

Televisions

Personal televisions are available upon request. A daily rate will apply.

Patient Inquiries

The telephone number for the hospital is (519) 364-2340. Information about your health is confidential, so please designate one person to report your progress to family members and friends. Let us know the name and telephone number of the person to whom we can provide information.

On admission, the nurse will provide you with a contact number attached to a card. When you call in for patient information in regards to your family members’ condition you will be asked to provide this contact number.

Clinical Pathways

Care teams have developed what we call “Pathways” for some diagnoses and services provided at the hospital. These Pathways are based on the best medical practice known. They clearly describe the essential activities and treatments your doctor wants for you during your hospital stay. These guidelines are called “paths” because they outline the patient’s journey or path through their stay in the hospital from admission to discharge and home.

For most of these Pathways, we have developed patient “pathways” for you and your family. These outline what you can expect during your stay and include information about your condition, what to do after discharge, and other tips about caring for yourself.

Ethics

The Hospital has a comprehensive ethics program. If you or your family experience an ethical issue/concern ask a nurse to contact one of the Ethics Committee Members.

Living Wills and Advanced Directives

Hanover and District Hospital, in your best interest, has the ability to make your wishes regarding treatments known to all doctors and nurses who may care for you while you are a patient here.

When you are admitted to the hospital due to illness or for an operation, there are routine treatments provided by doctors, nurses and other staff to ensure you get well as quickly as possible and return home.

However, you could be admitted as a result of an accident or a prolonged illness where treatments may not result in full recovery, or which could lead to death. If this happens we would like to make sure we are following a course of treatment which you fully understand and approve of.

You may wish to discuss this with your doctor or nurse to make sure your wishes are respected. If you have already signed a living will advance directive or similar document, we encourage you to provide the hospital with a signed copy on admission. This will ensure that your wishes are known.

It is very important for you to realize that your wishes regarding treatment can be reviewed and changed by you at any time.