PATIENT / VISITOR INFORMATION

Making stays restful and comfortable and visits smooth and enjoyable is the goal for employees and physicians on the medical staff at North Texas Community Hospital, Bridgeport, Texas.
 
 
PREPARING FOR YOUR STAY

Room Request 
We offer a variety of private and semi-private rooms. We will attempt to provide you with the accommodation of your choice based on admitting diagnosis or medical needs. Should your preference not be available upon admittance, we will make every effort to honor your request for a transfer when one becomes available.

What to Bring 
To facilitate your hospital admittance, please bring your insurance card and, if you have them, advance directives, living will and healthcare agent information.

Valuables 
We want you to be comfortable during your stay. However, we ask that you leave your valuables at home with your family. If you are scheduled for surgery, you will be asked to remove all jewelry before entering the operating suite.

Friendly Reminders
As with any trip away from home, you may wish to arrange for child care, animal care, and newspaper or mail delivery. You may find it helpful to identify someone in your family to provide updates on your progress to family and friends.

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DURING YOUR STAY

Guest Parking
Self-parking is available for everyone at the front entrance; if you require special assistance please contact hospital administration at 683-0300.

Television
Free television and music will be provided in your room, compliments of North Texas Community Hospital. Instructions for use will be provided. If you have any problems or questions concerning your television set or reception, please ask your caregiver to call for assistance.

Telephone Calls
A telephone is provided at your bedside; local service is complimentary. Long distance calls can be charged to your home phone, made collect, or accessed through a calling card. Charges vary on calling cards. To promote a restful sleep, all incoming calls to patients are blocked after 10 p.m.

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PATIENT SERVICES

Pastoral Care, Chapel
The spiritual component is an important part of the healing process. Members of the Chaplain Corps provide pastoral spiritual support for patients, families and staff during the day; on-call chaplains are available nights and weekends.
 
Our chaplains may be reached through the office from 8:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. If the need is urgent, please call North Texas Community Hospital at 683-0300

Volunteer Guest Services
Volunteers support patients and their families in many ways. To request a service you do not see below, or for assistance with errands in the hospital, please contact Volunteer Guest Services. Dial 683-0330.

Gift Shop Amenity
Volunteers can help you with the purchase and delivery of magazines, newspapers, or other items that you wish to purchase from the Gift Shop. To phone the Gift Shop directly, dial 683-0320.

Patient Relations
We welcome your suggestions, compliments, concerns or requests regarding your hospitalization. We can help you and your family pursue explanations, get reassurances, or solve problems. You can reach us Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Evenings and weekends, call and ask to speak with the nursing administrative supervisor.) After your discharge you will receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey. We appreciate your candid evaluation of your hospital stay and experience.

Social Work
Our Social Work staff members are available to help you and your family with counseling, referral to community support groups and crisis intervention. If you require transfer to another facility, they can help you to locate and plan the financing of an appropriate placement.

Case Management
Case Managers will assist you through your hospital stay with discharge planning and referrals to various community agencies. They will work closely with your physician and can assist you with any questions. When you leave the hospital, they can help you arrange for home services, including hospice care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health aides, outpatient therapies, equipment and transportation covered by insurance plans. The Case Management Department is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m.

Smoking
Help us maintain a clean-air environment by not smoking.

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HEALTHCARE DECISIONS

Advance Directives
You have the right under Texas law to make decisions in advance about your medical treatment. These decisions will be honored even if you become unable to make or communicate them. You also have the right to determine in advance who can make decisions for you regarding life support or medical treatment, should you be unable to express those wishes yourself.
 
All patients admitted to North Texas Community Hospital may receive a packet of information about advance directives and will be asked if they have a living will or an appointed healthcare agent. They will receive samples of such directives. Patients who have advance directives should bring those legal documents to the hospital. Please ask your nurse if you need additional copies of the information you received on admission.

Informed Consent
To be sure patients understand their medical options, North Texas Community Hospital may require that a patient's informed consent be obtained and documented before certain treatments or procedures. Your physician is responsible for explaining the nature of the procedure or treatment and for discussing the possible benefits as well as the foreseeable risks and alternatives. Completed consent forms will be part of your medical record. If you wish to discuss the treatment or procedure in greater detail before signing these forms, please contact your physician.

Discharge Against Medical Advice
Patients are discouraged from leaving the hospital against medical advice. If you wish to leave against medical advice, you will be asked to sign a Discharge Against Medical Advice form. Your physician and, when appropriate, your family will be notified if you are making this request.

Ethics
There may be times when you or your family (if you are unable to make decisions) feels uncertain of or may be in conflict with your plan of care. In this event, the department chief, patient representative, nursing management, or administration healthcare team will work with you and/or your family to reach a resolution.

Do No Resuscitate
A Do Not Resuscitate order (DNR) is a written order by a physician which states that in the event of a respiratory or cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitative measure (CPR) will not be initiated. This order is made in conjunction with the patient’s wishes.

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RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Privacy
You have the right to privacy and confidentiality. People who are not involved in your care may not receive information about you without your permission. You are entitled to know what role any observer has in your care and to have any observers unrelated to your care leave if you so request.
 
You have the right to a copy of your medical record after your discharge and within a reasonable time frame (approximately 30 days) after your written request has been received by the Health Information Management Department. If your records are required for another treating physician or healthcare provider, North Texas Community Hospital will supply this information directly to the provider as quickly as possible.

Respect
You are an important and unique person and we will respect you, introduce ourselves to you, explain our role in your care, and listen to you. We will respect your individual values and your religious beliefs. If you wish, a member of our Chaplain Corp will visit you to support your spiritual needs. Each patient has the right to the best medical care available, without consideration of race, color, national ancestry, age, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, or ability to pay

Information
You have the right to be fully informed about your health status, recommended treatment, alternatives, benefits and risks, and to be involved in your plan of care and treatment. You may ask questions about your care at any time. We will answer them honestly and clearly. You are entitled to inquire about the possibility of financial aid for your hospital bills and to receive information and assistance in obtaining such aid.

Quality
Trained professionals will work together to care for you. You have the right to know the name of the physician responsible for your treatment and to speak with that physician and others involved in your care. North Texas Community Hospital is a teaching hospital, and you may therefore meet doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers in training who will participate in your care and treatment under the guidance of their supervisors.
 
You are entitled to care in a safe and supportive environment, free of abuse or harassment. We will work with you to make your stay as comfortable as possible and to support your right to access protective services. Before you leave the hospital, we will work with you on your discharge plan and teach you what you need to know to continue to care for yourself at home

Special Needs
If you need an interpreter, we will provide one. If you need special equipment, we will obtain it for you. We will help you contact friends and family by telephone or by mail. Should you have any other special needs, we will do our best to accommodate them. Please notify your nursing staff.

Patient Responsibilities
As a patient, you are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and complete medical information to your physician and other involved staff.
   
• Following the treatment plan developed by your physician.
   
• The health consequences if you refuse medical treatment or do not follow your physician's treatment plan.
   
• Financial obligations related to the care that is provided to you in the hospital.
   
• Following hospital rules and regulations regarding medical care and conduct.
   
• Being considerate of the rights and needs of other patients and hospital staff.
   
• Your own personal property and being respectful of the property of other patients, staff, and the hospital. 

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Patients are discouraged from leaving the hospital against medical advice. If you wish to leave against medical advice, you will be asked to sign a Discharge Against Medical Advice form. Your physician and, when appropriate, your family will be notified if you are making this request.

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PATIENT SAFETY

Patient Safety
North Texas Community Hospital maintains the highest Patient Safety Standards. We also encourage you to take an active role with your healthcare team.
 
Here’s how:

• Feel free to ask your care providers about their hand-washing practices.
   
• Use the hand sanitizer towelettes on your meal tray to clean your hands before dining.
   
• Encourage your visitors to use the hand cleanser stations posted near your room door. 
   
• Know your medications: their names, what they're for, and if they have any side effects or interactions. 
   
• Question your nurse if your medication looks different. Be sure staff confirms your identity before giving you medication or performing tests or procedures. 
   
• Inform your doctor or nurse if you are taking any non-prescribed, over-the-counter medications including vitamins, supplements or herbal preparations. 
   
• Get all questions answered before consenting to surgery or procedures. 
   
• Ask for an explanation of tests or procedures being ordered for you. Request the results of your tests and/or procedures. 
   
• All hospital staff and volunteers are identified by photo identification badges. Should anyone enter your room without displaying a hospital photo identification badge, please press the nurse call button. 
   
• Follow your doctor's instructions regarding your treatment and recovery, including activities, wound care and follow-up visits.

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VISITOR INFORMATION

Visitors Tips
Visitors can make an enormous difference for patients. We ask that anyone visiting a patient at North Texas Community Hospital consider the following:

• If you have a cough or feel unwell, please reschedule your visit or phone the patient instead. Just two visitors at a time are best.
   
• To respect patient privacy, leave the room during medical discussions or treatments, unless asked to stay.
   
• The patient may not feel like talking. Please keep visits brief.
   
• If the patient shares a room, please respect the other patient's privacy and need for quiet.

Smoking
Please help us maintain a clean-air environment by not smoking.

Visiting Hours
Our visiting hours are designed to allow for the maximum possible involvement of family members in the patient's care and healing process. We encourage you to visit during the listed times. Exceptions are made to accommodate special requests.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Visiting Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Due to the nature of Critical Care, we request that visitors be limited to immediate family members only. ICU staff will provide additional suggestions to those visitors.

Medical-Surgical Units
Visiting Hours: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Visiting hours may be tailored according to the discretion of the medical team.

Mother Baby Unit
Visiting Hours: Fathers, siblings and grandparents are welcome to visit at any time during the day or evening.

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HOSPITAL SERVICES
 
Emergency Department
North Texas Community Hospital's Emergency Department provides care for life-threatening illnesses and injuries, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Emergency Department is directed by Wise County’s only Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician and staffed by full-time emergency doctors at all times. They are assisted by Nurses and, at times, physician assistants who care for patients under their supervision.
 
For patients who require admission to an inpatient unit, North Texas Community Hospitals bedside registration facilitates the process.

Intensive Care Unit
North Texas Community Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, located on the 2nd floor, treats critically ill adults with a wide variety of medical and surgical illnesses and injuries.
 
The intensive care team includes board-certified physicians with specialized expertise in intensive and critical care, numerous medical and surgical sub-specialists, house physicians, and an extraordinary group of nurses and respiratory therapists who work in conjunction with the patients' primary care physicians. The needs of our patients and their families are attended to in a calm, gracious setting that is also equipped with the very latest in technology, in order to deliver the highest-quality medical care for vulnerable patients.

Laboratory
North Texas Community Hospital Lab Department provides a full range of services for our patients, including clinical and pathological testing on a 24-hour basis. The laboratory is accredited by JCAHO and maintains CLIA certification. Advanced instrumentation is utilized for the analysis of patient specimens, assuring that the highest quality results are made available to the patient and physician in a timely manner.

Medical / Surgical Unit
North Texas Community Hospital healthcare team is comprised of physicians, nurses and therapists working together to provide compassionate, total patient care. Our surgical center is located on the 2nd floor directly to the left of the elevator.
 
The patient populations served are general post surgical, medical, orthopedic, cardiac, urology and pediatric.

Radiology / Imaging
The Radiology Department is located on the 1st floor of the hospital and provides emergent, inpatient and limited outpatient services in the following modalities: X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, Echocardiography and CT.
 
In this same location we offer high quality Magnetic Resonance Imaging services

Mammography
Solis Women’s Health, located on the 1st floor, partners with North Texas Community Hospital to provide digital mammography services. They screen and educate women in breast health awareness regardless of their income, background or if they are insured, underinsured or uninsured. Our Mammography Program is accredited by the American College of Radiology and FDA approved.
 
We live in a fast paced environment and time is an issue for everyone. Solis can have you check in, screened and finished in only 20 minutes. Our dedicated staff ensures the best quality care for our patients.

Physical Therapy / Rehabilitation
North Texas Community Hospital can meet your therapy needs through all stages of life. We have created a positive environment to make a difference in the quality of a patient’s life by assisting in reducing pain/discomfort, improving movement and function, or restoring confidence.
 
Rehabilitation Services include inpatient care while one is in the hospital and outpatient care following discharge.
 
Cafeteria
The cafeteria, located at the rear of the hospital on the 1st floor, serves employees and visitors, five days a week. Call for Cafeteria hours or daily menus at 683-0357.
 
Coffee and Snacks
Near the Cafeteria entrance is a vending area, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Another vending area is in the main waiting room on the 2nd floor directly outside of the elevators.
 
Gift Shop
The North Texas Community Hospital Gift Shop is run by the Volunteer Auxiliary. Funds raised from the Gift Shop are donated for scholarships, and projects that support the hospital’s mission to deliver quality healthcare to the community. The Gift Shop is located in the main lobby. Call 683-0320.
 
Pastoral Care
The spiritual component is an important part of the healing process. Chaplains from the Chaplain Corps provide spiritual support for patients, families and staff during the day; on-call chaplains are available nights and weekends.
 
Our chaplains may be reached through the office from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. If the need is urgent, please call North Texas Community Hospital at 683-0300 or dial "0" if you are in a patient room and ask that the chaplain be paged.

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LEAVING THE HOSPITAL
 
During your stay, our staff of professional caregivers works with you and your physician to develop an appropriate discharge plan. If your discharge plan includes post-hospital services such as hospice care, skilled nursing, home care, outpatient therapies, equipment and transportation, a case manager or a social worker will help to arrange them for you. Your physician and nurse will provide you with specific discharge instructions. Your physician will provide prescriptions to be filled at your own pharmacy, and will give you instructions for follow-up in the office or clinic.
 
If you have any questions about your discharge or the follow-up care you require, please talk with your physician and nurse.

Billing Information
North Texas Community Hospital will bill your Health Insurance Company, Medicare A & B, or Medicaid. We will make every effort to process your claim in a timely manner. Please remember that your policy is a contract between you and your insurance company.
 
You have the final responsibility for payment of your hospital bill. We offer payment options and financial assistance to eligible patients seeking additional help with their hospital bills. The hospital's charges usually fall into two categories: 1) a basic daily rate, which includes your room, meals, routine nursing care, and housekeeping, and 2) charges for special services and supplies, including items your physician orders for you, such as operating room, delivery room, radiology procedures, anesthesia supplies, oxygen supplies, intravenous solutions, laboratory tests, and medications. You may also receive separate bills from physicians for specialty services, including the Emergency Department.
 
If you have questions regarding your hospital bill or want to provide the hospital with additional billing information, please call a Patient Financial Counselor at 683-0337.

Patient Survey
At North Texas Community Hospital, we are focused on providing the highest level of medical care while also making your stay as comfortable and nurturing as possible for you and your visitors. We appreciate your feedback. After you return home, you will receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey in the mail, asking you to rate various aspects of your care on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5, the highest score, reflecting "very good" care). Please evaluate your stay candidly. We learn about what we are doing well and where we can improve from your ratings and comments. We appreciate your feedback.

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