Patient Information
Welcome
Welcome to Russell County Hospital. Our entire staff is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality health care in a friendly, efficient manner.
Hospital stays are occasionally part of the healing process. However, we understand that being a patient is not something you look forward to. That is why our goal is to provide a comfortable, friendly place for you to regain your health.
To make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, this information outlines some of the services and caregivers that are available to you at Russell County Hospital. If you have additional questions or suggestions on how we may better serve you, please share those with anyone on our staff.
Accommodations
Our patient rooms are equipped with electronically operated beds with bedside controls as well as individual room temperature controls. Each patient bed provides a personal color television and telephone along with wall-mounted connections for oxygen and power and an individual nurse call system.
Meals and Diet
A well-balanced diet plays an important part in your treatment and recovery. Our Dietary Department makes every effort to provide you with nutritious and appetizing meals that are prepared according to your physician's orders. If you are on a regular diet, you will be asked about special diet preferences and requirements and will be provided a menu from which to choose your preferences. Meals will be served to patients according to the following schedule:
Breakfast - 7:00 a.m.
Lunch - 11:00 a.m.
Dinner/Supper - 4:00 p.m.
Snacks are also available
Telephones
Individual telephones are provided at each patient bedside. To make a local call, dial "9" and the phone number. All long-distance calls must be charged to your credit card, your home phone or collect to the number you are calling. Your family and friends may call you by dialing 270-866-4141 and asking for your room number or dialing your extension (room number). Phone calls to patient rooms are discouraged after 9:00 p.m.
Comforts and Conveniences
Flowers
During your hospital stay, we will deliver flowers to your room as they arrive. Flowers are not allowed if you are a patient in ICU or Isolation.
Lost Items
If you lose any of your belongings during your stay, please notify the nursing staff. Even though we are not responsible for missing items, we will make every attempt to help you recover your items. Any items that we find following a patient's stay are kept for 30 days. If you discover that you have lost an item after you return home, please call us as soon as possible to assist us with recovery of your lost items. We are not responsible for personal valuables unless they are in our lock-up.
Mail is delivered to patients daily. Any mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home. Outgoing mail may be given to your nurse.
Newspapers
Members of our volunteer auxiliary can deliver newspapers and other reading material to your room upon request. Please ask your nurse if you would like something brought to your room.
Pastoral Care
We recognize the importance of pastoral care in the recovery process. Local pastors volunteer on a rotating basis as hospital chaplains. The on-call chaplain does not act on behalf of his local congregation or denomination, but offers spiritual aid and comfort to all people, regardless of religious affiliation. Please contact your nurse if you would like to see the chaplain.
A small chapel for meditation, prayer and worship is open to patients and visitors at all times.
Safety
While you are in the hospital, our staff is responsible for ensuring your safety. Bed rails, a call light by your bed and an emergency call light in the bathroom are provided.
Fire drills are held at random intervals to ensure our hospital staff is familiar with emergency practices in order to ensure patients' safety in the event of a fire. Should a fire occur, all hospital personnel will go promptly to their regular duty stations and be prepared to follow the RACE plan (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate).
Preventing Patient Falls
Most patient falls that occur in the hospital can be prevented, but we need your help to reduce your risk of falling. Please read the following information carefully to see how you, your family and friends can help us to reduce your risk of falling while you are in the hospital.
Common reasons patients may fall while in the hospital:
Being ill can make you unsteady on your feet.
Being ill can make you unsteady on your feet.Certain medications such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, diuretics (water pills), sleeping pills and others can make you feel weak and dizzy.
The surroundings may seem strange and unfamiliar, especially when you wake up at night.
You can help prevent falling while in the hospital by following these guidelines:
Follow your physician's orders and nurse's instructions regarding whether you need to stay in the bed or call for assistance when you need to get up.
If you feel weak or dizzy when you attempt to get out of bed, sit back down and call for the nurse. If you feel weak or dizzy when in the bathroom, pull the emergency cord to signal the nurse that you need help.
Remain lying or seated while waiting for assistance.
Make sure you wear non-skid slippers and be aware of extra long robes and/or nightgowns that you could trip over.
Do not tamper with side rails that may be in use.
If you came into the hospital with extreme weakness, dizziness, or as the result of a fall, please do not attempt to get up by yourself unless you are told otherwise by the physician or nurse.
Fall Prevention Plan
A Fall Assessment is completed when you are admitted. If you are identified as being a high risk for falling related to your current condition, the following guidelines will be implemented to aid in your safety:
A green Falling Star magnet will be placed on the door facing of your room.
We will place a green armband on you, a green dot sticker on your patient chart and on the nametag above the bed so staff members will recognize that you are a risk for falling related to your condition.
A side rail on each side of the bed should be in an "up" position.
Clear pathways shall be maintained in all patient care areas.
Adequate lighting shall be ensured.
You are encouraged to wear appropriate non-slip footwear for ambulation.
Avoid walking on wet or slippery surfaces.
Use handrails in hallways when needed.
Use the call-light for assistance as needed. There are call-lights on the bedrails and in the bathroom for your assistance.
If you are unable to utilize the call-light system, a hand-held call button or bell will be provided. If you are unable to utilize either system, you will be checked on frequently.
Your call-light shall be answered promptly.
If your bed alarm has been activated, please leave it on for your safety.
Your bed shall be kept in the "low" position and locked.
Items that are used frequently by you shall be kept within your reach.
Smoking
As a leader in the delivery of health services, Russell County Hospital is a tobacco free facility. Smoking is not permitted by patients, visitors or employees anywhere on RCH Campus. If you are a smoker please make arrangements with your physician for nicotine replacement products during your stay with us.
Pain Management
Managing and Preventing Pain
Pain prevention and management are very important to us. The staff will respond to your reports of pain and will communicate with your health care provider to treat your pain. You can expect to be asked several questions about your pain on admission and throughout your hospitalization. Nurses can only give the amount and frequency of pain medication as ordered by your physician. As a patient in the hospital, we expect that you will:
Ask your nurse and/or physician what to expect regarding pain and pain management.
Discuss pain management options with your nurse and/or physician.
Ask for pain relief when your pain first begins.
Tell your nurse and/or physician any concerns you have regarding your pain and how well the pain is managed.
What is Pain?
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It may be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Pain can be an indicator that injury has already occurred, is about to occur, or may help prevent injury by limiting activity. Pain may also serve no purpose and may not be associated with injury (for example, a migraine headache).
What Causes Pain?
Pain can be caused by many things, such as an injury, surgery, or a disease. Some pain may be caused by pressure or injury to a nerve. Sometimes there is no reason for your pain.
What is Your Pain Like?
Caregivers want you to talk to them about your pain. This helps them learn what may be causing the pain and how best to treat it. Your caregiver may ask the following questions:
Where does it hurt? When does it hurt? Does the pain move from one area to another?
How would you rate your pain?
Visitor Information
Vending Machines
Vending machines are located in the Emergency Room hallway and are available from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Gift Shop
A small gift shop is provided by the Hospital Auxiliary. The Gift Shop is located in the main lobby and is operated by members of the Auxiliary.
Visiting Hours
Having visitors can be important to your emotional well-being and recovery. Getting proper rest is also important to your health and recovery. We believe the family is an extension of our patients. If, at any time, you have questions or concerns about the care provided to a patient, please talk to a nurse. On occasion, visitors may be asked to leave depending on the patient's condition or due to staff needing to provide care.
Intensive Care Unit/Telemetry Visiting Hours
Visiting hours may vary depending on the acuity of the patient or the patient's needs. Please check with the ICU nurse regarding visitation.
Medical/Surgical/Swing Bed Visiting Hours
11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
At 8:30 p.m., we announce that visiting hours are over at 9:00 p.m. You will be asked to register for extended visitation past 9:00 p.m. We try to limit visitors staying the night in semi-private rooms because this infringes on the privacy of the other patient and it can be difficult to deliver care with increased residency in a semi-private room.
Swing Bed Patients
We encourage families of Swing Bed patients to visit at any time. When young children are visiting our Swing Bed patients, we ask that the children remain in the room of the patient they are visiting.
Visitors' Meals
For the convenience of visitors, our employee lunchroom is available for visitors to have breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., lunch from noon to 2:00 p.m. and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visitors who would like to eat may visit the cafeteria for a food tray which is available for a small fee. Trays are provided for parents who are staying with their hospitalized child age 12 and under. Please contact the nurse's station for this service.
Caring for You
Medical Staff
Russell County Hospital offers a variety of physician specialties on the medical staff. These specialties include:
Emergency Medicine
Family/General Practice
Hospitalist
Internal Medicine
Pathology
Radiology
Surgery, General
Vascular Surgery
In addition, the following specialty clinics are offered on a scheduled basis:
Cardiology
Hematology
Oncology
Ophthalmology (eye M.D.)
Orthopedics
Podiatry
Psychiatry
Pulmonology
Surgery, General
Urology
Neurology
If you are interested in the schedule for these specialty clinics, please ask your nurse.
Nursing Staff
Our highly-trained professional nursing staff is dedicated to providing you with the best possible care around-the-clock. Our nurses also provide education about your illness or injury and explain the procedures involved in the treatment plan prescribed by your physician.
Emergency Services
Our Emergency Department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by specially trained physicians and nurses who use modern technology and the latest emergency care techniques.
Intensive Care Unit
Our Intensive Care Unit is staffed by specially trained personnel who provide 24-hour comprehensive nursing care and continued observation of acutely ill and post-operative patients. Cardiac monitors are available for all ICU beds.
Outpatient Services
Russell County Hospital provides a wide variety of outpatient services, including laboratory, radiology, nuclear medicine, and same-day surgery. A variety of surgical procedures are performed in modern operating rooms that are equipped with the latest technology and equipment. Imaging services include X-ray, mammography, a spiral CT scanner, and nuclear medicine scans.
Rehabilitation Services
Russell County Hospital offers cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and massage therapy services. When needed, our therapists will help you return to the most active lifestyle possible after surgery, illness or injury. These rehabilitative programs may begin during your hospital stay and continue on an outpatient basis.
Swing Beds
Our Swing Bed Unit provides skilled care to patients who have had an illness or injury but no longer need to be hospitalized. Care is provided until the patient is able to care for him/herself or is moved to another appropriate care setting. Patients or families who are interested in this service should request assistance and evaluation by a member of the Case Management staff.
Hospice Services
Russell County Hospital offers Hospice services for patients in this area who would be cared for by Hospice of Lake Cumberland. We have a Hospice Suite available for patients who are acutely ill with any of the many diagnoses covered by Hospice care. If you or your family have any questions regarding Hospice care, please contact any member of the hospital's Case Management staff.
Patient Satisfaction Survey (Press Ganey)
Within 72 hours after discharge from the hospital, nursing staff will make every attempt to reach you for follow-up on your condition and the care you received while in the hospital. You will also be reminded that you will be receiving a Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey in the mail. Please fill the survey out and drop it in the mail, postage free. We value your opinion on the services we provide and appreciate your time in completing the patient satisfaction survey. This helps to continually improve our services.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
As a patient, you have certain rights and responsibilities. This organization believes that if you understand them, you can contribute to the effectiveness of your treatment and to the quality of your care. The following is a list of Patient Rights and Responsibilities which reflects our concern and commitment to you as a patient and a human being.
Adult Patient Rights
The patient or his/her legal representative has the right to:
Be informed of his/her rights in advance of care being furnished or discontinued, whenever possible.
Have prompt response to or resolution of grievances and be informed of how to file a grievance without compromising care. If you have a grievance, please contact Administration and if not satisfactorily resolved, you are welcome to call any of the following numbers:
Division of Healthcare Facilities & Services, Southern Enforcement Branch
Phone: (606) 330-2030
Adult Protective Services
Phone: (270) 343-3512
State Long-Term Ombudsman
Phone: (800) 372-2991
Participate in the development and implementation of his/her plan of care.
Make informed decisions regarding his/her care.
Be informed of his/her health status, be involved in care planning and treatment and be able to request or refuse treatment.
Formulate advance directives and have hospital staff and practitioners who provide care in the hospital comply with these directives in accordance with state and federal laws. (Advance directive forms are available in the Case Management office, if needed. A Notary Public is available within the hospital to witness signature of forms.)
Have a family member or representative of his/her choice and his/her own physician notified promptly of his/her admission to the hospital.
Personal privacy and security.
Receive care in a safe setting.
Be free from all forms of abuse or harassment.
Confidentiality of his/her clinical records and other information except when required to be reported by state and/or federal law.
Access information contained in his/her clinical records within a reasonable time frame.
Be free from seclusion and restraints of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff.
Be informed about outcomes of care, including unanticipated outcomes.
Reasonable access to care regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin or source of payment for care.
Considerate care that respects his/her personal values and beliefs, including those of conflict resolution, ethical issues, withholding resuscitation, foregoing a withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and participation in investigational studies/clinical trials.
Appoint a decision-maker if unable to communicate and/or communication support for impairments, including hearing and speech.
Access protective services, if needed.
Be cared for by staff educated about patient rights and their role in supporting those rights.
Request to see a copy of the hospital's policy related to Code of Ethical Behavior.
Have pain assessed and managed.
Participate in organ and/or tissue donation.
Receive pastoral care and other spiritual services, if requested.
Consent or refuse to participate in any treatment that is considered experimental in nature and to have a description of risks fully explained prior to consent. Refusal to participate does not compromise access to the hospital's services.
Concern for comfort and dignity in all aspects of care during the final stages of life.
Know identity and professional status of individuals for authorizing and performing procedures or treatments, any professional relationship to another health care provider or institution that might suggest a conflict of interest; the relationship to educational institutions involved in your care; and any business relationship between individuals treating you or between the organization and other health care services or educational institutions involved in your care.
Obtain information from physicians and other direct caregivers in understandable terms concerning diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and plans for discharge and follow-up care.
Expect the facility to be physically accessible to those with limited physical capabilities.
Examine and receive an explanation of your hospital bill regardless of your source of payment.
Newborn, Pediatric and Adolescent Patient Rights
In addition to the rights of adult patients, the needs of children or adolescents shall, with their parents/guardians, have the following rights:
Respect for:
a. each child/adolescent/newborn as a unique individual;
b. the care-taking role and individual response of the parent.
Provision for normal physical and physiological needs of a growing child to include nutrition, rest, sleep, warmth, activity and freedom to move and explore.
Consistent, supportive and nurturing care which:
a. meets the emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs b. fosters open communication;
c. encourages human relationships.
Provision for self-esteem needs which will be met by attempts to give the child:
a. reassuring presence of a caring person, especially a parent;
b. freedom to express feelings or fears with appropriate reactions;
c. as much control as possible over both self and situation;
d. opportunities to work through experiences before and after they occur, verbally, in play or in other appropriate ways;
e. recognition and reward for coping well during difficult situations.
Provision for varied and normal stimuli of life, which contributes to cognitive, social, emotional and physical developmental needs.
Play, educational and social activities essential to all children and adolescents.
Information about what to expect prior to, during and following procedure/experience, and support in coping with it in age-appropriate language.
Participation of child/family in decisions affecting their own medical treatment.
The Patient/Parent/Guardian has the following responsibilities:
The patient or legal representative has the responsibility to:
Provide information about his/her health history including present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and reporting perceived risks in his/her care.
Ask questions if he/she does not understand.
Follow his/her treatment plan with instructions.
Accept consequences of not following instructions.
Follow hospital rules and regulations.
Show respect and consideration for others and hospital property.
Meet financial commitments and provide necessary information to ensure processing of bills.
Provide the hospital with a copy of his/her written advance directive, if applicable.
Discuss pain relief options with his/her physician or nurse.
Notify hospital staff of the name/nickname/title by which he/she prefers to be addressed.
Be considerate of other patients, help to control noise and disturbances, follow smoking policies and respect others' property.
Leaving the Hospital
When it is time for you to leave the hospital, a Case Management representative will assist you and your family with making arrangements for care after you are discharged. This representative can also direct you to special resources available for disabilities as well as information on counseling services and financial assistance.
Discharge Procedures
Your physician will decide when you are ready to leave the hospital and write a discharge order on your medical chart. Your physician or nurse will discuss with you the instructions you will need to follow to continue your recovery at home. Once your doctor discharges you, your nurse will arrange for you to be escorted in a wheelchair to the main hospital entrance for your trip home.
Paying For Your Stay
Frequently, insurance plans do not cover the full cost of a hospital stay. Except for Medicare and Medicaid, your hospitalization coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company. We will cooperate to expedite your claim, but you are ultimately responsible for paying your account in full.
Your insurance plan may have certain requirements, such as a second opinion for surgery or pre-certification for inpatient admissions, certain tests or procedures. You are responsible to make sure the requirements of your plan have been met. If they are not, you may be responsible for paying for all or part of your hospital bill. If you do not have insurance, please arrange to talk with a financial counselor during your hospital stay. The counselor will help you work out a feasible plan for payment.
Patient Financial Assistance
Your Hospital Bill
Your hospital bill will reflect room charges and other charges for services incurred during your hospital stay. The daily room charge covers the cost of your room, 24-hour nursing care, all meals, housekeeping and laundry services and related overhead. Other charges may be included for procedures and special services ordered by your physician, including medications, lab tests, radiological procedures or therapy. If you had surgery, additional charges for use of the operating room, anesthesia or other drugs or services will also be itemized.
You will receive a separate bill for services from your attending physician, surgeon, radiologist, pathologist, neurologist, anesthesiologist or any other consulting physician.
You may receive a separate statement for charges incurred during the last 24 hours before your discharge.
Convenient Payment
For your convenience, payments are now taken in the registration area. Payments can be made beginning at 7:00 a.m. and continuing after 4:00 p.m. Payments may also be made at the billing office in the Administrative Services Building during the same hours.