Arriving at the hospital
All personal information (necessary for hospital and government records) will be considered strictly confidential. It is important that you make staff aware if you have an Advance Directive / Living Will or if you have been in a hospital out-of-province during the past year.Hospital wrist identification bracelets are used for all patients.
Our Patient Registration Staff will make every effort to provide you with the type of accommodation you request. Our hospital provides standard ward, semi-private, and private rooms. Semi-private and private rooms (if requested by you) do cost more and must be paid by you or your insurance company.
If you have insurance coverage, please let our staff know. During your stay, you may be admitted to a mixed gender room.
- Ontario Health Card
- Other Health Insurance Card
- Medications
- Advance Directives / Living Will
Personal Items
You should bring only necessary personal toilet articles such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, denture cream, comb and brush, shaving items, or cosmeticsNo scented products, please. Although the hospital provides patient gowns, you may want your own easy-on-and-off pajamas or nightgown together with a bathrobe and non-skid slippers or shoes.
Medications
Bring all current prescriptions and non-prescription medications, in their original containers. Some medications are not supplied by the hospital and you may be required to supply your own. Any medications required during your stay will be prescribed by your doctor and will be brought to you by your nurse.Please tell your doctor and nurse if you are allergic to any medications or suffer from any other allergies. If you have any questions about your medications, your doctor, nurse, or hospital's pharmacy staff will assist you.
Please do not bring: valuable papers or documents, scented personal care products, items of sentimental value, jewellery or expensive clothing, large amounts of cash, alcoholic beverages, or plug-in appliances unless otherwise approved by staff. The hospital will not accept responsibility for patients' personal items and valuables.
- Nurses
- Physicians
- Dietitian
- Home care planners
- Laboratory technicians
- Diagnostic imaging team
- Occupational therapist
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapy / physiotherapy assistant
- Activity coordinator
- Personal support workers
- Respiratory therapist
- Speech-language pathologist
- Student nurses
- Clergy / pastoral / spiritual care
- Palliative care volunteers
Transfers by ambulance between hospitals or between hospitals and nursing homes are at no charge. All other ambulance services are subject to a fee. Patients of the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) may be eligible to have their ambulance fees paid by the CCAC. Please contact your CCAC caseworker for further information.
The Glengarry News is available weekly. These papers are distributed to inpatients in the morning.
Specially trained members of the Auxiliary attend to the emotional and spiritual needs of the patients and their families. They visit twice weekly.
Telephones are available in all patient rooms. Dial “8” to reach an outside line. Long distance calls are not permitted.
TV rental is available for all patients; arrangements can be made through the Information Business Office. Patients desiring to rent a TV will be required to use headsets. A television is provided in the activity room during restricted hours.
All valuables must be kept at home. The Hospital is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal items (e.g.: hearing aids, laptops).
Patient declaration of Values
Patient Rights
When you are in our hospital we recognize the fundamental rights of patients and we are committed to maintaining an environment that both fosters and protects these rights.
Communication
- To have your condition, care, and treatment explained to you or to your substitute decision maker in simplified terms to the best of the health care provider’s ability; and to participate in one’s care plan in either official language.
- To be introduced to and informed of the professional status of individuals providing care and service.
To be informed
- To receive ongoing information concerning one’s diagnosis, treatment, and any known prognosis and to consent to service knowing the consequence of refusal.
- To receive information regarding available healthcare services and options when planning for admission, discharge, or transfer from the hospital
Privacy
- To have your personal health information kept private in accordance with the Privacy Act.
- To request that your admission to the hospital not be disclosed to certain individuals.
Compassion
- To have a parent, guardian, family member, or friend stay with you 24 hours per day in special circumstances.
- Pastoral and palliative care services
Respect
- Every patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and dignity in a way that recognizes individuality and is free of prejudice.
- Accommodation in a safe and clean environment that is free from abuse.
Patient Responsibilities
Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital believes that patients should participate in their treatments and be given the opportunity to make decisions regarding their health. We also believe that patients have certain responsibilities.
Consideration
- Be considerate and respectful of health care providers and other patients and families
- Be considerate of other patients and respect their privacy
Cooperation
- To provide accurate information about your past illnesses, previous hospitalizations, and medications and to report any unexpected changes in your condition
- To follow the treatment plan as discussed and mutually agreed by you and your physician
- To keep appointments or to contact the hospital when this is not possible.
Safety for Everyone
- To observe the hospital isolation and smoking restriction policies
- Follow instructions during emergency measures and outbreak of infections
- Verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated
Participation
- To make appropriate and timely arrangements for leaving the hospital upon discharge by your physician
- To ensure that any personal financial obligations for your health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible
Respect
- Every person working, volunteering, visiting, or receiving services from HGMH has the right to be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect
Leaving the Hospital
When you become a patient in the hospital, our goal is to help you return home safely. The best place for you to decide your future care and special needs is at home. It is more difficult to make these decisions while you are in the hospital. Hospital staff and the Community Care Access Centre Care Coordinator will consider your needs to help you plan your return to home.
The “Home First” philosophy helps you and your family to get the right care in the right setting. You can continue to recover safely in your own home for as long as possible. At home, you will be in a safer place with less chance of getting a hospital infection. The services you need will come to you in your home, giving you more time to decide on your future care.
Discharge time for inpatient units is 11:00am. To avoid additional charges, please make sure you leave your room by discharge time so that it can be prepared for the next patient. Any costs associated with transportation to your home, retirement home, or long-term care is the responsibility of the patient or their family.
An up to date medication list can save your life. The Vial of Life package can do that. It consists of a plastic vial with a Vial of Life sticker, a Vial of Life form, and a Vial of Life magnet. The Vial of Life form can be completed by patients and family members upon discharge or post discharge. The completed form should be stored inside the plastic Vial of Life container.
Patients can request the Vial of Life package; it is provided as a service to assist patients in keeping the list of their medications current. If you are interested in receiving this free package please ask your nurse.
To use your Vial of Life:
- Keep the form updated with the list of medications you are currently taking,
- Keep your medication list in the vial,
- Keep the vial in the package,
- Keep the package in an easy to find location (e.g.: on the outside of the fridge door), and
- Let family members know that your medication list is kept inside the vial.
Place the Vial of Life magnet or sticker on a common entrance door or where it is visible in a window, so Emergency Medical Services (ambulance, etc.) will know that you use the Vial of Life for your current medication list.
By using the Vial of Life you are making it easier for Emergency Medical Services and family members who may be transporting you to the hospital to know that your medication list is readily available and can be brought with you.
Following your hospital stay, you may receive a patient satisfaction survey through the mail. We encourage you to complete it, as your feedback helps us make improvements in the quality of care and service we provide.
