During Your Stay
Beds
Hospital beds are usually higher and narrower than your bed at home. Your nurse will show you how to adjust your bed properly. For your safety, the rails on your bed may be raised during the day. They may also be raised during the night for your protection. If you have any questions about how to operate the controls for your bed, please speak to your nurse.
Blood Draws
While you are a patient in the hospital, your doctor will order blood to be drawn for testing. Often blood is taken to check for infection, anemia, electrolyte balance, or to monitor the level of a medication in your bloodstream. These blood tests are done to assist in understanding your health problems and how you are responding to treatment.
Depending on the reason for the test, blood may be taken at different times during the day. Frequently, blood is drawn before breakfast (5 a.m. to 7 a.m.) because food alters many lab values. Early morning blood draws also allow laboratory staff time to complete the tests and have the results on the chart for your doctor to see during morning rounds. Blood taken later in the day is often used to re-evaluate your condition or to monitor the level of a medication.
The doctors and MercyOne staff try to limit the number of blood draws you experience. If you have any questions or concerns about your blood draws, please talk with your nurse, doctor, or the laboratory staff.
Bringing Food Into The Hospital
You are allowed to bring food into the hospital. However, food storage must follow our guidelines and must also be within the guidelines of the diet your doctor orders for you. Ask your nurse for more information.
Cafeteria
Our Nutrition Services staff takes great pride in preparing delicious meals from fresh ingredients. You will receive a selective menu with a variety of foods prepared to meet your nutritional needs. At meal times, a tray will be brought to you and removed after you are finished. Your guests and visitors will also have the option of ordering a meal to be delivered to your room. If you have any questions, please speak with your nurse or dietitian.
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices
Due to potential interference with patient care equipment, cell phones and other mobile devices are prohibited in many patient areas. Please ask your caregiver about where you can use your phone or other mobile device.
Communication Assistance
Interpreter services and communication devices are available for those in need. Please contact your nurse to access these services.
Ethics Committee
The Ethics Committee is a group of community and hospital professionals that serve as a resource for patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff. The committee works to clarify difficult health care issues and offer consultations and education. If you would like to meet with a member of the Ethics Committee, please speak to your physician, nurse or social worker.
Financial Assistance
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center is committed to making quality care affordable to those with limited financial means. A financial counselor can work with you to determine your assistance options, including federal, state and county programs and our own patient financial assistance program.
How To Get Assistance
To determine if you are eligible for financial assistance, please contact us at 563-244-5678.
If You Have Private Insurance Coverage
Many private insurance agencies require pre-certification before admission to the hospital, or within 24 hours. If pre-certification is mandatory for your insurance and was not completed on admission, please call our admitting office. Please remember that it is important for you to understand the terms and requirements of your insurance policy.
Physician Billing
Physician services provided during your stay are billed separately from your hospital bill. Such services may include your own personal physician, radiology and pathology interpretations, emergency physicians and anesthesiology. If you have questions about your radiology, pathology or emergency room physician bill please call:
Radiology, Advanced Radiology, S.C. - 1-888-610-4099
Weiland Clinical Laboratory - 1-800-728-1503
Team Health - 1-888-952-6772
Hospitalists, Apogee - 1-866-869-2395
Fire Alarm
In case of a fire alarm or drill, it is important for you to stay where you are until given instructions by MercyOne staff. Our building is fire-resistant, and our colleagues are trained in the proper procedures to ensure your safety.
Gift Shop/Coffee Shop
The MercyOne Gift Shop is staffed entirely by Auxiliary volunteers. The Gift Shop and Coffee Shop are located at MercyOne north campus. Stop by and browse a great selection of gifts, magazines and other treats.
Medical Social Work
Medical social work staff counsel patients and their families on concerns associated with hospitalization as well as personal issues. Each social worker is professionally trained to listen to your concerns and help you make plans to meet your needs. The social worker can especially help answer your questions about taking care of yourself after leaving the hospital. Medical social work can also coordinate discharge plans with you and your family. Other assistance available through medical social work includes agency referrals, financial assistance, and personal or family counseling.
Medications
All medications you take while at MercyOneare prescribed by your physician and dispensed by your nurse. For your safety, please do not take medications, food additives or supplements, or vitamins brought from home unless approved by your physician during your hospital visit. Our pharmacists are available if you have any questions about your medication or drug therapy while you are at MercyOne.
Nurse Call
You have a Nurse Call button within reach of your bed. If at any time you need assistance, press the call button and your needs will be met as quickly as possible.
Patient Satisfaction
It is our goal to provide each patient with quality care, compassion and comfort. If you are not satisfied with any aspect of your care, please talk with your nurse or the department director who will put you in contact with our patient representative to address your needs.
Students
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center partners with area colleges to provide training for students in medical professions. To provide patients with highly trained staff, we encourage the colleges to give students real clinical experiences. As a patient, please realize that their instructors closely supervise all of the students participating in clinical rotations, while staff members from MercyOne provide guidance and education. We appreciate the support our patients have given in allowing students to participate in their care.
Valuables
Your patient rights allow you to use and retain personal clothing and possessions. With this right also goes responsibility. Please consider carefully what personal belongings you keep while staying at the hospital. Send home with your family any items you will not be using. If this is not possible, speak to your nurse about having your valuables secured by the hospital. Be sure to keep eye glasses, contacts, hearing aids and dentures in their proper containers when you are not using them. The hospital cannot be responsible for the loss of personal property that is not placed in safe storage.
Vending Area
There are vending areas located near the cafeteria and by the main lobby with cold beverages and snacks available 24 hours a day.
Visitors
MercyOne welcomes visitors! However, the area you are in may have specific visiting hours or restrictions to help patients receive the highest quality care and adequate rest. Please speak to your nurse regarding any visiting regulations.
Telephone Information
Receiving Calls
Your telephone number is located on your room phone. Family and friends can reach you by dialing this number. Please give callers your new number if you move to another room. If you do not want to receive calls, talk to your nurse about having your calls held.
Local Calls
To call a local number dial "9" and the number you are calling.
Long Distance Calling
You will need to charge any long distance calls you make to your home phone or a telephone credit card. To place a long distance call, dial "8." Then dial "0" followed by the area code and number. An outside operator will take your billing information.
Communication Devices
MercyOne has communication devices available for people with hearing impairments. Please contact your nurse for more information.
Tobacco-Free Campus
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center is officially a tobacco-free campus. This means that employees, patients and visitors are prohibited from smoking or using tobacco products on any MercyOne-owned property, including buildings, grounds, parking areas and sidewalks.
If you are interested in obtaining support to help stop using tobacco, call Quitline Iowa (a toll-free smoking cessation counseling hotline) at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit their website at www.quitlineiowa.org. Illinois residents may call the quit line at 1-866-QUIT-YES for information and assistance.
Patients who smoke or use tobacco products are encouraged to talk with their physician about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT may help to curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Wireless Internet
Free wireless Internet is offered for patients and their guests. Please ask your nurse for more information on how to sign in.
