About Your Stay at Deaconess Hospital

During your stay

Room assignment

Your room assignment is based on your diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission to MultiCare Deaconess Hospital. Both private and semi-private rooms are available, and we try our best to accommodate patients needs. Please speak to your nurse if there are concerns about your room assignment.

Hospital bed

Hospital beds are electrically operated. Your health care team will show you how to work your bed properly.

Your hospital bed is probably higher and narrower than your bed at home, and includes bedside rails for your protection. The rails may be raised for your safety or at your request, if you’re resting, recovering from surgery or taking certain medications.

Nurse call button

An electronic button is located at your bedside to call your nurse. When you press the button, the nursing station is alerted that you need assistance.

A staff member may talk to you via intercom and will respond to your request as soon as possible.

Meals and nutrition services

We work hard to provide nutritious meals that are prepared according to your doctor’s orders. Patients are served meals between the hours of 6:30 am and 6:30pm.

Occasionally, your meal may be delayed when you are scheduled for a special test or treatment. Whenever possible, you will be served after your examination or test.

If a family member or friend wants to eat in your room with you, the person may go to the cafeteria and purchase meal ticket for in-room meal service. Outside food or drink for a patient must be cleared by nursing staff to ensure they meet diet needs and are properly logged.

Pain relief

Your pain relief is a top priority for us. Our health care teams continuously check for signs and symptoms of pain. We will ask you to rate your pain on a scale of zero through 10, and ask what your wishes are around pain relief.

Some patients are unable to communicate verbally or describe their pain and may show discomfort with facial expression or grimacing. If you believe your loved one is in pain, please inform the nurse coordinating their care.

Room temperature

All rooms in the hospital are centrally heated and air-conditioned. If your room temperature is not comfortable, please notify the nursing staff.

A thermostat is located in each room for your personal comfort. If you are sharing a room, please be considerate of others when adjusting thermostats.

Telephones

Telephones are provided in each inpatient room. Phone use may be restricted in the intensive care unit.

Your family and friends can call you in your room by dialing the main hospital number and asking the operator to connect the call.

Patients may receive calls in their rooms from 7am to 8pm unless alternate arrangements have been made through the operator.

• Local calls may be made at any time from the room by dialing 9 and the number.
• Long distance and toll calls can be made at any time by dialing 9 and then 0 and then the number. Long distance calls cannot be charged to your room.
• You can make a credit card call or charge a long distance call back to your home number.

Television

Televisions equipped cable are provided free of charge in each room, except in the intensive care unit. We ask that you keep the volume low and turn off your television at bedtime so that others may sleep.

Smoke-free campus

MultiCare Deaconess Hospital is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the hospital and on hospital grounds for the protection of our patients and staff.