Patient Rooms

Your hospital room has been planned for efficient medical and nursing care in a safe, comfortable environment. The side rails on the bed are for your protection. Patients are asked not to lower the side rails, the nurse will assist you. If your physician has requested that you have assistance getting in and out of bed, please call your nurse.

Each room is equipped with a call bell system to summon the assistance of your nurse. When you press the call button, the nurses' station is alerted that you need assistance. A staff member will respond to your signal over the intercom to assess your needs or send someone to assist you.

Please stay in bed after you have been prepared for the night. Unfamiliar surroundings and sleeping medications may create a hazard if you get out of bed. For assistance during the night, please use your call button.

Each room has its own private bathroom. All rooms are provided with a bed, color television, phone, and extra chairs for visitors.

Telephone

All inpatient rooms are equipped with direct telephone access. Upon being admitted to your room, you will receive the direct dial telephone for your individual room. This number may be given to family and friends. You will have access to make free local calls.

Television

Color televisions are provided in each room, except in the Intensive Care Units. Mass is televised at 11:30 Monday - Friday, Sunday at 10:00. Television service is free of charge in all patient rooms. Educational programs are also available.

Mail

Mail is delivered daily except on weekends. Any mail delivered after your discharge will be forwarded to your home address.

Newspapers and Flowers

Newspapers are available in the Gift Shop or may be delivered to your room upon request. Flowers are delivered to patient rooms as soon as they arrive. Flowers are not allowed in the Intensive Care units.

Housekeeping

The Environmental Services staff is responsible for providing a clean and safe environment for patients. The patient room is cleaned daily.

Meals

Wholesome, nourishing and well-balanced meals are an important part of your treatment and recovery. St. Mary's makes every effort to provide nutritious meals that are prepared according to your physician's orders, including special diets.

In most instances, your first meal will be ordered in advance. You will, however, have the opportunity to choose the next day's breakfast, lunch and dinner from a variety of foods permitted on your diet plan. You may order a visitor guest tray to be delivered to your room when your own tray is being served. Requests for guest trays need to be made at least two hours in advance of the desired meal (24 hours in advance for holiday meals). An additional charge will be made for guest meals.

Calling Your Nurse

When calling your nurse, please press the call button. The nurses' station is alerted that you need assistance and will assess your needs and send someone to assist you. If it is an emergency, please make sure the nurse is aware of the situation.

Leaving the Unit

If you want to leave the unit, please check first at the nurses' station to make sure your physician has given approval and to let the staff know where you can be reached. It is important to stay in your room until your physician has made rounds and treatments have been completed.

Pastoral Care

Members of our Pastoral Care Department make rounds on the floors each day. If you need to request a Priest or a Sister, please contact our Pastoral Care Department at X3675 and they will be pleased to assist you.

Transportation Services

St. Mary Medical Center offers transportation for cancer patients and other seriously ill community members who must come to the hospital.

Smoking

St. Mary Medical Center is a smoke-free hospital. No smoking is allowed on any of the floors within the hospital.

Other

If there is anything that is troubling you about your stay, or you wish to speak to someone about a problem, or even a commendation, please contact our Patient Relations Coordinator at (562) 491-9393. We wish to make your stay at St. Mary Medical Center the best so that if the need arises, you'll want to come back.