Staying With Us
Consents
You or a member of your family will be asked to complete and sign a consent form for admission and possibly a consent form for a specific procedure or treatment.
The procedure to be performed will have been explained to you by your doctor. Before signing the consent, it is important that you understand what is to take place and what to expect as a result of the procedure.
If there is anything you do not understand please ask questions. Remember, it is your right to be fully informed.
Medications & treatment
Please bring all medications that you are currently taking in their original containers. This includes:
- Prescription drugs
- Over the counter drugs
- Vitamins
- Laxatives
- Aspirin products
- Blood thinners
If your doctor wishes you to continue with a medication that the hospital does not normally supply, you may be asked to use your own. This may include inhalers, vitamins, eye drops, etc.
The medications, dressings and treatments provided are ordered by your physician for your benefit. They are designed to speed up recovery, restore health and enable you to return home as soon as possible. Your cooperation is essential in the management of your care and we ask that you be in your room when medication and treatments are given.
Fire drills & safety
Every effort has been made to protect the hospital against fire. We have been trained in fire prevention and control and can evacuate the hospital if necessary. When the fire alarm rings, all automatic doors will close. Do not be alarmed if you hear a fire bell or doors closing. You will be informed shortly and, if necessary, assisted to a safe area. Team Members participate in fire drills on a regular basis.
Patient rooms
Some rooms are subject to a semi-private differential rate. If you have semi-private coverage, ensure that this information is given to the Receptionist. The hospital also has a number of private rooms. Although these are usually kept available for special cases, if a private room is available and a patient requests this, again, a differential charge is billed to the patient. Differential rates vary, so please feel free to discuss these rates with the Receptionist.
Meals
Your diet, ordered by your physician, is as important a treatment as any other you will receive. Please check with a nurse before eating food brought in by family or visitors. Between-meal nourishment is provided by the Dietary Department.
Meals are served at 8:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 5:00 pm.
Dietary counselling is available with a referral from your physician. If you miss breakfast because of fasting or a test, a late breakfast may be available when you are finished.
What to bring with you
To make your stay comfortable, please consider bringing the following items:
- Nightgown
- Pyjamas
- Robe
- Slippers
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc)
- Razors
- Hair dryers
No electrical appliances except razors and hair dryers are permitted in the hospitals. These are to be checked by a Building Services Team Member before use.
Please do not bring jewelry or money except for small change, as the hospital cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal articles left in your room.
All personal medications should be brought with you in their original containers. Patients are responsible for personal laundry.
Confidentiality
Employees of the hospital shall respect the confidentiality of matters that are dealt with, discussed or observed in their course of employment (General Administration Policy HHR-130).
What you hear and see here, stays here!
Patients are also requested to respect confidentiality in regards to information they may hear while at the hospital.
Information on patient transfers
The hospital may find it necessary to transfer patients for treatment and/or admission to another community hospital. A number of transfers are to the Timmins and District Hospital however transfers are also made to places such as Sudbury, Toronto or Ottawa. This general information applies to most transfers.
Transfers are usually performed by land or air ambulance. Some air transfers can also be performed by charters arranged by the Ministry of Health. In less serious situations, families may be asked to make their own arrangements as the community only has one staffed ambulance at any given time and they have to rely on on-call back-up arrangements once the ambulance leaves the area. Some transfers are done on a treatment and return basis, some are for the day and others may result in direct admission. Please ensure you are aware of the type of transfer you are scheduled for.
Ambulance services may transfer patients to the District Hospital for diagnostic testing or medical consultation and then return to base. Timmins Ambulance Services will arrange the return transfer. Patients should be aware that this may result in being left at the District Hospital until transportation is available.
Arrangements for a family or friend to escort the patient on a transfer may be possible if sufficient space is available and if safety arrangements on board the ambulance can be arranged (i.e. seat belts, etc.). The escort is responsible for any cost associated with meals, lodging, etc. It should be noted that special hotel rates for out-of-town patients and their families are available in Timmins. Most importantly, please ensure that when transferred, if the possibility exists that the patient may be admitted, appropriate clothing and funds should be brought along as patients could be discharged directly from the admitting hospital and/or emergency department. The MICs Group of Health Services does not arrange the return trips after discharge. Once a patient is ready for discharge, and he/she can function normally and an ambulance is not warranted, the patient is responsible to return home at his/her own expense. It should be further noted that Anson General Hospital can also provide convalescent care following surgery or major treatment. Therefore, feel free to discuss this with your assigned specialist/physician or discharge planner in advance if further care is required.
Semi-private and private room rates vary between hospitals. All patients are reminded to inquire about the rates prior to admission. Also, medical insurance coverage varies and it may be capped – this is an item that one may want to check. Different arrangements for televisions and telephones also exist and one may want to inquire about them and other possible charges and billing procedures. Also ensure that you have your health card along with details of your medical coverage, etc.
