September 12, 2008

Now, getting your baby's birth certificate and Social Insurance Number is child's play

ServiceOntario has made this easy for you.

Click on newborn or visit: www.ServiceOntario.ca/newborn

For more information, please call (toll free) 1-800-267-8097

This information is provided to you by Service Ontatrio.

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During your stay at our hospital, you will be attended to by many different people, who work together to provide you with the best possible care. Undoubtedly, you will have many questions. This web page is designed to familiarize you with how the hospital functions and answer as many of your questions as possible.

Our hospital recognizes the uniqueness of each individual and his/her right to human dignity, and as such is dedicated to provide the best quality health care possible consistent with available resources.

The Well Informed Patient
Before and after you enter the hospital, it’s quite natural for you and your family to worry about your condition. Nothing is more frustrating or worrying to your family than not knowing how you are doing. To keep everyone informed, please select one person as your physician and nursing staff contact. Tell your physician who that person is so that information about your condition can be conveyed to those concerned about you.

Due to confidentiality, information about patient condition will only be given over the telephone to the designated contact person.

Good communication is important. If you have a hearing loss, vision loss or other problems, be sure to tell hospital staff.

Certain treatments, especially surgical procedures, can only be carried out with your signed consent. Before signing any form, discuss the procedure fully with your physician and make sure you understand it.

During your stay, ALWAYS feel free to discuss your treatment and share any concerns with members of your health care team. They are responsible for your well-being. You are responsible for letting them know if anything is not going well.

Our staff is committed to treating you with respect and dignity.

As a patient, you have a responsibility to treat other patients, care givers, and volunteers with respect and dignity.

You also have a responsibility to be in your room for scheduled medications, treatments, meals, etc.. Please review your plan of care on a daily basis with your assigned nurse.

Introducing Your Health Care Team!
Your Health Care Team includes your Physician(s); Registered Nurses; Registered Practical Nurses; and other professionals such as Laboratory, Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray), Cardiopulmonary, and Respiratory Technologists; Physiotherapists; Speech Pathologist; Dietician; and Pharmacists. Unit Clerks, Housekeeping and other support staff provide various services and are indirectly involved in your care. A Diabetic Educator, Asthma and COPD Educator, Speech Pathologist, Discharge Planner and a Mental Health Resource Nurse are also on staff.

Consent To Treatment
Patients are admitted to hospital for a variety of reasons. It is extremely helpful if your wishes and needs regarding CARE and TREATMENT now and in the future have been communicated to your family and physician in advance of your stay. That way, if you are unable to consent to treatment by reason of mental or physical disability, your spouse or other family member can then act as a substitute decision maker. It may be advisable to arrange for someone to manage your financial affairs on a temporary basis through giving Power of Attorney to a trusted friend or relative.

You, or a member of your family will be asked to sign consent forms for surgery, treatment, and some diagnostic procedures. It is important that you have a full understanding in order to make an informed decision about your care. Your doctor or other professional staff will provide the necessary explanations. Please ask questions if you do not understand!

What To Bring
Please remember to bring the following items with you:

- Your Ontario Health Care card
- Details of any additional health care coverage you may have
- Nightgown or pajamas, robe, and slippers
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, Kleenex, soap, deodorant, etc.)
- Small amount of cash for newspapers etc.
- Books, magazines, stationery, pen
- Pillow(s) - if you prefer more than one pillow

NOTE: Toiletries and personal items such as sanitary napkins are not provided by the hospital, but are available for purchase at a reasonable cost.

Eye glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and dentures: 
Please keep these items in suitable protective containers when not in use. Do not wrap items such as these in tissues as they may end up in the garbage! The Hospital is not responsible for loss or damage.

Medications:
Bring a list of medications taken recently. Include prescription drugs, puffers and over the counter products such as laxatives, herbal remedies and vitamins. Be sure to write down the name, strength and how often you use them. When in doubt, bring the drugs along with you and, if possible, in the original pharmacy container. Your medications will be returned to you when you are discharged.

Do not take medications on your own while in the hospital. They may interfere with the effectiveness of those ordered for your treatment.

Hand Washing Policy
Hand washing is the MOST IMPORTANT single solution to prevent the spread of bacteria. In Hospitals, this is the most important element of an infection control program. The Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients, including programs to prevent you acquiring infections while in our hospital. Information pamphlets are available for you to read and questions may be directed to your Nurse or the Infection Control Department, ext. 4124.

Smoking Policy
L.D.M.H. is a SMOKE FREE INSTITUTION. The Hospital will assume NO RESPONSIBILITY if you choose to smoke outside the building, so, please ask a friend or family member to accompany you. Staff are not available for this purpose.

Please return to your room for scheduled medications, treatments, meals etc.

Scent/Latex Free Policy
To protect anyone at L.D.M.H. who may have sensitivities/allergies, LATEX BALLOONS, PERFUMES and other HIGHLY SCENTED PRODUCTS/FLOWERS are banned from our hospital.

Admission

Insurance Coverage:
Your Ontario Health Care card provides you with standard ward coverage. It also covers any tests and most procedures done while in hospital. Your doctor will discuss this with you.

You may have additional health care insurance that covers semi-private or private accommodations. It is your responsibility to know whether or not you have additional coverage.

Patients and/or families are completely responsible for payment of Hospital services for which they do not have coverage.

Non Residents of Canada:
Any patient who is not a resident of Canada and is without special health coverage will be charged a rate authorized by the Ministry of Health, based on the actual cost of hospitalization.

Accommodation
On admission, rooms are assigned taking into consideration the type available and the patient’s request. The Hospital will transfer patients to the type of accommodation requested (ward, semi-private, private) as soon as possible. Changes in type of accommodation after admission must be requested, and the individual responsible for payment must sign an agreement.

Non Urgent Patient Transport Using Private Transport Services

Patients will be responsible for payment of all costs associated with non-urgent transportation home (including private residence, long term care facility and retirement home); appointments booked prior to admission; and to another facility for ongoing medical treatment such as dialysis.

Discharge
Before you come into the hospital, you should plan for what to do after you are discharged. You should also discuss these plans with your family and friends. This can be especially important in the event that you are unable to return to your previous living arrangements.

If you have any concerns about plans for your care after discharge, discuss them with your health care team member. Your health care team will assist you with plans for leaving the hospital. They can help you with information about community services, transportation, rest homes or long term care facilities.

Discharge time - 11:00 A.M.
*Please make arrangements to have someone pick you up.

If you are unable to make arrangements for care you may need at home, ask the nursing staff for assistance.

You may be required to stop at the business office to arrange payment of any outstanding charges. Including:

- Charges for private or semi private accommodations not covered by your insurance.
- Payment for certain items required during the course of treatment (crutches, aerochambers, anti-embolism stockings, etc.).
- Non-resident charges.

CASH, CHEQUE, VISA, MASTERCARD AND DEBIT ACCEPTED

For Your Protection

Alcohol:
Alcohol is not permitted in the hospital. Your physician however, may prescribe alcohol in special circumstances.

Electrical appliances:
All personal electric equipment, (radios, hair dryers, shavers etc.) must be sent to the Maintenance department for a safety check. Please ask your nurse to arrange for this.

Fire Alarm:
The fire alarm system and fire procedures are tested regularly. If you are mobile and away from your room when the alarm sounds and a “Code Red” is announced, please return at once. DO NOT PANIC! Hospital staff are trained in fire prevention and safety. Follow their instructions!

Valuables:
The Hospital is not responsible for personal possessions. Please leave cash (except for small amounts for newspapers, etc.) and jewelry at home. If necessary, valuables may be kept in the Business Office safe and may be claimed during normal business hours (Mon - Fri.)

Radio Transmitting Devices:
The use of cellular phones and other radio transmitting devices is prohibited due to potential interference with medical equipment.

As You Leave
We sincerely hope that the care you received in our hospital was completely satisfactory. All members of our staff have endeavoured to provide you with the best of care and to make your stay as pleasant as possible. A system is in place that anonymously surveys patients about the care and treatment received in hospital. We want you to let us know, while you are here, when the care and service is less than satisfactory. In this way, everyone benefits and standards improve. Concerns or complaints will be addressed. Suggestions for improvement are encouraged. If you are happy with the care received, let us know that as well so that the people involved can be commended!