Preparing to stay at Doylestown Hospital

Patients are asked to define their family and explain how they will be involved in patient care, care planning and decision making. Patients should plan to keep their family informed about their care—they are advised to identify one person who can communicate with staff and other family members. Patients should share their plan with hospital staff.

Patients are asked to identify their support person(s) whose presence will provide emotional support, comfort, and help alleviate fears. With patient permission, this person may stay throughout the inpatient stay, participate in planning for care and discharge, and provide support by learning new information.

The support person can do the following to help communicate with their loved one’s care team:

• Keep a list of the members of the patient’s core care team.
• Let the care team know that you have been approved by the patient to be their support person.
• Make sure the care team has your contact information.
• Help the team get to know the patient. Do they have a preferred nickname? Do they have dementia or other cognitive issues?
• Tell the care team when you plan to visit. This is helpful if they need to teach you any care for when the patient goes home.
• Ask if there is a good time to call for a routine check and what number to call.
• If you need guidance that exceeds the care team’s and case manager’s roles, call the hospital patient advocate in the Risk Services Office at 215-345-2424 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. If you need assistance right away or call outside of regular business hours, please call the hospital operator at 215-345-2200.

Patient medication history is very important. Doctors and nurses will ask repeatedly about medications taken at home. Medications taken while in the hospital are prescribed specifically for the hospital stay. Some may be new or different compared to a patient’s medication history.

A hospital pharmacist reviews all medications and dispenses them. The nurse explains them and gives them to patients. Always ask about the medications you are given before taking them.

Patients should never take medication from home without discussing this with the doctor or nurse first. If the doctor wants a patient to take their medication from home, a pharmacist will make sure it does not interfere with the other medications they are taking.

Penn Medicine’s professional registered nurses (RNs) plan and coordinate your care with you, your physicians and other members of the health care team. They provide treatments, administer medications and intravenous fluids, and teach you about your health and taking care of yourself after your discharge from the hospital. The nurses are assisted by certified nursing assistants and technicians who help you with your personal hygiene and meals.

Here are ways that we support your advocacy efforts:

Case Management: A case manager is available in every hospital unit to ensure that patients who are older, have a high-risk diagnosis, or a limited support system will have a care plan after they leave Doylestown Hospital. This care plan may include recovery in a suitable home environment with or without home care or recovery in a skilled nursing facility.

Call Case Management at 215-345-2360.

Hospital Patient Advocate: Our Patient Advocate helps with immediate problem-solving that exceeds a case manager’s role. This person can assist if there are communication issues with the care team or if a patient or caregiver feels that they are not getting the health information they need. Our Patient Advocate provides education and resources, empowers families to problem-solve for themselves, and will help interpret Patient’s Rights, if needed.

Call the Hospital Patient Advocate at 215-345-2424.

Patient and Family Education Coordinator: Our Education Coordinator drives the patient experience at the hospital through education. This person leads our health literacy efforts to ensure that all patient education materials are clear and easy to read. Our Education Coordinator also educates the staff to support positive patient-provider communication.

Call the Patient and Family Education Coordinator at 215-345-2509.

Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC): The PFAC advises the hospital on patient-centered care and advocacy, and is composed of former patients, family members, caregivers and members and hospital staff. Learn more about PFAC.

Here are some ways that you can be a star player on your healthcare team:

Write out any questions you might have before your doctor visit or during your hospital stay. Make sure you ask: What is my main problem? What do I need to do? Why is it important for me to do this? Feel free to bring a notepad (or to ask your nurse for one) to write down the answers.

Use teach back. To make sure you understand information, it is okay to ask to “repeat” back what you were told to your provider or ask to “show” back what you need to do. You can say: “I want to make sure I understand what you told me so I would like to repeat it back to you” or “I would like you to watch me do this so I know I am doing it safely.”

Ask your doctor for printed materials.

Research your health conditions using credible sources.

Keep a current history to bring with you to doctor’s visits or to the hospital.

Have an up-to-date list of your medicines on-hand.

Understand your legal Patient Rights and Responsibilities before you go into the hospital.

Prepare an advance directive. This legal document states your healthcare treatment and care choices. You can name the people you choose to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable.

Designate a family member or friend as a support person. This person can be your advocate — not just if you’re incapacitated, but also to help you absorb information and help you make healthcare decisions. This person should also have access to your Advanced Directive, health history, and medicine list. Consider giving your support person access to your patient portal.

Understand your health insurance coverage. Reach out to your insurance provider or contact the Doylestown Health Patient Financial Services Office at 215-345-2198.

Bring only necessary items for your hospital stay. Patients may be moved to different care areas during their hospital stay. Labeling all personal items helps to keep track of them. At times, the nursing staff may need to do an inventory of patient belongings. Please do not bring valuables such as jewelry and electronics.

• Photo identification
• Health insurance information
• Copy of any advance directive, durable power of attorney and living will documents
• List of medications with doses and frequency
• List of doctors and relatives with phone numbers and email addresses
• Robe, slippers and toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures (and cases labeled with full name)
• Cane and walker (labeled with full name)
• Medical equipment, if necessary