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• Infection Control

  The hospital staff follows best practices to prevent the spread of infection. You can help by following these guidelines:

  • Wash your hands: Proper hand hygiene is the first line of defense for preventing infection
  • If you see any kind of soiling, tell the staff immediately
  • Don't share your food or eat other people's food
  • Don't use anyone else's linens or toiletries
  • Tell visitors to stay away if they're sick or have been exposed to sick individuals

  Prevacare - Alcohol Hand Sanitizing Gels

  Alcohol gels have been shown to be more effective than soap and water in decontaminating skin. They also help prevent chapping, chafing, drying, and cracking of the skin.

  Isolation Precautions

  Patients in the hospital sometimes have infections that can be spread to others. These patients are placed in "isolation." Gloves, gowns, and masks may be required when entering the room of a patient in isolation.

• Personal Effects

  Medications
  Please give your nurse a list of any medications you're taking-including investigative and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies-along with your dosage and times. If possible, bring your medications with you to the hospital. Your nurse will review your medications with your physician and the pharmacy.

  Only medications approved by your physician will be given to you during your stay and will be administered by the hospital. Your nurse will ask you about past reactions to medications and allergies. You may be asked to wear an allergy bracelet, which alerts all caregivers of your allergies.

  Valuables
  Money, jewelry, documents, furs, and other articles of unusual value should not be kept at the hospital. A safe is available for small personal valuables. The hospital reserves the right to access the safe as necessary.

  Essential Personal Belongings
  Eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, and similar items require special care. Tell your nurse that you use these, and take care not to leave them on your food tray or bed. Your room has a built-in cabinet for your personal belongings. If you lose a personal item, please ask your nurse for assistance.

• Registration

  The Concierge in the main lobby handles pre-admissions and admissions for all scheduled surgery patients, as well as scheduled medical admissions. The Concierge is open from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. At all other times, please register in the Emergency Department at the south end of the building. Please bring your insurance information to facilitate the admission process.

  If you require emergency care, go directly to the Emergency Department.

  When you're admitted to the Arizona Heart Hospital, you'll receive a notice of your patient rights and will be asked if you have or would like to complete an advance directive.

• Visitors Coordination & Other Services

  If you anticipate that several people will be checking on your condition while you're in the hospital, it's helpful to designate one person to:

  • Compile a list of people who will want to know how you're doing
  • Share regular condition reports with friends and family
  • Help establish a visitation schedule
  • Let people know what they can do for you or bring you

  If you'd like to limit your visitors or phone calls, please tell your nurse.
  Contact a nurse or other staff member if you need help: lost and found, notary public, translation and sign language services, wheelchairs or transdermal drug delivery (TDD) equipment.

• Your Healthcare Team

  Your care will be delivered by a team of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Patient Care Partners (PCPs) who assist the nursing staff. Other professionals such as Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists, Pharmacists, and Radiology Technologists also may be part of your team. Our entire staff goes through extensive training and ongoing education to ensure the very best patient care.

  Pastoral Care
  Please notify your nurse if you want to see the hospital Chaplain or a member of the clergy who represents your religious preference.

  Case Management
  Your Case Manager assures appropriate care through patient, family, and staff education, quality assessment, continuous improvement, timely discharge planning, and review of resource utilization.

  Concerns and Conflicts
  If you or your family members have a concern over or conflict with your planned course of treatment, there are a number of options available to you.

  While you're in the hospital, please ask your nurse to contact the Nursing Team Leader in your unit if you have questions or concerns about your care. You may also ask your nurse to arrange a meeting with the hospital Ethics Committee, whose members provide guidance to patients, physicians, and hospital personnel on a number of medical issues.
  After discharge, you may call the Performance Improvement Coordinator at (602) 532-1017 to discuss any additional questions or concerns. Your feedback will always be treated in a confidential manner.
  
  

• Your Room

  Your room has been designed for your comfort and convenience. Each room is private and has a patient bed, a bathroom, a recliner chair, and a chair that converts into a twin-size bed so that a loved one can spend the night.

  Bed
  You can raise and lower the foot and head of your bed, and side rails may be positioned up for your safety. Sheets are changed every day. Linens are straightened every day.

  Call Button
  To notify your nurse that you need assistance, press the call button. In response, the staff may talk to you via intercom. You can answer in a normal voice.

  Emergency Button
  An emergency button is located in the shower and next to the toilet.

  Room Temperature
  If your room temperature needs adjusting, please talk to any staff member.

  Television/Radio
  The television/radio in your room may be operated from the remote control unit by your bed. In addition to network and cable channels, there's a dedicated health education channel with information in English and Spanish. As part of your patient education plan, your caregivers may suggest some programs for you to watch prior to discharge.

  Telephone
  You may receive calls in your room from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The main number is (602) 532-1000. You can place calls at any time. For local calls, press "9," wait for the dial tone, then dial the number. For long distance calls, press "9" plus "0" for direct access to a long distance operator. Long distance calls can be placed collect, third party, or with a credit card.

• Smoke and Tobacco-Free Starting January 1, 2011

  Because tobacco creates a serious health hazard for our employees, patients, visitors and the community, we ask that you refrain from smoking or using tobacco products while at an Abrazo facility. If you choose to smoke or use tobacco while on an Abrazo campus, you will be asked to discontinue use immediately.
  
  We do offer sugar-free gum and hard candy with our compliments, to make visiting an Abrazo facility more comfortable for those who require a tobacco substitute. Please see Security or the reception desk to request one of these items.
  
  If you are a tobacco user, we encourage you to access free tobacco cessation resources by calling the Arizona Smoker’s Helpline at 800-556-6222. Thank you for your cooperation and for supporting our efforts to help people achieve Health for Life.