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Hospitalization is a period that the patient remains in the hospital to evaluate his/her health status, and undergoes necessary therapy.
Niguarda offers all the clinical specializations needed for multidisciplinary care and guarantees the comfort of its patients, creating a peaceful hospital stay. Doctors and nurses are available for every patient and his/her family members.
Questions? Niguarda answers.
> When is hospitalisation advised?
The family practitioner or a specialist choose to hospitalise a patient when it is not possible to improve his/her health with ambulatory care. In the case of a scheduled surgical procedure, hospitalisation can be preceded by pre-recovery, which is a free service aimed at concentrating all the exams and visits which are needed before the operation, including the visit with the anesthesiologist, in one or two ambulatory visits. The goal is to avoid a long hospital stay.
> What documents are needed?
For Italian citizens
o Identification card
o Regional card of services (Carta Regionale dei Servizi) or Health Card and Social Security Number (Tessera Sanitaria and Codice Fiscale)
For European Community citizens:
o Identification card
o Form E 112 or European Health Card
For citizens of countries outside the European Community:
o Permission of stay
o Health card or insurance policy or STP code (Temporarily Present Stranger)
o Identification card
It is useful to bring all clinical documentation, and to communicate with the doctors at the moment of arrival in the department the names of the drugs which you are using and current therapies. The doctor may decide to retain some documents, which will be returned at the moment of discharge.
> What happens when arriving at the hospital?
The patient and/or the relative will have to go to the acceptance front office. When she/he will be in the department she/he will be given an information pack and the regulations and standards. In case of an emergency admission the acceptance is carried out in the Emergency Room.
Anti-skid close-toed slippers
> How is my privacy guaranteed?
At the moment of admission, you will be given a form for the consent to use personal data, with which will be possible to indicate the names of the people who will be authorized to receive information about your presence in the hospital and health status. Our rules do not allow any other person to be informed, except for those indicated on this form.
> What should be brought to the hospital?
We advise you to bring all personal hygiene items, intimate apparel, pyjamas, a sweat suit, slippers, handkerchiefs, hand towels, coins for the vending machines, telephone card or cellular phone, books or magazines, a CD player or portable radio with headphones.
> Who will be found in the department?
You will find a team of highly qualified professionals who will take care of every patient, each according to his/her role. The color of the uniform identifies the role of each staff member:
• head of the department and physicians- white lab coat
• nursing coordinator/ head nurse- light blue uniform with electric blue border
• professional nurses: light blue uniform with lilac border
• midwives: light blue uniform with lighter blue border
• licensed practical nurses: light blue uniform with green border.
The nurses who assist pediatric patients wear a light blue uniform decorated with playful designs on the top.
Other staff:
• dieticians: white uniform with yellow border
• Health technicians: white uniform with maroon border
• physical therapists: white pants and polo shirt with tan border
• support personnel: white uniform with orange border
Volunteers wear a light blue lab coat.
Every staff member can be further identified by an ID badge with his/her last name, first name, ID number and profession role. Recognizing the staff allows you to ask their help in an appropriate and efficient way. The physician is always the point of reference for questions regarding therapy and health status. Nurses are responsible for patient care and provide global and specific assistance, from the administration of medications to assistance with basic needs such as hygiene, nourishment, rest, etc.
Physical therapists are responsible for mobilization of the hospitalized patient during prescribed physical therapy sessions, and support personnel see to the distribution of drinks and meals and accompany or transport patients within the hospital structure.
> How long will my stay be?
The duration of hospitalization is not pre-established. The physician may estimate the length of stay, which may vary based on therapeutic needs.
> Is it useful to bring my routine medication from home?
It is important to inform the physician of all medications currently in use (name and dose). During hospitalization, only medication supplied by the hospital, based on doctors’ orders may be taken. The physician may decide to continue your current medication or substitute them with equivalent drugs. The hospital pharmacy is able to meet all specific needs. The health care staff is available at all times for drug information. If you bring medication from home, please give it to the head nurse on admission to the department. They will be given back at the moment of discharge.
> To whom do I ask for information regarding my health condition?
Usually the visit of the doctors are carried out during the morning or/and according to the department organization.
The doctor will always ask “How do you feel?”: it is very important to answer honestly; do not hesitate to ask to the doctor any explanation if something it is not clear.
In the department the consulting hours with the doctor and the charge nurse are always shown. Nurses are present 24 hours a day to ensure the assistance needed.
The charge nurse will provide to the coordination and to the assistance; she/he is present from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 3.15 pm; she/he will give useful information to the patient and to the relatives during the hospitalization and at the time of the discharge.
> What about the comfort level?
Every day the beds will be remade and the department will be cleaned. Personal hygiene is left to the patient, but staff is available to help when necessary.
> Can I choose my meals?
It is possible to make a choice within the daily menu. The staff will provide a special diet when needed. It is useful to remember that nourishment is part of the cure. If you must fast before diagnostic procedures and you miss a meal, the staff will provide a substitute meal. When patients’ relatives are authorized to stay continuously in hospital, they can make use of the work canteen.
The charge nurse authorizes and signs the procedure to buy the meal tickets.
> What happens if I am not self-sufficient?
Do not worry. The nurses and support staff are ready to help with all activities of daily living. Often, volunteers are available as well. They can be identified by their name tags.
> Can I receive visitors?
Yes, within the visiting hours, which can be checked for each department. It is important to avoid overcrowding in the patient rooms to protect the hygiene and privacy of patients. Following these two rules helps maintain a peaceful environment and avoid unpleasant incidents. Special permission can be granted by the head of the department when there are particular needs. Elderly patients and children may have one family member present at all times. Access to departments for children under 12 years old is allowed only together with their parents.
> What services are available?
SERVCES AND FACILITIES:
- Bar, self-service and shops
There are 3 bars (Entrance Area - Pav. 1, South Area, South Block, Central Area - Pav. 12), 1 self-service (South Area, South Block).
Shopping Gallery in the South Area – South Block.
- Bank
It is sited at the entrance Area, Pav. 1, ground floor.
There are 3 ATM: Entrance Area - Pav. 1, Central Area - Pav. 12 and South Area – South Block.
- Barber shop
Based on patient needs, the charge nurse can ask for the barber. This service is with fee.
- Laundry
In case of need, Unione Samaritana volunteers offer a laundry and wardrobe free service. To make use of this service it is useful to ask information to the charge nurse.
- Accomodation
Patient's relatives or patient in a day hospital regime coming from other towns can make use of accommodations with favourable fee.
SERVCES ON SUPPORT TO PATIENT AND FAMILY:
-Animation
For the youngest patients we have areas dedicated as recreation rooms sited in the Paediatric Department. Moreover A.B.I.O. (Children in Hospital Association) volunteers are present for entertain children.
-Cultural mediators and interpreters
For foreigners patients, the charge nurse will ask for the intervention of the interpreter or of the cultural mediator.
- School
For patients at school age it will be guarantee the education continuity. In the Paediatric Department there are qualified teachers which follows the young patients in the afternoons in equipped classrooms. In the Spinal Unit teachers are available to guarantee the education continuity until the first two years of high school.
- Social Services
The activity is dedicated to hospitalized people, for outpatient people and for day hospital. It offers consultancy and information about health and territorial social services, about residential structures, disability procedures, prosthesis supply, hospitality for relatives coming from other towns and information about the in force rules in the health and social field. Moreover it deals for the care of the patient with malaise or in an uncomfortable psycho-social situation to plan personalized intervention (continuity of care, housing with the support of the social services, social integration or integration in specialized structures, support to difficult maternity situations, safeguard of the newborn and child).
- Voluntary
In the Department work some voluntary associations as: Unione Samaritana, Associazioni Volontari Ospedalieri and A.B.I.O.. Volunteers offer support and strong help for moral support. Our hospital complies with the Rights Chart for Children promoted by A.B.I.O. Association.
> For spiritual assistance?
The hospital guarantees the spiritual assistance of Catholic priests, who visit the sick daily. For patients of other faiths, it is possible to ask for specific help.
> What documentation will I receive on discharge?
The physician who is responsible for your discharge will prepare and give you a discharge letter, which summarizes the care given during hospitalisation. A summary of nursing care is also given. Both reports are addressed to your family doctor. They contain a description of your current health status, doctors’ orders for home, and an appointment for a follow-up visit.
> How cal I get a copy of my clinical chart?
A copy of all clinical documentation from the current or from past hospitalisations and /or visits can be obtained by contacting:
Clinical Archives (Ufficio Cartelle Cliniche)
Pavilion 1, entrance
Tel. 02 6444.2212
Fax. 02 6444.3128
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m.m to 4 p.m.
Walk-up window Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
certificazionisanitarie@ospedaleniguarda.it
The request must be made by the patient or by another person
with written authorization signed by the patient. To reduce cost, documentation
is usually given on a CD rom. Traditional printed form is available
on request. It is also possible to sign up for the program Niguarda
on line
which allows you to see your documentation on internet and pass it to
your family doctor. The program guarantees your privacy. To activate
this service, which is being developed, you can ask for information
at niguardaonline@ospedaleniguarda.it.
> Some advice
We advise visitors not to bring valuables or large sums of money.
We remind you that smoking is forbidden in the hospital.
Cellular phones are allowed in most departments. Use of cellular phones must not interfere with the patients’ rest and departments’ routine.
At the moment of discharge, remember to pick up clinical documentation and personal medicines which had been turned in on admission.
We ask for your cooperation by filling out the suggestion form.
It is useful to honestly indicate what was appreciated and what could be improved in the service. Your suggestions will help us provide better care to our patients.
The form is available on line or on hospital admission and it can be dropped off in the dedicated boxes at the entrance of each building or in the public relation office.
Death in the hospital and hospital morgue
In the case of death, the personnel responsible for preparing, dressing and transporting the patient to the morgue observe maximum respect for the dignity of the person.
No agency has exclusive contracts with the hospital, therefore any offers for funeral sevices are to be refused and immediately referred to the hospital administration or the Public Relations Office (URP). A list of funeral service agencies that are legally registered can be found in the municipal offices.
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