Your Hospital Stay

What to Know Before You Arrive

You can look back on your healthcare experience as a time of healing, peace and care when you come to Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVHMS). Here, you are treated with respect and consideration by a team of dedicated doctors and medical staff members with access to the best technology, who work together to ensure you are safe and well. At SVMHS, we do everything we can to provide personalized, dedicated care, delivering the best possible patient experience.

Pre-Admission

Before you are admitted, you may receive a call from one of our representatives.

We’ll discuss matters such as:

• Your current address
• Your phone number
• Your employer
• Insurance coverage
• Payment methods

We can answer your questions and help you clear up any issues related to your insurance benefits. For patients without insurance coverage, we offer financial counseling options. For more information, call Patient Financial Services between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 831-755-0732.

Admission

You will receive information from the staff at your physician’s office regarding:

• Where to park
• Where to go in the hospital
• What time to arrive

In our parking garage, we provide free valet parking. Unless directed otherwise by your physician’s office, simply come to the admitting office and report there. We’ll be happy to help you.

Preparing for Your Surgical Procedure

Your preparation and awareness will make a difference when it comes to your procedure and recovery. We provide a guide to assist you in knowing what to expect. Download our Guide to Surgery and Procedures in English or Spanish.

During Your Stay

You should know a few things about your stay:

• Wellness First – Ensure that any guests visiting you have been free of the cold, flu or any communicable disease such as, chicken pox, tuberculosis, mumps or measles within the last three weeks. Our goal is to keep you and all of our patients well! Partner with us in this goal by communicating to your guests that they should ensure they are feeling 100% when they visit you in the hospital.
• Mail – Any mail that is addressed to you at the hospital will be delivered to your room and forwarded to your home when your stay is complete.
• Gifts – Gifts you receive from our Gift Shop or outside sources will be delivered to your room. Mylar balloons are used instead of latex balloons in order to protect patients with allergies.
• Food – While you’re hospitalized your physician will let us know about your nutritional needs. We can put you in contact with a hospital dietitian if you have questions or concerns about your dietary needs.

Meals are served in “room service style.” You’ll find an English and Spanish language menu in your room and can order meals by calling extension 1760 or a nutrition host will come to your room and help with the menu selection.

If you arrive at the hospital after the kitchen has closed, you are welcome to the healthy snacks stored in the pantries on your floor.

Meals are served at the following times:

Breakfast – 7:30 to 11:00 am

Lunch – 11:30 am to 4:00 pm

Dinner – 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Meet Your Healthcare Team

You’ll receive regular visits from your physician or a representative in order to:

• Update you on your condition
• Provide orders for care
• Explain results of your tests
• Answer any questions you may have

Your nursing staff and other healthcare workers will make sure to carry out your physician’s orders. This includes taking blood samples, checking your vital signs, administering medications and more. We are patient-centered and dedicated to ensuring that you receive the best possible care throughout the duration of your stay with us.

Going Home

Discharge time from the hospital varies. Here is some information about going home after your hospital stay:

• Preparing for discharge – Your doctor may be able to tell you early on how long you can expect your hospitalization to last. In some cases, however, it may be necessary for you to be informed only a day or two prior to your discharge. Your doctor and other healthcare workers will work with you to create a care plan for your discharge.
• Special needs – You may require special services, equipment or care—including therapy or nursing attention—after you have been released from the hospital. If this is the case, a caseworker from our team can help you make arrangements and complete the necessary paperwork.
• Medications – Our pharmacy provides medications for hospitalized patients; for medications once you are discharged, visit your pharmacy to fill your prescriptions.

The following is our Checklist for Discharge from SVMHS:

1. Make arrangements for someone to transport you home from the hospital.
2. Ensure that you understand any written instructions from your physicians or nurse before leaving.
3. Ensure that you understand any prescription you have been given, including what your medications treat and how to take them properly.
4. Know what the “next step” is including future doctors appointments.
5. Double check to make sure you have all of your possessions and valuables with you before leaving.

After You Are Home

At SVMHS, we know that the healing process doesn’t end when you leave our doors. That is why our standard of care and support continues even after you have returned home. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your physician. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 right away. Contact Patient Financial Services if you have questions about your bill and/or insurance coverage. If you would like to give us feedback about your stay, please contact Patient Relations. Our team serves patients throughout the Central Coast, Salinas Valley and Monterey County, CA.