What to Expect During Your Stay
Arkansas Heart Hospital recognizes the unique needs of heart patients. Your comfort, the comfort of your family and friends, along with your medical needs are the most important objectives we have. Everything we do is centered on you and not us.
Patient-Focused Care allows us to:
- Respect your values, preferences and expressed needs.
- Coordinate and include you in information about your hospital stay.
- Provide education to you as necessary.
- Do whatever we can to maintain your comfort.
- Provide you emotional support and alleviate your fear and anxiety.
- Involve your family and friends in your care as you wish.
- Provide an effective transition to your home by offering appropriate education and support resources.
- We encourage one family member to stay in your room with you 24 hours a day. This gives them the opportunity to actively participate in the recovery process and preparation for discharge and to assist you by hearing various instructions and information provided by your doctors and nurses.
Registration
Patients can register for admission at the Concierge/Reception Desk located in the main lobby on the first floor directly in front of the main entrance. The Registration area handles pre-admissions and admissions for all scheduled surgery inpatients and outpatients as well as scheduled medical admissions. Please bring your insurance information to facilitate the admission process.
When you are admitted to Arkansas Heart Hospital, you will receive a notice of your patient rights and will be asked if you have or would like to complete an Advanced Directive (Living Will). An Advanced Directive is a statement indicating who, if anyone, may be responsible for making decisions concerning your medical care should you become unable to do so yourself.
Who Will Take Care of You
Your caregiver team will begin with a licensed registered nurse (RN) and a patient care partner (PCP). Other professionals such as a Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists and Radiology Technologists will also be a part of the team caring for you during your stay.
In addition to the clinical component of your care, you will also have a housekeeper and dietary aid on your care team. All of our staff has been trained to understand and embrace the Arkansas Heart Hospital commitment to total "Patient-Focused Care."
Our entire patient care staff has been through an extensive orientation process to ensure that the delivery of care is focused on the needs of the patient and to ensure full capability of delivering 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.
Overnight Guests
All patient rooms have been designed to accommodate one family member or significant other who wishes to spend the night with the patient. Overnight guests must be capable of self-care and are responsible for their own valuables.
No overnight accommodations are available for visitors while the patient is in PACU (Recovery) or the Emergency Department.
Your Room
It is our desire to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible. Each inpatient room is private, ensuring that you and your family will be able to sit uninterrupted and without fear of disturbing other patients or their guests.
Each room is specifically designed to be an intensive care room, allowing our staff to deliver all your care from the most critical care stages through routine observation and discharge in one room. The ability to deliver a continuum of care from critical through discharge in one place allows us to focus on your needs without having to relocate you and your family.
Medications
Please give your nurse a list of any medications, including your dosage and the time of day you take your medication. Be sure to include any non-prescription medications such as aspirin, vitamins and herbal remedies. If possible, bring all of your prescription and non-prescription medications with you to the hospital. This includes any investigational medication you may be taking in accordance with approved research programs. Your nurse will review your medications with your physician and the pharmacy.
Dietary
We understand that some of our patients have special likes and dislikes regarding food. Food may be brought into the hospital for your consumption. Be aware, however, that you may have been placed on a special or restricted diet. Please check with your nurse regarding any restrictions.
Valuables and Personal Belongings
Valuables such as money, jewelry, documents, fur garments or other articles of unusual value should not be kept at the hospital. You should make arrangements with a family member or friend to take these items home for you.
A safe is available for small personal valuables. The hospital reserves the right to access the safe as necessary.
Eyeglasses, dentures and hearing aids are an important part of your life and require special care. Tell your nurse that you use these. Take care not to leave these items on your food tray or lying on your bed as they may be inadvertently disposed of or lost.
Television
The televisions in our patient rooms have one dedicated health education channel with information in both English and Spanish. As part of your patient education plan, your caregivers may suggest some programs for you to watch prior to your discharge as part of your education plan. They also will give you printed information appropriate to your treatment. The televisions will be operated either by remote controls located in the handrail of your bed or a hand held remote control.
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Things You Need To Know
Hospital Hours
The main lobby is open from 5:30 a.m.until 9:00 p.m.daily. After 9:00 p.m. and before 5:30 a.m. you may enter the hospital through the Emergency Room at the south end of the building.
Emergency Department
Arkansas Heart Hospital is pleased to provide a full-service emergency department that is staffed by Board Certified Emergency Medicine physicians. We are capable of treating emergencies in our Emergency Room 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the emergency is non-cardiac and hospital admission is required, the patient may be transferred to another facility.
Smoking Policy
Arkansas Heart Hospital is a SMOKE-FREE/ TOBACCO-FREE facility in accordance with Arkansas State Law, Act 134. The use of tobacco products are not allowed anywhere on hospital grounds. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine.
Dining
The Heartbeat Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. During hours when the grill is closed, you will find vending machines stocked with sandwiches, salads, yogurt, fruit, juices, snack foods, and soft drinks.
A map of area restaurants is available at the Concierge's desk.
Security and Valuables
Security is available on the premises 24 hours a day. In addition, the parking lot is patrolled by security on a regular basis. Escorts to vehicles after dark are available upon request.
Telephone
If you wish to contact a patient in our hospital, please call the operator at (501) 219-7000 and ask for the patient's room.
To dial a local number, dial 9 and then the number you wish to reach.
For long distance calls, dial 9 then 0. This will put in contact with an outside operator who can assist you.
ATM
An ATM is available on the first floor in the lobby area. Arkansas Heart Hospital is not responsible for the ATM. If you experience difficulty with the machine, you should contact the number on the ATM machine for assistance.
Lost & Found
If you have lost a personal item, please inform your nurse for assistance in locating the item.
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Understanding Your Hospital Bill
Our Business Office routinely files all necessary hospital claims to insurance companies for reimbursement. The patient, however, is ultimately responsible for paying the bill. It is extremely important that we be given all information regarding the patient's insurance as soon as possible so that the Business Office can verify if it is in effect and determine the nature of coverage.
We are aware that hospital bills are sometimes difficult to understand. Your statement of account will include only those services rendered to you by the Arkansas Heart Hospital. Services provided by your doctor, surgeon, anesthesiologist, radiologist and any other consulting physician will be billed by their respective offices.
Most insurance plans do not cover 100% of your hospital stay. Co-payments and deductibles are due at the time of service. If you are unable to pay the balance in full, you can make arrangements for installment payments by calling (501) 219-7275.
For questions about your bill:
If your last name starts with the letter A-L, call (501) 219-7203.
If your last name starts with the letter M-Z, call (501) 219-7095.
Financial Assistance
You may be eligible for financial assistance, depending on your income and other medical needs.
To apply for this program, you should contact our Medicaid Assistance Services Representative at (501) 219-7204. They will contact the Department of Human Services in the county where you live and assist you with the application process. You may have a relative or friend call on your behalf if you are unable to contact the representative yourself. You can expedite the process by having the following information available:
- Birth certificate or other proof of age
- Social Security card
- Paycheck stubs; letters or forms from Social Security, SSI or VA; any other sources which show the amount of your income
- Health and/or life insurance policies; bankbooks; other documents showing your assets, such as your home, car, etc.
- Copies of all medical-related bills, including ambulance, medicine, emergency room visits, doctor bills and hospitals bills.
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Infection Control
Staff in the hospital practice infection control measures to prevent the spread of infection between patients, staff and visitors. Although people usually think that germs are spread through the air, the fact is that germs are most easily spread through HAND CONTACT. Everyone plays an active role in controlling infections in the hospital, and you can help by following these guidelines:
- Wash your hands. This is the single most important infection control measure that anyone can use. Wash your hands using soap and water and vigorous friction for 15 seconds after using the restroom, before eating, after touching an unclean surface or item and when hands are visibly soiled. Be sure to clean areas under fingernails if they are visibly dirty, and pay attention to these areas when you wash OR use alcohol hand rubs for cleaning hands. Persons with artificial nails are more likely to have more germs under and around nails than those who do not wear them.
- If you see any kind of soiling, please tell the staff so we can clean it up.
- Do not eat other people's food and do not share your food with anyone.
- Do not use anyone's linens or toiletries.
- Your visitors and family should not visit if they are sick or think they have an infection.
- Ask your doctor and your nurse about your illness, how it may be prevented, and how it is treated. If you know these things, you can help the people who are caring for you help you heal quickly.
- Do not go into any service area, supply areas, or trash area. Let a staff member know what your needs are and we will be happy to help you.
- Shoes or slippers must be worn when walking throughout the hospital. Bare feet are not permitted.
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Health Care Dilemmas
Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney, Mental Health Power of Attorney
A living will is a written declaration by a competent person 18 years or older, directing the medical care of the person when they are unable to state their wishes. A Living Will may include the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures when a terminal condition exists.
A medical power of attorney gives another person the power to make medical decisions on someone's behalf if and when the individual becomes disabled or incapacitated. A mental health care power of attorney gives another person the power to make mental health care decisions on someone's behalf when the individual is incapable.
Information regarding healthcare directives is available at the Concierge desk. Your patient care nurse can also provide you with this information.
Ethical Issues
Feelings of anxiety and uncertainty often affect both you and your family when you are hospitalized. Sometimes you or your family may have a concern or conflict with your planned course of treatment. You may be worried about the extent of treatment for irreversible or terminal conditions. You may ask to meet with your doctor or nurse. If your concerns are not resolved after meeting with these individuals, you or your family may ask our staff or your doctor for an Ethics Committee review.
Concerns During Your Hospitalization
Your satisfaction with your care is important to us. Should you or your family members have concerns about the care you are receiving while hospitalized, you may contact the Hospital Resource Nurse at 210-7562. We encourage you to voice your opinion regarding the care you have received, and we welcome your comments. Your feedback will be treated in a confidential manner.
Discharge Needs / Case Management
All patients are assessed on admission for discharge planning needs. This assessment is conducted by the patient care admitting nurse. Patients who meet criteria for referral will receive a Case Management assessment to identify existing or potential needs, and/or barriers to achieving effective outcomes.
If you have concerns about your discharge or the discharge of a family member, inform your nurse.
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Visitor Information
Open Visiting
There are no set hours of visitation. We do ask that you use care in the timing of your visits. Frequent and multiple visitors during a time when a patient needs rest are not always best for the patient. The nursing staff reserves the right to limit visitation if the care of the patient is compromised in any way by excessive visitation. Many of our patients have "intensive care" needs and visitors may be limited to facilitate their care and recovery. There are times when a patient's condition or care needs will require all visitors to leave the room.
The PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) or Recovery Room does not have private rooms and space is limited. Therefore, visitation in this area follows the visiting hours listed below:
8:00am - 8:20am
10:00am - 10:20am
12:00pm - 12:20pm
2:00pm - 2:20pm
4:00pm - 4:20pm
6:00pm - 6:20pm
8:30pm - 9:00pm
Pagers for Family
While a patient is undergoing a procedure or is in recovery, in-house pagers are available so hospital staff can reach a family member or significant other. Pagers are available from the Concierge in the main lobby.
Special Needs
Notary Public: The service of a Notary Public is available at the hospital. If you need a notary, contact a staff member.
Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs are available to individuals requiring this type of assistance. A staff member can make the necessary arrangements.
Other: If you have any other special requirements or needs, please discuss them with your nurse or a staff member.
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