Patient Information
Admitting
All patients not pre-admitted will be visited by a Patient Service Representative (PSR) within 24 hours of the admission. The PSR's responsibility is to inform patients of their insurance coverage, any uninsured balance, and/or the patient's financial obligation if he or she has no insurance. Patients admitted through the emergency room in "critical" condition will be stabilized before financial information is required. Emergency patients or patients in labor will receive a medical examination, treatment to stabilize the condition (including treatment for an unborn child) and if necessary, an appropriate transfer to another facility. All of their insurance coverage, entitlements they may have under the Medicare or Medicaid programs or their ability to pay.
Financial Information
Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) accepts all patients regardless of their ability to pay. However, deposits are required on all admissions. If you anticipate difficulty with financing your hospitalization, please discuss this with your PSR prior to or during your hospital admission.
When you are discharged, the amount of your bill may not be complete, as tests and services given on the last day of hospitalization have not been added to your account by the time you leave the hospital. A final bill will be mailed to your home within 10 days after your discharge. Your hospital bill will not include your physician's fees or the fees of certain specialists, such as an anesthesiologist, or the fees of consulting specialists (pathology fees will be included).
Remember that an insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, and you are responsible for your account. We will cooperate to the fullest in filing your claim.
Presbyterian Healthcare Services participates in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and adheres to all applicable regulations.
Discharge
The PSR's goal is to issue a Courtesy Discharge to all patients. This will allow patients to leave the hospital as soon as their physician has written a discharge order and nursing has completed all discharge documentation. Patients are asked to leave their room by 11 a.m. on the day of discharge. This will allow time for the room to be prepared for another patient.
The Importance of Patient Identification Bands
To ensure appropriate care for you during your hospital stay an identification band must be worn at all times. Identification bands are used to assure the proper medication and/or procedure is being administered to you.
Please check your identification band for:
- Correct spelling of your name
- Correct birth date
If you do not have an identification band, or an item is incorrect on your identification band, please notify your nurse.
Nurse Call Light
When you wish to communicate any need to a nurse, please use the nurse call button on your bedside control. Your call will be received at the nursing station and a member of the nursing team will respond to your needs.
Valuables
We request that you send your valuables home since the hospital cannot assume responsibility for lost items. A safe is available for valuables in admitting if they cannot be returned home. The safe is locked at 3:30 p.m. each day. Please arrange to pick up valuables before that time.
If you have misplaced a personal item during your hospital stay, you may contact the Lost and Found office at Presbyterian (extension 1135) or Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital (extension 2278).
Patient Meals
Your diet, like medications, will be prescribed by your doctor. A selective menu is available for all patients on diets other than clear liquid or full liquid diets. You may choose foods for the following day's meals, or a diet tech will do so for you. A dietician may work with you in order to provide the best foods for you or to explain your special diet. In certain instances, a member of your family may join you for a meal by ordering a guest tray at a minimal charge. The nurse or the dietary department will assist you in placing the order. You may request a dietician's services at any time during you hospital stay by calling extension 3438 (DIET) at Presbyterian Hospital, or extension 2864 at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital.
Private Duty Nurse
If you wish to be cared for by a private duty nurse, please ask your physician or a staff nurse. Payment for private duty nursing services is arranged between the patient or family and the private duty nurse. It is not a part of your hospital bill.
Social Services/Care Coordinators
Social services staff/Care Coordinators are available to serve your needs from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday with limited on-call coverage provided on the evenings. Care Coordinators are available to provide emotional support as well as to answer questions regarding financial concerns, resource information and post-discharge follow-up. Care Coordinators also conduct discharge planning, helping to ensure a smooth transition to a lower level of acre. Discharge planning is available to all patients and/or their families. If you would like to speak to a Care Coordinator, please notify your physician or other staff member who will then make the referral to Social Services. You may also request assistance from Social Services by calling extension 1634 at Presbyterian Hospital or extension 2168 at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital.
All patients' rooms are equipped with telephones. For outside service, dial 9 and then the local number. There is no charge for local telephone service. Family and friends may call you directly by dialing 222-2 plus your room number at Presbyterian Hospital and 291-2 plus your room number at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital. Long distance calls must be charged to your residence or made collect; they cannot be billed to your room account. To make collect long distance calls or calls billed to your home telephone, you may dial 9 + 0 if in New Mexico, and 9 + 00 if outside New Mexico. A long distance operator will come on the line and ask for the number and how the call is to be billed.
If you are hard of hearing, a TTY machine is available.
In order to ensure your rest, incoming calls are not permitted before 7 am or after 9 pm. The telephones located at the nursing station are restricted and are not for patient or visitor use. Public telephone booths are located in the corridors near each nursing station and off the main lobby.
Review
Care Coordinators periodically conduct patient reviews for Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party reimbursement agencies. These reviews help to ensure that the hospital is using its facilities to best serve the healthcare needs of the public, thus eliminating unnecessary costs to the patient and the hospital.
Banking
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available 24 hours a day. AtPresbyterian Hospital, the ATM is located just off the lobby near admitting. The ATM at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital is located in the day surgery lobby.
- Visitors at Presbyterian Hospital are encouraged to visit the Food Court in the basement. The Food Court is open seven days a week, serving breakfast 6:30 am-10:00 am, lunch from 11:00 am-3:00 pm and dinner from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm.
- Subway is available on Mainstreet at Presbyterian Hospital. It is open 6:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Several restaurants are within walking distance of Presbyterian Hospital. Ask at the Welcome Center.
- At Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital, the cafeteria is open Monday through Saturday, serving breakfast 6:30 am-10:00 am, and lunch 11:00 am-1:30 am. Lunch is available on Sundays from 11:00 am-1:30 pm.
Mail and Flowers
Mail and flowers which arrive for you will be delivered to your room while you are in the hospital. Mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home address. Flowers cannot be delivered to the intensive or coronary care units.
Newspapers
Newspapers are sold in the hospital lobby.
Safety Drill
There may be a drill or test for fire or disaster while you are here. These are scheduled frequently, so please do not be disturbed if you see or hear evidence of such a practice drill. Overhead announcements will instruct you, or your nurse will review any drill-related instruction with you as necessary.
HealthTV
Turn to channel 20 on your TV for information on Caring for Your Heart, Cancer in the Family, and Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference.
Medical Library
The Medical Library is located on the ground floor. The library is open to patients and families. The staff can help you find consumer health and medical information. It is open from 8 am to noon and 1 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, or call 841-1516.
Notary Public Services
Contact the Mainstreet Coordinator at the Welcome Center (lobby) at 841-1144 to be connected with a Notary.
Birth Certificates
See the nursing staff on the third floor in the postpartum unit (3B) for birth certificates and Social Security applications for newborns. Or contact the New Mexico State Health Department for a copy of the birth certificate you need.
