Patient Handbook

Your Health Care Team

Environmental & Building Services

A member of our housekeeping staff cleans and sanitizes your room daily. This may occur while you are out of your room. For questions or concerns about the cleanliness of your room, please contact the Environmental Services department at ext. 7166.

If you are not satisfied with the temperature of your room, please contact our Building Services department at ext. 7160 and a team member will adjust the temperature as soon as possible.

Hospitalist

While in the hospital, you may be seen by a hospitalist, a physician who specializes in caring only for patients admitted to a hospital for a medical reason or surgery. These physicians do not have an outpatient medical practice. Their work is solely dedicated to caring for patients in Silver Cross Hospital. They attend to every need during your stay such as ordering tests, prescribing medications and monitoring results. At each step of the process the hospitalist communicates directly with your regular physician and family to assure that you receive the best care possible.

Medical Staff

The doctor who admits you is responsible for directing your care while you are a patient in the hospital. He/she, as the coordinator for your treatment plan, should be consulted if you have any questions about your condition or the care you are receiving.

Nursing Staff

Nursing care is provided 24 hours a day by a team of professional registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse assistants. Our nurses in our Birthing Center, Rehabilitation and Bariatric/Orthopedic Units, and Home Health Program are in the top 10th percentile, compared to other hospital nationally. A shift coordinator is responsible for directing and coordinating nursing care on each unit. Please feel free to contact your nurse, shift coordinator, or their director if you have any questions or concerns.

Nutrition Services

The hospital maintains a staff of full-time registered dietitians to meet your dietary needs during your hospitalization. A menu-clerk will assist you with selecting your meals each day. If you have any questions about your meals or diet, call ext. 7444.

Patient Accounts

Representatives from the Patient Accounts department can answer questions about your hospital bill and assist with interpreting financial policies and billing procedures at the hospital. A representative can be reached by calling ext. 7087, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m or via email.

Support Staff

During your stay, you may be visited by many other health care professionals, including personnel from the laboratory and radiology departments. In addition, the Silver Cross Hospital family includes many behind-the-scenes employees such as accountants, engineers, secretaries, food service workers and others who contribute greatly toward your well-being while you are here.

Volunteers

Volunteers contribute many hours of service and assistance to the hospital. These individuals work in a variety of departments in many different positions. Their identification badges can identify them. Some volunteer opportunities include transporting patients, delivering flowers and mail to patients, or assisting hospital departments. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Silver Cross Hospital, contact our Volunteer Services department at (815) 740-7117.

Case Managers & Social Workers

Case managers and social workers are assigned to each patient care area and trained to assist the patient and family members to cope with their illness from a financial, social and/or emotional aspect. The case managers are registered nurses and work with patients to assure they have knowledge and skills to manage their illness and follow-up care after discharge. Both the social worker and case manager will work with you and your family members to develop a discharge plan beginning at the time of admission to the hospital.