Patient Information Guide

To help familiarize you with Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, we have prepared this patient information guide. We encourage you and your family to check out the links below to become familiar with all of our features and procedures before you or your loved ones are admitted.

In addition to your physician and our nursing staff, our Patient Care Managers are here to assist you in any way they can.

Patient Information From A to Z

About Your Room

The Discharge Process

Patient Information - From A to Z

• Appliances
  For your safety, please bring only small grooming appliances such as hair dryers, electric shavers, etc.
• Bank Machine
  For your convenience, an automated banking machine is located in the hallway next to the 1st floor Education classroom.
• Birth Certificates
  The birth process is an exciting time for all parents.  The Health Information Management (HIM) Department is responsible for the creation and processing of your baby's first Birth Certificate.  On the birth of your newborn, the HIM Department will obtain all necessary information, signature/signatures, and file the certificate with the State of Texas.  A copy of your newborn's Birth Certificate can be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics for Denton County.  There are state laws to establish paternity.
• Chapel/Chaplain
  Illness often affects one's emotion, as well as one's physical well being.  If you do not have a local clergy, Presbyterian Hospital of Denton has a chaplain on call to assist patients and their families.  You can contact your nursing station or dial the Operator (0) and they can contact the chaplain who is scheduled.  If you need a specific denomination, the chaplain can assist you.  A non-denominational Chapel is located on the 1st floor next to Emergency Services.  Bibles are provided in patient rooms and the Chapel by the Gideons.
• Customer Service
  It is our desire to continuously improve the care we provide.  We encourage you and your family to tell us how we have or have not met your expectations.  If you have a concern, please let us know as soon as possible by:
  a)     reporting the concern to a nurse or staff member caring for you
  b)     asking to speak with a supervisor or department manager
  After hours, please dial "0" and ask the Hospital Operator to contact the Nursing Supervisor on duty.  Someone will respond promptly to your communication.
• Ethics Committee
  The Ethics Committee is multidisciplinary in composition, representing different disciplines, interests, and points of view.  Committee membership for the consideration of ethical issues includes representatives from medicine, nursing, ancillary services, the clergy, administration, and the community.  Nursing membership will include permanent representation from the staff nurse level.  The Committee facilitates education for medical staff and hospital staff, develops policies and procedures to guide staff in making ethical decisions regarding patients and their families, and is available to review cases where ethical issues are presented. Any physician, employee, patient, or family member faced with an ethical decision or issue has the privilege of consulting the Ethics Committee.  Any patient or family member who wishes to obtain more information or a consultation with the Ethics Committee should notify their physician or nurse.
• Flowers
  Flowers are delivered to patient rooms by Volunteers.  Any arrangements that are delivered after you are discharged will be returned to the florist for re-delivery to your homes address.
• Gift Shop
  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton has two gift shops located in the main hospital lobby and The Center for Women hospital lobby.  Hours of operation are: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Guest Trays
  If you are an adult caregiver for a patient twelve and under, we will provide one complimentary guest tray for each meal.  Other guests may make arrangements to purchase guest trays through the charge nurse at each nursing station.
• Hospital Bed
  Your Hospital bed is higher and probably narrower than your own bed at home.  For your safety, if your doctor says you can get out of bed, please ask your nurse to assist you.
• Housekeeping Services
  Housekeeping services are provided on a daily basis.  If your room needs additional attention at any time, please call extension 7294 for assistance.  After normal business hours, please call the Hospital Operator for assistance.
• Living Will (See Patient Rights)
• Lost and Found
  If you need to report a lost item, please call extension 7006 and leave your name and telephone number.
• Mail
  Mail is delivered to patient rooms by Volunteers.  Please tell your family and friends to address mail to you in care of:
  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton
  Your room number
  3000 N. 1-35
  Denton, TX  76201
  Mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to the address on your admission record.
• Meal Service
  Patient meals are served at the following time:
  Breakfast:         7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
  Lunch:             11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  Dinner:            4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  The Cafeteria is open for visitors from
  Breakfast:        7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
  Lunch:           11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
  Supper:          4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  Vending machines are available 24 hours a day.The gift shop also sells snacks and beverages.
• Menu/Nutritional Counseling
  Our Nutrition and Food Service staff takes special care and attention to make your meals appealing and nutritious.  Additionally, you can be sure that your meals are just what the doctor ordered!  You will be asked each day to select your menu choices for the following day.  This helps our staff plan meals according to your preference.  We will try to accommodate your requests.  Many patients on their "medically prescribed" diets may be limited in their food selections.
  For patients on specialized diets, our registered dietician provides nutritional counseling upon physician request.  This individualized program of education will help you learn how to adapt to a "medically prescribed" diet and still enjoy some of your favorite foods.  If you have any questions concerning your diet, please ask your nurse to contact the Nutrition and Food Services Department.
• Newspapers
  The Denton Record-Chronicle is available at the Gift Shop.
• Patient Bill of Rights/Advance Directives
  The patient has the right to the following:
  • To reasonable access to care
  • To care that is considerate and respectful of patients' values and beliefs
  • To be informed about and participate in decisions regarding their care
  • To accept medical care or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the consequences of such refusal
  • To participate in ethical issues that arise in their care, including issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitative services, forgoing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, and participation in investigational studies or clinical trials. 
  • To security and personal privacy and confidentiality of information
  • You also have another right.  You have the right to prepare a document called an "advance directive." 
    • In one type, a "Living Will" or "Directive to Physicians", you state in advance what kind of treatment you would or would not want in the event your physician diagnoses a terminal or irreversible condition and you are mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate your wishes. 
    • In a second type, "Medical Power of Attorney", you authorize another person to make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated.  Be mindful, however, that state laws governing advance directives do differ.  If you would like additional information about advance directives, please ask your nurse.
• Patient Identification Wristband
  Please do not remove your patient identification wristband.  To ensure that all medications, treatments, and tests are administered to the correct patient, hospital staff are instructed to double check that the name on the patient order matches the name on the patient's wristband. 
• Patient Surveys
  Patient care is our top priority at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, and we are always concerned about the level of our patients' satisfaction.  During and after your stay, we may seek information from you either through surveys, personal interviews, follow-up phone interviews or a combination of these.  Any information you can provide us regarding your hospital stay will be very helpful in maintaining the caliber of quality care all our patients deserve.  We appreciate your assistance with any of our surveys.
• Pediatric Patients    
  Pediatric patients age 6 and under must have adult supervision (arranged by parent/guardian) 24 hours daily.  One guest (parent) tray is served at each meal for pediatric patients age 12 and under.  Patients age 2 and under are required to sleep in a crib for safety reasons.  On admission all children under the age of 2 years will have a Kinder Guard ID placed.
• Personal Belongs/Valuables
  A storage area for clothing and toiletries is provided in each room.  It is important that family or friends take all personal valuables home for safekeeping upon admission.  The hospital has a small safe for temporary storage of high costs items such as cash in excess of $5.00, expensive jewelry or credit cards that a family member or friend cannot take possession of.  Eyeglasses, contacts lenses and dentures should be kept in a protective container with the patient's name clearly visible when not in use.  The hospital cannot assume responsibility for replacement costs if items that are misplaced by patients and/or visitors.
• Pets
  No pets are permitted in the hospital other than seeing-eye dogs.
• Quality Resource Management
  Quality Resource Management is an integral part of the comprehensive health care of all patients admitted to Presbyterian Hospital of Denton.  Illness may be difficult on families, complicate existing problems or lead to new hardships.  Patient Care Managers provide support, referrals to facilitate post-hospitalization planning, and serve as a link between the hospital and various community agencies.
  A Patient Care Manager works with the physicians, nurses, therapists, dieticians, pharmacists, and other hospital personnel involved in your care, as well as with Case Managers and other persons at your insurance company.  The Patient Care Manager's objective is to assist patients and their physicians in planning for discharge.  For additional information, please call 940-898-7018.
• Release of Information
  The Health Information Management (HIM) Department handles all requests for copies of medical records.  Written authorization by the patient or legal representative will be required.  Questions regarding release of information can be directed to the HIM Department Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., by dialing 898-7176.  When possible, a 72-hour notice to process the request is appreciated.
• Safety Drills
  Drills are held periodically to ensure that all staff know what procedures to follow in the event of an emergency situation.  If there is an actual alarm, your nurse will assist you in seeking proper shelter.
• Services for the Disabled
  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton is fully accessible to disabled patients.  A Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available for your use.  Translation services and aids are also available, and if necessary, the hospital can access community resources to become advocates for disabled patients.  It is the patient or family member's responsibility to contact the Nurse's station in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations. 
• Smoking
  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton has taken a position to support public health concerns and become a Smoke Free Campus.  A Smoke Free Campus is defined as no smoking within the property limits of Presbyterian Hospital of Denton.
  If you desire to have a nicotine replacement alternative talk with your nurse who can obtain written orders from your physician.  Also, our Respiratory Therapy Department has a booklet that they will provide to you with information on quit smoking.
  As a health care provider we feel it is necessary to promote health and longevity of life.  We ask for your support of this important health initiative.
• Visiting Hours
  • General patient visiting hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.  Although it is comforting to have visitors during your stay, too many may interfere with your care and the rest you need during your recovery.  There should be no more than two visitors in your room at one time, and please understand that your nurses may need to further limit your visitors.
  • All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  Due to some patient's special health care needs, some units observe different visiting hours as indicated below:
    • Intensive Care Unit - two visitors per bedside except during 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  No children under 12 allowed.
    • Pediatrics - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    • Women's Services - 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
    • Labor and Delivery - two visitors at a time in the labor and delivery room.  No children under 12 allowed.  All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult in the waiting room.  Please understand that your nurses may need to further limit your visitors.
• Visitors Dining
  Visitors are welcome to dine in our cafeteria, located on the west end of the lower level.  Service hours are posted by the cafeteria door.  For service at other times, please use vending machines, located inside the cafeteria.  The Gift Shop also has snacks.  No meals or buffet style setups allowed in any of the Patient Family Care areas.  Please take those to the dining area.

For your comfort, the temperature in all rooms is individually controlled.  In your room, you will also find the following features:

• Nurse Call Button
  For assistance, please use the call button at the side of your bed.  Your nurse, or other caregiver will attend to your needs as soon as possible. 
• Telephone
  Incoming calls to a patient's room can be made between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. CST.  Outgoing calls can be made 24 hours a day.  To make an outside call, please observe the following instructions:
  • Long Distance
    For your convenience, calling cards are available in the Gift Shop for long distance calls.
  • Local Calls
    Dial 9 + number.  Dial 9 + 940 for all other local calls.  There is no charge for local calls or calls within the hospital.
  • Incoming Calls
    Please instruct your families and friends to dial (940) 898-7100.
• Television
  For your enjoyment, your room is equipped with a color television and complimentary cable service.  Bedside controls operate the TV channels and volume.

Going Home

The Discharge Process

• Your admitting physician is the only person who can give the order for your hospital discharge.  After your physician has visited with you, your nurse will complete your individualized Discharge Plan, which may include special diet plans, wound care, medication and/or further medical follow-up that you will require.  You will be asked to sign this form and a copy will be given to you.
• Discharge time is 11:00 a.m., however, the time you actually leave will depend on the timelines of your physician writing the discharge orders.  If you are a maternity patient, you will also need to wait for dismissal orders from the pediatrician caring for your baby.  You may be asked to stop by the Business Office/Cashier Office before discharge.  To ensure that this process is handled in a timely manner, please be sure that the Business Office has a copy of your insurance card, claim forms, and other pertinent billing information.
• Your portion of the hospital bill is due at the time of discharge; however, it takes departments 24 hours to submit their charges.  For this reason, the account charges you are quoted at discharge will be based on the charges from the previous day.  If you would like a copy of your itemized bill that will be sent to the insurance company, please request one to be mailed to you at the same time the insurance company is billed.  If you are not covered by insurance, one will be mailed 5 days after discharge.  Once your account has been settled, a hospital Volunteer or member of the nursing staff will escort you to the proper exit.
• Before leaving your room, please check for any articles you may have missed in packing.  The hospital is not responsible for any articles left in your room, but will make every attempt to locate misplaced items.

Insurance

• Most insurance plans now require that inpatient hospitalization be pre-certified or pre-authorized within 24 hours of admission in order to be eligible for full policy benefits.  It is the patient or the guarantor's responsibility to see that this is completed.  This information can be found on your insurance card.  If you are unsure of pre-certification requirements, we urge you to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
• The Business Office Staff will verify your benefits with your insurance carrier.  Most insurance plans do not normally provide full coverage of your hospital bill.  Therefore, any deductible or co-payment portions are due at the time of discharge.  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton will cooperate in expediting your claim; however, you are ultimately responsible for your hospital bill.  Any balance remaining after the insurance pays is due and payable 10 days from the date of insurance payment.  Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your carrier.  Policy disputes, usual and customary fee limitations, out-of-network penalties, or other circumstances resulting in benefit reductions are between you and your insurance company.  If your insurance requires that you pre-certification or authorization for inpatient hospital stays or outpatient procedures, it is your responsibility to call and notify them of your hospitalization.
• Uninsured Accounts
  A deposit is required on all uninsured admissions.  The deposit is a down payment on your account.  Charges incurred above your deposit are due and payable at discharge.
• Method of Payment
  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton accepts cash, personal checks, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
• Physician Charges
  Your hospital bill is separate from your physician's bill.  Additional billings for professional charges may also come from your personal physician, anesthesiologist, emergency room physician, radiologist, pathologist, and other specialists involved in your treatment.