General Visiting
Regulations
If the patient is in a semi-private room, it is encouraged to limit visitors
to two per patient at any one time in consideration of the other patient
and space constraints. A family member should be designated, if possible,
to give condition updates to those family members not present. An adult must
accompany all children under 12 years of age. Nursing permission is needed
for exceptions (i.e. such as infants).
Café/Canteen
The Cafe and the canteen/vending area are available for visitor
use. Café hours are 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM. The canteen is
open 24 hours a day.
Phone Calls
Patients can be reached by dialing the OSF Saint Anthony patient
connection line, 815/227-2030. You need to know the patient’s
room number to use this line. The main telephone number for
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center is 815/226-2000, toll free 800/343-3185.
Java City / Gift Shop
A wide variety of magazines, flowers, candies, cards, gift
items and toiletries are available in the OSF Saint Anthony
Auxiliary
Gift Shop. All profits are directed toward the medical center.
Orders may be phoned in by calling 815/395-5078.
Java City, the new coffee shop located in what was formerly the storage room for the Gift Shop, opened Saturday, May 12, at 7 am.
Java City features favorite espresso drinks and smoothies, in addition to ready-made sandwiches and salads, bottled beverages and bakery items. Some seating is provided for customers.
Hours of operation for Java City are from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The Gift Shop is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. The new Gift and Coffee Shop is possible because of a very generous gift from the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Auxiliary.
Chapel
The chapel, located on the first floor, is open at all times
for prayer and meditation. Mass is offered at 6:20 a.m., Monday through Friday; at 4 p.m. Saturday; and at 7:15 a.m. Sunday.
Smoking
As of November 16, 2006, smoking is prohibited in all areas of
the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center campus, including parking
lots.
Parking
Valet parking is available to persons with special needs. Service
is available at the main entrance from 6:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday
– Friday. Visitor parking is free and available in the lot
located directly in
front of the medical center.
Overnight
Accommodations
A number of hotels and motels, in various price ranges, are
located within a two-mile radius of OSF Saint Anthony Medical
Center.
At The Hospital: For Patients
What to bring
When you arrive at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, please go to the front reception desk. Valet parking is available from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), you should consider bringing:
- insurance information
- identification
- list of medicines you are taking and any allergies
- any papers given you by your doctor
- a list of names and numbers to contact in case of emergency; be sure to include both home and work numbers
- any advance directives you have such as Power of Attorney
For your stay at the hospital, you want to travel as light as you can. Some of the things to consider bringing include:
- nightclothes, bathrobe and slippers (make sure personal items are labeled)
- comfortable clothes to wear home
- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb and brush and other personal hygiene materials.
There are things you shouldn't bring as well. Valuables including jewelry, wedding rings and watches are best left at home. For many surgical procedures, no jewelry is allowed so make sure you ask your doctor. You will not need checkbooks, credit cards or large amounts of cash. Please leave them at home as well. Also, do not bring food to keep in your room. Depending on the procedure you are undergoing, your intake will need to be carefully monitored.
At some point, you will be asked to sign releases for your procedure. Make sure you ask questions so you know what you can expect. Also discuss what will happen when you are discharged. Ask how long you can expect to be in the hospital and what the procedures are for discharge. Also make sure you discuss with your doctor what will be expected of you when you get home to speed your recovery.
Be careful in the hospital. You will probably be weak or tired. Be aware of that and take some precautions.
- Use the call button to get help. That's why it is there
- Use the controls on the bed to lower it to make it easier and safer to get in and out.
- Watch out for the wires and tubes that will be around the bed and attached to you.
- Keep the things you'll need and want within easy reach.
- Take only the medicines you are told to in the hospital.
- Use the handrails in the shower or tubs
- Use the handrails on the stairs and in the hallways.
- When given any medicine, ask the name and what the medicine is for.
Who's who at the hospital
While at the hospital, you will have a number of people who will help you. You may see some or all of these people during your stay.
- Physicians: You probably have a primary care physician who sees you at his office on a regular basis. You may see your doctor at the hospital or you may see one of our Hospitalists, a physician specially trained to care for hospitalized patients. Depending on what your procedure is, you could see also be seeing a surgeon or surgeons, a radiologist who will look at your x-rays and other tests, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist as well as other specialists.
- Nurses: registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, nurse's aides and nursing students - provide many patient-care services. For example, nurses give medicines, check vital signs (blood pressure, temperature and pulse), provide treatments and teach patients to care for themselves. The nurse manager coordinates nursing care for each patient on the unit (the floor or section of the hospital where your room is located).
- Physical therapists teach patients how to build muscles, increase flexibility and improve coordination. They may use exercise, heat, cold or water therapy to help patients whose ability to move is limited.
- Occupational therapists work with patients to restore, maintain or increase their ability to perform daily tasks such as cooking, eating, bathing and dressing.
- Respiratory therapists: prevent and treat breathing problems. For example, they teach patients exercises to help prevent lung infections after surgery.
- Technicians perform a variety of tests such as x-rays and procedures such as taking blood.
- Dietitians help plan specialized menus for patients and teach them how to plan a well-balanced diet.
- Pharmacists know the chemical makeup and correct use of drugs. They prepare the medicines used in the hospital.
- Social workers offer support to patients and their families. They can help patients and families learn about home-care, social services and support groups.
- Discharge planners help patients arrange for health and home care needs after they go home from the hospital.
You also will see a number of other people performing jobs to make your stay safe and comfortable. They include the housekeeping staff, facilities management staff and volunteers.
