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Learning About Your Health Care TeamYour DoctorsWhile at MCV, there will be several doctors working together as a team to provide you with the best care possible. This team of doctors is supervised by an attending physician who, along with a team of specialists, is responsible for your diagnosis and the prescribed treatment. In addition, doctors from other specialties may make their skills and expertise available to your team of doctors, if needed. What To Expect While each of the hospital's departments may have a different routine, this is generally what you can expect: On your first day in the hospital, a resident doctor and possibly a student from the medical team assigned to you will each examine you and take a medical history. They'll try to make each successive interview and examination brief, but you may be asked the same questions several times. Please note that this system offers you a distinct advantage. Having several medical people review your case assures complete and comprehensive planning for your treatment. Also, it means there is always a doctor in the hospital who is acquainted with your problem. Rounds Once or twice each day-usually in the early morning and late afternoon-the medical teams make rounds as a group, visiting all of the patients assigned to them and discussing each patient among themselves. Your attending physician may accompany the teams or visit you at some other time. Either way, your doctors maintain a schedule that makes at least one of them available around the clock, so medical attention is never far away from you. Your Surgery Team If your stay includes surgery, your surgeon will visit you to discuss your operation. Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will also come by to talk about your health and the kind of anesthetic to be used. Not Sure About Something? Ask. Everyone involved with your medical care wants you to understand your illness and to know why tests and procedures are ordered. So, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Be sure to let your doctors know if you feel confused or if do not understand what they are telling you. Your Nurses Your nursing team includes registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and may include nursing students working under the direct supervision of staff members. Nurses are either primary nurses (RNs) or associate nurses (RNs and LPNs). Primary and Associate Nurses When you arrive at your room, a primary nurse is assigned to you. Primary nurses supervise your nursing care and make every effort to see that you are comfortable. Your primary nurse will plan your care with you and your family, and make sure that this plan is communicated to other members of your health care team. Associate nurses care for you in the absence of the primary nurse. Both primary and associate nurses will give your prescribed medications, perform needed treatments, and keep you informed about your illness and care. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to share them with your primary nurse. Your Patient Representatives Patient Representatives are available to assist you with any questions, concerns, or non-medical needs you may have, 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Patient Representatives are also Notary Publics, and their services are available to patients, their families, and the staff. Special Needs For patients with hearing, speech, and vision disabilities, Patient Representatives can provide amplified telephones, closed-caption television decoders, TDDs, and large print written material. Patient Representatives can also provide sign language and foreign language interpreters for non-native speakers. Patient representatives are also available to address any general concerns, issues, or complaints you may have about your stay, contacting the appropriate resources as needed. For information, contact a Patient Representative at (804) 828-0958. Your Chaplain Counselors MCV chaplain counselors are dedicated and trained in helping patients and their families respond to the emotional and spiritual aspects of illness and hospitalization. Our chaplain counselors are here to help you express your individual feelings and concerns. Meeting with a Chaplain Counselor You can contact a chaplain counselor by calling (804) 828-0928, or by visiting the Chaplain's Office on the second floor of Main Hospital. You may also ask a hospital staff member to make the contact. The Chaplain's Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, your nurse can contact the duty chaplain for you. Chaplain counselors are on duty around the clock. Please note that your own minister, priest, or rabbi is welcome to come to the hospital at any time. Chapel MCV also operates a nondenominational Chapel for meditation and prayer. Weekly chapel services are conducted on a regular basis, and all are invited to attend. The Chapel is located on the second floor of Main Hospital. Your Social Workers Professional social workers are here to help you and your family with the social and emotional concerns related to your illness and hospitalization. They also are prepared to assist in making any arrangements that you or your family may require after you leave the hospital. You may call (804) 828-0212 to request a social worker, visit our main office on the 12th floor of West Hospital, or simply ask your nurse or doctor to contact us. Community Health Coordinators VCU Health System has discharge planning nurses called community health coordinators. These nurses can arrange for help that you might need at home after leaving the hospital. Some of these services include home health registered nurses, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, IV therapy, and home health aides.
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Date Last Modified: April 26, 2001 Questions or Comments? Contact Us |
401 North 12th Street Richmond, VA 23298 VCU Health System Information: (804) 828-9000 |
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