General Patient Information:

Customer Service
West Branch Regional Medical Center is committed to providing excellent customer service. We want your stay with us to be as comfortable as possible. If you have any concerns please ask to speak with a Unit Manager or call our Human Resources Department at (989) 343-3150.

Bedside Assistance
Once you arrive in your room, your nurse will show you how to operate the bed controls, use the bed rails, and the locations of the call button. There also is a call bell cord in the bathroom. Do not hesitate to use the call button at your bedside or in the bathroom if you need assistance.

Driver’s License & Insurance Cards
When you arrive at the hospital, the Admitting staff will make a copy of your driver’s license and insurance cards. If this was not done, please ask a family member or visitor to take your cards to the Front Desk in the Lobby. Your cards will be copied and returned to you promptly.

Identification Band
An identification band is placed on your wrist when you are admitted. It is important to keep this band on your wrist throughout your hospital stay. A matching identification band will be placed on the parent or guardian of the patient if he/she is a minor.

Living Wills/Advanced Directives
Many people today are worried about the medical care they would receive if they should become terminally ill or unable to communicate. You may want to think about preparing an advance directive. Information and forms about Michigan’s Durable Power of Attorney and health care agent designation are available through Admitting.

Medications
All medications taken while you are in the hospital must be prescribed by your physician, dispensed by the hospital’s pharmacy, and administered by a nurse. Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or to keep personal medications at their bedside. This is to ensure that your physician coordinates all medications given during your hospital stay. Please bring a list of all medications you are currently taking, including the name, strength and directions.

Personal Articles/Valuables
When not in use, dentures, eyeglasses and hearing aids should be placed in containers with your name clearly marked on them. If you do not have a container, please let your nurse know. WBRMC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We ask that valuables, such as cash or jewelry, be left at home. If you have valuables with you and do not want to send them home with a relative or visitor, please call the Admitting Department at (989) 343-3161. We will place your items in a hospital safe and give you a receipt. This receipt needs to be presented to pick up your items before you go home.

Releasing of Patient Information
In order to respect privacy and confidentiality, all patient s are assigned their own PIN (Personal Information Number). Upon admission, you will be given your own unique 4-digit number. You may give this PIN number to any of your relatives or to anyone else you would like apprised of your condition. Patient information will then be released only to those authorized specifically by you.

Environmental Services
We are eager to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Rooms are cleaned each day. This includes cleaning the bathroom, removing trash, mopping the floor, dusting, and making sure that the room is sanitary. Bed linens are changed when soiled. If you need to have your bed linens straightened or changed, please inform your nurse.

Hospital Bed
Your bed is equipped with side rails for your safety. If you need to get out of bed when the side rails are up, it is important that you ask a nurse for help. Your bed can also be adjusted for your comfort. To raise or lower your bed, please use the controls on the side rails.

Leaving the Unit
Please do not leave your unit except under the supervision of a member of the hospital staff. It is important for you to be on the unit when your physician visits, or when it is time for you to receive treatment.

Room
Your room has been carefully chosen for you based on the type of medical care you will need and the appropriate nursing unit that can provide that care for you. If you would prefer a private room, every effort will be made to obtain one for you, based on availability. If you would like to move to a different room for any reason, ask your nurse.

Room Service/Meals
Each day before 11 a.m. your menu for tomorrow will be delivered to you by a dietary clerk. Please circle the foods you would like for each meal. A dietary clerk will visit you after lunch each day to collect your menu and to assist you with selecting your meals or to answer any questions you may have. If you have questions or problems with your diet, our registered dietitian will be happy to assist you. Please ask your nurse to contact the dietitian for you.

Room Temperature
If your room is too hot or too cold, please inform your nurse or the person who cleans your room.

Smoking
West Branch Regional Medical Center is a Smoke-Free Environment. Therefore, smoking and other use of tobacco or tobacco products is prohibited on all West Branch Regional Medical Center property (this includes Medical Arts Center and Lakeside Medical Arts Center).

Telephones
All patient rooms are furnished with telephones for local calls at no additional charge. Long distance calls must be charged to a credit card, a telephone calling card or placed as a collect call. Patients may receive incoming calls. The phone number to your patient room is located on the telephone. Cell phones are prohibited in patient areas.

Television Service
Television service is provided in all patient rooms at no additional charge.

Personal electrical equipment
To promote a safe environment for all of our patients, no personal electrical equipment such as electric razors, curling irons, hair dryers, etc. are allowed.

Banking Machines
An Automated teller machine (ATM) is located on the first floor of the medical center (just off the lobby) for your convenience.

Cafeteria
A cafeteria is located on the first floor of the medical center. Vending machines are available 24 hours a day. Hot meals are served daily during the following times:

Chapel
The medical center has a Chapel located on the first floor just off the main lobby. The Chapel may be used for the following purposes: meditation and prayer by patients, families and clergymen; and consultation with the family and/or physician.

Flowers
Flowers sent to you will be delivered to your room.

Gift Shop
The medical center’s gift shop, Poise 'n Ivy, is located off the main lobby and is operated by the medical center’s Auxiliary. A variety of gifts and clothing can be found there. The gift shop also carries greeting cards, sundries, candy, fresh flower arrangements, Mylar balloons and more. The gift shop is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. , Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. and is closed on Sunday. Holiday hours vary. For more information, call the gift shop at (989) 343-3127.

Lost & Found
If you lose something, notify your nurse immediately and every effort will be made to help you find it.

Mail
Mail addressed to you will be delivered to your room. Mail received after you have been discharged will be forwarded to your home address.

Parking
Patient and visitor parking is available near the main entrance. Please be sure to lock your car. If you need assistance from our facility to your car, please ask your nurse to call an Auxiliary member.