Your Hospital Stay

Barton Memorial Hospital is accessible through the main entrance Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. After hours and Sunday access is via the Emergency Department entrance, located at the rear of the hospital.

Patients and visitors will be screened prior to entry. Face masks are optional, however any patients with symptoms of respiratory disease will be required to wear a mask while in any Barton facility and any visitors with symptoms will not be permitted to enter a Barton facility. Masks may be reinstated if there is an outbreak or perceived risk.

You will be admitted through the Admitting Office or the Emergency Department. Please have your insurance information ready. It is important that you arrive on time, because your physician may have scheduled special tests for you, (i.e., blood work, X-rays, etc.).

Pre-scheduled surgery arrangements should be made through your physician’s office and the hospital's preoperative patient coordinator. Pre-admission is recommended for anyone aware of upcoming births, surgeries, or hospital procedures.

What to bring:

Important papers you MUST bring:

• Medical insurance cards
• Identification
• Name, address, and telephone number of closest family member
• List of all medications you are currently taking
• Advance Directive (Living Will) and Durable Power of Attorney

Personal items you make like during your stay:

• Nightwear, robe, rubber-soled slippers (hospital gowns are available)
• Personal toiletries (makeup, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, dentures, etc.)
• Reading materials
• Phone/ tablet and charger

If you are packing for your child, you may wish to include:

• Comfortable nightclothes (child-size hospital gowns are available)
• A special toy or two, clearly labeled with your child’s name
• Coloring books, crayons, books, etc.

What NOT to Bring:

Please leave the following items at home:

• Large amounts of money
• Jewelry and other valuables
• Electrical appliance (excluding personal communication devices like phones/ tablets)

Your Hospital Room: Your hospital room charge includes meals, use of a telephone for local calls, and a TV. Your room may be private or semi-private. We make a concerted effort to honor your preference, but there are times when your treatment or a high occupancy rate, may make your choice unavailable.

Nurse Call Light: A nurse "call light" is located at the bedside. A nurse will respond to your room or answer by intercom. If call is answered by intercom, please answer back in a clear voice.

Visiting Hours: Regular visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., though patients may receive visitors outside visitation hours. Rest is an important part of your healing, so we ask visitors to be mindful of your needs.

Patient Meal Times:

• Breakfast: 8:00 a.m.
• Lunch: 12:00 p.m.
• Dinner: 6:00 p.m.

Spiritual Care: Spiritual support is part of your medical care. Knowing your religious preference information helps us meet your care needs. Pastoral visits are available.

Organ Donations: Barton Health works in close conjunction, as prescribed by law, with Sierra Donor Services. If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact your doctor, the nursing staff or Sierra Donor Services 916.567.1600.

With a patient-family approach to care, we value the role that you and your family play in determining your plan of care. When your doctor, nurse and other care team members see you, we encourage you to ask questions and make your wishes known.

Hospitalists: Physicians who specialize in all aspects of your care from admission to discharge. They manage and coordinate all of your inpatient care, working closely with your primary care physician and other hospital staff to make the most effective treatment decisions.

Physicians: Your doctor is in charge of your care plan during your hospitalization. He or she orders your examinations, medications, treatments, tests and diet. Your doctor (or doctor’s partner) will see you in the hospital every day. You may encounter several different titles that are used for physicians.

Nurses: Nursing care is provided by licensed professional Registered Nursing staff and Nursing Assistants who ensure that your plan of care is implemented in a safe, appropriate and timely manner. The Registered Nurse coordinates your care to make sure that all care team members focus on your needs and provide you with a positive patient experience.

Laboratory/ EKG: Certified Phlebotomists will draw blood for tests ordered by your doctor. Most blood draws are done very early in the morning so that the results are ready when the doctors make rounds.

Respiratory Therapy: If ordered by your physician, a Respiratory Therapist may come into your room to administer treatments or therapy.

Medical Imaging: If X-rays, ultrasounds or other scans are ordered, you will be cared for by the Medical Imaging team.

Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy: Therapy sessions may be ordered by your doctor as part of your rehabilitation.

Case Management/Social Services: During your inpatient stay, a Case Manager or Social Worker may visit you to assist with plans for discharge, equipment or services needed after discharge, use of healthcare services and needed resources while you are a patient. If you are suffering from a chronic disease such as Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or Pneumonia, we offer support services from an R.N. Transitions Coach to assist you with navigating your own care for 30 days following discharge. This service is available to you free of charge and can be accessed through Case Management Services. Case Management Webpage

Pharmacy: Barton’s Pharmacy serves patients through convenient and competent service for medications. A pharmacy staff person makes daily patient rounds to answer any medication questions you many have. We are not licensed to fill outpatient prescriptions.

Nutritional Services: Patients’ meals are planned specifically for their nutritional needs. If you have food restrictions due to allergies or religious/cultural customs, please inform your doctor or nurse as soon as possible. Our diet aides will help you with your menu choices. You may ask for a dietitian to visit if you have additional questions.

Ancillary Staff: Ancillary Staff are stationed on each floor and perform a variety of tasks, including housekeeping, transportation and dietary services. You can identify these employees by their name badges.

Engineering Services: If you find that there is a problem with hospital room equipment, plumbing or room temperature, please notify your nurse so that engineering services can be contacted.

Staff Language Interpreters and Interpreter Phones: Barton's Language Access Services team works to ensure all Limited English Proficient (LEP), speech disabled, deaf and hard of hearing patients, and surrogate decision-makers are able to understand their medical conditions, treatment options, and receive quality patient care.

When care providers do not have access to an in-person interpreter, we use My Accessible Real-Time Trusted Interpreter (MARTTI) which allows patients to securely access an American Sign Language Interpreter or Spoken Language Interpreter at the push of a button.

Please request these services from any staff member.

Provision of Information: A patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his/her health. A patient has the responsibility to report unexpected changes in condition to the responsible practitioner. A patient is responsible for reporting whether he/she clearly comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him/her. A patient is responsible for asking questions and be responsible for acknowledging when he/she doesn't understand the treatment course or care decision.

Compliance with Instruction: A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for his/her care. This may include following the instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care, implementing the responsible practitioner’s orders, and enforcing the applicable hospital rules and regulations. The patient is responsible for consequences that arise from not following instructions. The patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the responsible practitioner or the hospital.

Refusal of Treatment: The patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the practitioner’s instructions.

Hospital Charges: The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

Hospital Rules and Regulations: The patient is responsible for following hospital rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

Respect and Consideration: The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise and the number of visitors. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the hospital.

The patient is responsible for supporting mutual consideration and respect by maintaining civil language and conduct in interactions with the staff and licensed independent practitioners.

The patient is responsible for following policies, rules and regulations that are in place to support quality care for patients and a safe environment for all individuals in the hospital

Visitation

Patient visitation hours are 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. though patients may receive visitors outside visitation hours. Rest is an important part of your healing, so we ask visitors to be mindful of your needs.

Barton Memorial Hospital is accessible through the main entrance Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (After hours and Sunday access is via the Emergency Department entrance, located at the rear of the hospital.)

Patients and visitors will be screened prior to entry. Face masks are optional, however any patients with symptoms of respiratory disease will be required to wear a mask while in any Barton facility and any visitors with symptoms will not be permitted to enter a Barton facility (exceptions may be allowed as determined by a patient's care team and the supervisor on shift). Masks may be reinstated if there is an outbreak or perceived risk.

Family, Significant Other, Guest Responsibility

The family/significant other or guest are responsible for being considerate of the rights of the patient; as well as other patients and hospital personnel and for assisting in the control of noise.

The family/significant other or guest are responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the hospital.

The family/significant other or guest are responsible for respecting the patient’s privacy when treatments are being given, as well as at the request of the patient and/or health care member.

Mountain Café hospital cafeteria hours:

• Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The Barton Bean coffee cart hours:

• Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Consistent with our Mission, Vision and Values, we believe and actively encourage patients and their families/ caregivers to participate in patient care and decision making.

We recognize that dealing with serious and vitally important health care decisions can be both stressful and difficult for patients and families. This may sometimes cause conflict between family members or between family and members of the health care team. Barton’s Ethics Committee is structured to handle any ethics issue that may arise during your hospital stay.

The Ethics Committee is comprised of the hospital’s medical staff (including your physician), nursing, social service, and clergy and can be convened at your request to address your issue with the utmost professionalism, dignity, compassion and confidence.

Should you have a need for this service or to obtain further information related to the hospital’s ethics and patient rights program, please contact your physician, nurse or other hospital employee who will make the appropriate referral to an individual who will contact you or your family.

When you are ready to leave the hospital here are a few things you need to know:

• Your physician will decide when you will be discharged, and your nursing staff will discuss your discharge instructions with you prior to your departure.
• Please arrange for someone to take extra items, such as gifts and flowers, to your home prior to your leaving. This will help make your discharge more efficient.
• Make sure you have all personal belongings and your discharge prescriptions.
• A hospital staff member will take you to your vehicle in a wheelchair. Please arrange for someone to drive you home. The car may be parked outside the main lobby doors for loading.
• You will be contacted by the business office if insurance or billing information are needed.

Patient Satisfaction Survey: After your visit, you may receive a survey via email, text, or mail. Your feedback matters and we appreciate the opportunity to learn from you.

Your Medical Records: Access your electronic health record via MyChart.

Patients' medical records are the property of the hospital. Under Federal and California State Law patients are entitled to information contained in their records subject to applicable legal statues and hospital policy. All information is confidential and release is closely controlled to protect our patients' right to privacy. Medical Records Requests Webpage

Hospital Charges and Other Fees: Barton Health will bill your insurance company(s) for you. Private payment schedules may also be arranged.

Physicians and services such as anesthesiology, surgery, radiology, and pathology are billed independently.

Hospital charges are itemized on the hospital statement and a billing representative can assist you with the interpretation if needed 530.543.5930. Billing & Financial Services Webpage

Tipping and Gifts: Employees are prohibited from accepting tips and gifts of significant value. We ask instead, that your gratitude is expressed in a letter to the staff, recommending our services to your friends, or making a donation to the Barton Health Foundation.