Patients and Visitors
Admissions/Registration
Upon your admission to Cape Cod Hospital, you will receive an admissions folder from our Patient Registration Department. Enclosed in the package are pamphlets on services available through the hospital, information on your rights as a patient, and a copy of the Massachusetts Health Care Proxy. Please take the time to read this valuable information.
Patient Meals and Food Service Hours
A staff member will bring you a menu selection form daily so that you can choose your meals in advance. Registered dieticians are available to answer your questions regarding your special diet. When tests scheduled by your doctor delay or cancel a meal, we will make arrangements for you to receive a late tray.
The hospital also features "At Your Request" room service dining from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Your nurse will determine whether you are medically able to participate in the program. To order room service, call 2-5555 from your room. Orders arrive within 45 minutes.
Food Service Hours for Patients:
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Breakfast 7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m
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Lunch 11:45 a.m.. - 12:45 p.m.
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Dinner 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
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Room Service 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Leaving the Hospital
Discharge time is 11:00 a.m. Only your physician may discharge you.
Patients should not be discharged alone. Please make arrangements for someone to bring you to the hospital and to pick you up at the time of your discharge.
Before you leave the Hospital
Check the room, make sure you have all your belongings.
- Have your requested any valuables that were kept for you in the hospital safe?
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Have you arranged for transportation?
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Have you talked to your physician about follow-up care or special instructions?
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Have you taken your prescriptions?
If your physician has ordered tests for you after your discharge, you will come back to the hospital and check in at our Admitting/Registration Area located in the main lobby. Please bring with you the prescription and/or the written instructions you received from your physician and your insurance card(s).
Mail
Mail and packages addressed to patients are sorted and delivered by volunteers, Monday - Friday. The mailing address at Cape Cod Hospital is:
Cape Cod Hospital
27 Park Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
When you are discharged, mail will be re-addressed to the mailing address you gave the hospital.
Telephones
Telephones are available to you in your room. There is no charge for local calls. If you make a toll call, you may charge it to your home telephone or telephone credit card. You may also call "Collect".
Televisions
TV's are available to all patients at no charge.
Valuables
Please do not keep valuable items in your room. Valuable personal items and money should be left at home or placed in our Hospital vault for safekeeping. If you wear dentures please pay special attention to where you put them after removing them, and try not to place them on your metal tray. If you have any jewelry, money or personal items that you would like stored in our vault, please talk to your nurse.
Patients and Visitors
Admission Information
Your admission to the hospital is arranged by your physician who is a member of the medical staff. Every effort will be made to provide you with your accommodation of choice. You will be billed according to the type of accommodation accepted. If you decide to request a private room, you should call the admitting office the day before your admission.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that hospitals make patient room assignments without regard or race, color or national origin.
Permission for treatment and/or operations must be signed by the patient or next of kin. Permission for minors must be signed by the parents or guardians. Guardians must submit papers showing the legality of their status.
Food Services
Meal Hours:
Breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dinner 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“At Your Request” Room Service Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Patients can order their meals daily, based on the diet prescribed by their physician. Quality meals are delivered within 45 minutes of the order being placed. All menu items are available all day. A room service menu can be found on the table beside your bed. Dial extension 76325 or 76326 to speak with an experienced Nutrition Assistant, who will help you place your order.
Leaving the Hospital
Your physician will authorize your discharge. On the morning you leave, the cashier's office will be notified to complete the discharge arrangements. You or your representative must obtain a discharge slip from the office before leaving.
Discharge Planning
The Case Management Department is available to assist in planning for your discharge from the hospital. Hospital case managers and social workers are familiar with community resources and will help to arrange for you the services you need. Ask your doctor or nurse to contact a case manager or social worker if you need help in planning for your hospital discharge.
Avoid Overstay
Because of the need for hospital beds, please plan your departure by 11:00 a.m. To avoid waiting, you should make arrangements for your discharge and transportation home as much in advance as possible.
Special Arrangements
Hospital bills are due at the time of discharge. For those confined to the hospital for long terms, special arrangements can be made. Inquiries regarding payment of hospital accounts may be made in the business office, first floor, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on working days. Call Inpatient Billing, extension 3510, if you are concerned about your bill.
Late Charges
Our data processing system employs the most advanced techniques for handling patient accounts. To assure a one-time billing, a waiting period of several days may be required. However, late charges and credits occasionally occur. Therefore, you may receive a subsequent billing at home.
Mail and Flowers
Any mail and flowers addressed to you will be delivered to your room. Mail received after you have been discharged will be forwarded to your home address. Plants and flowers are not allowed in the Intensive Care Unit. Fresh flowers and gifts can be purchased at the Hospital Gift Shop.
Registration
The registration area is located in the Faxon Center. Please check in at the front desk when you arrive. Please bring insurance cards for all visits.
On the day of your pre-admission testing, please bring all information from your physician, and insurance cards. In order to avoid delays, please verify with your insurance company that your surgery will be approved.
Telephones
Our computer-operated telephone system allows you to dial calls from your room. For a local call, dial "9" followed by the number; for calls outside the immediate area dial "9-1" followed by the number; the operator will respond and you may then request to charge the call to your home number or credit card.
Public telephone booths are located throughout the hospital for use by visitors and patients’ families. To avoid disturbing our patients' necessary rest and sleep, telephone conversations should be limited to the between hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Television
All rooms have a television set provided free of charge by the Hospital Auxiliary. The nursing station on your floor has a supply of speakers and can provide one for you. In consideration of other patients, please do not keep the television on late at night. Closed caption viewing for the hearing impaired is available.
Valuables
We strongly urge you to NOT bring money, jewelry, or other valuable items to the hospital. If you do, and your relatives have left, these should be checked into a safe, and you will be given a receipt. Dentures and eye glasses should be placed in protective containers and put in the drawer at your bedside table. The hospital will not assume responsibility for the loss of any valuables or personal items except those checked into a safe.
What to Bring to the Hospital
The hospital provides robes, gowns, and slippers and a kit with toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues and other small items. You may want to bring your own robe and slippers, as well as cosmetics and toilet articles.
Medications
Please bring the names and the dosages of any medication you are currently taking as well as the name and telephone number of your pharmacy. If you are allergic to any medications, please let your nurse know upon your admission to your room.
