Central Regional Hospital: Practical Matters for Patients

What to Bring

• Five days of clothing.
• Up to $35.00 may be kept in your possession for personal use. Any more than that will be deposited into an account for later use. 
• Toiletry items.
• List of all current prescriptions. (Must be the actual script, a list from the pharmacy or the actual medications). Any medications brought in at admission will be sent directly to the pharmacy for safekeeping and returned upon discharge, if appropriate.
• Medicaid and/or Medicare card (or statement of Medicaid application status) if applicable and/or private insurance card.
• Cigarettes are okay if they are in sealed packages.

Do not bring any of the following:

• Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs
• Aerosol cans
• Sharp or dangerous objects, such as knives, razors, lighters, matches or glass
• Corded electronics/cell phone
• Food or drink
• Cameras

When you are admitted, you will be asked to change into hospital-provided clothing and your belongings will be searched.  After that, you may wear your personal clothes and sleeping garments and use your toiletries, unless otherwise indicated. 

Personal electrical items, such as radios and hair dryers, will be safety-checked. If they are found to be unsafe, they will be stored until you are discharged; or you may ask someone in your family to take them home for you.

To reduce potential conflict and confusion, you may not lend, sell, borrow or trade any belongings.

Cost and Financial Arrangements

Central Regional Hospital is a state operated, non-profit institution.  The charge for care and treatment is based upon the actual cost to the hospital.  However, many patients and their families cannot pay the full amount of this cost.  Therefore, the Reimbursement Office and you or your family will discuss your individual case and arrive at an agreed-upon payment for your hospital stay.

The hospital is certified as a participating hospital by Medicare and Medicaid, and most other insurance companies also will pay for hospitalization here.  The Reimbursement Office will file any insurance claims.  If you do not give the Reimbursement Office permission to file a claim with your insurance carrier, you or the person who is legally responsible for you will be required to pay the full charge.

Someone from the Reimbursement Office will talk with you or a member of your family shortly after you are admitted to the hospital.  If you have questions, please contact the Reimbursement Office.

The Reimbursement Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday except legal state holidays.

The telephone number is 919-764-7650.

Legal Services

If you are unable to pay for legal services, you can receive free legal aid services from the office of Disability Rights of North Carolina.  You may call 1-877-235-4210 or send correspondence to: 2626 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 550, Raleigh, NC, 27608.  Representatives from the program visit the hospital on a regular basis and will meet with you and other patients in the hospital.  Ask your nurse or other unit staff for the times and places for these visits.

Pastoral Services

Pastoral care, pastoral counseling, and religious services are available to the patients of CRH. We are also sensitive to the pastoral needs of the family members of patients and our hospital staff, especially as they struggle with issues relating to and caring for our patients.

Worship services are provided weekly for patients, as well as other seasonal services and programs.  Occasionally Memorial Services are held for patients and staff members who have died, to give witness to their life and presence among us, as well as to facilitate our process of grieving.

The Department is staffed by two Clinical Chaplains and a part-time Minister of Music.  A chaplain is in the hospital Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Referrals and requests to speak to a chaplain can be made by calling the Department of Pastoral Care and Education.  In case of an emergency, a chaplain can be reached during evenings and weekends by calling the hospital operator.

Visiting Hours

Families and friends are welcome to visit but are encouraged to make arrangements that do not conflict with therapies and classes.  Exceptions may be made by the treating physician or treatment team if available; otherwise by the unit nursing supervisor.  All visitors must come in through the main hospital entrance to receive a visitor’s badge and to sign-in.  Only visitors who have been authorized by the patient or patient’s guardian will be permitted to visit. 

Contact the hospital for visiting hours.

Guidelines for visitors:

• Visitors are required to either leave all purses, backpacks etc. in their vehicle while visiting patients or secure them at the receptionist desk.  Purses, backpacks etc. will not be allowed on the patient care units. 
• Visitors may not carry with them or use cell phones while in the hospital.
• Patients and visitors may not take photographs or voice recordings on the hospital campus or units without prior authorization from the Unit Director or House Coordinator.
• No children under the age of 12 are allowed to visit patients on the patient care units.  Arrangements are to be made ahead of time with approval from the patient’s treatment team for visits by children under the age of 12. 
• Bags and purses of visitors must be left in the locked car, preferably out of sight.
• Alcohol, drugs and weapons are not allowed on the hospital grounds. (Possession is a criminal offense).
• Visitors exhibiting signs of communicable disease are asked to refrain from visiting.
• Visitors must be prepared to show personal identification.
• Visitors must always sign the patient out before leaving on any type of pass.
• All personal items, gifts, and food will be checked by the Nursing staff before giving to the patient.
• Visitors may be asked to leave if staff believe that they have dangerous/prohibited items, or if the visitor becomes inappropriate or violent.
• Please refer to specific unit guidelines for additional guidance.

Telephone Calls

For adults, pay phones are located on each patient care unit.  You must pay for your own phone calls; however, you can make collect calls from the pay phones.  Please check with your unit’s guidelines regarding when to use the pay phones; there are designated times.  Please limit your phone calls to 10-15 minutes at a time so that everyone has an opportunity to use the phones.  

If you are a minor, ask for permission to use a telephone.  You also may ask for help making phone calls. 

Telephones in the unit interview rooms may be used for personal calls under certain circumstances.  Each unit has its procedure for making personal calls. The Nursing staff on your patient care unit will explain this to you.

Smoking

Central Regional Hospital is a smoke-free facility.  Patients over the age of 18 who smoke usually have scheduled times to be taken outside for smoking.  However, if you are on various types of precautions, you may not be allowed outside.  Smoking cessation programs and products are available to patients.  If you wish to participate in efforts to stop smoking such as nicorette gum, patches, groups, etc. please discuss this with your physician.

Identification Pictures and Wristbands

When you are admitted, your picture will be taken for identification purposes.  The pictures are to help staff become familiar with new patients and for safety during treatment.  Each patient will also be given a wristband with your name and other identification information.  Please keep this wristband on at all times. Staff will refer to it whenever they administer medications or conduct other treatments or procedures.  If your wristband is lost or damaged, please let staff know so that we can provide you with another one.