Admission & Discharge

Registration as a patient at SMH is the first step toward receiving exceptional care during an outpatient or inpatient stay. Essential tasks during registration involve collecting precise patient identification and personal health details, conducting infection control screening, and managing physician orders for x-rays and laboratory tests. The information gathered during registration is duplicated on charts/armbands, in the electronic medical record, and in various other systems to facilitate accurate information sharing across the organization.

• Your current home address, with postal code and telephone number.
• Whether you want to allow visitors, phone calls, and visits from your spiritual caregiver.
• The name of a spouse, partner, or next of kin and information on how they can be contacted.
• Any allergies you might have to food, medication, or other substances.
• All personal items brought into the hospital should be labelled with your name and phone number. Stevenson Memorial is not responsible for money or valuables brought into the hospital.

• Your Ontario Health Insurance Card (OHIP) and any additional insurance coverage.
• A current list of medication and dosages. Patients can bring medications to show staff but they must be taken upon discharge – Stevenson is not responsible for storing them.
• A bathrobe, non-slip footwear, and comfortable lounge or sleepwear
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/shampoo/shaving supplies, etc.
• Comb and brush
• Small notepad, pen or pencil
• For children - favourite toy or blanket, diapers (if required)
• For newborns - diapers, sleepers, and appropriate clothing for discharge
• Custom-designed aids such as walkers and wheelchairs

If you forget any of the above items, most are available for purchase from the SMH gift shop located on the main floor, adjacent to the lobby.

• Valuables
• Alcohol
• Electronics

At Stevenson Memorial Hospital, we want to help our patients plan and prepare for a safe discharge. Throughout your stay in the hospital, your healthcare team will keep you updated on your progress and treatment plan as much as possible. At your bedside, you will find a whiteboard with important information including the name of your nurse and doctor, important messages, any appointment times, and a colour-coded planning system to help you prepare for discharge.

The Patient and Family Roles and Responsibilities vary depending on the amount of time until the patient is discharged:

Patient & Family Roles and Responsibilities is to tell the healthcare team:

• How I was managing at home.
• Who was helping me at home (CCAC, family, community services);
• What equipment (e.g., walker) I require
• What will help me return home if I am experiencing any pain
• Follow the advice of my healthcare team.
• Ask questions if I don’t understand.
• Share my concerns about discharge.

Patient & Family Roles and Responsibilities:

• Follow the advice of my healthcare team.
• Continue to ask questions if I don’t understand.
• Share concerns that may affect my discharge
• Check with my nurse about:
• Medications & pain control
• Daily goals & physical activities
• Danger signals to watch for at home
• Communicate with my family/friends

If I am returning home, prepare a plan for:

• Transportation before 10:00 a.m.(e.g., family, Home at Last program)
• Clothing
• Medications and prescriptions
• Groceries and meal planning (e.g., Meals on Wheels)
• Home care services (i.e., a variety of nursing, homemaking, and therapy services for eligible clients. For further information, please call 705-435-5595.)

Patient & Family Roles and Responsibilities:

• Ask my healthcare team if my discharge plan is in place.
• What community services have been arranged?
• What follow-up appointments will I need?
• Who do I call if I have any questions? (e.g., family doctor, Telehealth)
• Confirm discharge transportation plan.
• Take all personal belongings and medications with me.
• Confirm help with daily needs, such as meals, groceries, and bathing.
• Obtain my prescriptions and prepare to have them filled at my pharmacy.
• Leave the unit before 10:00 a.m. on discharge day.
• Arrange a follow-up appointment with your family doctor.

Once a patient is discharged, they are given specific instructions for what they do. Patients must approach Patient Access and settle any outstanding payments.

• Have clothing necessary for discharge.
• Pack, remove, and transport all personal belongings.
• Make sure that all prescriptions for medications are filled.
• That the family is available to take the patient home at the time of discharge.
• Inform the patient care unit about any delays that may occur.
• Have a certified car seat for an infant or small child.

The time of discharge is set at 9:30 a.m. Please arrange for your transportation to arrive before that time.