Going Home

Planning for leaving the hospital is part of your care. As a patient at Providence St. Vincent, you arrange to leave the hospital when your doctor determines that it is medically appropriate for you to go home or to another care setting.

Your doctor, your primary nurse and other members of the health care team will work with you and your family to plan your discharge.

Checkout Time

Patients are discharged throughout the day when deemed appropriate by their physician. Because the most popular discharge times fall between 9 to 11 a.m., delays may occur in the discharge process. With the consent of their doctors, some patients arrange to leave the hospital without a staff escort at discharge time.

Discharge Instructions

Your doctor and your nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care. If you have questions about your diet, activities, or other matters, please be sure to ask. If you have any questions about your care after you return home, please call your physician.

Medications

If your doctor gives you a prescription, you may be able to have it filled in the pharmacy before you are discharged. Please discuss this request with your nurse to find out if you are eligible.

Keeping Healthy

To help before, during and after your stay in the hospital, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center provides many health care resources and programs.

Providence Resource Line

The Resource Line informs callers of Providence Health & Services’ programs and services, and helps them locate health care providers. Resource Line staff also provide information on support groups, health education classes and self-help materials. Expectant parents may register for one of the Providence Health & Services’ maternity ward tours through the Resource Line.

The Resource Line may be reached at:

Importance of Having a Primary Care Physician

Just as important to your health as a good hospital is a good primary care physician—one who knows you and your needs. A primary care doctor can provide most of your health care and refer you to specialists and hospital services when you need them. He or she can guide in preventive behavior, provide continuity of care and be a trusted advocate in your well-being.

Primary care physicians are usually considered to be those in family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. We encourage you to develop an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician.

There is a kiosk in the lobby of the Knight Pavilion lobby that may be helpful to you in selecting a primary care physician, or you may call  503-582-2185.