Your Hospital Stay
Connecting your loved one to healing
We realize that human connection contributes to healing, and our staff is dedicated to ensuring that your loved one is supported and cared for emotionally and physically.
Your Stay
In your hospital room, you will be provided with a Welcome Guide (PDF). This guide provides important information and resources to help make your stay as safe and comfortable as possible. Browse this guide before your stay to help you understand what to expect.
Care boards
Your healthcare team includes a variety of professionals, including physicians, nurses, and support staff, who work together to provide you with the best possible care. To enhance communication between patients and providers, most patient rooms have a white "Care Board." The Care Board has your room number and phone number, as well as the names of your providers, your diet, and events scheduled for you. You may write down any questions or concerns on the board that come up during your stay.
Standard color uniforms
Hennepin Healthcare has adopted standard color uniforms for many of our care team members. Standard uniforms make it easy for you to identify the different members of your care team.
Your doctor
Your primary doctor will discuss your condition and explain the test results and examinations. In addition to your primary doctor, several other doctors might be involved in your care. Depending on your unit, care providers may include resident doctors (MDs receiving additional training in a medical specialty), staff doctors (faculty members in the Hennepin Healthcare teaching programs and the University of Minnesota Medical School), as well as medical students. Medical students do not make decisions regarding your medical condition or care but may take your medical history and do your first examination after admission.
Your nurse
On each shift, a nurse is assigned to care for you. The nurse will help you plan and coordinate your care, and make any special arrangements for your discharge. Your nurse gives you the medicines you need; explains any procedures, tests, examinations, or medicines that your doctor has ordered; and will help you learn how to care for yourself once you leave the hospital. Teaching you about your illness and care is a major part of your nurse’s role.
Support services during your stay
Interpreters
Qualified spoken and sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services, including Deaf Community Health Workers, are available free of charge to help you and your family communicate with staff. ASL translations of key patient information are available on channel 47. Ask a staff member if you need help accessing these resources.
Social Services
Social workers support and assist you and your family with issues such as grief, death/dying, disability, physical and emotional trauma, adjustment to chronic health issues, family violence, parenting, aging, fertility, and pregnancy. We can help plan for your post-hospital care through referrals to other programs and resources available in the community. Chemical health referrals and assessments are also available. Call 612-873-2244.
Spiritual Care Chaplains
Our chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and families who are facing a health crisis, new diagnosis, end of life, loss, difficult treatment decisions, loneliness, and spiritual or ethical issues. Chaplains are also available to coordinate specific religious needs and have a number of items available to support the diverse needs of many faiths. Your nurse can contact a chaplain for you, or you can call 612-873-2260.
Stay connected with your loved one
What you can do:
- Stay connected to your loved one with technology – smartphone, iPad, laptop. We can assist patients who might not be tech-savvy.
- Send or drop off a card, a special picture, or other mementos to help your loved one feel connected to home. We will make sure they get delivered.
- Drop off personal care items that bring your loved one comfort. Please know that we will do what we can to protect these personal items but we urge you not to leave anything of high value. It is not possible for us to guarantee the security of personal items at this busy time.
How do I drop off items?
From 8 am to 6 pm, drop your items off at the Welcome Desk at the 730 S. 8th St. entrance.
Thank you for your understanding and please be assured that your loved one’s well-being is our # 1 priority. We are all family in this stressful time. To reach your loved one’s unit and/or room phone, please call 612-873-3000.
