Skilled Nursing Facility Guide

Before you arrive at Singing River’s Skilled Nursing Facility, you may find this information helpful.

Below is a glimpse into what you can expect during your stay with us, and we hope that you will use it to answer any questions you may have.

We have available language interpreters and services for the hearing impaired, which are available upon request.

Our Promise to You

At Singing River Skilled Nursing Facility, we believe that all residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and we understand that being away from home can be overwhelming. That is why we pledge to do our very best to always provide care that is kind and compassionate.

Our goal is provide you the best possible care in a dignified and respectful manner, and we want you to have a dynamic role in your health care.

You and your family will need to provide information to your caregivers and take an active part in the discussions about your care. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask us to explain it to you. We want you to have the answers to your questions.

What to Bring

We suggest packing light, loose-fit clothing that is comfortable to wear during therapy. Here are some suggestions:

  • Button up shirts
  • Cotton pants
  • Jogging suits
  • Undergarments
  • Socks and sneakers

The following items are also important to bring with you on admission:

  • Insurance card
  • Power of attorney or living will paperwork

It is important to contact your insurance company to confirm eligibility, co-pays, deductibles, and level of coverage in the rehabilitation setting.

Arrival Information

Upon the day of admission, if you are arriving via private vehicle, please come to the entrance at the front of the hospital. Have your family member or friend check in with our guest ambassador in the front lobby. They will contact our staff to help you transition from the car into our facility.

When you are admitted, you will be given a welcome packet. It contains your paperwork and educational materials, and we encourage you to use it as a resource throughout your stay.

Privacy Policies

Your privacy is very important to us. At admission, you were given information about a federal law called HIPAA. This law protects your privacy and lets you decide with whom your medical information can be shared. For a complete list of patient rights and responsibilities, or for more information on advanced directives, please contact a member of your healthcare team.

Visitor Information

Your privacy is very important to us. At admission, you were given information about a federal law called HIPAA. This law protects your privacy and lets you decide with whom your medical information can be shared. For a complete list of patient rights and responsibilities, or for more information on advanced directives, please contact a member of your healthcare team.

Please note: we are a tobacco and vapor-free facility, and we thank you and your visitors for not smoking while on our campus.

Rooms & Amenities

Each room has a personal television with cable access for your entertainment and convenience. Also, you will find a telephone at the bedside with complimentary local calling capability. You must press 9 before calling out.

Each patient room is equipped with a nurse call light button. This button can be found on the remote device attached to your bed. All patients are at an increased risk of fall while hospitalized due to medications, connections to tubes and wiring, as well as being in an unfamiliar environment.

For these reasons, you are encouraged to press your call light button when needing assistance out of your bed or to the restroom. Please help us keep you safe during your stay by remembering to call, don’t fall.

The hospital can not take responsibility for lost or damaged personal property, and it is recommended that all valuables be sent home.

Your Care at the Skilled Nursing Facility

We are proud of our reputation that we have developed because of the individualized care we provide to each of our patients. We assess each individual separately to determine his or her needs and consult with our providers in order to carry out a safe discharge.

An entire team of experienced health care professionals will be caring for you during your visit. Our physician, or one of their associates, will come and see you at least once a week. The medical director for our skilled nursing facility will see you within the first one to two weeks arrival unless something arises.

Our nurse practitioner will examine new admissions within 48 to 72 hours of arrival. Members of our nursing team will check on you often to ensure that medical equipment is working properly and that your needs are met.

Identification

Proper identification is important to us at Singing River Health System. You should be wearing a white bracelet that contains your specific information on it. It is imperative that you wear it for the duration of your stay. Hospital employees are required to verify your name and date of birth on your bracelet prior to any medication administration, tests, or treatments. This is to ensure that you are receiving the best care in the safest environment.

All of our hospital employees are also required to wear identification. Each employee should have on a blue badge showing their photo, name, and department. Please report anyone without a badge to your nurse.

Safety Information

Your health and well being are of utmost importance to us. We take many steps to safeguard you and your family members, and you play an essential role in helping us make sure that all safety procedures are followed. An important part of keeping you safe is by stopping the spread of infection.

The best way to prevent infection is by washing hands. There are sinks with soap dispensers, as well as hand sanitizer stations throughout the hospital. Your care team must wash or sanitize their hands before or immediately after entering your room. We encourage you and your family to wash your hands as well, especially before eating or after using the restroom.

Cleanliness is very important to us, and our Environmental Service Team will clean your room once a day. Linens are changed every day, or more often, if needed.

Nutrition & Dining Information

Singing River Skilled Nursing Facility has established a Selected Menu Program that includes a special list of options with your best interest in mind. Our dietary staff will meet with each of you to discuss what selections you would like during your next day’s meal. Also, if you don’t see something on the menu that you would like, you may ask for a special request, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Please keep in mind that if you are on a special diet prescribed by your physician, we will work hard to supplement your taste with substitutes to accommodate your prescribed diet.

Our dining rooms also offer a selection of nutritional meals for your visitors and family members. There are also vending machines throughout the facility.

In-House Pharmacy Services

Here at Singing River Health System, your pharmacy needs can be addressed before you leave the hospital. We have a convenient, in-house, outpatient pharmacy located on both campuses. If you would like your prescriptions filled before you leave, simply ask your nurse to contact the pharmacy. They will deliver your prescriptions to your room before you are discharged.

Discharge Planning

There are many factors that you and your family may need to consider prior to your leaving the hospital, and we’re here to help you plan your recovery.

There are many factors that you and your family may need to consider before you leave the hospital, and we are here to help you plan your recovery. We will work together to determine the best place for you to recover, and the types of services you may need on a short or long term basis. Services include:

  • Home Health
  • Medical Equipment
  • Transportation
  • Medication Assistance

Prior to you leaving the hospital, a nurse will go over your discharge instructions and will review your personalized, “After Visit” summary.