Arriving at the Hospital
Admitting Department
The admitting department provides a private setting where patients can meet with an admitting representative to review their demographic and insurance information and discuss what they may expect during the hospital stay. In addition, the admitting representative will present and review the medical center's consent forms and all regulatory information. The department is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. For additional information, call 718-670-1200.
Your Information
A hospital representative will ask you to complete and sign several forms.
- If you are unable complete forms, please choose a family member, next of kin or legal representative to help.
Hospital ID Bracelet
A hospital identification bracelet will be placed around your wrist when you arrive.
- Wear this bracelet at all times.
- The hospital ID bracelet with your name, date of birth and medical record number is our way of identifying you.
- Hospital staff should check your ID bracelet before giving you medicines and before tests, treatments or procedures.
Your Room
You will be assigned to a room staffed by nurses and a professional health care team.
- A state-of-the-art bed with a nurse call bell system is provided for optimal safety and comfort. Push the nurse call button if you need assistance.
- As a courtesy, personal care items will be given to you when you arrive.
Private Accommodations
We understand how an overnight stay at the hospital can be a stressful situation for anyone. For this reason, at NewYork-Presbyterian, we do our best to ensure that any hospital stay is comfortable and patients are treated with dignity. In addition to our regular hospital accommodation, we are honored to offer a series of private suites.
Introduction to Our Staff
Your professional healthcare team will introduce themselves to you.
- The staff in charge of your stay will write their names on a board in your room.
- Every worker at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens wears a badge that shows their picture and job title.
- Each staff member should state their name and the reason that they have come into your room.
- Do not hesitate to call upon these staff members whenever needed.
While at the Hospital
Treatment Plan
The professional healthcare team of doctors and nurses will explain and discuss your treatment plan with you.
Ask Questions
Whenever you talk to your doctor or nurse, ask for the answers to the following three questions:
- What is my main problem?
- What do I need to do?
- Why is it important for me to do this?
Keep Us Informed
Let us know how you feel or if your condition improves or worsens. If you need help, please use your nurse call bell.
Medications
Make sure that your nurse and doctor know what medications you are already taking. For your safety and to reduce the potential for medication errors, your medications will be given to you in individual doses at the appropriate times.
Surgery or Procedures
If you need surgery or other procedures, you will be required to give consent in writing.
Health Care Decisions
You, or a person you choose to be your representative (also known as a health care proxy), will be involved in all decisions regarding your treatment throughout your hospital stay.
Case Management
The Case Management/Social Work Department assists patients with their hospital stay and discharge arrangements. The department consists of social workers and registered nurse case managers who monitor hospital stay from admission to discharge. The case manager works closely with your attending physician to expedite tests or treatment to prevent unnecessary or prolonged hospitalization. The social worker assists with the patient's placement in a nursing home or rehabilitation facility, if necessary. In addition, social workers provide counseling services for medical center patients and their families. Hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, call 718-670-1300.
Patient Advocates/Quality Management
Patient advocates are hospital representatives who help patients by providing information to patients and their families about patient rights and advance directives. Patient advocates respond to patient concerns and serve as the liaison between the patient, family, and members of the health care team. The department is open Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, call 718-670-1110 or 718-670-1082.
Legal Concerns
The office of Legal Affairs oversees questions and concerns regarding advanced directives and consent. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, call 718-670-1166.
Leaving the Hospital
Discharge Notice
The doctor responsible for your care during your hospital stay will coordinate your checkout from the hospital.
- Your hospital care team will give you final instructions, including your treatment plan and medication schedule.
- You will receive written notice when your doctors decide that you are ready to leave the hospital. If you believe you are leaving too soon, the written notice gives you the right to request a more extended hospital stay by appealing your discharge.
Checkout Time
Official hospital checkout time is 11 a.m.
- If you are being picked up, please note the checkout time in order to make appropriate transportation arrangements.
Assisted Arrangements
Case managers and social workers can help make arrangements for you when you leave.
- In some situations, a case manager works with your doctor and insurance carrier to arrange for home care assistance and services you may require at home as you recover.
- Our social workers can assist patients with placement in nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities or for counseling services.