Should you be admitted to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, we will make your admission as simple and pleasant as possible.
Normally, your physician arranges admission. How soon a patient can be admitted to the hospital depends on the availability of beds and other facilities. Admission for elective surgery also depends on the demand on the hospital's surgical schedule at any given time.
There are several admission procedures available for elective surgery. You may be referred to our Ambulatory Surgery Program, for minor surgical procedures done under local anesthesia. Day Surgery involves administration of anesthesia, but usually no overnight stay. And Day of Surgery Admission allows some elective surgical patients who will require post-operative hospitalization to be admitted on the morning of surgery. These individuals will go from a Special Admissions Unit directly to the Operating Room. A bed will be assigned after surgery.
What To Bring
If you are an elective surgery patient, it is important to bring with you any identification cards or documents pertaining to insurance coverage (such as Blue Cross, Medicare, and Medicaid). Please present them on the day of your admission, if you did not already do so at the time of your pre-admission testing.
With regard to personal items, you should bring only a robe, slippers, pajamas or a nightgown, eyeglasses and any essential toiletry articles. All valuables, such as jewelry, rings and watches, should be left at home since the hospital cannot assume responsibility for them. Body jewelry should be also removed prior to admission. We suggest that you bring only enough money in your room to pay for telephone and television service, and the purchase of magazines, newspapers and other incidentals. Telephone and television services may be paid by cash or check only.
Please do not bring any medication into the hospital, unless you have specific instructions from your physician or Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) nurse to do so. If you are taking medication for the treatment of a chronic or ongoing condition, we ask that you write down the name or names of your medications on a piece of paper and bring it with you when you report for admission.
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Upon Arrival
Upon arriving at the hospital, please report to the Admitting Office to answer some necessary questions. We realize that answering questions can be bothersome, but we hope you understand that the information we require is essential to provide proper care for you. Also, government regulations require that we ascertain certain information. At the end of your admission, you will be given an identification wristband. This band identifies you to each person who participates in your care and must be worn throughout the duration of your stay.
Accommodations
Every effort will be made to provide the type of accommodations you request. Sometimes, the hospital is unable to fulfill a patient's exact wishes with regard to the type of room or other accommodations he or she desires. Also, because of physician's orders or for other reasons, it is sometimes necessary to transfer a patient to another room. We thank you for understanding.
Advance Directives
In accordance with the Patient Self-Determination Act and the New York State Public Health Law, it is the policy of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center to support the individual's rights to make decisions concerning their medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to formulate an advance directive. Advance directives are written or verbal instructions made by you before an incapacitating illness or injury. It communicates your wishes about treatment to be followed if you are too sick or unable to make decisions about your care. Examples of advance directives are a health care proxy, a do not resuscitate (DNR) order and a living will.
There will be no discrimination in regards to the provision of care based on whether or not you have executed an advance directive. At the time of admission, you or your designated health care proxy will be given written information concerning your rights to formulate an advance directive, and you will also be informed regarding the availability of an informational video, "Who Will Speak For You?" At this time, you will be asked to sign a form, which indicates whether or not you have previously executed an advance directive. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your nurse.
Please check with the Admitting Office at 631-654-7770 for specific pre-admission instructions. Otherwise, you will be called at home to tell you what time to report to the hospital.
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