Inpatient Services

Advance Directives

Advance directives are documents you create to describe the extent of medical treatment you want to receive—or not to receive—should you become unconscious or too ill to communicate. Though the topic may be difficult to discuss, your wishes are important. We recommend that you discuss advance directives with your spouse, other family members, physicians, nurses, and clerics while you are feeling well and thinking clearly.

There are two common types of advance directives:

1. Individual instructions, otherwise known as a “living will,” give specific information about procedures you would like or not like to be performed if or when you become terminally ill.
2. The durable power of attorney for health care decisions gives a proxy (someone you have appointed) the power to make health care decisions for you. The power of attorney will not go into effect until it has been determined that you can no longer communicate your wishes yourself.

Please bring a signed Advanced Directive with you to the Medical Center.

For more information about advance directives or to obtain the necessary forms, contact the Admission Services Center at (551) 996-2101 or call the Office of Pastoral Care at (551) 996-2345.

The Patient At Home Medication & Dosage List

The Patient At Home Medication and Diagnosis List form was developed for you to let us know just what medications you take at home, your allergies and the names and phone numbers of your Physician and Pharmacy. We request that you fill this form out completely and as legibly as possible and bring it with you to the hospital on the day of your surgery/procedure and present it to the admitting nurse.   

Preparing For Your Discharge

• Be sure you are clear about discharge instructions, including medicines you need and information about a follow-up visit and continued care. Make sure you are given a phone number to call if you have questions.
   
• We ask that you arrange (with a family member or friend) to leave the Medical Center before 11:00 am on the day of discharge, unless otherwise specified by your physician. If your physician extends your visit, please plan to leave as soon as your doctor writes your discharge order allowing you to leave the Medical Center.
   
• Please ensure that you schedule a follow up visit with your physician prior to discharge.

Continuing Safe Practices at Home

• Talk with your doctors and pharmacist. Ask questions and write down what they say.
   
• Carefully check all prescriptions before taking them.
   
• You can get bedside rails to use in your home if you need them.
   
• Keep a phone or a bell near your bed if you might need help.
   
• Never smoke in bed.
   
• Be very cautious if you have oxygen equipment at home. There should be nosmoking around oxygen equipment as it is highly flammable.
   
• If you have medical equipment that needs to be plugged in, use a grounded or three- prong connector. Do not use extension cords.

Useful Information Prior To Your Procedure

• YOUR PHYSICIAN WILL PROVIDE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS - Your physician will provide you with specific instructions for your procedure including, but not limited to, the date and time of your appointment.
•  PHYSICIAN RECOMMENDATIONS - Your physician may recommend that you have risk assessment (medical clearance) by a HackensackUMC physician to determine how well you will tolerate a procedure based on your medical condition.
• YOU NEED TO NOTIFY INSURANCE COMPANY - You and your physician must advise your insurance company of your scheduled admission and/or surgical service. Many insurance companies require pre-certification prior to admission date. Please contact your insurance company at least three days prior to the surgery to confirm that the service has been properly pre-certified and that the pre-certification number has been obtained. If it has not been obtained, contact your physicians office and inform them. PROPER PRE-CERTIFICATION WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR SERVICE WILL NOT BE POSTPONED. Medicare and Medicaid patients do not require pre-certification.
• NOTICE OF HEALTH INFORMATION PRACTICES - If this is your first visit to Hackensack University Medical Center, you will be given a copy of our Notice of Health Information Practices . The notice describes how information about you may be used or disclosed and how you can get access to this information.
• THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS WITH ANESTHESIA /SEDATION - If you have been informed by your physician that you will be given general anesthesia or sedation, you may not operate a car. Please make arrangements for transportation to and from the hospital.
• DO NOT BRING ANY VALUABLES – Jewelry and other valuables should be left at home. If you are staying overnight, you only need personal essentials such as robes, slippers, glasses, dentures, etc.
• PRE-ADMISSION TESTING – If the surgeons office instructs you to have pre-admission testing at the Medical Center, please call to schedule an appointment at 551-996-2099.
• INFORMATION ABOUT “SPEAK UP” IS AVAILABLE - Ask us about the “Speak Up” program, sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Documents Needed on the Day of Admission

Our goal is to help you get settled and feel comfortable as quickly as possible. On the day you arrive at Hackensack University Medical Center, you will be greeted by an Admissions and Registration receptionist. Please have with you:

• CURRENT INSURANCE CARD(S) INCLUDING Medicare AND THE CURRENT MONTH’S MEDICAID CARD
• SEPARATE FORM OF PHOTO IDENTIFICATION, such as your driver’s license, Passport, etc, that shows proof of address as well.
• COPY OF YOUR ADVANCE DIRECTIVE (LIVING WILL). If you do not have one, we will provide you with information regarding an Advance Directive.
• THE PATIENT AT HOME MEDICATION LIST should be completed and brought with you.
• ANY REQUIRED MANAGED CARE REFERRAL and/orPRECERTIFICATION Forms (if necessary)
• EMPLOYER INFORMATION FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS AND A CLAIM NUMBER (if available)
• AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CARD FOR AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT CASES
• RESPONSIBLE PARTY INFORMATION (the guarantor- the person responsible for the bill)
•  MILITARY MEDICAL CARD IF YOU ARE VETERAN