About Your Stay

What to expect during your stay at St. Mary’s Hospital

If you are coming to St. Mary’s for an overnight stay, we want you to feel welcome. We know that, as an inpatient, you will have special needs and concerns. During your stay at St. Mary’s, our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible while providing the highest quality health care technology and service available.

Here is some helpful information to help you prepare for your hospital stay. If you have any questions, please contact your physician, the unit to which you are being admitted, or Patient Registration at 706-389-2000.

Please note that smoking is not allowed in patient rooms. For the health of our patients, visitors and staff, all St. Mary’s facilities and campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free.

Coming to the hospital

Please do not drive yourself to St. Mary’s. Most patients are not able to drive home safely immediately after their hospital stay and will not be discharged without a safe way home.
Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly for what to eat and drink and what medications to take in the days before coming to the hospital. If, for any reason, you have been unable to follow your pre-admission orders, please tell us. This is essential for your safety.
Be sure to allow plenty of travel time so that you can arrive at the time specified by your doctor.
The hospital’s Main Entrance, located at the top of the Baxter Street drive, is most convenient to registration.
Patient parking is available in the parking deck. For directions, maps, and details about parking, click here.

Patient registration

When you arrive, please go to the Patient Registration area on the 1st Floor adjacent to the atrium lobby. St. Mary’s uses a pager system (similar to the system used by many fine restaurants) to help protect your privacy and expedite the registration process. Please stay in the registration area or the lobby atrium until your pager alerts. You will then meet privately with one of our registrars. After registering, we will help you get to the right unit.

Please note:

Emergency patients who are being admitted will be registered through the Emergency Center.
If you are scheduled for surgery or a pre-surgical appointment in our Outpatient Surgical Center, please register directly at the OSC, located on the northwest side of the hospital just past the Emergency Center.
Patients coming to the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center will register at that facility.

If you have any questions or want to make sure your insurance pre-certification has gone through, please call us at 706-389-2750.

If you don’t have insurance or don’t have adequate insurance, please let us know. Our financial counselors can help you apply for assistance or other financial relief, and/or set up a payment schedule that meets your needs. 706-389-3967.

Resources while you are here

Guest/Language Services

If the patient or a family member does not speak English or requires American Sign Language interpretation, interpreter services are available 24 hours day/7 days a week. Please call 706-389-3276 to help arrange for assistance in advance of your visit or, if currently a patient, please speak with a Nurse Manager.

Patient Experience

If you would like to speak with someone about a patient experience, please call 706-389-3886 and we would be pleased to assist with any complaints about patient care or deliver compliments to physicians and colleagues.

Spiritual Care

At St. Mary’s, we are called to provide holistic care, tending to body, mind and spirit. We have a dedicated staff of professional chaplains available to extend compassion and support to all persons in accord with each person's beliefs.

In addition, the chaplains are available to assist patients and families with creating Advance Directives or addressing issues relating to your expressed wishes.

To arrange a visit with a chaplain, please call 706-389-3276 or 706-389-3000 and ask the operator to page the chaplain on duty or visit our Mission Services page.

Meals

St. Mary’s provides up to three meals a day directly to your room. Our Room Service Dining program allows you to order the meal you want, in full compliance with any special needs you may have. Your meals are included with your admission. You will be provided a menu or you can request one from your nurse. Here’s how it works:

Make your breakfast, lunch or dinner selection and then dial FOOD (3663) to place your order.
Your meal will arrive within 45 minutes.
Room Service Dining is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For snacks or beverages, or for meal service after hours, please talk to your nurse.
Guest meal trays are available; certificates can be pre-purchased in the Cafeteria.
Gourmet selections also are available for patients and guests at an additional charge. Our gourmet meals are great for celebrating special occasions, such as the birth of a baby.

Discharge information

At St. Mary’s, your discharge planning begins as soon as possible to help ensure a smooth transition out of the hospital. Our case management team will work with you, your physician and your nursing team to set up the services you need to maximize your recovery.

Case managers can assist you by:

Arranging home health care services
Arranging nursing home placement and transfers
Arranging rehabilitation center placement
Making referrals to community agencies or programs
Ordering special medical equipment and supplies
Providing information on private duty services you may need in your home
Providing information on personal care homes and assisted living facilities in our area
Arranging hospice services
Providing counseling and emotional support.

Your discharge date and time will be determined by your physician. Before discharge please:

Arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home. Most patients will not be allowed to drive themselves. If you need a medically supported transport, St. Mary’s will help make arrangements.
Check your room and bathroom for any personal belongings.
Remind your nurse to bring you any valuables that might have been put in secure storage during your stay.
Allow us to transport you to the exit. Many patients would like to walk on their own, but often overestimate their ability. Our staff is trained to transport you as safely as possible.

If you receive a survey form, please take a minute to tell us what you liked and disliked about your experience at St. Mary’s. Your feedback helps us make St. Mary’s even better.