Patients & Visitors

While you are in our hospital, your safety and wellness are our utmost concerns. Here are three practices we will be doing while you are here to make sure you get well and stay safe. We want you to be familiar with them.

1. Clinical Hourly Rounding

For your safety, our nurses, and Patient Care Techs check on you every hour during the day from 6:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night, and then every two hours from midnight until 6:00 in the morning. Nurse and Patient Care Tech you to see how you are doing, assess your safety, check on your pain level, make sure you have everything you need within reach, and to see if you need anything else, like water or a bathroom break.

2. Shift Change Participation

Our nurses work shifts, usually 12-hour hour shifts. As it’s time for the nurse who has been caring for you to end their shift, they will bring your new nurse in to your room and the two of them will discuss with you (and your family, if you want), at your bedside, how your care has been going. For your safety, they may ask you questions about how you are feeling, if you need anything, or if they have missed anything as they discuss your care and treatment plan. Our nurses may wake you if you are asleep; if you do not want to be awaken for your bedside shift report, let us know. If you do not understand anything they are saying, please ask! The nursing team will also assess your safety, update your white board, and let you know what to expect for the next shift.

3. Nurse Leader

Rounding During your stay a nurse leader will check with you on your care and comfort. The Nurse Leader may ask you about your experience in the hospital, how your care team has been treating you, are your meals timely and warm, and see if everything in your room is working and clean. We value your feedback as we are always looking for ways, we can improve your time with us.

You and your family are notable members of your health care team! We want to make sure we are all together when we discuss your plans, in the hospital and when you leave the hospital. Please ask questions about anything that is unclear, or you do not understand.

To better understand your medicine, you and your family are encouraged to “Ask 3” Questions for each medicine that you are given:

1. What is the name of that medicine?

2. Why do I need to take it?

3. What are the possible side effects of that medicine?

Answer to your questions might sound like:

1. This medicine is_________

2. This medicine is for __________

3. The potential side effects of this medicine are________

“Ask 3” when talking about medicines with your doctor or nurse!

Partner With Us For Your Care

Before you leave, make sure that:

- We answered all your questions.

- You have the medication refills you need.

- You know when and how to take your medicine.

- You know how to care for yourself at home.

- You have (or know how to schedule) your next appointment.

- You can access your record.

- You were given any forms or notes that you need.

At MUSC Health, we encourage your involvement in the care of your loved one. As an involved family member, you play an important role in the care of your loved one. In addition to you taking care of your yourself, we believe that good communication with health care professionals can and will improve the care that your loved one receives.

You can care for yourself and more confidently speak with health care professionals by considering the following.

Seek Support from family and friends. You are not alone!

Take care of your own health so you can be strong enough to take care of your loved ones.

Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.

Take resting breaks often as being a family caregiver is hard work.

Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find.

Make sure legal documents are in order. Ask a care team member to contact Pastoral to help make your patients health care wishes known.

Listen and try to understand what the doctors or nurse is explain to you.

1. Offer your undivided attention and maintain eye contact.
2. Repeat in your own words what was told you, to confirm your understanding.
3. Seek clarification or issues or terms that you don’t fully understand.
          - “Could you tell me more about…” or
          - “I don’t quite get what you mean by…”
4. Use facts, rather than opinions or assumptions to describe medical concerns.
5. State what you need or want with “I” statements. Say “I think…,” or “I feel….,” rather than “you should…,” or “you always…”

Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!

As a family caregiver, you are not alone. For more support or help, please contact our Patient Advocacy Office at 803-256-5681 for assistance.