After Your Visit
Your continued care is an important part of healing. Your doctor will tell you when you can go home; when you are ready to leave the hospital, you will be discharged. We always provide you with instructions to follow once you are home. If you need ongoing care after you are discharged, we will help you plan that care before you leave.
Going Home
When you are ready to be discharged, your nurse will make sure you have everything you need for continued healing. You will receive a copy of the instructions you need to follow after discharge. You will also get information on any medications you will be taking at home. Please call your doctor or the nursing staff if you have any questions about your instructions.
Discharge Planning
When you are ready to leave the hospital, you will be discharged. When you are discharged, we recommend you have a family member or friend pick you up. Your ride may park temporarily at the front entrance of the hospital. They may not leave the car parked there for more than 20 minutes, and they may not park in the red zone.
If needed, a case manager will help you in arranging the care you need when you go home. This care may include:
- Home care agencies
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Equipment rental businesses
- Visits by a public health nurse
Please contact your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about these services.
Patient Survey
We strive for excellence and would be honored if you shared your experience at Natividad with us.
After leaving the hospital you may be randomly selected to give us feedback about your stay by answering a few questions in a telephone survey. We value the opinions and suggestions you share with us. It gives us important insight that will help us improve our services.
Discharge Planning
Your doctor will tell you when you can go home. Have a family member or friend pick you up. Your ride may park temporarily at the front entrance of the hospital. Do not park in the red zone. Do not leave your car parked at the front entrance for more than 20 minutes.
The nursing staff will provide a copy of your discharge instructions, as well as information on any medications you will be taking at home. Please call your doctor or the nursing staff if you have questions.
Discharge Checklist
Before you leave, you can follow this checklist to make sure you are fully prepared. Contact your doctor or nurse if you have any questions.
- Arrange for someone to pick you up in front of Natividad located at 1441 Constitution Blvd, Salinas, CA 93906
- Know any signs or symptoms that you should watch for. Find out what you should do if you have these signs or symptoms
- Ask for the phone number of a person to call if you have any problems after leaving the hospital
- Find out about any follow up appointments, treatments, or care you may need after discharge
- Make sure you understand special instructions such as:
- Taking care of your wound
- Performing physical exercises
- Using special equipment
- Diet restrictions
- Ask for a list of medicines you will be taking at home. Make sure you understand the directions for taking them
- Arrange for your nurse to call in or fax any prescriptions you may need to the pharmacy of your choice. Natividad does not have a pharmacy where patients can pick up prescriptions to take home
- Arrange for someone to pick up your prescriptions so you have them when you get home
- Pack everything you brought, including medications, to go home with you
Planning for Home Care
A discharge planning nurse will assist you in arranging for your care when you go home, if needed. This care may include:
- Home care agencies
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Equipment rental businesses
- Visits by a public health nurse
Contact your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about these services.
Care at Home
In most cases, patients will continue their healing when they get home. There are some simple things you can do once you are home, to help with your successful healing.
- Have family and friends wash their hands before and after visiting you
- Stay away from sick people
- If you had surgery: if you get a fever, the surgical site is red, sore or drains fluid, CALL DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY and go to the Emergency Department
- Wash hands often and before and after caring for surgical site or catheter
- Don’t touch your surgical site or catheter unless it needs care
- Stop smoking
- Take your medications as directed by your physician
