Patients

River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic provides a wide range of health care services at its facility. We combine sophisticated state-of-the-art-technology with compassionate care, collaboration, stewardship and integrity. We deliver health care that is patient centered and values all aspects of a person’s health – mind, body and spirit.
We invite our patients to be fully engaged in their health care.

To make your visit to our hospital or clinic the best experience you can achieve, you are encouraged to:

Ask questions
Clarify any uncertain issues or concerns you have
Bring a complete list of your medications to each clinic visit or hospital stay
Ask questions so that you understand how to manage any pain.

Managing Pain

All pain is real. As you experience acute pain, it is important that you take pain medication as often as you need it. Pain is more easily treated if you don’t wait until it is severe. Medication is not the only effective method to treat pain. Additional methods to reduce pain include massage, healing touch therapy, music, humor, hot or cold applications and guided imagery.
Your comfort is important to your recovery. You will be asked if you have pain at the time of your arrival and often throughout your stay. Please tell us when you are having pain.

Drugs from Home

Please give any prescriptions or drugs you bring from home, including over the counter or herbal remedies to your nurse upon admission. This is for your protection so that you take only medications prescribed or approved by your physician while in the hospital.

Electrical Devices

Because of the possibility of electrical failure, devices that you bring into the hospital must be safety checked by our maintenance department before you use them in. Please ask your nurse to assist you.

Infection Control

For your protection, because some patients my have infectious diseases that show no symptoms, certain precautionary measures are practiced throughout the hospital. This means your nurse and other staff members may wear gloves, gowns and other protective coverings while providing your care. This policy is in effect to ensure all patients have the highest quality care in a safe environment. Please ask your nurse if you have further questions.

Safety Drills

The hospital and clinic hold occasional safety drills to ensure that the staff is prepared at all times for emergency situations. During a safety drill the door to your room in the hospital will be closed. During a drill simply remain calm and follow the directions of the hospital staff members.

Valuables

We are unable to assume responsibility for loss or damage to your personal belongings. Therefore, we recommend that you not keep money, jewelry, or other valuables in your room. Please send such items home with your family or ask your nurse to place these items in our safe.

Billing and Financial Arrangements

A representative from the Business Office is available to assist you in understanding your hospital bill and answer any questions you may have regarding payment, insurance, financial options and payment terms. If you would like to speak to someone in our Business Office, please tell your nurse.

Grievance Procedure

It is the River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic philosophy that each individual receives quality health care and we endorse the Patient’s Bill of Rights. However, if you have a concern about the services and care given you, or the charges made to you by the hospital or clinic, it is our desire to resolve these concerns in an expedient manner. Please report your concerns to the staff member that is caring for you. It is the hospital’s desire that you make us aware of these concerns as soon as possible. The employee will, whenever possible, resolve your problem. If it is necessary, the problem shall be reported by the employee to their supervisor. If the supervisor is unable to resolve the problem, the Grievance Procedure will be initiated by the supervisor completing a Grievance Report and directing it to the Patient Representative. You may request a written response.

The Patient Representative is the Quality Services Director, who may be reached at (507) 931-7647. If you have further questions regarding the medical care you received, you may call or write to:

Office of Health Facility Complaint

Minnesota Department of Health

P. O. Box 64970

St. Paul, MN 55164-0970

Phone: (651) 215-8702 or (800) 369-7994

85 E 7th Place Suite 300

P. O. Box 64900

St. Paul, MN 55164-0900

Visitors

Visiting Guidelines

Visitors can be good medicine for patients. Family members and friends are welcome to visit patients in the hospital. In order to enhance the quality of care, visits are encouraged. Children may visit but must be accompanied by an adult at all times, whether in the patient’s room, lobby or waiting areas.

Visitors should follow these general guidelines:

Visitors should wash their hands before entering a patient's room and upon leaving a patient's room.
Visitors must wear shirts and shoes.
People with colds, sore throats or any contagious diseases should not visit patients.
Visitors should maintain a quiet environment and avoid unnecessary noise.

Vending machines

Vending machines are available 24 hours a day in the staff and visitor vending area near the main reception desk of the hospital. A microwave is also available.

Public Restrooms

Public restrooms are located in the hospital adjacent to the vending area, near the waiting area at the Emergency entrance; and in the clinic to the left of the main entrance.

Waiting Areas

Waiting areas in the hospital are conveniently located at the main reception desk, in the Emergency Department, in the Imaging Department, in the Surgery Department and adjacent to the Laboratory and Imaging reception desk. Waiting areas in the clinic are located near the reception desk.

Cell Phones

Cell phones and digital phones may interfere with critical equipment in the hospital and clinic. Please do not use these devices within three feet of any patient who is connected to medical equipment or monitoring devices.

Smoking

The entire campus of River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic is a “no smoking” campus. Smoking by staff, visitors or patients is not permitted on the campus, nor in vehicles parked on the campus.