Follow-up Care

It is important for you and your family to consider the ongoing medical care you may need after discharge from Saint Vincent. A social worker can consult with you, your family and your health care team to determine these needs. She or he can also refer you to home health care agencies, medical supply companies, nursing homes and other residential care facilities. In addition, Saint Vincent operates a 14-bed Progressive Care Center within the health center, staffed 24 hours a day by skilled nurses and doctors. The Center is designed to treat patients who do not require acute care, but still need special attention.

An appointment with a social worker can be made by calling extension 5300 on your hospital phone Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Discharge

After your physician has written the orders for your discharge, your nurse will discuss with you the instructions for your care after you've left the health center. When you are escorted to the main lobby, your discharge slip should be given to the clerk at the discharge window. The clerk will review all information to be certain your financial arrangements are complete. Patients receiving a courtesy discharge card can leave immediately after giving their discharge slip to the clerk. This card verifies that the necessary insurance forms have been signed and your financial arrangements have all been completed. If you are discharged after 4:30 p.m. and do not have the opportunity to talk to a discharge clerk, please call financial services at 452-5011 the next day to make sure appropriate financial arrangements have been made and forms signed.

Medical Records

After discharge, you can obtain a copy of your medical records to receive continued medical care. If the records are for a physician who is a member of the Saint Vincent medical staff, they can be sent to that physician without written authorization. If, however, the records are for a doctor who is not a member of the Saint Vincent staff or who serves on the staff at another facility, they can be obtained only by written request with your authorization. Patients can obtain, for a nominal charge, a copy of their own medical records for personal use.

Ask-A-Nurse®

Even after you leave the hospital, the resources and the expertise of Saint Vincent remain available to you seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Ask-A-Nurse. This free telephone service is staffed by registered nurses who can provide immediate answers to a wide range of health care questions. In the days after your discharge, Ask-A-Nurse can be a valuable support if you have questions or concerns. The Ask-A-Nurse phone number is (814) 452-5500, or (toll free) 1-800-326-8080. Saint Vincent Ask-A-Nurse is licensed to accept calls from within the Erie County region and from Westfield, N.Y., only. Please consult your local phone book for your region's health information service.