Patient Information
During your stay with us, your health, comfort and well-being are our greatest concerns. We strive to give you the highly skilled and compassionate care you deserve - in a healing environment.
The following will provide you and your family members the information you'll need throughout your stay. More detailed information is available in your patient welcome guide. If you have further questions, don't hesitate to ask. We want you to be informed about your care, comfortable with your surroundings and pleased with your service.
Sarah Bush Lincoln has issued temporary visitor restrictions as we do each flu season.
- Visitors under the age of 16 are restricted (unless they are the parent of a hospitalized child).
- Visitors are limited to two per patient at any one time.
- Please do not visit if you have a cough, cold, fever or respiratory issues.
- Visits to patients in isolation for influenza are limited to persons who are necessary for the patient’s emotional well-being and care.
Covid Guidelines
- Masking in patient care areas is NOT required, but masks are available at the entrances for people who want to wear one or are experiencing respiratory issues.
- Visitors with confirmed Covid or compatible symptoms should defer non-urgent in-person visitation.
- Employees should continue to report any illness or positive Covid test to employee health and work with them to determine safe return to work.
- Testing asymptomatic patients prior to admission from the ED or post-operatively will no longer be required. Covid testing should still be performed on patients with symptoms consistent with Covid and considered if the patient has had a recent, significant exposure.
*Except COVID-19 patients.
Visiting Hours
Our primary responsibility is to the health of our patients. Visitors are encouraged to be sensitive to the needs of our patients by keeping visits short and being considerate of the condition, treatment and recuperation activities of all of our patients.
In an effort to provide an environment that promotes healing, is safe, and is comfortable, Sarah Bush Lincoln supports a flexible visitor policy. Our patients control their own visitor flow. Patients may appoint a “support person” who helps fulfill their wishes. Patients may also identify persons they wish to be admitted as visitors. Door signage is available to each patient to help convey their wishes.
Persons are requested not to visit if they are recovering from a contagious illness or have had contact with a contagious illness, or have a fever, cough, sore throat or other respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms to which we do not want to expose patients.
All entrances to the Health Center, except at the Emergency Department, are locked at night and require a staff badge swipe or staff keypad access number for entry. See the door signage for specific times. Visitors in the building after 8:30 pm, or those who have permission to spend the night, will be required to have or wear an identification sticker issued by Security. The sticker is color-coded to the particular unit they will be on and will include the visitor’s name and patient room number.
For privacy and comfort, we ask that large groups of visitors use the various public reception areas to congregate rather than hallways as they take turns visiting the patient. We ask that visits be kept short and visitors limited to two at a time in the patient’s room. We also ask that visitors be sensitive to roommate needs for privacy during visits.
No animals or pets, other than service animals for individuals with disabilities, are allowed.
Visiting privileges can be restricted by the Health Center and doctors at any time it is deemed necessary. If visitors become disruptive, Security and supervisory staff will take measures up to and including asking a visitor to leave and/or involving law enforcement authorities.
Critical Care Unit (CCU)
- A support person is permitted to remain with the patient at all times.
- Two visitors at a time can visit between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm.
- Visitors under the age of 14 must have visits pre-arranged with the CCU staff.
- Instructions for entering CCU to visit are posted by the telephone at the CCU entrance.
3 West
- Visiting hours are 6 to 8 pm, Monday through Friday
- 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- Two visitors are allowed to visit at a time.
- For safety reasons, all visitors are checked in by Security before entering the unit.
3 East, 4 Medical
- A support person is permitted to remain with the patient at all times.
Women and Children’s Center (2 West)
(Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics)
- A support person is permitted to remain with the patient.
- Siblings of the newborn are allowed to visit under direct supervision of an adult; this adult cannot be the patient.
Surgical Services
- Two visitors (at least age 18) at a time are allowed in the pre-operative and post-operative areas.
Upon Arrival
Personal Belongings
Please check with your nurse about personal items that you can have during your stay or that could be provided for your use. Valuables, cash and jewelry should not be kept in your room during your stay. If you cannot send these items home for safe keeping, ask your nurse how to have them secured until you go home. You should carefully store and protect your glasses, dentures and hearing aids when they are not in use. If you do not have a storage container one can be provided. They should not be left on your over-bed or night stand where they could become broken or lost.
Medications from Home
Please arrange to have your home medications brought in so they can be identified. During a hospital stay, most, or all of your medications will be provided for you. By bringing them in, it helps us reconcile what you have been taking to what is ordered for your use while in the hospital. If your doctor assigns you to an Observation Bed, some of your medications from home can be used as a cost savings to you. In either case, your medications will be safely stored until you need them or until you go home. Some of your medications may change while you are in the hospital where your reaction to new medications or the discontinuation of previous medications can be carefully monitored.
Meals and Snacks
Your meals and supplemental snacks will be provided for you based on the specific diet your doctor has ordered. Beverages, snacks and full meals are available for your visitors. They can visit The Basement Bistro on the ground floor, the Gift Shop, and the Coffee Kiosk on the first floor, or one of the many vending areas in the Health Center. Please check with your nurse before eating snacks brought in by visitors as they may not be allowed on your therapeutic diet, or because of tests or procedures for which you are being prepared.
Electronics and Entertainment Media
Your room is equipped with a television that receives standard cable channels, as well as internal education channels for your entertainment and education. If you have a roommate, we ask that you respect each other's choices for viewing and noise level. You can use small, hand-held electronics, DVD players and laptop computers. The wireless guest internet network is available throughout the Health Center.
Security
Security staff is on duty 24/7 and can be reached via phone 217-258-2459 or through the operator by dialing "0." Security patrols the main campus buildings, as well as the parking lots, and will escort you or your visitors to a parked vehicle if this would make you feel more safe and secure. Security can be of assistance in a wide variety of situations so please don't hesitate to contact them.
Photography/Videotaping/Recording of Staff Members, Other Patients, Visitors, and Physicians
The patient must respect the privacy of staff members, other patients, visitors, and physicians. Patients may not photograph, videotape, record, or depict in any manner any staff member, other patient, visitor, or physician. Nor may patients post on any social media site any identifying or personal information about a staff member, other patient, visitor, or physician.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found items are handled by Security. Please call 217-258-2459 if you have lost an item during your stay.
Parking
Parking lot signage should help you and your visitors determine where to park. The front, south lot has several handicapped parking spots, as well as a few AdvantAge 50 parking spaces. Doctors, clergy and staff sections are marked as such. The Emergency Department and MRI lots are on the west side of the campus. When you are going home, we typically use Entrance B.
We offer free valet parking for patients and visitors at Entrance A. Vehicles will be parked by the valet between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. - Monday through Friday and will be retrieved 24 hours a day.
Communications
Your room telephone can be used for local or long-distance calls, however long-distance calls cannot be charged to your room. You will need to make other arrangements for those charges. Cell phones can be used in most areas of the hospital. Please look for signage where they should not be turned on and used as they may interfere with medical equipment tracings.
To place a call outside of the hospital, dial "8" and then the full, seven digit number, plus area code as needed.
You can receive calls from 7 am until 10 pm. Thereafter, calls to your room are automatically routed though the Health Center operator. Your family and friends may dial your room directly from 7 am to 10 pm by dialing (from Charleston) 348- "4" and the three digit room number or (from Mattoon) 238- "4" and the three digit room number. You can also be reached via the main operator by following prompts on the main hospital number 217-258-2525 and giving the live operator the patient's name or room number.
A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available in the Emergency Department for communication with hearing-impaired individuals who have a TDD. The number is 217-258-2552.
You can receive regular mail and emails while hospitalized. Through www.sarahbush.org, an e-mail message can be sent to Sarah Bush Lincoln patients. Please be aware that this message will be printed and hand delivered by one of our volunteers. Messages will be distributed several times throughout the day, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours except for some holidays. Please understand that if the recipient is no longer a patient in the hospital, the message will not be delivered.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in the Health Center and on the property. Visitors are not allowed to smoke in patients’ rooms or in any part of the Health Center.
The Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is located in the main lobby (Entrance A) with a wide variety of merchandise including flowers, snacks, magazines and gift items. Credit cards are accepted. The Gift Shop is operated by volunteers and is open 8:30 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday and from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. You can reach the Gift Shop by dialing 217-258-2168. You can also purchase gifts online to be delivered to a patient's room.
ATM
Provided by First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust
Located in the hallway between the Main Lobby and the Emergency Department near the restrooms.
AdvantAge 50
Inquire about Advantage50 , a free membership program for individuals 50 and better. The benefits include educational seminars, social outings and discounts in The Basement Bistro, Lincolnland Home Medical Equipment and Dial-a-Ride to and from the Health Center. For information, call 217-258-2422. Register online.
Patricia A. Jenkins Medical Library
The library on the ground floor has a wide variety of medical resources that may assist you. It is open to the public. Hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm and a professional library staff can be reached at 217-258-2262.
Prairie Medical Pharmacy
This full-service pharmacy offers quick, convenient services with competitive pricing. Prairie Medical Pharmacy is located just east of the Main Lobby (Entrance A) reception desk. Hours are 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. It can be reached at 217-258-2411. Medication can be delivered to homes in Mattoon & Charleston.
Food & Nutrition Services
Our staff of professional registered dietitians is available to help you with a wide variety of nutritional needs during your stay and when you go home. Your doctor will work with the dietitians to direct your nutritional goals during your stay. If you would benefit from nutritional or weight-loss education as part of your prevention or treatment after you go home, contact your doctor for an order and his/her staff will help you get started.
Support Groups
Sarah Bush Lincoln offers, and is aware of, Support Groups for a wide variety of health-related conditions and diagnoses. Contact Case Management at 217-258-2392 for information about support groups in the area.
Going Home
You can leave the Health Center after your doctor discharges you and you receive instructions either from your doctor or a nurse.
Discharge Planning
Many people have a need for medical care or support which will continue after they leave the Health Center. Planning to go home customarily begins early in your stay. Our Case Management staff will provide counseling and help to arrange needed services, including home health care, nursing home care, case management, medical equipment, home-delivered meals or Lifeline® personal emergency response system.
Survey
Sarah Bush Lincoln has partnered with Press Ganey to conduct Patient Experience surveys. Following your visit you may receive a survey by text message, email or mail from Press Ganey. Your feedback is used by Sarah Bush Lincoln to continually provide excellent patient care. Thank you for choosing Sarah Bush Lincoln. It is our pleasure to care for you.
Medical Record Management
While you are at the Health Center, a technical document recording every aspect of your care is maintained. A medical record is used for care management, quality assurance review, financial reimbursement, education, public health, accreditation certification and licensure. Providers of care must keep records to document the services they rendered. While the medical record is the physical property of the Health Center, the information in the medical record belongs to you.
There are very specific rules regarding the authorization to release your medical record. If you need your medical record, the Health Center asks that your request be in writing to:
Medical Record Management
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center
1000 Health Center Dr., P.O. Box 372
Mattoon, Illinois, 61938
Hours: 8 am to 4:30 pm - Monday through Friday
You may call the department at 217-258-2536. There may be a service charge to obtain your record, and a photo identification is required before your record is presented to you.
Finances
Your bill from the Health Center will include charges for your room, nursing care, meals, medications and use of equipment and technicians in administering tests and treatments.
You may also receive additional bills for specific services provided during your inpatient stay, such as an anesthesiology fee. These services are provided to you by a specialist at your doctor's request, or as required by government regulation. Your doctor(s) will bill you separately for his or her services. If you do not have insurance, you will be required to pay cash at the time of service or make arrangements. Our financial counselors can explain our Financial Assistance Program. If you need help completing insurance, Medicare or Medicaid forms, assistance is available. Please call 217-258-2541 from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday for an appointment.
Health Information Privacy Policies and Forms
Following are links to our health information privacy notice and authorization to disclose protected health information forms. The are saved in a .pdf format and can be viewed and printed from your computer. There is a service charge to obtain your record, and a photo identification is required before your record is presented to you. These pages are designed for optimum print quality. Please be patient while they download.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open this file and can be downloaded free.
Privacy Notice
English
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Spanish
Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information
Request for Amendment of Protected Health Information
If you have questions about these forms or their use, please call Medical Record Management at (217) 258-2536 or 258-3474.