Preparing for Your Stay

Preparing for Your Stay at Northfield Hospital

Your Care Team

You are the center of the care team here at Northfield Hospital. Our specially-trained professionals work with you to ensure that you will have the best possible medical care and comfort during your stay.

  • A Hospitalist doctor will carefully direct your treatment. This doctor often consults with other doctors and may confer with your primary doctor to ensure that you will receive the best care.
  • The nursing team will focus on assessment, treatment, monitoring, and teaching for you and your family. Registered nurses and certified nursing assistants will help care for you during your stay.
  • Other members of the health care team may include:
    • Social Workers -  who can assist you and your family in dealing with planning for your discharge from the hospital as well as  linking you with available services and resources appropriate to your situation and concerns.
    • Therapists - who are specially-trained to aid you on your road to recovery.
    • Patient Advocate 
    • Laboratory and Diagnostic Staff - who will perform the tests ordered by your doctor.
    • Medical Nutrition Therapists -  who may develop a treatment plan with you, based on your nutritional needs.
    • Volunteers - who may assist you as needed or visit with you. 
    • Many other dedicated individuals who work behind the scenes in the Pharmacy, Nutrition  Services, Facility Services, Housekeeping, Administration and various other departments

Your Room

Your Call Signal

When you need assistance, press the button on the nurse call signal handset. This can be located at your bedside. Someone may answer your call through an intercom to ask what you need or your call will be answered in  person by a member of the nursing team. There is a signal cord in each of the patients’ bathrooms to ask for assistance when you are in the bathroom.

Your Bed

Your bed is operated electrically. The nursing staff will show you how to operate your bed safely. You may notice that hospital beds are probably higher and narrower than your bed at home.  Bed rails may be helpful to help you move around the bed. They are also for your protection.  They will be raised when you’re resting, recovering from surgery or taking certain medications.

Your Telephone

Your telephone number is (507) 646-1(your room number) (e.g., 646-1245 for room #245). Relatives and friends may call you directly if you give them the telephone number of your room.  When calling a number within the hospital, you only need to dial  the last four digits.  To make a local call, dial “9” and then the 7-digit telephone number. There is no charge for making a local call. Long distance calls must be made “collect” or charged to a “calling card” or major credit card. To place a long distance call, dial “9,” then “0,” followed by the area code and 7-digit telephone number. At the tone, enter the calling card number or wait for the operator to come on line.

Your Meals

Room service is offered all day between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Refer to the menu in your room and then call Ext. 1022 with your order. Your meal will be delivered to your room within 45 minutes  after you have placed your order.

Certain diet restrictions cannot be accommodated by the room service menu, so a traditional tray will be served.

 If you would like information about your diet, please ask your nurse or doctor to request a visit by one a  medical nutrition therapists.

Your Visitors

We encourage your family and friends to visit you. Learn more about Visitor Information. 

Your Health and Safety

Medications

While you are in the hospital, the nursing staff will give you the medicine that has been prescribed by your doctor. If you brought any medicines with you to the hospital  (including vitamins or herbal products), please let the nursing staff  know so that they can be stored in a secure location for you. Please do not use any of your own medications while you are staying in the hospital.

Money and Valuables

Please do not keep anything valuable in your bedside stand, closet or shelves. Please leave any valuables at home or have a family member take them. Only bring items such as sleeping clothes and toiletries. 

Cell Phones

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

Tobacco/Nicotine-Free Campus

Northfield Hospital + Clinics is tobacco-free. All buildings, grounds and parking lots (including vehicles) are tobacco-free at all times. This provides a healthier environment for patients, visitors, employees and volunteers. If you’re going to be hospitalized, talk to your primary provider about quitting tobacco and other alternatives.

Patient Financial Services

If you have questions about your bill or other financial  questions, click HERE.

Chapel

A non-denominational chapel is located on the lower level. Patients and their families are invited to visit this quiet area at any time.

Mail Service

Mail, packages, and flowers will be delivered to your room as soon as possible after they arrive at the Front Desk of the Hospital. If packages and mail arrive after you have been discharged, they will be forwarded to your home address.

Patient Surveys

Your opinions are very valuable to us. Please feel free to ask any questions or make any suggestions that you may have during your stay. After you have been discharged, you may receive a confidential patient survey. We hope that you will use that opportunity to tell us about your visit to Northfield Hospital and any ways you feel we can make your stay more comfortable.