OHMCH Patient Information
On behalf of the entire staff of Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital, we wish to extend to you our warmest welcome. We want to assure you that our staff is dedicated to making your visit with us as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
Patient Registration
Registration can be done in person or online using the link below. The online form takes about 15 minutes to complete and will be processed within 48 hours after you submit it. You may contact the preregistration team at 270-338-8000.
Preregister Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital.
Patient Resources
This information page will outline our policies and operations: also included are educational materials that you may find beneficial. If you have any questions about the hospital or our services, any staff member will be happy to assist you. It is our privilege to have you as a patient and guest. We extend our best wishes for your speedy recovery.
Advance Directives
What Are Advance Medical Directives?
They are legal documents that allow you to give directions for your future medical care. Learn more about advance medical directives.
Basic Hygiene
Hand Washing
Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand washing requires only soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes. Hand washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting a habit of washing your hands may have a significant impact on improving your health.
Basic Dental Hygiene
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste is essential to good oral health. Not only does brushing your teeth help prevent tooth decay, it also helps prevent gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults and has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. You should floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing in between your teeth removes food debris and plaque from in between the teeth that a toothbrush can't reach. Plaque causes tooth decay and can lead to gum disease.
Fall Safety
To avoid falls in the hospital, the nursing staff at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital has the following suggestions to help you avoid a fall during your hospitalization:
Always
- Put on slippers or shoes with non-skid soles on while walking. Request a pair of non-skid "slipper socks" if you feel the need to wear socks to bed.
- Ask for help if you feel weak, dizzy or light-headed when you need to get up.
- Use the call light to ask for assistance. Use the call switch in the bathroom if you become weak or need assistance back to your bed.
- Notify the nursing staff if a spill occurs on the floor. * Ask to have objects, such as bedside tables, phone, and call lights, within easy reach at all times.
- Request a bedside commode if you have trouble ambulating (walking) by yourself.
- Keep a night light on.
- Keep the bed in the lowest height setting.
At Home
- Keep as active as possible with some type of exercise program. Exercise increases bone density and makes bones less fragile and less likely to break. Remember that a fear of falling leads to decreased activities, weakness and an increase in falls.
- Do a home safety check.
- Remove electrical cords and telephone wires from walking paths.
- Be sure all rugs are tacked down.
- Avoid using floor polish or wax to reduce slick surfaces on floors.
- Bathrooms: Use non-skid mats or appliques on tub/shower floors, install grab bars in tub/shower and around toilet, and use shower chair/seat if you are weak or dizzy
- Keep your phone and light within easy reach of your bed.
Financial Information
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital is committed to providing the best healthcare to this community and surrounding areas by treating all who use the facility with the highest level of care in a financially sound hospital. In order to do this, the following policy has been adopted.
Since we must be financially efficient to continue to provide quality care to our citizens, payment or payment arrangements are expected at the time of service. By no means does this mean that care will be delayed or denied by your ability to pay in case of emergency. Our financial counselors are available to answer your questions related to your hospital bill.
They are available Monday - Friday. Calling 270-338-8000 and asking for a financial counselor.
All patients are instructed on payment options and methods during the registration process. Please bring all insurance information to the hospital each time you come for services.
Co-pays and deductibles should be paid at the time of service or discharge. We will work quickly to file with your insurance. You help may be needed to resolve any insurance denials.
If your insurance has not paid within 45 days, you may be responsible for the entire bill. We accept cash, checks, VISA, MasterCard and Discover. Responsible parties who have no health insurance, or have obligations after an insurance payment, are expected to pay within 30 days of billing.
If you can't pay in full, payment arrangements may be made through the hospital's financial counselors. Hospital charges do not include fees for professional services, such as emergency room physicians, pathologists, radiologists anesthesiologists or other professionals that may be involved in your care.
You may receive a separate bill for these services. We participate in the Disproportionate Share Program of KY. This program provides for charitable care if the responsible party qualifies under state guidelines.
During your registration, you were given information outlining the program. If you would like to apply call 270-338-8285. If you have insurance that covers your care, the state charitable program is not allowed. However, we also offer a charitable program for the under-insured.
Delinquent Accounts, we provide a reasonable amount of uncompensated care to those in the community who meet the criteria of the indigent or charitable programs.
For those who do not meet the criteria, payment is expected. Payment arrangements are available within hospital guidelines. For those few who fail to pay their financial obligations, the hospital is obligated by law to try to collect money owed for services.
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital provides services without regard to race, color, sex, creed, age, national origin, disability or the ability to pay.
Admission/Observation Status Information
Did you know that even if you stay in the hospital overnight, you might still be considered an "outpatient"? Your hospital status (whether the hospital considers you an "inpatient" or "observation/outpatient") affects how much you pay for hospital services (like x-rays, medications and lab tests).
An inpatient admission begins the day you're formally admitted to the hospital with a physician's order. The day before you're discharged is your last inpatient day. You are an outpatient if you receive emergency department services, lab test, x-rays and the physician has not written an order to admit you to the hospital as an inpatient, even if you spend the night in the hospital.
If you're in the hospital for more than a few hours, ask the physician or hospital staff if you are an inpatient or observation/outpatient. Understanding the differences in traditional Medicare coverage for hospital inpatients and outpatients and how these rules apply are further described below. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), coverage and costs may differ; check with your specific plan.
What Do I Pay As An Inpatient
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) covers inpatient hospital services. Generally, this means you pay a deductible for your hospital services for the first 60 days you're in the hospital. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers most of your physician services when you are an inpatient. You pay 20% of the Medicare allowed the amount for physician services after the Part B deductible.
What Do I Pay As An Outpatient
Medicare Part B covers outpatient hospital and physician services. Generally, this means you pay a coinsurance for each individual out-patient hospital service. This amount may vary by each service. Part B also covers most of your physician services as an outpatient at the hospital. You pay 20% of the Medicare allowed amount after the Part B deductible. Generally, all prescription and over-the-counter medications (also called Self-Administered Drugs) you receive in an outpatient setting, like the emergency department, are not covered by Medicare Part B. If you have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, these medications may be covered under certain circumstances. You will most likely need to pay for these medications out of pocket and submit a claim to your prescription plan for reimbursement. Contact your prescription plan for more information. For more detailed information on how Medicare covers hospital services, including premiums, deductible, and co-payments, visit:
www.medicare.gov to view the "Medicare & You" handbook. You can also call 800-MEDICARE or 800-633-4227. TTY users should call 877-486-2048.
Hospitalist Services
The hospitalist services is a collaborative effort between Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital and your primary physician to ensure that you receive excellently, quality care throughout your stay at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital. The hospitalist will round on all adult patients on Acute Care, Intensive Care, and Long Term Care units from Friday-Monday morning. Physician participation varies. The hospitalists do not provide coverage for OB or Pediatric patients. We are dedicated to providing very good care for you.
General Information
Calling A Patient
Family and friends may call a patient's room directly from outside the hospital by calling 270-3388+room number. To allow for proper rest for our patients, the operator does not connect outside calls between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.; however, patients may place outgoing local calls at any time by dialing 9+ the phone number. Long distance calls can be made by dialing the operator (0) for an outside line. Long distance phone calls may be charged to the individual's phone card or by placing the call "collect".
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phone usage should be limited throughout the hospital so not to disturb other people around you. Please keep your ringtones on low or turn to vibrate. Remember to be considerate of our patients that are trying to rest and recover.
Cafeteria Hours
Monday - Friday Breakfast 7:30 - 9 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday - Sunday Breakfast 7:30 - 9 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Parking
Visitor parking is located in the front of the hospital, in the Emergency Room parking lot and the side lot by the Emergency Room with white markings.
Tobacco-Free Campus
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital has taken a leadership role in the promotion of quality healthcare including the prevention of disease. With this commitment comes the responsibility of providing a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors and staff. As such, the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff is prohibited on all property owned, managed or leased by Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital. This includes all buildings and grounds and applies to all staff, patients, visitors, vendors, volunteers, and the general public.
Gift Shop
The hospital Gift Shop is located on the first floor by the front entrance. Operating hours are Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. A wide variety of cards, flowers, unique gift items, as well as, snacks are available. Gifts may be purchased by cash, check debit card, or credit card. Gift purchases for hospital patients and staff may be made by credit card by calling 270-338-8347.
Information
The Information Desk is located on the first floor at the main entrance of the hospital. Volunteers staff the desk Monday-Friday.
Mail Delivery
Mail is delivered daily throughout the hospital. Our volunteer staff distributes the mail Monday-Friday. Engineering staff is responsible on the weekends.
Newspaper
Local newspapers are donated and distributed to the patient's rooms and waiting areas every Wednesday morning by our volunteers.
Room Service
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital is pleased to offer "AT YOUR REQUEST" room service dining to all patients. This innovative dining experience allows you to select meals from an expansive menu designed to make you feel as though you were at home or at your favorite restaurant. Once you have made your selection, your meal will be delivered to your room within 45 minutes. You may place your order at extension 8999. Further information will be available in your room.
Spiritual Care
Chaplain services are available upon request. There is a list on each nursing unit, so feel free to talk to a staff member for assistance.
Suggestions & Comments
Information/Suggestion boxes are located throughout the hospital for your convenience. Please feel free to fill out one of our CARE cards to commend a particular staff member for going above and beyond their duty or to make a suggestion that might help us improve your stay while in the hospital.
Vending Machines
Vending machines containing snacks, various food items and beverages are available 24 hours a day. They are located in the Emergency Room waiting room on the first floor. On the second floor, they are located in the Acute Care waiting for areas. A drink machine is located in the Nursing Administration waiting area.
Interpretation Services
The hospital offers no-cost interpretation services for the hearing impaired or foreign languages. Please contact the Nursing Supervisor or Administration for assistance.
Discrimination
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital prohibits discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity or expression.
Color-Coded Arm Bands
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital has a goal of providing safe, high-quality care. We use color-coded "ALERT" BANDS to help "alert" staff for continuity of care.
- Purple armbands are for DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)status
- Yellow armbands are for Fall Risk
- Red armbands are for Allergies (medication, food, environmental)
Please share this information with us to ensure the best care and safety for our patients. You will be provided further information on these armbands once you are in your room and require one of these bands.
Discharge Planning
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital provides discharge planning for all hospital patients. Planning begins upon admission and continues through the hospital stay. The goal is to make the appropriate arrangements for post-hospital care. Planning is a coordinated effort between all members of the healthcare team to provide continuity of care during hospitalization and after the patient has been discharged, should further services be needed. The social worker will discuss the results of the evaluation with the patient or caregiver. Some patients may require more complex discharge needs. The social worker can assist with skilled nursing placement, home health, equipment needs at home or other needs which may be identified. If you have any questions, you may reach the social worker at extension 8437.
HIPAA
The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act Privacy rule is intended to ensure that personally identifiable information on our patients is protected. All records are kept confidential. If you need a copy of your medical record, the patient must go to the Health Information Management (medical records) department and show photo identification and sign a consent form for release of information. No other family member or friend may do this for the patient unless they are the Power of Attorney. This does not include a Durable Power of Attorney for healthcare decision making. Legal documentation (written) must be given each time.
HIV/AIDS Information
What You Should Know About HIV/AIDS
AIDS is the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a serious illness which makes the body unable to fight infections. A person with AIDS is susceptible to certain infections and cancers. When a person's body cannot fight off infection, it will become ill and sometimes die. AIDS is caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
How Is HIV/AIDS Transmitted
- Sexual contact (oral, anal or vaginal intercourse) with an infected person when blood, semen or vaginal secretions are exchanged.
- Sharing a syringe or needle with someone who is infected.
- Receiving contaminated blood or blood products (very unlikely now, since March 1985, blood used for transfusion has been tested).
- An infected mother may pass the virus to her child before or during childbirth.
- You cannot get HIV/AIDS through casual, non-sexual contact such as:
- Sharing food, utensils or plates
- Touching someone who is infected with HIV
- Touching or shaking hands
- Donating blood (has NEVER been a risk of contracting HIV)
- Using public restrooms
- Being bitten by mosquitoes or other insects
Prevention
- Do not share needles or syringes with anyone
- Do not have sexual intercourse except with a permanent partner who you know is not infected. If you choose to have sex with anyone else, use latex condoms along with a spermicidal containing Nonoxynol-9 every time you have sex
- If you are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant, you are encouraged to be tested for HIV
- Educate yourself and others about HIV infection and AIDS
Treatment
Early diagnosis of HIV infection is important. Persons with HIV must get prompt medical treatment. Call your local health department or the KY AIDS Hotline at 800-654-2437 for more information on testing and treatment. You don't have to be afraid of a person living with HIV/AIDS.
Directions To Hospital
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital
440 Hopkinsville St.
Greenville, KY 42345
Pain Management
The Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital staff is committed to making patient treatment and care as comfortable as possible. To help our nursing staff accurately assess pain, we request that patients rate the severity of their pain using the pain scale below. A "0" (zero) means that no pain is present; a "10" (ten) indicates the intensity of the pain present is the worst ever experienced. Using these reference points, a patient should score pain often and establish a pain goal. A pain goal is the level of pain patients are able to handle and still perform activities necessary for recoveries, such as walking, turning, bathing, deep breathing and coughing.
As patients approach their pain goal, they should ask their healthcare provider to take steps to relieve pain. Families may be requested to help set pain goals for small children or patients unable to communicate these goals.
Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital Clinical Staff offers the following
- A pain scale to assess your pain.
- Assistance in establishing a pain goal to manage pain
- Medication and other measures of comfort ordered by your physician
- Information about using pain medications for pain relief.
Patient Portal Information (MyChart)
Patient Rights/Responsibilities
Patient Rights
At Owensboro Health, we respect your personal preferences and values. Our staff works to heal the sick and improve the health of the community through active listening and partnering to meet the individual healthcare needs of those we serve.
As a patient, you can help us deliver safe, effective care by:
- Being well-informed
- Communicating openly with your physician and other healthcare professionals
- Participating in your treatment decisions
Privacy Statement
Notice Of Privacy Practices
See the privacy practices brochure.
Rapid Response Team
If you are concerned about a change in the patient's condition that requires immediate attention, from a hospital phone, dial 100 to activate the Rapid Response Team.
The Rapid Response Team will respond to you and assess the patient. When you dial 100, inform the hospital operator "I need the Rapid Response Team, give the patient's name and room number" and stay with the patient until the Team arrives.
Purpose
Anyone that has contact with a patient can request medical assistance by dialing 100 from a hospital phone (this includes the patient, family, visitors, or any hospital employee to request an immediate assessment of the patient when significant changes are noticed.
Why Should I Initiate A Rapid Response
A Rapid Response request does not take the place of routine care that the patient receives, but is a support system for the nursing staff when a patient "takes a turn for the worse". The Team will assess the patient, begin necessary treatment and notify the physician in a timely manner.
When Should I Initiate A Rapid Response
A patient's condition can change suddenly, including symptoms that could be life-threatening. Quick assessment and treatment should be initiated as soon as possible.
Some examples are chest pain, difficulty breathing, change in mental status (confusion, unresponsive, slurred speech), a large amount of bleeding, new onset or uncontrolled pain or increased weakness (especially if on one side of the body).
Anytime that you notice a significant change in the patient's condition, call the hospital operator at 100 and initiate the Rapid Response Team.
Why Shouldn't I Get The Nurse Or Push The Call Light
If a patient has had a significant change, time is valuable. By initiating a Rapid Response, a complete team of advanced trained personnel will arrive to help the patient.
The Call light should be used when assistance is needed to the bathroom, need for pain medication, IV pump beeping or other normal occurrences during a hospital stay. The goal of the Rapid Response Team is to provide immediate help for emergent patient needs. The nursing staff is always available to assist you.
Our goal is to provide the very best care possible to you and your family. Our #1 concern is your care and safety.
Smoking Cessation
Facts About Smoking
Studies have proven that smoking is dangerous to one's health. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 harmful substances. These include:
- carbon monoxide
- tar
- formaldehyde
- butane
- nicotine
- arsenic
Cigarette Smoking
- Irritates throat
- Irritates the lungs
- Increases blood pressure and heart rate
- Increases the risk of stomach ulcers
- It has been proven that smoking can cause cancer of the larynx, lung, kidney, pancreas, bladder, oral cavity and esophagus
- Other studies have linked smoking to colon cancer and some types of leukemia, and women who smoke may be at greater risk of death from breast cancer
- Results of smoking contribute greatly to lost work time due to asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, etc., and increase the cost of healthcare
- Smoking contributes to colds, infections, and many other illnesses by breaking down the immune system
- Nicotine is physically addicting and stopping use of it produces withdrawal symptoms
Is smokeless tobacco harmful? It still contains nicotine and is just as addictive as smoking. It can cause cancer, especially of the oral cavity. The risk of cancer of the cheek and gum increases as much as 50x with long-term use.
Smoking Endangers Others As Well
Non-smokers are affected in many ways by those who smoke around them.
- Breathing others' smoke increases carbon monoxide levels in the blood and deposits tar in the lungs. Studies show higher rates of lung cancer for those that live with heavy smokers.
- Pregnant women who smoke have higher rates of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. Their babies suffer from higher rates of low birth weight and infection. Some studies have shown that children of women who smoke are more likely to have a disability or behavior problems.
- Careless smoking is a fire hazard.
- Sensitivities and allergies to smoke can prevent people from functioning well at home or in public. Those with asthma and heart trouble are especially at risk.
- If you're a smoker, think about quitting today!
Stop Smoking And See What Happens
- You'll breathe easier
- Your lungs will function better
- Your risk for both heart attack and cancer will decrease
- Your heart won't have to work as hard
- You'll save money
- You'll have a better sense of taste and smell
- You'll have more energy
If you don't' smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, quit. It's one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Hospital Programs
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
- Smoking Cessation Program
For more information call 270-338-8000
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