Inpatient Hospice Facility
Respite and General Inpatient Care
The inpatient facility provides short-term hospice and respite care with 24-hour medical attention for symptom management.
Emergencies
All Hospice Family Care staff have been trained for emergency situations at the Inpatient Facility. If an emergency does occur, please stay calm and follow the directions of the staff. Exit routes are posted throughout the hallways in the inpatient facility.
Medications
Our nursing staff is responsible for administering all medication. Please make sure to review all medications with your nurse. Current medications should be brought from home to ensure continuity. The hospice physician or nurse practitioner will determine which medications will be continued to best manage your comfort goals.
Resuscitation Measures
Advance directives will be discussed at the time of admission. Hospice Family Care staff will discuss your preferences and options with you and your caregiver. You have the right to change your preferences at any time. Should resuscitation be requested, we will call 911, and you will be transported to the hospital’s emergency department for treatment.
Personal Belongings
We want your environment to feel like home. You are more than welcome to bring personal items to have in your room. All items that you bring into the facility are considered your responsibility, and Hospice Family Care is not responsible for any of these items.
Visitors
We encourage and welcome visits from family members and friends at any time. Children must be under adult supervision at all times. When arriving, please sign in at the Welcome Desk or Nurses Station.
Overnight Guests
Each patient room has a sofa that unfolds into a bed and a recliner provided for guests. Please notify staff if you need an additional blanket or pillow. Cots are also available on request.
Meals
All meals are provided for patients at the Inpatient Facility. Our family kitchen and vending machines are available for visitors to purchase snacks and/or perform light cooking.
Telephones
Every patient room is equipped with a telephone. To get an outside line, you must dial “9” first.
Smoking
For the health and safety of all of our patients, family members, and visitors, the Hospice inpatient facility is a smoke-free campus.
Laundry
Bed linens and towels are provided.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages may only be consumed on the premises as directed by the physician as part of the patient’s care plan.
Pets
We acknowledge that pets are valued family members. Caregivers may bring your dogs or cats for short visits to the Inpatient Facility after providing documentation of current vaccinations. All animals must be supervised at all times, remain on a leash and clean.
Leaving the Facility
Leaving the unit must be discussed and approved by the hospice physician and/ or charge nurse. If you are using the respite benefit and have assistance from a caregiver, you may briefly leave the facility. We ask that you notify the inpatient facility immediately if you are unable to return.
Illegal Drugs & Weapons
Hospice Family Care has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs or paraphernalia on the facility premises. Weapons are not allowed on Huntsville Hospital property.