For Your Safety and Security
Patient Confidentiality
The privacy of the patient's health information is addressed in the Athens Regional Health Services (ARHS) Notice of Privacy Practices. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a written complaint with the Privacy Officer or Guest Services/Patient Representative at Athens Regional or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services or HHS. Generally, a complaint must be filed with HHS within 180 days after the act or omission occurred, or within 180 days of when you knew or should have known of the action or omission. To file a complaint with Athens Regional about patient confidentiality, contact: Privacy Officer, Athens Regional Medical Center, 1199 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30606-2793, Phone: (706) 475-4369. You will not be denied care or discriminated against by Athens Regional for filing a complaint.
Partners in Care (Patient Safety Program)
We have a Partners in Care program at Athens Regional Medical Center. We want to give you excellent care and we need you to be an active partner to help us do this. The AIMS of this program are to involve you in your care. Here is how you can help:
A is for ASK. Always ASK questions.
Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions. Your concerns are
important. It is our job to answer your questions and help you understand.
I is for IDENTIFICATION. Make sure
each person who works with you knows who you are. Ask them who they
are.
M is for MEDICATIONS. Make sure you
understand what medications and treatments are being given to you and
why.
S is for SLIPS and FALLS
prevention. You play a key role in making your care safe. Do not ever
be embarrassed to ask for help.
Patient Safety Information is available to all patients through the
Closed Circuit TV System. The “Partners in Care” program
can be seen anytime by ordering program number 001 through the patient
education system.
Valuables
A few personal items are needed while you are in the hospital, such
as pajamas, a robe, slippers and toilet articles. Personal appliances
such as radios, TVs, coffee pots, hotplates, electric blankets or heating
pads are not allowed. You may, however, use electric curlers, hair dryers
or razors with the approval of the nursing staff.
Because we cannot be responsible for personal articles left in your
room, we urge you to leave valuables at home or with a family member.
If you are unable to make arrangements for valuable articles, the hospital
security staff can deposit them in the hospital safe until you are discharged.
Please contact the nursing staff for assistance.
Lost Items
If you lose something, please notify the nursing staff immediately and every effort will be made to help you find it. Unclaimed articles are turned in to Security where they are kept for 14 days. To inquire about lost articles, call Security at 3911.
Security
If for any reason you need security assistance, please dial 3911.
 Smoking
In order to ensure the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff, smoking is prohibited in all ARMC buildings, patios, and entrance ways. Designated smoking areas are located adjacent to the Coffee Shop, outside the Emergency Department, Medical Services Building, Guest House, and Outpatient Surgery Center. Cigarettes and smoking materials are not sold at Athens Regional Medical Center.
Fire Alarms
For your protection, the hospital conducts fire and disaster drills regularly. If a fire alarm occurs while you are here, please remain in your room, request any visitors to do the same, and do not become alarmed. The staff will follow their routines as they are trained to do in these events.
Oxygen
Special regulations are in effect in areas where patients are receiving oxygen therapy. Electrically operated equipment and aerosol products are not permitted in these areas unless specifically safety-checked by a member of our Engineering Services staff.
Entrance to the Building After Hours
For the protection of our patients, access to our building is limited at night. All entrances are secured from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. However, authorized visitors (family members and/or significant others) may request access to the hospital by using the Security Phone at either the Emergency Department or South Tower entrance.
Medications
While you are a patient in the hospital, your physician will prescribe all medications that you are to take. All medications will be dispensed for you from the hospital's pharmacy and given to you by your nurse. Personal medications brought from home are not to be used. Special circumstances will be considered should the hospital pharmacy be unable to supply your medications. Prescriptions written for you at discharge should be taken to the pharmacy of your choice. A member of the nursing staff is available at any time to answer questions concerning your medications and will review your going home medications with you at discharge.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available to patients, but getting in and out of them without assistance may be hazardous. Please ask for help from a member of the hospital staff. Patient Transport staff will use wheelchairs to assist patients as they leave the hospital.
Cell Phones
Due to possible interference with medical equipment operation, cell phones and walkie-talkies are not to be used in Cell Phone Restricted Areas. They must be turned off. These areas are marked with signs. Ask your nurse if you have any questions. Please make every effort to be courteous to those around you when using a cell phone in order not to disrupt patient care and other visitors.
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