Glad to hear your dad is o.k..

A few tips for people when calling a hospital for info, to speak to a loved one, etc.

Calls to a hospital administrator are useless. They will contact the Nursing Super, the Super will talk to the nurse.......

Call the unit and ask for the Ward Clerk or Ward Secretary.
They field the calls for the families. There are times you will get a nurse who will pass your call to another nurse. This takes time away from their work looking after patients. The WS can give you updates and answer some of your questions.

If you call to change the Person to be Notified in Case of Emergency- Call the Admitting Office, they fill out the forms.
Have a Social Security # or some unique info so they can verify that you are a member of the family.

A note in a chart is just that, a note.

There are Doctor's Order sheets and Progress Notes....If you call and speak to a doctor and he makes a note on the Dr order sheets it will get buried in the paperwork, same thing with a note made by nurse on the Progress notes...Each day a patient spends in the hospital the farther down in the pile your info will get buried....If you get the Person to be Notified changed you will be the FIRST TO KNOW ANYTHING... That info is readily available..not hidden in a pile of papers!


Try calling the unit your loved one is in at the same time everyday.
Find out the nurse's/ward clerk's name- be patient and cordial.
You'd be amazed at how many nasty phone calls come into a hospital each day. You will be remembered for your courtesy and you'll find it easier to get info, special favors, etc.