Patient Portal

Question: Why can’t I eat what I want to eat or eat like I do at home?

Answer: Your diet, like your medications, is an important part of your treatment and may impact your recovery. Your doctor decides what diet is best for you and orders your diet. This is monitored and may change throughout your stay.

 

Question: Why can’t I take my own medications in the hospital?

Answer: Patient safety is the priority at NEA Baptist. Using medications from the pharmacy ensures that the medication had the correct handling and storage, which is vital in medication safety. In addition, it helps to ensure that the patient gets the right medication at the right time with the right dose.

 

Question: Why do people ask my name and date of birth every time?

Answer: To ensure appropriate identification, all patients will be asked their name and date of birth prior to any service or treatment. This is to ensure safety by knowing that we have the correct person and the correct service or treatment.

 

Question: Why am I not allowed to get out of bed by myself?

Answer: We encourage you to use the call light for assistance while you are in the hospital. We know that sometimes when you are sick, help may be needed to ensure that you do not fall while you are in the hospital. Other fall prevention strategies may also be utilized- please ask a care team member for any specific strategies that are being used for your safety. 

 

Question: How do I pay my bill or ask questions about my bill?

Answer: For direct billing questions, please call 870-936-0200 for assistance. If you would like to pay your bill in person, you may pay your bill at the admissions desk.

 

Question: How many visitors can I have?

Answer:

• Inpatient: We encourage caregivers to take part in the patient’s plan of care. In certain circumstances, restrictions may be in place to keep you safe. Please discuss any restrictions with one of the treatment team members.

• ED: We encourage no more than 2 visitors per patient.

• Outpatient Areas: We encourage no more than 2 visitors per patient.

• Labor and Delivery:

• Delivery: You may have 2 caregivers present

• C-section: You may have 1 caregiver present

 

Question: Why does lab draw my blood at odd hours? Is the early morning necessary?

Answer: While we want you to get rest while in the hospital, lab values are needed to help direct your care. Early morning labs are obtained so that the result can be ready for your physician to direct your care for the day.
 

Question: Why do I have to monitor how much I eat/drink and how many times I go to the bathroom?

Answer: You need to monitor what you are putting in your body and what comes out of your body, especially if it is a liquid. This is a safe and effective way to make sure your body is not holding too much water/fluid. We call this monitoring intake/output.
 

Question: Why do I always get asked about an Advanced Directive while in the hospital?

Answer: We ask you if you have an advanced directive to understand if you have an emergency plan for yourself. If so, we know what to do and what you wish to be done in case something happens. This is a question we ask every patient that gets admitted and helps provide our patients with the care that they wish to have provided to them.

 

Questions to ask your Provider

A simple question can help you feel better, let you take better care of yourself, or save your life. The questions below can get you started:

• What is your name and what kind of doctor are you?

• What is my plan of care for today?

• What is the test for?

• How many times have you done this procedure?

• When will I get the results?

• Why do I need this treatment?

• Are there any alternatives?

• What are the possible risks/complications?

• How do you spell the name of that drug/medication?

• What is that drug/medication for?

• Are there any side effects?

• Will this medicine interact with medications I am already taking?

• What do I need to accomplish to plan for discharge?

• How long do you think I will be in the hospital?

• What will I need to do when I get home?

• We encourage you to ask questions and want you to be involved in your plan of care.