Guest Services

At Chesapeake Regional Medical Center we are committed to providing you with the best possible health care. You can expect your care to be carried out with respect and concern for your dignity.

As a patient, you have certain rights and responsibilities. We believe that patients who understand and participate in their health care achieve better results. Therefore, we encourage you to become an active partner with your health care team by being an informed patient and exercising your rights.
View our patient information brochure PDF document.

Patient Rights

I. Considerate and respectful quality health care.                                                                               
II. To participate and/or designate a representative to participate in the plan of care.
III. To refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequences of your actions.
IV. Identification by name of all health professionals participating in your care.
V. All information necessary about your illness and treatment provided by the physician for you to make informed decisions.
VI. To have access to and expect that confidentiality will be maintained of your medical care and related records.
VII. Receive information about health care advance directives, information about organ donation, and information about requesting an ethics consult.
VIII. To be provided education about your condition and continuing health care requirements.
IX. To expect that within its capacity the hospital will make reasonable response to the request of a patient for services.
X. To expect reasonable continuity of care.
XI. Have accommodated religious and other spiritual services.
XII. To examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of source of payment.  
XIII. To have your own physician and representative (may include but not limited to, a spouse, domestic partner, same-sex domestic partner, adult child, another family member, or a friend), notified promptly of your admission to the hospital. This also includes the right to determine who visitors will be.
XIV. To have pain relief to the extent that is clinically possible.
XV. To be free from all forms of abuse or harassment including being free from unnecessary restraints.
XVI. To voice concerns about services, confidentiality or appropriate billing practice. To address your concerns, you may call: Billing Office -757-312-6401; Risk Manager 757-312-6139; Patient Representative 757-312-6244; anonymous Corporate Compliance Hotline 757-312-5267.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

I. To provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to your health.  You have the responsibility to report unexpected changes in your condition to the responsible practitioner.  You are also responsible for reporting whether you clearly understand the plan of care and what is expected of you.
II. To follow the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for your care.  This includes keeping appointments and, if unable to do so for any reason, you will notify the responsible practitioner or the hospital.
III. For your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner’s instructions.
IV. For assuring that the financial obligations of your health care are paid  as promptly as possible.
V. For being considerate of the rights of other patients and hospital staff, and for assisting in the control of noise, smoking, and the number of visitors. You are responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the hospital. Pictures or video that capture employees will not be taken without the written consent of the employee.

Advance Directives

The Federal Patient Self-Determination Act requires hospitals to ask all admitted patients if they have an Advance Directive, such as a "Living Will" or a "Durable Power of Attorney" that would affect decisions regarding their medical treatment. You may click here for answers to the most commonly asked questions about Advance Directives, or if you would like more information about this Federal law, or the Virginia Natural Death Act, please ask your nurse for a free booklet.

Hospital cafeteria

The hospital cafeteria is located on the first floor. Meals are served as follows:

Starbucks coffee is available in the lobby from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The kiosk serves all Starbucks coffee specials including brewed coffees, espressos, tazo teas and iced drinks. Gourmet breakfast items, "Grab-and-Go" sandwiches, salads, bottled sodas, waters, fruit cups and gourmet cookies are also available.

Vending machines are located on the first floor, adjacent to the main elevators.

Gift shop

The hospital Auxiliary operates a gift shop in the main lobby. Items include candy, magazines, toiletries, paperback books, games and a variety of gifts. The gift shop is open every day, including holidays, from 9 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Personal belongings

If you are admitted to the hospital for one night or more, please bring the following items with you to make your stay more comfortable:

• Glasses and/or hearing aid
• Pajamas, housecoat and slippers
• Reading material
• Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, comb, deodorant, shampoo, razor, etc.)
• Portable radio (with earphone, please)

Valuables or lost items

Patients are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. No more than $15 in cash should be kept with you during your stay. If you do bring something of value or cash, it should be deposited in the safe located in the cashier's office. You will be given a written receipt for all items, which must be presented when you withdraw them. Chesapeake General does not accept responsibility for items of value unless they are deposited in the safe. If you lose something, please notify your nurse immediately. The nurse will report the loss to our security services.

Newspapers

Two newspapers are available, USA Today and The Virginian-Pilot, in the boxes at the main entrance or in the Emergency Department vending area. If you would like the newspaper brought to your room, call the Patient Representative at 757-312-6244 for weekday delivery. On weekends, please call the Information Desk at 757-312-6333.

Helpful hints for our out-of-town guests

Ending up in the hospital when you are away from home is not something that most people anticipate. It is difficult enough being sick or injured but doing so while being away from your own doctors, friends and family can result in additional strain. The staff at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center wants to make your hospital stay as easy as possible. Listed below are suggestions to consider:

Medical records

If you would like your medical records sent to your home doctor, stop by the Medical Records department on the first floor after discharge. You will sign an authorization form that allows the hospital to mail your medical information to your doctor at no charge. Copies for your own use will involve a small fee. For further information, call 757-312-6114.

Physicians

While you are in our hospital, you may see several physicians. It is important to know their names and specialties in case you need to contact them once you are home. Ask each physician for their business card or contact the Patient Representative at 757-312-6244 for a Medical Staff Directory that contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers for all doctors on staff.

Telephone service

To make or receive calls in your room:

• To connect to an extension inside the hospital, dial the four-digit number.
• To make local calls outside the hospital, simply dial 8 then the seven-digit number.
• To make long distance calls, dial 0 to reach the operator. (Long distance calls may be made collect or charged to your home telephone number or a credit card.)
• Out-of-area patients, you will be given a guest services packet which will include a 10 minute calling card that you may use to make long distance calls.
• Your family and friends can reach you by dialing 312 + the room number. If you're hearing impaired, please don't hesitate to request a TDD.

If your family or friends are staying at the Outer Banks while you are here, they can call the hospital using our toll-free telephone number, 1-800-456-8121.

WI-FI

Chesapeake General Hospital now offers wireless Internet access throughout most of the facility. The free wireless connection is available in patient rooms, the Intensive Care units, and the hospital's main lobby. Laptops that have wireless capability can be used on the hospital's wireless connection through cghguest.

Transportation

Transportation to the Outer Banks from Chesapeake is limited. No trains or buses service the Outer Banks. Rental cars must be returned to Chesapeake; no one-way drop-off point is available. There are several limousine services and taxicabs but they tend to be expensive. If possible, please make arrangements for a family member or friend to pick you up upon discharge.

Transportation between hotels and Chesapeake General Hospital or Norfolk International Airport is very limited. Although the hospital is located on a bus route, this route does not service the local hotels. For your convenience, several local taxi companies are listed below.