CRMC | Guest Information

Guest Information

At Chesapeake Regional Medical Center we are committed to providing you with the best possible healthcare. 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 healthcare achieve better results. Therefore, we encourage you to become an active partner with your healthcare team by being an informed patient and exercising your rights. View our patient information brochure.

Patient Rights

Quality healthcare
Considerate and respectful care
Identification of all health professionals participating in your care
Information concerning your illness and treatment as provided by the physician in charge
Participation in decisions regarding your treatment and medical care
Confidentiality concerning your medical care and related records
Information about your continuing healthcare requirements
Information about Advance Directives
Information about the hospital’s policies and complaint resolution process - ask your nurse or call the Patient Representative at 757.312.6244 or 757.312.6665.

Patient responsibilities

To become an active participant in your medical care, please observe the following hospital regulations and assume the following responsibilities:

Be considerate to other patients, be conscious of noise, limit the number of visitors and observe the hospital-wide no smoking regulations.
Ask questions if anything is unclear to you regarding your illness or treatment so that you can remain fully informed
Cooperate with hospital staff by providing the necessary personal and medical history required for your treatment.
Notify your physician of any changes in your health that may occur. All drugs given to you during your stay are part of your specific treatment. It is very important that you NOT take any other drugs without the consent of your physician.
Notify your doctor of your willingness and ability to follow your particular treatment.
Participate actively in continuing your care after you leave the hospital. You should be notified when and where to get further treatment and what instructions you should follow at home. If you don’t know or are unclear in any way, please ask questions.
Attend all follow-up appointments. If for some reason you cannot keep an appointment, please notify your physician as soon as possible so a new appointment can be scheduled for you and another patient may have your old appointment.
Pay your hospital bills in a timely manner. Provide information necessary to process your health insurance and ask any questions you may have about your bills.

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 your medical treatment. If you would like more information about this Federal law, or the Virginia Natural Death Act, please ask your nurse for a free booklet that answers most commonly asked questions. Download a Virginia Advance Medical Directive form here.

Hospital cafeteria

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

Breakfast: 6:30-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4:45-6 p.m.

Starbucks coffee is available in the lobby from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. 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, the following items may 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)

Cell phones

To insure the safety and well-being of our patients, cell phones are not permitted in the hospital. Cell phones must be turned off completely to avoid any interference with medical equipment.

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 away from your own doctors, friends and family can result in additional strains. The staff at Chesapeake General Hospital 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 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 you telephone credit card.)
for 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.

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 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.

Airport Express Limo Service - 757.858.2127
Red & Yellow - 757.366.9288
Clipper D.L. Taxi - 757.487.9385
Norfolk Airport Shuttle - 757.857.1231
Red Top Cab Company - 757.382.0432

Telephone numbers that you may need at home

Department Contacts
Chesapeake General Hospital - 757.312.8121
Medical Records - 757.312.6114
Billing - 757.312.6401
Credit - 757.312.6107
Patient Representative - 757.312.6244 or 757.312.6665

Other important numbers

American Red Cross - 757.446.7700
Military Social Services - 757.446.7754
Chesapeake Police Department - 757.382.6161
Chesapeake Sheriff's Office - 757.382.6159
Chesapeake General Hospital Chaplain - 757.312.6237
Chesapeake General Hospital Discharge Planning - 757.312.6133
Chesapeake General Hospital Patient Representative - 757.312.6244
Norfolk International Airport - 757.857.3200
North Carolina State Police - 919.441.7341
Organ Donor Information LifeNet - 757.464.4761
Virginia State Police Chesapeake Assistance - 800.582.8350