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Patient Health Information

Discharge Information

Discharge time is 10 a.m. for most patients. For your comfort and safety, we request that a family member or friend take patients home after a hospital stay. Please make sure you have all of your belongings as well as aftercare instructions and prescriptions as needed. Our discharge planning nurse will provide information about alternative living options, respite opportunities and will facilitate the most appropriate placement when returning home is not an option.

Food Services

Most patients get a weekly menu from which they can select their meals. Your health care provider, family, friends or volunteers can help you fill out your choices. If you follow a special diet let us know when you arrive, and we will do our best to accommodate you. If you would like to talk to a dietician while you are here, let your health care provider know.

• The cafeteria is located on the main floor of Village Centre. It is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you require assistance when eating or drinking, please bring a friend or family member. Vending machines for snacks are available in Sam's Bar after hours.
• The General Store is located on the main floor of Union Terrace. Here you will find snack food and pop. The General Store is open Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Ice Cream Parlour is located on the main floor of Union Terrace and is open every day from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. In the Ice Cream Parlour, you can purchase coffee, tea, cookies, and of course, ice cream!

Laundry

We are pleased to offer you a weekly personal laundry service for a monthly fee.

Leaves From the Hospital

Arrangements can be made with your nursing staff to leave the Hospital for the day or overnight, providing your physician offers approval. Ample notice is required so that we may arrange for your medications and any special needs. We will also need you to complete the Release From Responsibility for Absence from Hospital form, which is standard for all off-site outings.

Mail

Your incoming mail will be delivered daily. It should be addressed as follows:
Name and room number
Grand River Hospital
Freeport Health Centre
P.O. Box 9056,
Kitchener, ON N2G 1G3

For outgoing mail, there is a mailbox outside the main entrance.

Parking

There is a paid parking lot available outside the main entrance. In addition, there are some metered spaces. Exiting the lot costs $4, but a monthly pass card can be purchased from security. A special permit is required from security to use the handicapped parking spaces, which are also available.

Smoking

A patients-only smoking area is located beside Sam's Bar. Those who smoke outside the Hospital must be at least nine metres away from any door, as legislated under the Tobacco Control Act.

Telephones

Individual telephone services are available for a monthly fee. Friends or family wishing to contact you can call the automated switchboard at (519) 749-4300 followed by your extension number, or they can call the main switchboard at (519) 742-3611.

There are special telephone adaptations available for the hearing or hand impaired. For more information, contact your Occupational Therapist.

Wheelchair-accessible public telephones are available on the main floor.

Televisions

Television cable services are available in your room. TV, telephone and personal laundry services may be individually purchased or can be combined for one monthly fee. Individual televisions can be rented from the Hospital and the charge includes the cable fee. If you prefer, there are community televisions installed in the living/dining room of each floor.

Visitors

Visitors, including children, may come and go at any time. However, the hospital does reserve the right to restrict visiting if necessary. Properly vaccinated pets are also welcome. Visitors requiring a wheelchair can sign one out from Security located near the main entrance. For night access to the hospital by visitors, an entry telephone is located in the main entrance.

Infection control is everyone's concern. It is the practice of preventing and managing infections to protect patients, staff and visitors. EVERYONE must follow isolation protocols and participate in basic principles of hand washing and refraining from visiting when ill. The nurses will be glad to answer any questions.

What to Bring to the Hospital

• Bring canes, walkers, wheelchairs, hearing aids, dentures, eyeglasses, or any other aid you use. Please label them with your name so that we can return them to you if they are lost or misplaced.
• Patients dress in personal street clothes. Bring comfortable, soft, loose-fitting clothes such as tracksuits as well as socks and shoes. Storage space is limited.
• You are responsible for supplying your own toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste, hand soap, shampoo, tissues, deodorant, razor and cream, comb and brush. We ask that you not use powders and aerosol sprays in the hospital, as they may trigger the Fire Alarm. Due to patient and staff allergies, fragrance-free products are strongly recommended.
• If you have any food or drug allergies, please let your nurse know. When you are admitted, you will be asked for a complete list of your prescription and over-the-counter medications. Only medications ordered by your physician may be taken.