Accommodation

There are three types of accommodation for hospital patients: ward, semi-private or private. Everyone is entitled to ward accommodation, but anyone can choose to upgrade to semi-private or private. There is an extra charge for semi-private and private rooms, but the cost may be covered by your insurance plan. If your insurance plan does not cover all the extra cost, you will be required to pay for it yourself. We try to give every patient the kind of room that they want if it is available.

Please note that the Ministry of Health has mandated that a co-payment (or extra payment) must be charged to a patient whose doctor has determined that the patient requires complex continuing care and is more or less a permanent resident in the hospital. This now includes patients in a regular acute hospital like CP&DMH who are waiting for a place in a specific complex continuing care unit or long-term care facility. Some patients may receive full or partial exemptions from the co-payments. For more information, please contact our Discharge Planner.

Hospitalized Children

Children are sometimes admitted to our Hospital. Parents or guardians must stay with young children as much as possible during their hospital stay. You may choose to stay overnight with your child. Please discuss your plans with the nursing staff so that arrangements can be made to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

When You Become a Hospital Patient

Admission to Hospital

When you first arrive at the Hospital for admission, you must report to the Registration Office. The Registration clerk will record information such as your name and address, and the name of your family doctor. You will then report to the Inpatient Nursing Unit. You can also be admitted directly from the Emergency Department. In that case, a member of the nursing staff will escort you to your room from the Emergency Department. When you get to your assigned bed, the nursing staff will obtain a nursing history from you and have you sign the appropriate consent forms.

What to Bring:

• Hospital, OHIP, and insurance cards
• Toiletries (unscented)
• Nightwear, housecoat, slippers
• All medication you are currently taking (or a list)

Hospital, Health & Insurance Cards

Whenever you come to the CPDMH (whether you are being admitted as a patient or are visiting our Emergency Department or Outpatient Clinic), you must bring your Hospital Card and your Ontario Health Card. You can get a Hospital card from the Admitting Office. Be sure to update your card at every visit and always tell the Admitting clerk about any changes in your name, address or telephone number.

Toiletries & Nightwear

Make sure to pack your own toiletries such as tissues, toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, etc. Please do not bring any scented products. (See the section on Allergies). Although we can provide hospital gowns or pajamas, you might be more comfortable in your own nightwear. We recommend that you also bring a housecoat and firm-soled slippers.

Medications

Please keep a list of all the medications that you regularly use (prescription, non-prescription, and alternative medications such as herbal remedies). An accurate list will help us to make sure that you get the right care and treatment. Please provide this list to your nurse and update it before leaving the hospital. Please bring all medication with you. The nursing staff will store these for you and return them to you when you are discharged from the hospital. You are not allowed to keep medications at your bedside unless your physician requests it.

The Pharmacy Department stocks approved medicinal drugs. If you are regularly taking a medication that does not appear on the list, you will be asked to use your own supply while you are in our Hospital.

Do Not Bring:

• Large sums of money
• Valuables
• Hot water bottles
• Cell phones
• Heating pads
• Electric blankets

Smoking Policy

CPDMH promotes a healthy safe environment for anyone who works at, is admitted to or visits any of our sites by banning smoking on the property. Employees, patients, and visitors are not permitted to smoke within CPDMH buildings or on CPDMH exterior grounds. The hospital recommends that all patients and employees who are addicted to the use of tobacco products undertake a comprehensive smoking cessation program.  Existing regulations including Federal, Provincial and Municipal statutes are enforced.