River Falls Area Hospital
1629 East Division Street
River Falls, Wisconsin 54022
River Falls Area Hospital is a 25-minute drive east of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Directions from I-94
From I-94 east, exit south on Hwy 35 to Division Street. Then left on Division.
Campus guide
Welcome to River Falls Area Hospital. Thank you for entrusting us with your care. Our dedicated staff and physicians are committed to providing you with the finest health care available.
We understand that being a hospital patient can be a stressful time for patients and family members. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality medical care and make your stay as comfortable as possible. We encourage you to ask questions of your physicians and our staff members. Please let us know what we can do for you.
This information directory provides general information about being a patient here. We encourage you to share your comments both when we have met your expectations and when we have failed to meet them. Thank you for choosing River Falls Area Hospital and entrusting us with your care.
General information
Thank you for not smoking
River Falls Area Hospital campus, grounds and parking lots are proud to be tobacco-free. There is no smoking or tobacco use on hospital grounds. Your health is our first concern. If you would like nicotine replacement options, please talk with your nurse or doctor. If you are interested in quitting tobacco, your nurse can schedule a consultation with a cessation specialist.
Medical history and medications
When you are admitted, please give accurate and up-to-date information on your medical history and current medical problems. In addition, please bring a list of your current medications, or for your convenience, place all the prescriptions and over-the-counter medications you are taking in a bag and bring them with you. The better picture
your caregivers have of your overall health, the better they can develop the care plan that ideally meets your needs.
Personal belongings
It is strongly recommended that you not bring valuables to the hospital. If you need to place items in safekeeping, please contact your nurse for a valuables envelope. You will be given a written receipt for all items, which must be presented when you withdraw them. The hospital does not accept responsibility for items of value. Any valuables you decide to keep with you will be your responsibility
Your room
Your room assignment at River Falls Area Hospital is based on your admitting diagnosis and bed availability on the day of your admission.
Your bed
Hospital beds are electronically operated, and your nurse will show you how to work your bed properly. Your hospital bed is probably higher and narrower then your bed at home. Bed rails are for your protection. They may be raised at night or during the day if you're resting, recovering from surgery or taking certain medications. Call your nurse for assistance before trying to get out of bed when the rails are raised.
Calling your nurse
A button to call your nurse is located on the bed rail and also on the bed station. When you press the button, the nurses' station is alerted that you need assistance and a light flashes above your door. A staff member will respond to your signal as soon as possible.
Telephones
All standard patient rooms are equipped with a telephone. You can receive calls directly to your room from outside the hospital. Family members can call the hospital at 715-307-6000 or 1-800-966-7324 and ask to be transferred to your room.
To make a call:
- in-house calls – Dial the last five digits of the phone number.
- local calls – Dial 9 + 10-digit number.
- long distance calls – Dial 9 + 0. This will connect you with an operator who will assist you. Long distance calls must be billed to your home or credit card or you may call collect.
- public phone – located by the emergency department.
- cellular phone – Use of cellular phones is prohibited in the hospital except in the visitor lounges, cafeteria and lobby. Their use can cause patient care equipment to malfunction, so if you have questions regarding their use, please contact your caregiver for locations where cell phones can be used.
Television
A television with local and cable stations is provided free of charge in each room. Each inpatient room also includes a DVD player.
Patient education
Speak to your nurse regarding in-room patient education. Movie videos are available for your convenience; ask your nurse to assist you.
Wireless high-speed internet access
Free wi-fi/wireless high-speed internet access is available for patients and visitors at the hospital.
Electrical appliances
Personal electrical devices, computers or your own medical equipment brought into the hospital must be checked and approved by maintenance personnel before use. Contact your nurse for details.
Emergency plans
Do not be alarmed if a fire drill or disaster drill occurs while you are a patient. These and other emergency plans are our way of ensuring your safety. If a fire drill occurs while you are here, please remain in your room and do not become alarmed. The hospital is a fire-resistant building, and the staff is trained in fire protection. Should severe weather
occur while you are in the hospital, precautions will be made for your safety.
Infection control
We strive to protect all patients, staff and visitors from exposure to infection. Cleansing of hands, wearing gloves and, in certain circumstances, wearing face protectors, aprons or gowns by the clinical staff are routine. As part of the health team, your responsibility is to inform your doctors and nurses of any infections you may have and to wash
your hands after touching any body fluid substance.
Latex precautions
Hospital staff will ask you about latex sensitivity. If it is determined that you have a latex sensitivity, special precautions and equipment will be instituted for your care. Because many people are sensitive to latex, latex balloons are not allowed in the hospital.
Mail and flowers
Flowers, balloon bouquets and cards brighten up a patient's surroundings and are welcome in patient rooms. Because of possible allergic reactions, latex balloons are not allowed. Some nursing units, such as the special care unit, have restrictions on floral arrangements. Please check with a nurse or unit coordinator prior to bringing live flowers.
All mail and flowers addressed to you will be delivered to your room. Any items received after you leave the hospital will be forwarded to your home.
Partnering with our patients
Health care safety is our priority. We encourage our patients to be active patients in their health care through the use of the "Speak Up" program:
Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you do not understand, ask again.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Ask questions when you don't understand.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, medical tests and your plan of care.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be with you if you are unable to ask questions for yourself.
Know what medications you take.
Use a health care organization that has undergone rigorous on-site evaluations.
Participate in decisions about your treatment. You are the center of your health care team.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available on all nursing units but getting in and out of them without assistance may be hazardous. Please ask for help from a member of the hospital staff.
Oxygen
Special regulations are in effect in areas where patients are receiving oxygen. Electrically-operated equipment and aerosol products are not permitted in these areas.
Medications
All medications you take while in the hospital are prescribed by your doctor, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy and administered by a nurse. Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or keep personal medications at their bedside.
Visiting hours
It is important for you to rest during your hospital stay, but it is also important for you to have the encouragement you receive when friends and relatives come to visit.
We ask that your visitors follow our hospital procedures, which are designed for the comfort and well-being of all our patients.
Out of respect for our patients, recommended visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis through the patient's nurse.
If you are a patient in the special care unit, your visitors should contact the nurse in charge of the unit. Hours are arranged individually, depending on the condition of each patient.
General guidelines for visitors
- People with colds, sore throats or any contagious diseases are encouraged not to visit patients.
- Visitors should maintain a quiet environment and avoid unnecessary noise.
- Visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments when the doctor or nurse needs to see the patient.
Waiting areas
Specially designated lounge areas for visitors are located at the end of most patient wings and in the lobby. In addition, a designated surgery consulting waiting room is available for family members of surgery patients.
Going home
When your doctor decides you are ready to leave the hospital, a discharge order will be written. You may want to make arrangements with a family member or friend to help you when it's time to go home.
Checkout time
Checkout occurs once your physician rounds and discharge paperwork is complete. When you are ready to leave, a member of the hospital staff will escort you to the front entrance and help you into the car.
Personal belongings
Collect all of your belongings and double check closets and drawers. If you have anything stored in a valuables envelope, ask your nurse.
Discharge instructions
Your doctor and your nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care. If you have questions about your diet, activities or other matters, please ask.
Medications
If your doctor gives you a prescription, it can be filled at your pharmacy.
Discharge planning
Sometimes patients may need additional treatment or care after they are discharged from the hospital. To meet the special need of these patients, River Falls Area Hospital will help patients/families access a skilled nursing unit, home health care and home medical equipment, as needed.
Patient satisfaction questionnaire
After you leave the hospital you may receive a questionnaire in the mail to complete and return to us. It is very important for us to know if the care you received meets the high standards we have set for ourselves. Your compliments and concerns are gratefully received.
