Your Hospital Stay

What to Expect During Your Stay

We are pleased that you and your physician have selected Sierra Medical Center to provide your medical care. All our employees are committed to Service Excellence and driven to provide you with high quality and compassionate care and to make your stay a comfortable one. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask your physician or nurse, or contact our case manager, who is here to act as your advocate, at 775-356-4005.

Your Private Room at Sierra Medical Center

At Sierra Medical Center, your comfort and privacy are enhanced by our all-private rooms. Some suites are available for surgical patients from out of town. The doctor’s office staff will call the hospital’s admitting office to schedule your admission. Your exact room assignment is based on your admitting diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission.

Your Hospital Bed

Hospital beds can be adjusted by using the controls. The beds are equipped with side rails that must be raised while you are asleep or sedated. Should you need assistance, please call your nurse.

Room Temperature

All rooms in the hospital are centrally heated and air conditioned. If the temperature in your room is not comfortable, please notify the nursing staff.

Calling Your Nurse

All rooms, except the intensive care, coronary care, bone marrow transplant and psychiatric units, are equipped with an intercom system. Patient bathrooms also are equipped with an emergency call system. You will receive instructions on their use.

During the Night

Please stay in bed after you have been prepared for the night. Strange surroundings and sleeping medications may create a hazard if you get out of bed. For assistance during the night, use your call button.

Television

Television sets with cable channel access are provided in each room for your enjoyment. For a listing of all channels and services, please refer to the program guide in your room.

Telephones

Telephones are provided in each room. If you find that your telephone is not functioning, please let your nurse know. Local calls may be made at any time from the room by dialing nine and the number. Long distance and toll calls can be made at any time by dialing eight + zero + area code and the number. Long distance calls cannot be charged to your room. You can use a telephone calling card or major credit card, or make a collect call. Should you not want to receive phone calls, inform the nurse, who will arrange to restrict your calls. You may call the hospital receptionist by touching zero if you have a question or experience difficulty using the long-distance service.

Leaving the Unit

Please check with your physician or nurse to determine if you have walking privileges. An escort may be necessary even if you do have walking privileges. Please notify your nurse upon leaving and returning to the unit. It is important to stay in your room until your doctor has made rounds and treatments have been completed.

Your Safety at Sierra Medical Center

Learn more about staying safe during your stay.

Smoke-free Environment

Sierra Medical Center is a smoke-free hospital and campus. Cigarettes and smoking materials are not sold at Sierra Medical Center, and smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the hospital.

Fire Drills

For your protection, the hospital regularly conducts fire and disaster drills. If a 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.

Medications

Every medicine that you receive in the hospital is reviewed, prepared and delivered by a licensed and registered pharmacist. The pharmacist screens your medications to prevent drug interactions and reactions. Once you are discharged, your prescriptions can be filled in our pharmacy located on the first floor. The pharmacy hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Valuables or Lost Items

Patients are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. If you do bring anything of value, it should be deposited in the safe in the admitting office located on the ground floor in the lobby. 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 unless they are deposited in the safe. If you lose something, please notify your nurse immediately, who will report the loss to security services.

Cell Phones

In an effort to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our patients, the hospital safety committee requests that cell phones be turned off when in the vicinity of patient monitoring equipment. Thank you for your cooperation.