Patient Guide

We are committed to your care.

Our goal is to provide the best quality care. To do so, we ask for feedback from patients like you. You may be contacted by phone, email or text and asked to complete a confidential survey. Please take the time to complete the survey. Your feedback will help us know what we’re doing well and where we can improve.

Privacy Practices Patient Rights & Responsibilities Concerns About Your Care

Fast facts about your stay.

Support for Caregivers

We encourage patients to pick a key person to support them during their hospital stay. Whether you are that primary support person, or just one of many people caring for and supporting your loved one, you can play an important role in making sure your loved one gets the safest and best care both here and beyond the hospital.

Patient and Family Care
We participate in patient- and family-centered care. We believe that family plays an important role in ensuring the health and well-being of patients of all ages. Our goal is to create partnerships among healthcare practitioners, patients and families that will lead to the best outcomes and enhance the delivery of safe, quality, efficient, effective, and timely care.

What to Know Before You Leave
Caregivers can help ensure the best outcome for their loved one after a hospital stay by getting the answers to these three questions:

What is the next step for medical care (home or facility, follow-up with primary care physician or physical therapy, etc.)? Help your loved one arrange the details to make this happen—financial plan, transportation, scheduling, etc.
What new and former medicines does my loved one need to take? Help your loved one understand the details—timing, dosing instructions, side effects, prescription refills, etc.
What health warning signs do I need to watch for and what do I do if they happen? Help your loved one by writing these symptoms down as well as the name and contact number to call.

If you feel like you need a break or help, reach out to friends and family. And consult the resources listed here: National Alliance for Caregiving | Family Caregiver Alliance | Caregiver Action Network

Facts About Your Stay

ATM

For your convenience, an ATM is located in the Emergency Department waiting area.

Bedside Shift Report

We want you to feel comfortable and cared for throughout your stay, so at each nursing shift change—about every 12 hours—your nurse will introduce your new nurse to you. The team will talk about your progress, medicine and tests scheduled for the day. Ask questions. The more you’re involved, the better and safer your care.

Bedside Technology

During your stay, you may see your doctors and nurses using computers or tablets. These tools help them care for you by providing around-the-clock monitoring, a variety of resources and quick communication with the rest of your healthcare team. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or nurse.

Cafeteria

Location: Main Floor

Hours: Monday - Friday

Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Dinner: Closed

All visitors are welcome to dine in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is closed on weekends and some holidays.

Calling Your Nurse

Your room is connected to the nursing station via an intercom system. To call for your nurse, press the NURSE call button located at your bedside. If you have any questions on how to use the call button, ask a staff member to show you.

Cellphones & Video

During your stay, you may see members of your care team using mobile phones. At Starr Regional Medical Center, our staff are permitted to use phones for work-related activities, such as communicating with doctors or other care team members. Employees are not allowed to use phones for non-work-related activities. There are many work-related benefits of cellphones and other communication devices, including access to medical references, clinical tools and patient information.

We are committed to protecting every patient's right to privacy. Photography, video and/or audio recording of a patient, provider or employee is prohibited without prior consent.

Channel Listing for TV

#	Channel	#	Channel	#	Channel
2	HSN	29	Paramount Network	50	FS1SD
3	WRCB	30	TWC	51	Jewelry
4	C-SPAN 1	31	USA	53	Comedy Central
5	WFLI	32	Golf Channel	54	Bravo
7	QVC	33	TLC	55	CNBC
9	WTVC	34	HGTV	60	HSN-2
10	WBIR	35	MTV	69	TCM
11	WDSI	36	CNN	70	Hallmark
12	WDEF	37	A&E	95	EGACC
13	WTCI	38	Syfy	96	Animal Planet
14	WGN America	39	Nickelodeon	98	NBCSN
15	TBS	40	VH1	99	FNC
16	WELF	41	CNHN
17	Travel Channel	43	AMC
18	TDC	44	FX
19	TV Land	45	SPSO
20	Food Network	46	Lifetime
25	ESPN2	47	ETV
26	FSNS10	48	OWN
28	FAM	49	BET

Concerns About Your Care

Please speak with your nurse or nursing supervisor if you have any questions or concerns about your care. If your issue still is not resolved, then contact the hospital patient advocate. You also have the right to file your complaint with either:

The Tennessee Department of Public Health
665 Mainstream Dr., Second Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
877.287.0010

Office of Quality and Patient Safety
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Website: www.jointcommission.org, then click “Report patient safety event”

Sometimes a healthcare choice can involve an ethical concern—such as a wish to refuse life-saving treatment or a disagreement over advance directives . Our medical ethics committee can help you and those who are here to support you make difficult decisions. For help, contact the Case Management department at 423.744.3341.

Electrical Appliances

For your safety, we reserve the right to inspect any electrical appliances brought into the hospital.

Fire Safety

We conduct fire drills from time to time. If you hear an alarm, stay where you are. In an actual emergency, hospital staff will tell you what to do.

Flowers

Flowers are delivered to patient rooms by individual florists. Please note that flowers are not allowed in Intensive Care Units.

Hearing Impaired

We have services available for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. If you need these services, please contact your nurse.

Hospital Safe for Valuables

Patients and visitors are responsible for their valuables. Upon request, valuables may be locked up by someone from the nursing staff.

Hourly Rounding

A nurse will visit you every hour during the day and every two hours at night to check on your comfort, help you change positions in bed, assist with trips to the bathroom, and make sure you can reach your phone, call light, and personal items easily.

Housekeeping Services

A member of our housekeeping team will clean your room daily.

Interpreters and Translation Services

Interpreter services are available for patients. Please contact your nurse for assistance.

Lost and Found

Please call the operator regarding any lost belongings.

Mail

Mail sent to the hospital is delivered to patients Monday through Friday by the switchboard staff. Flowers may be delivered to your room by a representative from the florist or the individual bringing them to you. Fresh flowers are not allowed in critical care areas.

Mail received after discharge will be forwarded to the patient’s home. Outgoing mail may be taken to the nurses station or given to your attending nurse. Postage may be purchased from the Business Office. Please speak with your nurse or call the operator for more information.

Medicines

Please do not bring any prescription or over-the-counter medicines to the hospital. All medicines you take in the hospital need to be prescribed, filled and given to you by hospital staff. Tell your doctor about any medicines you regularly take. If you still need them, hospital staff will give them to you.

Pastoral Care

Starr Regional Medical Center patients, visitors and staff are supported by a team of volunteer chaplains who currently serve in or are retired from ministerial roles throughout McMinn County. The chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support, offering comfort and compassion when patients and their families are dealing with an illness, injury or death of a loved one.

Chaplains are on call and available to talk with patients and families of all faiths (or no faith) and can provide information about local religious resources. They can also assist with arranging religious services or rituals to be performed.

Hospital chaplains are an essential part of the healthcare team. If you would like to speak with a chaplain, simply ask your nurse to contact the chaplain on call. Additionally, the hospital chapel is always open for prayer and meditation. It is located near the main hospital lobby.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer chaplain at Starr Regional Medical Center, please email your contact information to strr.cares@lpnt.net.

Patient Meals

An In-Room Dining Ambassador will come to your room to discuss menu options for the diet ordered by your provider. You will place your meal orders with the In-Room Dining Ambassador each day. Should you have any questions, dial ext. 3258 between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to speak with a Food Services representative.

Personal Belongings and Valuables

Personal care items such as contact lenses, eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures can be stored in your bedside stand when not in use. Please do not put them on your bed or food tray to help avoid them being lost or damaged. Leave valuables such as jewelry or cash at home, or give them to a trusted relative or friend to watch over. If this is not an option, valuables may be locked up at your request. Starr Regional Medical Center cannot be responsible for replacing personal belongings.

Public Restrooms

For everyone’s health and safety, we ask visitors not to use patient restrooms. Public restrooms are located throughout the hospital. Ask hospital staff to direct you to the nearest one.

Rapid Response Team

You can call a critical-care response team to respond if your condition worsens and you do not get the immediate care you need. Dial 6 on the bedside phone and tell the operator your name and/or patient's name, room number and your concern. The Rapid Response Team will be sent to your room.

Smoking

Given the serious health hazards of tobacco use, we have chosen to become a 100 percent tobacco-free campus. No smoking or tobacco products will be used while on Starr Regional Medical Center property, parking lots, associated buildings and vehicles. Patients and visitors are asked not to smoke during their hospital visit.

If You Smoke or Use Tobacco
While you are in the hospital, please do not suffer from nicotine withdrawal. Please ask your nurse for information about nicotine replacement therapy or other appropriate support during your hospital visit.

Telephone

Your friends and family can call your hospital room directly. Your direct phone number is 423-744 + 3 + your room number. If you need to make a phone call, dial 8 + 1+ area code + the phone number you want to call. To reach your nurse, use your call button or call the nurse directly using the phone number listed on the whiteboard.

Calling from INSIDE the hospital? Dial the last four digits only.

TV

Each patient room has a television. Please be considerate of others by keeping the volume down and turning off your TV at bedtime. TVs are controlled by the bedside pillow speaker or side rail controls. Closed captioning is available for the hearing impaired. Ask a staff member if you have any questions on using your TV.

Vending Machines

Vending machines are located in the Main Lobby and Emergency Department waiting area. Here you can find beverages and snacks 24 hours a day.

Visiting Hours

Please note that Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation (SRHR) and Starr Regional’s Senior Care program continue to have separate visitation policies in place to protect the vulnerable populations they serve. To learn more about SRHR’s updated policy, visit the Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation page. For more information about Starr Regional’s Senior Care program and its policies, please call 423-263-3890.

Starr Regional Medical Center will provide patients with the opportunity to have visitors in a safe, therapeutic and appropriate manner. The hospital allows for the presence of a support individual of the patient’s choice, unless the individual’s presence infringes on other’s rights, safety, or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.

General Visiting Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Family and nursing staff must reach mutual understanding about the length and times of visitation and who may visit. The number of visitors may be restricted, depending on the current patient care environment. The patient’s rights and wishes are the determining factors of visitation. Children under the age of twelve should refrain from visiting due to infection control issues.

ICU Visiting Hours:
10:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Two immediate family members or significant others may visit for thirty minutes at this time. The ICU charge nurse may allow for emergency visits or planned visits outside these times if the patient’s condition warrants. Pastoral visits are allowed pursuant to Starr Regional Medical Center policy.
Visiting Guidelines:
1. Children under 12 years of age are discouraged from visiting patients.
2. Only two visitors are allowed per patient at a time.
3. Additional restrictions may be implemented at the patient’s request or as the patient’s condition warrants.
4. The patient’s pastor may visit at any time at the patient’s request.
5. All visitors will be asked to leave the patient area after 9:00 p.m, unless approved for after-hours visitation.
6. The charge nurse or security will handle any problems with family, visitors, or other individuals.
Postpartum/Sibling Visitation (Athens Campus)
1. Visiting hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Special arrangements will be made for deliveries after these hours.
2. All siblings under 12 years of age should be accompanied by an adult and must not infringe on other patients’ rights. Visitors will be asked to leave during examinations or treatments if deemed necessary by the medical staff.
3. Visitors will be asked to leave the patient’s room at any time by the nursing staff if in the best interests of patient care.
4. Siblings may not be left unattended while holding an infant.
5. Caution will be taken to ensure the safety of the infant at all times.
6. Parents will be instructed in the proper hand washing technique for siblings and family members desiring to hold the infant.
7. Siblings will be shown how to safely hold the infant.
8. Staff will observe standard precautions at all times.
9. Parents will be instructed concerning risks of exposing infants to any infectious diseases.
Labor and Delivery Visitation (Athens Campus)
1. At the attending physician’s preference, up to three support persons can be present in the Labor and Delivery Suite.
2. At the attending physician’s preference, siblings of the new baby are allowed to visit during labor. Siblings of the new baby must be afebrile and accompanied by a responsible adult other than the parents.
3. At the physician’s discretion, up to three persons will be allowed to be present during the birth.
4. Staff may ask visitors to leave to protect the privacy of the delivering mother, or if visitation is interfering with required medical care.
5. Family members are asked to remain in the waiting room when requested. Visitors and family members will be asked not to stand in hallways or block Labor/Delivery doors.
Senior Care Unit Visiting Guidelines
1. Visiting hours:
  Saturday and Sunday: 1 to 2 p.m.
2. All visitors are required to sign in on arrival and sign out on departure, and agree to maintain the confidentiality of the names and situations of other patients on the unit.
3. The unit limits the number and types of packages being brought onto the unit in order to maintain the safety of our patients and staff.
4. The number of visitors may be limited at the discretion of staff decisions for safety and effect on the program milieu.
5. No visitor under the age of 16 is allowed on the unit.
6. Visitors who are disruptive may cause the visit to be terminated and the visitor asked to leave.
After Hours Visitation Guidelines
1. The Operator will announce, “Visiting hours are now over. Any visitor not leaving the hospital at this time, please report to the nurses’ station.
2. Charge Nurse / Responsible RN or designee will validate any visitor who plans to remain in the building after hours.
3. Visitor will be given a “Starr Regional Medical Center After Visiting Hours” sticker with room number filled in. Visitor will be instructed to wear sticker in a visible place at all times.
4. Any individual without a sticker after normal visiting hours will be questioned regarding their reason for being in the hospital.
5. Security Officer and Nursing Supervisor will intervene in any situation related to unauthorized after hours visitors.

Visiting hours are subject to change. Please ask your nurse for official hours during your stay. To promote healing and safety and limit infection, some units may limit the number of visitors you can receive at one time.

Wifi

Patients and visitors may access Starr Regional Medical Center’s Wireless Guest Network by selecting “Guest_Access” on their device, then tapping the “I accept the terms and conditions” button on the log in screen.