Patients & Visitors
Thank you for choosing Clinch Valley Medical Center to meet your health care needs. We consider it a privilege to serve you and your family. The goal of every Clinch Valley Medical Center staff member is to make your stay as pleasant and as comfortable as possible while following the medical care plan especially designed for you by your physician. Please do not hesitate to ask questions about your care or any of the hospital's services.
The information presented below covers a wide range of hospital services and policies. If you need additional information, please call us at 276-596-6000.
We will do our best to resolve any difficulties that might arise while you are here or pass along any suggestions or compliments that you may have.
Admissions
Patients may pre-admit once admission has been scheduled. Admissions are processed via the registration clerks in the front lobby; after hours admissions are processed at the registration desk in the Emergency Department. Once you arrive on the nursing unit, the staff will help you get acquainted with your room and your surroundings.
Expectant mothers should check in through the Emergency Department before coming to Labor and Delivery. If you are an admission please check in via the registration clerks in the front lobby.
What to Bring
You will need to bring a small number of personal items to the hospital, such as pajamas, robe, slippers and personal toilet articles, including cases for glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and dentures. If you bring with you or any of the prior mentioned items are brought to you after your admission, please make sure your nurse is aware that you have them in your possession. These items are your responsibility. Bring your driver’s license, insurance card, claim forms, and your co-pay and deductible amounts.
Do Not Bring
Do not bring watches, jewelry, cash or other valuables to the hospital. Clinch Valley Medical Center will only be responsible for these items if they are deposited into our safe. Ask your nurse about safe deposits upon admission. Please do not bring medications to the hospital. Your physician and the hospital pharmacy will provide all of your medication while you are in the hospital. However, it is important to provide your physician with a list of all medications that you are currently taking.
Discharge
When you are medically ready to leave the hospital, your physician will write a discharge order on your medical chart. Your nurses and your physician will discuss discharge information with you, including special diets, medications and limitations on your activities. The case manager will assist you in making arrangements for home care or other community services, if needed. Your physician will let you know if an office visit is necessary after discharge.
Be sure to check your room for all personal belongings and reclaim any valuables from the hospital safe. When your transportation arrives, please allow your nurse to escort you from the hospital.
Family Waiting Room and Visiting Hours
Clinch Valley Medical Center has open visiting hours depending upon the condition of the patient.
Most patients welcome your visits and your presence can even help speed recovery time. However, rest and therapy are important for hospitalized patients, so in the interest of patient care please follow these guidelines:
- No more than two visitors should be with a patient at any one time.
- Observe posted visiting hours and keep your visits short.
- Visitors must be at least 12 years of age. Please do not leave children unattended in any area of the hospital.
- If asked, leave the room during procedures or when doctors or nurses are tending to patients.
- Check with the nurse before bringing a patient anything to eat or drink. Do not give the patient sweets, alcohol, cigarettes or medicine.
- Do not eat the patient’s meals. As part of the treatment plan, staff records what and how much the patient is eating.
- Do not visit if you have a cold or any other contagious condition.
For the protection of mothers and babies access to the Obstetrics Department is restricted. Visitors may enter this locked area with nursing staff assistance.
Family Waiting Room
For the convenience of your family and friends, Clinch Valley Medical Center has various waiting rooms for Med/Surg/ICU, Obstetrics Department, and Surgery.
Intensive Care Unit
Due to the nature of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) visitation is determined on an individual basis. Clinch Valley Medical Center traditionally practices an open policy however depending on the needs of the patient, visitation may be restricted.
Financial Arrangements
Do you have admission or registration questions?
We welcome you as our patient and are pleased you chose Clinch Valley Medical Center. We are committed to making your visit as comfortable as possible. Unless you came as an emergency patient, your physician made advance arrangements for your admission to Clinch Valley Medical Center. If your insurance carrier requires pre-certification, please contact the carrier and/or verify your attending physician has obtained the necessary authorization. If you need assistance, please contact the admissions department financial counselor by calling 276-596-6241.
Inpatient Registration Information
On the day of your admission, you will need to bring a few things to the hospital. Please bring personal items such as a robe, slippers and basic toiletries. You should also bring photo identification (i.e. driver’s license) and your insurance card or Medicaid or Medicare card. If you have an Advanced Directive please bring the original with you at the time of admission. If your hospital visit is due to a work-related injury, please bring the workers' compensation claim number and any claim forms required by your employer. If your hospital visit is due to a car accident, please bring your automobile insurance information. Please bring a list of all daily medications with you to the hospital.
Any portion of your bill not covered by insurance is due at the time of services rendered, unless you have made other arrangements. Clinch Valley Medical Center accepts cash, check, money order or one of many credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Hospitals and doctors charge separately.
Once you are discharged from the hospital, you may receive a separate bill from the physician, anesthesiologist, pathologist, radiologist, or emergency department physician. These physicians are not employees of the hospital.
If you have questions about your coverage of your bill please call the Business Office at (276) 596-6241 and we will be happy to help you.
Food Services
Because nutrition is an important part of your recovery, our dietitian prepares a variety of menus according to your doctor's instructions. If your doctor wishes you to adhere to a special diet once you have left the hospital, our dietitian can explain your new eating plan and how you can adapt it to your lifestyle.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is located in the front lobby of the Clinch Valley Medical Center and offers flowers, cards, baby items, toiletries, candy and more.
Housekeeping
Clinch Valley Medical Center believes in the perseverance of our natural resources therefore, bed linen is changed every other day or as needed depending on patient needs. If you need additional linens or housekeeping services, please contact your nurse.
Latex Allergies
In an effort to prevent or reduce exposure to known allergens, thereby reducing the risk of reaction, patients found to be allergic to latex will be treated with medical products which are free of latex or will be shielded from contact with latex.
Mail and Flowers
Cards and flowers sent by your family and friends to make your stay more pleasant are delivered daily. Flowers are NOT allowed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Mail received after you are discharged will be forwarded to your home. Mail for patients should be addressed as follows:
Patient Name
Clinch Valley Medical Center
6801 Gov. G.C. Peery Highway
Richlands, VA 24641
Medicines
We will need a complete list of medicines you are currently taking, including those not prescribed or ordered by your doctor. While in the hospital, please take only medicines administered by your nurse. If the medicines are not given at the same time as you normally take them, please let us know and we will try to do things as you do at home. Sometimes meals or tests may hinder your normal routine.
We use generic medicines when possible to keep costs low. Because of this, some medicines may look different from your usual pills. If you have questions about the pills or other medicines you are taking, do not hesitate to ask your nurse or physician.
Newspapers
Local newspapers may be purchased from boxes outside the front doors of Clinch Valley Medical Center.
Pediatric Care
For the safety of our pediatric patients, those under the age of 12, we require an adult to stay with them at all times. If your child is under 2 years of age, we require the use of a baby bed for the safety of your child.
Pet Visitation
Clinch Valley Medical Center is committed to providing personalized care that recognizes the benefits of integrating traditional medicine with complementary medicine as a supportive service. Patient must be deemed, by their physician, as appropriate to benefit from the visit of his/her dog. Only dogs that are certified to be medically fit shall be allowed to visit.
Smoking Policy
To protect your health and the health of others, Clinch Valley Medical Center is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is not permitted in patient rooms, corridors, lobbies, waiting rooms or any other area of the hospital.
Telephones
The telephone at your bedside is for your use and convenience. To make local calls, dial "9" and wait for the dial tone, then dial your desired number. Long distance, credit card or collect calls may be placed by dialing "9" + area code and desired number. The hospital utilizes AT&T as its long distance company. If you wish to use a different company for credit card calls, dial your company's access code after dialing "9" + "0" or use the 800 number listed on your credit cards after dialing "9" + "1".
Telephone Tips
- Dialing the Hospital Operator from your room - Press "0"
- Placing a local Call from your room - Press "9" then dial the number
- Long Distance & Calling Card Calls from your room - Press "9" then "0"
- To reach an Outside Operator from your room - Press "9" then "0"
Valuables
Clinch Valley Medical Center cannot assume responsibility for loss of or damage to valuables, clothing or other personal items kept in your room. We strongly recommend you leave valuable at home or send them home with your family. If that is not possible, ask your nurse about depositing your valuables in the hospital safe. Some guidelines:
- Do not leave personal items atop bedside tables. Place them in the bedside table drawer when not in use.
- Check for your belongings before leaving a changing room.
- Never place eyeglasses, dentures or hearing aids on food trays. If you forget them they may be accidentally discarded.
- Never put items under a pillow or sheet for safekeeping. They may be taken to the laundry where they could be damaged or lost.
- If a personal item is missing, please contact your nurse immediately.