Checking In, Checking Out


Checking in

When you first arrive at University Hospital and Children’s Hospital, please stop at Registration, located in the lobby. A staff member will help you complete necessary forms and discuss your stay. Lab tests and X-ray procedures ordered by your doctor may be done before you are taken to your room.

Patient account representatives can answer questions about your bill at the time you are admitted, throughout your hospital stay and after your return home. Dial 4-3300 from your room or toll-free 1-800-733-1304.

Your meals

Your diet is very important to your care. Your doctor will tell the dietitian about your nutritional needs. Most patients, even those on restricted diets, will receive a menu each morning. At breakfast, you will be asked to order your meals for the next day. If you have any questions about your meals, please ask your nurse.

If you miss a regularly scheduled meal, you will be given a special light meal on request. If you are in the hospital on your birthday and your diet permits, you will receive a birthday cake to celebrate.

If you would like to see a dietitian for counseling or for information about special diets, please ask your doctor, your nurse or the attendant who picks up your menu.

Personal belongings

You may bring essential personal care items such as toiletries, stationery, stamps and reading material. For safety reasons, please do not bring electrical equipment. Patient rooms are equipped with TVs.

We suggest you do not bring valuables to the hospital. If necessary, the security staff or your nurse can help you deposit valuables in the hospital safe. You will be given a receipt and your valuables will be returned when you go home. The hospital cannot be responsible for money, jewelry, clothing or other items kept at your bedside.

Items such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, dentures and hearing aids also are your responsibility. Please put them away in cases or cups when not in use and tell your nurse where you put them.

Your medicines

To assure you receive the correct medicines during your stay, please give your nurse a list of any personal medicines you take, along with a schedule of the amounts and the times you take them. If you happen to bring your medicines with you to the hospital, we ask that you send them home with family members so you will have them when you return home.

Advance directives

Advance directives tell your doctor about your health-care decisions in the event that you are not able to do so yourself. If you would like more information about advance directives or if you need help completing an advance directives form, please tell your nurse.

Your hospital bed

Hospital beds are electrically operated and are probably higher and narrower than your bed at home. The nursing staff will show you how to work your bed properly.

Discharge instructions

Your doctor and nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care before you leave. If you have questions about your diet, activities or other matters, please be sure to ask at this time.

Financial arrangements

At University Hospital, we understand that an unexpected situation may call for more resources than are readily available. Medical emergencies frequently create such a situation.

Our financial counselors can help you investigate the possibilities for financial resources and expedite paper work needed to apply for assistance.

We want to ensure that your billing is accurate and the process is smooth. In an effort to offset any misunderstanding, we need accurate insurance and demographic information.

Please stop by registration in the main lobby to speak with a Financial Counselor, or just call (573) 884-9900.

 

 
 University of Missouri - Columbia University of Missouri System