Mail and Newspapers
Keeping in touch with friends and family is important during your stay in the hospital. Newspapers are available from a machine in front of the medical center. While you are here, personal mail will be delivered to your room each day. Once you are discharged from the hospital, all mail you receive will be forwarded to your home address. While in the hospital, you may receive mail at the following address:

Your Name and Room Number
Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center
2200 Show Low Lake Road
Show Low, Arizona 85901

Telephone Services
There is a telephone in every patient room. Local calls can be made by dialing "9" plus the seven digit number you wish to call. Long distance calls cannot be credited to the phone in your room. To make collect call, credit card, or third party calls, dial "9", then "0", plus the area code and the seven digit number. The long distance operator will come on the line and ask for your billing information.

Television
If you have any problems with your television, please let your nurse know so the necessary repairs can be made as soon as possible. Please check a newspaper for local TV listings.

Medical Records Authorization to Disclose Protected Healthcare Information
Download Disclosure Form (pdf)

Advanced Directives
This information will help you understand a federal law called the Patient Self-Determination Act. All hospitals and other health care institutions must inform patients of their right to agree to or refuse medical treatment. In addition, patients must be asked if they have an advance directive. If you are 18 or older and mentally competent, you have the right to make decisions about your medical treatment. If you want to control decisions about your health care, even if you become unable to make or to express them yourself, you will need an advance directive.

An advance directive is a form you sign now to direct your future health care if you cannot speak for yourself in the future. "Advance" means you tell your wishes ahead of time before you are too sick to talk. "Directives" means you direct your future health care. In this form, you state your wishes about what happens to you when you are dying or in a coma and unable to speak. You decide if you want artificial treatments, which may keep you alive for a very long time.

Do Not Resuscitate
"DNR" stands for Do Not Resuscitate. This order tells medical staff not to perform CPR. Your doctor will speak with you about CPR, (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). It is used in case you stop breathing or your heart stops. It is helpful to decide about CPR before you are sick enough to need it.

In order to get a DNR order you must talk with your physician about your condition and your wishes. A doctor will not write a DNR order without talking to you and/or your family. It is important to note that you will still receive all the care and medications you need even if you have a DNR order written by your doctor.

Ethics Concerns
There may be a time when you are called upon to make a decision about your health care during your hospital stay. This can be a confusing, frightening or painful task. Yet, every patient has the right to make those decisions and to have all the information needed to make them. Summit Healthcare has an Ethics Committee to help you in such circumstances.

The Ethics Committee is a group of people who are prepared to listen and respond to you. They can help get all the facts you need to make a decision and they can offer feedback and suggestions. They will never come up with a final answer or tell you what to do. The Ethics Committee exists to help everyone involved make the best decision possible.

The committee can help with hard ethical choices or disagreements about a patient's care. Concerns can be brought to the committee by a patient, by a family member, by a physician, nurse or other health care provider. All conversations are held in strictest confidence. Ask your nurse or doctor to contact the committee for you. There is no charge for this service. It is a resource we offer to assist you in making decisions in difficult situations.

Living Will
A living will is a document that tells others that you want to die a natural death if you are terminally and incurably sick or in a persistent vegetative state from which you will not recover.

In a living will, you can tell your doctor not to use heroic treatment that would delay your death. You can also direct your doctor not to begin or to stop giving you food and water through a tube.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Click here for Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Health Care Power of Attorney
In Arizona, you can name a person to make medical care decisions for you if you later become unable to decide yourself. In this legal document, you name who you want your "health care agent" to be. You can state what treatments you would want and not want so your agent will know what choices you would make.

Both a living will and a health care power of attorney must be signed by you while you are still able to understand your condition and treatment choices and to make those choices known. A physician, nurse, social worker, chaplain, or patient relations representative can help you fill out the forms. They must be witnessed by two qualified people and be notarized. A booklet is available to help you learn about Advance Directives. If you would like to speak to someone about Advanced Directives please let your nurse know.

NUTRITIONAL SERVICES

Food Service
Summit Healthcare now offers room service! If you are on a diet that allows you to select your own food while in the hospital, you may choose your menu for each meal from a variety of foods. If, for medical reasons, you are on a special diet, you will be given food choices that meet specific dietary guidelines set by your doctor. The Room Service Menu was the result of a combined effort within the Dietary Department, directed by Syble Hartley. Dietician Dennis Crossley, cooks, and our foodservice personnel decided on the menu selections by combining patient favorites with what we felt would be appealing to us if we were in the hospital. Patients have the freedom to order when and what they want, (within their diet prescription) during the hours of 7:00am to 6:00pm. Simply call 537-FOOD. Menu's are available in your room. Nutrition education is available for patients with special needs. The department provides professional consultation by clinical dietitians who work with patients, doctors, nurses, and other patient care team members to provide education and nutritional information. If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about your food, please call (928)537.6310.

Around the Corner Cafe
Around the Corner Cafe at Summit Healthcare is open from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. A wide selection of specialty pastries and beverages are available throughout the day. They create a wonderful array of sandwiches and soup fresh daily. Around the Corner Cafe is located on the East side of the Main Entrance.

HOUSEKEEPING

Environmental Services
Your room has been cleaned and prepared for you by a member of the housekeeping staff. He/she has made sure your room is clean and comfortable to assist you in your healing process. Your room will be cleaned every day. Housekeepers will be by to empty your trash, wipe down the counters, clean the bathrooms, fill dispensers, and clean the floors.

If you have any problems or need any additional services from the housekeeping staff, call 928.537.6290 or ask a hospital employee and one of our housekeepers will assist you.

Room Repair Service
It is important that your room is comfortable, and that everything is in working order. If you have a problem with the temperature of your room, have a plumbing problem or have any other maintenance concern, please let your nurse know. Your nurse will contact the maintenance department. As a patient, you are top priority so someone will come to your room soon after the problem is reported.

YOUR HOSPITAL BILL

Hospital Bills
After your stay here, you will receive two different bills. One will be your hospital bill. This will be for your room and any procedures that you had done. The other bill will be your physician's bill, which is for the physician's fee. If you have any questions about your hospital bill, call patient accounts at 928.537.6590. The Business Office is open from 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. If you have any questions about your physician's bill, call your physician's office.

The hospital will gladly bill your insurance company for your hospitalization when the proper information is given and benefits are assigned. Follow up with the proper insurance company will be made to assure timely payment for insurance portions.

Your hospitalization coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company. While we will bill your insurance carrier as a service to you, you are ultimately responsible for your account with us. Any portion of charges not covered by your insurance company will be due at the time of discharge.

MONEY AND VALUABLES

Hospital Safe
If you have any valuables with you such as money or jewelry, you may keep them in the hospital safe to ensure their safety while you are here. You can deposit your valuables through the Switchboard Office in the main lobby. If you are unable to make the deposit yourself, tell your nurse and a Hospital Security Officer will do it for you. If anyone other than you will be taking your valuables out of the safe, you will be required to sign a form authoring them to do so.

We recommend that you leave your valuables at home. The hospital cannot assume responsibility for lost items or money kept in your room.

Please keep a minimum of personal items in your room. If you wear dentures or eyeglasses/contacts, please bring special containers to store them at your bedside when not in use. Never wrap dentures, hearing aids or eyeglasses in a napkin or tissue. Never leave them on your meal tray.

Lost and Found
If you accidentally misplace any personal items during your stay in the hospital; you should first check the area in which you are staying. Oftentimes items will be returned to the nurses station. If items have not been returned to the nurses station, you can check at the Switchboard.

To ask about your misplaced item, call 928.537.6290.

OTHER INFORMATION

Discharge Information
Your doctor will determine the date of your discharge from the hospital. Once you find out when you will be discharged, you should make arrangements for your transportation home. You should plan to check out by 11:00am if possible. Late departures will incur added charges. It is possible that your insurance company will not cover this additional charge. Therefore, you would be responsible for any additional charges incurred by leaving late.

If someone will be coming for you, ask him/her to bring clothes or other items you may need. If you or a family member did not see an admissions counselor before or during your stay , you will need to meet with a counselor in the admitting office to discuss your hospital charges before you leave. Any questions you may have about your bill will be answered at that time.

Planning Your Stay
It is our privilege to have you as a patient and our guest. If there is anything we can do to make your stay more pleasant, please tell a member of our staff.

• A list of all medications that you are taking (not the medication itself).
• Comprehensive insurance information, including insurance cards and second opinion documentation as required by your insurer.
• Medicare ID card to establish financial responsibility for your care.
• Medicaid Card
• ACCCHS Card
• Any important papers (a living will, a medical or durable power of attorney or custody papers).
• Identification

You may also choose to bring a few personal items to make your stay more pleasant. Patients are encouraged to bring comfortable pajamas or a nightgown, a robe, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, brushes, shaving equipment, and cosmetics. Other items, such as reading material, small games, needlework, or pocket change may also be brought.

If you do not have medical insurance, or if your insurance company requires a deductible or co-payment, you will be expected to pay the balance of your hospital bill when you leave. A financial counselor will assist you in making special arrangements , if necessary. Payment is expected as services are rendered unless prior financial arrangements have been made.

Financial Assistance
Summit Healthcare offers a full range of financial services to aid patients seeking a funding source. A Financial Counselor is available at 537.6352. Please call Monday-Friday 8:00am until 3:00pm if you need financial assistance.

ALL ROOMS AT SUMMIT HEALTHCARE ARE PRIVATE

Intensive Care Unit
Some patients require close observation 24 hours a day, and may be placed in our intensive care unit. This unit is staffed by nurses who are specially trained and are highly skilled at providing care using the most advanced equipment available.

Tobacco-Free Campus
Summit Healthcare is committed to establishing and promoting wellness initiatives that support our mission as health care providers. Providing a healthy environment for patients, visitors and employees is an important part of our efforts. To help us succeed, all of our facilities and grounds are now designated as tobacco-free.

We are not asking you to quit using tobacco products, we are only asking you to refrain from tobacco use while on the properties listed below. The new policy reinforces our commitment to health and wellness given tobacco and second-hand smoke are detrimental to healthy living. Our efforts present an opportunity to help many individuals achieve healthier life styles.

Summit Healthcare understands that smoking and tobacco use is a personal choice, and while we believe that being tobacco-free will help you lead a healthier lifestyle, we are not making it mandatory for you to do so. Our goal is to provide our employees, physicians, volunteers, and patients with a healthier environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summit Healthcare implemented a completely tobacco-free environment policy in January 2005. Use of tobacco products is prohibited both indoors and outdoors on all Summit properties.

The following, are frequently asked questions and responses regarding the tobacco-free environment.

Q: Which Summit facilities are affected by the tobacco-free initiative?
A: Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center
    Summit Healthcare Snowflake Outpatient Center
    Summit Healthcare Heber/Overgaard Community Clinic
    Summit Healthcare Cub Lake Outpatient Center

Q: Why is Summit Healthcare tobacco-free?
A: As Healthcare leaders in the community, Summit Healthcare is committed to establishing and promoting wellness initiatives that support our mission as health care providers. Providing a healthy environment for patients, visitors, associates, volunteers and physicians is an important part of our efforts.

Q: Why was tobacco use selected versus other health risks?
A: Consider these facts:

• Patients who use tobacco regularly before surgery have twice the risk of wound infections as non-smokers or tobacco users.
• Smoking and tobacco use can delay wound healing.
• More than 450,000 people die prematurely each year from tobacco-related diseases.

Q: Given the stress that families face during hospitalization, how does this policy support our commitment to patients and families?
A: While we are not asking patients and families to quit using tobacco products, we are asking them to refrain from use when on campus. Patients and families have access to brief tobacco intervention if they wish to work toward tobacco cessation and/or acquire techniques to help make their stay more tolerable. Physicians can order nicotine replacement, and the medical center will provide hard candies and gum for patients, visitors and associates for a limited time.

Q: Why don't we have selective placement of smoking areas for employees, patients and visitors?
A: Providing a place to smoke or to use tobacco does not support our goal to create a healthier environment. Instead, we need to eliminate the triggers-like smoking areas-that make tobacco cessation difficult.

Q: How do patients and visitors know about this policy?
A: Signage is posted near every entrance into the hospital and waiting rooms. Patients also are informed about this policy prior to elective admissions. All employees are responsible for informing visitors of this policy; each facility provides explanation cards for this purpose.

Q: How will this policy be enforced?
A: Any Summit Healthcare staff member, physician, or volunteer who uses tobacco within the non-tobacco use boundary will be reminded that Summit Healthcare is committed to health and wellness and asked that they respect our policy and refrain from using tobacco products on our campus.

All employees are responsible for informing visitors of this policy; each facility provides explanation cards for this purpose.

Q: What resources are available to help me interact with people addicted to tobacco?
A: If you see a person using tobacco and are uncomfortable talking to them about it, there are cards available that you may give to these individuals. The message informs them of our policy and requests that they comply. These cards are available for order from Public Relations. Contact Public Relations for a supply for your unit or office.

Additional information is available in out Patient Care areas.

Highlights include:

• Patient care handouts are available for patients who want to quit, and patients who do not want to quit after discharge. All materials are available in English and Spanish.

Q: Where can I go to get information on tobacco cessation programs?
A: At Summit Healthcare, contact our Employee Health Departments. You can also call Navajo County Tobacco Education program at 532-6050.

Q: Will I be reimbursed for nicotine replacement products?
A: Summit Healthcare will reimburse you up to $100.00, as a one-time benefit, for nicotine replacement products. Some cessation programs will offer up to 50% off smoking cessation products, as does the Navajo County Tobacco Education program. In addition, you may visit our Employee Health Department for information and prescription that may assist you in tobacco cessation.

Q: How do I get reimbursed?
A: Contact Human Resources at 928.537.6520

Q: What is nicotine replacement therapy?
A: Nicotine is the drug in cigarettes and other forms of tobacco that causes addiction. Nicotine replacement therapy can double and in some cases triple the rate of success for a person attempting to stop smoking. Nicotine replacement products deliver small, steady doses of nicotine into the body, which helps to relieve the withdrawal symptoms experienced by people trying to quit smoking. These products are available in five forms: patch, gum, nasal spray, inhaler and lozenge. Their effectiveness appears to be comparable to each other. There is strong evidence that combining nicotine replacement therapy with counseling achieves higher successful quit rates and is the recommended intervention for a person dependent on tobacco who wants to quit.

Social Services
Summit Healthcare has professional social workers available to help with personal or family problems. A social worker can provide counseling and support in dealing with stress and other problems associated with illness, disabilities, or hospitalization. Social workers can help you plan for returning home or for alternative care. They can identify community resources that might benefit patients and their families.

If you have a problem or concern that you want to discuss with a social worker, ask your doctor or nurse to contact the Department of Social Services. You may also call directly at 928.537.6364.

Visitor Policy
Visiting hours are open to meet the needs of our patient and families. Sleep options are available in patient rooms, please check with your charge nurse.

Chapel
Chapels are available for your use in the main hospital near the Emergency Room and in the Patient Tower.