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NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester

Your Hospital Stay

Before you come to the hospital

What to bring to the hospital

  • List of medications currently taking
  • Glasses
  • Dentures
  • Hearing aids
  • Numbers of family and friends
  • Insurance information
  • Health care proxy or other advanced directives

What not to bring to the hospital

  • Cash/credit cards (may only need small amount of cash for incidentals)
  • Jewelry
  • Electrical appliances
  • Medications

Arriving at the hospital

Your information

A hospital representative will ask you to complete and sign several forms.

  • If you are unable to complete forms, please choose a family member, next of kin or legal representative to help.

Hospital ID bracelet

A hospital identification bracelet will be placed around your wrist when you arrive.

  • Wear this bracelet at all times.
  • The hospital ID bracelet with your name, date of birth and medical record number is our way of identifying you.
  • Hospital staff should check your ID bracelet before giving you medicines and before tests, treatments or procedures.

Your room

You will be assigned to a room staffed by nurses and a professional health care team.

  • A state-of-the-art bed with a nurse call bell system is provided for optimal safety and comfort. Push the nurse call button if you need assistance.
  • As a courtesy, personal care items will be given to you when you arrive.

Private accommodations

We understand how an overnight stay at the hospital can be a stressful situation for anyone. For this reason, at NewYork-Presbyterian, we do our best to ensure that any hospital stay is comfortable and patients are treated with dignity. In addition to our regular hospital accommodation, we offer a series of private suites. If you request a private room on admission and one is available, there is a deposit due at that time. Insurance plans do not cover this additional charge.

Introduction to our staff

Your professional healthcare team will introduce themselves to you.

  • The staff in charge of your stay will write their names on a board in your room.
  • Every worker at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital wears a badge that shows their picture and job title.
  • Each staff member should state their name and the reason that they have come into your room.
  • Do not hesitate to call upon these staff members whenever needed.

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During your hospital stay

Treatment plan

The professional healthcare team of doctors and nurses will explain and discuss your treatment plan with you.

Ask questions

Whenever you talk to your doctor or nurse, ask for the answers to the following three questions:

  1. What is my main problem?
  2. What do I need to do?
  3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Keep us informed

Let us know how you feel or if your condition improves or worsens. If you need help, please use your nurse call bell.

Medications

Make sure that your nurse and doctor know what medications you are already taking. For your safety and to reduce the potential for medication errors, your medications will be given to you in individual doses at the appropriate times.

Surgery or procedures

If you need surgery or other procedures, you will be required to give consent in writing.

Health care decisions

You, or a person you choose to be your representative (also known as a health care proxy), will be involved in all decisions regarding your treatment throughout your hospital stay.

Leaving the hospital

Discharge notice

The doctor responsible for your care during your hospital stay will coordinate your checkout from the hospital.

  • Your hospital care team will give you final instructions, including your treatment plan and medication schedule.
  • You will receive written notice when your doctors decide that you are ready to leave the hospital. If you believe you are leaving too soon, the written notice gives you the right to request a more extended hospital stay by appealing your discharge.

Checkout time

Official hospital checkout time is 11 a.m.

  • If you are being picked up, please note the checkout time in order to make appropriate transportation arrangements.

Assisted arrangements

Case managers and social workers can help make arrangements for you when you leave.

  • In some situations, a case manager works with your doctor and insurance carrier to arrange for home care assistance and services you may require at home as you recover.
  • Our social workers can assist patients with placement in nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities or for counseling services.

Home care options

If your physician prescribes Certified Home Health Care services for you, your Case Manager will assist you in accessing such services. 

Lawrence Home Care of Westchester (LHCW) is the hospital’s Certified Home Health Care service and works closely with your physician to ensure continuity of care. If you wish, and your insurance carrier agrees, your Case Manager will arrange for your services to be provided through LHCW. However, you do have the right to choose the Certified Home Health Care service of your preference and if you do require home assistance your Case Manager will provide a list of agencies for you to choose from.

Paying for your care

We're here to help you navigate any questions you have regarding billing and health insurance. Learn more about paying for your care at NewYork-Presbyterian. 

The NewYork-Presbyterian network is a participating provider in many health plan networks. If you do not have health insurance, you may be eligible for assistance in paying your Hospital bills. Information about financial assistance is available on our financial aid page, or you can mail your payment to NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester, Billing Department, 55 Palmer Avenue, Bronxville, NY 10708. You can also pay your bill in person at the Cashier’s Department in the hospital’s main lobby.

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