Patient Information:
patient guide
During your stay here, we will strive to make you as comfortable as possible while providing you with the quality care you deserve. This is your guide to the various departments and many services you find at Ohio Valley.
Your Admission and Stay
Your Admission
During your admission to Ohio Valley General Hospital, our admission registrar will interview you to verify personal data and insurance information. You will be asked to sign several authorization forms. Your room accommodations will be arranged, and you will be given the opportunity to request telephone service. Once the admitting process is completed, you will be accompanied to your room.
Observation Status
Medicare and many insurance companies are now permitting a short Hospital stay called “observation.” When your doctor orders this “observation” stay, he/she is doing so based on guidelines (related to certain signs and symptoms or diagnoses) set by Medicare and the insurance companies. The “observation” stay is considered by the insurance companies to be an outpatient service. It allows your doctor to do testing and/or provide treatment without you having to go and return to the Hospital. Based on the test and treatment results, your doctor will determine if you need further hospitalization. Since the “observation” stay is an outpatient service, you will be responsible for your deductible and/or copayments related to outpatient services. The amount of time a patient stays in the Hospital as an “observation” patient varies from insurance company to insurance company.
Surgery Patients
Your physician will write orders for tests, medications, treatments and the type of preparation needed before your operation. Your family should come at least one and one half hours before scheduled surgery, and may stay in the nursing unit's patient and visitor lounge until you return to your room. On the day before or the morning of surgery, you will have a visit from an anesthesiologist, a physician that administers any drug or combination of drugs with the purpose of creating a level of sedation. There may be eating or drinking restrictions placed on you prior to surgery. Specific instructions will be given by Hospital personnel the afternoon before your surgery. All cosmetics, nail polish, contact lenses, wigs, hairpins, dentures and all jewelry other than wedding rings should be removed before surgery. After your operation, you will be taken to the recovery suite where you will be under constant observation by specially trained nurses until you recover from the anesthetic.
What to Bring
You will need to bring only essential toiletries, pajamas or nightgowns, a robe and slippers. Please wear your robe and slippers whenever you are outside of your room. If you are a maternity patient, you should arrange for your baby's clothes to be brought the day you are scheduled to leave the Hospital.
Valuables
Please leave money, jewelry, credit cards and other valuables at home or give them to your family for safe keeping. If this is not possible, ask that they be placed in the Hospital safe. Ohio Valley is not responsible for patients' valuables, clothing, glasses, dentures or other personal property.
Case Management
The Case Management Department staff consists of Registered Nurse Case Managers and Licensed Social Workers.
The Case Management Department hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed weekends and Holidays.
In order to thoroughly understand and investigate all your health care needs, the Case Manager will review your symptoms and treatment as documented by your doctor on the medical record. A Case Manager and/or a Social Worker will visit you during normal working hours to discuss your expectations for the hospital stay and for any care or services needed when it is time for you to be discharged. You and your family will be asked to actively participate in making decisions about your health care and your discharge plan.
A Social Worker consultation may be requested by you, your family, your physician or your nurse. The Social Workers are prepared to advise you about skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes, assisted living facilities or rehabilitation facilities. Questions about the type of insurance coverage you may need to access external facilities and how best to use your health care benefits can be answered by the Social Worker. The Social Worker has many other specialized skills should you need them: counseling and crisis intervention, information about community services for drug and alcohol abuse, adoptions, child, spouse and elder abuse, transportation arrangements, hospice care and government community resources.
The Case Manager reviews your medical record and talks with your doctor about how to most efficiently plan your hospital care. Because Medicare and other insurers have determined that care is safe at several different levels called: outpatient, inpatient, acute, skilled or long term care, the Case Manager along with your physician must make certain that you are admitted to Ohio Valley General Hospital for acute inpatient care.
Twice a week a special team of healthcare workers meet to discuss your progress toward recovery and discharge plan. The team’s goal is to have all needed services in place so that you and your family feel assured that you are being safely cared for after you leave the hospital.
Your Discharge
Ohio Valley General Hospital's discharge time is 11 a.m. Please help the Hospital to prepare the room for the next patient by making arrangements to leave by this time. After you have completed the discharge procedure with the cashier or admissions office, you may leave the Hospital through either the main entrance or Emergency Center entrance. You will be escorted to either exit. For your convenience, the person who is picking you up may park outside of either exit for the brief time during your discharge from the Hospital.
You or your family are usually responsible for your transportation home. There are however special circumstances where you may need help with discharge transportation; in those cases the Case Management or the Nursing Unit staff can aid you in making wheelchair van arrangements. Should an ambulance transport be needed the Case Management or Nursing Unit staff will make arrangements. You may be partially or fully responsible for the transportation depending on your insurance coverage Any equipment, intravenous medications, oxygen, home care visits or help with your health care needs will be thoroughly discussed with you and your family so that all needed post-hospital services will be arranged by the Case Management Department to your doctors orders and your insurance benefits.
Financial Arrangements
During your admission to the hospital, you or a member of your family provided insurance information or made payment arrangements for your hospital stay. To prevent any delay at the time of your discharge, you should verify that all the information is accurate. To do so, simply call our patient financial services department at extension 6130. Please remember that you must pay for personal charges such as telephone at the time of your discharge. If applicable, deductibles and co-insurance are due at this time as well. If your insurance covers semi-private accommodations and you elected to stay in a private room, the difference in cost must also be paid at discharge. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Financial Counselors.
Financial Counselors at Ohio Valley General Hospital will provide services to those who require financial assistance and/or state or federal benefits that may be available. OVGH Financial Counselors are available from 8:00 a.m. thru 11:00 p.m. to provide personalized services to our patients. Please contact them at (412) 777-6130 or 6263.
Here is a look at the various types of medical insurance and their guidelines:
Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
If you are covered by Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, please present your membership card when you are admitted. If applicable, deductibles and co-insurance are due at time of service. Policies of this type require preauthorization prior to admission and most outpatient services.
Medicare
If you are covered by Medicare, please present your current membership or eligibility card to the admissions registrar. If applicable, deductibles and co-insurance are due at time of service.
When you enroll in Medicare, you are automatically in the Original Medicare Plan unless you choose to join a Medicare + Choice plan. Original Medicare is a fee-for-service plan offered by the federal government. It is available anywhere in the U.S. Under Original Medicare you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare patients. Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs.
Medicare + Choice
Many Medicare beneficiaries receive healthcare services from a Medicare + Choice plan rather than the original Medicare plan. Medicare + Choice plans include Private-Fee-For-Service plans and managed care plans such as HMOs. When you enroll in Medicare, you are automatically in the Original Medicare Plan unless you join a Medicare + Choice plan.
If you join a Medicare + Choice plan, you are still in the Medicare program and have coverage for all of the medical services and items covered by the Original Medicare Plan. Some Medicare + Choice plans provide coverage for additional items or services such as prescription medication or foreign travel. They may charge an additional monthly premium for these extra coverages. Medicare + Choice plans are available in many, but not all areas of the country.
The availability, features and costs of different plans vary depending on where you live. Contact our Financial Counselors to get information on the Medicare + Choice plans available in your area.
To join a Medicare + Choice plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare parts A and B, continue to pay the Part B premium, not have end-stage renal disease (kidney failure), and live in the plan's service area.
Generally, you can join a Medicare + Choice plan at any time if the plan is accepting new members. If you join another Medicare + Choice plan, you automatically leave the previous plan. You can also leave a plan at any time and return to the Original Plan. If your Medicare + Choice plan drops out of the Medicare program, you automatically return to the Original Plan unless you join another Medicare + Choice plan.
Managed Care Plans
If you are covered by a managed care plan, please present your membership card to the registrar when you present for services. If applicable, deductibles and co-insurance are due at time of service. OVGH is a participating provider for a large number of Managed Care plans. If you have questions please contact your managed care customer service department to verify if your managed care plan is participating with OVGH or call our Financial Counselors.
Commercial Insurance
If you are covered by group insurance through an employer, be sure to bring your membership card indicating the company name, policy number, policy holder's name, billing address and telephone number, along with completed claim forms from your place of employment. If you carry individual insurance, please supply all policy numbers as well as the address of the office to which the bill should be submitted. You will be required to sign a form authorizing that the insurance payment be made directly to OVGH. If applicable, deductibles and co-insurance are due at time of service. Most insurance plans require preauthorization prior to admission and outpatient surgery.
Workers' Compensation
If your stay is caused by work-related injury, we will need your claim number (if one has been assigned) as well as the name, address and telephone number of your employer and/or workers' compensation carrier along with the completed forms from your place of employment. Workers' compensation requires preauthorization prior to admission and/or outpatient services.
No Insurance or Inadequate Coverage
If you have no insurance or your insurance is not adequate to cover your hospitalization, please call our Financial Counselors to discuss payment alternatives. Deductibles co-insurance and noncovered charges are due at time of service. A Financial Counselor will be in touch with you to discuss the Ohio Valley Cares Program. The Ohio Valley Cares Program (OVCP) will provide services at no cost to those who are financially unable to pay for those services. Eligibility will be determined by comparing household family income against the income poverty guidelines for U.S. citizens that receive medically necessary services on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Separate Billing for Physician Services
You will notice that charges for the Emergency Department, Radiology (e.g. ultrasound, MRI and CT scans), lab work and anesthesia are divided into two components: the Hospital's fees and the physician's fees. The physician's fees are billed separately by their individual billing services. For your benefit, it is wise to familiarize yourself with your insurance coverage prior to your surgery or hospital stay. Lack of proper authorization or approval by some insurance companies prior to treatment may result in the company imposing a financial penalty on the patients. Our Financial Counselors are available to assist you with any questions.
Hospital Guidelines
Safety
Your safety is our concern while you are at Ohio Valley General Hospital. We take specific measures to ensure your safety, and ask for your cooperation in the following ways:
- Please do not get in or out of bed by yourself unless you have permission. Ask your nurse for assistance.
- Remain in bed after you have been given any sleeping medication. If you need to get up, your nurse will be happy to assist you.
- Since your Hospital bed is probably not as wide as the bed you are accustomed to, side rails are used for your protection. Please do not try to lower these rails; always call for assistance.
- Part of the Hospital safety program is the practice drill. Please do not be disturbed if you see or hear evidence of a drill for fire or disaster.
Smoking
To protect the health and safety of patients, visitors, employees, physicians and others—and to meet the standards set by The Joint Commission—Ohio Valley prohibits smoking in all areas. An exception will be made for any patient who has a written order from their physician indicating that not smoking would cause psychological harm due to their long history of smoking. In these cases, smoking will be limited to designated private rooms and cannot take place in beds or patient bathrooms. The additional charge for a private room is the patient's responsibility. A smoking “Hut” is provided for visitors outside the Hospital, next to the School of Nursing Building and the Physician Parking Area (through the Emergency entrance).
Standard Precautions
You may have noticed that our health care professionals wear gloves and other protective clothing for many aspects of your care. The use of this protective clothing when treating all patients is called standard precautions. The Center for Disease Control has recommended that all health care workers wear protective clothing when they might come in contact with a patient's blood or body fluids. This protects health care employees and patients against the risk of infection. We are committed to providing you with the safest possible environment. At the same time, we know how important the human touch is to the healing process. You can be confident these protective measures are of benefit to you. If you have any questions about these standard precautions, contact your nurse or the infection control department at extension 6514.
Hospital Policy
It is Ohio Valley General Hospital's policy that no patient is to be excluded from participation in or denied the benefit of any program on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual preference, national origin, religion or disability. Should a patient require care at another type of facility following discharge, the Hospital will only refer the patient to facilities that do not discriminate on the basis of the above factors.
Your Feedback Counts
If you have a compliment, concern, question, observation or complaint, we want to hear from you! Your comments not only help to ensure that we continue to provide quality care, but they also allow us to recognize the efforts of outstanding individuals. If you are pleased with the way services are provided or have a suggestion as to how we could serve you better, please make such comments directly to the involved employee, their supervisor or to the Hospital's executive offices. To contact the executive offices, call (412) 777-6280; complete and mail the detachable flap on “Your Feedback Counts” brochure; or write directly to the President, Ohio Valley General Hospital, Heckel Road, McKees Rocks, PA 15136.
If you are displeased with the services you have received, we ask that you follow the guidelines outlined below to ensure that your concern is handled in an appropriate and timely manner:
1. We encourage you to discuss your concern with the involved person, including what you believe to be the acceptable solution.
2. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your discussion with the involved person, or if you prefer not to talk with that individual, you should contact the respective clinical manager or department manager. He or she will investigate your concern, take corrective action, if possible, and verbally communicate back to you the result of his/her investigation.
3. If you are still dissatisfied after clinical manager or department manager’s investigation and actions, you should contact the executive offices. To contact the executive offices, call (412) 777-6280; complete and mail the "Your Feedback Counts" brochure, or write directly to the President, Ohio Valley General Hospital, Heckel Road, McKees Rocks, PA 15136. Upon receiving your complaint, the executive offices will designate a person to conduct an investigation, take action, if appropriate, and communicate the result of the investigation to you.
4. If you are still dissatisfied and your complaint is of a significant nature, please call the executive offices at (412) 777-6280. At this time, you will be scheduled to meet with either the President or the Chief Operating Officer to discuss your complaint.
You can be assured that your comments, whether positive or negative, will in no way compromise your access to care at Ohio Valley General Hospital in the future. In fact, by expressing your concerns, you help to ensure that we provide the highest quality of care possible and continue to serve you to the best of our abilities. Remember, during your visit, we strive to help you be as comfortable as possible while we meet your health needs.
Hotline complaints
(800) 826-6762
PA Dept. of Health Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care
P.O. Box 90 l Health & Welfare Building l Harrisburg, PA 17108-0090
At Your Service
Is there anyone to whom you would like to say thank you? To maintain and encourage the very best care and treatment for our patients, Ohio Valley General Hospital has a reward program for our employees, physicians, volunteers and students who do a great job of meeting your needs during your visit. If there is someone you would like to recognize, please write their name down on the Patient Satisfaction survey you will receive after your visit. We will take care of rewarding and thanking that person or persons for an outstanding job!
Services for Your Convenience
Chapel and Pastoral Care
The chapel is located on the fourth floor of the Hospital and is open at all times for the spiritual comfort of patients, their families and visitors. To arrange a visit from the pastoral care department, comprised of volunteer personnel from all religious denominations, call extension 6286. If you would like your pastor or minister to be contacted by the Hospital, please inform the community services office at extension 6286.
Holy Communion is provided for Catholic patients daily by eucharistic ministers from various parishes.
Volunteer pastoral care visitors will occasionally stop by during your stay. Call extension 6286 to make arrangements.
Nutrition Services
The nutrition services department's goal is to meet your nutritional needs as well as your meal preferences. You will be given the opportunity to choose your food for the next day from an appropriate menu. We request that food not be brought into the Hospital without permission from the nurses in charge, so we can keep track of all aspects of your recovery. Upon the request of your physician, the nutrition services department will provide you with written nutritional guidelines prior to discharge. If you have any questions concerning our diet or menu selection, ask your nurse to notify the nutrition services staff. Guest trays for your visitors are available upon request, for a nominal fee, by calling extension 6267.
Individualized outpatient nutrition education counseling sessions are also available through the Hospital's nutrition services department. A physician's written prescription may be needed for full reimbursement. Call 777-6205 to make an appointment.
Mail and Flowers
Mail and flowers which are correctly addressed to you will be delivered to your room. If you receive mail after you have been discharged, it will be forwarded to your home. If you have outgoing mail, please give it to your nurse or leave it at the nursing station. Your friends and relatives can ensure mail reaches you by using: Your name and room, Ohio Valley General Hospital, 25 Heckel Road, McKees Rocks, PA 15136-1694.
Newspapers
Newspapers are available daily in the emergency department and at the front entrance or by contacting room service at extension 6222.
Room Service
Room service is provided by the volunteers of Ohio Valley General Hospital to help make your stay more comfortable. A wide variety of services are available from room service including: newspaper delivery, VCR/movie rental, snack purchases and beautician services. A volunteer will visit you during your stay to explain these services in more detail. Room service operates Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Simply dial extension 6222, and a volunteer will promptly respond to your request.
Telephone
Family members and friends can call you directly by dialing (412) 375 and the four-digit number on your phone. Any private or semi-private room by the door will have a phone number of 3 + room number; any room by a window will be 5 + room number. Long distance and toll calls must be charged to your home phone or credit card. You must pay Hospital telephone service charges when you leave the Hospital.
LOCAL calls
Dial 9 + area code + the seven digit number.
LONG DISTANCE calls
Dial 9 + 0 + area code + seven digit phone number.
This will connect you to an outside operator for collect calls and home billing.
800 number calls
Dial 9 + 1 + the 800 phone number.
toll calls
Dial 9 + 0 + 724 + seven digit number.
within the hospital calls
Dial the four digit extension. If you have any problems, questions or need assistance, dial 0 for the Hospital operator.
private duty nurses
If you wish to have a private duty nurse, please contact the nursing services department at extension 6228. These special nurses are employees of the patient and not the Hospital; therefore, fees for their services are not included in the Hospital bill.
Television
Ohio Valley provides free cable service for our patients available 24 hours each day.
Medical and Professional Services
The following departments are available for both inpatient and outpatient services, as directed by your physician. The brief descriptions here are designed to help you become aware of the many services offered by the Hospital and the roles that each department's personnel play in restoring and maintaining your good health. Please keep this list for convenient future reference.
hospitalist program
Our hospitalists lead a team of nurses, physicians, case managers, social workers and discharge planners, who work together to make your hospital stay comfortable. A hospitalist is a staff physician who specializes in the care of hospitalized patients. With a hospitalist, you’ll benefit from personalized attention, and you’ll gain peace of mind knowing there is a physician on staff who’s familiar with your medical history and care. Your participation in the Hospitalist program is completely voluntary and elected by your physician.
At the time of discharge, the hospitalist will refer the patient to a primary care physician for follow-up care and additional refills.
hospice
Patients receiving hospice home care may be admitted to Ohio Valley General Hospital for symptom management.
cardiology
The cardiology department performs a wide range of noninvasive diagnostic tests to detect and evaluate heart problems. These tests include: electrocardiograms (EKG), exercise stress tests, echocardiograms, 24-hour holter monitors and electroencephalograms (EEG). Results are reviewed and interpreted by physicians specializing in cardiology. For further information, or to schedule an appointment, call (412) 777-6136.
cardiac fitness program
The Cardiac Fitness Program is an outpatient service which helps patients get their hearts back in shape after heart surgery or disease. The program combines exercise, nutritional counseling and risk factor education to promote a return to a healthier and active lifestyle. Patients must be referred to the Cardiac Fitness Program by their physician. For more information, call (412) 777-6850.
cardiac catheterization laboratory
The cardiac cath lab performs heart catheterizations as well as peripheral angioplasty/stenting and pacemaker insertions. Many procedures may be done as an outpatient right here in your community. Procedures are performed and interpreted by cardiologists experienced in interventional cardiology. For more information, call (412) 777-6595.
critical care suite
Ohio Valley's critical care suite, located on the Hospital's fourth floor, provides care to patients who require special monitoring or more intensive nursing care in a state-of-the-art facility featuring the latest in technologically advanced equipment.
emergency center
Physicians and nurses are on duty in the Emergency Center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The newly renovated Center features 14 treatment areas with state-of-the-art emergency medical equipment and full Hospital back-up. Services in this area range from treatment of non-emergency illness or injury to severe life threatening situations.
laboratory
Ohio Valley General Hospital's laboratory, located on the second floor, is open 24-hours for inpatient services. An appointment is not necessary. Outpatient testing hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.
nuclear medicine
The Nuclear Medicine Department is open from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For emergency procedures there is an on-call technician on duty 24 hours a day. Outpatients must call for an appointment. Some testing may require fasting; this will be explained to you at the time your appointment is made. Call 777-6409 to schedule appointments or for more information.
ohio valley general hospital fund development
Through individual, civic, and corporate generosity, the Fund Development Department raises funds that support the hospital's mission to its patients, employees, doctors, and students. The end result is fulfillment of our most important mission: to fund initiatives that provide programs and services to improve the quality of life in our community. We invite you to call extension 6359 to learn about the Fund Development's many giving programs. And we hope that you will soon become part of the giving community that exemplifies how one of the best foundations in the city isn't in the city.
institute for pain diagnostics & care
Pain can come at you in many ways and fighting it requires diverse treatment options. At The Institute for Pain Diagnostics and Care, we use a multidisciplinary approach that can include nerve blocks, certain medications, physical therapy or a combination of these and other treatments that can give your body and mind what it needs to combat the pain. Our physicians are trained and certified in pain medicine and can evaluate, treat and ease your pain. For more information on The Institute for Pain Diagnostics and Care, call (412) 777-6400 or visit www.IFPDAC.org
pulmonary rehabilitation
The Pulmonary Health Center is designed for patients who experience significant impairment in their daily functioning as a result of their lung disease. The program focuses on physical fitness, endurance training, education and emotional support for the patient. Eligible patients will finish the program in six to twelve weeks attending two to three times per week. For more information please call (412) 777-6470.
Radiology
X-rays for outpatients, as ordered by a physician, are performed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the radiology department located on the Hospital's second floor. CT Scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine, Dexa, bone density, mammography and ultrasound tests are scheduled by appointment. Services for emergency patients are available 24 hours a day. For information and/or scheduling call (412) 777-6257.
Rehabilitation Services
After an injury, illness or surgery, comprehensive rehabilitation services are offered through physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy which help people to regain strength and relearn skills. The rehabilitation services department specialties include treatment of orthopaedic, work related, and hand injuries, neurological disorders, and treatment of swallowing and voice disorders. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday for inpatients only. Comprehensive inpatient services are also available at the Acute Rehabilitation Unit located on the fifth floor of the Hospital.
Respiratory Services
Respiratory care practitioners provide therapeutic and diagnostic services related to the treatment of patients with lung or breathing problems. Services include breathing treatments, oxygen administration and assessment, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy and ventilator care. Results of diagnostic tests are reviewed and interpreted by physicians specializing in lung disorders. For further information, or to schedule an appointment, call (412) 777-6157.
Sleep Lab
The Sleep lab is an outpatient Service specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. If you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headache or have high blood pressure, you may have a sleep disorder. Referrals for testing may be made by your primary care physician. For further information; contact the Sleep Lab at (412) 777-6921.
Surgical Suite
Each year, more than 4,500 surgical procedures are performed in Ohio Valley General Hospital's five operating rooms using such leading-edge technology as minimally invasive techniques. More than half of those procedures are coordinated through Surgery Today, Ohio Valley's one-day outpatient surgery program.
Acute Rehabilitation Unit
The Acute Rehabilitation Unit located on the Hospital’s 5th floor provides comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services of the highest quality to improve the functional independence of those we serve. Potential candidates are patients that have suffered functional deficits resulting from:
- Stroke
- Neurological Disorders such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis etc
- Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Hip Fractures
- Major Multiple Traumas
- Amputations
Patients can expect to make gains in one or more of the following areas:
- Ambulation
- Balance and Coordination
- Activities of Daily Living such as eating, grooming, dressing, bathing and homemaking
- Cognition
- Speech and Swallowing
- Overall Strength and Endurance
Pre-admission assessment will be conducted by a member of our team on all referred patients. Assessments can be completed in the hospital, physician’s office, nursing home, or patient’s home. For more information or to make a referral, please call (412) 777-6770.
Information for Family and Friends
Visiting Hours
Patient Rooms
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
ICU
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
IMC
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
No children under 12 years of age are permitted.
Medical Surgical Units
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Only 2 visitors/room.
Calls from family members to the critical care suite will be taken from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call the Hospital switchboard at (412) 777-6161 to be connected with the critical care suite.
Parking and Bus Service
Free parking is available for visitors in front of the Hospital and in parking lots near the main entrance. Specially designated parking spaces for the physically-challenged and for one-hour parking are located around the island across from the main entrance. Daily PAT bus service is also available. Check at the information desk for service schedules. Temporary handicapped parking passes are available by calling 777-6215.
cafeteria
Visitors may eat in the Hospital's cafeteria, located on the first floor, down the hall to the right of the information desk. The cafeteria is open 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Weather permitting, enjoy the outdoor patio adjacent to the cafeteria.
Gift Shop, Snack Bar and Vending Area
Open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Gift Shop features magazines, newspapers, cards and gift items, as well as coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches, salads and snacks. A 24-hour vending area is located in the Emergency Center waiting room and on the first floor near the ambulance entrance which offers snacks, hot food items, cold and hot drinks and change.
Public Pay Phones
Public telephones are available in the following locations:
- First Floor of the Hospital — emergency waiting area.
- Medical Office Building — First floor hallway.
Community Services
HealthCheck Health Screening - a series of 32 individual tests from a single blood sample. Call (412) 777-6173 for more information.
Free Blood Pressure screenings are available in the Emergency Center with no appointment.
Lifeline telephone alarm and monitoring system for people who are disabled, ill, elderly or recovering from surgery. Call (412) 777-6195 for information.
Seniority health and wellness membership program for people 50 years and older. Call (412) 777-6195 for information.
Diabetic Education is available for diabetics. Call (412) 777-6205 for more information.
The Jacqueline O. Terner Eye Care Fund, in cooperation with Focus on Renewal (FOR), provides eyeglasses to persons in financial need. Call (412) 777-6572 for more information.
The Cataract & Eye Surgery Center is a same-day surgery program providing excellence in glaucoma, low-vision, corneal and anterior segment eye surgeries. Call (412) 777-6357 for more information.
BusinessFit is a program to help area companies control their medical costs by providing health care services from employment physicals and workers' compensation management to drug and alcohol testing. Call (412) 777-6369 for information.
Volunteer Services, opportunities for adults to volunteer throughout Ohio Valley. Call (412) 777-6286 for information.
A 22-month diploma School of Nursing program and a 24-month associate degree program through the School of Radiography. Call (412) 777-6204 for information.
The Residence at Willow Lane is an Assisted Living Facility across the street from the Hospital. Call (412) 331-6139.
The Wound Healing Institute® specializes in the treatment of chronic, nonhealing wounds utilizing state-of-the-art technologies to promote healing and the latest therapeutic procedures. Call (412) 250-1820.
Open Letter to All Medicare Beneficiaries
This letter is to inform you that, under Federal law, the care and services you will receive during your hospital stay are subject to professional medical review. The benefits you receive during your admission and length of stay are dependent upon determination of medical necessity through the review process.
In addition, Federal law requires that the care you receive be reviewed on a continuing basis, to ensure that patients are receiving adequate and appropriate health care services. The organization delegated to do this review in our area is Quality Insights of Pennsylvania.
QIO will collect and maintain information through a data system on the type and extent of care received by patients of Ohio Valley General Hospital.
QIO recognizes medical information is private and has established policies and procedures to ensure confidentiality of patient information.
Open Letter to Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Subscribers
Dear Subscriber:
The increasing cost of health services is reflected in our Highmark Blue Cross rates. For this reason, Highmark Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania is striving to help control costs by working with hospitals to assure that all admissions and inpatient stays are medically necessary and are not unnecessarily extended. To accomplish these objectives, Highmark Blue Cross will rely upon the hospital's utilization review procedure, which is conducted either by the hospital's staff physicians or by an independent professional review organization designated by the hospital to perform this utilization review function on its behalf.
Admissions will be reviewed, as will inpatient stays at appropriate intervals, to make certain of their validity.
If it is found by the utilization review committee that your admission - or your continued stay in the hospital - is not medically justified, you and your attending physician will be notified.
Please be assured that as a Highmark Blue Cross subscriber, you will receive all the medical care to which your Agreement entitles you, without having your hospital stay needlessly extended. Hopefully, we can help many patients to return home sooner to their families and friends.
Highmark Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania
Open Letter to Managed Care Subscribers
Dear Subscriber:
The increasing cost of health services is reflected in the managed care rates. For this reason, your managed care plan is striving to help control costs by working with hospitals to assure that all admissions and inpatient stays are medically necessary and are not unnecessarily extended. To accomplish these objectives, your managed care plan will rely upon the hospital's utilization review procedure, which is conducted either by the hospital's staff physicians or by an independent professional review organization designated by the hospital to perform this utilization review function on its behalf.
Admissions will be reviewed, as will inpatient stays at appropriate intervals, to make certain of their validity.
If it is found by the utilization review committee that your admission - or your continued stay in the hospital - is not medically justified, you and your attending physician will be notified.
Please be assured that as a managed care plan subscriber, you will receive all the medical care to which your agreement entitles you, without having your hospital stay needlessly extended. Hopefully, we can help many patients to return home sooner to their families and friends.
Your Managed Care Plan
An Important Message from Medicare
(For Admissions to PPS Hospitals)
Your Rights While You Are a Medicare Hospital Patient
- You have the right to receive all the hospital care that is necessary for the proper diagnosis and treatment of your illness or injury. According to Federal law, your discharge date must be determined solely by your medical needs, not by "Diagnosis Related Groups” (DRGs) or Medicare payments.
- You have the right to be fully informed about decisions affecting your Medicare coverage and payment for your hospital stay and for any post-hospital services.
- You have the right to request a review by a Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) of any written Notice of Noncoverage that you receive from the hospital stating that Medicare will no longer pay for your hospital care. QIOs are groups of doctors who are paid by the Federal Government to review medical necessity, appropriateness, and quality of hospital treatment furnished to Medicare patients. The phone number and address of the QIO for your area are:
Quality Insights of Pennsylvania
2601 Market Place Street, Suite 320 | Harrisburg, PA 17110
Telephone: 1-800-322-1914
Talk to Your Doctor About Your Stay in the Hospital
You and your doctor know more about your condition and your health needs than anyone else. Decisions about your medical treatment should be made between you and your doctor. If you have any questions about your medical treatment, your need for continued hospital care, your discharge, or your need for possible post-hospital care, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. The hospital's patient representative or social worker will also help you with your questions and concerns about hospital services.
If You Think You Are Being Asked to Leave the Hospital Too Soon
Ask a hospital representative for a written notice of explanation immediately, if you have not already received one. This notice is called a "Notice of Noncoverage." You must have this Notice of Noncoverage if you wish to exercise your right to request a review by the QIO.
The Notice of Noncoverage will state either that your doctor or the QIO agrees with the hospital's decision that Medicare will no longer pay for your hospital care. - If the hospital and your doctor agree, you will be given a Notice of Noncoverage. The QIO will respond to your request for a review of your Notice of Noncoverage, and seek your opinion. You cannot be made to pay for your hospital care until the QIO makes its decision, if you request the review by noon of the first work day after you receive the Notice of Noncoverage. You are encouraged to call the QIO immediately after receiving the Notice of Noncoverage. - If the hospital and your doctor disagree, the hospital may request that the QIO review your case. If it does make such a request, the hospital is required to send you a notice to that effect. In this situation the QIO must agree with the hospital or the hospital cannot issue a Notice of Noncoverage. You may request that the QIO reconsider your case after you receive a Notice of Noncoverage, but since the QIO has already reviewed your case once, you may have to pay for at least one day of hospital care before the QIO completes this reconsideration.
IF YOU DO NOT REQUEST A REVIEW, THE HOSPITAL MAY BILL YOU FOR ALL THE COSTS OF YOUR STAY BEGINNING WITH THE THIRD DAY AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE NOTICE OF NONCOVERAGE. THE HOSPITAL, HOWEVER, CANNOT CHARGE YOU FOR CARE UNLESS IT PROVIDES YOU WITH A NOTICE OF NONCOVERAGE.
How to Request a Review of the Notice of Noncoverage
- If the Notice of Noncoverage states that your physician agrees with the hospital's decision: You must make your request for review to the QIO by noon of the first work day after you receive the Notice of Noncoverage by contacting the QIO by phone or in writing.
- The QIO must ask for your views about your case before making its decision. The QIO will inform you by phone and in writing of its decision on the review.
- If the QIO agrees with the Notice of Noncoverage, you may be billed for all costs of your stay beginning at noon of the day after you receive the QIO decision.
- You will not be responsible for the cost of hospital care before you receive the QIO’s decision.
If the Notice of Noncoverage states that the QIO agrees with the hospital's decision: - You should make your request for reconsideration to the QIO immediately upon receipt of the Notice of Noncoverage by contacting the QIO by phone or in writing. - The QIO can take up to three working days from receipt of your request to complete the review. The QIO will inform you in writing of its decision on the review. - Since the QIO has already reviewed your case once, prior to issuing the Notice of Noncoverage, the hospital is permitted to begin billing you for the cost of your stay beginning with the third calendar day after you receive your Notice of Noncoverage even if the QIO has not completed its review.
Thus, if the QIO continues to agree with the Notice of Noncoverage, you may have to pay for at least one day of hospital care.
NOTE: The process described above is called "immediate review." If you miss the deadline for this immediate review while you are in the hospital, you may still request a review of Medicare's decision to no longer pay for your care. You may do this at any point during your hospital stay or after you have left the hospital. The Notice of Noncoverage will tell you how to request this review.
Post-Hospital Care
When your doctor determines that you no longer need all the specialized services provided in a hospital, but you still require medical care, he or she may discharge you to a skilled nursing facility or home care. The discharge planner at the hospital will help arrange for the services you may need after your discharge. Medicare and supplemental insurance policies have limited coverage for skilled nursing facility care and home health care. Therefore, you should find out which services will or will not be covered and how payment will be made. Consult with your doctor, hospital discharge planner, patient representative and your family in making preparations for care after you leave the hospital. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.
The Patient Channel
Ohio Valley General Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality, safety, comfort and well-being of our patients. In order to keep you up to date on health information, we are providing The Patient Channel for you to watch during your stay with us.
Channel 72 features:
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week patient education channel which focuses on the most common chronic diseases and patient conditions.
- Replays the same program at different times during the day so that patients don’t miss a program in case you are out of the room–patients, family members and friends also have the ability to review the program more than once. Any questions, please ask your nurse or other health care team member.
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