We want you to have a positive healing experience at Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. The information in this section of our website will help you prepare for your stay and make your time with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
Preparing for Your Visit
Admissions process
Your admission to the hospitals of Community Healthcare System was requested by a member of the hospital medical staff. The physician has arranged for your admission according to your diagnosis. The information obtained by hospital admissions personnel is kept in strictest confidence. A consent form for treatment and/or surgery must be signed by you or by your healthcare representative. This consent is obtained in accordance with state law. Parents must sign consent forms for treatment of minor children. We would like you to thoroughly understand any procedure you are scheduled to have performed. Please direct any questions about your treatment to your doctor.
Medicine
Your doctor will prescribe medications you need during your hospital stay. Unless your doctor asked you to bring medications, please leave them at home. If you do bring medication, your nurse will dispense it according to your doctor's orders.
What to bring to the hospital
We suggest that you bring only a few personal items such as toiletries, slippers and a robe. Hospital staff advise against bringing anything of value, such as jewelry or money, other than small amounts of cash that may be used to buy items from our gift cart.
It is important that you bring a copy of your Advance Directive (please see link on the left side of this page) each time you are admitted to the hospital. A nurse will ask to place the copy on your medical record. Discuss your wishes for care with the entire healthcare team to make sure they will be honored if you can no longer make decisions for yourself.
The hospital is not responsible for the loss of personal belongings including, but not limited to, money or other valuables. Please leave valuables with a friend or relative during your stay. Dentures, contact lenses or eyeglasses should be put in protective containers when not in use and kept in your bedside stand. There will be a charge for all toiletries and patient care items supplied by the hospital.
During Your Stay
Mail, gifts and flowers are delivered to patient rooms. Plants and flowers are not allowed in the Intensive, Neuroscience, Neonatal or Cardiovascular Care units. Mail received after you are discharged will be forwarded to your home. If you want to have stamped letters mailed, a hospital staff member or a volunteer will mail them for you. If you have chosen to opt out of the patient directory, mail and flowers will not be delivered and will be sent back to the sender.
MyChart (Patient Portal for Health Information)
Through the electronic health information environment, MyChart offers patients personalized and secure on-line access to portions of their health records. Through their healthcare provider, patients are provided an activation code so they may access their health information and communicate with their doctor's office on-line.
Our MyChart Customer Service Line is 219-226-2313.
No Smoking policy
The hospitals of Community Healthcare System are tobacco-free facilities, furthering our commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for our patients and visitors. Smoking is not permitted in any of the hospitals’ buildings, vehicles, parking lots, grounds or off-site facilities. This policy applies to all patients, visitors, employees, physicians, volunteers, and service representatives. Tobacco use includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco products and devices or materials emitting or exhaling smoke or other toxic substances. To assist our hospital patients, Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available and may be ordered by the patient's doctor. Please talk with your nurse if such assistance is needed. Visitors who wish to smoke should leave the hospital property and may leave a cell phone number to stay informed.
Smoking Cessation
Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for stroke, heart attack, cancer and many other diseases.
Reasons to quit smoking:
- Reduce pulse and blood pressure within 20 minutes
- Decrease risk of heart attack within 24 hours
- Improve circulation within two months
- Decrease risk of lung cancer and stroke
- Increase energy and ability to fight infection
- Reduce coronary artery disease risk by 50% after one year
Resources to help you quit smoking:
- “I Quit!” Smoking Cessation Class: 1-866-836-3477
- National Cancer Institute: 1-800-422-6237
- American Heart Association: 1-800-242-8721
- Prescription and over-the-counter medication
- On the internet: www.lungin.org
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