Inpatient Information
What To Bring
The key to packing for your inpatient hospital stay is to pack light. In most cases, patients are only required to bring a valid government issued photo ID and copy of their insurance card to the hospital upon admission. In addition, you may wish to bring a small overnight bag including a change of clothing for when you leave the hospital.
MercyOne will provide each patient with a hospital gown. You may wear your own sleepwear instead of a hospital gown in most cases, but we ask all patients to wear a hospital gown for all tests, examinations and procedures.
Other important items to bring include:
- Bathrobe and slippers
- Brush/comb
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Underwear and socks
- Personal toiletries
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses with case
- Names and contact information for next of kin, family and friends
- A list of your current medications
- Advance directives
Intensive Care Patients
Patients being admitted into an intensive care unit are asked to have a friend or family member take any extraneous items home until you are transferred onto another patient floor, as there is very limited space for belongings.
Valuables
Please do not bring any personal belongings or valuable items to the hospital that are not essential to daily living (such as photographs, memorabilia, large sums of cash, credit cards or jewelry). Mercy cannot be responsible for their safekeeping.
Medications
Keeping an accurate record of your medications is critical to your treatment. During your stay, your physician will prescribe any necessary medications, so we ask you to leave any previously prescribed medications at home. If you choose to bring them with you, please inform your nurse.
ATM MACHINES
ATM machines are located in the Main Building Lobby, Level 1, and in the atrium area at Mercy Medical Plaza, Level A, 411 Laurel Street.
CARINGBRIDGE®
Mercy has partnered with CaringBridge® to offer free personalized websites to those wishing to stay in touch with family and friends during significant life events. For more information or to create a site, visit www.caringbridge.org.
CONTACTING PATIENTS
Friends and family may contact their loved ones by calling the MercyOne Des Moines switchboard at 515-247-3121. The switchboard will then transfer you to their private room. You must have the patient’s first and last name. The switchboard will not release private room numbers or telephone numbers.
GIFT SHOP & FLOWERS
(Main Building, Level 1) Gift House & Flowers offers a variety of gifts, fresh flowers, plants, MercyOne gear, greeting cards, magazines, toiletries, sundries and more. Certain purchases may also be made online at Mercy.dm/gift-house. The gift shop is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon–4 p.m.
INTERPRETATION & TRANSLATION
For patients whose communication is altered by vision, hearing or speech impairments, certified sign and oral language interpreters are available, upon request. We also may provide video phones, closed-captioned TV, personal amplification devices for the deaf (TDD). Free language services are also available to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
- Qualified interpreters
- Information written in other languages
For additional information, please ask your nurse.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and-Found is located in the Public Safety office in the Main Building, Level A. Please call (515) 247-3111.
MAIL SERVICE
If you receive mail or cards as a patient, a volunteer will deliver these items to you. Patients and visitors may drop off outgoing, pre-stamped mail at the Mail Room on Level A weekdays between 9 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. In addition, U.S. Post Office mailboxes are available near the Main and West Entrances.
OUTPATIENT PHARMACY
The MercyOne Pharmacy is conveniently located within the hospital on Level 1 in the main lobby, near the main entrance. Our pharmacy offers prescription services, over-the-counter medications and products, health care products and medication counseling.
PARKING
Parking at MercyOne is free for patients and visitors. On the downtown campus in the North or East parking lots or in three ramps – West, Medical Plaza and North.
PATIENT ACCOUNTS
At the time of registration, you will be asked to provide either a current insurance card or information about your current insurance carrier, as well as any specific forms or original documentation (claim forms, authorizations, referrals, etc.) required by your carrier. Billing questions? Call Customer Services at 515-247-4199.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
MercyOne has trained financial counselors available to discuss your individual needs. If you do not have insurance or will have difficulty in paying your portion of the bill, the counselors can assist you with your needs in making payment arrangements, reviewing the Financial Assistance program or, in case of hospital admission, referral for public assistance or referral to another facility. Regardless, patients will receive necessary medical care and the care will never be based on the patient’s ability to pay. Contact our Financial Counseling: 515-643-4999.
PHONE SERVICE
Patient rooms are equipped with a phone and your phone number will be provided to you to share with friends and family. You may make local phone calls free of charge from your room by dialing “9” to get an outside line. Long distance calls must be paid for at the time of service.
To call with a credit card or collect, dial “55,” wait for the dial tone, then dial “00.” A long-distance operator will come on the line to assist you. To use a calling card, follow the directions on the card. Charging stations for electronic devices are located within the hospital for guest convenience.
PUBLIC SAFETY
MercyOne Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the safety of our patients, visitors and staff. Please call (515) 247-3111 to inquire or request their services.
PASTORAL CARE
Please contact the nursing staff if you are interested in having a chaplain visit you. Pastoral Care is available 24 hours a day for all faiths. Our Pastoral Care staff is available to help you draft medical power of attorney materials, provide the Eucharist daily for our Catholic patients and facilitate the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Pastoral Care is available to make arrangements for Sacraments and prayers of your church or faith community.
If preferred, patients, guests and visitors may contact Pastoral Care directly at (515) 247-3238. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our chapel is located on Level 1 in the Main Building.
VISITING HOURS
Visiting hours to most hospital units are between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. For after hours, you will need to enter the hospital through the Emergency Department entrance or the East Tower entrance.
STAYING OVERNIGHT
The Holiday Inn Downtown at 1050 6th Ave., Des Moines, 50314, provides discounted accommodations and complimentary shuttle service to and from the hospital for friends and family members of patients. For reservations, call (515) 283-0151 and ask for the MercyOne Hotel discount or visit www.holidayinn.com/dsm-downtown
VOLUNTEER PET VISITATION PROGRAM
All dogs in the Pet Visitation program are certified by Therapy Dogs International and, along with their handler, they visit patient floors and waiting areas throughout the hospital. To request a visit, an individual or staff member may contact the Volunteer Services Department at (515) 247-3246 to inquire about availability.
WIRELESS INTERNET (WI-FI)
MercyOne provides a free high-speed internet connection for patients and visitors. Click or tap your wifi settings and look for the network labeled “Guest,” then select that network.