Hospital Stay Information
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Safety and Security
No Smoking
- To promote the health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees, there is no smoking in any MeritCare building or on MeritCare property.
- If you feel that your emotional and/or physical well-being may be greatly affected by this rule, please talk with your doctor about non-smoking alternatives.
Fire Alarm
- The sound of bells, with a "Code Red" announcement, indicates a fire alarm.
- Staff members will close all doors and be stationed throughout the hospital.
- Please stay in your room until the alarm ends.
- Elevators are not in use during a fire alarm.
Security
Security officers are on-site at all times to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, staff, as well as buildings and grounds. They are also available to escort people to parking areas, jump-start vehicles or retrieve keys from locked vehicles. Call (701) 234-5719, at any time, for assistance.
Tornado Warning
In case of a tornado warning, nurses will provide safety instructions, assist patients into the hallway, or move patient beds away from windows.
Personal Belongings
- Patients should not keep more than $25 in cash with them during a hospital stay.
- Additional money, jewelry or sentimental items should remain at home, or be placed in the hospital safe. The hospital is not responsible for the safekeeping of any valuables patients have in their rooms.
- Let your nurse know if you wear contact lenses, glasses, hearing aids or dentures. When not in use, place such items in labeled containers.
- For safety reasons, most patient-owned electrical equipment is not permitted in patient rooms.
- Before any equipment, such as computers, battery-operated camcorders, curling irons, blow dryers, razors or water pics, can be used, they must pass a safety check and patients must sign a responsibility release form. Inform your nurse if you have any electrical equipment.
Media Inquiries
Patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. Only patients and/or family members decide whether to release information if there is a request by the news media.
Preventing Falls
Accidental falls can occur anywhere, even in the hospital. Falls can occur because:
- Medications, such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, pain relievers, blood pressure pills or diuretics (water pills), may make you feel dizzy, slightly confused or less steady on your feet.
- Illness, surgery, treatments or tests may make you weak and unsteady.
- Surroundings may seem unfamiliar, especially at night.
Share these guidelines with visitors to reduce your chance of falling:
- Ask for help getting out of bed, especially if you feel dizzy or weak.
- Remain still while waiting for help. Your call will be answered as soon as possible.
- When help arrives, sit up in bed for a while, then rise carefully and slowly begin to walk. Remember, you are more likely to faint or feel dizzy after sitting or lying for a long time.
- Wear non-skid slippers or shoes when you walk in the hospital.
- Before exiting the shower, be sure there is a towel or mat to stand on.
- Use the bathroom call light if you feel dizzy or unsteady. Do not try to get back to bed alone.
Private-Hire Patient Attendants
- Private-hire patient attendants visit with the hospitalized patient, providing companionship and dimensional activities, usually when family members cannot be there.
- Hiring is arranged through local agencies and payment for their services are the responsibility of the patient or family.
- Attendants do not perform any clinical tasks, make decisions for the patient, or replace the care of a nurse or nursing assistant.
- To hire an attendant, please talk to your nurse.