After Hours Access
On a daily basis, all entrances to the hospital are locked from 11 pm to 5 am. During this time, everyone must enter through the Emergency Department entrance on 34th Street building, and the staff is trained in fire protection and fire safety. The hospital also participates in all severe weather watches and warnings.
Family Members
Patients are asked to define their family and explain how they will be involved in patient care, care planning and decision making. Patients should plan to keep their family informed about their care — they are advised to identify one person who can communicate with family members. Patients should share their plan with HUP staff.
Patient Medication
Patient medication history is very important. Doctors and nurses will ask repeatedly about medications taken at home. Medications taken while in the hospital are prescribed specifically for the hospital stay. Some may be new or different compared to a patient's medication history. A hospital pharmacist reviews all medications and dispenses them. The nurse explains them and gives them to patients. Always ask about the medications you are given before taking them. Patients should never take medication from home without discussing this with the doctor or nurse first. If the doctor wants a patient to take their medication from home, a pharmacist will make sure it does not interfere with the other medications they are taking.
Nursing Assistance
Penn Medicine's professional registered nurses (RNs) plan and coordinate your care with you, your physicians and other members of the health care team. They provide treatments, administer medications and intravenous fluids, and teach you about your health and taking care of yourself after your discharge from the hospital. The nurses are assisted by certified nursing assistants and technicians who help you with your personal hygiene and meals.
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized as a Magnet hospital. Magnet is a prestigious designation bestowed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for excellence in nursing care.
Pain Management Request
As a patient of this hospital, you are responsible for expressing your expectations regarding pain and pain management and discussing pain relief options with your doctors and nurses. Ask for pain relief when your pain first begins and tell your doctor or nurse if your pain is not relieved.
Room Comfort
Please inform your nurse if any aspect of your room is uncomfortable. Maintenance will be notified and make every effort to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
All inpatient rooms at HUP are equipped with an interactive television. Patients can use the television to report feedback or concerns they may have, including room cleanliness and quality of meals. To report a concern, go to the "Main Menu" on the TV, select "Report – FOOD/OTHER" and choose the option that applies. The interactive television electronically notifies the appropriate department of the patient concern so the matter is addressed promptly.
Support Person(s) Identification
Patients are asked to identify their support person(s) whose presence will provide emotional support, comfort and help alleviate fears. With patient permission, this person may stay throughout the inpatient stay, participate in planning for care and discharge, and provide support by learning new information.
Clinical rounds, patient education sessions and discharge planning will accommodate having the support person(s) present. The support person(s) may be present throughout the stay unless their presence infringes on others' rights, safety, or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.
If the support person(s) plans to remain in the hospital overnight, the nursing staff will coordinate while taking into consideration the needs of other patients and families in the area. In situations where there are shared rooms, coordination may include the other patient, his or her family and their support person(s).
Valuables or Lost Items
The hospital maintains a safe and secure environment, but we strongly recommend that you send your valuables home with a family member or friend. Please notify your nurse if you need to secure personal items with the security department. The hospital is not responsible for personal belongings or valuables that are not secured with the security department.
Lost and found items are accepted and stored in the Security Operations Center located on the ground floor of the Silverstein building, next to the Emergency Department entrance. Reasonable effort is made to contact owners of lost property and return identifiable items. Employees, patients and visitors can call HUP Security at 215-662-2677 to inquire about lost items.
What To Bring For Your Hospital Stay
Bring only necessary items. Patients may be moved to different care areas during their hospital stay. Labeling all personal items helps to keep track of them. At times, the nursing staff may need to do an inventory of patient belongings. Please do not bring valuables such as jewelry and electronics.
- Photo identification
- Health insurance information
- Copy of any advance directive, durable power of attorney and living will documents
- List of medications with doses and frequency
- List of doctors and relatives with phone numbers and email addresses
- Robe, slippers and toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures (and cases labeled with full name)
- Cane and walker (labeled with full name)
- Medical equipment, if absolutely necessary