St. Mary’s patient information
Advance Directives
Advance Directives are the best way for patients to relate their wishes regarding future medical care. Members of the pastoral care staff are available to provide information and to facilitate completion of Advance Directives.
Confidentiality
Privacy and confidentiality are every patient’s right. At St. Mary's Hospital, all communication and records about your medical condition and course of treatment will be held confidential. Hospital staff – from our physicians to our clerks – are dedicated to protecting our patients’ privacy. St. Mary's Hospital strictly adheres to the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy regulations that provide hospitals and patients with an additional means to help guarantee that patient privacy is a top priority.
As an organization dedicated to safeguarding the patient’s medical record, St. Mary's Hospital wants patients to fully understand their medical privacy rights and know how their medical information is used. Complete information is available in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
If you have any concerns regarding the confidentiality of your medical information, please contact St. Mary’s privacy officer at 815-673-4506.
Christian Care
Financial assistance through St. Mary’s is available.
Click here to download information regarding income guidelines.
Click here to download a questionnaire for Christian Care.
Patient Registration
Before becoming a patient, you must check in at registration. When entering the main entrance of the hospital, registration will be on the right, past the information desk. At the time you enter the hospital, our patient registration staff will ask for information necessary to complete your medical records and to bill you for services rendered. Although the questions seem repetitive, we are regulated by government and third party payers (insurance companies) to obtain this information. All questions serve a purpose toward our goal of meeting your needs – whether it is physical, social or financial. The forms signed in patient registration give us permission to release information to the insurance companies and to treat you according to your physician’s orders.
During the admission process, an identification band will be placed on your arm. We ask that it remain on until you are discharged.
Patient satisfaction
St. Mary’s utilizes the services of Press Ganey Associates, the industry's leader in health care customer satisfaction measurement. A survey may be mailed to you shortly following your hospital visit. If you receive a survey, please reply so that we continue to better meet our patients’ needs.
Valuables
The hospital is a very public place with many people coming in and out of your room. We cannot ensure the security of your personal items and valuables. The hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please leave jewelry, money or other valuables at home or with a loved one. If this is not possible, ask your nurse about storing your valuables in the hospital safe.