Roger Williams Medical Center: Hospital Care: Before You Arrive

Before You Arrive

Whenever a person learns he or she needs to go to the hospital, many different concerns come to mind. Here we attempt to address some of them.

How do you access hospital services?
A person accesses hospital care one of several ways. Due to sudden serious illness or injury, a person can be admitted to the hospital through the emergency department by the attending physician. In the case of a known condition requiring surgery or a special procedure, a doctor will refer and schedule your hospital stay and/or diagnostic testing. For some services and programs, depending on your health plan requirements, you may schedule your own appointment upon your doctor's recommendation; department numbers can be found in our on-line Directory.

Where do you go first?
Whether as a patient or a visitor, enter the Roger Williams Medical Center campus through the main parking area (the third entryway from Chalkstone Avenue). If you are arriving to visit a patient or someone from hospital administration, proceed to the front main desk and let the attendant know the reason for your visit. He or she will then direct you to where you need to go next.

If you are registering or have been directed to enter through the hospital’s Diagnostic Unit, please enter the hospital through the Diagnostic Wing entrance located on the left side of the hospital.

What should you bring with you?
Prior to all scheduled hospital inpatient and outpatient procedures, you should receive in the mail an information packet that provides detailed information about what to bring, what to eat or drink prior to your procedure, and what to expect when you arrive. If you are a scheduled patient and you have not received a packet, please call 401-456-2650 to request one.

For other procedures, what you should bring depends largely on the nature of the procedure. In general, you should bring any pertinent x-ray films, test results or medical reports related to your condition. You should bring a list of the type and dosage of all medications, vitamins, and vitamin supplements you may be taking. You should have your health insurance card or information with you. Also, you should know the names and telephone numbers of your primary care doctor and/or any specialists providing your care. For information related to a specific problem or procedure, you can call the particular treatment area directly; department numbers can be found in our on-line Directory.

When are visiting hours?
Visiting hours are from noon until 8pm, daily.

What do I need to know before I undergo treatment?
As part of the Patient Bill of Rights established by the State of Rhode Island, every patient enjoys certain rights and responsibilities related to his or her medical care. Chief among them are the right to privacy; the right to designate someone you know and trust to make medical decisions for you; the right to reasonable and equal access to care; the right to participate in health care decision-making; and the right to information about alternative forms of care. Roger Williams Medical Center fully recognizes and honors every patient's rights.Once you're in the hospital, what other services are available to you?
For every patient, we recognize there are needs beyond just those associated with the immediate medical condition being treated. Within the center, there are services to meet your and your loved ones' physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. They include:

Chaplaincy Services

Mental Health Services

Social Work Services

Support Groups

Volunteer Services

Medical Library

Cafeteria & Gift Shop

Harry M. Horton Education Center