It's OK to Ask
At Bronson, we honor patient and family dignity, privacy and respect. We believe patients and their loved ones should be involved in their care. It is important that we plan and make decisions together to increase safety and quality in your treatment. Your nurse should review the "It's OK to Ask" brochure with you. Please read this brochure and ask any questions you may have.

Concerns about Patient Care and Safety
We want to hear your concerns. Please speak with your doctor or nurse. If you are not comfortable, the Patient Relations department can help. Call (269) 341-8959.

The Ethics Committee also helps patients and their families with hard choices. Call the Bronson operator at (269) 341-7654 for this service.

Feedback
Bronson wants to provide excellent care. We need you to tell us how we are doing so we can continue to improve. One of the ways you can do this is to participate in a survey if you are called. Thank you for your input!

Smoking Policy
Bronson is a tobacco-free environment. This includes all patient rooms. Patients may not leave the unit to smoke. There are other options. Families and visitors may also ask for help. Bronson has resources to help you quit.

Fire and Disaster Drills
For your safety, Bronson practices fire and disaster drills. If a drill happens while you are here, please remain in your room and stay calm. The hospital staff is trained to handle emergencies. They will give you instructions and answer your questions

Medications from Home
Please tell your doctors and nurses about all of the medications, vitamins, street drugs, tobacco or herbal supplements you take. Sometimes your family doctor is not open when we need to know. We do not want a drug interaction.

Security
Bronson's Security Department is available 24 hours a day. Call (269) 341-7893 for help. They can take you to your car. They can also unlock or jump-start cars.

Security also helps keep the hospital safe by locking the doors at night. On the South Campus, use the intercom at the Garden Level Entrance of the Vine Street Ramp after hours.

Valuables/Lost and Found
There is a closet in your room for clothes and other items, such as your dentures and eyeglasses. Please put everything away, especially when you leave the room. Send valuables, such as jewelry and money, home with family members. Or, ask your nurse to lock your valuables in the safe. Bronson is not responsible for lost or damaged personal property.

If you lose something, tell your nurse right away. We will do our best to find it. Items worth more than $3 are kept for 30 days. To ask about lost items, call Customer Service at (269) 341-6055.

Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are at the drop-off location on each level of the parking ramps. They are also at each entrance. Ask your nurse or other hospital staff for help getting in and out of wheelchairs. If you cannot find a wheelchair, dial "0" from any house phone.

Electrical Equipment
Do not use any electrical items if you are a patient on oxygen or ventilator therapy. Adult patients, and those under age 13 with the nurse manager's permission, can use the following electrical items:

• Hand-held hair dryers
• Hot rollers
• Make-up mirrors
• Electric razors
• Electric toothbrushes
• Water pics
• Steam sterilizers for contact lenses

You cannot use:

• Electric blankets
• Heating pads
• Hot pots
• Coffee pots
• Portable space heaters
• Electric fans
• Air conditioners
• Humidifiers
• Table-model hair dryers
• Toasters
• Microwave ovens
• Patient-owned extension cords
  

Please use laptop computers and compact disc players that operate from batteries.

Decorations
For your safety, all decorations must be made of and labeled as fire-resistant Class A materials. Decorations may not be hung from or attached to the lights.

• No paper streamers
• No electric lights or candles; use battery-operated lights
• Fake trees made of flame-resistant materials are OK if the tree has an Underwriters Label