What to Expect

What to Expect

You’ve spoken to your physician and your care will require a hospital stay at Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield. Now what? If you’re wondering what to bring, what you’ll need and how we can help you be more comfortable you will find this section very helpful. The links below provide information and answers to questions you may have about your stay.

Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield has also created a Patient Handbook designed to assist you and your loved ones through your Hospital stay. It explains patient rights and responsibilities, as well as processes that you can expect and Hospital services that are offered. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with this information and do not hesitate to talk to any of your caregivers should you have questions.

You can download our Patient Guide here, but there no need to print any pages. There will be a hard copy in your room once you arrive.

Note: In an effort to better protect you and your loved ones, some services described may be temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. A member of your care team will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

What to Bring

When you are preparing for your admission to Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield, be sure to bring the following:

  • Complete list of medications that you are currently taking, both prescription and over-the-counter.
  • Prior Reports – any reports your physician(s) gave you to bring to the hospital.
  • Insurance Information – medical insurance information cards, pre-certification information, and any other documentation required by your insurer.
  • Identification – photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport and Social Security card.
  • Family Contacts – list of telephone numbers where members of your immediate family can be reached if necessary. Include only persons with whom you want the hospital to communicate.
About your Room

Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield is designed for maximum efficiency. Patient rooms encircle nurses’ “pods,” so your needs may be met as quickly as possible. All patient rooms are private and designed with comfort and convenience for both you and your family.

Around-the-clock visiting hours, family members and loved ones are encouraged to be present and involved in patient recovery/rehabilitation.

Patient rooms also include a recliner, a built-in cabinet for your personal belongings, a television, and a private bathroom.

Your Care Team

Our Team Is On Your Side

The physicians, nurses, and technicians at Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield work together to provide compassionate, quality care to patients.

Your caregiver team will consist of a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Patient Care Partner (PCP).

You may also receive care from our Respiratory Therapists, Radiology Technologists, Pharmacy personnel, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and Dietitians during your stay. In addition, a Case Manager is on hand to assure patient care is coordinated, with the necessary resources, both within the hospital and when you leave the hospital. This includes patient, family and staff education, quality assessment and timely discharge.

When possible, services will be provided at your bedside. However, in the event you must be relocated for a particular test, your nurse, care partner, or technician will escort you and return you to your room as soon as the test is completed.

Staff members wear color-coded uniforms to assist you in distinguishing who is caring for you during your stay.

Color-Coded Scrubs

Discharge Planning

A Case Manager is a Registered Nurse (RN) who is assigned to assist in your care while hospitalized. Your Case Manager will review and follow your care, and consults with your care providers to ensure the care program prescribed by your physician(s) is being implemented. The Case Manager is responsible for coordinating resources that may need to be scheduled or obtained outside of the hospital, such as, home health, medical equipment needs, and inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.

Discharge
We request physicians to issue discharge orders prior to 11:00 a.m. This provides the Case Manager adequate time to prepare for your continuing care and for you to arrange for transportation home. You will not be discharged until arrangements for your continuing care are made.

Final instructions will be given in your room prior to discharge-it is essential you understand your continued care program, including special instructions, follow-up doctor visits, medications, and lifestyle recommendations. The Business Office may contact you prior to your discharge if additional information is needed. Your care partner will transfer you from your room to your vehicle at the time of discharge.

Food and Nutrition

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be delivered to your room. You are provided with a menu with several options to choose from for each meal that are specific to your diet needs. Our Registered Dietician is available to assist you in planning your meals. Diet instruction and nutritional counseling may be provided with your physician’s approval.

Pastoral Care

In addition to your physical health, Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield also cares about your spiritual needs. Chaplains play an essential role in providing for the spiritual and emotional support of a widely diverse population of patients, families and staff from all religions and cultures.

Chaplains at Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield offer spiritual support to patients, their families and hospital staff. This ministry is manifested most clearly in times of crisis. The chaplains are committed to respect the dignity and faith tradition of each individual, and to guide and direct the spiritual climate of the institution. They base their pastoral care ministry on an inclusive basis, open to persons of all faiths or no faith. The chaplains also facilitate communication between patients and their faith communities.

To contact a chaplain, or to arrange for a visit from a representative of your own faith, please notify your nurse.

Support Network

Do you know where to go for help after you’ve had a stroke or have been diagnosed with heart disease? Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield has partnered with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to provide an association to help with your emotional recovery.

The Support Network offers an online community with a goal to connect people living with heart disease and stroke with others who are going through similar journeys.

Research shows the stress of dealing with an illness can impact health. A study released in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that a general lack of social support is associated with poor health and quality of life and depression in men and women following a heart attack.

The person who’s had a heart attack or stroke isn’t the only one impacted by these life-changing events. The stress of caring for a disabled spouse can significantly raise the caregiver’s risk of possible heart attack or stroke.

The monitored online community offers people a place to ask questions, share concerns or fears, provide helpful tips, and find encouragement and inspiration.