4 South

4 South is a medical unit, which also accommodates general medical/surgical patients to include orthopedic, urological, neurological patients. All of the rooms are private rooms. The nursing unit operates on a concept called “total patient care”. This means that all nursing care provided will be rendered or supervised by your primary nurse, who is either a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The nurse will administer your medications and treatments and either assist you or supervise a Nurse Tech or Certified Nursing Assistant to assist you with your personal care. We feel that by having one nurse take care of you, he/she will be able to efficiently and effectively meet your needs. Maria Root, Head Nurse and I are here during business hours Monday through Friday. Each shift has a “Charge Nurse” who is responsible for the care delivered on their shift. If there is a problem, or if you have a concern, please feel free to ask for me, the Head Nurse or Charge Nurse so that we might help you with your hospital stay.

Providence works with McLennan Community College and other nursing schools, so you may also have a student nurse assisting with your care during your stay.

ORIENTATION TO ROOM

We hope that your room is satisfactory. If there is anything you need, please feel free to contact the Unit Secretary or one of the nurses. The large chair in your room folds down to make a twin size bed. The staff will be glad to furnish your family/visitor with linen.

To make an outside local call on the telephone, please dial "9" and then your number. If you need to make a long distance call, dial "0" and the hospital operator will be glad to assist you.

The switches for the lights in your room are located on the panel behind the head of your bed. The red switch controls the large light directly over your bed. The two white switches control the softer, indirect light over your bed. Please feel free to ask the staff for assistance if needed.

DISCHARGE PLANNING

At the time of your admission, nursing staff will begin to anticipate your specific needs upon discharge. A Social Worker, Patient Care Coordinator, Dietician and other health care workers are available to assist in a smooth transition from the hospital to the home. If you wish to see any of these people, let your physician or nurse know. On the day of your discharge, you will receive an instruction sheet, which will list medications, diet, activity limitations, if any, and follow-up appointments, if indicated.

Kelley Smith, RN
Director 4th Floor

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