While a hospital room can never be as comfortable as your own home, BMH patient care rooms are designed to provide the safest, most comfortable environment possible. Most rooms are private; however, BMH does have some semi-private rooms. Regardless of the room type, our staff will work hard to make sure your stay is the best it can be.
Please keep in mind that our beds are designed to allow for professional nursing care and are probably narrower and higher than the bed which you are accustomed to at home. However, hospital beds do have their advantages! The beds can be adjusted into many comfortable positions, including sitting fully upright as in a chair. Patients can adjust the bed for their own comfort from controls located on the bed itself or on a power cord. Other functions may require the assistance of a nurse or other hospital employee, so ask for help if you have any questions.
The side rails on your hospital bed are another feature you probably aren't accustomed to, but they are important for your safety. Please do not lower the side rails on your own. If you need them lowered, please contact your nurse for assistance. Your physician may also request that you have assistance getting in and out of bed, so please call your nurse before trying to get up on your own.
Each hospital bed is equipped with a call light. This should be used to request assistance from your nurse or other hospital staff member. Your nurse will instruct you more fully on its use upon your arrival to your room. Don't be afraid to use it--our staff is here to help and to keep you safe.
Telephone
Each patient room is equipped with telephone access. To contact a family member while they are a patient, please call the main hospital at (661) 327-4647. All patients have access to make free local calls.
Television
Basic cable television service is provided free of charge in all patient rooms.
Mail
Patient mail is delivered daily except on weekends. Any mail delivered after your discharge will be forwarded to your home address. Please encourage those writing to you to use your full name in order to assure accurate delivery.
Newspapers and Flowers
Newspapers are available in the Gift Shop or may be delivered to your room by our volunteer staff, upon request. Flowers are delivered to patient rooms as soon as they arrive. Unfortunately, flowers cannot be delivered to patients in our critical care units. They will be sent home with your family/friend or held until transfer to a general nursing floor.
Environmental/Housekeeping Services
Our Housekeeping Services staff is dedicated to your comfort and safety. While at BMH, they will clean your room daily, but with as little noise and disturbance as possible. If you are not pleased with their services, please contact Environmental Services at (661) 327-4647 ext. 3027 so we can immediately address your concerns. If there is no answer at that extension, please dial "0" and ask the operator to request housekeeping assistance.
Your Meals
All meals are prepared daily by our own Dietary Services staff. Proper nutrition is an important part of your treatment and recovery. Often your physician will order a special diet to assist in the recovery. BMH dietary staff is prepared to meet any of the special requests made by your physician.
