Preparing for Your Visit to Albany Medical Center
The day before your scheduled admission, you will receive a call between noon-1:30 p.m. from Pre-Operative Care to confirm the time of your procedure. You will be provided with instructions on:
- What time to arrive
- Where to park
- Any dietary restrictions your physician has placed prior to arrival
If you do not receive a call, call the Pre-Operative Care Unit at 518-262-4200.
While we will provide you with nearly everything you will need during your stay, it can be helpful to bring the following items with you:
- Insurance cards and information
- A list of the medications you are taking, along with the dosages and timing. Please do not bring medications with you. Your medications list can also include the name of your prescribing doctor and pharmacy, any drug allergies or side effects you've experienced while taking them, and if you are taking any over-the-counter medications or supplemental or herbal treatments.
While we are committed to ensuring a safe environment, we are not responsible for your personal belongings. We urge you not bring large amounts of cash or items of value including:
- Credit cards
- Jewelry and other valuables
- Medications
- Personal papers not related to your hospitalization
Advance directives are documents that outline your wishes to receive or refuse certain kinds of medical care if you are unable to express them. Completing and signing an advance directive can help ensure that your medical providers know your choices. Please keep in mind you can always change and update your advance directives, and should bring them to all hospital visits to ensure the most current is on file.
Directives can include:
- Living Will: Instructions on the type of life-prolonging medical care you would wish to accept or refuse
- Health Care Proxy: Names an agent who can make medical decisions for you if you are unable
- Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment: Outlines your Do Not Resuscitate and Do Not Attempt CPR orders
To learn more about advance care planning, receive guidance, or request forms, please contact:
Case Management 518-262-3012
Spiritual Care 518-262-3176
Patient Relations 518-262-3499
Information about different advance directives is also available through the New York State Department of Health.
During Your Stay
We are accredited by both the Joint Commission and the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care for meeting or exceeding nationally recognized quality and safety standards.
To further ensure your safety, we will:
- Ask frequent questions about your illness and other health care related issues and document the answers in your chart as a way of communicating to all members of your health care team
- Use two identifiers: an ID band, as well as asking you to verify your name and date of birth before the start of your treatment
- Carry out pre-procedure checks, which include review of your records and test results, and verification of your name and date of birth, the procedure you are having and the exact site of the procedure
- Assess your risk of falling and implement prevention if needed
- Ensure that you are on the right medication upon admission and after discharge
We urge you to ask questions if anything is unclear to you. Report any concerns you have about your care or safety right away so that we can help you.
Specially trained medical ethics consultants can help identify and address the diverse issues that can develop in modern medicine.
Their role is to assist and support, not make decisions for patients, caregivers, and families. They advocate for the best interests of the patient and often help families clarify what those interests are. The options presented by the Ethics Consultation Service are of an advisory nature only and are not binding. All services are confidential.
To request an ethics consultation, talk to your physician or nurse or call 518-262-3111 and ask for the on-call ethics consultant.
The Albany Med Health System strictly enforces a no smoking policy in our buildings and on our grounds. Ask your nurse if you are interested in resources to help you quit smoking.
New York State law requires that all providers, including the Albany Med Health System hospitals and our outpatient offices, electronically prescribe all medications, including controlled substances. Prescriptions will be securely sent to your pharmacy electronically.
- Any pharmacy within a chain can fill or refill your prescription even if it was sent to a different location
- Your medication should not be delayed. Please ask your pharmacist to contact Albany Medical Center should any issue arise
Amplified Telephones | 518-262-3759
Augmentative Communication Devices | 518-262-4526
Braille Transcription Service | 518-463-1211
Closed Caption Television Programming | 518-262-3759
Hearing Assistance Device | 518-262-4535
TYY Service | The hospital has TYY machines for individuals with speaking or hearing difficulties.
Language Assistance | Services are available by contacting Patient Relations at 518-262-3499 or Telecommunications at 518-262-3756.
B Building (Patient Pavilion) Basement Level
This Waiting Area offers loved ones a comfortable place to wait and stay abreast of your progress while in surgery. The Surgical Waiting Room is staffed by coordinators who serve as the information link between your surgeon and your family.
Visiting hours are subject to change based on community infections and hospitalizations. Any restrictions or limitations to visitation will be based on patient consent or clinical need. New York State Department of Health may also issue specific guidelines and precautions, particularly during flu season.
Current Visitation Guidelines for hospitals of the Albany Med Health System
Patient and Family Accommodations
For accommodations, please contact your hotel of choice directly. Some local hotels offer a reduced rate for patients and their families upon request. If a hotel needs verification of your hospital stay, they can contact our Patient Relations Department at 518-262-3499.
These hotels are in closest proximity to Albany Medical Center. Both offer shuttle service.
Hilton Garden Inn at Albany Medical Center
62 New Scotland Avenue, Albany 12208
518-396-3500
Restaurant open for lunch and dinner; validated parking
TownePlace Suites: Albany Downtown | Medical Center
22 Holland Avenue, Albany 12209
518-860-1500
Free parking
Hampton Inn & Suites
25 Chapel St., Albany 12210
518-432-7000
Restaurant open for dinner; validated parking
Comfort Inn
37 Route 9W, Glenmont 12077
855-571-3163
Free parking
Four Points by Sheraton | Albany
3 Mount Hope Way, Albany 12202
518-949-2220
Free parking
Courtyard by Marriott | Albany Thruway
1455 Washington Ave., Albany, 12206
518-435-1600
Breakfast and dinner available; free parking
Residence Inn Albany | Washington Avenue
124 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany 12203
518-218-7240
Free parking
Ronald McDonald House
139 S. Lake Ave, Albany 12208
518-438-2655
Free for families with children undergoing serious medical treatment
Fisher House
113 Holland Ave., Albany 12208
518-626-6919
Free for military and veteran families with a loved one in the hospital
For Your Convenience
These are delivered on a daily basis. Patients in critical care units cannot accept deliveries. In these cases, items will be kept at the nursing station until you are ready to leave the hospital.
Mail can be sent and received Monday through Friday. Mail received after you are discharged will be forwarded to you.
Parking is free for patients. Parking is available in the 40 and 60 New Scotland Avenue lots on the Albany Medical Center campus. For patients with outpatient appointments, the James J. Barba Physicians Pavilion lot is available at the A Building entrance.
Valet services are available at the Physicians Pavilion and Emergency Department entrances. Public transportation information is available at cdta.org. Discounted parking passes are available for purchase at the Gift Shop (B Building, Floor 2).
The pharmacy is located on Floor 1 at Albany Medical Center. It is open to the public for prescriptions, as well as discharged patients and employees of the main campus, with a variety of over-the-counter medications and other items available as well.
Monday - Friday | 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday | 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sunday | Closed
518-262-3263
A daily menu will be available based on your dietary needs. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and kosher meals are available upon request. If you have any questions, call 518-262-3205.
Wi-Fi is available and cell phones are allowed in most areas of the hospital. Signs are posted in areas where phones are prohibited. Free bedside phone service is available; call 2-6000 from the phone in your room or 518-262-6000 from a cell phone.
Cable TV (including closed-caption programming) is available on a rental basis. To activate your service and make a payment, call 518-262-6000.
Key Bank and Broadview ATMs are located at the Choices Café entrance.
Bank of America
33 New Scotland Ave.
Key Bank
62 New Scotland Ave.
Broadview
- E Building, Floor 1
- 16 New Scotland Ave.
Choices Cafe
E Building, Floor 1
Monday - Friday | 6:15 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | 6:15 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dunkin'
B Building, Floor 2
Located near main entrance
Open 24 hours
Subway
E Building, Floor 1
Open Daily | 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Additional off-site restaurants and dining options are available along New Scotland Avenue, including Bellini's Counter, Chipotle, Panera, the Recovery Sports Grill, and Starbucks.
For information on lost items, call 518-262-3777.
The Dr. Alfonso J. Marcelle Chapel is open 24/7. It is located in the basement level of the B Building.
Spiritual Care is available 24/7, regardless of your faith. Call 518-262-3176 or ask a staff member for more information.
Gift Shop
B Building, Floor 2
Monday - Friday | 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | 6:15 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thrift Shop
M Building, Basement Level
Monday - Friday | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Ronald McDonald House offers a home-away-from-home for families of seriously sick or injured children being treated at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital. Your child’s nurse can check room availability and make arrangements for your stay should you need overnight accommodations.
Call 518-438-2655 for more information.
Going Home
When your providers determine that you are ready to leave the hospital, our nursing team, with the assistance of social workers, will determine what (if any) services you will need upon discharge and make all arrangements. This may include physical therapy, nutritional guidance, special medical equipment, or home nursing care through Albany Med Health System member Visiting Nurses.
Medications
Let your health care team know if you are interested in having prescriptions filled at Albany Medical Center before you leave.
Rapid Response
At any time, if you or your loved one feels that you need additional medical attention, dial "0" from any hospital phone and request the Rapid Response Team.
