Preparing For Your Visit to Saratoga Hospital
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.
We are committed to ensuring a safe environment, but 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 your nurse or the Spiritual Care office at 518-580-2625.
Information about different advance directives is also available through the New York State Department of Health.
During Your Stay
We hope that we were able to meet or exceed your expectations. If for some reason you or your representative have a concern about your time here, you have the right to file a complaint or grievance. We strive to resolve the majority of concerns within 7 days recognizing that some may be more complicated and require further investigation, in which case, we will keep you informed throughout the process. Your complaint or grievance may be filled either in person, by telephone, in writing, or electronically to:
The Director of the unit/department where the care was provided and/or the following:
Patient Representative
Quality Support Services
211 Church Street
Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866
Phone: 518-580-4182
Email: [email protected]
New York State Department of Health
Centralized Hospital Intake Program
Mailstop: CA/DCS
Empire State Plaza Albany New York 12237
Phone: 1-800-804-5447
The Joint Commission
In keeping with our commitment to providing the highest quality care in a safe environment, Saratoga Hospital voluntarily participates in The Joint Commission's (TJC) accreditation process. TJC regularly conducts accreditation surveys of organizations to determine whether they comply with nationally established standards on quality, safety-of-care issues, and the safety of the environment in which care is provided.
The Joint Commission Action Center
Office of Quality and Patient Safety, The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, 60181
Fax: 603-792-5636
Medicare beneficiaries have the right to seek review by the QIO for quality of care issues, coverage decisions, and to appeal a premature discharge by the Medicare patient review organization:
Livanta
Phone: 1-866-815-5440
The Albany Med Health System strictly enforces a no smoking policy on all campuses, in all 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 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 Saratoga Hospital should any issue arise.
Language Line services are available for all patients. Please let your nurse know an interpreter is needed. This service is available free of charge.
Visitation guidelines are updated regularly to best protect our patients, our staff, and our community. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Visitor Policy.
For more information including unit-specific guidelines, call 518-587-3222.
It is not possible to anticipate every instance that may give rise to a clinically appropriate rationale for a restriction or limitation. Our staff will exercise their best clinical judgment in determining when visitation is or is not appropriate. Clinical judgment will take into account all aspects of the patient's health.
For Your Convenience
Hospital volunteers deliver mail daily to patient rooms. Any mail received after discharge will be forwarded to your home.
Saratoga Hospital offers free valet parking service for patients and visitors from the main entrance off Church Street.
Monday – Friday | 7:45 a.m. – 5 p.m.
View a map of all parking options.
For more information, please call 518-886-5651.
Saratoga Hospital offers free Wi-Fi to our patients and visitors.
The Saratoga Hospital Cafeteria is located on the ground floor.
Hours:
Monday – Friday | 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. – 3:30 a.m.
Saturday & Sunday | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Please contact our Public Safety Department at 518-580-2550 or email [email protected].
Through our Department of Spiritual Care, we meet your spiritual and religious needs as well as those of your family members. We offer a range of services to support the spiritual dimension of healing. We also are available to assist you as you face the difficult decisions that sometimes accompany hospitalization and long-term care.
Spiritual care services are available 24/7.
Please call 518-580-2625 or 518-580-2628 during business hours and the Hospital operator (dial ‘0’) after hours for assistance in reaching a chaplain.
The Gift Shoppe is located off the main lobby on the first floor. It is operated by the Saratoga Hospital Volunteer Guild, with all profits donated for Hospital improvements, scholarships, medical library books, and community projects.
For more information, please call 518-580-2610.
Hours:
Monday – Thursday | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | Noon – 4 p.m.