Temple University Northeastern Hospital

Current Events at NEH

CEO Statement

Our Mission & Vision Statements

For Our Patients...

For Our Patients...

Patient Safety

Patient safety is a priority at Northeastern Hospital. Our staff provide the safest – yet least restrictive environment for all patients. To ensure safety, the patient is requested to follow the following guidelines:

When walking about, always wear nonskid footwear. Patients who have a walking device should keep it within easy reach and use it.

Ring for assistance before getting out of bed. (Nurses will inform patients when it is safe to get up without assistance). Before using a bedside commode always call a nurse for assistance.

Bed side rails are put up for safety. Do not try to lower them or attempt to climb over them. In addition, the bed should be maintained in the low position with the wheels locked. If help is needed, please use the call button to inform the nurse.

You play and important role in the prevention of health care errors. We urge you to “speak up!”

Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don’t understand, ask again. It’s you body and you have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you’re getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don’t assume anything.
Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.
Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.
Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care errors.
Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.

Advance Directives

You will be asked if you have prepared an advance directive, a document to help your family and physicians make decisions for your treatment in the event that you cannot. For more information about a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, call Social Services at 215-291-3580.

Pain Management

As a patient at Northeastern Hospital you can expect:

Information about pain and pain relief measures.
A concerned staff committed to pain prevention and management.
Health professionals who respond quickly to reports of pain.
That your reports of pain will be believed.

As a patient at Northeastern Hospital, we expect that you will:

Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management.
Discuss pain relief options with your doctors and nurses.
Work with your doctor and nurse to develop a pain management plan.
Ask for pain relief when pain first begins.
Help your doctor and nurse assess your pain.
Tell your doctor or nurse if your pain is not relieved.
Tell your doctor or nurse about any concerns you have about taking pain medications.

Protective Services

Northeastern Hospital through the division of Social Services provides information regarding the access to protective services in the community for patients and families. These protective services may include guardianship, child and adult protective services, domestic violence advocates and ombudsman programs. Social Services is available to all patients and families and may be contacted directly within that hospital at extension 3580. Outside the hospital the number is: 215-291-3168.

Ethics Consultation Services

Northeastern Hospital has an active ethics committee chaired by a physician trained in medical ethics. The services of this committee are available to all patients and their families as well as staff, physicians and nurses as the need arises. Services include case consultation, policy development, and education. Case consultations with the physician—ethicist or a small group from the ethics committee are available immediately when decisions need to be made quickly. To access any or all of these services, notify your nurse or physician.

Patient Issues/Complaints

We do our best to help make your stay at Northeastern Hospital as pleasant as possible. If you have a non-clinical problem or concern, feel free to call the administration office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at extension 3401. If you have any concerns about the hospital’s quality of care, please call administration at extension 3401.

Case Management

Illness and hospitalization can create questions regarding health care services both during your stay at Temple East, Inc. and after your discharge. Our Case Managers and Social Workers are available to you and your family to provide professional guidance and assistance through counseling and discharge planning. Available information includes referrals for home care such as visiting nurses; for placement in nursing or rehabilitation facilities; and for services from community agencies such as the American Cancer Society and Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.

You can reach our Case Management Department, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at 215-291-3508.

Discharge Procedures

When you physician determines that you are ready to go home, you or a family member will need to obtain a release from the nurses’ station. Take this form to the cashier in the Mandell Lobby so that arrangements for paying your hospital bill can be completed.

Your doctor may discharge you at any time during the day and evening. Kindly make every endeavor to leave the hospital as promptly as possible when you are discharged. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Billing Information

Increasingly complex health insurance forms and requirements, along with the many clinical services you may receive during your hospital stay can make your bill seem confusing. Please be aware that you will be given two separate bills for the services received at Northeastern Hospital. Your bill from the Hospital will include charges for the use of hospital facilities, supplies, equipment and technical personnel, but it will not include physicians’ fees.

You will receive another bill from your physician for diagnosis, treatment, supervision of the care provided and/or the physician’s role in performing, analyzing or interpreting your test results. This bill may include services in anesthesiology, cardiac, pulmonary or neurological studies including EEG or EKG, stress tests, etc.; pathology services such as clinical lab studies and radiology. Although technicians take many of these tests, your results must be interpreted by a specialist—usually a private physician—who charges a consulting fee to make a report to your doctor.

If you are admitted through the Emergency Department, you will receive a bill for professional services through the Emergency Department’s physician group. If other services, such as x-rays or lab studies are required, you will be billed for these as well.

You may receive other bills from your family doctor or admitting physician and from any consultant whom he or she has asked to see you.

Questions About Your Bills

If you have any questions or concerns about your hospital or physician bill, we would be glad to answer them for you. Please call:

Physician Bill (Radiology Department): 215-707-0777

Physician Bill (Emergency department): 800-666-2455

Hospital Bill: 215-291-2069 or 215-291-2232

Help Us Care for You

As a patient, you play an active role in your treatment and in your comfort and convenience as well as that of others. We ask that you please:

Cooperate with all hospital personnel who are caring for you, and ask questions if you do not understand their directions.

Be considerate of other patients and encourage visitors to be considerate as well, particularly with regard to noise, use of television and number of guests.

Be as accurate as possible when giving information for your medical history, for possible notification of relatives, and for use by the Business Office. Each question on the form is important.

Be prompt in payment of hospital bills, providing necessary information for processing insurance claims and asking any questions about your bill.

Abide by hospital rules and regulations and encourage visitors to do so.

Help you physicians, nurses and all other medical personnel in their efforts to return you to health by following their instructions.

Maintain the treatment recommended by your physician after you leave the hospital and notify your doctor of any unexpected changes.

WE’RE IN GOOD COMPANY

In keeping with the hospital’s tradition of excellence, Northeastern Hospital has a long and impressive list of memberships, affiliations and accreditations. Each is a reflection of a strong commitment to providing quality health care that is shared by the entire Northeastern Hospital community.