A hospital room is a space in which a patient is admitted and treated for their condition. They can be either private or semi-private. Hospitals are high-risk areas for nosocomial infection (hospital-acquired infections). To help reduce the risk of these infections, hospitals provide clean rooms with standardized amenities and procedures.
Hospitals use a variety of methods to ensure that patients receive the most current and accurate care possible. One of these methods is a patient tracking system, which is used to monitor a patient’s health status during their stay. This system helps doctors determine if the patient needs to be transferred to another department or unit.
When a patient is moved to a different room, the patient’s medical history is updated in the tracking system. This way, the next doctor can access the most up-to-date information about the patient.
While a patient is in the hospital, it’s important to have a good night’s sleep. A restful bedtime routine can help promote healing and improve the patient’s mood. A few things that can help make it easier to fall asleep include comfortable pajamas, a sleeping mask, ear plugs or soothing music.
Most hospitals have a standard hospital room for each patient, but there are also some that offer deluxe accommodations. These rooms may be more spacious or have a better view. They may also have more amenities, such as a flat-screen TV or a refrigerator. If a patient or family member wants to upgrade their room, they should talk with the hospital’s admissions office or the Preferred Accommodation Program clerk.
A private room usually costs slightly more than a semi-private room. Many extended health benefit plans cover the cost. Patients who are not able to afford a private room can request to be put on a waiting list and be assigned a private room as soon as one becomes available.
In general, a hospital room is cleaned by the hospital’s environmental care staff. Hospitals have strict disinfecting policies, including routinely cleaning surfaces like the bathroom and the over-bed table. If a patient notices that their room needs additional cleaning, they should notify their nurse or press the call button.
If a patient needs to be moved to a different floor of the hospital, it’s important to let the hospital know. They can help prevent a patient from becoming lost in the system and provide directions to the appropriate room.
A patient can’t ask to be moved to a different room in the same department, since the hospital has set up departments on specific floors for a reason. For example, a medsurg floor would have the medsurg, CCU and ICU rooms all together, while the L&D rooms are on a separate floor.
If a patient has a low immune system, they might be placed in a positive air pressure room. This type of room keeps contaminated air out while fresh, clean air is constantly pumped in. Those who visit the patient in this type of room must wear masks and gloves to avoid spreading contagious diseases.