Drake Center: Specialized Medical & Rehabilitative Care

 

Patient & Family Handbook

• Your Admission
• Our Approach to
  Your Care
• Preparing for
  Your Stay
• Support for
  You & Your Family
• Managing Your Pain
• Specialized Patient Services
• Preparing for
  Your Discharge
• After Your Discharge

Patient Services For You

Wheelchairs and other assistive devices

If your physician or therapist determines you need assistive equipment during your stay, items such as a wheelchair, walker, or quad cane will be provided for temporary use. Please treat these items with care — they must be returned at the time of your discharge.

If you will need equipment for home use after discharge, your case manager can assist you in ordering these items. You are also welcome to bring and use your own equipment.

Interpreter/translation services

Drake Center makes every effort to meet the needs of any patient requiring interpreter or translation services.

If your primary language is not English, or if you are hearing-impaired, please notify Drake Center’s Admitting office prior to your admission so that we can make the necessary arrangements for these services. Call 513-418-2673 (within Drake Center: 2673).

Aids for hearing, visual, and physical impairments

A portable telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD/TTY) is available from the Speech Pathology department. Contact your case manager to arrange for use of one of these devices. To obtain a TDD/TTY after 5:00 p.m., ask the nursing staff to call Security at extension 2702. In addition, a TDD/TTY is available for use at the front desk 24 hours a day.

For patients with hearing impairments, telecaptioning can be activated on room televisions. For those with visual impairments, magnifiers and large-print materials are available. To request these services, please contact the nursing staff.

Please contact your case manager to request other equipment and assistive devices you might need.

Meals and snacks

All meals are prepared by Drake Center’s Food and Nutritional Services department under the guidance of a registered dietitian and certified chef. You will receive a daily menu listing a variety of meal choices to suit your tastes and to meet requirements prescribed by your physician.

A host or hostess assigned to you during your stay will assist you in filling out daily menus (if needed), serve your meals and snacks, and collect your trays.

If your diet permits, Drake Center also offers alternative meal services. Please ask your host or hostess for details.

Transportation

While you are an inpatient, your case manager will make arrangements for your transportation to necessary appointments at hospitals and physician offices. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be responsible for some transportation costs.

After your discharge, if you will need special transportation due to your physical abilities, you may be eligible for the Metro Bus Access Program. If you or a family member needs information or assistance to apply, please contact your case manager.

Drake Center recognizes that discharged patients and outpatients can have many special transportation needs. Your case manager can provide information about other available community transportation services.

Smoking policy

To maintain a healthy atmosphere for patients, families, visitors, and employees, Drake Center is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is permitted only in a designated outside area. For this location, please call Security at 513-418-2702 (within Drake Center: 2702).

Telephones

View our telephone policy.

Mail and flowers

Mail will be delivered to you daily. Your mailing address at Drake Center is: Drake Center, 151 West Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45216. Flowers sent to you will also be delivered to you upon receipt. Any items received for you after discharge will be forwarded to you.

If you have a letter or package to mail, stamps are available in the Gift Shop. Outgoing mail is picked up Monday through Friday at each unit’s main nursing desk and at the North Pavilion reception desk (Level 1). If you need help, contact your unit clerk.

Laundry

Either your family or Drake Center’s laundry department can launder your clothing (there may be a nominal charge for hospital patients). If you will have clothes laundered at Drake Center by our laundry staff, please be certain that your name is marked on a label, facing, pocket, or other conspicuous place on each clothing item for easy identification. The Laundry department collects and distributes laundry four times a week.

If one of your rehabilitation goals is independence in clothing care, you may launder your clothes in Drake Center’s Transitional Living suite during a session scheduled by your occupational therapy professional.

Hair care/cosmetology

A cosmetologist is available at selected times to provide hair styling and cosmetology services to patients in our hair salon (located on Level 5, North Pavilion).

Fees are charged for hair care beyond basic washing and drying of hair during bathing sessions. Your unit clerk can provide a list of services/fees and a schedule. Payment — or advance arrangement through Patient Accounts at 513-418-2588 (within Drake Center: 2588) for Skilled Nursing patients — is required. To make an appointment, please notify the unit clerk or your nurse at least two days in advance.