Your Hospital Stay

Before You Arrive

Our goal is to make your hospital stay as comfortable and satisfying as possible.

Smoke-Free

The UVA Medical Center is entirely smoke-free.

Care Partners

Consider naming one or two family members or loved ones to be your Care Partners (PDF). Care Partners are adults identified by you or your legal surrogate to be an active member of your health care team. Your Care Partners may have access to you around the clock. Encourage your Care Partners to keep friends and family updated on your condition and to bring you messages from family and friends.

Preparing for Surgery

Learn how to get ready for your surgery with our pre-op guide (PDF).

While You're Here

Identification

For your safety, you will receive an identification (ID) bracelet to wear on your wrist. Staff must confirm your name and date of birth before doing procedures or giving you medications. 

Patient Food Service

Catering-To-You is Nutrition Services’ way to bring you the diet ordered by your doctor. A catering associate will help you make your meal and snack choices daily. If you are given a restricted diet, the associate will talk to you about it. If you arrive late in the evening, talk to your nurse about food options. New parents are offered a celebration meal prior to discharge. Children and teens enjoy a menu right for their age and needs. If you have any special dietary requests, call 434.924.2287

Patient Rooms

Our hospital beds are electrically operated and have a call button and controls for lights, phone, television and radio. Your nurse will show you how to use the bed controls and tell you about room features for your comfort and safety. We may use equipment to safely help you in and out of bed. If you are sharing a room, please try to be quiet. For long distance calls, please bring a phone card (also for sale in the gift shop) or plan to make a collect call.

Quiet Time: On the patient units, quiet time is observed between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and at night. Please keep your voice low to allow for patient rest. We offer earplugs or headphones for the bed’s pillow speaker if noise is a problem. If you have any questions, talk to our staff.

Your Belongings   

Leave your valuables at home. During the admission process, we will list belongings brought with you. Items like dentures, glasses and hearing aids should be kept in easy reach and visible. Personal electronic devices (phone charger, laptop, etc.) are discouraged and are your responsibility. They may be plugged in to any outlet that is at least five feet from you. In your bed, devices must be used on battery power only. 

Pain Control

We will ask you if you have pain. Your pain will be assessed and managed. You will also be asked your comfort goal. We use a tool called the UVA Pain Rating Scale (PDF) when we ask you about pain. At any time, please tell your care provider:

• When you started feeling pain and how long it lasted.
• Where you feel the pain.
• How strong the pain is and how it feels (sharp, dull or ache).
• What you are unable to do because of the pain.
• What makes your pain better and what makes it worse.