Emory University
Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital

Prepare for your stay

Before You Check In

Getting ready for a surgery and hospital stay can be stressful for you and your family. Learn what to do ahead of time for a smooth check in and visit.

Get Insurance Pre-Approval

Make sure your surgery and hospital stay are approved by your insurance company before you check in. Your doctor’s office often starts the process, but it’s a good idea to call the number on the back of your insurance ID card to confirm approval.

Pre-Register with the Hospital

Speed check in at the hospital. Call 404-686-5270 or 1-800-640-9293 30 days before your surgery. You can call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Prepare Your Advance Directive (Living Will)

Make sure your hospital caregivers and family know what kind of care you want in a life-threatening situation. Express your wishes on an advance directive (living will). This document tells your friends, family and doctors about your wishes for end-of-life care. You can also appoint a loved one to make your care decisions if you aren’t able to voice your choices. If you don’t already have an advance directive, we can help you. Call 404-354-3670.

Pack a Bag

You’ll rest better knowing you have everything you need. Pack a bag a day or two before surgery and put it where you’re sure to see it when you leave the house. Bring these important items (and few comforts from home):

  • A photo ID
  • Your insurance information
  • A copy of your advance directive (living will), if you have one
  • A list of all the medicine you take
  • A list of any allergies you have
  • Pajamas
  • Toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo

Leave valuables like cash or jewelry at home. Hospital security is staffed round-the-clock, but there are times when your personal items may be left unattended in your room.

Inform Your Friends and Family

Your friends and family will be concerned about you and want to check on your progress. Make sure they know how to contact you during your stay.

Language and Hearing Services

Being able to speak clearly with your doctors and nurses, is critical to your health and safety. If English is not your first language, please ask your nurse for an interpreter to help you. We also have signing services and hearing aid compatible phones if you have any hearing problems.

Donate Blood

It’s best to be prepared with your own blood on-hand in case you need a blood transfusion during or after surgery. Your doctor may suggest you donate blood at the hospital before you check in for surgery. Your family and friends can also donate blood for you at the American Red Cross or another blood donor center. For more information or questions about blood donation, please call the American Red Cross or our Blood Bank at 404-686-1937.

During Your Stay

Recover a little easier with help from some of the services we offer to you and your family.

Spiritual Health

You may need extra support during your stay. Our hospital’s religious center and chapel welcomes people of all religions. Chaplains, priests, rabbis or imams can meet with you and your family any time, day or night.

To request pastoral care:

  • Call the Chaplain’s Office at 404-354-3670 on weekdays, or
  • Ask the hospital operator to page the chaplain on call.

Social Work and Discharge Planning

Our social workers can help you find:

  • Counseling
  • Financial help
  • Short- and long-term care
  • Medical equipment
  • Other services

They are available at the hospital between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. On weekends, call 404-712-4366.

Emory Continuing Care Partnership

The Emory Continuing Care Partnership was created to provide the optimal patient and family experience by providing the highest quality and cost-effective care across care settings.

Discharge Planning and Post-Hospital Care

As you prepare for your discharge from the hospital, a social worker or case manager, along with your healthcare team will meet with you to discuss your clinical care needs when you leave the hospital and what your discharge options may be. Below you will find links to Frequently Asked Questions for various levels of care and services that may be options for you when you are discharged from the hospital.

When you have questions regarding your discharge plan, ask to speak with a social worker or case manager who will assist in coordinating your discharge plan while you are in the hospital.

Meals

Rest up and order room service. Just place your meal order from your room phone and we’ll deliver it to your bedside. Our staff will explain the room service menu, how to order and answer your questions. If you have any food allergies or specific food preferences, please let us know.

If you don’t place an order, don’t worry. We’ll bring a meal to you based on your charted dietary needs or, if you’re with us for an extended stay, based on your previous meal choices and preferences.

Telephones and Internet

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hospital. You can make free local calls from your bedside phone. Your friends and family can also call your room phone if you’re listed in the hospital directory.

Flower and Mail Delivery

Your family and friends are welcome to send you flowers or packages using:

First name and last name
Patient suite number,
c/o Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital
1455 Montreal Road
Tucker, Georgia 30084

Safety and Security

Your safety and security is an important part of your care. Please help by following these important rules and precautions.

For your general safety:

  • Wear your ID bracelet at all times during your stay.
  • Question hospital staff if they aren’t wearing a hospital badge – badges all required for all personnel.
  • Don’t smoke inside the hospital.
  • Use cell phones only in areas where they’re allowed.
  • Leave your cash and valuables at home.
  • Wash your hands often and ask visitors to do the same.
  • Stay in your room if you hear a fire alarm. A staff member will tell you what to do if there’s a fire or will let you know if it’s a routine fire drill.

Prevent falls:

  • Wear the nonskid socks we provide.
  • Follow your doctor’s or nurse’s instructions about getting up.
  • Ask for help if you feel dizzy or weak.
  • Keep your bedrails up at all times.

Prevent care misunderstandings or mistakes:

  • Ask us any and all questions. When it comes to your care, no question is off the table.
  • Voice your concerns. You know your body (and medical history) better than anyone.
  • Tell your nurses and doctors about all medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. You don’t need to bring any medicines with you to the hospital. We’ll give you any medicine you need.
  • Look at all medicine before you take it and make sure you recognize it – even if the nurse gives it to you. If you don’t know what it is, ask. It’s important you know what it’s for and when you should take it.
  • Ask about any side effects you may have.
  • Talk to your nurse if something seems wrong with your medicine or if you think you have missed a dose.
  • Let us know if you have any allergies.

Going Home

You’ll work with your healthcare team to create a discharge plan. It’s important to have a friend or family member with you to ensure you have support at home and understand all the plan details. A discharge plan is designed to:

  • Help you understand your medicine
  • Explain any services you need after release (like therapy)
  • Arrange for any home care or equipment you need
  • Determine a discharge time
  • Give instructions for your release (pick up)

Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital follows all Medicare protocol for discharge. If you’re a Medicare patient and feel you’re being discharged too soon, please talk to your doctor. You have the right to appeal discharge. Call the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) before you leave the hospital at
1-800-982-0411, ext. 3413.

After Your Stay

You’re still our patient even after you leave the hospital. Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital offers continued care services even after you’re home.

Tell Us How We Did

Your feedback helps further improve care. We only succeed if you were safe and comfortable during your stay, and well on the path to recovery when you left. We may mail you a survey asking about the quality of your stay and how we could make it better. But you don’t have to wait for the survey to tell us, please mail or email feedback at anytime:

Emory University Hospital Midtown
Office of Patient Relations
550 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30308

E-mail: EHCGuest@emoryhealthcare.org

Understand Your Bill

We’ll file your hospital insurance claim with your insurance company in most cases. They’ll let us know what costs they cover and will pay us directly.

If your insurance plan doesn’t fully cover your costs, we will send you a bill for the balance. You may also receive a few separate bills, including one from Emory Clinic. Your Emory Clinic bill will include the cost of care from doctors like radiologists, pathologists or anesthesiologists.

 If you have questions about your hospital charges, please call us at 404-686-7041 or toll-free at 1-800-827-7041 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Please let us know if you’d like an itemized bill for your care.