During Your Stay

Your Accomodations

Meals

Riddle Hospital is pleased to offer our patients World Class Patient Service (WCPS).   Each day you will receive a World Class Patient Service (WCPS) menu on your breakfast tray. The menu is for your meal selections for the following day. Please have it ready for collection after breakfast so we can be sure you receive the selections you prefer. Our staff can assist you in making menu selections and explain any choices unfamiliar to you. If your diet is changed for any reason, our staff will accommodate the change at the next meal. 

For patients on a special diet, a Registered Dietitian is available to meet with you. The Dietitian is also available for instruction on special diets for home use upon request from the patient, nurse or physician.

If you currently practice any cultural, religious or medical restrictions in your diet, please inform your nurse or doctor. Although we are not a Kosher facility, we do carry a line of Kosher meals and can prepare Kosher-style meals as requested.  Also, please alert us to any food allergies you may have.

Your meal may be delayed due to scheduled medical tests or procedures. A courtesy meal tray will be provided when medically allowed after your test/procedure. 

Guests of patients can visit any of our three retail establishments: The Riddle Cafeteria, The Java City Cafe, or The Fountain Cafe. The Riddle Grill is located on the ground floor of the main hospital. If you choose to dine with a patient, guest trays are also available for a nominal charge. Requests need to be made through Nursing, and a Food Service Ambassador will help with your choices.

Be Your Own Best Advocate

Know Your Caregivers

All healthcare workers involved in your care should introduce themselves when they enter your room, and they should be wearing an identification badge. Be sure to ask each individual to explain his or her role in your care.

Understand Your Condition

Ask your doctor or nurse to explain your condition and recommended treatments. Write down important facts.

Explain Your Current Medications

Tell your doctors, nurses and pharmacists about every medicine you are taking. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs.

Understand Surgical Procedures

If you are having surgery, ask for a complete explanation of the procedure and the reason for it. Make sure that you and your doctor agree and are clear about what will be done.

Read All Forms

Read all medical forms and ask a doctor or nurse to explain anything you don’t understand. Do not sign the forms until you are sure you are clear on the details.

Ask About Your IV

If you are being given medicine intravenously (IV), ask the nurse how long it should take for the liquid to “run out.” Tell the nurse if it doesn’t seem to be dripping properly (that is, too fast or too slow).

Request Test Results

If you have a test performed but don’t hear the results, ask for them. Do not assume that everything is all right just because you don’t hear back.

Understand Your In-Hospital Medications

If in-hospital medications are prescribed:

• Ask for an explanation. When a medication is prescribed, ask your doctor to explain why. Ask again when you receive your medicines.
• Communicate about allergies and reactions. Make sure your doctors, nurses and pharmacists know about allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
• Be sure the medicine is yours. If you do not recognize the name of a medicine, ask the doctor or nurse to confirm that the medicine is for you.
• Be sure you can read the prescription. If your doctor writes a prescription and you find it hard to read, ask the doctor to clarify it.