PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR TESTS

Your health and safety

Our health care partnership begins with our commitment to your safety. Patients who are involved with their care in the hospital tend to do better. By working together with your health care team, you can make your stay safer.

Safe Environment of care

We at Metropolitan Hospital seek to provide a safe environment to all patients, their families, the staff, the visitors and the general community.

For this reason, we have developed and implemented an integrated Risk and Emergency Management Plan. Every member of our staff is trained to deal with any emergency situation and undergoes regular safety drills:

• All our nursing wards have fire protection systems with an automatic alert system in case of detection of fire or smoke.
• Familiarize yourself with the safety diagrams posted on your room’s door, and locate the closest emergency exits
• Please stay calm and follow our staff instructions, in case you hear an emergency announcement or an alarm ringing
• In case of fire or earthquake, do not use our lifts.
• In case of evacuation, please leave all personal belongings in your room and follow the instructions of the staff.

Patient Identification

Upon your admission you will be provided with a plastic wrist band bearing your personal data (your full name and date of birth), which must be worn at all times throughout your stay. Please verify the accuracy of this information. Notify a member of the health care team if your safety ID band comes off for any reason.

For your safety, your caregivers will ask you several times a day for your name and date of birth. This is to confirm that the treatment, medication, or procedure they are about to offer you is the right one for you.

Medicine Safety

You will be asked to bring in a list of medications you are currently taking, including herbals or homeopathy drugs. This helps assure you are taking the proper medications while in the hospital, prevents duplication of medications, and may prevent any drug-drug or drug-disease interactions. Inform your doctor and nurse if you have had any bad reactions from foods, medicine, or latex product.

Throughout your stay, your doctor will determine, prescribe and order your medication regimen to the nursing staff. Metropolitan Hospital charges on a “Unit-Dose” basis; this means that you will be charged only for the doses that have been administered to you during your stay

Safe use of medication requires that:

• Do not take medicine that you brought to the hospital from home unless your doctor tells you it is okay
• You know the shape, the size, and the color of all medicines you receive.
• Look at all medicine before you take them. If you do not recognize a medicine, let your nurse know.
• Always follow your physicians’ instructions and ask any question on matters of your concern.

Prevention and Infection Control Program

Metropolitan Hospital has adopted an intensive Prevention and Infection Control Program, to avoid the spread of hospital and community infections. As a patient, you can make your care safer by being an active, involved, and informed member of your health care team, and are expected to follow their instructions. Be aware that:

• Hand hygiene is very important to prevent the spread of infections. Either use hand gel or wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating, or after touching something that is soiled. If hands are obviously dirty, wash your hands well with soap and water for 15 seconds.
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing by using tissues or the bend of your elbow. Both tissues and masks are available upon request. Please use these if you have a runny nose, sneeze, or cough. Please remember to wash your hands, especially after you sneeze, cough, or use a tissue.
• If your visitors or companions are sick you should ask them to stay home.
• Your visitors are not allowed to use the room’s WC or sit in other patients’ beds. They should also wash or sanitize their hands, frequently.

Preventing Falls

In the hospital, people can be at a higher risk for falls. Illness, surgery and medicines can weaken or affect your balance and judgment. Also, medical equipment and the unfamiliar environment can make movement more difficult. We are committed to keeping you safe from injury during your stay:

• Hospital beds are narrower and taller than usual beds. Please be cautious when turning sides, and getting in and out of bed.
• Tell your nurse if you have a history of falls
• Wear non-skid footwear and use equipment that has been provided for your safety.
• Please do not remove the bedside guard rail or any other restrictive equipment, without notifying your nurse first. This equipment is there for your safety and therefore should not be removed.
• Use the call bell before attempting to get out of bed, especially at night, and wait for staff to come and help you.
• Make sure the call bell and other needed items are within reach before family or staff leaves your room.
• Please report any equipment malfunction or irregularity.

Nutritional Safety

The Department of Nutrition is here to serve you and ensure that your nutritional needs are met as prescribed by your physician. It is also important that you eat the food served to you as soon after the tray arrives as possible. Trays that sit over long periods of time lose temperature which decreases food quality and increases the potential of food borne illness.  

There may be times during your stay that a family member or a friend will want to bring you food from home. While we do not encourage this practice, should it happen, we ask that you notify your physician to ensure the food is permitted on your diet. Storage of food is not allowed in the nursing ward refrigerators.

Before your admission

Our healthcare professionals are always there to serve you and discuss with your any questions you may have for your admission.

What to bring with you

• Your ID card (or any other identification document with photo)
• Your VAT number
• Your Social Security Number
• Your private security Card or Number
• Your Metropolitan Hospital card

Medical History

Have a copy of any medical information that is relevant to your admission (i.e. diagnoses, test results etc)

Pre-operative Testing

Your physician will inform you on the date of your procedure, and on the date you should have your health check up.  At the same time, our staff will be notified about your procedure and the type of health check up

Diet

Your physician will inform you in case you need to refrain from food and drinks before your admission.

Personal Items and Valuables

You are encouraged to bring only essential items to the hospital, such as sleep-wear and toiletries. Large sums of money, keys, jewelry, personal papers, and other valuables should be left at home.

Keep eyeglasses and hearing aids in a case in the top drawer of your bedside table when you are not using them.

Keep dentures in a denture cup in the top drawer of your bedside table. Do not place dentures on your food tray or on the bed linen.

Keep clothing in your room closet, bedside table, or suitcase.

If you do have personal valuables (jewelry, watches, money, credit cards, etc.) that need to be secured, please notify your nurse, who will notify Security.

The hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen items, such as laptops, iPods, or cell phones.

Accessibility/ Wheelchairs

METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL bears ramps in all its entrances. You can find toilets for the disabled on the ground floor of Building B and on the 2nd and 6th floors of the C Building. For any additional assistance or equipment (eg wheelchairs), please ask our staff.

Our services

In our website www.metropolitan-hospital.gr you can find the list of services and tests you can perform at METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL, as well as detailed information and articles

International Patients

We serve patients from all over the world. The International Patient Department (I.P.D. Dept.) coordinates all patient needs and medical care from admission to discharge.

Your admission

Upon your arrival, you must register to the Admissions Office, and provide information about your health insurance coverage.

Before your admission, you should contact your insurance company to find out what services are covered under your plan. After that, you will be asked to fill out all the necessary forms and a member of our staff will escort you to your room. We will do our best to provide you with the room of your choice, but we cannot guarantee its availability on the day of your admission.

Billing Settlement

Upon your admission, you will be asked to pay an advance payment, depending on your insurance plan. Every day, you will be informed on your bill.

Once you are discharged, your final bill will be issued.  This usually reflects the actual cost of care minus any insurance payment received and/or payment made by you. All charges not covered by your insurance are your responsibility. The payment can be made by you or by any person accompanying you.

If you cannot come to our Accounting Office yourself, a member of our staff can come to your room to settle your account. For your convenience, we accept all forms of payment, including cash, checks, or credit cards.

For any further information regarding your bills, you can contact our Patients Accounting Office 

Doctors’ Fees

Before your discharge, please consult with your attending physician regarding his fees.

Health Insurance Coverage

Not all medical costs are covered by insurance. The hospital makes every effort to see that you are billed correctly. It is up to you to provide complete and accurate information about your health insurance coverage when you are brought in to the hospital or visit an outpatient clinic. This will help make sure that your insurance company is billed on time.

Metropolitan Hospital holds contracts with public health system/ funds, as well as with private insurance companies.

INSURANCE COMPANIES OFFICE SERVICE HOURS

MEDNET Mo -Fri 08:00-16:00 Τ: 210 480 9165

ACCURATE Mo -Fri  07:00-20:00 Sat 09:00-14:00 Τ: 210 480 9222

Your Hospitalization

Your Attending Physician, is working with other healthcare specialists, such as nurses, nursing assistants, physiotherapists, clinical dietitians, technologists, etc. in order to provide excellent and personalized care

Your stay

All rooms have air conditioning, lighting control system and their own bathroom. The bathroom is shared by the patients of the room. Toilets in patient rooms are used only by patients and not by visitors.

Wear non-slip shoes or slippers when getting out of bed.

Use the call bell whenever you need help. If a patient next to you calls for help, inform our staff with your bell.

There is a TV in all rooms. Please hold the sound as low as possible, so as not to disturb other patients.

If you want a priest/clergyman to visit you, please inform our staff.

Hairdressing services are available at your own expense. If you need a hair dryer, ask our staff.

Your Diet

Your diet is essential part of your treatment and leads to your quick recovery. Each patient is assessed individually by a Clinical Dietitian and his/her diet is prepared after taking into account the medical order, the medical condition, patient’s medications and laboratory values, as well as dietary preferences.

• Menus have been designed so that you can choose the food you like, always according to the instructions of the treating Doctor. They are prepared in a way that respects your cultural and religious beliefs.
• Your meal will be served hot or cold (depending on the instructions), on time.
• Our team is always there to help you with ordering and/or other needs you may have, in relation to food services.

MEALS SERVING HOURS

Breakfast 08:00-09:00

Snack 10:00-10:30

Meal 12:30-13:30

Snack 16:00-17:00

Dinner 18:00-19:00

Your visits

We, at Metropolitan Hospital believe that family and friends have an important role in the patients’ care. Our visiting guidelines are designed to promote safety and security among patient, family and staff while providing high quality patient centered care.

For the comfort of all patients, we allow one visitor per patient at one time, that will comply with visiting guidelines at all times.

Visits by children under the age of 14 are not allowed.

It is expected that visitors should not visit if they are sick, clean hands before and after visiting, and comply with any infection control practices that may be important to the patient’s condition (e.g., wear isolation gown, mask and/or gloves).

Please inform our staff, if you wish to limit visits or phone calls

Κατά τη διάρκεια της ιατρικής επίσκεψης, των ιατρονοσηλευτικών πράξεων, σε περιπτώσεις ύπαρξης μέτρων προστασίας αλλά και κατά την ανάπαυση των ασθενών, δεν επιτρέπεται η παρουσία στο δωμάτιο συγγενών, επισκεπτών ή συνοδών (μπορούν να παραμένουν στο σαλόνι του ορόφου).

Visitating hours can be modified, depending on the department. Please ask our nursing staff.

VISITING HOURS

Nursing wards: 10.00 - 13.00 & 17.30 - 21.00

ICU: 12.30 - 13.00 & 17.30 - 18.00

CICU: 11.30 - 12.00 & 17.30 - 18.00

Patient Information

In the course of your treatment, your attending physician will inform you on the progress of your health, your test results and any recommended adjustments to your treatment. We encourage your family and loved ones to participate in this process as well. Please inform your attending physician if you want to share your medical information with other people (i.e family/ friends).

While in hospital, you may be regularly requested to grant your consent and sign the respective informed consent forms. Read them carefully and make sure it has your correct identification information, as well as the kind of surgery/procedure you will have

• Blood Transfusion of blood
• Surgical intervention
• Anesthesia or sedation
• Invasive Procedures

Before giving your consent, we urge you to ask about it so that you fully understand the reason, importance, method, benefits, risks and alternatives.

Right to a second opinion

During your hospitalization, you have the right to ask a second opinion of another specialist about your health condition, as well as consultation for post discharge care, without this affecting in the least the care and treatment you receive at METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL.

Treatment Refusal

You have the right to refuse or stop treatment after being informed about the consequences of your decision, the accountabilities you assume and the alternative treatments that you can have instead of the proposed treatment.

Refusal to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Please consult your attending physician about our policy.

Patient/ Family Education

To prepare you and your loved ones for your discharge, the health professionals who take part in your treatment will provide you with all the information you may need, while in hospital.  The training you will receive is adapted to your needs and includes everything you need to know to deal with issues that may arise. More specifically:

• Safe use of medicines
• Safe use of medical devices and aids
• Dietary guidelines
• Pain management
• Preventing falls at home
• Stop smoking

Attention!

• Smoking, use of alcohol or drugs are not allowed.
• Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to enter as companions.
• Flowers or plants are not allowed in the rooms.

We are interested in your opinion

Your opinion is the trigger for improving our services. You can submit your comments through the special forms, located in central points of our facilities.

All written comments are treated with complete confidentiality and in no way affect the quality of care you will receive during your stay or on your next admission to Metropolitan Hospital.

Your Discharge

Your attending physician is the one to decide when you will be discharged from METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL.

On that day, the staff of your nursing ward will tell you to visit the Patients Accounting Office to settle your bill (ground floor of building A).

We will take care of your discharge in a timely manner so that you can leave as quickly as possible.

Departure

Εάν ιατρός σας το υποδείξει, η μεταφορά σας μπορεί να γίνει με ασθενοφόρο του METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL (επικοινωνήστε με το αρμόδιο τμήμα ή το Γραφείο Κίνησης).

It is recommended to ask a member of your family or another person to pick you up from the Hospital. Should you wish to leave by taxi, our staff will be happy to arrange your transportation.

If your doctor recommends you to be transferred by METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL ambulance, contact the relevant department or the Admissions Office.

Obtaining your Medical Records

Μετά το εξιτήριό σας, έχετε τη δυνατότητα να παραλάβετε αντίγραφο του Ιατρικού σας Φακέλου και των διαγνωστικών εξετάσεων που διενεργήθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια της νοσηλείας σας Μπορείτε να επιλέξετε τον τρόπο παραλαβής ή αποστολής των αντιγράφων σας.

 Μη διστάσετε να επικοινωνήσετε τηλεφωνικά με το Τμήμα Ιατρικού Αρχείου, για να ενημερωθείτε για την ακριβή ημερομηνία παραλαβής των αντιγράφων σας. Για την αποφυγή ταλαιπωρίας, σας ενημερώνουμε ότι για την παραλαβή θα πρέπει να έχετε μαζί σας την αστυνομική σας ταυτότητα, ή οποιοδήποτε άλλο επίσημο έγγραφο ταυτοποίησης.  Για να παραλάβει κάποιος τρίτος τον φάκελό σας, θα πρέπει να προσκομίσει, εκτός της ταυτότητάς του, δική σας εξουσιοδότηση, επικυρωμένη από αρμόδια αρχή.

After your discharge, you may receive a copy of your Medical File, provided that you fill a request in Medical Records Department. Do not hesitate to contact the Medical Records Department by phone to find out the exact date of receipt of your copies. To avoid inconvenience, we inform you that in order to obtain your Medical File, you should have your ID or any other official identification document with you. In order for a third party to receive your file, they must present, in addition to their ID, an authorization statement.

Helpful Information

How to come

The Metropolitan Hospital is located on Ethnarchou Makariou Avenue in Neo Faliro and is accessible by taxi, car, bus, or tram. It is located just 5 minutes from the Neo Faliro Train Station, while many bus line stops lay right outside our premises.  In addition, in case you come by car, there are many private parking lots in the area.

How to contact us

CAFE

The Cafeteria is located on the ground floor of the Central Building and is open daily from 06:00 to 22:00

ΙNTERNET

Should you wish to access Internet, you can use the wireless connection (Wi-Fi) of METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL Please ask our staff for the access code.

BANK/ ATM

On the ground floor of building A you will find a branch of Eurobank and two ATMs (Eurobank and Piraeus Bank).