Every day, thousands of southwest Louisiana patients receive diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up services from the many health care providers and professionals that comprise Lake Charles Memorial Health System. Our healthcare professionals have dedicated their lives to your good health, and they will make every effort to ensure that you are very satisfied with our healthcare services.
We encourage you to take an active part in your health care by asking questions and expressing concerns if you don't understand what you have been told, learning about your diagnosis and the medical tests and treatment plan you have been prescribed, and knowing the medications you are taking.
Whether you turn to Memorial for a hospital stay, primary care, ambulatory surgery, or home care, we're dedicated to making sure that you have the most positive health care experience possible.
That means providing not only excellent clinical care, but all the other information and services that make accessing that care more comfortable and convenient.
Below is some basic, but useful information that you may need prior to your visit or stay at one of Lake Charles Memorial Health System’s hospitals. For more information, you can contact your provider’s office or our Patient Representative at 337.494.3012. Here are some important things to know if you will be a patient of ours.
Door Locking
All exterior exits are locked each evening at 9:00 pm and unlocked each morning at 6:00 am. Between the hours of 9:00 pm and 6:00 am, visitors may enter the hospital through the Emergency Department at the rear of the Oak Park Campus.
Medications
All medications taken by the patient while hospitalized are prescribed by their doctor, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy, and administered by a nurse. Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or keep personal medications at their bedside.
Pastoral Care/Chaplain
If the patient requires pastoral care, they may contact our hospital chaplain at 337.494.3289 or request a list of available pastors or chaplains from our patient representative at 337.494.3012.
Patient Access Center
Patients pre-admitting for surgery complete their registration, nurse interview, blood work, EKG, and chest x-ray located in the Atrium at the our Main Campus. If a patient needs financial counseling, they can also complete a financial assistance application in the Patient Access Center. Patients needing to discuss their accounts have access to knowledgeable personnel to address their concerns and answer questions.
Patients and Personal Belongings
Patients are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. This would include, but is not limited to, the following items: wallets, pictures, rings or jewelry, money, or anything valued by the patient. Glasses, contacts, or watches should be left in the care of a family member, to be brought to the patient after any procedures are performed. Personal clothing worn into the hospital will be placed in a “patient belongings” bag and tagged with the patient’s name and room number.
Pharmacy
The Medical Plaza Pharmacy offers dependable care from a knowledgeable pharmacist – one that takes time to get to know you and your unique health needs. For more information about the pharmacy and its’ services, click here.
