Your Hospital Stay

Admissions/Registration

Upon your admission to Cape Cod Hospital or Falmouth Hospital, you will receive an admissions folder from our Patient Registration Department. Enclosed in the package are pamphlets on services available through the hospital, information on your rights as a patient, and a copy of the Massachusetts Health Care Proxy. Please take the time to read this valuable information.

Permission for treatment and/or operations must be signed by the patient or next of kin. Permission for minors must be signed by the parents or guardians. Guardians must submit papers showing the legality of their status.

Your room assignment is based on your diagnosis and bed availability at the time of your admission. You may be moved as your health changes or as other rooms become available. Most of our rooms are single bed private rooms or semi-private two-bed rooms.

Patient Meal Service

Our hospitals feature "At Your Request" room service dining with menu items that are available all day.  Your nurse will determine whether you are medically able to participate in the program, based on the diet prescribed by your physician. A menu is available in your room and orders arrive within 45 minutes.

To order room service:

• At Cape Cod Hospital, call 2-5555 from your room between 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• At Falmouth Hospital, call 76325 or 76326 from your room between 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Guests may dine with patients if appropriate. Guest trays are available in patient rooms for $7.50. If a guest tray is requested in a patient room, a voucher for a guest tray may be purchased in the Hospital dining room at the cashier station. Upon delivery of the tray, a Dietary Aide will collect the voucher for the guest tray. However, we encourage all visitors to visit our hospital cafeterias for additional selections. We hope that you enjoy our meal service.

What to bring to the hospital

The hospital provides a robe, gown, slippers and a toiletry kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues and other small items.

• Your own robe and slippers
• Toiletries
• The names and dosages of any medication you are currently taking as well as the name and telephone number of your pharmacy.  If you are allergic to any medications, please let your nurse know upon your admission to your room.
• We strongly urge you to NOT bring money, jewelry or other valuable items. If you have brought valuables, please speak to your nurse, who will ensure these are placed into the hospital vault and give you a receipt. Dentures and eye glasses should be placed in protective containers and put in the drawer at your bedside table. The hospital will not assume responsibility for the loss of any valuables or personal items except those checked into a safe. 

Telephones

A telephone is available in your room. For a local call, dial "9" followed by the number. For calls outside the immediate area, dial "9-1" followed by the number; the operator will respond and you may then request to charge the call to your home number or credit card.  Please dial “0” for the switchboard if you need any assistance.

Family and friends may call you directly by dialing the number on your telephone. 

Public telephone booths are located throughout the hospital for use by visitors and patients’ families. To avoid disturbing our patients' necessary rest and sleep, telephone conversations should be limited to the between hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Television/Wireless Access

All rooms have a television set provided free of charge. Closed caption viewing for the hearing impaired is available. 

You may connect to the internet using our wireless access throughout the hospital.

Mail and Flowers

Any mail and flowers addressed to you will be delivered to your room by volunteers. Mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home address. Plants and flowers are not allowed in the Intensive Care Unit. Fresh flowers and gifts can be purchased at the Hospital Gift Shop.

The mailing address for Cape Cod Hospital is:

Cape Cod Hospital
27 Park Street
Hyannis, MA 02601 

The mailing address for Falmouth Hospital is:

Falmouth Hospital
100 Ter Heun Drive
Falmouth, MA 02540 

Leaving the Hospital

When your physician decides you are ready to leave the hospital, a discharge order will be written. Only your physician may discharge you. Patients will not be discharged alone, so you should make arrangements with a family member or friend to help you when it’s time to go home. 

Your physician and your nurse will give you instructions about post-hospital care. Upon discharge, you will also receive a list of medications which you should continue taking at home. If you have questions about your medications, diet, activity level or other matters, please be sure to ask prior to your discharge.

Before you leave:

• Check your room for belongings.
• Reclaim valuables in the hospital safe.
• Make transportation arrangements.
• Talk with your physician about instructions.
• Make sure you have your prescriptions.
• Ask your physician or nurse to clarify any instructions.

If your physician has ordered tests for you after discharge, you will come back to the hospital and check-in at our Admitting/Registration area located in the main lobby.  Please bring the prescription and/or written instructions you received from your physician and your insurance card(s).

If you need additional services upon your discharge, our Case Management Department is available to assist with community resources and help arrange the services you need. Ask your physician or nurse to contact a case manager or social worker if you need help in planning for your hospital discharge.

On the morning you leave, the cashier’s office will be notified to complete the discharge arrangements. You or your representative must obtain a discharge slip from the office before leaving. Hospital bills are due at the time of discharge. For those confined to the hospital for a longer term, special arrangements can be made. If you have no medical insurance, qualified financial account representatives will confidentially explore possible coverage options. Regardless of your ability to pay, your discharge plan will be implemented according to your healthcare needs.