At Chesapeake Regional Medical Center we are committed to providing you with the best possible healthcare. You can expect your care to be carried out with respect and concern for your dignity.

As a patient, you have certain rights and responsibilities. We believe that patients who understand and participate in their healthcare achieve better results. Therefore, we encourage you to become an active partner with your healthcare team by being an informed patient and exercising your rights.
View our patient information brochure PDF document.

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Patient Rights

  • Quality healthcare
  • Considerate and respectful care
  • Identification of all health professionals participating in your care
  • Information concerning your illness and treatment as provided by the physician in charge
  • Participation in decisions regarding your treatment and medical care
  • Confidentiality concerning your medical care and related records
  • Information about your continuing healthcare requirements
  • Information about Advance Directives
  • Information about the hospital's policies and complaint resolution process - ask your nurse or call the Patient Representative at 757-312-6244 or 757-312-6665.

Patient Responsibilities

To become an active participant in your medical care, please observe the following hospital regulations and assume the following responsibilities:

  • Be considerate to other patients, be conscious of noise, limit the number of visitors and observe the hospital-wide no smoking regulations.
  • Ask questions if anything is unclear to you regarding your illness or treatment so that you can remain fully informed.
  • Cooperate with hospital staff by providing the necessary personal and medical history required for your treatment.
  • Notify your physician of any changes in your health that may occur. All drugs given to you during your stay are part of your specific treatment. It is very important that you NOT take any other drugs without the consent of your physician.
  • Notify your doctor of your willingness and ability to follow your particular treatment.
  • Participate actively in continuing your care after you leave the hospital. You should be notified when and where to get further treatment and what instructions you should follow at home. If you don't know or are unclear in any way, please ask questions.
  • Attend all follow-up appointments. If for some reason you cannot keep an appointment, please notify your physician as soon as possible so a new appointment can be scheduled for you and another patient may have your old appointment.
  • Pay your hospital bills in a timely manner. Provide information necessary to process your health insurance and ask any questions you may have about your bills.

Advance Directives

The Federal Patient Self-Determination Act requires hospitals to ask all admitted patients if they have an Advance Directive, such as a "Living Will" or a "Durable Power of Attorney" that would affect decisions regarding their medical treatment. You may click here for answers to the most commonly asked questions about Advance Directives, or if you would like more information about this Federal law, or the Virginia Natural Death Act, please ask your nurse for a free booklet.

Hospital cafeteria

The hospital cafeteria is located on the first floor. Meals are served as follows:

Cafeteria Hours
Breakfast: 6:30-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4:45-6 p.m.

Starbucks coffee is available in the lobby from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The kiosk serves all Starbucks coffee specials including brewed coffees, espressos, tazo teas and iced drinks. Gourmet breakfast items, "Grab-and-Go" sandwiches, salads, bottled sodas, waters, fruit cups and gourmet cookies are also available.

Vending machines are located on the first floor, adjacent to the main elevators.

Gift shop

The hospital Auxiliary operates a gift shop in the main lobby. Items include candy, magazines, toiletries, paperback books, games and a variety of gifts. The gift shop is open every day, including holidays, from 9 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Personal belongings

If you are admitted to the hospital for one night or more, please bring the following items with you to make your stay more comfortable:

  • Glasses and/or hearing aid
  • Pajamas, housecoat and slippers
  • Reading material
  • Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, comb, deodorant, shampoo, razor, etc.)
  • Portable radio (with earphone, please)

Valuables or lost items

Patients are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. No more than $15 in cash should be kept with you during your stay. If you do bring something of value or cash, it should be deposited in the safe located in the cashier's office. You will be given a written receipt for all items, which must be presented when you withdraw them. Chesapeake General does not accept responsibility for items of value unless they are deposited in the safe. If you lose something, please notify your nurse immediately. The nurse will report the loss to our security services.

Newspapers

Two newspapers are available, USA Today and The Virginian-Pilot, in the boxes at the main entrance or in the Emergency Department vending area. If you would like the newspaper brought to your room, call the Patient Representative at 757-312-6244 for weekday delivery. On weekends, please call the Information Desk at 757-312-6333.

Helpful hints for our out-of-town guests

Ending up in the hospital when you are away from home is not something that most people anticipate. It is difficult enough being sick or injured but doing so while being away from your own doctors, friends and family can result in additional strain. The staff at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center wants to make your hospital stay as easy as possible. Listed below are suggestions to consider:

Medical records

If you would like your medical records sent to your home doctor, stop by the Medical Records department on the first floor after discharge. You will sign an authorization form that allows the hospital to mail your medical information to your doctor at no charge. Copies for your own use will involve a small fee. For further information, call 757-312-6114.

Physicians

While you are in our hospital, you may see several physicians. It is important to know their names and specialties in case you need to contact them once you are home. Ask each physician for their business card or contact the Patient Representative at 757-312-6244 for a Medical Staff Directory that contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers for all doctors on staff.

Telephone service

To make or receive calls in your room:

  • To connect to an extension inside the hospital, dial the four-digit number.
  • To make local calls outside the hospital, simply dial 8 then the seven-digit number.
  • To make long distance calls, dial 0 to reach the operator. (Long distance calls may be made collect or charged to your home telephone number or a credit card.)
  • Out-of-area patients, you will be given a guest services packet which will include a 10 minute calling card that you may use to make long distance calls.
  • Your family and friends can reach you by dialing 312 + the room number. If you're hearing impaired, please don't hesitate to request a TDD.

If your family or friends are staying at the Outer Banks while you are here, they can call the hospital using our toll-free telephone number, 1-800-456-8121.

WI-FI

Chesapeake General Hospital now offers wireless Internet access throughout most of the facility. The free wireless connection is available in patient rooms, the Intensive Care units, and the hospital's main lobby. Laptops that have wireless capability can be used on the hospital's wireless connection through cghguest.

Transportation

Transportation to the Outer Banks from Chesapeake is limited. No trains or buses service the Outer Banks. Rental cars must be returned to Chesapeake; no one-way drop-off point is available. There are several limousine services and taxicabs but they tend to be expensive. If possible, please make arrangements for a family member or friend to pick you up upon discharge.

Transportation between hotels and Chesapeake General Hospital or Norfolk International Airport is very limited. Although the hospital is located on a bus route, this route does not service the local hotels. For your convenience, several local taxi companies are listed below.

Transportation Services
Airport Express Limo Service 757-858-2127
Red & Yellow 757-366-9288
Clipper D.L. Taxi 757-487-9385
Norfolk Airport Shuttle 757-857-1231
Red Top Cab Company

757-382-0432

Other phone numbers
Chesapeake General Hospital 757-312-8121
Medical Records 757-312-6114
Billing 757-312-6401
Credit 757-312-6107
Patient Representative 757-312-6244 or 757-312-6665
Other important phone numbers
American Red Cross 757-446-7700
Military Social Services 757-446-7754
Chesapeake Police Department 757-382-6161
Chesapeake Sheriff's Office 757-382-6159
Chesapeake General Hospital Chaplain 757-312-6237
Chesapeake General Hospital Discharge Planning 757-312-6133
Chesapeake General Hospital Patient Representative 757-312-6244
Norfolk International Airport 757-857-3200
North Carolina State Police 919-441-7341
Organ Donor Information LifeNet 757-464-4761
Virginia State Police Chesapeake Assistance 800-582-8350

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