Patient Care Services
At Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus, we recognize the patient as the primary focus of our mission to deliver compassionate high quality healthcare services. Further, we place a high degree of importance on establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of friendliness, courtesy, and concern for each patient, visitor, physician, and co-worker so that each has a favorable experience with our Hospital. The following patient care services support our mission.
AGH Suburban Campus recognizes that a patient's decision to accept or refuse certain medical treatments is an individual one; what one person may consider acceptable may be unacceptable for another.
An advance directive is a document that contains your health care instructions for your family, friends, physicians, and attorney to use should you become seriously ill and are unable to make important decisions yourself.
Making choices and having other people respect them is important to your sense of dignity. It is vital to clearly state your preferences for medical care. We encourage you to take the time to discuss your health care choices with your family and physicians, and write these choices down on paper.
For more information, please refer to the "Advanced Directive Policy" brochure, talk to your nurse, or contact the Social Services Department at extension 6035.
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For the convenience of you and your family or visitors, an automated banking machine (MAC) is located on the first floor. A postage stamp machine is also located on the first floor.
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If your physician does not object, you may schedule a hair appointment with a licensed barber or beautician. However, state law does not allow Hospital employees to make the appointment for you.
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The information you provide to us during your admission helps us to prepare your bill accurately. A copy of your bill will be mailed to you shortly after you leave the Hospital. You will see three categories of charges on your bill:
Room charges
These charges cover your room, nursing care, meals, linen, housekeeping, and maintenance service.
Ancillary charges
These charges cover any special services ordered by your physician such as medicines, oxygen, laboratory tests, X-rays, EKGs, EEGs, blood transfusions, and surgery.
Charges covering personal services
These charges cover guest trays and personal care kits.
Please contact our billing office at (412) 734-7094 if you have any questions concerning your Hospital bill. Charges for your physician's services, and services provided by the radiologist, cardiologist, and anesthesiologist are not included on your Hospital bill, and are billed separately by these physicians.
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Charity Care Program
As a fundamental part of its mission, West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) is committed to providing treatment to anyone who turns to it for needed care, regardless of their ability to pay.
In this context, the System and its hospitals recognize the challenges faced by the increasing numbers of uninsured patients in the region. To assist these patients, WPAHS has in place programs and policies to ease the financial burdens for the uninsured.
Should you have any questions regarding our policies and payment plans, please contact a Customer Service Representative at the hospital related to your care. Their numbers and hours of operation are located in the information found on the links listed on this page.
For more information, please click on the following:
Uninsured Discount Summary
Charity Care Under the Account Assistance Program
Your physician and others involved with your care will decide when you can be discharged. If your needs after discharge go beyond what your physician can prescribe, you may need to talk to a social worker or case manager to discuss your care when you go home.
Remember to retrieve any items you may have stored in the Security Office safe, have clothing available to wear, and arrange for someone to take you home. Check your bedside stand, closet, and bathroom for any personal items. If you need additional bags for your belongings, please ask your nurse. Please also review any instructions for medications or diet you may have received. AGH Suburban Campus offers certain kinds of health care after your discharge. Nutrition services, home health care, and an emergency response system are available. Please ask your nurse for help if you have questions.
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AGH Suburban Campus provides free care under the Hill Burton program for those individuals who meet federally established income guidelines. You may apply for Hill Burton uncompensated services by completing the application included in your admission packet or by contacting our Business Office at (412) 734-7094.
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Flowers and packages are delivered directly to your room by the florist or a Hospital volunteer. Flowers and live plants are not permitted in critical care areas of the Hospital. Plants and flowers delivered to these areas will be retained by the staff for families to take home.
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The Dietary Services Department staff strives to ensure that you are satisfied with our food services during your visit. To fulfill your expectations, we have made the commitment to:
- Provide a quality product and present it to you in an appetizing manner
- Serve you in clean surroundings by professional, courteous, and friendly staff
Patient Meal Times
Patient meals are served during the following times:
- Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
- Dinner: 4:30 p.m.
Menu Selections
Each day during your stay, you will receive a menu with which to make your selections for the following day's meals. Please circle your choices clearly, and remember to include such items as butter, margarine, sugar, and cream for coffee. Every morning by 9:30 a.m. a Dietary Services representative will collect your completed menu.
Should you have dietary restrictions for personal or religious reasons, please tell your nurse or Dietary Services representative when you are admitted to your room. A nutritional assistant will help patients on a modified diet make the proper menu choices.
At times, laboratory, x-ray, and other tests will require that a meal be delayed or omitted. You will be served after your test or examination as ordered by your physician.
At your request, the Dietary Services Department will provide meals to your visitors. Please make these arrangements through your nurse. Guest trays for the following day should be ordered by 10:30 a.m. for lunch, 3:30 p.m. for dinner, and 7:00 p.m. for breakfast. The guest tray charge is reflected on your Hospital bill.
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Phone number: 412-734-6063
Hours of Operation:
- Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Gift Corner is located in the main lobby of Allegheny General Hospital—Suburban Campus. They offer a variety of unique gift ideas including seasonal, sport-themed or inspirational.
The Gift Corner also offers:
Web Kinz
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Newspapers
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Magazines
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Greeting Cards
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Balloons
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Snack Items
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Candy
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Barkus Chocolates
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Fudge
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Beverages
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Coffee
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Cappuccinos
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Lattes
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Tea
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Hot Chocolate
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Milk Shakes
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Soda
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Juice
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Breakfast Items
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English Muffins
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Danish
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Bagels
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Cereal
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Yogurt
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Lunch Items
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Hot Dogs
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Sandwiches
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Salads
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The identification wristband you received upon admission must be worn throughout your stay. The wristband identifies you to all staff involved in your care and serves as a safeguard for your protection.
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To inquire about lost items, please call the Security Office at extension 6090 or ask your nurse for assistance.
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Mail is delivered Monday through Saturday to each patient unit. If your mail is received at the Hospital after you have been discharged, it will be forwarded to the address you provided upon admission. Addressing mail as follows will help avoid postal delays:
(Patient's Name)
(Patient's Room Number)
AGH Suburban Campus
100 South Jackson Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15202-3499
Stamped, first-class mail can be deposited in the mailbox located outside the main entrance of the Hospital.
During your hospitalization, nurses will administer medications ordered by your physician. Any medications you bring with you must be shown to your nurse who will document them on your chart for the physician's information. You may be asked to send your medications home with a family member.
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A variety of newspapers are available in the AGH—SC Gift Corner, located in the main lobby, including: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh Post, Wall Street Journal, Pittsburgh Courier, Sports Weekly, Hockey News and the Citizen.
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If you need the services of a notary public, just dial "0" for the switchboard operator.
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Your nurse or physician will provide you with information about any procedures your physician has planned and will answer your questions. In addition, you will receive instructions on how to care for yourself after you leave the Hospital. Your nurse may have educational brochures describing a particular condition or procedure, or you may meet in a small group with other patients to learn more about a topic you have in common. If you have any questions, please ask your nurse.
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You and your guests are welcome to visit the Hospital's meditation room located on the first floor of the Hospital near the emergency department waiting room. Please ask your nurse for assistance should you wish to visit the meditation room.
Clergy are available to you upon request. Please tell your nurse if you would like a clergy member to visit you. Visitors can obtain a brochure listing telephone numbers of local churches from the nurses' stations on each unit.
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AGH Suburban Campus is committed to making your stay as comfortable as possible. Within ten days of your discharge, a patient satisfaction survey will be mailed to your home. Please take a few minutes to complete and return the survey. Your comments help us to evaluate and improve our services to effectively meet our patients' needs.
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The Hospital is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property. When you are not using personal items, such as dentures, eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids, please place them in a safe place or in protective containers.
During your stay, we ask that you leave all jewelry, money, or other valuables at home or with your family for safekeeping. Although the Hospital is not responsible for valuables left in your room, they may be placed in the Hospital's Security Office safe. Please notify your nurse if you have a personal item that you would like to have placed in patient room during all fire drills.
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The services of professionally trained social workers are available to all patients and their families for crisis intervention, counseling, and consultation. They are also available to assist you with your discharge planning needs, such as community resources and services, placement in nursing homes or personal care homes, and hospice care.
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Hospital employees who speak a foreign language or are experienced in sign language are available to assist patients who require these services. The Hospital can also provide a TDD device or an amplified headset for the hearing-impaired. For assistance, please ask your nurse to make the necessary arrangements.
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AGH Suburban Campus utilizes an automated procedure for combined television/telephone service that provides you with cable television service and unlimited local-call phone usage. The combined service is billed as a single charge to your home phone bill. The charge for this combined communication service is $5.00 per day with a maximum charge of $99.00 per hospital stay. If you wish to decline service during your stay, please call the switchboard operator by dialing "0" inside the Hospital.
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AGH Suburban Campus is dedicated to preventing the transmission of infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses from patient to patient, patient to staff, and staff to patient. We have developed several infection control precaution policies to ensure everyone's safety. Hospital staff have been instructed to wash their hands frequently; wear clean, disposable gloves whenever they come in contact with blood or other body fluids; wear a gown, mask and protective eyewear during certain procedures; and discard needles and other sharp instruments in special containers to prevent injury.
Routine use of these procedures is effective in preventing the spread of infection. There may be times, however, when additional precautions are necessary to prevent certain infections from spreading.
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You may request a private room and every effort will be made to accommodate your request. When you are placed in a private room at your request, you are required to pay in advance the difference between the private and semi-private room rates. Every room at AGH Suburban Campus has a bedside stand, closet, and tray table for each patient. In the Skilled Nursing Unit, each patient has access to a locked storage area. In all other nursing areas of the Hospital, storage areas cannot be locked. We encourage you to keep valuable items at home.
Your Hospital bed is equipped with side rails. They may be used to assist you in turning from side to side or for safety if your condition warrants. Each patient also has a call button that rings for the nurse. Please signal your nurse using your call button rather than try to move or take action that may cause you to fall or strain. Be assured that your call will be answered promptly. If you have questions about your call button, please ask your nurse.
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