What to Bring
It is important that  you are as comfortable as possible during your stay.  Please bring the following with you when you arrive for admission:

*  A list of current medications
*  A copy of advance directives or living will (can be completed during admission process)
*  A bathrobe and slippers (preferable with rubber soles to protect from slipping)
*  Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, comb, hair care products, deodorant, make-up)
*  Care items needed for glasses, contacts and teeth
*  DO NOT BRING valuables such as jewelry, extra cash, or credit cards

However, if you have any items you wish to protect, they can be locked in the hospital safe.  Contact your nurse to make arrangements.  If you have lost an item, please notify one of your nurses right away.  To inquire about a lost item, please call the Security Department at extension 37548.  Lost and found items will be held for 90 days.

Inpatient and Diagnostic Testing
When you arrive at Venice Regional Medical Center, please use the main entrance on the south end of the building.  individuals at the lobby Information Desk will direct you to the appropriate area.  Admitting hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Use the Emergency Care Center for admitting during other hours.  Free parking is available if you must leave your car during your stay.  Handicapped parking is also reserved at various locations on campus.

Identification/Med-Key
Please bring identification cards and all insurance information when registering at the hospital.  Venice Regional Medical Center offers the Med-Key program to assist in providing a quick and easy admission.  If  you do not have a Med-Key card, simply ask your admissions clerk for an application.  If you are not pre-registered, you may call Scheduling in advance at 483-7634 to expedite the pre-admission process.  The Med-Key card can also be used at local merchants that offer discounts to cardholders.

Advance Directives
Advance directives are written instructions you can give abut the kind of healthcare services you wish to receive, or not receive, should you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself.  All Florida hospitals are required by law to ask patients age 18 and over if they have advance directives.  Advance directives are voluntary and are not required as a condition of hospitalization.  They can include a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare in which you appoint another person as your surrogate to make healthcare decisions if you become unable to do so, and a Living Will in which you specifically state what types of treatment you want or do not want should you become unable to express your wishes.  Advance Directive forms are available at admission.

Ethics Committee
An Ethics Committee has been established at Venice Regional Medical Center and includes physicians and representatives of various departments in the hospital and community.  All ethical or perceived ethical issues identified by a patient, family member, volunteer, employee, or any member of the professional staff may be referred to the Ethics Committee for clarification or review.  This team is available to assist in making difficult decisions involving the continuation of life support measures or to ensure that your rights as a patient are respected.  You may ask your nurse for information or contact the committee directly by calling Administration at 483-7793.

Medical Records
Copies of medical records are available through our Health Information Management department Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., except for major holidays.  Requests for copies of medical record information to your physician(s) for follow up care are free of charge.  A fee of $1.00 per page will be charged for any other requests for copies.  Release of information may be submitted prior to leaving the facility with the understanding that there may be a delay of approximately two business days for record processing after a patient is discharged.