A sick loved one can be emotionally draining for both family and friends.  We recognize that this can be a stressful time.  Our job is to take some stress off you.  Please feel free to ask questions and express your concerns.   We have guidelines that will make it easier for the family as to what will be needed.  Some of our guidelines are set up to help our patients get maximum rest so they can heal and also help the family get the rest they need as well.

• What to bring
• What not to bring
• Medications
• Accommodations
• Mail
• Patient Meals
• Cafeteria and Vending Machines
• Visitor Guidelines
• Parking
• Private Duty Sitters
• Pastoral Care

What to bring

• Insurance Card(s)
• Photo Identification
• Any Advance Directives, Power of Attorney or Guardianship you have executed

Suggested items to bring to the hospital:

• A change of comfortable clothes/shoes
• Your family will be responsible for your personal laundry
• Pajamas, robe, slippers
• Comb, toothbrush and other toiletries
• Light reading material

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What Not to Bring

• Cash
• Credit Card(s)
• Jewelry or other valuables
• Medications, including nutritional supplements and vitamins
• Personal appliances such as hair dryers, televisions, or non-battery operated radios

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Medications

Your physician will write orders for the medicine you need while in the hospital. You cannot and should not take your own medication while you are in the hospital. Any medication brought in will either be sent home with your family or secured in our pharmacy until you are discharged.

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Accommodations

Most of our patient rooms are private with private baths. Each room is designed and decorated to provide you an attractive, comfortable and safe environment. Call buttons for Nursing are easily accessible from your bed or bathroom. Your room will also have a color television with basic cable programming and a private telephone.

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Mail

Mail and deliveries are brought to your room daily as they are received. Anything that is delivered for you after you are discharged will be forwarded to your home address or other address provided by you upon discharge.

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Patient Meals

Your physician prescribed meals are delivered every day to your room. Although we attempt to meet most requests, if you would enjoy specialty food(s) that are approved by your physician, your family may bring those items to you. You are also welcome to eat in the facility cafeteria when you feel up to it.

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Cafeteria and Vending Machines

St. Elias Specialty Hospital and Food Management Group, Inc. (FMG) have partnered to provide the highest quality of food and service to our patients, staff and visitors.

Our cafeteria is open to the public Monday-Friday from 11 am to 1:30 pm where you can enjoy a great salad/fruit bar, homemade soup, hot entree, dessert and a drink!

FMG has been providing food service management for over twenty years. The company has expertise in providing food service to specialty hospitals such as St. Elias. FMG's reputation has grown over the years as a quality provider who always puts its customers first. St. Elias's food service department has received 100% ratings on every Municipality of Anchorage Food Safety and Sanitation inspection.

For your convenience, vending machines are located in the main lobby on the first floor.

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Visitor Guidelines

At St. Elias Specialty Hospital, we believe the support of family and friends is an integral part of the healing process. Therefore, we encourage family members and friends to visit during your stay, and ask that they observe the following rules:

Visiting Hours are from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. However, extended visiting hours may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

When visiting, please refrain from using perfumes and colognes. Many of our patients are extremely sensitive and could react negatively or be compromised.

Patients are asked to limit the number of guests visiting at one time.

Visitation by children under the age of 16 is permitted; however, please discuss with the staff at the nurse’s station before entering a patient room with a child. Children under the age of 5 are generally not permitted in the patient care areas because they have not yet been fully vaccinated and could be at risk for infection.

Be sure to help us keep everyone safe. If you have cold symptoms, a cough, sore throat or other, please refrain from visiting.

If you would like to bring something for a patient that requires electricity, please inform the staff at the nurse’s station. All electrical or supportive (walker, cane, etc.) items must be safety checked by our staff prior to use or placement in a patient room.

Visitors are asked to leave a patient’s room during examinations, or as instructed by the patient's nurse.

Visitors may only bring in food for a patient when approval is obtained in advance from the patient's nurse or by doctor's order.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to dine in the 1st Floor Cafeteria. Eating is not allowed in patient waiting areas out of consideration for others.

St. Elias is a non-smoking facility (see “Smoking” section).

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Concern for Patient Safety

Due to our concern for the safety of all patients, please do not provide or initiate any treatments, medications, therapies, equipment, or other approaches to treat or assist a patient unless specifically approved by the provider, nurse, and administration.  Examples might include, but are not limited to: heating pads, ointments, incense, aerosols, dietary supplements, nasal sprays, assistive equipment, fans, etc.  Many things can interact with medications, oxygen, or other therapies and create problems for the patient.  Please check with your nurse before initiating anything not provided by the hospital.  The nurse will check and verify for you whether it is something that can or cannot be approved for use.  Thank you for helping to keep patients safe.

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Parking

Parking is available for families and other visitors at no charge in front of the hospital.

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Private Duty Sitters

We understand your concern for your loved one during hospitalization. Private sitters are welcome to stay with patients and are considered visitors to the hospital. Sitters are asked to respect the need for nursing staff to perform procedures. Sitters may be asked to leave the room in order for nursing staff to meet patient needs. If the patient is accustomed to the sitter performing any duties (such as baths) while at home and would like to them to continue during the hospitalization, the patient or family should notify the charge nurse. Sitters are expected to treat the patient staff and other visitors with respect and can be expected to be treated in the same manner. If any issues arise, the sitter, the patient or a family member should contact the nurse supervisor or case manager.

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Pastoral Care

St. Elias Specialty Hospital recognizes the importance of providing for the emotional and spiritual well-being of our patients and their families. Inner peace in an essential part of the healing process.

In order to accommodate our patients and their loved ones in this area, a Professional Chaplain can visit with you during your stay at St. Elias to identify how we may best meet your needs. If you are struggling with feelings of anxiety, worry, or grief, the Chaplain would be happy to address these topics.

Our Chaplain has been specially trained to work with individuals of different faith traditions and diverse spiritual paths. Your spiritual journey is unique and will be respected.

Additional pastoral visits may be requested.

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