What to Expect

We believe that familiarizing you with our process will help you and your family have a more positive experience.

The Day Before

Although your physician will have given you an orientation packet (the Pink Packet) or instructed you to complete it through our website, someone from Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital's scheduling department will call you with instructions about how to prepare for your stay. These instructions may include information such as whether or not to discontinue certain medications or to refrain taking medications, or if you can eat or drink after midnight the night before your admission. You also will be asked to arrive at the hospital at certain times to minimize your wait and optimize your experience. Some things to remember when preparing for your visit include:

• Leave valuables at home.
• Remove jewelry and hairpins.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Shower at home with special soap; if ordered by your physician.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital. A responsible adult must drive you home.

Top of Page

Admission

Your day begins at Access Services on the ground floor of Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital. There you will check in, complete registration, and sign consent forms. Upon completion of registration at Access Services, you will proceed to one of the hospital's Specialty Care Unit floors. You will be given an armband for identification and pay any deductibles or co-payments associated with your insurance. To help make your stay as smooth as possible, please bring the following:

• All of your medications (prescription and over-the-counter) as well as any herbal preparations, vitamins, and supplements in their original bottles.
• Your health insurance card.
• A list of any allergies.
• Your Advance Directives (Living Will or Power of Attorney) if you have them.
• A book or other reading material.
• CPAP/BIPAP machine(s) if you use them.

When your assigned room is ready, you will be taken to a pre-procedure area. Family members or friends will be directed to your assigned room. At this time, someone will obtain your vital signs and complete a patient assessment, which may include drawing blood and performing an electrocardiogram (EKG). You will sign another set of consent forms.

Top of Page

Your Room

Your bed has been designed for comfort and safety. You can raise or lower the head and/or foot of your bed via electric controls. For your protection, the side rails may be left up at night and while you are under the effects of anesthetics or medication. You can use the side rails to support you when you get in and out of your bed. If you need assistance, however, please use your bedside call button to ask for our help.

Top of Page

Meals

Our Nutrition Services department specializes in meeting and exceeding patient expectations with their exceptional room service program. This hotel-like room service brings you heart-healthy fare prepared fresh when you order from your patient menu. Your menu offers food selections that meet your doctor's orders for your overall care and recovery.

You may also ask your nurse for assistance when placing an order. A Nutrition Services representative is available to take your order between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and will deliver your heart-healthy meal in about 45 minutes or less.

Family members and guests are welcome to order from our room service menu. There is a $7 fee per guest tray. Guests may pay with cash or a credit card. To place your order, please call 214.820.0604.

Family members and guests may enjoy purchasing lunch from A Beat Above Café, located on the ground floor. The café offers hot and cold food selections from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. The café accepts credit cards and cash.

Nutrition Services offers outpatient nutrition counseling to help you manage heart disease and improve your post-procedure diet. With this outpatient service, you will meet with a registered, licensed dietitian and discuss how best to manage your particular health concern with nutrition. Your doctor may refer you to this outpatient service or you may schedule a consultation by calling 214.820.7733.

Top of Page

Phone Service

Each guest room is equipped with a telephone. Your telephone number and room number are posted near the door of your patient room. Patient room telephones cannot receive collect or third-party billed calls.

Wireless Access

Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital has wireless access for you and your family's convenience. Please notify your nurse if you have any trouble accessing this service.

Visitor Information

Because we know how important it is to receive support from loved ones, we have accommodations for one person to spend the night with you in your room using the provided sleeper sofa. In addition, your family members may visit you at any time. There are no restrictions regarding when your family members can visit, although for your safety, we have a controlled access after 6:00 p.m. To gain access after 6:00 p.m., your guests will have to press a buzzer near the door for someone to open it.

If your family members would like to stay at a nearby hotel, staff members are happy to recommend several. For further assistance, please contact Guest Relations at 214.820.0629 (3rd floor) or 214.820.0628 (2nd floor).

Top of Page

Parking Services

Parking is available for patients and visitors for a fee. When an attendant is not on duty, please use the self-pay box when exiting. Parking for recreational vehicles (RVs) is available in parking lots 7, 11, or 19. For further parking questions, contact Parking Services at 214.820.PARK (7275).

Top of Page

Dining

• A Beat Above Café. Family members and guests may enjoy lunch at the Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital's A Beat Above Café. The Café offers hot and cold food selections in the hospital's ground floor lobby and accepts cash and credit cards. The Café is open 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Atrium Market. The Atrium Market is located in the Roberts Hospital first floor lobby. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
• Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas Truett Cafeteria. The Cafeteria is located on the basement level of Truett Hospital and is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Freshii. Freshii is located on the first floor of Barnett Tower and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Espresso Impressions. The Baylor Dallas Bake Shoppe is located on the basement level of Truett Hospital and is open 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., weekdays.

Vending

Vending machines are available next to the waiting rooms on the second and third floors of Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital.

Top of Page

Gift Shop

There is a gift shop located on the campus of the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

• Roberts Hospital lobby shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., on Sunday.

Other Services

A concierge service is available to answer any miscellaneous questions or to provide further resources. This service can be reached by calling 214-820-0117. Representatives will work to direct your question to the appropriate hospital team member.

Post Office. We will deliver to your patient room any mail and flowers addressed to you. If you need to mail a letter, please tell your nurse and he/she will forward it to the hospital mailroom. You and your guests may also use the Post Office located on the P1 level of Wadley Tower at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The Post Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Pharmacy. A retail pharmacy is located in the lobby of Barnett Tower and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Flower Vending Kiosk. The kiosk is located at Barnett Tower first floor, in the Medical Plaza breezeway.

ATM. An ATM is located in the waiting areas of the ground floor of Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital.