Preparation and Arrival

What You Need to Bring to Admitting / Out Patient Registration

Your doctor will notify UT Medical Center of your admission. If necessary, a representative from the pre-admitting office may contact you to compile information that will expedite your admission.

You can download the Medical Records Release form here and bring it with you.

Please arrive at the Patient Registration Office, located in the main lobby across from the Information Desk, at the time specified by your doctor. The staff will review the admitting information with you and make any necessary corrections. You also will be asked to sign medical authorization, insurance and other consent forms. Minors require parental or legal guardian permission for admission.

To ensure accurate billing information, please bring your

• Social Security number;
• Current insurance identification card;
• Medicare card, if applicable;
• Completed claim form (if required by your employer);
• Any physician orders, medical records, X-rays or other paperwork provided by your physician; and
• Completed Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney, if available.
  
  

ADA/Special Services

Please let the Admitting Office know if you need an interpreter (sign language or foreign language) or a room with special accommodations such as TDD/TTY telephones, closed-captioned television or other special needs. If possible, please call 305.9501 at least 24 hours in advance.

Identification Wrist Bands

During admission an identification band will be placed around your wrist. To ensure proper identification, please wear it during your stay. If you lose it, or discover an inaccuracy, tell the nurse and you will receive a new wrist band.

Emergency Admissions

Patients who are critically ill or who are admitted through the Emergency Department will receive immediate attention. Necessary information for record keeping and billing will be obtained from the patient or family members. If information is unattainable during initial treatment, the Admitting Office will contact the patient or family and obtain complete information later.

Things to Bring for Your Stay

• Nightgown/pajamas.
• Robe.
• Slippers or socks.
• Toiletries such as hairbrush or comb, shampoo, soap, facial tissue, toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Eyeglasses, dentures or hearing aid.
• If you regularly take medication, please provide a list of these medications, their dosages and times taken or bring these medications in a bag for your doctors and nurses to review. For your safety, please do not take your personal medications while in the hospital. Send them home with a family member after you have shown them to your nurse. The hospital's pharmacy will provide any medication your doctor orders.
• If you currently use a special wheelchair, walker, crutches, cane or other device, please bring it for use during your hospital stay.
• Reading materials or stationery.
• The names and telephone numbers of two people to contact in case of emergency.

Things to Leave at Home

• Jewelry and other valuables. The staff cannot assume responsibility for the loss of or damage to your personal possessions.
• Cash or credit cards. You may want to keep enough cash for newspapers or snacks. If you will be leaving your room for procedures or therapy, please ask a family member to keep your wallet or purse.
• Hair dryer, electric shaver, radio or other electrical appliances.
• Cellular telephones. Cellular telephones can only be used in the main lobby or outside the building because they can interfere with certain types of medical equipment.
• Cigarettes and tobacco products. UT Medical Center maintains a smoke-free / tobacco-free environment for the health, safety and comfort of its patients, visitors and staff. There is no smoking allowed anywhere on the medical center campus. This tobacco ban applies to all patients, families and visitors both inside and on the grounds of the hospital.

Living Will/Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

Tennessee law ensures your right to make informed decisions about your healthcare including the right to refuse treatment offered to you. You also may give written directions, in advance, about your wishes for healthcare should the time come when you cannot communicate yourself. These written directions are called advance directives. If you have an advance directive such as a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare please bring it with you at the time of admission. It is helpful to make such arrangements long before the need arises. State law requires all hospitals to have advance directive information and forms available. If you would like information on living wills and advance directives, call Nursing Administration at 305-9800 and a copy of the Tennessee Hospital Association’s Tennessee Living Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney for Healthcare will be mailed to you.

Click here to read about Advance Directives (Living Will / Power of Attorney).