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Advanced Directives
New Jersey hospitals and nursing homes are required by law to ask each patient upon admission whether he/she has an advance directive, more commonly known as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care.

This law is in compliance with the federal Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) of 1990. The PSDA was designed to recognize the right of each individual to request or deny life-sustaining treatment, such as respirators and feeding tubes. An advance directive is a legally recognized document that clearly states a person's preferences for medical treatment in life-sustaining matters. It "speaks" for the patient if he/she becomes incapable of making or voicing health-care decisions in accepting or refusing treatment. Individuals do not need an attorney or physician to complete a living will, but two adults, or one attorney or notary public, should be present as witnesses when the document is signed. Hospital staff may not serve as witnesses. The law requires that health-care institutions make routine inquiries concerning the existence and location of an advanced directive, provide informational materials to patients, their families, and health-care representatives, and assist patients interested in discussing and executing an advance directive. If patients do not bring an advanced directive to the hospital, they can tell a nurse their intent, and it will be documented in their charts. For more information on advance directives, call Social Services at (973) 831-5177.
Bio-Ethics Committee
The Bio-ethics Committee is available to help you make difficult decisions regarding today's health care issues. The goal of the Bio-ethics Committee is to educate, advise, propose policy, offer support and consultation, and serve as a resource for patient and family. The Bio-ethics Committee is an interdisciplinary group that draws from hospital staff and the community. Representatives from Pastoral Care, Nursing, Social Services, Gerontology Services, Medical/Dental Staff, Legal Counsel, Hospital Administration, and the Board of Trustees are included. Anyone interested in obtaining more information or contacting the Bio-ethics Committee should call Social Services or request access through the health care team.
Birth Certificates
Chilton Memorial Hospital does not maintain or issue birth certificates. That information can be obtained from the town in which the individual is born. For individuals born at Chilton Memorial Hospital, please visit the Pequannock Township website at www.pequannocktownship.org. Search under Municipal Departments then click on Health Department, then click again on Vital Statistics. Birth Certificates are listed in that section.
Checkout procedures
After your physician writes your discharge order on your chart, the person who will take you home should:
  • Park in the visitor's lot, and then
  • Proceed to the nurses' station on your unit.
Please carefully check your room to ensure that you have all your belongings. Don't forget to reclaim any valuables you have deposited in our safe.

For your safety, a staff member or volunteer will escort you to the main lobby for discharge. While you are on your way there, your friend or relative may bring the car to the main entrance to pick you up.

Chilton Memorial can also assist with arrangements for equipment, home nursing, and home health-care professionals for after discharge.
The Chilton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
By maintaining on-going fund-raising programs, the Auxiliary of Chilton Memorial Hospital has donated more than $4 million to the hospital for the purchase of major medical equipment and the support of health care programs. The group, organized five years before the hospital was built, has donated approximately $4 million to Chilton Memorial. The Auxiliary operates the hospital Gift Gallery and a thrift shop in Riverdale. Fund-raising activities are varied and accommodate a wide range of talents, ideas, and energies Auxiliary meetings provide opportunities for fundraising organization, education and socialization. Members invite anyone who is interested in joining them as they fulfill their responsibilities to the hospital and the communities served to call (973) 831-5345 or 5017.
Discharge Planning
At Chilton Memorial, we are concerned with your health-care needs even after your hospital stay. The discharge-planning team, composed of a patient-care manager, social worker and other members of your health-care team, work with your doctor to make arrangements for any continuing health-care needs you may have.

Chilton Memorial is an acute-care facility. In order to promote optimum use of beds and to comply with health-insurance regulations, patients no longer requiring acute care must plan for extended convalescence either at home (perhaps with a visiting nurse) or in a more appropriate short term sub-acute or long-term facility. If it will not be possible for care to be provided at home, it is important to arrange for skilled nursing care, perhaps in an extended-care facility or nursing home, as early as possible. If rehabilitation services are required, arrangements must be made promptly with the appropriate agency.

Please make arrangements for your trip home before your day of discharge and ask someone to bring your clothing to the hospital one day before you are to leave. You will be informed of your approximate discharge time. If you are unable to make arrangements to leave before that time, you are welcome to wait in the patient lounge of your nursing unit with the permission of the charge nurse, or in the main lobby. While you are waiting, you are considered a discharged patient. If you have concerns about the discharge procedure, please discuss them with your nurses.
Gift Gallery
The Gift Gallery, located off the main lobby, is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are limited. It offers a variety of gifts including greeting cards, books, magazines, candy, toiletry items, flowers, holiday items, and balloons. Items can be ordered by phone if paid for with a MasterCard or Visa card. Delivery to patients' rooms can be arranged.
Call (973) 831-5019. We cannot send gifts to patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
Guest Trays
If you find that a family member or significant other will be with you during meal times, guest trays are available for purchase from the Dietetics Department. Inform the person who picks up your menu that you are in need of a guest tray.
Health Information
Should the need arise, you may request a copy of your hospital records by completing the Authorization for Release of Information and mailing it to:

Health Information Management
Chilton Memorial Hospital
97 West Parkway
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.

There may be a fee associated with duplication of the record.
Intensive Care Unit
For the critically ill patient in the ICU, rest is imperative. The nursing staff understands that friends and family are concerned and would like to spend time with their loved ones.
Immediate family members may visit between 12 noon and 8 p.m.
Please speak to the nurse for additional hours if needed. Children must be accompanied by an adult and are limited to 30 minutes only.
About the ICU
A broad range of sophisticated cardiac diagnostic tests, state-of-the-art monitoring, and therapeutic programs are available in the ICU. Each ICU staff member is specially trained in intensive care and certified in coronary care.
About the ICU patient
ICU patients require constant medical care and attention. Advanced medical equipment helps the critically ill patient through crisis periods. Very often, this equipment has built-in alarm systems programmed to go off at even the slightest change. Sometimes, a patient's movements can trigger the sensitive alarms. The nursing staff constantly monitors each patient and is aware of his/her status. Visitors should not be frightened if an alarm sounds.
Restrictions
Due to the critical condition of ICU patients, visitors are asked to adhere to the following restrictions.
  • No food or drink
  • No flowers
  • No cell phones - they can be used in the waiting room
  • No balloons
  • No valuables
Patient information
The ICU nursing staff accepts calls at (973) 831-5000 anytime regarding patient conditions. Please select one family member as the designated caller.
Interfaith Chapel and Private Prayer Room
The Interfaith Chapel and Private Prayer Room are adjacent to the main lobby. The hospital maintains a Pastoral Care program, which is available regardless of religious affiliation. To contact Pastoral Care, call (973) 831-5001.
Pastoral Care Department
The Pastoral Care Department believes in a holistic approach by treating the body, mind, and spirit. The department maintains a strong alliance with the many religious communities throughout the area. Pastoral Care Services can:
  • Provides specific religious functions, i.e., sacramental and ritual ministries
  • Responding with spiritual solace in life crises, offer patients and families support with such issues as end-of-life, loss and bereavement, coping with terminal or chronic illness.
  • Give care for whole person - spiritually, emotionally, and physically
  • Create an atmosphere of caring
  • Make referrals to patient's faith groups
  • Provide spiritual support and education for patients, families, and staff
Serve as a resource to community on issues such as advance directives, spirituality and healing, wholeness and wellness, religion, and end-of-life issues.

The Interfaith Chapel brings together people of every religious tradition to experience peace, solitude, and spiritual presence. Five large stained glass windows that symbolize images of faith, light, life, peace, and hope encompass the octagon-shaped chapel. Brilliant color from the outdoor landscape enlivens the windows of the Private Prayer Room. The Interfaith Chapel and Private Prayer Room are located adjacent to the main lobby, and offer a quiet place for meditation and reflection for patients, families and staff. The Chapel and Prayer/Meditation Room are open 24/7/365 for use by patients, families, and staff.

Rev. Howard L. Hinman , Director of Pastoral Care, is Board Certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains. The Pastoral Care office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm. and can be reached at (973) 831-5001. After hours, Pastoral Care can be received by calling the hospital operator and requesting Pastoral Care.
Social Services
The Social Services Department responds to the needs of the community with a variety of programs, services, and referrals. This includes support groups, crisis intervention, and grief loss and bereavement counseling, drug and alcohol abuse referral counseling, discharge planning assistance, reporting of and support to victims of violent or domestic crimes, counseling, ambulance transportation coordination and referrals to community resources. For more information, call (973) 831- 5177.
Valuables
If you have brought any valuables, such as jewelry, credit cards, or cash (other than the small amount you may want for television service or items from the Gift Shop) we recommend that you send them home with a relative or ask your nurse to have them placed in a sealed envelope in the hospital safe. You should plan to keep only essential personal items, such as a robe, slippers, pajamas or nightgown, and toilet articles. Items such as eyeglasses, dentures, and hearing aids need to be kept in appropriate containers in your bedside drawer when not in use. Chilton Memorial is not responsible for patients' personal property that has not been placed in the hospital safe.
Visiting Patients at Chilton Memorial Hospital
At Chilton Memorial Hospital we recognize that visits from family and friends can improve a patient's hospital stay and may play an important role in helping to speed recovery. We encourage visiting and we ask that you follow these guidelines to a good visit:
  • Visitors are asked to wash their hands prior to visiting the patient and after they leave the hospital.
  • Handwashing is the most important means of preventing the spread of infection.
  • If the patient's door is closed, knock before opening it.
  • Refrain from smoking while in the hospital.
  • Limit the number of visitors to two at a time.
  • Keep visits cheerful and brief (10 to 15 minutes is suggested).
  • Speak softly. Be considerate of other patients.
  • Refrain from using the bathroom in the patient's room.
  • Please refrain from sitting on any empty beds in the patient's room.
  • Children visiting patients must remain with an adult.
Please consult with nursing staff before:
  • Changing a patient's position
  • Offering help with medications
  • Bringing food or beverages to patients