Planning ahead and knowing what to expect during your overnight stay at Rush can help ease your fears and give you a sense of control over your care.
Questions to ask your doctor
When your doctor tells you that you need to be admitted to the hospital, it's important that you understand why and what to expect. Here are some questions to ask your doctor:
Your treatment
- Why do I need to go to the hospital?
- What treatment do I need and how long will it take?
- What are the risks and benefits of the treatment?
- Do I have any other options?
Going home
- How long should I expect to be at the hospital?
- When I go home, what kind of help will I need with daily activities?
- How often will I need follow-up check-ups after I go home?
- Will I need any special follow-up care, such as physical therapy or home health services?
Contact your insurance company
Most insurance companies require that you notify them about a hospital stay before you are admitted. Contact your insurance company before you go to the hospital with any questions about your coverage.
For additional questions about insurance coverage, hospital benefits or the cost of your care at Rush, please contact our financial counselors.
Rush University Medical Center: (312) 942-5967
Rush Oak Park Hospital: (866) 761-7813 (toll-free)
Rush Copley Medical Center: (630) 978-4990
What to bring
Identification
- Photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID
- Insurance card and information
- Names and phone numbers of family members or friends to contact in an emergency
Personal
- Pajamas, robe, slippers and socks for your comfort
- Toiletries, such as shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste and lotion
- Comfortable clothes to wear home
- Money to purchase newspapers or magazines
Assistive devices
- Glasses and contact lenses
- Walkers, crutches, canes, hearing aids or magnifying glasses labeled clearly with your name
Medical
- A written list of past hospitalizations, illnesses, surgeries and allergies
- A copy of your advance directives, including a living will and/or durable power of attorney for health care, if you have such documents
- A list of prescription medications, dosages and schedule (please ask your physician beforehand if you should bring any of your medications to the hospital). For your safety and based upon Rush policy, the hospital pharmacy will supply you with your medications during your stay.
What not to bring
- Valuables, such as jewelry or a large amount of cash
- Personal electrical appliances, such as tablets, hair dryers, curling irons, electric shavers, heating pads, television sets and radios
Additional information about what to expect when you arrive, your room, your meals and the patient guide.
What to expect when you get here
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On the day you are admitted to Rush → |
Please come to the fourth floor of the Atrium Building. You can get here through the fourth floor bridge or through the Tower entrance at 1620 W. Harrison St. |
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At the Admitting/Registration Department → |
Our admitting staff will ask you to sign a form that permits the hospital to release information to your insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid. |
If you have any questions about getting admitted to Rush, please contact us at (312) 942-5700.
Your room
All of our patient rooms are designed for your comfort and safety. Please discuss concerns about your room with your nurse. Most rooms at Rush include the following:
- Electronically operated beds
- Bedside table and cabinets for your personal belongings
- Telephone with your own number (so you can receive and make calls; local calls are free)
- Television with an extensive selection of broadcast and cable channels
Your meals
Our Food and Nutrition Services Department's professional culinary team and executive chef are committed to offering you a variety of choices on our restaurant-style menus. You can choose items from any of the following menus:
- General, heart healthy, diabetic, renal (PDF)
- Mechanically altered (chopped, ground, pureed) (PDF)
- Vegetarian (PDF)
- Gluten-free (PDF)
- Kosher (PDF)
If you have any questions about our menus or your meals, please call the central kitchen at (312) 942-5200. For more information about nutrition, visit the Rush Nutrition and Wellness Center.
Meals and snacks
- You will receive three meals daily. At lunch each day, you will receive a form that allows you to make your menu selections for the next day.
- Snacks are available at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Please let your nurse know if you would like a snack. We also have an evening snack cart that visits most medical and surgical floors.
Patient guide
You can find out more information about your hospital stay in our Patient Guide.
Information for Patients, Families and Guests
We understand that hospital stays can be unsettling. Therefore, we put our promise of advanced medicine with extraordinary care into everything we do. Rush Copley is proud to offer high quality care that often meets or exceeds local, regional and national benchmarks.
We're also pleased to help make a visit as comfortable as possible. Parking is free and plentiful, and now easier than ever with complimentary valet services. Rush Copley Medical Center is easy to access from major roads and highways.
Amenities for Your Stay
We want to help make your stay more comfortable and convenient by offering these amenities:
- Complimentary valet parking
- Room service dining
- ATM
- Gift Shop
- Internet Access/Free Wi-Fi
- Mail and Stamps
- Magazines, Books, Movies and Music
- Chapel and Spiritual Care
- Pet Therapy
- Interpreters
Visitor Dining
Waterfront Café
Featuring daily hot entrees, a deli, salad and soup bar, desserts, hot and cold drinks, juice, snacks and much more.
Hours
Breakfast: 7 to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Jazzman's Cafe
Featuring gourmet coffee and beverages, from espresso to smoothies, and an assortment of fresh baked goods.
Hours
Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Need to Fill a Prescription?
Visit our convenient Walgreens pharmacy, located right on the Rush Copley campus, for your prescriptions and basic over-the-counter medications.
Hours
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
View the additional services offered by Walgreens at Rush Copley.
Resources for Patients
As a patient, we want you to have the information and resources you need. Please ask any Rush Copley caregiver if you have questions.
- Patient Guide - English
- Patient Guide - Spanish
- Rights & Responsibilities
- Advance Directives
- Birth Certificates
- Medical Records
When It's Time to Leave
Please take time to plan for your post-hospital care before you leave. If you need assistance with post-hospital care, please let your caregivers know so that we may assist you, or ask to speak to the discharge planner.
When your doctor decides you are ready to leave the hospital, they will write a discharge order. Nurses will prepare information to help you transition smoothly to home. Please make arrangements with a family member or friend to help you when it's time to go home. Here are some important things to remember:
Checkout Time
While there is no standard checkout time, we do encourage discharges in the late morning, allowing patients enough time to obtain any necessary supplies or medications.
Personal Belongings
Collect all of your belongings and double-check closets and drawers. If you have anything stored in the hospital safe, call the Security Office at extension 4717 and an officer will bring your belongings to you.
Discharge Instructions
Your doctor and your caregiver will give you instructions about post-hospital care. If you have questions about your diet, activities or other matters, please be sure to ask.
Medications
If your doctor gives you a prescription, it can be filled at the pharmacy of your choice. Members of our staff can facilitate this process on your behalf. You may also use the Walgreens Pharmacy located in the professional building to have medication delivered to your bedside.
Rush Oak Park Hospital is privileged to be your health care provider. The staff at Rush Oak Park Hospital is committed to ensuring you receive premium quality health care during your stay. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied during your stay, please contact your physician or primary nurse. Any patient or family member with an issue that is not immediately addressed by Rush Oak Park Hospital personnel may also contact Karen Mayer, vice president of patient care services, directly at (708) 660-5691 or karen_mayer@rush.edu.
In your room
All of ROPH's patient rooms are designed for your comfort and safety. Please discuss concerns about your room with your nurse. Most rooms at ROPH include the following:
- Electronically-operated beds
- Bedside table and cabinets for your personal belongings
- Telephone with your own number (so you can receive and make calls; local calls are free)
- Television with an extensive selection of broadcast and cable channels
Meal service
While you are in the hospital, your diet is prepared for you according to your condition. The staff at Rush Oak Park Hospital pays close attention to what you eat. Inpatient meal times depend on what unit you're in:
Intensive Care Unit (5 West)
- Breakfast, 7:45 a.m.
- Lunch, 11:45 a.m.
- Dinner, 4:30 p.m.
Telemetry (5 West)
- Breakfast, 7:45 a.m.
- Lunch, 11:45 a.m.
- Dinner, 4:30 p.m.
Medical Surgical Unit (6 West)
- Breakfast, 8 a.m.
- Lunch, Noon
- Dinner, 4:45 p.m.
3-Center Medical Surgical
- Breakfast, 8 a.m.
- Lunch, Noon
- Dinner, 4:45 p.m.
Rehabilitation Unit (3 West) and Skilled Care Unit (4 West)
- Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.
- Lunch, 11:30 a.m.
- Dinner, 5 p.m.
In-room meals for visitors may be ordered under special circumstances. Discuss with your nurse or dietary clerk. Your guest pays a nominal charge to the cafeteria for a guest tray.
Patient Resources
Rush Oak Park Hospital Patient Handbook and Visitor Information
Your Menu of Personal Comfort & Pain Control Options
Patient Billing: Questions, Answers and Assistance Programs
Patient Rights and Responsibilities