The National Science Foundation (NSF) was founded in 1950 as an independent Federal agency. It operates as a regional hospital and offers the following services:
Index Page
After-hours care Caters for the needs of patients who have personal queries that need medical attention.
Methods of Payment Entails methods and details of payment for outpatients and inpatients treatment and medication
Policy on bringing all medications to each visit Procedures for bringing in medicine to the hospital by visitors and other interested persons
Patients Privacy Guidelines for protecting each patient’s information and their details in the hospital
Patients Rights Rights that every patient is accorded to give them the freedom they need
Visiting Hours and Policies Special time that is set for visitors to meet their patients in the hospital
Cancellation Policy Entails guidelines and procedures to be followed by visitors and clients when seeking appointments in the hospital
Right to information policy The rights for patients to access their personal information
Cellular Phones Policy Rules and regulation on cellular phones use within the NSF premises
Walk-ins
It is managed by the primary care trusts that deal with minor illnesses and injuries such as:
- Provides free one-off advice and also treats people with minor injuries and illness
- Blood pressure checks
- Minor cuts and bruises
- Emergency contraception and advices
- Fractures and lacerations
- Infections and rashes
- Hay fever
- Stitches
- Stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhea (Lampton, 2001, p. 291).
More information about the above visit NSF A-Z section.
After-hours care
NSF offers the following in the After-hours care program: Treating patients with immediate health care needs when the doctor’s/clinical officer’s office is closed,
- Asthma therapies
- Point of care testing
- Splinting
- On-site digital X-ray capabilities
- Point of care testing – Influenza (Martin, 2009, p.111).
Methods of Payment
NSF hospital finance department accepts the following:
- Cash
- Money order
- Credit card
- Personal check
In addition, NFS also accepts MasterCard, debit cards, Visa and Insurance card alongside photo ID (Keir, 2008, p. 243).
Policy on bringing all medications to each visit
Medication from outside is given to the patients in rare situations for instance when the medicine in the hospital is finished. Patients are asked to schedule appointments in order to have their prescriptions filled. For instance if the medicine bottle is empty and shows “contact your physician”, one ought to get it refilled immediately. Patients on Warfarin or Coumadin should be seen for prothrombin at least once a month.
Patients Privacy
NSF medical foundation is committed to safe guarding medical information of all patients. Queries, comments, obligations and suggestions on patients’ information can be accessed at the NSF’s profile in their website or possibly make an enquiry at the office.
Patients Rights
Every patient has the right to express complaints or concerns about their well being and care with NSF’s assurance that incase of anything, future access or quality of their care will not consequently be compromised. Therefore patients are encouraged to immediately address their concerns to staff managers of that particular department at that very time in order for them to react immediately. Additionally, patients can contact the Patient Relation Department by calling or writing to them.
Visiting Hours and Policies
The National Science Foundation welcomes all individuals to the premises regardless of race, gender, age, color, marital status, national origin, military/veteran or disabled. NSF’s general visiting hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. except on the following circumstances. Visitors are to stop and wait at the information desk at the main lobby for information on the patient’s room and visiting restrictions.
All visitors should leave the hospital right after visiting hours. Persons enquiring about a patient’s room or more details on them are to be directed to the lobby information desk. All patients including out-patients are required to present a National Identification card, photo ID or a valid driver’s license when visiting every office. Additionally, patients who do not have verifiable health insurance are required to fill in a form of payment before being served.
Behavioral Health: Patients are expected to check with the department secretary as hours vary from department to department
Intensive Care Units: NSF’s staff will plan with the visitors the most appropriate time they can meet the needs of every patient.
Rehabilitation Unit 5-1200: Visiting hours are 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Maternity: Only a minimum of five visitors may visit at a time, the rest will be requested to wait at the visitor lounge. No children under 12 years apart from siblings of the infant will be allowed to visit (Durham, 2008, p. 211).
Cancellation Policy
Prior to the visit, visitors should call the office at least 24 hours before the visit to cancel or postpone an appointment. In case of rescheduling an appointment, one should inform the office so that they can take the next step of cancelling the appointment. Consequently failure to inform the office of changes in schedules results to charges.
Right to information policy
Each patient has the right to access information that is contained in their medical record. Provided by the Surgery Centre, every patient can access their materials, information and details. Additionally, the patients are allowed to ask for assistant from their nursing unit manager or contact the medical records department after they are discharged.
Informed consent policy – Patients have the rights to:
- Refuse to have experimental treatment
- Refuse recommended treatments
- Leave the hospital at their convenience but be held responsible for any illness or injury caused or goaded by their action.
Cellular Phones Policy
Patients are not allowed to use cellular phones in their care areas. Use of these cellular phones in medical procedure areas and patient care can disrupt medical procedures as well as performance of medical equipment.
References
Martin, D. L. (2009). Medical assistant exam review. New York: Kaplan Pub.
Lampton, D. M. (2001). The making of Chinese foreign and security policy in the era of reform: 1978-2000. Stanford, Calif: Stanford Univ. Press.
Keir, L., & Keir, L. (2008). Medical assisting: Administrative and clinical competencies. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.
Durham, L. S., & Molle, E. A. (2008). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins' administrative medical assisting. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
