Hospitalization Guide

Process for hospitalization

*In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will be changing visitation rules. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Process until hospitalization

After a decision for hospitalization has been made during an outpatient examination, the process until the hospitalization date will be as follows.

*If you would like to change or cancel your hospitalization date due to personal circumstances, contact the hospital ward you are scheduled for hospitalization at as soon as possible.

Floor Guide

In-hospital amenities

Hospitalization procedures
[Hospitalization reception] Weekdays 8:30 - 17:00

The following are required to carry out hospitalization procedures. Please prepare them so that they can be presented quickly during the procedures.

1. Patient registration card
2. Health insurance card
3. Hospitalization Application Form
4. Hospitalization Agreement Form
5. Certificate of Eligibility for Ceiling-Amount Application (applicable patients only)
6. Medical Welfare Recipient Certificate (applicable patients only)
7. Public Fund Recipient Certificate, Atomic Bomb Survivor's Health Card, etc. (applicable patients only)
8. Stamp (personal stamp)
9. All medications being taken or used (applicable patients only)
10. Medication notebook (applicable patients only)
11. Drug information sheets (applicable patients only)

Preparations for hospitalization

Necessary items for hospitalization

Please prepare the following items before hospitalization.

1. Underwear
2. Nightwear (can be rented at the hospital for 110 yen per day (tax included))
3. Toiletries
4. Bath supplies (washbowl, shampoo, soap, shaver, etc.)
5. Eating utensils (teacup, chopsticks, spoon)
   (during hospitalization, utensils such as chopsticks will not be provided with meals. Be sure to bring your own with you.)
6. Other daily necessities
   (facial tissues, hand towels, bath towels, hangers, cardigans or other clothing to wear if cold, etc.)
7. Footwear for use in wards *Well-fitting, slip-resistant footwear which does not make sounds
8. Earphones, etc., for use with TVs (although this is not necessary in private rooms, please be considerate with TV volume)
   *In rooms other than Special Room A, there will be a charge for TV use.
9. Masks (please wear a mask during hospitalization)

■ Electrical appliances that can be brought into hospital rooms
Electric shavers, mobile phones, laptop PCs, portable radios, DVD players, etc.
Note) Electric shavers are the only electric appliances that can be brought into the ICU.
*It is strictly prohibited to bring in ignition sources or hazardous items.

■ Electrical appliances that cannot be brought into hospital rooms

1. Items with a risk of fire or which have high electric power consumption
   Electric kettles, dryers, toasters, electric blankets, electric footwarmers, electric heaters, etc.
2. Items with a risk of becoming a source of infection
   Humidifiers, air purifiers, etc.

Deposit system

As a general rule, please deposit 100,000 yen with us on the day of hospitalization.
*For emergency hospitalization, please deposit within 3 weekdays.
If you have a joint guarantor and any of the following conditions apply to you, a deposit will not be required.

• Those covered by public insurance (Medical Expense Subsidy System for Atomic Bomb Survivors, Patients with Intractable Diseases, etc.)
• Those being hospitalized due to traffic accidents (payment by insurance company), industrial accidents, or accidents in the line of duty, and those who are donors
• Early-stage and late-stage elderly
• Those who are using a Certificate of Eligibility for Ceiling-Amount Application
• (For patients giving birth, it will be necessary to use the System for Direct Payment of Lump-sum Childbirth and Childcare Expenses at the same time)
• Those who live in Nagasaki Prefecture and also receive in-kind benefits for medical welfare care for infants
• Those who live in Nagasaki City and also receive in-kind benefits for welfare and medical expenses
• Those who will submit a “Credit Card Payment Application”

Spending your time in the hospital

I. Medical treatment and nursing

During hospitalization, physicians, nurses and other medical staff work as a team to help patients recover as quickly as possible. During admission, discharge, treatment, and testing, doctors will explain the necessity, effectiveness, and risks of those procedures. We ask patients and their families to sign the necessary documents to show their understanding of the explanations given by physicians.

II. Personal information

We take great care to protect patient personal information, but patient names will be displayed on the touch panels at the entrances of their hospital rooms. If you have any requests regarding the display of your name on the touch panel or other matters regarding personal information, please inform the ward staff.

III. Patient safety

We make diligent efforts to ensure medical safety in the hospital, but we also ask for the cooperation of patients to ensure their safety during hospitalization.

IV. Prevention of infection

To prevent infection, when entering or leaving a hospital room, use the hand sanitizer provided in front of the room, or wash your hands in the washroom.
We also ask visitors to cooperate with hand sanitization in the same way.
Also, note that there are restrictions on visits in some wards in order to prevent infection. For more details, refer to the “Visits” section.

V. Prevention of pressure ulcers (bedsores)

Pressure ulcers (bedsores) are caused when pressure is applied to the same area of the skin for longer than a certain period of time, or by friction or misalignment between the bedding and the skin. There are various ways to prevent it according to the situations of patients, depending on whether they are staying in bed, use a wheelchair, or are able to walk. Personnel including physicians, nurses, registered dietitians, pharmacists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists work together as a team to prevent the occurrence of bedsores.
Since we will take various measures to prevent bedsores such as changing the position of patients on their beds, raising and lowering beds, and improving nutritional conditions, we ask for your cooperation with them.

VI. Other matters

• Hospital rooms or wards may be changed depending on the condition of patients, so we ask for your cooperation.
• It is not allowed to receive consultations from other medical institutions during hospitalization. Also, patients and their family members are not allowed to go and pick up medication.
• Set your mobile phone to Manner Mode so as not to disturb other patients, and go to the cafeteria or lounge when using your phone. If you will be entering Special Rooms A, B or D, use of mobile phones within the room will be allowed. However, depending on your condition, you may be asked to refrain from using them.
• When using devices that produce sound, such as TVs, radios, and DVD players, be considerate and use earphones so as not to disturb other patients. Also, please refrain from using such devices after lights have been turned off for the night.
• You can use the Internet via a Wi-Fi connection in the 1F corridor (from the escalator to the area near the convenience store). In addition, if you will be entering Special Rooms A or B, you can use the Internet via a wired LAN connection in your room.
• The dining room and lounge are open for use from 8:00 to 21:00.
• We will not be responsible for any theft or loss of possessions in those areas under any circumstances, so please refrain from bringing large amounts of money or valuables.
• The TV stand is equipped with a lockable drawer, so it can be used to store your valuables.
• We ask for your cooperation in giving priority for wall outlets to medical uses.
  Also, please do not use the red outlets since they provide emergency power supplies.
• If an emergency situation occurs in the hospital, we may make hospital-wide announcements regardless of the time of day or night, so we appreciate your understanding.

Daily routines

• Follow the instructions of your physician or nurse regarding treatment, nursing, and your life while in the hospital.
• On days where doctors make rounds of their patients, be sure to wait in your room.
• We will monitor your temperature, measure your weight and blood pressure, and monitor your frequency of urination and defecation and collect samples as appropriate. The dates and times of these procedures will vary depending on each ward.
• After lights are turned off at 21:00, be considerate and do not disturb other patients.
• There is a bulletin board on each bed which is available for use.
• If you have any other questions, ask the ward staff.

Meals

• Meals managed by registered dietitians are served at around 8:00, 12:00, and 18:00.
• Meals will be served in the dining room, lounge, or hospital room, according to the patient's condition. Note that chopsticks, spoons, and other utensils will not be provided with meals.
• One cup of tea is provided with every meal, but if you would like more, the cafeteria and lounge are provided with equipment to supply hot water for consumption and vending machines for your use.
  Since there is no vending machine at the International Medical Center, please use the Lawson convenience store.
• We provide meals that are suitable for the conditions of patients, but we can accommodate individual requests such as changing your beverages, allowing you to select main dishes, adjusting the size and hardness of side dishes, and removing foods which are not allowed. Please consult with the hospital staff for such requests.
• Breakfast bread will be provided to patients who request it for regular meals and soft-food meals, so ask the ward staff if you would like to request it.
• Please refrain from bringing in food from outside, as it may cause food poisoning or interfere with treatment.

Nurse call systems

There is a nurse call button provided at each bed. If you press the nurse call button, a nurse will come to your bed immediately, so please wait until the nurse arrives.
There are also nurse call buttons provided in toilet rooms, bathrooms, and shower rooms, so use them immediately if you do not feel well.

Use of TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers

• A universal card can be used for TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers.
• Cards can be purchased from the vending machines in the cafeteria and lounge. 1 card is 1,000 yen (only 1,000 yen bills are accepted, tax included).
• A card balance adjustment machine is located near the main entrance on the first floor, which can be used to calculate and settle the remaining amount on cards.
• Refer to the instruction manual next to the TV for directions on how to use it.

	Usage fee (tax included)
TV	40 yen/1 hour
Refrigerator	90 yen/24 hours
Washing machine + dryer	300 yen/1 use
Washing machine	100 yen/1 use
Dryer	100 yen/1 use

Attendants to patients

• Since care will be provided by nurses while you are hospitalized, there is generally no need for attendants.
• If a physician recognizes it as necessary, a family member will be permitted to serve as an attendant. At this time, a “Request to Permit Hospital Attendance of Family Member of Inpatient” must be submitted.
• Nightwear for attendants may be rented for a fee. Consult with a nurse as necessary.
  [Fee] Days 1 - 5: 420 yen/day , Day 6 onward: 210 yen/day (tax included)
• Attendants are requested to use the dining room or lounge for meals.
  (Meals for attendants will not be provided.)

Outside overnight stays, going out of the hospital

• Permission from a physician will be required for outside overnight stays or to go out of the hospital. Consult with your physician or nurse and fill in the “Inpatient Request for Outside Overnight Stays or Going Out of the Hospital.” As a general rule, outside overnight stays are limited to 1 night and 2 days.
• Pick up your “Inpatient Request for Outside Overnight Stays or Going Out of the Hospital” at the Staff Station when leaving the hospital, and submit it again to the Staff Station when you return.
• Do not remove your wristband when going on outside overnight stays or out of the hospital.
• It is not permitted to visit other medical institutions during hospitalization (including for prescription of medication).

Time of discharge

Discharge from the hospital will be at 10:00 am unless there are medical reasons otherwise, so we ask for your cooperation.

Requests for Medical Certificates

• In general, make a request at (1) Document Reception on the first floor when you leave the hospital. (weekdays: 8:30 - 15:00)
• If you plan to leave the hospital on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, complete the request on a weekday just before your discharge.
  *Note that 2 - 3 weeks will be required after the request in order to prepare the Medical Certificate.

Response during disasters

• On the day of your hospitalization, check the locations of emergency exits and evacuation equipment.
• If an emergency such as a fire occurs, guidance will be provided by the ward staff, so be sure to follow their instructions.

Abusive language, violence, and disruptive behavior

You are asked to comply with this hospital's duty for medical cooperation as part of the “rights and obligations of patients.”

• Please refrain from causing nuisances to other patients and staff members, and from abusive language or violent behavior in the hospital which could be regarded as obstructions to medical treatment. In such cases, the police may be notified depending on the situation.
• Please strictly refrain from engaging in nuisance-causing behavior, such as smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages, in the hospital. If you do, we may forcefully discharge you from the hospital or ask you to leave.
• If you go on outside overnight stays or go out of the hospital without permission, you may be forcefully discharged.

Hospitalization expenses

Inpatient medical expenses

On April 1, 2003, the method of calculating inpatient medical expenses at advanced treatment hospitals was changed to the comprehensive evaluation method under direction by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and this system has been in effect at our hospital since July 1, 2003.

　During hospitalization, inpatient medical expenses will be calculated from the 1st of every month to the last day of the month, and notification of billing amounts will be made on the 11th of the next month. When being discharged, a notification of the billing amount will be provided by the day of discharge. (If discharge will be on a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday, notification will be provided at a later date.)
　Under the provisions of health insurance, the calculation of hospitalization expenses differs from the calculation of other expenses such as hotel accommodations, with the number of days calculated starting from 12:00 midnight. (Example: In a case of hospitalization for 1 night and 2 days, the hospitalization fee and the special room fee will be calculated for 2 days.)

Procedures for Certificate of Eligibility for Ceiling-Amount Application: for persons under 70 years of age

Procedures for Certificate of Eligibility for Ceiling-Amount Application: for persons under 70 years of age
Have you completed the procedures?

What is the Certificate of Eligibility for Ceiling-Amount Application?

This is a certificate that can be presented at a medical institution to have the amount of payment at the payment counter (for 1 month) be limited to an amount up to the co-payment ceiling amount. Please apply for this with the “Insurer” indicated on your health insurance card.

If you have a “Certificate of Reduction of Amount” which would reduce the amount incurred for meals, be sure to present it at the time of hospital admission.

If you are a member of a household exempt from resident taxes and have been approved for a reduction in the standard amount, the amount incurred for your meals will be reduced. Be sure to present the “Certificate of Reduction of Amount” during the hospitalization procedures.
Note that it may not be possible to reduce the amount if it is not presented it in advance.

The full amount of fees other than those specified by health insurance policies will be incurred by the patient.

This will also apply to medical expenses if a health insurance card is not presented.

Payment

Note that the payment counter will differ depending on the day of the week and time period.

*1) If you wish to pay by credit card and will leave the hospital on a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday, make a request at the 2F After-hours/Radiology Department Reception Counter.
*2) If payment cannot be made due to personal circumstances, you will be requested to submit a “Payment Confirmation Sheet,” so make a request at the appropriate payment location according to time period.
*3) If examinations or tests are performed immediately before discharge, a request for payment as an addition may be made at a later date due to the procedures of operations for processing payment slips.
*4) If you change your health insurance card, etc., while you are hospitalized, bring your applicable health insurance card, etc., to the (6) Hospitalization Reception counter for notification.

Accepted credit cards
DC, VISA, JCB, AMEX, MasterCard, Diners Club, and debit cards, as well as cash cards from banks and Japan Post Bank

Visits

Visiting hours

*In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will be changing visitation rules. Thank you for your cooperation.

Note that visiting hours will vary depending on the ward and the day of the week.

• When visiting, be sure to obtain permission for the visit at the Staff Station first.
• Depending on the condition of the patient, the visit may be refused.
• Please refrain from visits by a large number of people, accompanied by children, or by anyone who is coughing or does not feel well.

• Visits by children 15 years of age or younger are not allowed in the pediatric ward (6F East), hypobacterial ward (13F West), and MFICU (Maternal-Fetal Intensive Care Unit, 6F West).
• To prevent infection, refrain from bringing in fresh flowers, potted plants, or food. No outside items can be brought into the pediatric ward (6F East), the gastroenterological surgery ward (8F East), or the hypobacterial ward (13F West).

Frequently Asked Questions [Hospitalization]