For patients at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital

We provide both patients and families with quick, convenient emergency care, and the emotional, psychological and educational support they need.

We spend a great deal of time and effort to create an environment that is safe and comfortable. There are many policies and procedures in place to ensure safety. Patients and visitors will still need to take some precautions to safeguard their own well being.

We recommend the following:

• You will come in contact with many different people who will ask you the same type of questions several times. Please be patient. This is done to provide safe and effective care to every patient who walks through our doors.
• Please bring any past medical records you may have.
• If you or your loved one has any special needs, let your nurse know so that special considerations can be provided.
• Ask what to expect while you or your loved one is in the hospital
• If you have any questions for your doctor or nurse, write the questions down as you think of them. That way you will not forget them when your doctor or nurse comes to see you refer to your list of questions.
• We want you to understand everything that we are doing for you or your loved one. If you did not understand the answer to your question, ask the person to explain the answer to you again until you understand.
• Please do not leave visiting children unattended.
• Please read and follow all the signs you see. There are areas in the hospital where visitors are not allowed.
• You may hear what is called a “code” over the speakers. If you need to do anything in response to them, your nurse will inform you.

Our pharmacy is located in a central location, convenient to patients in inpatient care, pediatric care and outpatient surgical care.

Departmental services include:

• Antibiotic piggybacks
• Chemotherapy
• Immunoglobulin infusions
• IV admixtures
• Pain management solutions via epidural or patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps
• Unit-dose drug distribution

Clinical pharmacists manage our hyperalimentation, drug utilization, pain management and anticoagulation services. Outpatient prescriptions are filled for employees only. The pharmacy is open 24/7, including holidays.

All staff members within the pharmacy department have documented evidence of competency in key skills specific to the preparation and distribution of pharmaceuticals. Our technical staff is nationally certified and have specialty training in IV admixture and chemotherapy preparation.

To meet the needs of our patients, we offer hospitalized patients access to physicians specializing in inpatient care around the clock allowing private-practice doctors more time to see patients in their offices.

What is a hospitalist?

A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients and acts as a primary care physician for the hospital. Because hospitalists do not maintain outside clinics, they can focus attention exclusively on your medical care inside the hospital.

What are the benefits of having a hospitalist?

The hospitalist can often help speed your recovery and shorten your hospital stay by following-up on tests, adjusting your treatment throughout the day, and meeting with patients and families regularly to update plans of care.

Your hospitalist specializes in various kinds of acute medical care should a patient need urgent attention. We also have a hospitalist available 24/7.

Why you might see several hospitalist physicians during your stay

Hospitalists round on patients to maximize patient continuity of care. However, as the hospitalists go off service at the end of their cycle, your care may be turned over to another hospitalist.

What is the relationship between the hospitalist and my primary care doctor?

The hospitalist partners with your primary care doctor to administer and oversee your treatment while you are in the hospital, serving as your doctor until you are discharged. When you are discharged, your primary physician will resume your care. Reports from your inpatient stay will be sent to your primary physician upon discharge. The hospitalist may consult with your primary physician as appropriate.

The hospitalist and other staff at the hospital can assist you in finding a doctor after you leave the hospital. Records from your hospital stay can be sent to this doctor.

How is it determined which hospitalist will see me on any given day?

We have put together a schedule that maximizes physician and patient continuity. At first, you will be matched with the hospitalist that is available at the time of your admission. In addition, there are physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners specializing in hospital medicine. They work under the supervision of the hospitalist and assist in patient care.

What if my family has questions?

As with any other doctors visit, we encourage your family to be present when you are seen, to meet your caregivers and ask questions. Hospitalist physicians will see you at least once-a-day or more, if appropriate. It's a good idea to record your questions on a notepad for later discussions with your family and your doctor. Family members may contact the hospitalist(s) through the hospital's nursing staff.

We offer smoking cessation programs to help better the health of our patients and community members. These programs provide support from experts, former smokers and people who are in the process of quitting.

We hold virtual classes for individuals and groups. Registration is required. To register or find out more about this program, please call (850) 398-6965 or our toll-free line (866) 338-4950).

For more information on the health risks associated with smoking and for education on how to quit smoking, visit Tobacco Free Florida or call our Florida Tobacco Quit-For-Life line at (877) 848-6696.