Patient Family Services
The patient family services department is an integral component of the hospital's interdisciplinary team.
There are several key members of the patient family services team who help to meet the needs of our patients, their families and community members, by providing the following resources:
Our social workers:
- Play an active role in coordinating hospital discharges and locating appropriate financial and community resources.
- Provide emotional support during a patient's hospitalization.
- Are trained to educate and assist patients, families and the community, free of charge, about advance medical directives (power of attorney for health care, living wills).
Our Transitional Care Nurse assists patients by:
- Ensuring they are knowledgeable about their diagnoses and medications. Medication teaching includes current medications and those that are newly prescribed as a result of a hospitalization.
- Familiar with the Patient Portal, which allows access to the patient's medical records at home.
- Have a one-time home visit for patients upon discharge, to ensure a smooth transition to home and to answer any questions that have arisen after discharge.
- Making follow-up phone calls after discharge.
What are advance directives?
- Advance directives are legal documents that are completed by adults in advance of an illness or accident that would leave you unable to express your wishes. In Wisconsin, two important advance medical directives are the Power of Attorney for Health Care and the Declaration to Physicians (commonly referred to as a Living Will).
- Learn more about creating Advance Medical Directives by contacting Crossing Rivers Health Patient family services at 608.357.2012.
What is a Declaration to Physicians (Living Will)?
- A document in which you can state your care wishes about life-support machines or feeding tubes if you become terminally ill or you lapse into a persistent vegetative state (permanent coma).
- A Living Will does not allow you to name someone to make decisions for you.
- Wisconsin Declaration to Physicians / Living Will
- Learn more about creating a Declaration to Physicians by contacting Crossing Rivers Health Patient family services at 608.357.2012.
What is a Power of Attorney for Health Care?
- A document in which you can appoint a family member or friend (who is 18 years or older) you trust to make health care decisions for you if your doctors determine you can no longer make your own medical decisions.
- You may also name an alternate decision maker if the first decision maker is unwilling or unable to make decisions when needed.
- Learn more about creating a Power of Attorney for Health Care by contacting Crossing Rivers Health Patient family services at 608.357.2012.
Download these valuable resources:
Guide to suggested language for the narrative portions of the Power of Attorney for Health Care
Advanced Directives form including Power of Attorney for Health Care