Our fully accredited 49-bed hospital in Alamosa provides outstanding care for those in need of general Medical/Surgical, Intensive Care and OB hospital services. We also employ Hospitalist Physicians to ensure 24/7 in-house provider care for our hospitalized patients.
For those patients in need of transfer to a higher level of specialty care, San Luis Valley Health has a relationship with Guardian Flight Services, who maintains qualified medical staff locally and a fixed wing aircraft that resides at the Alamosa Airport for expedited air transport.
SLV Health Main Hospital Parking
Patients, families, and visitors are welcome to park in the front parking lot of the hospital outside the main entrance. There is also parking available in a paved lot across the street (West) from the Emergency Room main entrance. Side streets are available for parking as well. Please call the operator if concerns arise about a vehicle. Be sure to lock your car. The hospital cannot be responsible for your car or its contents while it is parked in the hospital parking areas.
Hospital Team
Physicians. The staff at SLV Health Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing you with the best possible care. Members of our team include the physician who admits you and is responsible for ordering tests, prescribing medication and recommending special diets while you are in the hospital.
Nurses. Our team also includes the 24-hour nursing care provided by a team of professional Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
Patient & Family Services. From discharge planning, dialysis and general social work to trauma response and counseling or referrals to outside resources, we offer a broad range of services to support patients and their families. We will help you obtain medical equipment, oxygen, home health care, nursing home and rehabilitation.
Pastoral Care. We believe the healing process demands attention to the spiritual, as well as the physical and emotional needs of each patient. Under the direction of our Pastoral Care Coordinator, our volunteer Chaplains are available to assist you, whatever your religious preference, 24 hours a day. In addition, your priest, minister or rabbi is always welcome to visit you while you are here. If you need the phone number of your nearest spiritual caregiver of your choice, or if you wish to have the hospital chaplain paged, please contact your nurse or page directly at (719) 852-6700.
Rehabilitation Services. Part of your recovery may include treatment from Rehabilitation Services - physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy. These services will address problems with ambulation, walking, transfers, balance, weakness, dressing, grooming, swallowing, speaking, etc. Rehabilitation Services is available during your hospital stay. Our goal is to assist you in maximizing your functional recovery. This service requires a referral from your physician Rehabilitation Services can be reached at (719) 589-8100.
Accommodations
Every effort is made to provide you with the type of accommodations you request. Rooms are subject to availability and are assigned based upon your admitting diagnosis and the bed availability on the day of your admission. If you are sharing a room with someone and are uncomfortable with the other patient assigned to your room, please contact your nurse and a transfer will be made based on availability. Rooms and bathrooms are cleaned daily by members of our hospitality staff.
At San Luis Valley Health, we strive for patient comfort although safety is our number one priority. We're sure you would want it that way for you or your family. That’s why we’ve equipped our rooms with state-of-the-art, electrically operated hospital beds with protective rails, central heat and air, a nurse call button located at your bedside for staff assistance, a television free of charge (except in the ICU) and in-room telephones.
We also ask that patients stay within their unit unless first consulting with a nurse. It is for your care and protection that our nursing staff knows where you are at all times.
Food Service
Wholesome, nourishing meals are an important part of your treatment and recovery. We provide nutritious meals prepared according to your physician’s order. We have a hospital dietician on staff who is happy to answer any questions regarding your diet or alternative menu choices. Please call the Nutrition Services Department at (719) 587-1287.
At SLV Health, patients are given a diet based on their diagnosis and treatment. This includes a regular diet (no restrictions, all foods are allowed) or a therapeutic diet prescribed by your physician.
Possible therapeutic diets prescribed by your physician may include:
- Clear Liquid Diet: Prescribed as initial feeding. Promotes bowel rest and requires minimal digestion.
- Full Liquid Diet: Transitional diet utilizing milk-based liquid at room temperature.
- No Added Salt Diet: Prescribed to decrease the amount of sodium (usually in the form of table salt) to manage hypertension, cardiac conditions and fluid retention.
- Low Sodium Diet: Further reduction of sodium in foods and cooking to manage some respiratory and cardiac conditions.
- Cardiac Diet: Prescribed to decrease sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat to manage cardiac conditions.
- Low fat, Low Cholesterol Diet: Prescribed to reduce total fat/saturated fat and cholesterol in the treatment of cardiac disease as well as other disease processes.
- ADA Diet: Your physician may prescribe this diet for the treatment of diabetes, elevated blood sugars or weight control.
Patient mealtimes include breakfast (between 7:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.), lunch (between noon and 1:00 p.m.) and dinner (between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.). Please contact Nutrition Services in regards to guest trays and complimentary obstetric and pediatric service.
We also offer food served daily in the cafeteria (located on the first floor adjacent to the front lobby) Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Safety
During the Night. Please stay in bed after you have been prepared for the night. Strange surroundings and sleeping medications may create a hazard if you get out of bed. For assistance during the night, use your nurse call system.
Fire Drills. Maintaining safety as highest priority, the hospital conducts fire and disaster drills regularly. If a fire drill occurs, while you are here, please remain in your room and do not become alarmed. The hospital is a fire-resistant building, and the staff is trained in fire protection. If asked to evacuate, please follow directions given to maximize safety of all persons involved. The use of elevators is prohibited while a fire drill or disaster drill is occurring.
Oxygen. Patients commonly use oxygen as part of treatments while in the hospital. As a safety precaution, electrically operated equipment and aerosol products are not permitted in these areas.
Patient Condition Reports. Any personal information about your diagnosis, treatment and presence in our facility must come from you or your designated representative. This information is only available to the members of your immediate family whom you designate in writing to receive it.
Staff Identification. Name badges will identify all hospital staff and physicians by their name and title. All of our staff will introduce themselves to you and explain the care they are giving you or the test they are to perform. If for any reason you question an individual’s identity, please contact your nurse immediately. If you have any questions regarding the professional status or experience of any staff member, please feel free to contact our Human Resource Department at extension (719) 587-1201.
Valuable and Lost Items. You are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. If you do have valuable items in your possession, please send them home with a family member. The hospital does not accept responsibility for any item of value unless it has been deposited in the safe located in the Business Office. If you lose something, please notify your nurse or call the hospital receptionist at (719) 587-1218.
Wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are available on all nursing units, admitting and in clinical areas. Getting in and out of the wheelchair without assistance can be hazardous. Please ask for help from a member of the hospital clinical staff.
Going Home
Once your doctor decides that you are ready to leave the hospital, we do our best to make the process as simple and streamlined as possible. To prepare to return home:
- Make going-home arrangements with a family member or friend.
- Collect all of your belongings and double-check closets and drawers. If you have anything stored in the hospital safe, call the Information Desk at (719) 587-1218 and the receptionist will have the items ready for you at check out.
- Your doctor and nurse will give you written instructions about post-hospital care. If you have any questions, make sure to ask before leaving the hospital.
A Patient and Family Services representative will arrange for any necessary medical equipment before you leave the hospital.