Admissions FAQ's
Our Admissions team is committed to making your hospital experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. From the moment you arrive, our staff will guide you through the registration process, answer your questions, and ensure we have the information needed to provide safe, efficient, and personalized care.
To help us prepare for your stay, please bring the following items with you on the day of your admission.
Please Bring
Insurance Information
- Your current insurance card(s) so we can verify your coverage and ensure accurate billing.
Photo Identification
- A valid government-issued photo ID and proof of your current address to help protect your identity and safeguard your medical information.
Advance Care Documents
- Any important healthcare documents, such as:
- Advance Health Care Directive
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Living Will
- Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare or Financial Decisions
If you have these documents, please bring a copy so they can be included in your medical record.
Choosing a Primary Contact
During the admission process, you’ll be asked to identify one or more emergency contacts. You may also designate a primary contact person to receive updates regarding your care and assist with discharge planning if you are unable to make decisions yourself.
To protect your privacy, Colusa Medical Center shares patient information only with individuals you have authorized. We encourage you to let your family and friends know who your designated contact person will be
To help make your stay as comfortable as possible, we recommend bringing only essential personal items.
Clothing
Hospital gowns are provided; however, you are welcome to bring:
- A robe
- Non-slip slippers or sturdy shoes
- Comfortable clothing for therapy sessions or discharge
For your safety, patients should always wear appropriate footwear when walking outside of bed. Walking in socks alone is discouraged due to the risk of slipping and falls.
Personal Care Items
You may wish to bring personal hygiene items such as:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush or comb
- Denture supplies
- Hearing aids
- Glasses
- Other essential personal care items
If there is something specific that would make your stay more comfortable, please speak with your nurse.
Valuables
We recommend bringing only a small amount of cash for incidental purchases and leaving jewelry, valuables, and irreplaceable personal belongings at home. Colusa Medical Center cannot assume responsibility for valuables kept in patient rooms.
If you wear glasses, dentures, or hearing aids, please store them safely when not in use. Your care team can provide a denture storage container if needed. If an item is misplaced, notify your nurse or case manager as soon as possible. Found items are retained for 30 days.
Please Leave These Items at Home
For the safety of all patients, we ask that you do not bring:
- Prescription medications unless specifically instructed by your physician or care team
- Vitamins or herbal supplements unless requested during your stay
- Illegal substances
- Expensive jewelry or valuable personal belongings
- Large amounts of cash
- Irreplaceable personal items
If your physician determines that you should continue taking a medication from home, your nurse will provide instructions regarding its safe use during your hospitalization.
Protecting your personal health information is one of our highest priorities. As part of our registration process, our Admissions staff will ask to see a valid photo ID during admission or your first visit. This important step helps verify your identity and reduces the risk of medical identity theft.
We also encourage patients to safeguard their insurance information, Medicare number, and other personal identifying information. If you have questions about our privacy practices, our Admissions team will be happy to assist you.