Parking

There are several parking options for patients and visitors, including two parking garages located on Adeline Street and a parking lot outside the front hospital entrance facing Highway 49. Forrest General’s Public Safety officers patrol these areas frequently to ensure the safety of those visiting our campus. If you need assistance with any parking-related issues, please contact Public Safety at 601-288-4345.

Visitor Guidelines

The number of visitors is limited to no more than four in each patient’s room. Overnight guests are restricted to one to two per patient. Specific visitation standards for stem cell and immuno-suppressed patients are addressed on the Oncology Unit (6T) with only the physician being able to make exceptions.

We encourage visitors for emotional support and recovery. To provide a restful and safe environment, we ask that all visitors comply with the following guidelines:

• Be considerate of other patients by keeping noise to a minimum.
• Refrain from visiting if you have a cold, sore throat, or any contagious disease.
• Observe “No Visiting” and precaution signs before entering the room.
• Do not smoke. Forrest General is a tobacco-free campus.
• Leave the room during tests or treatments if asked.

Waiting Rooms

There are specially-designed waiting areas on each patient floor and on the first floor in the main lobby and parking garage lobby. Specific waiting areas have been designated for families or patients in Emergency Services, Surgery, CCU, ICU and Radiology Services.

During certain hours, a hostess is on duty in the CCU and ICU to keep family members informed about their loved one receiving care.

Public Restrooms

Please do not use the bathrooms in patient rooms. They are reserved only for patients in order to protect their health. Public restrooms are located throughout the hospital.

Telephone

Telephones are provided in all patient rooms. When calling from within the hospital, please dial 8 + the last four digits of the number. If you wish to make a local outside call, dial 9 + the telephone number you wish to call. If you wish to make a long-distance call, you must dial 9 and then use your calling card or a long-distance service such as 800-CALL-ATT or 800-COLLECT. If you need assistance in making a call, dial 0 and an operator will be happy to assist you.

Wireless Internet Service

Forrest General Hospital provides Wi-Fi services so you may use your laptop or other compatible devices. To log on: Start up Internet Explorer and select “Forrest General Public,”

Log on: “Guest,” Password: “Guest.”

Cell Phones

Cell phones may be used in designated areas of the hospital. There are limitations but, for the most part, cell phones may be used in the cafeteria, the first and second floor parking garage lobbies and the front lobby of the hospital. Signs throughout the hospital indicate where cell phones may and may not be used.

Security

Forrest General’s Department of Public Safety includes the Police Department. The FGH Police Department is accredited by the State of Mississippi and may be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 84345 (or 80 for an emergency).

FGH police officers provide many services for customers, including escorts into and out of the building upon request. Officers also investigate property loss, thefts and vehicle accidents as well as assist- ing hospital staff with disruptive patients, employees or visitors.

Medications from Home

Please do not bring any medications (prescription, over-the-counter or illegal drugs) to the hospital. All medications you take while a patient at Forrest General have been prescribed by your physician, are dispensed by the hospital pharmacy and administered by a trained professional.

Patients are not permitted to administer their own medications or to keep personal medications, unless approved by their physician.

Fire Safety

We periodically conduct fire drills. If you hear an alarm, stay where you are. In the event of an actual emergency, hospital staff will notify you.

Newspapers

The Hattiesburg American, USA Today and Clarion Ledger are sold in vending machines located down from the canteen. Other free papers are also available.

Translation Services

Communication between patients and caregivers is part of a successful healthcare experience. If there are specific needs regarding language, hearing or vision, translation services are available. Please contact the Patient Care Supervisor for all interpretation needs, verbal or written (consents, etc.) for non-English speaking customers.

Leave Your Valuables At Home

If you have valuables, such as jewelry, credit cards and cash, please give them to a relative or friend to take care of during your stay. Store your contact lenses, eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures in your bedside stand when not in use. Please don’t put them on your bed or food tray—they may be damaged or lost.

If you cannot send your valuables home, you may deposit such items in the hospital vault between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Forrest General cannot be responsible for any valuables left in your room.

Patient Meals

Wholesome, nourishing and well-balanced meals are an important part of your treatment and recovery. Forrest General makes every effort to provide healthy meals that are prepared according to your doctor’s orders. Occasion- ally, your meal may be delayed if you are scheduled for a special test or treatment. Whenever possible, you will be served after your examination or test.

Guest Meals

If a family member or visitor wants to eat in your room with you, the person may visit our Food Court and purchase a meal to take back to the room.

Cafeteria

For your convenience, Forrester’s Food Court, the cafeteria at Forrest General Hospital, is open daily from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. While it is primarily designed to serve hospital employees, visitors are welcome to eat in the cafeteria. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and dinner is served from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Between 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., the Corner Grill will be open to serve a variety of hot and cold sandwiches and side items. A variety of soups, salads, and desserts are also available at these hours.

Menu Boards and prices are located at each Food Court station.

When requested from the cashier, a senior discount is available to customers who are at least 65 years of age.

Please call our menu line at 81750 for an advance listing of the current menu.

Subway Restaurant

Forrest General’s Subway Restaurant, located in the cafeteria area, is the busiest one in the state! Our Subway opens at 7:00 a.m. and serves breakfast until 10:00 a.m. daily. The regular menu is available from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Located in the cafeteria area.

Java Moe’s Coffee

Forrest General’s specialty coffee service, Java Moe’s, is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Java Moe’s is locally owned and operated. The Menu features a variety of baked goods as well as coffee beverages, hot chocolate, Breve and Tea, and several frozen drinks. Located in the cafeteria area.

Pastoral Care

We CARE about your spiritual health. If you have spiritual needs or concerns while you are in the hospital, please contact a minister or someone from your faith group. It is likely that your congregational leaders will want to know that you are a patient in our hospital, and the best method to ensure they are aware of your hospitalization is for you or someone in your family to contact them.

You can also reach one of our hospital chaplains through your nurse or by calling 601-288-4227.

Contact Isolation Precautions

While in the hospital, you may have a type of germ that can spread to others. This means that the germ is contagious. While you have this germ and are contagious, you will need to be placed in isolation precautions so the germ is not spread to our other patients.

Many infections are spread by hands after touching surfaces that have contagious germs on them. Contact precautions are used for patients who have an infection that is spread in this way.

When a patient is placed on Contact Precautions, a sign is placed on the door to alert caregivers to take added measures to be sure they protect our other patients from contact with these germs.

C.A.R.E.ing Expressions Gift Shop

The hospital’s gift shop is located on the first floor at the main entrance. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. Plants and flowers can be purchased at the Gift Shop and staff is available to deliver them to the patient’s room. Please keep in mind that large plants and flowers may be difficult to remove when going home.

Gift Shop Hours

Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m.– 6:45 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

Closed Sunday

When You Are Discharged

Your physician determines when you are ready to be discharged. Your physician and nurse will give you discharge instructions and answer any questions you have about managing your treatment and medications once you are home.

If you are confused or unsure about what you need to do, what medications you must take or if you have to restrict your diet or activities, don’t be afraid to ask and take notes.

Be sure you understand any instructions you have been given before you leave the hospital.

Preparing to Leave the Hospital

When your doctor feels that you are ready to leave the hospital, he or she will authorize a hospital discharge. Please speak with your nurse about our discharge procedures.

Here are a few tips to make the discharge process run smoothly:


• Be sure you and/or your caregiver have spoken with a discharge planner and that you understand what services you may need after leaving the hospital.
• Verify your discharge date and time with your nurse or doctor.
• Have someone available to pick you up.

• Check your room, bathroom, closet and bedside table carefully for any personal items.
• 
Retrieve any valuables you have stored in the hospital safe.
• Make sure you or your caregiver has all necessary paperwork for billing, referrals, prescriptions, etc

When you are discharged from the hospital, you may need to spend some time in another type facility to continue your recovery process. Your discharge planner should provide you with a list of resources available in the community. There are agencies that can help with transportation, equipment, home care, respite care and more. Be sure to get all the details before you leave.

Quality Report Card

Forrest General is continually measuring our quality and implementing improvements, as a part of our commitment to ensure positive patient experiences. Please click on the link below to view Forrest General's Quality Report Card Update, as well as information on Forrest General's most recent data.

Click here for the latest Quality Report Card data

Community Health Needs Assessment