Hospital stay

Verified 09 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Mask Wearing

Published on 1 August 2022

Care facilities may require masks to be worn by individuals 6 years of age or older in these facilities and facilities.

That is what the report saysorder of 1 june 2021 amended by the order of 30 july 2022.

Wondering how a hospital stay works? At the time of entry, certain formalities are necessary. The welcome booklet gives you all the information you need during your stay. There are rules that specify how you're going to leave. We are taking stock of the regulations.

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Scheduled Input

If you are scheduled to enter the hospital in advance (for example, you have a specific date for an operation), it is done at the hospital admissions department.

Documents to be submitted

You must submit the following documents:

  • Identity document (examples: ID card, passport...) or family booklet
  • Vital Card (update) and your Letter of Rights
  • Card or certificate of supplementary health or health insurance if you have one
  • Accident at work accident at work If your hospitalization is linked to an occupational disease or illness, the “worksheet or occupational disease” provided by your employer or by your health insurance fund.

Depending on your situation, you will also need proof of entitlements:

If you don't have those documents, you must present in your case:  

  • Last pay slip (if you are an employee)
  • Or last attestation of payment of unemployment benefit if you are a job seeker compensated by France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi)
  • Or as a retirement or disability pension or permanent incapacity pension
  • Or the support issued by your social security body, if you are a national of another country (outside the EU-EEA-Switzerland)

Please note

if you cannot provide any of these documents, your health insurance fund may, under certain conditions, issue an emergency admission certificate to State medical assistance (AME). This procedure will be done at your request or at the initiative of the health institution to which you are admitted.

Information that can be given

Medical information may be helpful:

  • Examination results (examples: analyzes, radios...)
  • Health record book
  • Blood group and Rhesus card
  • Letter from the attending physician

You must also indicate the persons to be kept informed of your state of health (family, trusted person...).

Once your file has been registered, the admissions department will give you a status or hospitalization report. It serves as an advisory opinionwork stoppage.

You must send it within 48 hours who follows your hospitalization at:

  • Your employer if you are an employee
  • France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) if you are a jobseeker
  • Your health insurance fund

Indeed, this bulletin allows your health insurance fund to calculate and pay you your daily allowances.

Please note

If your health does not allow you to meet this 48-hour deadline, the hospital takes the necessary steps.

Welcome booklet

A welcome booklet is given to all hospitalized persons.

It shall present the information concerning in particular the following points:

  • Establishment (organization, administrative formalities...)
  • Conditions under which complaints and complaints are examined
  • Conditions for visiting and welcoming relatives, rights and obligations of patients, procedures for deposits of money and value...
  • Activities, services and services of the establishment (schedule of social service, provision of a library, space of religious practice...)
  • Volunteer associations involved in the establishment

The charter of the hospitalized person and an exit questionnaire is attached.

Emergency entrance

Documents to be submitted

As soon as your medical condition allows it, you or one of your relatives must submit the necessary documents to the admissions office in particular :

  • Identity document (examples: ID card, passport...)
  • Vital Card
  • And Certificate of Rights

In any case, if you are working, you have to tell (or have told) your employer.

Please note

Access to public hospital services is guaranteed for the most deprived persons. Persons who cannot prove that they are covered by the State’s sickness insurance or medical aid are treated in public health establishments and private health establishments participating in the public hospital service for urgent care.

Welcome booklet

A welcome booklet is given to all hospitalized persons.

It shall present the information concerning in particular the following points:

  • Establishment (organization, administrative formalities...)
  • Conditions under which complaints and complaints are examined
  • Conditions for visiting and welcoming relatives, rights and obligations of patients, procedures for deposits of money and value...
  • Activities, services and services of the establishment (schedule of social service, provision of a library, space of religious practice...)
  • Volunteer associations involved in the establishment

The charter of the hospitalized person and an exit questionnaire is attached.

Health status information

Information related to your health is provided to you:

  • By the doctor responsible for the structure concerned
  • Or by any member of the medical profession of the establishment
  • Or by the doctor responsible for your care.

Laundry and clothing

Personal clothing is not provided by the hospital (pajamas, dressing gown...), nor toiletries.

The health club provides bed linen and table linen.

Visits, meals, telephone reception

The hospital shall provide you with the means to:

  • Your relatives are aware of the conditions, especially the times, under which they can be received by doctors
  • You and your entourage to know the times (meals, visits, telephone reception...).

This information is included in the welcome booklet.

The health facility guarantees you the right to receive every day any visitor of your choice.

Visitors are not required to inform the establishment in advance of their arrival, unless you wish to do so.

FYI  

A visit may be prohibited if it constitutes a threat to public order or a risk to your health.

Television

If it is not already settle, it is possible to ask for a television. This service can be free or paid for, depending on the establishment.

In case of theft from your room

The hospital is not responsible in principle if you decide to keep your items.

If you have not decided to keep your items, the hospital is only responsible for the items entrusted to it.

This is why it is recommended to deposit your valuables (money, means of payment, identity papers, jewelry...) with the admission service.

The service will give you a receipt.

If you have a complaint about the theft of one of your valuables, you must contact the hospital management for compensation.

Exit decision

The decision is made by the doctor.

However, you can decide to go out against the medical advice.

FYI  

With the exception of minors and persons hospitalized on a compulsory basis, any sick person may, at their request, leave the establishment at any time.

If the chief medical officer considers that the discharge is premature and constitutes a danger to their health, you are only allowed to leave the establishment after having completed a certificate stating that you are aware of the dangers that the discharge poses to you.

If you refuse to sign this certificate, a record of the refusal is drawn up.

When you leave, the doctor writes a letter of liaison with the elements needed for continuity of care.

This letter is given to you by this doctor or another member of the care team.

Example :

Medical Synthesis, Prescribed Treatments, Announcement of Expected Results

After hospitalization

Depending on the evolution of your health, the hospital doctor may prescribe you:

Your attending physician shall receive all relevant information and have access to the medical record complemented by the hospital.

You can look at your file yourself, ask for a copy of all the procedures performed at the hospital: X-rays, prescriptions, medical certificates.

If after your release, you have difficulties related to your health, the social service of your health insurance fund can help you.

This service can inform you about financial assistance, housing adaptation, home help...

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Health Info Rights

    A telephone line created by a collective of user associations to provide legal or social information related to health

    By telephone

    01 53 62 40 30

    Price of a local call

    Open Service:

    • mondays, wednesdays and fridays from 2pm to 6pm
    • tuesdays and thursdays from 2pm to 8pm

    By Form

    You can also ask your question by completing the contact form ;

    From this form, you can request to be called back.

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