Patient Resources
Information, guidance and resources for our patients
Because patient care is our most important job, Rapides Regional Medical Center is committed to creating a comfortable, familial environment that is safe for our patients and visitors. Our unique programs and services are designed to give you an exceptional experience. Whenever you show up to see us, we show up for you in every way.
Helpful links for patients
Online Registration
We know your time is valuable. That’s why we offer convenient online registration for services such as surgical procedures, mammograms, and diagnostic tests and treatments.
We know your time is valuable. That’s why we offer convenient online registration for services such as surgical procedures, mammograms, and diagnostic tests and treatments.
Participating insurance plans
We accept all forms of government insurance from the U.S., Canada and other countries. We also accept Medicare, Medicaid, Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), and workers compensation.
Advance care planning
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to give directions for your future medical care. Advance directives help you protect your right to request or refuse care.
Patient rights and responsibilities
We respect the dignity and pride of each individual we serve. We want our patients to be informed of their rights, responsibilities, and have access to contacts for complaints and grievances.
For patients
We aim to make your care experience as convenient and pleasant as possible. In this pursuit, we offer various resources to support you both during and after your stay.
Essential patient resources
To help you navigate the care process, we have provided a list of key tools and information, including:
- Flu facts
- Guest Wi-Fi
- Health risk assessments (HRAs)
- Healthy Living blog
- Home health agencies
- Hospice care
- How to prepare for a hurricane
- How to recover from a hurricane
- Hurricane preparedness plan
- Injury prevention
- Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
- Long-term acute care
- Plus care network
- Preparing for outpatient surgery
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Virtual care options
If you are an expecting mother, you may also want to view our helpful labor and delivery page as you prepare for childbirth. It highlights the mother-baby services we offer, our location details and items you should consider bringing with you when having your baby at our hospital.
Hospitalist care
Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in 24/7 care for acutely ill, hospitalized individuals, enabling them to address issues as they occur. Most hospitalists practice internal medicine.
Our hospitalists work directly with your physician to provide a seamless transition from inpatient to outpatient care. When questions arise, they are also readily available to communicate with you and your family.
We provide hospitalist care for:
- Individuals whose local physician is limited to outpatient medicine
- People without an established primary care physician
- Those who have a physician that's outside of the immediate service area
When you are referred to one of our hospitalists, they will be your attending physician of record during your stay. Your hospitalist will do your initial history and physical exam, make an assessment of your illness and devise a treatment plan. Communication about your progress at our hospital will occur daily between your hospitalist and primary care physician. On a daily basis, your hospitalist will see you during rounds and be available to answer any questions. Upon discharge, you will be referred to your primary care physician for follow-up care. If you don't currently have a primary care physician, your hospitalist will work with you to help identify a proper referral that meets your health needs.
Parking information
You and your visitors may park for free in the parking garages located at the east and west ends of our campus.
Additional free parking is available on the lot located at Fifth Street and Elliot Street, east of Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital. Parking lots are also located on Sixth Street and at the corner of Elliott Street and Eighth Street.
Recognition programs
If you receive exceptional service from one of our staff members during your stay, we invite you to nominate them for an appropriate award.
The DAISY Award
The nationally-recognized DAISY Award acknowledges nurses who display clinical excellence and compassionate care on a daily basis.
The Outstanding Physician Award
Presented quarterly, the Outstanding Physician Award goes to a physician on our team who's viewed by their peers as a role model for all they contribute to our hospital.
The ROSE Award
Like the Outstanding Physican Award, the ROSE Award is given out on a quarterly basis. It is designed to honor the quality members of our support staff who aren't part of our nursing department.
Salute Our Veterans
Through our Salute Our Veterans program, we are proud to recognize individuals being cared for at our hospital who've served our country.
Please let us know if you are a veteran. In your honor, we will place a sign on your room door to identify you as such, so our staff can appropriately recognize you and thank you for your service. You are a hero. Thank you for serving our country and for choosing our facility.
The Cancer Screening Project
We established the Cancer Screening Project in 2009 after finding that many of the residents in our area weren't getting screened for common cancers.
In response, we now have a mobile unit that travels throughout the surrounding community to perform cancer screenings. During two-day clinics throughout the year, we offer digital mammograms, cervical exams and take-home colon cancer tests. Those in attendance who meet specific requirements can obtain these services free of charge.