Bus transportation

The medical center is serviced by the Luzerne County Transportation Authority. Buses travel to and from locations in the Wilkes-Barre and Pittston areas. Bus schedules are available in the main lobby.

Cafeteria service

The medical center's cafeteria is located on the first level. Hours of service are: Weekdays - breakfast, 6:30 - 10:30 am; lunch, 11 am - 2 pm; dinner, 4 - 6 p.m. The grill and sandwich area remains open between 2 and 4 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, the cafeteria opens from 11 am - 2 pm for lunch; and  4 - 6 pmfor dinner.

A visitor may dine with a patient in the patient's room. To arrange for this service, ask the nurse to contact the nutrition representative who will take your order and collect payment for the visitor's meal.

If family or friends wish to bring food into the medical center for the patient, remember that it must be in compliance with the patient's diet prescription and must be stored properly for the patient's safety. Please alert the nurse so proper procedure can be followed.

Vending machines

Food and beverage vending machines are located in the hall outside the cafeteria on the first level.

Parking

Visitors parking lots are located near the main entrance of the medical center. They provide 290 free parking spaces for patients and visitors. Please be sure to lock your car.

Visiting rules

It is suggested to have one person in your family coordinate visits so that everyone does not arrive at the same time. Only two visitors are allowed at your bedside at any time. Patients in semi-private rooms should consider fellow patients when having visitors. The medical center's smoking policy must be obeyed by visitors.

General visiting hours at the medical center are as follows: med/surg units 1 to 8 p.m.; maternity 1 to 8 pm; and medical surgical intensive care unit 10 to 11 am, 1 to 2 pm and 6 to 8 pm.

In the pediatrics unit, one parent or guardian may stay with the child at night. This courtesy must be limited to only one parent or guardian due to space restrictions and to respect the privacy of our other patients. Both parents or guardians may visit from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and sibling visitation is allowed as well as encouraged from 2 to 4 p.m. Remember that children are allowed to visit siblings and other medical center patients only if they are accompanied by a supervising adult.

Special visiting arrangements may be made for families of surgical patients on the day of the operation. Your nurse will discuss these visiting arrangements with you. Visitors should consider all medical center patients when at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Gift shop

The Forget-Me-Not-Gift Shop is located on the second level (off the main lobby) of the medical center. The shop stocks magazines, paperback books, candy, flowers, and a wide assortment of gift items for all ages and occasions. Staffed by volunteers, the gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 am until 7:30 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm. If you need to call the shop, you can dial ext. 7807. Visitors should check with the nursing staff before bringing gifts of food or drink to the patient. No flowers or balloons are allowed in the critical care unit or pediatrics.

Safety

For your safety as well as the safety and well being of the patients you are visiting, please observe these precautions while you are on hospital premises: Use the main entrance when entering or exiting the medical center. Walk--don't run. If confused, ask for assistance; employees and volunteers all wear name badges to help you identify them. Observe parking lot instructions.

When visiting patients in critical care, maternity, pediatrics and one-day surgery, please check with the nursing unit in that area for special precautions and instructions.

Smoking

Geisinger cares about your good health, and because of the known illness and health complications directly related to smoking, smoking is not permitted in the medical center.

Emergency procedures

In the event of a fire or other emergency, remember that the first concern of the staff must be for patients who are unable to help themselves. Visitors should take a moment to familiarize themselves with emergency exits and fire safe stairways. If a fire alarm or drill is in progress, do not use the elevators. Use the nearest stairway marked "Exit." If you are in a patient's room when the alarm sounds, remain in the room, keeping the door closed. Wait for a staff member to evacuate the patient. When the staff member arrives, you will be escorted or directed to a safe area.

Chapel

The chapel is located on the third floor, down the left corridor when you exit the elevator.

Sitting areas

There are specially-designated lounge areas for visitors on each patient floor and on the main floor in the lobby. Specific areas have been designated for families of patients in critical care, surgery and the emergency department. When available, a volunteer is on duty in the surgery waiting area to keep family members informed about the process of surgery.

More

For further information about Geisinger Wyoming Valley and its services, call our public relations department at 570-826-7717.