Barge Memorial Hospital Information

Pharmacy

Barge Hospital is equipped with a full-service pharmacy. However, due to the large volume of insurance plans, we cannot give pharmacy-plan discounts. A number of over-the-counter medicines are also available. These are located in the lobby cabinet or you may check with the pharmacist. Pharmacy hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Medication charges can be applied to the student's account.

Other pharmacies located in the area include the following: Bi-Lo, CVS, Eckerd, Walgreens, Publix, and Wal-Mart.

Lab

The laboratory, located on the ground floor, provides services Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Before going to the lab, students must check in at the front desk in the lobby. Many lab tests ordered by the doctor can be drawn and processed here. Tests that are not performed at Barge may be drawn here and sent to an outside lab. Because the last specimen pickup of the day is at 3 p.m., if the specimen has to be sent out, please come in by 2:30 p.m. to allow time for it to be ready for pickup. Some specimens cannot be held over to the next day before testing. Fees can be charged to the student's account.

X-ray

Barge x-ray department, located on the first floor, offers services for routine diagnostic x-rays ordered by your physician. Services are provided Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. For non-urgent x-rays (such as x-rays for physicals, follow-up on injuries or chronic conditions), please come to Barge in the morning between 8 a.m. and 12:00 noon. For urgent x-rays (such as injuries or other acute problems) patients can come at any time the x-ray department is open. Fees can be charged to the student's account.

Outpatient Department

Residence Hall Students - Regular hours to be seen by the outpatient nurse are 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For urgent matters, an outpatient nurse is available for RH students 24 hours/day. A $15 fee is charged for coming in after regular hours.

Physical Therapy

Barge Hospital has outpatient physical therapy services available on site through Accelerated Physical Therapy. These services are by appointment only and require a physician's order. Appointments are scheduled through the offices of Accelerated Physical Therapy at 864.233.4477.

Student FAQs

Why can't I just stay in my room when I'm sick?
How much does it cost to see the outpatient nurse?
Why do I need to come to the hospital dressed for class?
Do I have to stay overnight?
Do I have to stay 24 hours?
Who can have a Short Stay admission?
What do I do about missing classes and work?
Does everyone have to have blood work?
What do I need to bring when I come to Barge?
Does Barge have intranet-internet access available for infirmary patients?
Can I have visitors when I am in Barge?
Will I see a doctor while I am in Barge?
How much does it cost to stay in Barge Hospital?
Do you file with my insurance company?
What do I need to know about taking a Day of Rest?

Why can't I just stay in my room when I'm sick?
University policy states that if you are too sick to go to class, you are too sick to stay in the residence hall. If you feel that you are too sick to go to class, you are expected to go to Barge Hospital outpatient department to be evaluated by a nurse. The nurse will ask you questions regarding your illness, evaluate you, and determine a plan of care. She may give basic advice based on our physicians' standing orders, she may make an appointment for you to see one of our doctors, or she may admit you to the infirmary. With so many students living in tight space, we encourage you to come to Barge instead of exposing others to your illness unnecessarily. Top

How much does it cost to see the outpatient nurse?
There is no charge to see the outpatient nurse between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. A nurse is available for outpatients 24 hours/day, but there is a $15 fee to see her during off hours. Top

Why do I need to come to the hospital dressed for class?
It is best for you to wear school attire when you come to Barge for several reasons. Except for an emergency, patients are usually seen on a first come, first served basis. This may require a wait in the hall before you are seen. The hospital outpatient department on first floor is a public place and proper dress is expected. Another reason for you to wear school attire is that not all patients who are seen in the outpatient area are admitted. If you are seen, but not admitted, you will be given 10 minutes from the time you leave Barge until you are expected to be in class. This does not allow time for you to return to your residence hall to get ready for class. Finally, if the nurse determines that you need to go to University Medical Associates to see a doctor, you are expected to be dressed appropriately. Under no circumstances should you arrive at Barge in your pajamas. Top

Do I have to stay overnight?
Most admissions are overnight. If you are seen in the outpatient department with any illness that is considered contagious, you will be required to stay overnight. If you have a fever upon admission or develop one during your stay, you will be expected to stay until your temperature is under 100° for 24 hours. You will not be allowed to go to work either on campus or off campus during your stay. As you begin to feel better, you may be allowed to sign out of the hospital in order to go to a class. Top

Do I have to stay 24 hours?
You are required to stay overnight for most admissions, but not necessarily 24 hours. After staying overnight, if you and the medical staff consider your condition to have improved enough that you can resume regular activity, you may be released from the infirmary the following morning before or after breakfast. Top

Who can have a Short Stay admission?
On occasion, the outpatient nurse will admit a patient on a "Short Stay" (not overnight) basis. The doctors have given specific diagnoses that fit under this category, such as simple headaches, dysmenorrhea, injuries, or other non-contagious medical conditions. It is the outpatient nurse's decision, based on the patient's condition, hospital policy and doctor's orders, as to whether a patient will be admitted short stay or overnight. Patients who are admitted short stay will be required to stay three hours, but may stay longer if deemed necessary by the patient and/or the nurse. Top

What do I do about missing classes and work?
It is your responsibility to contact your work supervisor if you are unable to work. You will be excused from classes from the time you check in at the receptionist's desk until you check out, with a cushion of time allowed for you to get back and forth. The hospital has computer availability for you to email your teachers as needed regarding assignments missed, especially if your stay at Barge is extended. Top

Does everyone have to have blood work?
Not everyone admitted as an infirmary patient has to have blood work. Depending on your symptoms, our doctors may order blood work as a part of your admission orders. Top

What do I need to bring when I come to Barge?
You should bring basic toiletries, comfortable clothing/pajamas, and your medications. It is necessary for the medical staff to see what medications you are on or have taken before coming to Barge. If you have run out of medication or used someone else's, please know the names of anything you have taken. You may bring books to study as you are beginning to feel better. The hospital is equipped with wireless internet access. Top

Does Barge have intranet/internet access available for infirmary patients?
Computers are available on each floor for students to access the intranet and email. The hospital is also equipped with wireless internet service for use by students who bring their own laptop computers. Top

Can I have visitors when I am in Barge?
Visiting hours for overnight infirmary patients are from 11 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Only visitors of the same gender may visit on the patient floors. If you have a visitor of the opposite gender, you may visit on the first floor in the lobby during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You must be fully dressed in school attire. Visits on the patient floor or in the lobby should be limited to 10-15 minutes. Visits may be restricted by nursing staff as necessary for your health and safety as well as your visitors'. If you are admitted for Day of Rest or Short Stay, you may not have visitors. Top

Will I see a doctor while I am in Barge?
South Carolina State Law requires that any person in a "hospital/infirmary" longer than 24 hours be seen by a physician. Physicians from University Medical Associates may see you in the morning during your stay, or you may be sent to their offices if necessary. Charges to be seen by a doctor will be billed to your school account. If you stay overnight and feel well enough to return to your normal routine before 24 hours, you are not required to see a doctor. If you or your parents want you to be seen by a doctor, the nursing staff can make an appointment at University Medical Associates for you. If you have your own doctor in town, you may make an appointment to see him/her. Top

How much does it cost to stay in Barge Hospital?
Students who come to Barge are classified as either infirmary or hospital patients. An infirmary patient is one who has a minor illness or injury not requiring hospitalization. He would be staying home from school if he were still at home and would not require inpatient care. An infirmary patient at Barge is not charged for room and board in the hospital, but is charged for medicine, supplies, lab tests, and doctor's visits if needed. These charges are billed to his school account. If a student is admitted to Barge as a hospital patient with a more serious illness, a doctor's order is required, just as it would be at any other hospital, and a daily room charge would apply. Top

Do you file with my insurance company?
If you are in Barge as an infirmary patient, most insurance companies view you as receiving outpatient care and would cover accordingly. Infirmary patients are charged only for items they receive as outpatients, and there is no charge for room and board. If you are admitted as a hospital patient, most insurance companies will cover those charges under a basic hospitalization plan. All charges are placed on your school bill and the necessary paperwork is sent to your home address for your parents to file with their insurance company. Top

What do I need to know about taking a Day of Rest?

  1. Day of rest admissions are for those residence hall students who are tired, not ill. It is a time to "recharge your batteries" physically, emotionally, spiritually, or academically. You are allowed one day of rest per semester.
  2. You do not have to stay 24 hours; however, you must stay overnight WITHOUT exception. You may discharge as early as 6 a.m. the following morning. You may not stay longer than 24 hours for a day of rest.
  3. You must receive permission from the Dean of Women or Dean of Men's office before coming to Barge for a day of rest. You will be required to sign a form stating that you have no tests, speeches or major projects due and that you have arranged a sub for any work you will be missing the day you will be at Barge. Please bring that form with you.
  4. You must rest exclusively for the first four hours. After that time, you may read or study quietly. You will not be allowed to receive any telephone calls through the hospital switchboard during your stay at Barge, except for parents. If you need to make a call, brief calls can be made after the initial four hours.
  5. You may NOT have visitors or visit from room to room.
  6. You should bring anything you are going to need when you check in. You will not be allowed to return to the residence hall or leave the hospital for any purpose.
  7. You may not go to work either on or off campus.
  8. You will be required to have routine lab work done. This is ordered by the physicians and is not optional or negotiable. Top