Your Stay with Us
A day in the hospital starts early. This is because many examinations take time, and providing care across all wards often takes up the entire morning. Your body may need some time to adjust to the different daily rhythm of hospital life. The lack of physical activity and nighttime worries about your health can also lead to sleep problems.
Donât hesitate to mention any physical or emotional concerns during your daily medical rounds.
To ensure you are well informed during your stay at University Hospital Graz, patient information brochures are available in every room and at the InfoCenter in the Entrance Center. These 40-page brochures provide everything you need to knowâfrom A to Zâincluding key details about admission, your stay, and discharge.
Find out more in our information guide for patients and visitors!
At least once a day, your attending physician will visit you together with nursing staff to review test results and assess the progress of your treatment. The timing and structure of rounds may vary from ward to ward. The nursing staff will inform you about the procedure on your specific ward.
As a university hospital, medical rounds at University Hospital Graz also include physicians in training. Bedside teaching is an essential part of medical educationâand high-quality training ultimately benefits all patients.
If you do not wish to participate in these teaching rounds, please inform your attending physician or the nursing staff.
Our nursing staff is committed to providing you with the best possible, individualized careâtaking your personal needs and habits into account. At University Hospital Graz, the primary nursing model is currently used in two departments: the Department of Neurology and the Department of Dermatology and Venereology. From admission to discharge, a designated registered nurse will be your main point of contact, both for you and your relatives. This approach builds trust, provides a sense of security, and ensures continuity of care.
Throughout your hospital stay, physicians and nursing staff will need to ask you many questions and rely on your cooperation. Your accurate responses are essential, as they form a valuable basis for diagnosis and treatment.
In some cases, several examinations are required before treatment can begin. For certain tests, you may need to fast or expect waiting times. Once your attending physician has received the necessary results, your treatment can proceed.
Please understand that delays may occur in the process.
Please inform your attending ward physician about any medications you are currently taking. Do not use any medications or remedies you have brought with you without prior medical approval. Your physician will prescribe the medications required for your treatment, which will then be provided to you on a daily basis.
There are many possible causes for falls in a hospital setting. Here are some tips to help you avoid them.
As a patient or visitor, you are in an unfamiliar environment. Your risk of falling may be increased due to illness, recent surgery, medication, or limited mobility.
For elderly or unwell individuals, a fall can pose a serious health risk. The consequences of a fallâas well as the fear of fallingâcan reduce independence and overall quality of life.
Thatâs why we work with you to assess your individual fall risk and, if necessary, implement safety measures to help prevent accidents.
Meals at the University Hospital Graz are prepared using the latest large-scale kitchen methods and follow the Cook & Chill process. This ensures better preservation of nutrients and food quality. Approximately 30% of the ingredients used come from regional farms, and 10% are organically produced.
The hospital kitchen prepares a weekly menu from which you can choose between three meal options each day.
Breakfast is served between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m, Lunch between 11:00 and 12:30 p.m and Dinner between 4:15 and 5:00 p.m.
Please note that meal times may vary slightly depending on the ward for organizational reasons. If you are away for an examination during mealtime, your food will of course be brought to you later.
If you have questions about your medical condition or recommended treatments, please speak openly with your attending physician. They are required to inform you about your diagnosis and therapy options.
All staff members are bound by confidentiality and may not share any personal information with third partiesâexcept in specific cases required by law. This confidentiality can only be waived with your explicit consent.
Medical information by phone will only be provided if the caller can give a password that you have previously agreed upon. This password is documented in your medical record.
For general inquiries about your presence in the hospital, a patient information system is in place. This means your name will appear on the porterâs list.
If you do not wish for your presence to be disclosed to third parties, please inform the admissions staff during your check-in.
Visiting hours vary between hospital departments. Please ask the staff on your ward for specific information. Even during visiting hours, your visitors may be asked to briefly leave the room if nursing or medical procedures are required. We kindly ask for your understanding. For hygiene reasons, visitors are not permitted to sit on patients' beds. Visits should never become a burden. If you feel tired or overwhelmed, please donât hesitate to let your visitors know. Your well-being comes first.
Please show the same consideration to your roommates that you would expect for yourself. If personal habits or health-related conditions of fellow patients cause you discomfort or concern, donât hesitate to speak confidentially with the nursing staff or medical team.
Weâre happy for you if youâre feeling well enough to leave your hospital bed. If permitted, you are welcome to use the common areas as well as the hospitalâs park grounds for rest and relaxation. The University Hospital Graz is located on a campus of approximately 60 hectares, with about half of the area consisting of green spaces and woodlandâideal for fresh air and light exercise. Benches are available throughout the hospital grounds for sitting and resting. Children can enjoy a dedicated childrenâs library and a playground next to the BĂ€renburg Child Safety House. Please note: The main entrances to the clinics close at 8:00 p.m. in winter and at 10:00 p.m. in summer.
Food should be enjoyableâand it plays an important role in your recovery. Choosing, calculating, and preparing the right foods can help speed up the healing process. If your attending physician prescribes a special diet, it will be coordinated with the Clinical Nutrition Service. The meals will be prepared accordingly by the hospital kitchen. Please follow the dietary instructions carefully, as they are an essential part of your treatment. In some cases, depending on your condition or to prevent relapse, it may be necessary to continue a specific diet at home. Upon request, you and your family members can receive individual counseling and guidance. The Clinical Nutrition Service team is available to support you with all nutrition-related questionsâespecially regarding allergenic ingredients.
At University Hospital Graz, qualified social workers are available to support you during your hospital stay. Upon request, they can provide guidance on a wide range of social issues. If needed, they will work with you and your family to organize and coordinate your continued care after discharge. Please inform your medical team or the nursing staff if you would like to speak with the Social Services team.
By being admitted to our hospital, you entrust us with your personal data. This information is used exclusively to ensure the safety of your medical treatment and to manage the financial aspects of your stay. Your data will not be shared with third parties.
Please do not leave the hospital grounds. For insurance reasons, we cannot assume liability outside the premises. If you wish to leave the hospital grounds for an extended period, this is only permitted with prior medical approval. In all cases, please inform the nursing staff before leaving your ward.
Our hospitalâs organization and treatment processes are designed to meet your medical and nursing needs. However, due to established procedures and regulations, it may not always be possible to meet every personal request immediately. If you were satisfied with your stay, we are pleasedâbecause we believe that a positive environment plays an important role in your recovery. If you feel there is reason for criticismâregarding certain situations or individualsâplease address it directly and without delay. If you believe your patient rights have not been respected, we encourage you to speak with the medical or nursing management of your ward. You may also contact the hospital administration or the Patient Advocacy Office of the Province of Styria. Alternatively, you can submit feedback directly using our online contact form.
Award-Winning Hygiene Standards at the University Hospital
Proper hand hygiene adapted to each situation is proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent infections.
Since 2013, the University Hospital Graz has participated in the âClean Hands Campaignâ (Aktion Saubere HĂ€nde) in cooperation with the Health Fund of Styria. The goal of the campaign is to improve hand disinfection compliance among medical staff.
In 2020, we were awarded the Gold Certificate by the Clean Hands Campaign, recognizing our commitment to the highest standards in hand hygiene and infection prevention. As part of this initiative, infection control specialists regularly conduct compliance monitoring throughout the hospital. These observations are evaluated, and targeted training measures are implemented as needed.
Smoke-Free Hospital
The management of the University Hospital Graz takes its role as a health-promoting institution seriouslyâespecially when it comes to protecting non-smokers. As a key step in this effort, the entire hospital campusâincluding all buildings, balconies, terraces, and transport vehiclesâis designated a smoke-free zone.
Smoking and the use of tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) are strictly permitted only in designated outdoor smoking areas, as defined in the hospitalâs official regulations. These areas are marked as green dots on the Smoking Zone Map, which is available to patients and visitors.
But our efforts donât stop at setting restrictionsâwe also offer support for tobacco cessation. Below, youâll find helpful resources and contact information available to both patients and visitors:
Tobacco Cessation for Patients
Available Monday to Thursday by appointment
+43 316 385-12253
Smoke-Free Hotline
+43 800 810013
www.rauchfrei.at
Quit Smoking Support
www.gesundheitskasse.at
VIVID â Addiction Prevention
www.vivid.at
Austrian Network of Health Promoting Hospitals and Healthcare Institutions
www.ongkg.at