Akureyri Hospital
At the hospital as a patient
When a person is hospitalized, it depends on the circumstances of each individual. One can be admitted at:
Ambulatory ward: a person has a booked appointment, but does not stay overnight.
Day ward: patients who are admitted electively during the course of a day for treatment or care, which will not require an overnight stay in hospital and return home as scheduled. This may include treatments such as minor surgery, dialysis or chemotherapy.
Inpatient ward: treatment requires overnight stays in hospital or more for research, medical treatment or surgery.
From admission to discharge
We ask patients when admitted to the Akureyri Hospital, to bring the following:
medicines used by the person, medicine card or summary of medicines from medicine dispensing
cosmetics: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and razor
good slippers that support your feet well
nightgown. However, you can borrow a gown from the hospital
assistive devices such as hearing aids or glasses
mobility devices such as a cane, walker or wheelchair
money or credit card, for example for a phone card or to use in a vending machine
light clothing that is comfortable to wear
It is good to bring food or drinks to eat between meals.
Patients can bring their own cell phones and laptops.
Patients' personal belongings stored in the hospital are on their owners risk. It is advised to have your valuables stored in a locked cabinet in the guard room.
Please leave valuables such as money and jewellery at home as much as possible.
Internal medicine ward, general surgery ward and psychiatric ward from 16-17 and 19-20
Paediatric ward: Other than parents or guardians from 14-20
Intensive care unit only by appointment
Kristnes hospital from 16-18
Maternity ward: Visits are not allowed except in exceptional cases
Two visitors are allowed per visiting time, except in exceptional cases and in consultation with departmental staff.
Visitors with symptoms of respiratory infections are not allowed to visit.
This week's menu (Icelandic only)
It is important for patients to eat well. The body needs energy to recover and the kitchen staff at SAk do their best to make that happen. Most patients should be able to get food to their liking.
When creating menus, attention is paid to the interplay of nutrition, taste, appearance, quality and cost.
All menus are nutritionally calculated.
No food is used in the kitchen unless its content and nutritional value are known.
When creating menus, holidays are taken into account.
Care must be taken to ensure that the right type of diet is selected for patients with regard to special needs, e.g. due to disease, allergies and the like, and the portion size must be determined based on the individual's energy needs and ability to eat. Standard portion sizes are 1500 kcal/day, (small portion) 2000 kcal (medium portion) and 2700 kcal (large portion)
In the hospital there are 5 meals a day and portions are served in the kitchen for breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to selected dose and individual choice.
You can choose a different texture for all food types.
There are two main types of food available: Hospital food and Health food.
Hospital food
Intended for those hospital patients who are at risk of malnutrition, have no appetite, have difficulty feeding and for some reason need a diet higher in energy and protein than the general recommendations for wellness suggest. The diet is suitable for most patients in medicine, surgery and geriatric departments.
Health food
Focused on the hospital's patients from the age of 1, who do not have special needs regarding the composition of the diet, due to illness or other reasons, are at low risk of malnutrition, have a good appetite and the ability to eat. The diet is suitable for most patients in the psychiatric ward, maternity ward and in rehabilitation.
There is no special diet for diabetics, but the combination of Hospital diet and Health diet is suitable for diabetics with individual choice. Carbohydrate levels are kept within certain limits in all meals, but vary according to individual preferences.
Unsweetened coffee bread and unsweetened desserts are available for those who need or want it.
Individuals covered by Icelandic health insurance may be entitled to accommodation services if they need to stay away from home for medical examinations or treatment. Accommodation services include full-board accommodation. Iceland Health covers up to 21 days of accommodation. If the stay exceeds 21 days, an exemption must be applied for. Accommodation providers do not offer nursing care.
Regulation on stays at a hospital hotel: Regulation No. 429/2019 on stays at a hospital hotel
Who is entitled to the service?
Anyone covered by Icelandic health insurance who needs to stay away from home to access healthcare services in Reykjavík or Akureyri:
In connection with a hospital admission
To receive services at hospital day units or outpatient clinics
To receive services at healthcare professionals’ practices, such as cataract surgery or other treatments or examinations unavailable in the person’s local area
Expectant mothers who need to stay temporarily near a hospital
How do I apply for accommodation?
Accommodation may be booked with contracted providers for the period specified in the request, subject to availability.
Following the booking, a doctor, nurse or midwife must complete an accommodation request/referral.
The accommodation provider may request credit card details to secure payment if a cancellation is not made within the specified notice period.
The request may either be submitted at check-in or sent electronically by the healthcare professional making the request.
Where can I book accommodation, and which providers have a contract?
Akureyri:
Hotel Akureyri, Hafnarstræti 67, 600 Akureyri. Telephone: 462 5600
How much do I pay for the service?
The individual contribution is determined in accordance with Regulation No. 429/2019.
Individuals covered by Icelandic health insurance who stay at a hospital hotel pay the following fee:
Guests aged 18 and over pay ISK 1,956 per day.
Persons accompanying an insured guest pay the following fees:
An accompanying person pays ISK 1,956 per day for accommodation when staying in the same room as the insured guest. If the accompanying person purchases meals at the hospital hotel, they are charged according to the hotel’s price list.
If one or more accompanying persons stay in a separate room from the insured guest, or stay one or more additional nights without the insured guest, the charge is ISK 9,509 per room per day. Any meals purchased at the hospital hotel are charged according to the hotel’s price list
What if I need assistance with activities of daily living?
Accommodation providers do not offer nursing care. Guests must be able to get out of bed independently and manage all activities of daily living without assistance. Guests with reduced mobility or who use a wheelchair are advised to check each provider’s facilities in advance, including accessibility for disabled guests and facilities for an accompanying person or family member.
Can someone accompany me?
Yes. Please see the information above.
At the Akureyri Hospital, we strive to provide all patients and their families with the best facilities possible at all times.
Radio, TV and computers
There is radio by every bed and televisions are either by every bed or shared in every hospital room. There are televisions in the day room of each department. You can also bring computers if people want. In most departments, there is access to a computer connected to the Internet for patients and it is possible to connect to a wireless network.
Interpreting services
If you need an interpreter, please contact your nurse or doctor.
Social counselling
A social worker is employed every weekday in all departments of the hospital. You can request the services of a social worker directly or through the nurses and doctors on duty. The aim of the hospital's social work service is to provide support to patients and their families in personal matters so that they can deal with daily life more easily, often based on changed assumptions, for example regarding
social rights and services, social security and finances
emotional well-being and experiences of changes caused by diseases and traumas
Private interviews as well as interviews with the patient's relatives, couples and family interviews are offered.