While at the Hospital

Hospitalist Program:

If you have been admitted to Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) recently, you probably noticed a big change in your medical care. You likely were seen by a Hospitalist, instead of your primary care physician as he or she made their rounds in the early morning or evening. A Hospitalist is a doctor whose focus is caring for hospitalized patients. More

Comfort Rounds:

One of your nursing staff will visit your room every hour to check on your pain, position, possessions and personal needs. More

Surgical Family Waiting Room:

There is a quiet waiting area on the first floor reserved for the families of surgical patients. Arrangements can be made with the switchboard to advise the family as soon as a report from the recovery room is available.

Lounges:

In addition to the spacious lobby waiting area, there are areas on all levels where visitors may wait or where patients may visit with guests.

Receiving Visitors

We recognize the importance of having family and friends visit, however, guidelines (such as two visitors at a time) are suggested in order for you and other patients to receive the necessary rest and care important for recovery. General visiting hours are posted at the front entrance and special visiting hours for the Intensive Care Unit and Women and Infants Health Care Unit are posted in those areas. Children under 12 years of age may visit at the discretion of the nurse responsible for your care or the nursing supervisor. Children must always be under adult supervision and may be asked to leave if they become unruly or disruptive to patient care or if they are deemed infectious.

• Medical Surgical Unit visiting hours are from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Intensive Care Unit visiting hours may be restricted to five minutes per hour.

• Women and Infants Health Care Unit visiting hours are from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Pastoral Care

Chaplains are available upon request. If you would like a visit from your own pastor or chaplain, arrangements can be made by notifying a staff member.

Mail & Flowers

Incoming mail and flowers are received at the front desk and delivered to patient rooms via our volunteer organization. Postal stamps may be purchased at the front desk and outgoing mail may be given to a member of the nursing staff or unit secretary.

Your Hospital Room

• Bed: Each bed is equipped with a bedside call system which enables you to signal the nursing staff whenever you need special assistance. Your nurse will explain how to use the call system. A member of the nursing staff will respond to your signal as quickly as possible.

• Telephone: Each room is equipped with a telephone with both a direct phone number and an extension posted. Family members and friends are encouraged to call the direct phone number to your room.

• Television: A television is provided for patient viewing during their stay at no cost to the patient. Smoking: In accordance with Maine state law, smoking is not permitted in the hospital.

• Electrical Equipment: The use of personal electrical equipment such as radios, electric shavers, etc. is not permitted. An exception may be made for use of electrical medical equipment following inspection by appropriate hospital staff.

Meals

Proper nutrition is an essential part of your medical treatment. Your physician may prescribe certain dietary requirements or limitations. A member of the Nutrition Services staff will call on you regularly to help you with proper meal selection and to answer any questions you may have regarding food services. Breakfast is served at 8 a.m.; lunch at 12 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.

If family members and visitors wish to eat at the hospital, they are invited to visit the BEST Café located on the basement level of the hospital. The café hours are from 6 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. daily for sandwiches, snacks and beverages. Hot meals are available from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Visitors are asked to refrain from bringing food and drink for patients unless they check first with the nurse.

Vending machines are available for visitor use any time and are located on the first floor in the Emergency Department waiting room.

Newspapers

You may arrange for delivery of the local newspapers to your room through the unit secretary. Payment for newspapers should be made at the time of delivery.

Gift Shop

The Hospital Gift Shop is located in the lobby and offers baby items, cards, stuffed animals, snacks and many gift items for that special patient or friend at reasonable prices. The shop is not-for-profit and all monies earned are donated to the hospital.

Gift shop hours are: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Patient Relations

The goal of the staff at Waldo County General Hospital is to provide you and your family with the BEST possible care. If you have any suggestions, questions or concerns, please contact the specific department concerned or administration and let us know how we may better serve you. Administration can be contacted Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. by calling 338-9302.

To give you an opportunity to evaluate your care and to give us an opportunity to improve patient care, Waldo County General Hospital participates in a written Patient Perception of Care Survey. If you receive a survey in the mail, the staff at Waldo County General Hospital would appreciate it if you and your family complete the survey and return it in the envelope provided. All of your responses are confidential. Your suggestions may help us better serve you, your family and the community in the future.