Patient/Visitor Guide

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Patient and Visitor Guide

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Patient/Visitor Guide

For additional information on such topics as personal belongings, television, lost and found, radios, infant car seats, hospital safety features and other topics, please feel free to review the full Patient Handbook.

Confidentiality
During admission and throughout your hospital stay, you will be asked personal questions to obtain information required by state law for vital records. Be assured that this information is kept in strict confidence. Arrangement for the release of your medical records to insurance carriers or other health care providers can be made by the Medical Records Department.

Room Assignments
It is the policy of Meeker County Memorial Hospital to assign hospital rooms according to patients’ health care needs. Our hospital rooms provide quiet, comfortable, semiprivate and private surroundings.

Spiritual Help
Please inform your nurse if you would like to talk to a minister, priest or a pastoral volunteer. Your nurse will arrange for a clergyperson to call on you.

Grievance Policy
Meeker County Memorial Hospital and its staff are dedicated to providing quality health care and protecting and assuring the rights of all patients. If you or your family have concerns about your stay, we urge you to contact our hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In many cases, we can provide speedy resolutions in writing, if you request. You may also complete a “We Value Your Comments” form available from the nurse or in various areas of the hospital on each floor. If you feel your grievance has not been handled to your satisfaction by this hospital, you may contact:

Minnesota Department of Health
Office of Health Facility Complaints
P.O. Box 64970
St. Paul, MN 55164-0970
Phone: 800-369-7994

Remember, our purpose is to serve you. We ask that you keep us informed of your needs to help us deliver care that is responsive to your needs.

Telephones and Cell Phones
Telephone service is provided in each room at no additional charge. To place a local call, dial “8” and the complete number. To place a long-distance call, dial “8” then “0” and the complete number. Long-distance calls must be billed to your calling card or home phone, or placed collect. The cost of phone calls cannot be added to your bill.

Friends and relatives may call you at (612) 693-3242, and the hospital operator will ring your room. CCU patients: please designate one family member or friend to call the nurses’ station to inquire about your condition.

• Cell Phones
  Please note that cell phone use is not permitted in certain areas of the Hospital building. Cell phones can interfere with the proper operation of some hospital rhythm-monitoring equipment. Cell phone use is permitted in the front lobby, cafeteria, board room, conference room, lounges and Family Room.

Parking
Limited parking is available on the hospital grounds. For this reason, please take note of the following:

• Patient Parking
  Rather than leaving your car parked at the hospital during your stay, we suggest having a family member or friend drive your car home.
• Handicapped Parking
  Handicapped parking is provided at the hospital’s main entrance and the Rehabilitation Services entrance.
  
• Visitor Parking
  Designated spaces only.

Dentures, Lenses and Hearing Aids
The hospital will provide a special container to protect your dentures from loss or damage while they are not being worn. When you remove your eyeglasses, contact lenses or hearing aid, place them in the top drawer of your nightstand.

The hospital takes every precaution to prevent loss or breakage but cannot be responsible for loss or damage to glasses, contacts, dentures or hearing aids not properly protected.

Gift Shop
For your convenience, the Hospital Auxiliary operates a Gift Shop near the elevators on the main floor of the hospital. The Gift Shop offers traditional hospital and seasonal gift items as well as coffee, muffins and rolls. Local florists provide fresh bud vases, small floral arrangements, holiday arrangements and plants in a flower display case located in the front lobby. Admitting staff will assist you in purchasing your selection.

Lounges
Lounges for patients and their families are located by the main enterance of the hospital and by the Emergency Room, in the east wing of the third floor, on the second floor by CCU, next to the Outreach Reception Desk, and also the Family Room on the third floor near the Birthing Suites.

Gifts and Memorials
Gifts and memorials to the hospital are most welcome. Arrangements are handled through the Chief Executive Officer’s office.
Meeker County Memorial Hospital Foundation

Registration Form
Under Construction Online PDF copy of the registration form.

Pain Management at MCMH
At MCMH, we believe that managing your pain is an important part of your care. To help us in this endeavor we have adopted the Pain Care Bill of Rights set by the American Pain Foundation and developed a MCMH Guide to Pain Management .
Meeker County Memorial Hospital Pain Management Brochure (PDF)

Pharmacy Services
During your hospital stay, all necessary medications will be prescribed by your doctor and provided through the pharmacy. Your pharmaceutical needs are carefully evaluated by registered pharmacists. Pharmacists monitor for appropriate drug therapy and drug interactions. The pharmacy staff works to provide your medications in a safe and timely manner. If you brought medications with you, give them to your nurse so that they can be identified and recorded. These medications should then be sent home with a family member or friend.

The hospital supplies the medications that will be used during your hospital stay. We cannot fill prescriptions that will be used following your hospital stay. Please take these prescriptions to your local pharmacy to be filled.

At Meeker County Memorial Hospital, we are dedicated to providing you with quality care and will follow the guidelines in the Pain Care Bill of Rights set by the American Pain Foundation.
American Pain Foundation Pain Bill of Rights

Dietary Services
Meals are served on the following schedule:

• Breakfast 8 a.m.
• Lunch 11:30 a.m.
• Dinner 5 p.m.

You will receive a menu from which you can choose food items that comply to your diet order. Snacks are available upon request at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will comply with your diet.

Coffee, soft drinks and juice are available to you at your request, if your diet allows.

Guest trays are available to family and friends for a small fee. They can be ordered and paid for in the cafeteria. Guest trays should be ordered at least one hour before the meal.

A dietitian will visit with each patient who is instructed to follow a special diet as ordered by their physician. The dietitian will help you understand which foods to choose and how to prepare them at home. You may ask to see the dietitian at anytime during your stay to discuss your meals.

If you are scheduled for X-rays, laboratory tests or treatments, you may be required to choose from a special menu, and your meals may be delayed or omitted. You will be served as soon as test and procedures allow.

Meal trays are available for parents of patients 12 years and younger throughout the child’s hospital stay.

Vending Services
The hospital provides a 24-hour vending service. These services are available to family members and visitors and are located in the vestibule of the cafeteria on the first floor and in the Family Room on the third floor. The vending machines provide change and a wide variety of food, drinks and snacks. Juice and water are available on the second floor in the Outreach lobby.

Your family and guests are invited to make themselves comfortable in the cafeteria. Coffee is 25¢ per cup and is brewed daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lunch is served from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cafeteria Hours and Services (Grapevine Café)
Serving lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Latex-free Policy Applying to Balloons
For the protection and safety of our patients, MCMH is latex free. If you choose to bring a gift of balloons, Mylar balloons are preferred.

Interpreter Services/TDD
Persons needing interpreter services may request this from our staff. We can provide hearing and language interpretive services.