Hospital Stay Information
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A Healing Environment
Your Surroundings
MeritCare seeks to provide patients with warm, welcoming surroundings that promote and support the needs of the whole person - body, mind and spirit. This concept will eventually extend to all MeritCare locations.
- Healing Garden – The outdoor Healing Garden provides a place to refresh and find peace. Located west of the main entrance the garden will be completed in phases over time and will be filled with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers.
- Artwork - We're connecting the science of medicine with the healing powers of art. Original paintings and photographs by local artists grace the walls, a sculpture welcomes patients and visitors to the main entrance and murals accompany you as you walk in the lower-level tunnel. The collection reflects the professional attributes of the hospital and includes a variety of media, including sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, ceramics, glass and high-quality art posters.
- Music - A grand piano in the main lobby provides music performed by local musicians for the enjoyment of patients, visitors and staff.
Our Commitment to Service Excellence
Another factor in creating a healing environment is our commitment to providing you with excellent service. Our goal is to provide a caring, compassionate place, in which we create a partnership with patients in health and healing. We do this by:
Welcoming You
- Greeting you with a smile.
- Stating our name and title, using your name when possible.
- Meeting your needs promptly, or finding someone who can.
- Addressing problems and inconveniences.
- Offering to help you or walking you to your destination.
Communicating With You
- Keeping you and your family (if desired), informed in a timely manner.
- Taking time to listen, giving you our full attention, being courteous and considerate.
- Making explanations brief and easy to understand.
- Making sure you have the information that you need.
- Explaining what we are doing and why we are doing it.
- Discussing confidential matters with you privately.
Providing Comfort
- Responding quickly to your report of pain and working with you to develop a plan for pain relief.
- Protecting your privacy and dignity by knocking before entering a room.
- Providing a robe or cover.
- Responding quickly, explaining delays.
- Closing doors and curtains during interviews and examinations.
- Keeping your surroundings as pleasant as possible, keeping noise at a minimum.
Respecting You
- Including you and your family (if desired) in our conversations.
- Being attentive, genuine, and positive.
- Involving you in decisions that concern your care.
- Patient bill of rights