Services
Flowers and Mail
- Deliveries - Flowers and mail are delivered to patients staying in the hospital.
- Restrictions - Latex balloons are not permitted and certain patients cannot be exposed to live flowers and plants. If you have questions, please check with Guest Services at (701) 234-5524.
- Outgoing mail - If you need to send mail, a nurse can assist you.
- After you leave - If flowers arrive after your discharge, the florist will be notified so that delivery arrangements can be made with the sender. Any mail received after you leave will be sent to your home.
E-Mail
Patients may receive e-mail. E-mail messages are printed and delivered to the patient's room.
CaringBridge
- CaringBridge is a free Internet service allowing hospital patients and their families to communicate with others through personal Web pages. The pages can be customized so family members can post information about the patient, and others can respond with messages to the patient and family.
- Digital cameras can be borrowed from Guest Services to take photos for your CaringBridge page.
- Set up your own CaringBridge site, or contact Guest Services at (701) 234-5524 for assistance.
Hair Care
Hair care by a stylist or barber is encouraged during your hospital stay. Arrangements should be made in advance through your nurse, or by contacting Guest Services at (701) 234-5524.
Healing Garden
Located outside the main entrance, the Healing Garden is filled with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers. It is designed for meditative strolls, peaceful reflection and includes semi-private areas for individuals and gathering spaces for groups.
guestconnect
MeritCare's guestconnect is a free wireless Internet service that is open to visitors and patients.
Voting
To vote in an election while you are hospitalized, contact City Hall where you reside, or your Secretary of State's office, well in advance of your stay, for information about applying for and completing an absentee ballot.
Patient Surveys
In order to improve our care and services, MeritCare gathers information from patients and families about their hospital experience using random patient surveys. If you receive a survey, please complete it and return it to us.
Medical Social Services
Medical social workers are available 24 hours daily to assist with concerns that accompany medical problems. They have expertise in resource information, discharge planning and financial programs.
Interpreters
Professional interpreters can be arranged by any member of your health care team. Please request an interpreter when you are making your appointment. Interpreter services are free and at no cost.
Limited English
The over-the-phone Language Line is available 24 hours at every MeritCare site. Professionally trained interpreters offer over 170 languages.
Face-to-face interpreters are available by pre-arranged appointments in the Fargo-Moorhead area in 12 languages.
Translation of medical documents and other materials is available.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
American Sign Language interpreters are available throughout MeritCare's local and regional sites by pre-arranged appointments and also upon urgent requests.
The TTY number for MeritCare is (701) 234-6655.
Housekeepers
Rooms are cleaned daily by housekeeping staff. Tell your nurse if there is a housekeeping need in your room, and it will be handled as soon as possible.
Volunteers
Volunteers, wearing burgundy-colored vests, assist staff throughout the hospital.
Other Staff
During a hospital stay, patients may be visited by other health care professionals, including lab or radiology staff members. Other behind-the-scenes staff, including engineers, clerical and food services workers, contribute to patients' well-being.
House Administrators
House Administrators are nurses who support patients and staff during evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, representing MeritCare administration. They assist in problem solving, coordinating care and listening to concerns. To request a visit from a House Administrator, dial the Operator (0).
Hospital Ethics Committee
The Hospital Ethics Committee is a resource for you, and your family, if issues of medical ethics occur, such as initiating or withdrawing life support systems or the possibility of organ donation.