Patient Accommodations
|
|
|
"They want
you to be as comfortable as you can be, so even the
TV and phone are free."
- John
Lima Jr.,
orthopedic patient
|
|
Important Phone Numbers
Your Room
 Upon
admission, you will be assigned to a room designed for two people.
All rooms are kept at a temperature best suited for your comfort.
All rooms are either centrally air-conditioned or have window
air-conditioning. If you have a window air-conditioning unit and
you would like to change the temperature, please tell your nurse.
All beds at The Miriam are electrically operated. A member of
the nursing staff will instruct you in the proper operation of
your bed. If safety sides are placed on your bed, they are there
for your protection. For your safety, do not try to adjust them.
Ask a member of the nursing staff to have them lowered or raised.
You will find a signal cord at the head of your bed. If you press
the button on the cord, a light will notify the nurse that you
need assistance.
If you share a room with another patient, please be mindful of
your roommate's medical condition, rest and active periods
and need for privacy. We will do our best to communicate
that the same will be expected of them.
Private Rooms
The Miriam Hospital has a limited number of private patient rooms.
If you would like a private room, a special request must be made
in advance of admission. We can't guarantee
that a private room will be available. Most health care plans do
not cover the added cost of a private room. This places the responsibility
of paying for a private room on you and/or your family. We recommend
that you check with your health care plan regarding your coverage
before making a request.
(More services)
Valuables
Please do not bring valuables or large sums of money with you
to the hospital. You may want to keep a few dollars with you for
newspapers or personal items from the gift shop. The hospital
is not be responsible for any money or valuables brought to the
hospital. If you feel you must bring these items, they should
be deposited in the hospital safe at the cashier's office between
8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Cellular phones cannot be stored in the
cashier's office.
If you wear eyeglasses, contact lenses or dentures, please keep
them in a safe place. These items are often lost or left on
food trays, which are taken out of the rooms after each meal.
(More services)
Meal Services
As caregivers at one of the nation's top cardiac hospitals, we
believe that everyone should follow a heart healthy, nutritious
diet. The Miriam's registered dietitians have designed our menu
and prepared our entrees to meet the American Heart Association's
recommendations for a low fat, low cholesterol diet.
While a heart healthy diet offers a variety of choices, the hospital
meals may not be as rich or as highly seasoned as you prefer.
For example, our entrees containing red meat are prepared with
leaner cuts of meat and most meals contain a very small amount
of salt.
Our registered dietitians work closely with the medical staff
to see that the special requirements of each patient's diet are
met. The menu items you choose and quantity you select may need
to be changed depending on the diet ordered by your physician.
If you have any questions, please call a registered dietitian
at 401-793-2600 (internally dial ext. 3-2600).
Ordering Meals
You will receive a menu or a phone call from a nutrition clerk
within 24 hours of admission for the same day's meals. You may
make any selections from the menu the day before the meals are
served.
To ensure that you receive your choices, please fill out your
selection from the same day's menu soon after it is given to you
so it can be picked up by nutrition services and processed. If
you need help, call a nutrition clerk at 401-793-2600 (internally
dial ext. 3-2600). Please remember that your doctor determines
the type of diet you need. If your breakfast or lunch has been
held because of x-rays or tests, a light meal will be served as
soon as you may eat.
Meal Service Schedule
- Breakfast 8-8:45 a.m.
- Lunch 12-12:45 p.m.
- Dinner 4:45-5:30 p.m.
Kosher Meals
Freshly prepared kosher meals are delivered daily by local caterers
under the careful supervision of the Vaad Hakashruth of Rhode
Island. If your preference is for "Glatt" meals, these
can be made available. Please notify a dietitian of your concerns
by calling 401-793-2600 (internally dial ext. 3-2600).
Hostess Cart
A hostess cart will be taken to your room shortly after each
meal for extra items you may desire, such as a cup of tea
or coffee or a condiment. For breakfast, the hostess cart offers
patients an assortment of muffins and cereals. For lunch and dinner,
the hostess cart includes cheese and crackers, cookies, fruit
and ice cream.
Approximate times the hostess cart makes rounds are:
- Breakfast 8:15-9 a.m.
- Lunch 12:15-1 p.m.
- Dinner 5-5:45 p.m.
(More services)
Medications
All medications taken while you are in the hospital are supplied by
the pharmacy and administered by a registered nurse. You will receive
only those medications ordered by your doctor. Please do not bring
medications with you to the hospital.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking—prescriptions
and over-the-counter medicines—as well as dietary supplements
such as herbs and vitamins. Bring a list of your current medicines,
including dosages, with you.
Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies you have and
reactions from medicines you have previously experienced.
(More services)
Televisions and Radios
Television sets equipped with pillow speakers and FM radios are
available to all patients at The Miriam Hospital, free of charge.
If you have a problem with your television or radio service, please
call 401-793-7000 (internally dial ext. 3-7000). Use of
transistor radios with an earphone attachment is also permitted
within the hospital. In consideration of other patients, however,
we request that televisions and radios be played at low volume.
(More services)
Telephones
You may use the telephone in your room at any time during the
day or night.
- All local calls are free
of charge. To make a local call, dial 9 followed by the seven-digit
phone number.
- Long distance calls can
be charged to your home phone, made collect or charged to your
phone credit card if you have one. To make a long distance call,
please dial 0 for the hospital operator who will place
the call.
- If you wish to make a call to a department within
the hospital, please dial our patient helpline at
401-793-2255 (internally dial ext. 3-2255).
- Pay telephones are available
on each patient unit and also in the main lobby.
In order for you to get a good night's sleep, incoming calls
are restricted from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. If, however, you prefer
to receive calls at any time, please call 401-793-7000
(internally dial ext. 3-7000) and ask the representative to turn
off the do not disturb feature. Outgoing service is not affected
by this feature, so calls can be made at anytime.
(More services)
Mail
Your mail will be delivered to you each morning.
The mailing address is:
The Miriam Hospital,
164 Summit Avenue,
Providence, RI 02906
(More services)
Patient Library
 Several
times a week, volunteers will bring the book and music cart to
your room. A wide selection of paperbacks, magazines and prayer
books are available at no charge. Books borrowed from the library
must be returned before leaving the hospital. If you have a limitation
that prevents you from reading, the library has selections on
cassette tapes for your listening pleasure. Electric candelabras
for the Sabbath, jigsaw puzzles and playing cards are also available.
If you are not in your room when the book cart makes its rounds
and you would like a book, please call the volunteer office at
401-793-2510 (internally dial ext. 3-2510) Monday through
Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(More services)
Smoking Regulations
Every day we treat patients for smoking related illnesses. Out
of respect for our patients and to maintain a clean environment
for our patients, employees and visitors, smoking is prohibited
throughout the hospital. There are designated areas to the side
of the main entrance for visitors who wish to smoke.
The Miriam Hospital offers a comprehensive smoking
cessation program. The program offers techniques for dealing
with the triggers that lead to smoking and for managing negative
emotions and stress to prevent relapse. The program also provides
education and assistance in using therapies such as nicotine patches
and medications. For more information on the smoking cessation
program, call 401-793-4360 (internally dial ext. 3-4360).
(More services)
Accomodations for your family
and friends 
Back |
