Complementary Therapies

Therapeutic touch, massage and Reiki by specially trained practitioners may be requested for those who might benefit.

Pastoral Care, Chapel

The spiritual component is an important part of the healing process. Chaplains and volunteers from the Department of Pastoral Care provide spiritual support for patients, families and staff during the day; on-call chaplains are available nights and weekends.

Our chaplains may be reached through the office from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m . If the need is urgent, please call Stamford Hospital at 276-1000. Our Interfaith Chapel is always open for prayer and meditation. Services are held during the week. All services are broadcast live on your television.

Volunteer Guest Services

Volunteers support patients and their families in many ways. To request a service you do not see below, or for assistance with errands in the hospital, please contact Volunteer Guest Services. Dial 276-7521.

Gift Shop Amenity

Volunteers can help you with the purchase and delivery of magazines, newspapers, books, or other items that you wish to purchase from the Gift Shop. To phone the Gift Shop directly, dial 276-7458.

Volunteer Clown Troupe

The Health and Humor Associates, a volunteer group of trained clown caregivers, make regular weekly rounds to all patient care units and waiting areas. These “Doctors of Mirth” are also available upon request to visit patients and their families.

Lending Library

Request a selection from the genre of your choice.

Office Services

Faxing, copying or other complimentary office assistance is yours for the asking.

Healing Hounds Pet Visitation Program

Specially screened and trained dogs, along with their handlers, periodically visit our care areas.

Volunteer Visits

Volunteers assigned to each floor can provide friendly visits during the week. Some volunteers speak a second language.

Send an E-card

Friends and family can e-mail greetings to you at the hospital. Click here to access e-cards. Volunteers will print out and deliver your get well messages the next business morning.

Beauty and Grooming

During your hospital stay, you have access to a full-service salon at your bedside, offering hair, nail and skin-care services. Dial 276-7355 for details, pricing, and to schedule an appointment.

Non-English Language and Sign Language

The hospital will provide interpreter services for patients who do not speak or easily understand English. We can also provide a certified sign language interpreter for patients or family members who are deaf or hearing impaired. These services are provided free of charge. If you need translation or sign language assistance, please contact your nursing staff.

If you have concerns about the quality of your care or the care of a family member, a healthcare professional is available 24 hours a day. Ask to speak with the nurse manager Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evenings and weekends, call 276-1000 and ask to speak with the nursing administrative supervisor.

Patient Education

We provide an array of televised, printed, and online health education materials.

Patient Relations

Call 276-7555 or 276-7706. You can also e-mail patient relations.

We welcome your suggestions, compliments, concerns or requests regarding your hospitalization. We can help you and your family pursue explanations, get reassurances, or solve problems. You can reach us Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Evenings and weekends, call 276-1000 and ask to speak with the nursing administrative supervisor.) After your discharge you will receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey. We appreciate your candid evaluation of your hospital stay and experience.

Social Work

Our Social Work staff members are available to help you and your family with counseling, referral to community support groups and crisis intervention. If you require transfer to another facility, they can help you to locate and plan the financing of an appropriate placement. 

Case Management

Call 276-5914.

Case Managers will assist you through your hospital stay with discharge planning and referrals to various community agencies. They will work closely with your physician and can assist you with any questions. When you leave the hospital, they can help you arrange for home services, including hospice care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health aides, outpatient therapies, equipment and transportation covered by insurance plans. The Case Management Department is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm . During evenings and weekends, call 276-1000 and ask for the on-call Case Manager.

Other Special Needs

If you have other special needs, please tell your nursing staff during admission.

Managing Pain

At Stamford Hospital, your comfort is important to us. In addition to providing a healing, supportive environment, we want to minimize pain throughout your recovery. Some people believe that pain is something they just have to deal with. However, with today’s treatments, that is no longer true. You do not need to tolerate a level of pain that distresses you.

We encourage you to work with your doctors and nurses to prevent and relieve pain, as follows:

• Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect with regard to pain from your condition or a procedure.
• Discuss any past experiences with pain management, and concerns you may have about medications and treatments.
• Discuss pain control options, and work with your doctors and nurses to make a pain control plan.
• Pain is more easily managed when treated early. Please tell your nurse when you first begin to feel pain.
• If certain activities (such as physical therapy) cause pain, plan with the nurse to take medications ahead of time so that you can be more comfortable.
• Tell your doctor or nurse about any pain that won’t go away, or if you are having side effects from the medication.
• Pain medication may not always eliminate all pain. However, it should allow you to rest or perform needed activities. Pain is individual to each person. To be sure your pain management works for you, please use the following scale when describing pain to your doctor or nurse.

 

NEED SCALE

Security

Please see the “Patient Safety and Security.” For any security emergency or assistance, call 276-7666.

Smoking

Help us maintain a clean-air environment by not smoking.

Use of Electronic Devices

When using an electronic device such as a cellular phone, please respect those nearby or in your room at all times.

Cellular and Digital Devices

Cell phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants) and laptop computers may be used in most hospital areas. To avoid potential interference with electronic medical equipment, please do not use such devices in the following areas:

• Special Care
• Critical Care
• Cardiac Unit
• Emergency Department

If you have a special request regarding usage, please speak to a caregiver.

 

Wireless PDAs and Wireless Laptops

You may use wireless PDAs and wireless laptop computers within the hospital, following the guidelines above.

Internet Access

You may use wireless PDAs and wireless laptop computers within the hospital, following the guidelines above.

Valuables

We ask that you leave your valuables with your family. If you are scheduled for surgery, you will be asked to remove all jewelry before entering the operating suite. If you arrive at the hospital with any jewelry, cash or other valuables, we suggest you store them with Security Guest Services. At your request, Security Guest Services will collect and securely store your valuables. They will return them at a time convenient for you.