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Services
Case Management
978-249-1215
The case manager reviews all patients who are
admitted to the hospital for appropriateness of care and
coordination of care between disciplines within the
hospital. Meetings are conducted with the patient and
family members to assess the needs of the patient upon
discharge. With the collaboration of the patient,
family, physicians, nurses, and other appropriate
clinical disciplines, a discharge plan is established to
ensure the best possible outcome of care.
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Clinical Nutrition
Services
978-249-1149
Athol Memorial Hospital’s Registered Dietitian works with
the dietary, nursing, and medical staff to ensure that each
patient's nutritional needs are addressed during their
hospital stay. Our dietitian also provides Outpatient
Medical Nutrition Therapy for many health-related issues,
including diabetes, cholesterol, and weight management.
These appointments are set up on an individual basis and
require a referral from a physician. In addition to
community education programs offered from time to time
throughout the hospital, the dietitian is also available to
speak to various groups and organizations on nutrition and
wellness topics, and is the coordinator of the Diabetes
Education and Support Group, which meets the third Tuesday
each month, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., September to June, in the
hospital’s conference room.
Community Outreach
978-249-1283
The Community Outreach Nurse coordinates area clinics such
as blood pressure screening, flu and pneumonia clinics and
blood sugar and cholesterol screening. Health promotion
activities are conducted within the community in
collaboration with local councils on aging, schools and
community agencies.
Public health nursing services provide infectious disease
follow up and reporting to Massachusetts Department of
Public Health as well as providing education in order to
control the spread of communicable disease. The Community
Outreach Nurse participates in community emergency
preparedness meetings, training programs and drills.
Assistance with HIV/AIDS information and referral is
provided to assist with access to counseling and testing and
case management services as well as dental care and drug
assistance programs.
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Food Services
978-249-1153
In addition to our clinical nutrition
services, we also provide a full service cafeteria, open to
both visitors and employees. We serve three meals a day:
Monday - Friday 8:00 -10:15am ; 12:00 noon -1:15pm ; 5:00 -
6:15pm, except on holidays.
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Emergency Department
978-249-1250
The Emergency
Department is staffed 24 hours a day with qualified
physicians and nurses and is supported by dedicated
laboratory, radiology and respiratory technicians and
therapists. Currently, more than 10,000 patients a year re
treated in the Emergency Department. Ambulance and
helicopter transport services are readily available when a
patient’s condition warrants transfer to a tertiary care
facility or other specialty health care institution.
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HIV/AIDs/Outreach Clinics
The case manager coordinates outreach
clinics for the North Quabbin 9-town region served by
Athol Memorial Hospital. This includes flu shots and
blood pressure screenings.
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Infection Control
978-249-1246
Infection control staff monitor hospital patients and staff
for actual or potential infectious problems. The hospital
staff is educated regarding infectious processes, prevention
of the spread of infection between patients, from patients
to staff, and from staff to patients. Hand hygiene is the
cornerstone of that education.
Interpreter Services
978 249-1207
Social Services coordinates the interpreter services at
Athol Memorial Hospital.
Social workers are available on weekdays to assess and
assist with provision of interpreter services to all
inpatients and outpatients.
The need for interpreter services should be identified at
the first point of contact.
The Department of Public Health regulations specify that
family members are not to serve as interpreters except in
extraordinary circumstances.
Signage for interpreter services is placed strategically
throughout the hospital.
A list of approved medical interpreters is in the
Administrative policy manual and is posted in the ER and in
the second floor charting area.
Phone interpretation may be provided through the language
line when no appropriate medical interpreter is available.
Instructions for use are in the Administrative policy manual
and in the Social Service Resource book.
The Department of Public Health requires that we track use
of interpreter services. Please be sure to complete the
Interpreter Services reporting for and return to Social
Services.
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Laboratory/Blood Bank
There are many different laboratory tests, such as
blood, cultures, urine and stool. While some tests are
routine part of annual physicals, others are designed to
monitor a specific medication or condition. If you are
instructed to fast or have your blood tested at a
particular time, it is vital for the accuracy of the
test that you follow these instructions. The function of
the blood bank is to insure that blood and its
components are available to patients 24 hours a day.
Whenever possible, the blood given to patients should be
replaced through the contribution of volunteer donors.
Fasting patients receive a Complimentary Continental Breakfast.
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- ICU
The four bed
intensive care unit, located on the second floor,
provides care to medical and surgical patients by a
specially trained acute care nursing staff.
- Medical/Surgical Unit
We
foster an atmosphere in which our clinicians respond
with compassion and sensitivity to those who are
ill. Nursing service consists of registered nurses,
licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants.
The nursing staff is responsible for carrying out
your physician's orders and coordinating your care
with other hospital professionals.
- Short Stay Unit
The newly renovated 10 bed unit plus surgical
holding area provides a convenient and comfortable
environment for patients who need to have surgery,
procedures, medication or treatments that do not
require an overnight stay. The unit is open Monday
through Friday, except holidays, from 7 a.m. to 7
p.m.
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Occupational Health
AMH is able to provide the employer with both
Pre-Employment and Post-Accident Drug Testing, including
regular panel drug testing as well as DOT/NIDA drug
testing. The department can set up laboratory,
radiology, and pulmonary tests with the appropriate
departments. Pre-Employment Physical Examinations are
contracted with a local physician's office and can be
booked through this office.
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Oncology Clinic
978-249-1246
Welcome to the
Athol Memorial Hospital Hematology-Oncology Clinic. We are
pleased to be able to assist you during this trying time. We
have many services available to you including medicine,
nursing, social service, a dietician, and financial
professionals.
In 1985 a physician from Worcester opened a clinic here in
Athol. She felt that patients shouldn’t have to travel so
far care during cancer treatment. The Athol Memorial
Hospital has continued this clinic for more than 20 years.
This allows the patients in our 9-town North Quabbin region
to be close to home for essential medical care.
We offer
treatment and follow-up care for patients with cancer and
blood disorders. Our laboratory and radiology departments
provide state of the art services to complement the
outpatient Hematology-Oncology Department.
The Oncology Team is well versed to care for many different
types of people. There is a Physician who is Board Certified
in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology. Hematology
is the study of blood disorders and Oncology is the study of
cancer. Our Nursing staff is certified in the administration
of chemotherapy. They provide support to patients during and
following treatment days. They also work in conjunction with
the physician and pharmacy to deliver current therapies in
the treatment of cancer and blood disorders. The nursing
staff helps patients during treatment by solving their
problems related to side effects of chemotherapy. The clerk
is educated to assist patients by making follow-up
appointments for office visits, further laboratory and
radiology procedures and referrals to outside services.
She is able to assist patients
by taking messages accurately and proficiently. Our
dietician is available to provide nutritional services and
counseling for patients in an ongoing manner. The volunteers
keep the clinic flowing smoothly. They help patients and
staff while maintaining a low profile. There is a dedicated
Social Worker who is available to all of our Oncology Clinic
patients. The Social Worker is able to work with patients
and their families regarding a variety of problems and needs
including but not limited to finances, insurance problems,
and dealing with diagnosis of cancer and blood disorders.
They help the patient and family to deal with current needs
and plan for the future.
The Athol Memorial Hospital provides a van at no charge to
those patients 65 or older. It is available with 2-3 days
notice and will take patients to AMH and the Medical Office
Building directly behind the hospital. Further, Community
Transportation is available on a notification basis. A bus
service is available through the FTRA and the Gardner
transportation in the front of the hospital. A limited taxi
service is available in our area.
Our Clinic can be reached by calling 978-249-1246. The
Primary Care physician or surgeon refers most
patients.
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PHARMACY
978-249-1220
The mission of the Pharmacy Department is to provide all our
patients with the most current, safe and cost-effective drug
therapy available. We provide pharmacy services to patients
admitted to the hospital and patients coming to the hospital
for outpatient care.
Our pharmacists provide medical professionals with
up-to-date drug information.
Our department sponsors an annual “Medication Check-Up”
program. We encourage the public to bring in a “brown bag”
containing their drugs and spend time discussing their
medication issues with a pharmacist. Our pharmacists
routinely participate in the hospital-sponsored support
groups.
Athol Memorial Hospital is a preceptor site for the
Worcester campus of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
and Health Professions. We are proud to supply our students
with the unique perspective that pharmacy practice in a
rural hospital provides. Our students find the experience
very rewarding.
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Radiology Department
978-249-1160
AMH’s Radiology Department provides a variety of
diagnostic imaging services including General X-ray
examinations, Fluoroscopy, CT, Ultrasound, Nuclear
Medicine, MRI, Mammography and Bone Density.
All imaging examinations are performed by
Technologists licensed by the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health and nationally
registered by the American Registration of Radiology
Technologists. The interpretation of the imaging
examinations are completed by one of the ten
American College of Radiology, Board Certified
Radiologists servicing Athol Memorial Hospital.
IMAGING SERVICES
PACS (Picture Archive and Communications Systems)
In December 2006 Athol Hospital implemented the
first phase of PACS (Digital Imaging) with CT,
Ultrasound, MRI and Fluoroscopy, since then Nuclear
Medicine, C-Arm Fluoroscopy, DXA Scanning and most
recently General Diagnostic exams were added to
PACS.
General X-ray Examinations
AMH performs all General Diagnostic Imaging
examinations such as: chest, extremity, spine, GI
Series. These examinations are all completed on the
Department’s recently installed Digital Imaging
System. The new Digital System has improved image
quality, decreased examination time and has improved
efficiency for the staff and ultimately improved
patient care.
CT
CT Scanning has become one the most important
diagnostic services in Health Care today. AMH’s CT
scanner can perform all general diagnostic scans of
the head, spine and abdomen, with emergency services
provided 24 hours per. Recently AMH was granted the
designation of a Stroke Center thus providing quick
access to care when a patient has symptoms of an
early stroke.
ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound utilizes high frequency sound to image
areas in the Abdomen, Pelvis, Vasculature and
Obstetrics. Athol's Ultrasound Department is
Accredited by the American College of Radiology with
qualified Technologists licensed the American
Society of Medical Sonographers.
MRI
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) imaging is
performed by using a Magnet resulting in high
quality images of the Brain, Abdomen, Pelvis, Chest
and Extremities. The MRI is available at Athol
Memorial Hospital five days per week with all images
read by the hospitals Board Certified Radiologists
and is accredited by The American College of
Radiology.
MAMMOGRAPHY
AMH'S Mammography Department is accredited by the
American College of Radiology Mammography Program,
Licensed by The Massachusetts Department of Public
Health and Certified by the FDA under the
Mammography Quality Standards Act. The Department
performs both Screening and Diagnostic Mammograms
with services provided Monday - Friday.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Nuclear Medicine is a diagnostic examination
requiring the injection of a small amount of
radioactive tracer to a target organ such as the
Heart, Lung or Gallbladder. The hospital installed a
state-of- art Dual Head Nuclear Camera in late 2006.
The department has in conjunction with the EKG
Department a very productive Cardiac Imaging
Service.
DXA
DXA (Dual Energy Absorptiometry) or more commonly
known as Bone Density is a diagnostic test used to
evaluate the bones for early changes due to
Osteoporosis. DXA is very simple procedure and takes
approximately 15 minutes to complete the
examination. Once your physician obtains the results
he or she can recommend medications or an exercise
program to address early changes in the bony
structures due to Osteoporosis.
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