Services

Cardio-Pulmonary Services:
978-249-1317

The Cardio-Pulmonary Services Division of Athol Memorial Hospital assists in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support of patients with cardio-pulmonary and neurological system disorders, with an emphasis on prevention through education.

The Cardio-Pulmonary Department provides pulmonary, cardiac and neurological diagnostic testing as well as treatment for acute and chronic lung disorders. Services are provided by licensed professionals, 24 hours a day 7 days per week, for all age groups.

Respiratory Services:
Respiratory Therapists help manage patients with breathing disorders by providing assessments, monitoring and physician directed therapy as well as various diagnostic tests. Respiratory Therapists treat and assist with all age groups of patients ranging from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to geriatric patients with lung diseases. They also assist with the emergency care of patients, which includes victims of respiratory failure, asthma or COPD exacerbations, heart attack, drug overdose, drowning, anaphylactic shock and stroke.
 

Cardiology Services:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
o An EKG provides complex measurements of the heart's electrical activity. The results provide physicians with invaluable information about the heart's rate, rhythm and condition.
• 24 hour Holter Monitoring
o Our Holter monitors are small, lightweight portable digital recorders. It continuously monitors the heart rate and rhythm for 24 hours.
• 3 to 30-day Event Monitoring
o This digital system uses cell phone technology.  Heart rate and rhythm are continuously monitored and periodically sent automatically to a reading facility 24 hours a day and data is immediately sent when specific criteria are met.  Data is analyzed 24 hours per day.  These digital recorders are provided for long term cardiac monitoring.  State of the art thorough reports are continuously available for your physician to view on a secure website.                                           • Stress Testing
o Stress Testing is used to evaluate heart function, help detect coronary artery disease and evaluate medical therapy. Depending on the type of test ordered, the patient may be monitored while exercising on a treadmill or after administration of a pharmacological agent. Physicians may also order a stress test to include Cardiolite with Nuclear Imaging to view and evaluate coronary blood flow.
o The American Heart Committee recommends stress testing prior to the initiation of exercise programs in patients over 40 and in all patients with risk factors that increase the probability of CAD.
• Echocardiogram (ECHO)
o Echocardiograms use high-pitched sound waves that bounce off different parts of the heart to create a moving picture. Heart structures and the beating heart can be seen on a video screen. There is no radiation exposure and it is more detailed than an x-ray image.

Neurology Services:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
o An EEG records electrical activity of the brain. Highly sensitive monitoring equipment records the activity of neurons through electrodes placed at measured intervals on the scalp. EEGs help physicians to diagnose a variety of neurological conditions from common headaches and dizziness to seizure disorders, strokes and degenerative brain disease. It also may be used to look for organic causes of disabilities in children and psychiatric disorders.
• Electromyography: (EMG):
o EMGs measure the electrical activity of muscles at rest and while contracting. Nerve conduction studies measure the ability of nerves to send electrical signals. Nerve and muscle disorders cause muscles to react improperly to electrical signals. This test helps diagnose diseases that damage nerves, muscle tissue or neuromuscular junctions or the cause of weakness, paralysis and muscle twitching. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathies, herniated discs, muscle disease, Cerebral Palsy and conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Guillian-Barre.

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.

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.

Food Services also oversees community gardens at the west end of the Medical Arts Building, where vegetables grown are utilized in the hospital's nutrition programs.

Emergency Department
978-249-1250

Life Flight, Med Flight, and Life Star capability
means Athol Memorial Hospital can transport
patients to Level One Trauma Centers when necessary. 

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.

Hospitalist Services
978-249-3511

The resumption of the full time Hospitalist program began on December 2011.  The service is available to all patients needing admission to Athol Memorial Hospital. A Hospitalist is a physician who oversees all aspects of care for patients during their inpatient stay and ensures that appropriate plans for aftercare are in place.  Hospitalists serve in the role of attending physician and have particular knowledge about hospital procedures. The Hospitalist works closely with a patient during their hospital stay and communicates with the primary care physician about the plan of care.  The Hospitalist is also available to speak with the patient’s family.  Primary care physicians are invited to perform courtesy rounds with their patients while they are under the Hospitalist’s care.  Patients return to the care of their primary care physician upon discharge from the hospital. 

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. 

Inpatient Services
978-249-3511

· 24 hour Hospitalist Program     

· 21 Acute Care beds with 8 bed telemetry capability

· 4 ICU beds

· 24 hour staffing by ACLS nurses

· Computerized documentation

· Coordinated patient care by qualified multidisciplinary team for safe patient discharge

· Bar Coding for safe medication administration

 Interpreter Services
978-249-1207

 Medical interpretation services are provided free of charge to patients with Limited English Proficiency.  Through use of the Language Line, Athol Memorial Hospital has the capacity to provide interpretation of more than 170 languages.   Contracted Certified Sign Language interpreters are available for the Deaf.The Social Services Department 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.

Laboratory/Blood Bank
978-249-1174

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.

The hospital's phlebotomy room (located on the Ground level in the east wing) is open Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Saturday, 7:00 am to 2:30 pm. Fasting patients receive a Complimentary Continental Breakfast, 7:00 - 8:00 a.m..

Occupational Health
978-249-1399

AMH is able to provide local employers with both Pre-Employment and Post-Accident Drug Testing, including regular panel drug testing as well as DOT/NIDA drug testing. 

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, nutrition, 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 dietitian 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.

Community Transit Services provides rides free of charge to those patients 65 or older. It is available with 3 day's notice and will take patients to AMH and the Medical Office Building directly behind the hospital. Call 978-249-1362 to schedule a ride. A bus service passenger pickup stop is located at the front of the hospital and is made available through the FTRA and the Gardner transportation. A limited taxi service is available in the Gardner area only.

Radiology Department
978-249-1160

AMH’s Radiology Department provides a variety of diagnostic imaging services including filmless 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, and DXA Scanning. 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 service is available onsite at Athol Memorial Hospital with all images read by the hospital's Board Certified Radiologists and is accredited by The American College of Radiology.

DIGITAL 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 uses a state-of- art Dual Head Nuclear Camera. 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.