Western Hospital Information Booklet. Alberton, PE

PLEASE TAKE THIS COMPLIMENTARY COPY WITH YOU

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Your guide to hospital information and services.

WESTERN HOSPITAL

Information Booklet 148 Poplar St.

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PO Box 10

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Alberton, PE C0B IBO

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902-853-8650

Welcome to Western Hospital On behalf of your healthcare team, welcome to Western Hospital. This information booklet has been specifically designed to provide you an overview of hospital routines and services. We hope you will find it informative and helpful during your stay with us.

Western Hospital was founded in 1944 and opened in 1945 as the first acute care institution in West Prince. Since that time our healthcare system and hospital has evolved significantly, but the focus in providing the best possible care and service has remained constant.

Today, the hospital serves as a base for a variety of inpatient and outpatient services. The facility has 27 beds and emergency care is available on a 24 hour basis. The Alberton Health Services clinic operates 5 days a week.

Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and diagnostic services, including electrocardiogram, laboratory testing, as well as diagnostic imaging is available.

Visiting specialists regularly conduct clinics and a number of community-based programs, such as addictions and public health are delivered at the hospital.

Western Hospital is dedicated to meeting your needs. We are here for you.

Your questions or comments are welcomed and we will be happy to respond to them at any time.

Sincerely, Paul Young Administrator

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Western Hospital information booklet

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Table of Contents Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities........................... 4 Your Admission Day Admission..................................................5 What to Bring.............................................5 What Not to Bring......................................5 Personal Items............................................5 Medications................................................5 No Scent Policy..........................................6 Tests and Examinations..............................6 Ambulance Services...................................6 Use of Gloves, Gowns, and Masks............6 About Your Room......................................7 Smoking Policy..........................................7 Nurse Call System......................................7

During Your Stay Orientation.................................................8 Mutual Respect and Tolerance...................8 Dentures.....................................................8 Television and Radio..................................8 Telephones.................................................8 Patient Inquiry............................................9 Consent Forms...........................................9 Confidentiality...........................................9 Fire Drills...................................................9 Infection Control........................................9 Health Care Directives...............................9

Services For You Gift Shop..................................................10 Flowers and Mail.....................................10 Private Duty Nurse...................................10 Newspapers..............................................10 Pastoral Services......................................10 Barbers and Hairdressing Service............10

Activity Lounge.......................................11 French Language Services.......................11 Education.................................................11 Nail Care/Footcare...................................11

Information for Your Visitors Visiting Hours..........................................12 Regulations..............................................12 Cafeteria...................................................13

Discharge Planning Patient Satisfaction Survey......................14

Health Services at Western Hospital Admitting and Reception.........................15 Emergency Department...........................15 Lab and X-ray Services............................15 Pharmacy..................................................15 Physiotherapy...........................................16 Occupational Therapy..............................16 Housekeeping and Laundry.....................16 Nutrition Services....................................16 Allied Health Professionals......................17 Medical Records......................................17

How to Make a Healthy Contribution Hospital Foundation.................................18 Western Hospital Auxiliary......................18 Volunteer Services Program.....................18 Hospice....................................................19

Your Good Health is Our Main Concern..................... 20 Community Supporters Index........................................... 21

Please note that we are constantly changing to meet your needs.

Information presented may be subject to change.

REVISED SEPTEMBER 2017

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Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

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As a patient at Western Hospital, you have the right to...

As a patient at Western Hospital, you are responsible to...

• Be respected as the individual with the major responsibility for your own health; • Courteous, personal, and respectful care; • Every consideration of privacy; • Privacy and confidentiality of all your health information; • Be informed of information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis; • Review the records pertaining to your medical care and have the information explained as necessary; • Make decisions about the plan of care prior to and during the course of treatment; • Refuse treatment; • Refuse participation in teaching programs; • Be assisted in making informed decisions concerning your health; • Have an advance health care directive specifying treatment preferences; • Know the identity of physicians, nurses, and others involved in your care; • A safe and clean environment of care which complies with safety standards; • Equal access to health care regardless of economic status, sex, age, creed or ethnic origin; • Be informed of hospital policies and practices that relate to patient care; and • Dignity throughout your stay at the hospital.

• Respect the rights of other patients; • Give accurate personal information to the hospital staff serving you; • Inform the hospital when unable to meet scheduled appointments; • Cooperate with medical and hospital staff in promoting the best use of the facility; • Pay any hospital bills incurred; and • Provide your feedback on the care you receive.

Western Hospital information booklet

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Your Admission Day Admission

All personal information (necessary for hospital and government records) will be considered strictly confidential. It is important that you make staff aware if you have a Health Care Directive or if you have been in a hospital out-of-province during the past year.

Patients are required to sign a “General Consent for Admission Routine Care/Service” form.

Out of province or country patients are also required to sign a “Governing Law and Jurisdiction Agreement”. All patients will be asked to sign a “Consent to Release Personal Information”.

Hospital wrist identification bracelets are used for all patients. A second (red) bracelet will be applied if you have allergies and a purple bracelet is used if you are at a risk for falls.

These bracelets should not be removed for the duration of your stay with us.

Should the bracelet become detached or damaged, please tell your nurse who will arrange for a replacement.

What to Bring 1. PEI Medicare Card

2. Other Health Insurance Cards

3. Medications

Personal Items

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You should bring only necessary personal toilet articles such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and brush, shaving items, or cosmetics (NO scented products, please). Although the hospital provides patient gowns, you may want your own pajamas or nightgown together with a bathrobe and slippers. Notepaper, pens, and stamps are handy.

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Please do not bring: valuable papers or documents, scented personal care products, items of sentimental value, jewellery or expensive clothing, large amounts of cash, alcoholic beverages, TV-VCR’s, radios, or plug-in appliances unless otherwise approved by staff. The hospital will not accept responsibility for patients’ personal items and valuables.

If at all possible, please leave valuables and money at home, with a family member or with a trusted friend, during your hospital stay.

If this is not possible, please check all valuables and money at the Admitting Office for placement in the vault during your stay.

Medications Bring all current prescriptions and non-prescription medications, in their original containers.

Some medications are not supplied by the hospital and you may be required to supply your own. Any medications required during your stay will be prescribed by your doctor and will be brought to you by your nurse.

Please tell your doctor and nurse if you are allergic to any medications or suffer from any other allergies. If you have any questions about your medications, your doctor, nurse, or hospital pharmacist will assist you.

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No Scent Policy Due to increased allergies among the public, patients, and staff, our hospital has adopted a No Scent Policy. Please refrain from wearing perfumes, aftershaves, scented hair sprays, hand lotions, baby lotion, deodorant, etc.

Also, please note scented flowers are prohibited in the hospital.

Tests and Examinations It is normal practice for your doctor to examine you and to order such tests as: blood, urine, X-rays, etc. The results from these tests help to plan the best care for you. Some patients may be sent to another hospital for tests, procedures, and specialist consultations.

Some examinations may also have been conducted in the Emergency Department prior to admission.

Ambulance Services Ambulance services are subsidized through the Prince Edward Island Ambulance Assistance Program which is administered by Health PEI. Eligible PEI residents are those defined as residents within the Hospital & Medical Services Insurance Plan of Prince Edward Island.

The user fee for Island residents is $150. This fee applies to all emergency situations, however, not when a patient is discharged from one hospital and transferred by ambulance to another PEI hospital on the referral of a physician. Effective April 1, 2009, Prince Edward Island senior citizens, 65 years of age and over, were no longer required to pay the $150 fee for emergency services. Emergency ambulance services include medical situations where a call to 911 would normally occur. Non-emergency use of ambulance services still incur an ambulance user fee.

When a patient is transferred from one hospital to another without being admitted (to undergo a medical test, for example), and remains an in-patient of the sending hospital and returns within 24 hours, the sending hospital is responsible for payment of the user fee.

Effective June 15, 2008, the user fee for non-residents is a flat rate of $600.

User fee maximum of $150 per eligible PEI patient per day applies when multiple transports are made within 24 hours to ensure the patient safely reaches the appropriate hospital destination required for medical treatment.

Use of Gloves, Gowns, and Masks Today, infection control is crucial in a health care setting. Gloves or gowns or masks are used to protect staff and patients when obtaining blood, when starting IV’s, or during treatments and procedures.

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About Your Room The Prince Edward Island Medicare Plan provides for standard ward coverage on admission to a hospital. Our hospital provides standard ward, semi-private, and private rooms.

Semi-private and private rooms (if requested by you) do cost more and must be paid by you or your insurance company. Patients will be required to sign a “Room Accommodation Request” form if they wish to request private or semi-private accommodations. If your condition requires that you should be admitted to a certain type of room, there will be no extra charge. If you have insurance coverage, please let staff know.

We will make every effort to accommodate your requests.

Smoking Policy Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the hospital or on hospital grounds.

If you are interested in quitting or seeking support to do so, please discuss with your healthcare team alternatives available to you.

Nurse Call System At the time of admission, a staff member will explain the use of the nurse call system located near your bed. Please be sure you know how to use the system.

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During Your Stay Orientation At the time of admission, a staff member will make you familiar with your surroundings.

You will be shown how to operate your bed controls (if applicable), how to use the nurse call system, the location of the bathrooms, etc. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance Western Hospital believes that its patients, staff, and physicians are entitled to an environment free of harassment and aggression. Physical or verbal abuse of patients, family members, visitors, staff, or physicians will not be tolerated. Any person who verbally or physically threatens or attacks another, or destroys hospital property is liable to be reported to police.

Dentures A special cup will be provided for your dentures and should be kept in the drawer of your bedside table. If glasses, hearing aids, or dentures are wrapped in tissue and left out in your room, they may be thrown away by mistake. The hospital does not assume responsibility for loss of personal property, so please be careful!

Television and Radio Each room is equipped with a TV. Patients in semi-private rooms desiring to use the radio or TV will be required to use earphones. A television is provided in the patient lounge.

Due to safety regulations, only the hospital rental television is permitted in patient rooms.

Telephones Bedside telephone service is available upon request for a fee. Please make your request at the nursing station. Telephones at the nurses’ stations are for staff use only as they need to be readily available for their use.

Please note only emergency calls from family and friends will be passed on to you.

The staff will, however, take the name and number of the caller and provide this information to you.

For other hospital telephones: • For local calls: dial 9, then dial the number. • Long distance calls must be billed to your home telephone or placed as a collect call.

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Western Hospital information booklet

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Patient Inquiry

Numerous inquiries about you from family and friends can be very time consuming for our busy staff. Please appoint one person to this task who can then pass on the information to other family members.

Consent Forms Patients admitted to Western Hospital will be asked to sign a “Consent Form” for certain procedures and diagnostic tests that require your approval. Your doctor will explain your procedure or diagnostic test and will answer any questions you may have before asking you to sign the form. Do not sign any consent form unless you have a full understanding of the procedure!

Confidentiality All patient information is confidential. The only people who have the right to access specific details about your illness and treatment are the members of the health care team caring for you.

Fire Drills Fire drills are conducted in the hospital on a regular basis. If one occurs while you are in the hospital, please remain in your room and follow any instructions given to you by staff.

Infection Control Infection prevention and control standards and guidelines are in place in our facility. Cleaning your hands is the most important defense to prevent the spread of infection to yourself or others. We try to ensure that the spread of infection does not occur; however, if it does, we act quickly to put control measures in place. When there is an increase in infections, visiting may be limited and some residents may require additional precautions. Family and visitors should not visit anytime they have a fever, a new cough, diarrhea or vomiting. The influenza vaccination is recommended for all residents, health care providers, volunteers, and family/visitors.

Health Care Directives A health care directive, often called a “living will”, is a legal document describing the amount and type of care you want, should you become incapable of making health care decisions on your own. Anyone who is 16 years of age or older and capable of making health care decisions can make a directive. A health care directive must be in writing, dated, and signed. A special form is not required, although several sample forms are available. For more information or a sample, please call 853-8660. Patients who have completed a Health Care Directive may contact Medical Records to ensure your Directive is on your medical chart.

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Services For You Gift Shop The gift shop, which is run by the Auxiliary, features a selection of gift items, personal toiletries, cards, and snacks. Community members donate hand-crafted items which are available for sale. Hours of operation are posted and are subject to seasonal changes.

Flowers and Mail Flowers and mail for you will be delivered to your room. Ask your friends and relatives to send items clearly marked with your full name to:

Patient Name Western Hospital 148 Poplar Street PO Box 10 Alberton, PE C0B 1B0

Private Duty Nurse Arrangements for a private duty nurse may be made through the head nurse and your private duty nurse will bill you directly.

Newspapers One copy of the Journal Pioneer is brought to the nursing floor each morning for inpatient use.

Pastoral Services There is routine visitation by local clergy, and those appointed to pastoral care by their churches, to all members/adherents of their congregations. If you wish to see a certain member of the clergy, please inform the nursing staff and arrangements will be made for you.

The hospital chapel is close to the patient lounge. It is always open and we encourage patients and their families to use it at any time.

Barbers and Hairdressing Service You or your family members will need to make arrangements for a private barber or hairdresser to come to the hospital.

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Western Hospital information booklet

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Activity Lounge

The activity lounge, located opposite the elevator on the 2nd floor is provided by the hospital and the Hospital Auxiliary for special needs and to watch TV. Please be considerate of the needs of others. A Quiet Room with phone, is also available just past the Nurses’ Station.

French Language Services Are available upon request. Please speak with your nurse.

Education Patient information pamphlets and resources are available on various different topics.

Please feel free to ask our staff for additional information.

Nail Care/Footcare Arrangements can be made for nail care through the staff on your nursing unit. Please note there is a charge for this service.

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Information for Your Visitors Visiting Hours 1. Health PEI recognizes that partnering with patients and families plays an important role in a patient’s overall well-being and recovery to optimal health.

2. Family and designated care partners are welcomed as essential members of the health care team and full partners in care.

Family presence is balanced with patient, family and patient care team safety while protecting the confidentiality and privacy of all patients. This policy is intended to be flexible in order to respond to the diverse and individual needs and preferences of each patient.

Family/partners in care are welcomed 24 hours a day according to patient preferences and in coordination with the patient care team. Visiting hours for visitors may be limited based upon the care priorities of the patient(s).

Family/partners in care and/or visitors who have a negative impact on the patient’s health outcome and/or treatment plan may be asked to postpone their visit or leave in the interest of the patient’s well-being. This occurs in discussion with the patient, family/partners in care and patient care team.

The number of people welcomed at the bedside at any one time is determined in collaboration with the patient, family/partners in care and patient care team. Where patients are in shared rooms, this consultation also involves the other patient and their family. To ensure safety, consideration will be given to the physical limitations of the space available on the unit and in the patient room.

The patient care team may be required to interrupt family presence to protect the privacy rights of other patients or to maintain safety, security or clinical requirements.

Personal pet visitation will be determined for each patient through discussion with the patient care team and the family/partners in care. The potential risks and disadvantages must also be considered when allowing animals into the healthcare setting including: space limitations; infectious risk; allergies; phobias; and animalcaused injuries. Based on these risks, pet visitation may need to occur in an alternate location or be denied.

3. To ensure the health and safety of all patients, family/partners in care, visitors and patient care team members are requested to perform proper hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer before entering and exiting the patient room and patient care area.

All family/partners in care and visitors are to refrain from using scented products.

The presence of children is supported based on the preference of the patient and patient care team. An adult (other than the patient or patient care team member) must supervise the children.

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Western Hospital information booklet

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If an outbreak of infection requires some restrictions for public health safety, the patient care team will collaborate with the patient and family/partners in care to enable and ensure that selected family/partners in care are still welcomed.

If the family/partners in care and/or visitor are unwell, it is recommended that they stay home.

Family/partners in care may spend the night with the patient if space is adequate; however, sleeping accommodations are not required to be provided and may not be possible depending on the availability or physical space.

The family/partner in care must be able to safely stay alone and take care of their own personal needs and hygiene (food, refreshments, medications, showers, etc.).

Personal belongings, such as medications, may not be permitted in patient care areas depending on level of risk.

Family/partners in care and visitors will be mindful and sensitive to the needs of other patients, families and patient care team members by keeping noise and disruption to a minimum.

Please note: Our cafeteria is not open to service the public; however, visitors who remain in the hospital with very ill patients for extended periods are welcome to use the service.

Serving times are as follows: • Continental Breakfast • Dinner

• Supper

8:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon (Kitchen closed between 11:45 a.m. and 12:00 noon) 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

(Kitchen closes for the day at 6:00 p.m.)

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Discharge Planning Your discharge is a gradual process. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining the appropriate time for discharge.

Multidisciplinary meetings are held once a week to determine any discharge needs you may have.

A doctor, in consultation with the nursing staff will determine when you are able to go home.

If you need additional help at home, the nurse will refer you to the appropriate services, such as Home Care.

A doctor or the nursing staff will explain the details and location of any follow-up care.

The nurse will discuss your medication routine with you and will return any medications that you brought to the hospital.

Please be prepared to leave the hospital at or before 11:00 am on the day of your discharge. This allows housekeeping staff to prepare the room for another patient.

Make sure you have all your belongings before leaving the hospital.

Stop at the admitting desk to pick up any money or valuables placed in safekeeping.

This area is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

If you are not a resident of Prince Edward Island, please stop at the admitting desk to ensure proper paper work is completed.

Occasionally, circumstances may require you to be discharged earlier than expected.

This may occur when an acutely ill patient is in urgent need of admission and no beds are available. Patients are assessed according to the severity of their illness. Therefore, you may have to be sent home earlier than you had expected without significant advance notification. If this situation should arise, our staff will help you and your family to make discharge arrangements with as little inconvenience to you as possible.

Patients remaining in hospital after discharge will be subject to a daily fee, as per Health PEI policy.

Patient Satisfaction Survey In our effort to improve care, you may be requested to complete a satisfaction questionnaire about your stay in our hospital. We want to hear your comments and would appreciate if you could take the time to complete and return the survey.

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Western Hospital information booklet

Health Services at Western Hospital Admitting and Reception

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The admitting and reception area is located inside the front door of the hospital. Admitting staff operate the switchboard, admit in-patients and emergency patients and other services (including nutrition, physiotherapy, and specialists’ clinics). Staff is also responsible for some aspects of patient billing. They can also provide you, your family, and visitors with directions to various areas of the hospital.

Emergency Department The Emergency Department is here to treat you and your family when you need us.

A physician is available on-site between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and an on-call doctor is available for medical emergencies between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. After 8:00 p.m., the Emergency Department changes to a CEC (Collaborative Emergency Centre) staffed with an RN and Advanced Care Paramedic in collaboration with an online medical physician. The CEC operates every day from 8:oo p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Patients who come to the department for treatment will be assessed by a nurse and seen in order of urgency. You may have to wait for a time during emergencies or in heavy workload situations. After drug stores are closed there may be a $2 fee for an overnight supply of each prescription medication provided.

Lab and X-ray Services Lab and X-ray staff carry out procedures that may be requested by your doctor. These services may include blood tests, x-ray or an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test that traces the electrical activity of the heart. If you have any questions about any procedures, please ask.

Pharmacy Western Hospital Pharmacy provides medication and medication-related services to its in-patients. The pharmacist is responsible for reviewing and distributing medications to in-patients as well as being a resource regarding medication to both patients and staff.

Patients will be asked to continue to use their own inhalers, eye/ear ointments or drops, topical ointments, creams, etc. All medications not being used will be safely stored until you are discharged. A pharmacist is on staff to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have about your medication.

Medication taken at home must be brought to the hospital so your doctors and nurses can become familiar with your current treatment. When this information is noted, these drugs should then be sent home or given to the nursing staff for safekeeping until you are discharged.

If you are allergic to any food or drug, please discuss this with your doctor and nurse.

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Physiotherapy Physiotherapy or physical therapy is a professional health discipline directed toward the prevention/correction and relief of movement dysfunction in people of all ages. The ultimate goal of physiotherapy is to help a client achieve the highest possible level of independent functioning. Physiotherapy provides you with an opportunity to learn and understand what your physical condition is, how it will be treated and also how you can prevent future problems. Physiotherapy is a treatment and education process designed by your therapist to allow you to be as independent as possible in your everyday living.

Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy is a professional Health discipline that provides the skills of the job for living to help people lead productive and satisfying lives. OT considers everything people do to occupy themselves, including looking after themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure) and contributing to the social and economic fabric of their community.

Occupational Therapists work to break down the barrier that impedes individuals in their everyday activities.

Housekeeping and Laundry Housekeeping and Laundry staff at Western Hospital provide daily services. The Laundry provides fresh linen for your needs.

Housekeeping staff clean the patient area daily. Staff also clean the washrooms, provide paper products, and dispose of garbage. Bedside and over-bed tables are wiped down daily. After each patient is discharged, the beds, mattresses, and entire unit is thoroughly cleaned.

Please do not ask Housekeeping or Nutrition Services personnel to change bed positions or move personal articles in your room. If you need help, call a nurse for assistance.

Nutrition Services Our goal is to provide you with nutritious and enjoyable meals during your hospital stay. If you have questions about your diet or the daily menu, staff will be glad to assist you. Meal hours are as follows: • Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. • Dinner: 12:00 p.m. • Supper: 5:00 p.m.

Our menu is designed by our dietitian to be one model of healthy eating for most patients, including those who have diabetes or heart disease. It follows the principles of Canada’s Food Guide and meets the standards for Heart Healthy Eating. We use recipes from cookbooks written by home economists and dietitians for groups such as the Canadian Diabetes Association and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

If you find that you would like more or less food, you may ask for larger or smaller servings. A limited selection of food and beverages is also available to you in the patient kitchen of the nursing unit. Please remember that these are for patients and not for visitors.

We are not able to offer a choice of main course at each meal, but we try to give you some other choices. Please complete the Food Preferences Form when you are admitted.

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Western Hospital information booklet

Allied Health Professionals

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While you are an inpatient, referrals may be made for a consultation with the Physiotherapist, Clinical Dietitian, Occupational Therapist, or Speech Language Pathologist. Follow up may be in the hospital or after discharge as determined by the professional. Consultations may be made for home care services as part of discharge planning. If you have diabetes, a referral may be made for you to the Regional Diabetes Program.

Medical Records The Medical Records Department is where your confidential medical charts are stored following discharge. The purpose of the Medical Records Department is to provide a means of communication between the physician and the other health care professionals contributing to the patient’s care and to serve as a basis for planning individual patient care. Following discharge, the Medical Records Department stores your confidential medical record for future use, ensuring that it is readily available when needed.

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How to Make a Healthy Contribution Hospital Foundation The Foundation Board consists of ten board members including five members of the community from various geographic areas. One member of the Western Hospital Auxiliary is also represented on the Board, as well as the Administrator and physician representative for Western Hospital.

The purpose of this volunteer board is to manage and disperse financial donations made to our hospital. Monies that are donated are used to buy equipment for the hospital and to fund staff education. We depend on public support to continually upgrade our equipment and facility. Many of the gifts of money we receive are donations made in another person’s name as a form of remembrance or tribute. Receipt for income tax purposes are issued each January for all donations made in the previous year.

Donations can now be made to the hospital by transferring shares. This process eliminates the capital gains on the donation and a charitable tax receipt for the full value is issued to the donor. If the donor sells the shares first and then donates the cash, the donor must first pay considerable capital gains which reduce the tax savings. Your accountant or financial advisor can help you with details on such tax savings.

Planned giving through wills and bequests can be arranged through the program called “Leave a Legacy”. If you wish for more information about this program, please telephone the Western Hospital’s Foundation at 853-8660.

Western Hospital Auxiliary The primary purpose of the Auxiliary is to add to the comfort and well-being of patients.

Various fundraising activities are held to achieve this purpose. The Bargain Nook is the prime charity that raises money to be donated. Money is also raised through the hospital Gift Shop, luncheons, and various other events.

The hospital Auxiliary donates money to the Foundation for equipment purchases. It may also provide assistance to other health support services in the community, provided they are registered charities.

If anyone would like to join the Auxiliary or volunteer their time to the efforts of the Auxiliary, please call the hospital administration office for the name of a contact person.

Volunteer Services Program The volunteer program at Western Hospital is available for the benefit of patients and visitors to the facility. For patients, volunteers are here to assist at mealtime, come in for a friendly visit, provide hair styling, and entertain with activities such as music and bingo.

Volunteers at the Information Desk, located at the entrance of the hospital, help provide guidance to visitors. If you would like to request the services of a volunteer or become a volunteer yourself, please contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator located in the 3rd Floor Administration area, call (902) 853-8692, or apply online at www.healthpei.ca/volunteer

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Western Hospital information booklet

Hospice

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Hospice of West Prince was incorporated in 1985. It is a community based program working in cooperation with the Island Hospice Association. This team of professionals and trained volunteers is organized to assist in the care and support of those living with a life-threatening illness and to support their families.

This hospice is an independent, non-profit, volunteer organization registered as a charity which relies solely on memorials, donations, and fundraising events. The money is used for administrative costs, training programs, equipment to loan out, etc. Hospice care is provided under the direction of the patient’s physician in a variety of settings (i.e. patient’s home, hospital, nursing home, etc.). There is no fee for this service.

Hospice care is arranged by family, friends, physician, hospital/home care staff, or the patient. When the coordinator receives a referral, she will do an assessment with the client and family to decide what services are required.

For hospice care, contact the coordinator at 859-2870.

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Your Good Health is Our Main Concern To maintain your good health and to ensure that our health care dollars are spent effectively, we offer the following suggestions to help keep you out of Western Hospital: 1. Enjoy a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of food from each food group every day, as recommended by Canada’s Food Guide.

2. Wherever possible, reduce the amount of fat, salt, and sugar in your diet. Choose fresh rather than processed foods, and eat foods that are high in fiber. Drink several glasses of water and other fluids each day.

3. Maintain an appropriate weight for your height and body build. If you need to lose weight, set a realistic goal. Follow a sensible program and avoid products that promise miracle results. You didn’t put the weight on overnight; don’t expect to lose it overnight.

4. Stop smoking for your own sake and for the good health of those around you. Some people say it takes 28 days to develop a habit. Consequently, it follows that breaking a habit will take some time as well. Don’t expect to give up smoking overnight.

5. Include physical exercise in your daily routine. Walk rather than drive; walk a little further after parking the car and take the stairs rather than the elevator. Be aware of good posture while standing and sitting.

6. Before exercise, even walking, take time to prepare your body through a stretching and warm-up routine. Wear shoes that fit properly and provide good support. Start easily and progress slowly.

7. Your mental health is important. Good mental health contributes to your overall wellbeing. Try to keep some balance between work, school, family needs, and leisure or recreational pursuits.

8. Take time to relax and enjoy family and friends. You can’t always control stressful events in your life, but you can maintain some control over how you respond to the stress you experience. Practicing some deep-breathing exercises, which serve to relax your body physically, can actually help to prepare you mentally so you can cope with stress more effectively.

9. Discuss with your doctor or another health professional important health checks such as breast self-examinations, blood pressure monitoring, prostate examinations, and pap tests. You know your body better than anyone. Remember to listen or look for clues that could be signs of a more serious problem, and discuss these with your doctor.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

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Western Hospital information booklet

Community Supporters Index

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Western Hospital is extremely grateful to all advertisers for helping to make this guide possible. Please note, an advertisement in this guide does not imply an endorsement by Western Hospital.

Accessible Transportation Transportation West Inc..............................................................................23

Banking Tignish Credit Union..................................................................................23

Disabled Persons Service Transportation West Inc..............................................................................23

Financial Services Tignish Credit Union..................................................................................23

Hospice & Grief Support Hospice PEI................................................................................................23

Optometrist Dr. Craig Williams......................................................................................22

Palliative Care Hospice PEI................................................................................................23

Pharmacies O’Leary Guardian Drug..............................................................................22 The Medicine Shoppe.................................................................................23

Senior Transportation Transportation West Inc..............................................................................23

NOTES:

www.healthpei.ca/westernhospital

21

CW

Dr. Craig Williams OptOmetrist cAo member

West Prince eye clinic 479 chruch st. | Alberton, Pe

O’Leary Guardian Drug 536 Main Street, Oleary, PE 902-859-2606

Prince county eye clinic 505 GrAnville st. | summerside, Pe

• Medication Packaging • Home Health Care • Kodak Picture Maker • Photocopies/Fax Service • Purolator • 98 Cent Valley • Lotto • Stamps •Cell phone/Gift Cards • Giftware • ATM

902-853-3361

West Prince Family Health Clinic

902-888-2108

See this publication and more at:

patientdirectory.ca

Quality Healthcare Publications ...if you can THINK it, we can INK it!

Tel.: 613-475-2927 • 800-339-5662 15681 Hwy 2, Brighton, ON K0K 1H0

info@willowpublishing.com www.willowpublishing.com

22

Western Hospital information booklet

Transportation West Inc.

Health PEI

Santé Î.-P.-É.

Serving the WeSt Prince region

accessible transportation services for those in need; including people with disabilities, seniors and special needs.

Hospital transfers, medical appointments, errands, group outings.

Please call for our price rates

902-853-6010 116 dufferin st. | alberton, pe

Like us on

www.facebook.com/transportationwest

Professional Services: • Accu-Pak™ Compliance Packaging • Health & Wellness Events • Free Delivery • Diabetes Management • Promoting Healthy Living and Positive Lifestyle Changes • Specialty Compounding A volunteer-driven not for profit orgAnizAtion

A community of trained, caring and compassionate volunteers who provide personalized support to individuals and their families during the end-of-life journey.

Support is provided in private homes, palliative care, long-term care and hospitals.

Grief Support Services are also provided.

All Hospice services are free of charge.

To requeST FREE H o S p i c e S e r v i c e S p Ho n e

902.368.4498

or email hpca@hospicepei.ca or visit our website for a local chapter and more information

www.hospicepei.ca

Mary Ellen Rennie,

B.Sc. Pharm.

Pharmacist / Owner P.O. Box 8 | 152 Poplar Street Alberton, PEI Tel: (902) 853-4600 | Fax: (902) 853-4668

www.medicineshoppealberton.com www.healthpei.ca/westernhospital

23

Health PEI

Santé Î.-P.-É.