Visitors can be good medicine for patients. Family members and friends are welcome to visit. However, patient care is our primary concern at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, and, in order to enhance the quality of care, specific visiting hours and regulations have been established for each unit. Visiting hours and regulations are available at the information desk on each unit.
Visiting Regulations
Following are general guidelines for visitors:
Visitors may not use tobacco products on hospital property.
Visitors must dress appropriately and must wear shirts and shoes.
Visitors in semi-private rooms should be considerate of both patients.
For patients’ consideration, we encourage no more than 2 visitors at one time.
People with colds, sore throats or any contagious diseases should not visit patients.
Visits should be kept short.
Visitors should maintain a quiet environment and avoid unnecessary noise.
Children visiting must be supervised.
Liberal visiting arrangements may be made for families of surgical patients on the day of surgery.
Condition Reports
Any personal information about your diagnosis and treatment must come from your physician, and this information is only available to members of your immediate family who will be helping you with your healthcare needs.
Gifts for Patients
Visitors should check with the nurse before bringing gifts of food or drink to patients. Please check with the nurse to make sure your gift is appropriate. In the Intensive Care Unit, please check with the charge nurse regarding any gifts for patients.
Balloons
Due to latex allergies, we ask that latex balloons not be brought into Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. We do welcome Mylar balloons.
Parking
Parking for patients and visitors is available in the lot directly across from the hospital. Parking is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All parking at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital is free. Patients and visitors are cautioned not to park in reserved areas or certain designated areas. Please be sure to lock your car. Your nurse can arrange an escort to your car, if needed. See Parking Lot Guide.
Valet Parking
Valet parking is available for those who need assistance. This is a Volunteer Program that is supplied free of charge. Hours are Monday — Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Waiting Areas
There is a quiet room for visitors on the Medical / Surgical Floor just outside the Intensive Care Unit. Specific waiting areas have been designated for families of patients in the emergency department and surgical area. During certain hours, a volunteer is on duty in the surgery waiting room to keep family members informed about the progress of surgery. A food and beverage cart is available in the surgical waiting area during the day for patients and guests.
Out-of-Town Visitors
Accommodations for relatives and visitors from out-of-town are available at nearby motels.
We are a tobacco-free campus. Please do not bring any tobacco products with you. Smoking is prohibited on hospital property. Due to the life-threatening effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital has prohibited smoking throughout the hospital, as well as on hospital property and grounds. We realize that this policy may be challenging for our patients who use tobacco. To make your stay as comfortable as possible, nicotine replacement therapy is available through our pharmacy.
Emergency Drills
For your protection, the hospital conducts fire and disaster drills regularly. If a drill occurs while you are here, please remain in your room and do not become alarmed when someone comes and closes your door. The hospital is a fire-resistant building, and the staff is trained in fire protection.
Oxygen
Special regulations are in effect in areas where patients are receiving oxygen. Your nurse or cardiopulmonary therapist will advise you.
Medications
All medications you take while in the hospital are prescribed by your doctor, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy and administered by a nurse. Patients are not permitted to administer their own drugs or keep personal medications at their bedsides. Medications brought in at time of admission will be stored in the Pharmacy until time of discharge. Do not hesitate to ask questions about your medications.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available on all nursing units and at registration, but getting in and out of them without assistance may be hazardous. Please ask for help from a member of the hospital staff.
Valuable or Lost Items
Patients are asked not to bring items of value to the hospital. If you do bring a valuable item, it should be deposited in the safe at Registration. A written receipt for all items will be placed in your chart and will be presented when you are discharged. If you lose something, please notify your nurse immediately, and we will make every effort to help you find it. Unclaimed articles are turned in to the Security Office, where they are kept for 30 days. To inquire about lost articles, call Security at 664-5440.
Electrical Items
Regulations require that electrical items brought to the hospital must be checked for compliance before use. We will be glad to check your electrical item for your use during your stay with us. Your nurse will make the necessary arrangements.
After fifty years wishing and hoping, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital now has a nondenominational chapel – a place where family, friends, patients and staff can seek solitude and quiet that many times provides the strength and faith needed during difficult times.
Over one hundred people joined with the chapel benefactors Delmont and Betty Merrill on a snowy Sunday afternoon in February to dedicate this important addition to the hospital. The new Merrill Chapel is located on the top floor of a new tower that faces west over Union River and on to Blue Hill Mountain offering an unsurpassed serene view via the glass wall which runs floor to ceiling and wall to wall. The only other window in the chapel is a beautiful stained glass landscape with a dove in flight. The chapel is warmed by maple panels that run 80% up the walls set off with a muted green wall color. In the ceiling are tear drop recessed lights. Furniture, lamps, and paintings all complete the feeling that you are in a special place.
The Merrill’s joined with a committee to work out ideas for the chapel construction but in the end it was their generous gift which made the entire project possible.
The dedication ceremonies were held in the hospital’s new cafeteria. Richard Malaby, Board Chair of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, served as host with thoughtful remarks by Mr. Merrill, Hospital President Doug Jones, Dr. Charles Alexander and a prayer of dedication by Scott Connors. All guests were treated to a well presented and even more tasteful array of hors d’Oeuvres. Groups of attendees were escorted by hospital staff in small groups to experience the chapel’s grace. The chapel will now always be available 24/7 for all who need guidance.
Condition Reports
Wheelchairs 
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital
Eleanor Widener Dixon Memorial Clinic
Ellsworth Rehabilitation Services
Gouldsboro Rehabilitation Services
Maine Coast Pediatrics
Southwest Harbor Medical Center
Somesville Rehabilitation Services
