The Medical-Surgical Unit (Med-Surg) at Calais Community Hospital is a 10-bed unit that provides acute inpatient care for patients whose medical needs can be safely managed within the scope of a Critical Access Hospital. The unit is staffed by hospitalists, registered nurses, and certified nursing assistants; an interdisciplinary team dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care. Staff emphasize critical thinking, clinical competency, teamwork, and effective communication to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.
Hospitalists and Med-Surg staff work closely with consulting specialists, including general surgery, orthopedic surgery, podiatry, and other specialty services available through Calais Community Hospital to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
The unit also offers a Swing Bed Program for patients who no longer require acute hospitalization but continue to need skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services before returning home or transitioning to another level of care. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the team focuses on restoring each patient’s highest level of independence while promoting a safe and successful discharge.
Discharge planning begins at the time of admission and is a collaborative effort involving nursing, hospitalists, case management, rehabilitation services, pharmacy, dietary, and other disciplines as needed. Interdisciplinary bedside rounds are conducted Monday through Friday to review each patient’s progress, address barriers to discharge, and ensure individualized plans of care are being met.
The unit is also home to the Nightingale Room, a private room designated to provide comfort and dignity for patients receiving end-of-life care. The room includes additional accommodations to support family members during this important time.
The Medical-Surgical Unit follows nationally recognized, evidence-based standards of care and incorporates best practices for the management of medical, surgical, and swing bed patients. Staff maintain certifications appropriate to their roles, including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and participate in ongoing education, competency validation, and quality improvement initiatives. The unit is committed to infection prevention, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and participation in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality measures to continuously improve patient outcomes and the overall patient experience.