The Medical/Surgical Unit at Calais Community Hospital can accommodate patient activity/census that does not exceed the requirements under critical access hospital status. Our Med/Surg Unit is a 19 bed unit. The unit is staffed by providers, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and unit ward clerks. The department staff emphasizes critical thinking, technical skills and competency, as well as interpersonal skills to provide the highest quality nursing care to their patients.
This unit also offers the Swing Bed Program, a classification for patients no longer requiring acute care and eligible for skilled nursing care. There is an emphasis on nursing rehabilitation and a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care to facilitate the patient’s ability to be discharged.
Discharge planning is a multidisciplinary effort carried out by the unit staff in collaboration with the Hospitalist, Patient Care Coordinator, dietary, pharmacy, rehab services, social services and case management. Daily bedside rounding occurs Monday through Friday to discuss individualized plans of care.
One of our rooms, The Nightingale Room, is designated specifically for end of life care. This room has additional accommodations for the comfort of families.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols are followed for emergency care. The department participates in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid core measures to prevent deep vein thrombosis, hospital acquired pneumonia, and other quality measures.