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At Somerset Medical Center, our first priority is you. We understand that you may have some questions and concerns when you are going to be a patient. Below is some useful information you may need for your visit.
Patient Advocates
The Patient Advocate Department can assist you with special needs or requests or address any issues you may have. Call 908-685-2430 (ext. 2430 from inside the hospital) or ask your nurse for assistance.
Flowers and Mail
Flowers, packages and mail are delivered to patient rooms daily. For the safety of our patients, flowers are not permitted in the Critical Care, Surgery or Post Anesthesia Care units. Mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home. You can also give outgoing mail to a member of the nursing staff.
Friends and family can order flowers, balloons, gifts or free e-cards to be delivered to a patient’s room via our online Gift Gallery.
Television
For your convenience, cable television service is provided free to all patients. Closed caption service can be requested from your nurse.
In addition to broadcast programming, Channel 76 features current announcements, information about the medical center and music. Channel 77 offers health education programming and Channel 6 provides information on infant care for our new mothers.
Telephone Services
Patients can order hospital telephone service by dialing the Operator. Phone service is $3 a day and covers all incoming calls and local outgoing calls. The fee is charged to your home telephone bill. All long distance calls must be made collect, by calling card or billed to your home phone.
Food and Nutrition Services
Each day, our patients are offered a wide variety of healthy menu selections. Guest trays can be delivered to the patient's room upon request for a cost of $5. Patients with special diets who wish to be visited by our dietician can call ext. 3393. Patients also may notify us of any special dietary requests prior to their stay by calling 908-685-2200, ext. 3393.
Parental Stay
A parent is welcome to stay during a child's hospitalization. Pull-out bed chairs are available and meals may be ordered for a minimal charge from the Food and Nutrition Services Department. Arrangements should be made with the nursing staff prior to an overnight stay.
Valuables
Please do not bring any jewelry or large sums of money with you to the medical center. If you must do so, ask your nurse to deposit them for you in the hospital safe. If you wear dentures or a hearing aid, please ask your nurse for a labeled container for them. Be sure to keep your eyeglasses and contact lenses in their own containers. The medical center cannot accept responsibility for money or other valuables that are kept in your room.
Hearing Impaired Services
Telephone Typewriters for the Deaf (TTD) are available for use by patients and visitors. The units are located in the Communications Department and the Emergency Department. For assistance, talk to your nurse. To access the New Jersey Relay Service for phone communications, dial 800-852-7897.
Interpreters
Deaf and hearing-impaired patients have the right to a sign language interpreter or other auxiliary aids if needed to effectively communicate with hospital staff. Requests for language interpreters and certified sign language interpreters can be made through the nursing staff.
Spiritual Care
Chaplaincy services are available to patients of all faiths through a full-time chaplain and the assistance of area clergy. A Catholic priest also is available for sacramental needs. Call ext. 2425 or ask your nurse for assistance. An interfaith chapel is located on the first floor in the South Wing for patients and visitors.
Library Cart
A library cart, run by the Volunteer Services Department, offers a variety of complimentary reading material and tours the floors at least once a week.
Medical Records
Copies of your medical records can be sent to your physician or to another hospital without charge. Written consent and a small fee is required to release copies of medical records to patients, and we ask your understanding in allowing time for the records to be completed. For more information, call ext. 2916.
Notary Public
For your convenience, a notary public is available at the medical center Monday through Friday during business hours. Ask your nurse for assistance.
Private Duty Nurses
Should you need a private duty nurse, your family can contact Nursing Administration for referrals at 908-685-2810.
Blood Tests
The Laboratory begins drawing blood on patient floors very early in the morning so that results are ready for your physician at the start of the day. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Lost and Found
Personal items found within the medical center are kept for three months in the Patient Advocate Department, which can be reached at ext. 2430.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please e-mail us!
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