Patient Information
In this section you will find helpful information for anyone who is having or expects to have a stay at ECM Hospital.
If you have questions about any of the following information or about something not covered here, please feel free to Contact Us.
- Patient Representative
- Infant Safety Seats
- Notary Public
- Clinical Nutrition Services
- Volunteers
- Gift Shop
- Emotional/Spiritual/Pastoral Care
Telephones
- To reach a patient room directly from outside the hospital, dial 768-9 followed by the patient room number.
- To reach a patient room directly from inside the hospital, dial “9” followed by the patient room number.
- For local calls outside the hospital dial “5” and then the number.
- For long distance calls dial “5,” listen for the dial tone then dial “0,” the area code and number of your party. Calls cannot be charged to a patient room. Instead, you may use a calling card, call collect, or charge the call to your home phone.
- TDD machines are also available for the deaf and hearing impaired through the Central Supply Department (768-9698).
Cellular Telephones
Cell phones are permitted throughout the hospital except in the critical care areas. Please try to avoid cell phone use when in the room with a patient on telemetry.
topParking
A four-story parking deck is available for your convenience directly across from the front entrance of the hospital. Parking is $1.00. A change machine is available in the front lobby and is accessible 24 hours a day.
topFood Services
The cafeteria and dining room are located on the First Floor. Well balanced meals are served daily. Serving times are listed below:
Breakfast: 6:45 AM - 10 AM
Snack/Beverage: 10 AM - 11 AM
Lunch - Dinner: 11 AM - 7 PM
Please note that due to health regulations patients are not permitted in the hospital cafeteria/dining room. Patients with special dietary needs may be provided cafeteria menus in their rooms. For your convenience, a soft-drink machine, a snack machine, and a sandwich machine with a microwave oven are all located on 3rd West down the hall from the nurses station.
topSecurity
If you need the assistance of our Security Officers, please dial (256) 768-9538 if outside the hospital or extension 9538 if inside the facility. You may also dial the switchboard “0” and ask to have security paged. Security Officers are on duty 24 hours a day. Out of concern for the safety of our patients, visitors and employees, illicit items are not permitted on ECM property (including parking areas). Illicit items include, but are not limited to, drugs, alcohol, weapons, and other objects carried for the purpose of injuring and/or intimidating others. This measure will be strictly enforced.
topSmoking Policy
In order to provide a healthy environment for our patients, visitors and employees, smoking is prohibited. ECM is a smoke free campus.
topVisiting Hours
Visitors are welcome and can be a valuable part of a patient’s recovery. Rest is vital and optimum medical care requires that no visitors be allowed in a patient’s room during treatments or other routine care. Please ask your friends and family for cooperation. Visiting hours are restricted in the Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit, Cardio-thoracic Recovery Unit and the Behavioral health Center, because of the special needs of patients in these areas.
ICU / CCU/ CTRU Visiting Hours are:
- 9:00am – 8:30pm when the green light is on.
- Visits should be limited to 2 visitors per patient for a total of fifteen minutes.
Behavioral Health Center Visiting Hours are:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Patient Representative
Someone to help…if there is a problem, questions or complaint…or if you just need someone to talk to, our Patient Representative is ready to help. She may be reached by calling extension 9140, or, if you feel the need is urgent, by calling the hospital operator and having her paged.
Infant Safety Seats
Your child’s safety is important to ECM. Proper installation of your car seat is essential for the safety of your child. We have staff trained in proper car seat installation methods. Please ask your nurse about this courtesy or contact the Newborn Nursery at 768-9328.
topNotary Public
This service is offered to patients as a courtesy upon request. For information, call 768-9140.
Clinical Nutrition Services
At ECM Hospital our clinical nutrition department is staffed by Registered Dietitians (RD). The dietitians are available seven days a week to assist physicians, nurses, patients, and family members meet the nutritional needs of patients. The dietitians are also available for outpatient education sessions based on physician referral. For additional nutrition information, or to schedule an outpatient consult, please call 768-9344.
topVolunteers
Volunteering provides a satisfying way to share personal skills, interest, abilities and time. Volunteering is a program for teens, as well as men and women of any age. Areas of service include:
- Information Desk
- Deliver patient and staff mail, LifeWise newspapers and meal cards
- Greeters and escorters
- ICU / CCU / and Cath Lab waiting areas
Your participation is eagerly welcomed if you can give time on a weekly basis or even occasionally. So, if you have something special to share and are interested in the rewarding experience of volunteering, call Volunteer Services at 768-8491.
topGift Shop
Located in the main lobby, Eliza’s Coffee and Gift Shop carries a wide variety of gifts for any age. You may shop for gourmet coffees, light snacks, muffins, sandwiches, gifts, greeting cards, flowers and toiletries without leaving the hospital. Eliza’s Coffee and Gift Shop carries a large line of gifts for the newborn and mother. You will find balloons, decorative bows, stuffed animals and much more. Remember…you will find everything you need at Eliza’s Coffee and Gift Shop and you won’t have to leave the hospital! The Gourmet Shoppe may be reached by calling (256) 768-8204.
Hours of OperationMonday - Friday 6:30 am to 11:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 am to 7:00 pm top
Emotional/Spiritual/Pastoral Care
The H.M. Perritt Family Chapel is located on the 2nd floor across from the Critical Care Waiting Room. The Chapel, funded through a generous donation to the ECM Charitable Fund, is a beautiful and prayerful setting for individuals and/or families. The Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Request for assistance with pastoral care may be made to patient care services, Case Management or the Patient Representative.
