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Cottage Hospital has the unique combination of cutting edge technology
and friendly care. The most modern and up to date equipment is used
throughout the facility by the region's most dedicated group of
clinicians. From the simple to the complex, Cottage Hospital provides
the level of care necessary to address your specific healthcare needs.
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The Anesthesia department provides a full range of anesthetics to meet
the needs of our patients requiring surgery. Choices include local
anesthesia with sedation, regional blocks, spinal, epidural, and
general anesthesia. Epidural pain control and anesthesia are provided
for labor and delivery or Cesarean Section. State of the art equipment
and monitors are used to assure safe anesthesia.
Since 1989, Cottage Hospital's innovative Pain Management program has
been helping patients deal more effectively with pain. An Acute Pain
Treatment Service provides analgesia for patients with post-surgical
pain, post-traumatic pain, or acute exacerbation of chronic pain.
Upon provider referral, the Cottage Hospital Pain Clinic involves a
comprehensive treatment approach for treating chronic pain. Cottage
Hospital's Pain Clinic is certified by the American Academy of Pain
Management as well as the pain specialists treating you.
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treated by the Cottage Hospital Pain Clinic include: |
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Back Pain |
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Cancer Pain |
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Complex Regional Pain
Syndrome (CRPS) |
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Coccydynia |
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Costochondritis |
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Failed back, failed fusion
or post laminectomy syndrome |
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Facet Joint Disease |
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Herpes Zoster (shingles),
Post Heretic Neuralgia |
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Herniated Disc Disease |
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Neck Pain |
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Lower Extremity Pain |
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Myofascial Pain Syndrome |
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Neuropathic Pain |
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Chronic Post Surgical Pain |
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Radicular Pain |
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Sciatica |
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Spinal Stenonis,
Spondylolisthesis |
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Upper Extremity Pain |
We work
closely with your Primary Care Provider as well as referring to other
specialists who may augment our therapies in delivering a comprehensive
treatment plan.
These may include: |
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Accupuncturist |
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Chiropractor |
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General Surgeon |
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Hypnotherapist |
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Massage Therapist |
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Naturopathic Specialist |
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Neurologist |
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Neurosurgeon |
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Orthopedic Specialist |
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Physiatrist |
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Physical Therapist |
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Podiatrist |
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Psychiatrist/Psychologist |
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Radiologist |
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Other Pain Specialist |
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 The Birthing Center offers a
quiet, homey atmosphere for your birth experience. Each private room is
equipped for emergencies and the care of your newborn.
 The Birthing Center offers the
services of family practitioners who are specially trained in
obstetrics (including performance of C-sections and postpartum tubals).
All members of our well-trained perinatal nursing staff are known for
their high degree of professionalism and their true caring of mothers.
24-hour Anesthesia coverage and services including Epidural anesthesia.
Our health care team is dedicated to making the birthing experience a
safe, joyous and memorable occasion for you, your newborn and your
family. The Birthing Center gives you a choice of birth methods and
encourages family members to be present during birth. Birthing rooms
are tastefully decorated and there's even a family room for family
members who want to share in this happy event. |
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| Education: |
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Lending library |
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Childbirth Classes |
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Breastfeeding Classes |
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Parenting Group |
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Mom/Baby Group |
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Breast Pump Rentals-Please
call the Birthing Center for a free brochure on this program |
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Nurse Advisor Program |
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Ultrasound |
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Cesarean Section |
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Prenatal Testing |
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24-hour Anesthesia
including Epidural |
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Breastfeeding/Lactation
Consulting (Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant) |
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Family Planning including
Tubal Ligation |
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The Cottage Hospital Business Office is available to help patients with
questions regarding insurance coverage and their hospital bills. The
office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The staff in
the business office commonly answers questions regarding various
insurance carriers, and charges on patient bills.
If you would like to speak to a billing clerk, or the Business Office
manager, call (603) 747-9214, or stop by the front desk at
the hospital. |
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Upon a referral from his/her doctor, a patient enters our Cardiac
Rehabilitation program. The purpose of our program is to help
individuals restore and  maintain
their highest level of function, physically, mentally and socially, by
providing medically supervised exercise therapy and cardiac lifestyle
counseling. The Cardiac Rehabilitation program is run by a specially
trained nurse, an exercise physiologist and is supervised by the
hospital's cardiologists. Combining a regimen of exercise and
education, the Cardiac Rehabilitation program also helps the patient
learn ways to avoid future health problems.
The program offers two phases of cardiac rehabilitation. The outpatient
phase is for individuals with an acute heart problem (i.e. heart
attack, stent/angioplasty procedure, bypass surgery). The maintenance
phase is for individuals with either a history of a cardiac event or a
presence of cardiac risk factors.
For more information on Cardiac Rehabilitation, call (603) 747-9321. |
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Many surgeries and procedures that meant a long hospital stay years
ago, can now be done on a "same-day surgery" basis. This means that the
patient enters the hospital in the morning, has the procedure, and
returns home by the end of the day. A special room is designated for
day surgery patients and is supervised by specially trained registered
nurses.
When a patient is scheduled for a day surgery procedure, he/she comes
to the hospital about one week prior to the procedure to meet with the
nurse and the anesthetist. During the visit, the patient receives an
explanation of their anesthesia and a review of preparations needed for
surgery. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours after their procedure, the
patient receives a phone call from the day surgery nurse to see if the
patient is having any problems, and to check for patient satisfaction.
Services that are currently provided through the same day surgery
program include: arthroscopic and other orthopedic procedures,
laparoscopic procedures, biopsies, endoscopies and colonoscopies,
podiatry services, certain gynecological and urological procedures, and
other minor surgeries. |
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The Dietary department prepares and serves food for patients,
employees, visitors, and for in-house meetings and hospital events.
The goal of the department is to prepare food that is not only
appropriate to the patient's diet, but food that the patient will
enjoy. Patients select their meals from a daily menu, and meal
selection and preparation is supervised by a registered dietitian, in
accordance with instructions from the patient's doctor.
The hospital dining room is open for visitors: 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. for
breakfast, 12 noon - 1:30 p.m. for lunch, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. for dinner.
Snacks and beverages are available most other times until 6 p.m.. Snack
and soda vending machines are available for visitors at all times in
the solarium. |
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The Emergency department at Cottage Hospital is staffed 24-hours a day,
365 days a year by specially trained doctors and nurses. The emergency
department has five beds for examining and treating patients. Two of
these beds are specially equipped to handle cardiac emergencies and
multiple trauma victims. One bed is equipped for patients with
orthopedic injuries, so that casting and other procedures can be
readily completed. All beds are located near the Laboratory and
Radiology departments, with one section adjoining Radiology for easy
access and monitoring of patients undergoing these exams.
In the event it is determined that a patient needs more specialized
care than can be provided at Cottage Hospital, the patient is
stabilized and transported by either ambulance or helicopter to a
tertiary care facility. The patient is accompanied by staff who is
trained in emergency transfers. Copies of the patient's records,
laboratory data and x-rays are relayed as well so that all vital
information is communicated to the receiving facility. |
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The Health Information Management department (Medical Records)
maintains a complete health record for every patient who visits Cottage
Hospital. These health records serve many purposes, the most important
of which is to provide a means of communication between health
professionals. The department, as caretaker of health information, has
acquired an important role in the life of the hospital as health
information has become the basis for hospital reimbursement.
Outside agencies impose many regulations on the department, and in
order to comply with them, Health Information Management remains
committed to the implementation of modern technology for its daily
operations and to the high quality of care rendered at Cottage Hospital.
If you need information on your medical records, call the Health
Information Management department at (603) 747-9000, ext. 2202 between
8:00 am and 4:30 p.m.. |
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Cottage Hospital's state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit takes care of
the critically ill. This includes cardiac, respiratory and some
surgical patients. Staffed by specially trained critical-care nurses,
the staff works closely with the patient's specialist and primary care
physician.
The Unit is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and visitors to the
Unit may visit patients for 10 minutes each hour, at the discretion of
the charge nurse. |
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The Cottage Hospital Laboratory is classified as a General Clinical
Laboratory, with service offered in all disciplines of laboratory
science. The laboratory provides services 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year for hospital inpatients, the Emergency department, Walk-In Clinic,
and medical outpatients, as well as outreach services to many area
physician offices. The department is accredited by the American College
of Pathologists, and is staffed by a team of qualified Medical
Laboratory Technologists and Technicians under the direction of a
Pathologist.
The laboratory includes several sub departments, including Chemistry,
where the chemical components such as glucose,  cholesterol, thyroid studies and some
therapeutic drug levels are quantitated; Hematology, where the various
cellular components such as red and white blood cells and platelets are
measured; Microbiology, where disease causing bacteria are isolated,
identified, and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Other departments
are Urinalysis, where the elements making up the urine are assessed,
Serology, which includes testing for pregnancy and some diseases like
Mono and Rheumatoid arthritis.
A very important department is the Blood Bank, where testing involved
in the transfusion of blood products is done. Besides blood types,
testing is done for antibodies directed against red blood cells to help
assure the safety of blood for transfusion.
Some tests requiring more sophisticated equipment or specialized
analysis are referred to an accredited reference laboratory. Accuracy,
timeliness and continually improving quality of service are ongoing
goals of the Laboratory staff.
Laboratory services are performed based upon physician referral.
Patients or physicians may make appointments for laboratory testing
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special arrangements may be
made for testing at other times under some circumstances. For further
information call 747-9000, ext. 9194. |
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This system is available to those elderly, disabled, or functionally
impaired individuals who want to maintain their independence by living
alone, but need a sense of security in the event of an emergency.
The response system becomes activated when the subscriber pushes the
Personal Help Button. The Personal Help Button is worn around the neck
on an adjustable necklace, or on the wrist like a watch. The button is
completely waterproof, and may be worn in the shower or while doing
dishes.
When pushed, the button activates a small in-home unit called the
Communicator. The communicator automatically dials the Lifeline
Response Center. In less than two minutes a Lifeline monitor attempts
to talk to the subscriber over the speaker. The Communicator is
equipped with a sensitive speakerphone. If the subscriber is able to
speak and says that assistance is needed, the monitor will send the
requested help.
If the subscriber is unable to speak, is outside, or is too far away to
be heard, a responder selected in advance by the client may be called.
Responders are usually neighbors or friends that live nearby. They are
asked to go over and check on the subscriber. If a responder cannot be
contacted, or cannot respond immediately, an ambulance, the police, or
even the fire department is dispatched.
Lifeline is there for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no
long-term commitment or purchase requirement.
For more information contact Donald Stapelfeld at 603-747-9000, or to
become a Lifeline subscriber, call: 1-800-286-5463. |
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Staying overnight in the hospital is never something a person looks
forward to, but in Cottage Hospital's Medical/Surgical unit, the staff
works extra hard to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible.
This 21-bed unit handles a variety of patients including orthopedics,
pediatrics, Urology, Oncology, medical and surgical.
Since we are a small unit, we can still offer personal care. The
nursing staff attempts to meet each patient's psychological, spiritual
and cultural needs, while delivering the highest quality of care
possible. The staff is always looking for ways to improve services. The
recent addition of a handicapped shower is one project that was
implemented by the Medical/Surgical nursing staff.
If you have questions about nursing care during a hospital stay or if
you would like more information, please call the Medical/Surgical
nurses' station at (603) 747-9101. |
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In order to allow cancer patients to stay close to home and their
primary care physicians during and after treatment, Cottage Hospital
has established a Cancer Management Program.
A team of oncology experts, known as "Oncology Team Conference" meets
monthly to evaluate and develop a plan of care for the cancer patients
in our geographic area. Members of this team include a medical
oncologist and a radiation oncologist, both from the
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and each patient's primary care
doctor and surgeons from Cottage Hospital.
In this special program, Cottage Hospital provides both outpatient and
inpatient chemotherapy. A special room has been designated for
outpatient care, and the chemotherapy is administered by specially
trained registered nurses. |
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Cottage Hospital's large Physical Therapy department provides services
for a variety of patients from pediatric to geriatric. Services are
available for various injuries and illnesses for both individuals in
the hospital, as well as those needing services on an outpatient basis.
The staff also makes regular visits to area nursing homes and to local
schools, and works with local home health agencies for home care
clients in the area.
The department is staffed by New Hampshire and Vermont licensed
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants trained in the
use of modalities and rehabilitative procedures including setting up
individualized home programs for patients to help themselves. The
professional staff emphasizes personal hands-on therapy with the goal
of returning individuals to the highest level possible in a reasonable
time frame.
The department offers physical therapy services for stroke patients,
people with orthopedic problems, burns, arthritis, amputations,
neurological problems, worker's compensation and industrial accidents,
neck and back injuries, and post-operative therapies, such as knee and
hip replacements. Staff also provides treatment to physically, mentally
and developmentally challenged children in area school systems.
For more information on Cottage Hospital's Physical Therapy services,
call (603) 747-9310. |
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Occupational Therapy is a rehabilitation profession that helps people
achieve independence in their daily lives. Occupational Therapists work
with people of all ages who have physical, developmental, social, or
emotional difficulties. This includes people with work-related
injuries, strokes, arthritis, learning disabilities, mental heath or
behavioral problems, visual perceptual deficits, substance abuse,
eating disorders, burns, fractures, amputations, hip replacements, and
fine motor/gross motor deficits. Occupational Therapy treatment
includes adapting tasks and the environment to meet the patient's
needs, training in the use of adaptive equipment to replace lost
function, and individualized treatment programs to maximize the
person's independence in their self-care, work, and/or leisure
activities.
For more information, contact our Occupational Therapy department at
603-747-0409. |
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Registered nurses in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit use intensive
monitoring and aggressive pain management techniques to assure a safe
and comfortable recovery from anesthesia and surgery.
Special procedures such as cardioversion (electrically converting hear
rhythm), thoracentesis (draining fluid from chest), and anesthetic
blocks for management of acute and chronic pain are also performed in
this special care area. |
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The Department of Radiologic Imaging Services provides comprehensive
services including x-ray, mammography, ultrasound, Computed Tomography
(CT Scan), Bone Densitometry and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patient Services are provided on a scheduled
and emergent. Films are interpreted by our staff Radiologists: Dr.
Russell Williams M.D., Dr. Peter Sahlin M.D., and Dr. Karen Jensen,
M.D. Regular hours are Monday through Friday 7am-9pm, Saturday and
Sunday 8am-4pm. On call staff and emergent services are provided (after
hours and on holidays) every day, all day, year round. The phone number
for the imaging department is (603) 747-9124.
Diagnostic X-Ray:
Provides evaluation of the chest, spine, extremities, fluoroscopic
studies (esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine) and intravenous
pyelograms (kidneys, ureters, and bladder) utilizing ionizing radiation
to obtain images. Please inform the technologist if you may be pregnant
prior to having this exam. Examination times vary; you may call the
imaging department if you have questions regarding the length of an
exam.
Computed Tomography (CT Scan):
Our spiral CT Scan provides high resolution imaging of the body (brain,
chest, abdomen, pelvis, etc.) alone or in conjunction with oral and
intravenous contrast agents. CT Scan may be done alone as the first
diagnostic study, or for further evaluation of a known disease process.
If you think you may be pregnant, or if you have any allergies or
kidney disease, please inform the technologist prior to your exam.
Examinations take 30-60 minutes.
Mammography:
Mammography is a screening examination for evaluation of the male or
female breast for cancers and other breast conditions (that are
otherwise too small to detect). It utilizes a very low dose radiation
and high-speed film combinations to provide high-resolution images for
diagnosis. Our Mammography unit is inspected and approved by the
F.D.A. The exam takes 30-45 minutes.
Bone Densitometry:
Dexa scan utilizes a low dose radiation to obtain images of key bones
to evaluate patients for low bone mass. Low bone mass, or osteopenia,
leads to osteoporosis, which causes brittle bones that fracture easily.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important to slow the disease
process. The examination takes 20-30 minutes. Please stop taking any
calcium supplements 24 hours prior to the examination.
Ultrasound:
Ultrasound evaluations of the body are performed using medically safe
levels of sound waves. Most often associated with the fetus, ultrasound
is also a safe alternative for pediatric imaging, as well as for
evaluation of the heart, gallbladder, liver, thyroid, the female pelvis
for ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer, for causes of
infertility, for carotid artery stenosis (which leads to stroke) and
venous imaging to evaluate for blood clots. Studies of the abdomen
require fasting for 4 hours prior to the study for a child and 8 hours
of fasting for an adult. Pelvic and kidney evaluation require the
patient drink 32 ounces of fluid one hour prior to the exam and not
empty their bladder.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
MRI utilizes a magnet to realign atoms in the body to generate an
image. MRI provides excellent resolution of soft tissue structures in
the body, for example the brain, ligaments and muscles, pelvic
structures, the spine and many other parts of the body. MRI and MRA
(Magnetic Resonance Angiography) may utilize an intravenous contrast
agent. If you have worked with metals, have a pacemaker, an aneurysm
clip, a prosthetic device or you are pregnant, please inform the
technologist prior to your examination.
Technologist Information:
Although not required by the State of New Hampshire, Cottage Hospital
requires all of its Radiologic Technologists to be registry eligible or
licensed by the appropriate licensing agencies (ARRT, ARDMS).
Professional affiliation and further licensure for specialized
modalities is encouraged among staff members to ensure our patients
have qualified professionals to perform their examinations. Each
technologist maintains rigorous continuing education requirements and
must be certified in basic life support. Licensure is posted throughout
the imaging department. |
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The Respiratory Care department at Cottage Hospital consists of
therapists and technicians trained in dealing with treatment,
diagnostic testing, and educational preventative maintenance of
patients with related lung disorders such as emphysema, asthma,
bronchitis (acute and chronic), croup, pneumonia and post-operative
airway support. Equipment and techniques involved in the above
practices consist of blood gas analysis, pulmonary function screening,
and ventilatory support, both invasive and non-invasive, as well as
therapeutic aerosol delivery, physical therapy regimes, and
administration of topical airway medication.
To speak with a respiratory therapist, call (603) 747-9000, ext. 9190.
To speak to the Social Service Director, call (603) 747-9207 (voice
message accessible). |
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The Social Service/Discharge Planning department is available to all
patients and their families to aid in dealing with the financial,
social, and emotional problems often accompanying an illness.
Services include Advance Directives, referrals to community and state
agencies for assistance, follow-up after discharge, assistance in
obtaining medical equipment such as walkers, oxygen and hospital beds
for home use, placement in nursing or boarding homes, family
counseling, and provision of information on Medicare, Medicaid, Social
Security, Blue Cross and other resources.
To speak to the Social Service worker, call (603) 747-9000, ext. 2207. |
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The Surgical Services department at Cottage Hospital performs an
average of 1,400 cases per year in surgical specialties including
general, vascular, orthopedics, pediatrics, urology, podiatry,
ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynecology.
Many of today's surgeries are performed with the use of endoscopes,
lasers and fiberoptics. Some areas of the body can now be visualized
using minimally invasive technologies, facilitating the removal of
appendix, gall bladder, uterus and the repair of hernias, torn
cartilage or the joints and torn shoulder rotator cuffs. These
procedures allow for a more rapid recovery and early return to normal
activities. |
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The Walk-In Clinic at Cottage Hospital is open every day (except
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day) to treat minor medical
problems and injuries. People who are not able to see their regular
doctor or do not have a regular doctor, may see a Walk-In Clinic
physician without a scheduled appointment.
Walk-in Clinic Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8
a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday &
Holidays: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
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 Volunteers are a valued human
resource at Cottage Hospital and perform a variety of functions that
help the facility continue in its mission to provide high-quality
health. Volunteers also gain valuable experience and an opportunity to
contribute their time, effort and skills to a worthwhile organization.
The volunteer program at Cottage Hospital is set up to serve the
individual needs of the volunteer and to match them with the needs of
the facility.
For further information on the volunteer program or to set up an
interview, contact Maryanne Aldrich at (603) 747-9189. |
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