General Information

Whether you are visiting a patient or you are here as a patient, we want your visit to be as comfortable and convenient as possible. Please see the following topics for more information about the Hospital’s facilities and policies. If you have concerns or questions that this site does not answer, please call (860) 344-6000.

Important Phone Numbers

Patient Information: (860) 344-6720
Hospital Switchboard: (860) 344-6000
Public Relations: (860) 344-6387
Gift Shop: (860) 344-6730

Facilities and Locations

For your convenience, Middlesex Hospital has facilities and office locations throughout Middlesex County and beyond. From our medical centers to physician offices, our goal is to ensure that you have access to the latest technologies and services, close to home.

Free Parking

There is a secure, well-lit parking lot adjacent to the main hospital entrance available for your use while visiting a patient or staying with us as a patient.

Visiting Hours / Visiting Policy

We understand the important role that support from family, loved ones and friends plays in the recovery process. An open visitation policy has been established to provide our patients with an atmosphere supportive of their needs. Our first goal is to ensure the best possible care for our patients, so decisions concerning visitors will be made jointly by the patient’s care giver and the patient.

Security

The Hospital and grounds are protected by members of our trained security force, on duty and at your service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our Security Department provides traffic control, parking assistance, and general security throughout the facility.

All jewelry and money, except for small change for miscellaneous purchases, should be left at home. The Hospital cannot be responsible for looking after items to prevent damage, or for the loss of money, jewelry or other items left in your room. If you wish to have valuables placed in the Hospital safe, the staff will help you make the necessary arrangements.

Food Service

Wholesome, nourishing, and well-balanced meals are an important part of your treatment and recovery. Middlesex Hospital’s Food and Nutrition Department makes every effort to provide nutritious meals that are prepared according to your doctor’s orders. Patient meals are served at the following times:

Breakfast 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dinner 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Telephones

There is a phone at each bed in the patient rooms, each with a direct line, provided at no charge to the patient. All local calls are free, and long distance calls can be made with a credit card or third party calling.

Family and friends can call you in your room by dialing (860) 343 + the extension posted on your phone.

Except in the Pregnancy & Birth Center, all patients’ phones are automatically forwarded to the nurse’s station every night at 10:00 p.m. to avoid disturbing other patients. The phones return to direct service at 7:00 a.m. each morning. Outgoing calls can be made at any time.

Visitors are asked to use public pay phones, conveniently located in the Hospital Lobby, the Emergency Department waiting room, outside the entrance to the parking garage, and near the Radiation/Oncology Department on the ground floor.

Mail and Flowers

Mail will be delivered to your room, as will flowers, unless you are in the Critical Care Unit, where flowers are not permitted. If you wish to mail a letter, give it to a nurse or volunteer. Any mail received after your discharge will be forwarded to your home. Florists handle delivery arrangements for flowers delivered after your discharge.

Television

Television is provided free of charge to patients. We have a new, state-of-the-art system that provides an educational resource in addition to basic television entertainment. We offer videos on a variety of health topics, a live broadcast of services in the Chapel, and we will soon have a relaxation channel.

Newspapers

Volunteers sell copies of the Middletown Press six days a week (Monday through Saturday) to all patients’ rooms. Copies of the Middletown Press and the Hartford Courant are also available by calling the Gift Shop.

Library cart

A library cart staffed by hospital volunteers, loans paperback books, large print books, audiotapes, and current magazines to patients. The cart makes a visit to each floor three times a week.

Places of Worship

Protestant

South Congregational (UCC), 9 Pleasant St., (860) 346-5006
First Methodist (UMC), 24 Old Church St., (860) 346-3689
First Baptist (ABC), 93 Main St., (860) 347-0044
Zion Baptist (National), 16 Greenfield Ave., (860) 347-5074
St. Paul Lutheran (ELCA), 79 High St., (860) 346-9107
Holy Trinity (Episcopal), 381 Main St., (860) 347-2591

Roman Catholic

St. Francis, 10 Elm St., (860) 347-4684
St. Mary, 79 S. Main St., (860) 347-2365
St. Sebastian, 155 Washington Street, (860) 347-2638

Jewish

Adath Israel, 48 Old Church St., (860) 346-4709

Hindu

Shri Satyanarayan Temple, 11 Training Hill Drive, (860) 346-8675

Please call for directions and times of services.

Middlesex Hospital Pastoral Services Department

The hospital chaplains can be reached through the main hospital number, (860) 344-6000.

Pastoral Services

Members of the Pastoral Services staff are available for prayer, support, and counsel. The Hospital chaplains, as well as clergy from the community, will be sensitive and respectful to your particular spiritual needs.

The William E. Wrang, M.D. Memorial Chapel is located on the first floor in the North Wing. Individuals of all faiths are welcome to the chapel 24 hours a day for prayer or meditation.

Regular services are conducted in the chapel, and broadcast to patient rooms.

Library

The Tremaine Library is available to the communities in our service area as a source of information that may not be available at your local public library. High speed access to the internet, subscriptions to major medical databases, full text print subscriptions to 225 professional journals and the latest medical reference books all enable you to do in comprehensive, in-depth research. The Tremaine Library is staffed Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on holidays. Call us at (860) 344-6286 or e-mail us at library@midhosp.org for more information about our services. We will also have a web site available here very shortly!

Lost and Found

If you lose or find an item during your visit, notify the Lost and Found within the Security Department.

Interpretation Services

Middlesex Hospital is committed to serving non-English speaking patients. Regular interpreters are available by calling the Human Resources Department at (860) 344-6380.

Deaf or hearing-impaired patients have the right to an interpreter and to assistive listening devices such as TDD, amplified phones, and closed-caption television.

Smoking Policy

In the interest of health and wellness for our patients, visitors and employees, Middlesex Hospital is an entirely smoke-free environment. There are designated smoking areas outside the Hospital.

Social work services are available to all our patients. They can help with personal, family, emotional or other issues that can result from the stress of illness or injury. Recognizing that all family members and friends can be effected by the hospitalization of a loved one; social workers are available for families too.

Advance Directives

An Advance Directive is a legal document that states your personal wishes regarding your health care should you suddenly become unable to make decisions for yourself. This documentation can take the form of a Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Health Care Agent, or Organ Donation. It is very important that your family, physician, and the Hospital be made aware of your desires for health care. In the event you do not have an Advanced Directive and would like more information, call Patient Registration/Admitting at (860) 344-6700.

Continuum Management / Discharge Planning

Discharge planners are available to assist you and your family in making post-hospital plans during your hospital stay. The discharge planner will assess your needs, determine your insurance coverage, and coordinate any services you will need when you leave the Hospital. Post-hospital services can include home care assistance, placement, placement in a skilled nursing facility rehabilitation, or participation in the Hospice program.

Financial Service

Prior to service

Please check your insurance coverage to be sure you and your physician have met the required pre-treatment authorizations. (i.e. second opinions or pre-certification of services.) If these conditions are not met, your insurance company could deny benefits and you will be responsible for payment.

For most scheduled services, our Registration Department will contact you in advance to obtain the required information about you and your insurance. We can then have the forms ready for your signature on the day of your appointment. Please visit the Registration department before going to your appointment and bring your insurance card.

Your hospital bill

Middlesex Hospital bills your insurance company if you provide us with the proper information. If insurance payment is delayed, or there is a balance due after insurance payment, a statement will be mailed to you. Read the message carefully as action may be required on your part.

Physician’s bills

Your private physician will bill you separately for their services. If you have questions about these bills, please call the phone number printed on their statement.

Medicare patients

Please bring your Medicare card with you. Middlesex Hospital will bill Medicare directly if you furnish us with the proper information. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits from Medicare indicating what Medicare has paid.

No Insurance / Patient balance after insurance payment

Payment is due in full unless the Financial Counselor authorizes a payment plan. We accept checks and credit card payments.

Free care

You may be eligible for free care for all or part of your balance due if your total family income is within the guidelines. To inquire, please call the Financial Counselor at 860/358-2402 or 860/358-2403.

Our staff will be glad to work with you to help you understand your insurance coverage.

Volunteer Services / Opportunities

Volunteers brighten the days of our patients in hundreds of ways every day—and that’s only the beginning. By supporting our nurses and other staff, volunteers measurably improve the quality of care throughout our organization—from Middlesex Hospital in Middletown and our medical centers in Marlborough and Essex, to other sites throughout our organization.

Middlesex Health System needs and values your skills, talents, sense of humor and life experience. Whatever you can give will make a difference at Middlesex.

Please see our Volunteering page for more information.

Gift Shop

The Gift Shop is located in the Main Lobby. Operated by the Middlesex Hospital Auxiliary, the Gift Shop is tax free, and features a variety of merchandise including: cards, flowers, gift items, magazines, toiletries, snacks and candy, stuffed animals and small toys.

The Gift Shop accepts cash, VISA, MasterCard and personal checks (with photo identification.)

The shop is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The shop is closed on major holidays. All proceeds support the Hospital Auxiliary Endowment Fund.