Caring for You

The MRHA believes that its employees deserve a safe working environment. Aggressive behavior and/or coarse language will not be tolerated.

As a healthcare facility, we endeavor to be totally accessible to all members of our community. Read the Annual Accessibility Plan or contact the CEO’s office to request a hard copy.

To assist the MRHA in ensuring that the delivery of goods and services to those with disabilities is provided in an effective and timely manner, patients, residents and staff are invited to provide their feedback as follows:

In writing, in person, e-mail or telephone, addressed to:

Brad Harrington, President & CEO
AGH / CPDMH /Fairview Manor/LCPS
75 Spring Street
Almonte, ON K0A 1A0
Tel: 613-256-2514 x 2220
Email: agh.info@mrha.ca

The President & CEO will respond either in writing, in person, e-mail or telephone acknowledging receipt of feedback and will set out the action to be taken in response to any complaints. A response will be provided within twenty-one days. Alternate formats of our information are available upon request. We will endeavor to supply a suitable format for your needs in a timely fashion

If you have made a living will, indicating your wishes regarding resuscitation and life support or if you have made a decision regarding how you wish to be cared for should your condition worsen, it is important that you inform your physician or your nurse of your wishes.

It is also imperative that you let us know if a Substitute Decision Maker such as a Power of Attorney for Personal Care has been officially designated. Your Substitute Decision Maker must clearly understand your wishes for care, as this person will be responsible to speak on your behalf if you are not able to.

Please advise your nurse if you have brought electrical appliances, such as hair dryers and electric razors, etc., to the Hospital to determine if the application can be safely used in your unit. All electrical appliances must first be checked by our Maintenance/Engineering Department. Patient-owned electric heating pads, blankets and humidifiers are not permitted as they are a potential fire hazard.

The Hospitals and Fairview Manor have a list of codes to identify emergencies. From time to time, staff practice emergency situations. If a code is called, patients and visitors are to remain calm and in their room until a hospital employee gives further direction.

Falls are a major cause of injury in hospitals and long-term care homes every year. Almonte General Hospital, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital  and Fairview Manor follow the Prevention of Falls and Fall Injuries in Older Adults Best Practice Guideline from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO).

When admitted all patients/residents are screened for fall risk. If a patient/resident is identified as being at high risk for falls, strategies are put in place to reduce the risk of falling and other healthcare professionals, e.g. Physiotherapist, may be consulted. We ask that the patient/resident help us by:

• Using the call bell to ring for assistance to get to the bathroom. Ensure call bell at beside is within easy reach.

• Wearing non-slip footwear when you leave your bed.

• Ensuring that your clothing or belts do not drag on the floor.

• Not removing or adjusting safety belts or side rails on the bed by pushing your call bell for assistance/help.

• Wearing your eyeglasses and/or hearing aids when you are awake.

• Using walkers and canes provided for support. Other items do not. Do not lean on the

• bedside table, furniture, IV pole or other items to steady yourself.

• Letting your healthcare team know if you need to use the bathroom often or in a hurry.

• Using a urinal or bedside commode if this is easier for you.

• Minimizing clutter in your room. Keep items within easy reach. Over reaching for the phone or bending down to the floor for your slippers increase risk of falls.

Fire exits are clearly marked on each floor. During a fire alarm, all fire doors are closed on your unit until there is an “ALL CLEAR” announcement on the overhead paging system. Upon hearing a fire alarm, please stay in your room with any family or visitors. Staff on your unit will inform you if any action becomes necessary. If you are in the cafeteria, or another department, please stay there until an “ALL CLEAR” is announced. Elevators must not be used when there is a fire or a fire drill.

Fire Drills are held periodically to ensure our staff is trained to help protect you and the Organization. Fire drills do not affect you other than your door will be closed by one of our staff during the exercise.

During your hospital stay, your doctor will prescribe a diet most suited to your nutritional needs. All meals are based on Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating and your diet requirements. Nourishments are available between meals for those with specific dietary requirements. We ask that you check with the dietitian if you have any special needs or concerns regarding your diet or meals.

Meals are delivered to the rooms at approximately:

• Breakfast: 8:00 am
• Lunch: 12:00 noon
• Supper: 5:00 pm
  

Clean hands protect lives. In fact, hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Foam hand sanitizer is available in many locations around the hospital, including just outside each patient room.

Here are a few more useful tips to help reduce the spread of infection:

• Wash your hands before your meals, after using the toilet and before leaving and returning to your room.
• Ask your healthcare provider if they have washed their hands before providing care for you.
• Cough or sneeze into your shoulder or sleeve instead of your hands.
• Keep your mouth covered when you cough or sneeze.
• Dispose of tissues right after use and then wash your hands.
• If family or friends are not feeling well, or have fever, cough or cold, sore throat, diarrhea or vomiting please ask them not to visit.

AGH/CPDMH/FVM regularly audits its employees to ensure effective hand hygiene practices. To be clear, health care providers are washing their hands. What the provincial audit tool does is help ensure that they are washing them the right way at the right times.

Housekeeping Services takes great pride in providing you with a clean and sanitary environment. Patient rooms and bathrooms will be cleaned routinely by a housekeeper. Bedding will be changed regularly.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please inform a member of your care team.

Antibiotic Resistant Organisms are a group of bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics which help to prevent and fight infection. If you are carrying one of these bacteria, they can be spread to other people.

All admitted patients are assessed and screened for colonized bacteria by taking swabs. If you are identified as being positive, then you will be put in isolation so that the bacteria does not spread. Usually the spread is by hand contact.

If your family member develops one of these multidrug resistant organisms, there are patient/visitor leaflets that tell you more about the control measures. Ask your health care provider for one of these.

If you are interested in knowing more about our infection prevention and control program, contact the Director of Infection Prevention and Control at AGH by calling 613-256-2500  extension 2490 or at CPDMH by calling 613-257-2200 x 316.

If you require interpretation services, please advise a healthcare team member who will make arrangements on your behalf.

If you have lost an item or you would like to report a found item, please contact:

• AGH Hospital Registration - 613-256-2500 extension 0
• CPDMH Hospital Registration - 613-257-2200 x 0
• Fairview Manor Business Office - 613-256-3113

Mail addressed to you at the Hospital should be clearly marked as “inpatient” and will be delivered to your room by a staff member. Any mail arriving after your discharge from the Hospital will be mailed to your home address on file.

AGH/FVM address is 75 Spring Street, Almonte, ON K0A 1A0

CPDMH address is 211 Lake Ave E, Carleton Place ON K7C 1J4 

Patient safety is a priority for our Hospital and knowing what medication you take is an important part of your safety. Please bring in all your medications, including any medicated patches, herbal medication or health food supplements. Always keep medicine in the bottle it came in. They will be reviewed by a health care team member and safely stored by the nursing staff. At discharge your medications will be reviewed with you. If you have medication that you are no longer to be taking upon discharge it will safely be disposed for you if you ask us to. All drugs, including alcohol, must be ordered by your physician and given to you under the supervision of Hospital staff.

You are not allowed to keep medications at your bedside, except in special circumstances which will be discussed with you by the nurse administering your medication. For medications not stocked by the hospital you may be asked to use your own supply while in hospital. The nurse will keep them secured in the medication cart and return them to you when you are discharged. When you go home you will be given updated instructions on what medications to take at home.

At any time during your stay you may ask a member of the health care team for information about your medication. You may request a visit from the hospital pharmacist to answer your questions.

Tell a member of your health care team if you have ever had an allergic reaction or bad reaction to any medicine or food. Reactions can include rashes, headaches, breathing trouble, and feeling sick. Because some medicines have food in them (such as the eggs used to develop the flu shot), be sure to talk about your food allergies too. Tell a member of your health care team right away if a new medicine makes you feel unwell. If you do not know if you have allergies, you can get tested.

Some people have reactions to anesthetics- the drugs used to put them to sleep or stop pain during surgery. If you have ever had a reaction, tell your family and your health care team in case you need surgery again.

Do not wait until you get sick to tell people about your allergies. Some people wear an ID bracelet such as Medic Alert ™. This tells the health care team about your allergies when you can’t tell them yourself. Make sure you know what to do when you go home from the hospital or from your medical appointment.

Every patient has the ability to call for assistance whenever necessary. Your nurse will explain how the nurse call system works when you are admitted to your room. Patients also have the ability to call for assistance from all washrooms located on patient care units. To activate the system, press the “push” button or pull the cord; this will transmit your call to the nursing station.

If you are having difficulty accessing the call bell, please inform the nursing staff so they can adapt the call bell for better accessibility.

Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital offers patients and residents the opportunity to receive care for some specialties using Telemedicine through the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) which is one of the largest telemedicine networks in the world.

Telemedicine uses videoconferencing and other electronic equipment to connect patients/residents to their specialist without leaving their home community.

The OTN also offers non-clinical services including access to many educational events such as webinars to help keep staff up to date with best practices.

Almonte General Hospital, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital make every effort to provide spiritual support during your hospitalization. 

Upon admission if you wish to receive a visit from your clergy of your denomination he/she can be notified by making a request with your nurse.

At AGH, the Clergy of the Almonte Ministerial Association, representing the various churches within our community are prepared to be present to support you and your loved ones. 

Patient safety is a priority at Almonte General Hospital, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital and Fairview Manor and we strive to be in compliance with all Accreditation Canada required organizational practices. By working together with physicians, nurses and other hospital staff you can lower your risk of injury during your hospital stay.

What is the Hospital doing to improve patient safety?

• Ensuring that our housekeeping practices are in line with the infection prevention and control best practices in healthcare
• Following the “Just Clean Your Hands” program for excellence in hand hygiene
• Conducting audits on various practices to verify that patient care is as safe as possible
• Implementing programs such as “Fall Prevention” and “Medication Safety” initiatives.

VTE is a condition in which a blood clot develops in the deep veins of the body. Most often, they develop in the legs, either above the knee or below it, however they can develop in other veins as well. Lack of movement can allow blood to collect in the veins which can lead to thrombus formation.

To prevent the development of blood clots during your hospital admission and on discharge, please remember:

• Reduction in movement when patients are admitted to hospital can result in the development of blood clots in the arms and legs
• When you are admitted to the hospital the doctor will assess and order medication (if appropriate) to prevent blood clots
• Your health care team will also encourage you to take other measures to help prevent blood clots

If at any time you notice swelling, redness or pain in your arm, hand, leg or foot, please inform your nurse or physician immediately.

Safety is important to us. For your safety and security, we have cameras throughout the facility. Hospital staff, medical staff, students and volunteers are easily identified by their photo identification badge. It is mandatory for these individuals to wear these Identification badges while at the Hospitals and Fairview Manor.

If you observe any suspicious activity or individuals, have lost personal items or have any security concerns, please notify a staff member immediately. We appreciate your co-operation and understanding in keeping the Almonte General Hospital, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital and Fairview Manor a safe place for everyone.

A service animal is any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. A service animal is not a pet. To be considered a service animal under the Accessibility Customer Service Standards, it must either be readily apparent that the animal is being used because of a person’s disability or the person with the disability must be prepared to show a letter from a doctor or nurse confirming that it is required for reasons relating to their disability.

When a person with a disability is accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal, the Hospital will permit the person to enter the premises with the animal and keep it with him or her, unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law from the premises (for example, the kitchen).

Should the service animal or guide dog be excluded by law from the premises, the Hospital will look to other available measures to enable the person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from the Hospital’s goods and services.

Should the service animal become unruly or disruptive, an employee may ask the person with a disability to remove the animal from the area or refuse access to the Hospital’s goods and services then the Hospital will look to other available measures to enable the person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from the Hospital’s goods and services.

In keeping with our commitment to patients’ needs and excellence in clinical practice, the Hospitals will offer a smoking cessation program to all inpatients who smoke. On admission, you will be assessed regarding your smoking practices and assistance in the form of medication and/or counseling will be offered to you.

In partnership with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, provides smoking cessation follow-up to all patients on discharge from the Hospital. For any questions, please approach any of your healthcare providers.

Smokers’ Helpline has proven tips and tools to help you quit successfully. For free, personalized and non-judgmental support, advice and information connect to quit today.

Authorized Visiting Pets, (excluding Certified Therapy Dogs), are not to be brought into the hospital environment by patients, staff or visitors except in select humanitarian circumstances where it is deemed therapeutic by the patient’s care team and approved by the Manager.

For more information regarding approval for pet visitation, please contact a member of your care team.

Valuables remain your responsibility and should be kept at home. While we will do everything possible to prevent loss, the Hospitals are not responsible if personal items go missing or become damaged.

Wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed from the Almonte Civitan Club for no charge. Please call 613-256-6234.

When you are a patient you can expect to be treated with respect and dignity in a safe and comfortable environment. Your health care team attends patient-focused rounds to develop a personalized care plan to help you move through the system in a coordinated manner.

All of the patient rooms on the Medical Surgical Unit have a “white board” communication tool. We encourage you and your families to write down your questions, concerns or comments on the whiteboard.

The whiteboard will be updated routinely to reflect your discharge plan, and to communicate your daily health goals. The whiteboard will also provide you with the names of your health care team.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your discharge plan, please discuss these with your health care team.