Staying at the hospital

Our goal is to make your stay at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital as pleasant as possible while delivering you and your family the highest quality care and support.

Preparing for surgery

If you are coming for surgery, you will be contacted by nursing staff to discuss your health history and provide you with instructions to prepare for your surgery. In most cases this can be done by phone. Depending on your health history, type of surgery, or surgeon’s recommendation, you may be scheduled to come to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital for a Pre-Admission Testing visit to meet with our Nurse Practitioner and/or an Anesthesiologist.

If you receive instructions over the phone or your surgeon has ordered blood work, x-ray, EKG, or other additional testing, it is important that you complete this before the day of your surgery. 

If you are having outpatient surgery, arrange for someone to drive you home and for a responsible adult to stay with you for the rest of the day and night following your surgery.

Before Coming to the Hospital

Before coming to the hospital, shower or bathe and remove make-up, nail polish and lipstick.

Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing and flat shoes. We suggest wearing shorts or sweatpants if you are having a procedure on your lower extremities, button down shirt for upper extremity procedures, or loose clothing for procedures of the abdomen to help avoid unnecessary pressure on sensitive surgery sites.

What To Bring With You

Please bring proof of identification and insurance card along with any paperwork that the doctor's office has given you. Make note of any medications you take along with their dosages.

If you wear contact lenses you will be asked to remove them before surgery. Please bring your glasses and lens case with solution.

If your young child is having surgery, we want him or her to feel at ease. Please feel free to bring a comforting toy or blanket. For patients under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the patient to sign consent forms. Parents are welcome to stay with their child while her or she is here with us. 

Please leave valuables and jewelry at home.

If you have questions, please call Pre-Admission Services at (603) 740-2281, Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

During Your Stay

While at Wentworth-Douglass, your health care team may include staff nurses, doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, case managers, dieticians and pharmacists. Your care will be managed by a hospitalist, which is a physician or nurse practitioner who specializes in hospital-based care. He or she will care for you around the clock, coordinating tests and treatments and facilitating communications between your entire care team.

Wentworth-Douglass provides the following services to patients staying at the hospital. 

Patient Portal

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital's patient portal, Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway, provides a summary of care from your hospital visit, including medications, some laboratory results and radiology reports, recent immunizations and allergies.

Food & Nutrition

You can select meals from the Room Service menu anytime between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Registered Dietitians and Diet Technicians perform nutritional assessments on all patients. Dietitians working with physicians make recommendations for patients who require special nutritional care.

Interpreters and Communication Aids

We are pleased to provide immediate and equal access to a variety of Interpreters and Communication Aids.These auxiliary aids and services are available free of charge.

Integrative Therapies

Integrative Therapies such as massage, reiki and pet visitation often provide comfort and may ease anxiety for patients at the hospital.

Social Work

Our Social Work Services staff provide emotional support, information and assistance to patients and their families in coping with health care challenges.

Spiritual Care

Chaplains from the Spiritual Care Department see patients, family members and hospital staff of all faiths, ministering in a variety of ways from listening presence to prayer. 

Safety & Security

Fully trained security staff are available 24 hours a day to manage all aspects security at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

We want you to be an active partner in your care here. Please ask us any questions you may have at any time.

Leaving the Hospital

Once your doctors write your discharge orders, the nursing staff will prepare your discharge instructions and review the information about caring for yourself at home.  On average, it may take up to 2 hours after your doctors have written your discharge orders for all the details to be completed.  If you are arranging a ride, your nurse will work with you to determine the time of your discharge.

Discharge Planning

Planning for your discharge begins on your first day at the hospital. You may be visited by a case manager who can help you and your family plan how to continue care and maintain your best health once you leave Wentworth-Douglass. This discharge planning may include establishing on-going care such as Inpatient rehabilitation, Home Care, visiting nurses or other home services; and/or physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy or IV therapy.

Wentworth Homecare & Hospice

Some patients who leave the hospital may require additional care before returning to their homes. To help bring home health and hospice services to more patients and families, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital partnered with Amedisys to offer Wentworth Homecare & Hospice, comprehensive at-home nursing, therapy and hospice services through Wentworth Homecare and Hospice.