What to Bring (And Not Bring) when you stay overnight
- Comfortable bedclothes (pajamas, bathrobe, slippers)
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Insurance card or forms and a picture ID/drivers license
- List of medications that you are currently taking, including dose and frequency (Please tell your nurse if you bring medications with you)
- Cash for newspapers, postage stamps and other items
- DO NOT bring valuables (NSMC Salem and NSMC Union hospitals are NOT responsible for any personal belongings or money left in your room)
- Do not bring stereos or VCRs to the hospital
- Battery-operated appliances are allowed
- Laptop computers are permitted
- Lost and found articles will be sent to the Security Department where they may be identified and claimed.
- Patient room services include: gift shop, cafeteria, health-topic TV, telephone, books
Meals
When you stay at NSMC Salem Hospital, you will be given the opportunity to fill out a daily menu. A nurse reviews the menu with you and answers questions and makes suggestions. You may also call the Diet Office at 978.825.2381 if you have a question or want to discuss your menu with a dietitian.
NSMC Union Hospital uses a unique system for providing meals to patients that are tailored to their diets. You may order meals between 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM over the phone in your room. The meal is then prepared and delivered in about 45 minutes. You may call extension 3663 if you have a question or want to discuss the menu with a dietitian.
Television
Television is available at NSMC Salem Hospital for the fee of four dollars a day and includes approximately 20 channels (television is free of charge for ICU patients and at NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital). NSMC Union Hospital offers television free of charge and uses the Comcast network.
Books
Book carts stocked with paperbacks are available to patients. If you are interested in obtaining a book, ask a member of your patient care team to bring you the cart.
Telephone
You may make local calls from your room phone free of charge. To make calls from your bedside, dial 9 + 1 + area code + number. All out-of-state or out of local area calls must be placed through the hospital operator. You will be responsible for the cost of long distance calls.
Smoking
In an effort to promote a healthy, smoke-free environment, smoking is prohibited in all hospital buildings and on the hospital grounds and all outdoor areas, at both NSMC Salem and Union hospitals.
Parking & Directions
Customer Service
Hospitalists/Intensivists
Interpreter Services
NSMC Salem Hospital has trained Spanish and Portuguese medical interpreters on-site, and access to interpreters of Khmer, French, and Haitian Creole, as well. Communication aids, such as portable Telecommunication Device (TDD) and Pocket Talker, can be requested by dialing extension 2220. Hearing impaired people may elect to bring their own interpreters with them. NSMC will pay for the services of interpreters who are registered with the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH).
NSMC Union Hospital provides trained medical interpreters of Khmer, French, Haitian Creole, Russian and Spanish. ASL interpreters will assist those whose primary language is sign language. Hearing impaired persons may elect to bring their own interpreters with them. The medical center will pay for the services of interpreters who are registered with the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH).
Communication aids, such as portable Telecommunication Device (TDD) and Pocket Talker, are available at the switchboard and can be requested by dialing extension 3165. Telephones are equipped with volume control and flashing ring light. Closed captioning is available on all television sets. If you have any difficulty obtaining interpreter services, please contact the Coordinator of Interpreter Services at extension 3689.
