Patient Guide

We are committed to your care.

Our goal is to provide the best quality care. To do so, we ask for feedback from patients like you. You may be contacted by phone, email or text and asked to complete a confidential survey. Please take the time to complete the survey. Your feedback will help us know what we’re doing well and where we can improve.

Privacy Practices Patient Rights & Responsibilities Concerns About Your Care

Fast facts about your stay.

Support for Caregivers

We encourage patients to pick a key person to support them during their hospital stay. Whether you are that primary support person, or just one of many people caring for and supporting your loved one, you can play an important role in making sure your loved one gets the safest and best care both here and beyond the hospital.

Patient and Family Care
We participate in patient- and family-centered care. We believe that family plays an important role in ensuring the health and well-being of patients of all ages. Our goal is to create partnerships among healthcare practitioners, patients and families that will lead to the best outcomes and enhance the delivery of safe, quality, efficient, effective, and timely care.

What to Know Before You Leave
Caregivers can help ensure the best outcome for their loved one after a hospital stay by getting the answers to these three questions:

What is the next step for medical care (home or facility, follow-up with primary care physician or physical therapy, etc.)? Help your loved one arrange the details to make this happen—financial plan, transportation, scheduling, etc.
What new and former medicines does my loved one need to take? Help your loved one understand the details—timing, dosing instructions, side effects, prescription refills, etc.
What health warning signs do I need to watch for and what do I do if they happen? Help your loved one by writing these symptoms down as well as the name and contact number to call.

If you feel like you need a break or help, reach out to friends and family. And consult the resources listed here: National Alliance for Caregiving | Family Caregiver Alliance | Caregiver Action Network

Facts About Your Stay

ATM

For your convenience, an ATM is located on the first level of the hospital near Pediatric Therapies.

Bedside Shift Report

We want you to feel comfortable and cared for throughout your stay, so at each nursing shift change —about every 12 hours — your nurse will introduce your new nurse to you. The team will talk about your progress, medicine and tests scheduled for the day. We encourage you to ask questions. The more you’re involved, the better and safer your care.

Bedside Technology

During your stay, you may see your doctors and nurses using computers or tablets. These tools help them care for you by providing around-the-clock monitoring, patient care resources and quick communication with the rest of your healthcare team. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or nurse.

Cafeteria

Big Sky Café
Location: First Floor

Breakfast Hours:
Daily: 7 to 10:30 am

Lunch Hours:
Daily: 11 to 1:30 pm

Dinner Hours:
Monday through Friday: 4:00 to 6:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Liquid Planet Coffee Shop
Location: By the main lobby

Hours:
Monday through Friday:
7:30 am to 3:00 pm

Thursday Night:
9:30 pm to midnight

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Visitors may use the dining room at any time. Due to dietary restrictions, patients may not be served in the cafeteria.

Calling Your Nurse

Your room is connected to the nursing station via an intercom system. To call for your nurse, press the red nurse icon button located on your bedside. If you have any questions on how to use the call button, ask a staff member to show you.

Cellphones & Video

During your stay, you may see members of your care team using mobile phones. At Community Medical Center, staff are permitted to use phones for work-related activities, such as communicating with doctors or other care team members. Employees are not allowed to use phones for non-work-related activities. There are many work related benefits of cellphones and other communication devices, including access to medical references, clinical tools and patient information.

Channel Listing for TV

A full TV guide can be found in your patient guide.

11-1 ABC - ABC Fox MT	34-2 Paramount Network	41-1 CNN
11-6 CBS - KPAX	34-3 VH1	41-2 Fox News
12-1 FOX	35-1 MTV	41-3 MSNBC
12-6 NBC - KECI	35-2 TV Land	42-2 CNBC
13-6 PBS	36-1 Hallmark Channel	43-2 The Weather Channel
23-2 MeTV	36-2 National Geographic	44-1 Disney Channel
26-1 TBN	36-3 Animal Planet	44-3 Disney Junior
30-2 USA	37-1 Science Channel	45-1 Universal Kids
30-3 A&E	37-2 American Heroes Channel	45-2 Nick Jr.
31-1 TNT	37-3 HGTV	45-3 Nickelodeon
31-2 TBS	38-1 Food Network	46-1 Cartoon Network
32-1 Discovery Channel	38-2 Travel Channel	46-2 Discovery Family
32-2 History Channel	38-3 TLC	47-2 ESPN
32-3 FX	39-1 BRAVO	47-3 ESPN2
33-1 BBC America	39-2 E!	48-2 NBCSN
34-1 Comedy Central	39-3 Lifetime	48-3 SEC Network

Concerns About Your Care

Please speak with your nurse or nursing supervisor if you have any questions or concerns about your care. If your issue still is not resolved, then contact the hospital patient advocate at 406.327.4156. You also have the right to file your complaint with either:

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Office of Inspector General
PO Box 202953
Helena, MT 59620-2953
Email: mtssad@mt.gov
dphhs.mt.gov

Office of Quality and Patient Safety
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Blvd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Website: www.jointcommission.org, then click “Report patient safety event”

Sometimes a healthcare choice can involve an ethical concern—such as a wish to refuse life-saving treatment or a disagreement over advance directives. Contact the hospital patient advocate at 406.327.4156 who can coordinate with the medical ethics committee to help you and those who are here to support you make difficult decisions.

Electrical Appliances

For your safety, we reserve the right to inspect any electrical appliances brought into the hospital.

Fire Safety

We conduct fire drills from time to time. If you hear an alarm, stay where you are. In an actual emergency, hospital staff will tell you what to do.

Flowers, Balloons & Gifts

Flowers are delivered to patient rooms by volunteers. Please note that flowers may not allowed in Intensive Care Units. Ask to speak with the patient's nurse before sending flowers to patients in the NICU, PICU & ICU. Flowers can be purchased through the hospital gift shop or sent from a local shop.

Only Mylar balloons may be brought into the hospital because of the risk of latex allergies.

If you wish to bring food to a patient, please check with the nurse on the patient's unit as dietary restrictions may apply.

Gift Shop

Location: First Floor, by the main lobby

Hours of Operation:
Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.: 9 am to 4 pm

Wed.: 7 am to 4 pm

Sat. and Sun.: Closed

Cash, check and credit cards accepted.

Hearing Impaired

We have services available for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. For patients and/or their companions who use American Sign Language (ASL), sign language interpreters are provided at no charge. Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is offered at all locations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This technology provides quick access to remote ASL interpreters who are trained in medical signing. In-person interpreters can be arranged if notified in advance of your visit.

How to Request Language Services

Notify a nurse, hospital employee or other medical professional that you need language assistance or call (406) 728-4100 and we will arrange the appropriate services.

When you call to schedule an appointment, please mention that you, or your family member, will need an interpreter. This will help us best meet your needs.

Spanish
Notifique a un empleado del hospital o profesional médico que necesita asistencia en el idioma o llame al (406) 728-4100 y organizaremos los servicios apropiados.

Cuando llame para programar una cita, mencione que usted, o su familiar, necesitará un intérprete.Esto nos ayudará a satisfacer mejor sus necesidades.

German
Benachrichtigen Sie einen Krankenhausmitarbeiter oder Arzt, dass Sie Sprachunterstützung benötigen oder rufen Sie an (406) 728-4100 und wir werden die entsprechenden Dienstleistungen arrangieren.

Wenn Sie anrufen, um einen Termin zu vereinbaren, geben Sie bitte an, dass Sie oder Ihr Familienmitglied einen Dolmetscher benötigen. Dies wird uns helfen, Ihre Bedürfnisse am besten zu erfüllen.

Hourly Rounding

A nurse will visit you every hour during the day and every two hours at night to check on your comfort, help you change positions in bed, assist with trips to the bathroom, and make sure you can reach your phone, call light, and personal items easily.

Housekeeping Services

We promise to keep your room fresh, clean and comfortable with daily cleaning service. For fresh linens, bed sheets or towels, please contact the nursing staff. If there is anything we can do to make your stay more pleasant, please call the housekeeping department at ext. 1860.

Interpreters and Translation Services

Interpreter services are available for patients 24/7. Recognizing that the exchange of information between patient and provider is an essential element of quality care, we provide our patients and their families with free qualified medical interpreters for languages other than English and for American Sign Language (ASL).

If at any time you need a professional non-English spoken or sign language interpreter, please contact your nurse for assistance or call (406) 728-4100.

When you call to schedule an appointment, please mention that you, or your family member, will need an interpreter. This will help us best meet your needs.

Non-English Speaking Individuals

If you feel more comfortable speaking a language other than English, we will provide language interpreters trained in medical interpreting at no charge. This service is provided to patients and their companions at all Community Medical Center locations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Both over-the-phone interpreter services or video interpreters are accessible.

Spanish
Si se siente más cómodo hablando un idioma que no sea el inglés, le proporcionaremos intérpretes de idiomas capacitados en interpretación médica sin cargo alguno. Este servicio se proporciona a los pacientes y sus acompañantes en todas las ubicaciones del Centro Médico Comunitario, las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana.Se puede acceder a servicios de intérpretes por teléfono o intérpretes de vídeo.

German
Wenn Sie sich wohler fühlen, eine andere Sprache als Englisch zu sprechen, stellen wir Ihnen sprachlich Dolmetscher zur Verfügung, die in medizinischem Dolmetschen ausgebildet sind, und das kostenlos. Dieser Service wird den Patienten und ihren Begleitern an allen Standorten des Community Medical Center rund um die Uhr, 7 Tage die Woche zur Verfügung gestellt. Sowohl Over-the-Phone-Dolmetscherdienste als auch Videodolmetscher sind zugänglich.

Lost and Found

You’ll want to leave valuables like jewelry and electronics at home or with your loved ones. Community Medical Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items. If you feel you have left something behind, please stop by the guest service desk or call 406.728.4100 and they will see if anything has been turned in.

Mail

Mail and email sent to our website are delivered to patients Monday through Friday by hospital volunteers.

Stamps, envelopes and other mail supplies are available in the gift shop. You can drop off stamped mail at the nurses station, given to any attending nurse or dropped off in the gift shop.

For patient mail:
Patient’s Name: (first and last)
Community Medical Center
2827 Fort Missoula Rd.
Missoula, MT 59804

Medicines

Please do not bring any prescription or over-the-counter medicines to the hospital. All medicines you take in the hospital need to be prescribed, filled and given to you by hospital staff. Please bring a list of all medications, supplements or herbals, including dosages. If you still need them, hospital staff will give them to you.

Parking & Transportation

Complementary parking is available on Fort Missoula Road for hospital services and provider offices and on South Avenue for the emergency department, heart & vascular center and Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation.

Patients who arrive after 9 pm, should enter through the Emergency Department on South Ave.

Public Transportation

Mountain Line is Missoula’s community bus service. It is a zero-fare service providing fixed route and Paratransit free of charge in and around Missoula and the University of Montana. Bus stops are located in front of the hospital.

Paratransit & Senior Van Service

Mountain Line also operates ADA Comparable Paratransit service and Senior Van service for eligible passengers within a ¾ mile radius of existing fixed routes. Use of these services is dependent upon meeting eligibility requirements. Paratransit and Senior Van services must be scheduled in advance.

Mountain Line

MountainLine.com

Information and Trip Planning Assistance
(406) 721-3333

ADA Comparable Paratransit
(406) 721-2848

Pastoral Care

If you would like a visit from the chaplain for spiritual care and comfort, please ask your nurse to contact the chaplain on call. This service is available for patients, families, and staff, regardless of religion or cultural tradition. Our team can also connect you to your religious or spiritual leaders in your faith community.

The chapel is always open for prayer and meditation. It’s located on the first floor, near Guest Services. This interfaith chapel is a peaceful place to reflect and pray.

Patient & Guest Meals

Hours:
Breakfast: 7 to 10 am
Lunch*: 11 to 2 pm
Dinner**: 4 to 6:30 pm

*From 2 - 4 pm, call ext. 3663 to order room service.
**After 6:30 pm, speak with your nurse.

A "Restaurant Style Meal Menu" will be provided for the patient once a diet has been prescribed by their physician. Our diet aides will assist patients with selecting menu items they will enjoy while following the diet ordered by their physician.

Nutritional Recommendations
The hospital employs clinical dietitians who are specially trained to assess our patient’s nutritional needs. Nutrition consultations are based on the initial screening at the time of admittance. If you would like to see a clinical dietitian during your stay, ask your doctor or nurse to request a nutrition consultation.

Parent Trays
Parents of children in the Pediatric Inpatient Unit or Pediatric ICU are eligible to receive one complementary meal per meal period. Tray includes an entrée, side dish, vegetable, dessert and beverage delivered to the patient's room.

Guest Trays
Guest meals are available to friends and family members of a patient when they don't want to leave the room to eat. For $6 (breakfast) or $8 (lunch & dinner), guests can receive an entrée, side dish, vegetable, dessert and beverage delivered to the patient's room. Your order will be delivered to the patient’s room; money will be collected at the time of delivery, cash or check only please.

Birthday Program
If a patient's birthday occurs during their stay at our hospital, we will provide a small birthday treat (unless the patient's physician has imposed dietary restrictions that would prevent the hospital from providing this service).

Mother & Baby Celebration Dinner
Our celebratory dinner for two allows you and your loved one to celebrate following birth. guests can receive an entrée, side dish, vegetable, cheesecake and sparkling apple cider.

Personal Belongings and Valuables

Personal care items such as contact lenses, eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures can be stored in your bedside stand when not in use. Please do not put them on your bed or food tray to help avoid them being lost or damaged. Leave valuables like jewelry or cash at home, or give them to a trusted relative or friend to watch over. If this is not an option, valuables may be locked up by Guest Services at your request. Community Medical Center cannot be responsible for replacing personal belongings.

Public Restrooms

For everyone’s health and safety, we ask visitors not to use patient restrooms. Public restrooms are located throughout the hospital. Ask hospital staff to direct you to the nearest one.

Rapid Response Team

Anyone can call a critical-care response team to respond if your condition worsens and you do not get the immediate care you need. Dial 2222 to request this special service.

Smoking

Given the serious health hazards of tobacco use, we have chosen to become a 100 percent smoke & vape-free campus. No smoking or vaping products will be used while on hospital property, parking lots, associated buildings and vehicles. Patients and visitors are asked not to smoke during their hospital visit.

If You Smoke, Use Tobacco or Vape
While you are in the hospital, please do not suffer from nicotine withdrawal. You can receive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or other appropriate support during your hospital visit. Please ask your nurse for more information. Visitors must leave campus if they choose to smoke or vape (go to the park next door or across the street from campus).

Telephone

All patient rooms have phones. To dial local, dial 9+406+the phone number you want to call. To dial long distance, dial 9+1+area code+the phone number you want to call.

NOTE: Please be careful not to dial 9-1-1, when makeing a long distance call. If you do this by mistake, stay on the line and inform the 911 operators that it was in error to avoid 911 and hospital staff having to track down the call to verify if it is a true emergency.

If you are calling a patient's room from outside Community Medical Center, call (406) 728-4100 and ask for the patient by name (not by room number). Calls are transferred from 8 am to 9 pm.

TV

Each patient room has a television. Please be considerate of others by keeping the volume down and turning off your TV at bedtime. TVs are controlled by the call light controller. Closed captioning is available for the hearing impaired. Ask a staff member if you have any questions on using your TV.

Vending Machines

Here you can find beverages and snacks 24 hours a day. Located on the First Floor between Pediatric Therapies and the heart center.

Visitation

Visitors are an important part of the healing process. Family and friends lift your spirits, decrease your anxiety, advocate for you and help you make decisions about your care. Our health care professionals understand this and make every effort to respect visitation while also providing a calm, safe place for patients to recover.

To promote healing and safety and limit infection, some units may limit the number of visitors you can receive at one time. Please ask your nurse for official visitation guidelines during your stay.

Each patient has the right to withdraw or deny visitors at any time. All visitors shall enjoy full and equal visitation privileges based on patient’s preferences. Community Medical Center will not restrict, limit or deny visitation privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. There are times when access to patients may be denied by the hospital based on the following circumstances:

Patient request
Patient safety
Visitor safety (ex: radiation exposure during an imaging procedure)
Patient is undergoing an intervention
Infection control/prevention issues
Visitation may interfere with the care of other patients
Visitor is ill
Existing court order specific to visitor
Disruptive, threatening or violent behavior of any kind
Patient need for privacy or rest
Unit specific need to limit number or minimum age of visitors

Visitation Policy

Visitors are required to check-in at the guest service desk in the main hospital entrance, inpatient rehabilitation or the ER to verify identity and receive their Visitor Badge. You will need to check-in again once you arrive in the unit.
Visitors are allowed access 24/7, however, it is best to visit between 8 am – 8 pm so that patients can get plenty of rest.
All visitors under the age of 15 must be supervised by an adult other than the patient, at all times. All visitors need to be independent in their self-care or in the company of a caretaker.
Any visitors who have been exposed to an illness or feel unwell should stay at home and not to enter the hospital.
Masks are no longer required. If transmission rates of COVID, Influenza, or other respiratory illness reach high rates again in the future, the mask mandate may be reinstated.
Only 1 visitor may sleep overnight in a patient room. Exceptions include pediatric patients and patients receiving end of life care. Other exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis by the applicable unit’s leadership. Visitor waiting rooms should not be slept in.
Smoking, vaping, alcohol, firearms or other weapons are not allowed anywhere on the hospital campus.
Community Medical Center has zero tolerance for all forms of aggressive behavior. Incidents may result in removal from this facility and prosecution. We support staff in notifying law enforcement for any violent behavior.

Visitors who refuse to adhere to the hospital policies or behave in a disruptive manner will be asked to leave the premises and may not be allowed to return.

If you have questions about check-in and visitation, please call our Guest Service desk at 406.728.4100.

Wifi

Hospital guest wifi is complementary. Select “cmc wifi” as the wifi network on your device. No password is needed.