Patient Services
Baby Pictures
The Department of Volunteer Services sponsors a newborn baby picture service. Proceeds benefit numerous projects at the Health Center. Please contact your nurse if you wish to have a photograph taken of your newborn.
Chapel
The interfaith Murray Heilig Chapel is available for meditation, prayer and reflection at all times. It is located in the main hospital lobby directly across the hall from the Connucopia Gift Shop.
Chaplaincy Program
The Chaplains offer spiritual and emotional support, prayer and pastoral counseling for patients and their families. They are available to people of all faiths, as well as to those not connected to an organized religion. Patients may request a visit by a minister, rabbi or priest for sacraments or other ministry. Roman Catholic Eucharistic ministers administer Holy Communion on Sundays and weekdays by request.
Dial-a-Volunteer
Volunteers are available to visit patients and to assist with many activities such as letter writing, newspaper delivery and personal shopping from our gift shop or cafeteria. Volunteers can also deliver cassette recorders, tapes, magazines, books, and video equipment, all at no charge.
Volunteer services are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To secure this service, the patient simple calls extension 3222 from any inside telephone at the Health Center.
Discharge Planning
Planning for your discharge begins before or with admission. You, your family, primary nurse, and physician are all involved. If services such as nursing, therapy or equipment such as beds or oxygen will be needed at home after discharge, a case manager will be available to assist you. If you are unable to return home, the Social Work Department can assist you with applications to facilities and can discuss financial concerns. Please discuss your needs and any concerns with your physician or primary nurse, and if needed, request to see a social worker or a case manager. Discharge time is 11 a.m. The hospital staff will make every effort to meet this. If you cannot leave by 11 a.m., please be sure to notify your nurse.
Foreign Language Interpreters
John Dempsey Hospital provides interpreters in a number of foreign languages and also utilizes the 24-hour language line. For an interpreter, call the Department of Social Work at 860-679-2287. To access the Language Line, call the hospital operators at 860-679-2626.
For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Assistive devices (TTY, amplified phones) are available upon request for patients and/or their companions who are deaf or hard of hearing. American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters are available to patients and/or their companions by contacting the Interpreter Office at 860-679-2289 or the Social Work Department at 860-679-2287 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. and on weekends, contact the Administrative Manager at 860-679-2626. The TTY number for the hospital is 860-679-2242.
Gift Shop
The Connucopia Gift Shop in the hospital lobby is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. The Connucopia carries a wide variety of UConn Husky apparel and memorabilia, as well as greeting cards, candy, flowers, books, magazines, and basic toiletry items. A wide-range of baby items, including clothing, preemie clothing, toys and frames is available. Flowers can be ordered over the phone with Visa and MasterCard. Proceeds support the Health Center Auxiliary’s charitable projects. The phone number is 860-679-2963.
Gratuities
We must graciously decline gratuities of any kind. Contributions to the John Dempsey Hospital or the University of Connecticut Health Center may be made by contacting the Development Office at 860-679-1122.
Mail and Flowers
Volunteers deliver mail and flowers daily. If mail is received after you have been discharged, it will be forwarded to your home. If you have mail to be sent, you can call the Hospital Information Desk and request a volunteer to pick it up. Mailboxes are located directly outside the Hospital and Academic entrances to the Health Center.
Health Information Management/Medical Records
The Health Information Management Department at the University of Connecticut Health Center maintains a confidential record of your treatment for all your care. The records are the property of the Health Center, however, patients may access copies of their medical record if needed for any reason. If you should require a copy of your medical record following your care, your request must be in writing. For more information and to download the required forms, visit the Health Information Management page.
Newspapers
The daily newspapers are sold from boxes located by the elevator on each floor of the hospital, in the lobby adjacent to the cafeteria and at both, the Hospital and Academic entrances to the Health Center.
Patient Relations Department
The Patient Relations Department helps patients seek solutions to problems, concerns and unmet needs. A patient representative will assist you whenever possible. The patient representative can interpret the hospital's philosophy, policies, procedures, and services for you as well as your family and visitors. The patient representative is also your resource for information regarding patient rights and responsibilities.
The patient representative can be reached weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by calling extension 3176. Should your need arise after 4:30 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, your nurse will contact the appropriate persons for you.
Please see the Patient Rights page to read about your rights and responsibilities as a patient.
Patient Television Service
During dinner, you can "rub elbows" with some of your favorite TV and movie stars, (but just remember to keep your elbows off the table). On John Dempsey Hospital's patient TV system, for a small fee you can select from 8 local TV stations and 16 cable stations such as Turner Classic movies, American Movie classics, TBS, TLC, Family, Discovery, CNN, ESPN, etc. The service is self activated anytime day or night. If you decide not to get the entertainment channels, there is an extensive on-demand menu selection of patient educational videos and 6 FM radio stations available for free. So plan to relax with some terrific entertainment.
Post-Hospital Care
Any questions or concerns about your care after hospitalization should be discussed with your doctor or nurse. Written instructions and information will be on your Clinical Resume, which you will receive at the time of discharge and be asked to sign.
Social Work Services
Many patients may experience a normal emotional reaction to being in a hospital environment. For other patients, illness and hospitalization may create or worsen such serious problems as family or marital conflicts, financial needs, substance abuse disorders, need for placement other than home, parenting difficulties, psychological reactions, or work-related issues. Our licensed, master’s prepared social workers are skilled in helping you find solutions to any of these problems, which may interfere with your recovery or your lifestyle.
Special Accommodations
UConn Health Center is committed to ensuring the full participation of persons with disabilities in programs and activities by providing necessary auxiliary aids and services.
Uncompensated Care – Charity Care
Charity care is a financial assistance program offered by the UConn Health Center which provides a reduced cost rate for medically necessary services incurred by State of Connecticut legal residents whose household income does not exceed 250% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines for a family unit.
Patients must meet the State of Connecticut definition of “uninsured,” and may need to apply and be denied eligibility for any medical or health care coverage provided under the General Assistance Program or the Connecticut Medicaid program, or not be eligible for coverage under the Medicare or CHAMPUS programs, or any other governmental or privately sponsored health or accident insurance. Patients must furnish proof of income to qualify for charity care.
There are financial counselors available to assist patients with the application procedure for Connecticut Medicaid, as well as the application for charity care. Additionally, UConn Health Center has translation services available through AT&T Language Line Services to assist with this process.
Additional information is provided in the Charity and Uncompensated Care brochure (English, Spanish, Polish) or by calling Financial Counseling at 860-679-4120.
Wireless Technology
The Health Center has wireless technology that allows patients and visitors to access the internet from patient rooms, waiting areas and other locations throughout John Dempsey Hospital. Floors one through seven, obstetrics and the Newborn Intensive Care Nurseries on the ground floor, the Emergency Department, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, Colon Cancer Center Prevention Center and the Food Court on the main floor have wireless capability. To ensure privacy and security, the system is separate from the one utilized by physicians and staff. Please ask your nurse for the one-page instruction sheet to help you log on.
