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General Visiting Policy

• Children may visit if they are accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their supervision.
• No one with an active infection may visit patients.
• Staff has the right to restrict visitors or request they leave.
• Specialty areas have their own visiting policies.
• Nursing staff will advise visitors regarding any limitations.

Visitor Services

Chapel

• The hospital chapel is located on the main floor and is open to everyone at all times.

Chaplains

• A chaplain is available and on-call 24 hours a day. Please notify hospital staff if you wish to visit with the chaplain or call (320) 231-4211.

Comments

• Your questions, comments and opinions are valuable to us. Naturally we like praise, but if you have ideas about making Rice a better place, please talk to your nurse or call the administrative secretary at (320) 231-4228.

Discharge

• When we receive instruction from your physician, we begin planning for your return home. Our discharge planning department, together with your nurse and dietitian, will work with you and your family to recommend services and treatments that fit your personal situation and make your transition from the hospital setting as easy as possible.

Ethical Consultations

• Patients and families are sometimes faced with difficult decisions concerning the ethics of medical treatment rendered in a specific situation. Recognizing that values differ and conflicts may arise, the Rice Hospital Ethics Committee is available for consultations. Call (320) 231-4211 to speak to a chaplain.

Food Service

• The hospital cafeteria is located on the lower level of the hospital and serves both employees and visitors. The food service area is open daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm and again from 4:40 pm to 6:30 pm. Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 8:45 am; lunch from 10:45 am to 1:00 pm; and dinner from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. In addition to standard food service options, there are vending machines located on all levels of the hospital.

Gift Shop

• Hospital volunteers manage the gift shop and keep it stocked with cards, flowers, candy and reasonably priced gift selections. It is open weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and weekends from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Profits from the gift shop are used to fund hospital programs and services. The gift shop is located on the main level of the hospital.

Hearing Impaired

• Please contact your nurse. He or she will be able to provide you with a variety of aids that will make your stay more comfortable.

Health Insurance Counseling Program

• From exploring available options when purchasing insurance, filling out insurance forms, refiling denied claims as well as making referrals to additional programs and services, the volunteers play an essential role in assisting clients with their concerns. Volunteers are available Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the hospital. Clients wishing assistance can call (320) 231-4069 to make an appointment or stop by the hospital during office hours. Individuals need not be patients of Rice Hospital in order to use the program.

Hospice

• Hospice is available to those individuals and their families who face terminal illness. For additional information call (320) 231-4450.

Latex Free Policy

• In the interest of the health of our patients and staff, Rice has a latex-free policy. Because of this, latex balloons are not permitted in the hospital. Mylar balloons are an acceptable substitute. Please notify the staff if you have any allergies, particularly to latex products.

Lifeline

• Lifeline is a personal emergency response system that provides medical help to your home at the touch of a button. For information call (320) 231-7077.

Lost and Found

• If you have lost something at Rice please contact the housekeeping department at (320) 231-4209.

Motel Services

• Rice has sleep rooms available for families of our patients onsite in the hospital. The rate for these rooms is $30 per night. For more information on our sleep rooms, contact the communications center at (320) 235-4543. In addition, Rice patients and their families receive special discounted rates on lodging in the Willmar area. These motels also provide free transportation to and from the hospital.

Notary Public

• Notary services are available through the business office.

Parking

• Visitor/patient parking is available immediately in front of the hospital and directly to the south of the hospital, across Trott Avenue. Click here for a copy of our Patient & Visitor Parking Map.

Patient Grievance Procedure

• Patients who feel their rights have been violated or that the quality of patient care has been unacceptable have a mechanism to state their grievance. The exact procedure is addressed in the pamphlet entitled "Patient Bill of Rights" which is available in the patient hospital brochure and can be requested from the administrative secretary by calling (320) 231-4228.

Rice Estates Trust

• Patients need help with their hospital bills, for many reasons. The Rice Trust was established to help persons when they need care and are unable to pay for it. For more information call (320) 231- 4291.

Rice Health Foundation

• The foundation develops financial support for hospital programs and services. For more information, call (320) 231-4141.

Smoking

• Rice Hospital is committed to providing a smoke-free environment on all of its campuses -- both inside and outside our facilities. This smoke-free policy was created in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our patients, visitors, employees, volunteers and medical staff.

Social Services

• Individual and family counseling is available through the social services department or the Rice Institute for Counseling and Education. Call (320) 231-4396 for more information.

Support and Education Groups

• Rice sponsors and hosts many support and education groups and would be happy to provide you with information about groups available to you. For information about special programs, please call (320) 231-8920.

Telephones

• There are phones throughout the hospital for inhouse use. Dial the room number or four digit office extension you require. For local calls dial "9" and then the number. For long distance calls in your room, you will need to use your credit card, For your additional convenience, there are pay phones located near the main lobby area. If you should need assistance, dial "O" and ask for help from the switchboard operator.

Television

• Every room has a television that has all of the standard networks, a closed circuit channel for educational shows and humorous vintage movies.

Volunteers

• The Rice Hospital Auxiliary sponsors an extensive volunteer program to assist visitors, family members, and patients during the day. Volunteers help in admissions, gift shop, hemodialysis, hospice, information desk, surgical lounge, and Willmar Cancer Center. If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Services Director at (320) 231-4229.

Waiting Areas

• There are several waiting areas on each floor of the hospital. All waiting areas are available to visitors, family members and patients. We hope you find them comfortable and accommodating.