For information about parking, parking assistance, wheelchairs, parking lot and floor maps, and public transportation, see parking, transportation, and maps.
Visiting hours
We believe that families, friends, and others who provide support are important for a patient's healing process. In fact, they are a vital part of the health care team.
Patients admitted to any of our facilities or being seen at any of our clinics or other community sites may have visitors at any time. However, there may be times when visits need to be limited.
In order to provide a safe, quiet, healing environment for our patients, we may ask families and visitors to adjust their visit times. In those cases, we use the following guidelines:
- There may be times when visits by family and friends are not in the best interest of the patient or others in their environment, such as when they or their roommate are in need of more rest.
- If there is an outbreak, such as the flu, visitors may be limited. Visitors may be told about necessary precautions and given directions to follow for that situation.
- Keeping noise levels low is important to promote a healing environment. (Be sure to speak in hushed tones when you visit.)
- Please be aware of the number of visitors at any one time and the level of noise.
- For their safety, visiting children must be supervised by a visiting adult.
- While we cannot routinely accommodate overnight stays by minors under the age of 18, we recognize there may be special circumstances. (Please feel free to talk with us about your needs.)
- Some care units may have specific requests for visitors in order to create the best healing space for their patients. Please consider the length and hour of your visits.
If you have questions about our visitor policy, please contact Lebanon Patient and Family Relations. We are happy to discuss your concerns.
Checking on the condition of a patient
Upon admission to the hospital, the family spokesperson will be given special directions for calling or a special family code. If a code is provided, it will be required to be read back to the nurse before any information is given out over the phone. This is to protect the patient’s privacy outlined in the federal privacy rule (HIPAA). We ask that only one or two people call with the family code to get information.
If you do not want any information given out about you or your condition, call Patient Access Support Services at 603-650-5999. Also see patient condition reports, which addresses inquiries by the media about patients' conditions.
Patient rights and privacy
As a patient you have the right to courteous, respectful, and confidential treatment. Please visit our Patient Rights and Privacy page, which includes:
- Notice of privacy practices
- Your rights as a patient
- Your responsibilities as a patient
Lodging assistance (Rest Easy Program)
To accommodate those traveling long distances, we have developed the Rest Easy Program to provide basic information about local lodging facilities (within a 12-mile radius of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center) that have expressed a willingness to offer specially discounted rates, when available, to assist in meeting the needs of patients, their family, and friends who wish to stay overnight close to the medical center. Learn more about the Rest Easy Program.
Volunteer visitors
If you are far from home or have few visitors, you might enjoy the company of a volunteer visitor. The volunteer can write letters for you, read aloud, play cards or board games, or just talk with you.
Palliative care volunteers have received special training and can be called upon to offer a variety of services such as providing the emotional support of companionship and a listening presence, reading to a patient, assisting with writing or artwork/crafts, providing CDs or DVDs and other helpful tasks. Volunteers assure the 'extended presence' of all those who are caring for the patient and provide support and comfort, particularly when the fear of being alone is an issue. For further information, or to schedule a volunteer visit, please call the Palliative Care Program.