To the Editor:
Many who live in the Damariscotta region may not fully realize how fortunate we are to have a first class hospital right here to serve our medical needs. A hospital is only as good as its medical, nursing, ancillary and administrative staffs and the Miles staff is as good as they come. Recently I experienced Miles as an inpatient, and while a hospital stay is not necessarily a matter of choice, I was most impressed with my experience.
A routine appointment for my annual physical revealed a condition that required immediate hospitalization. It was not life threatening, but necessary. Within minutes, it seemed, I was in room 207, with medical, nursing and CNA staff giving me skilled attention. I especially liked it when a representative of the dietary staff came with a menu from which to select items for my breakfast, lunch and dinner, within dietary requirements, of course.
I was soon visited by the Hospitalist physician who took over primary care while I was an inpatient. This is a very efficient system where the Hospitalist takes direct, on site care of inpatients, and communicates directly and frequently with the referring physician.
From my admission, the care I received from Miles’ nursing, ER, lab, and CNA staff was most impressive. Once in a room, the nurses and CNA’s could not have been more attentive, accommodating, and considerate. Even the late night “vital signs” takers did their jobs thoughtfully and in friendly spirits and, the Clinical Lab team…no one could stick that needle in your arm more painlessly and skillfully as they did.
I mentioned the dietary staff above, but I want to add that the meals provided by the Miles dietary department were some of the best I have experienced in a hospital.
While my life was interrupted for a number of days, and being an inpatient can be quite boring, I congratulate the superb Miles Hospital staff for highly skilled and attentive care, and thank them for keeping me “up” until I was “out”.
Alan C. Davis, Walpole
