The Grace Cottage Hospital Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The staff sees approximately 3,000 patient visits each year. Mirroring statewide and national trends, at an increasing rate, patients with mental health or addiction issues seek help at the Emergency Department. These patients are at times a danger to themselves or to others.
For the safety of these patients, the hospital staff, and for the comfort of other hospital patients and visitors, Grace Cottage has constructed a designated ER Safe Room. Unlike the two existing emergency rooms which are fully-equipped with machines, medical equipment and supplies, this new room will be devoid of anything that a patient might use as a weapon against themselves or others. It also has features like shatterproof glass windows and electrical outlets that can be disabled.
This new room also allows nurses the ability to separate spouses/partners when there is a domestic altercation that has led a patient to the Emergency Department for treatment; and it can provide complete privacy for patients who need an extra level of security and comfort.
Located in Townshend, Grace Cottage is a non-profit critical access hospital which serves Windham County residents and visitors. Private donations allowed for the construction of this important addition to the hospital.
