Central Maine Healthcare

Where You are the Center

Cardiology

Contact Us: Cardiovascular Services

Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute

Central Maine Heart Associates
(207) 753-3900 | Practice Website

Central Maine Cardiovascular Surgery
(207) 795-8260 | Practice Website

CMHVI Diagnostic Testing Center
(207) 795-8200
60 High Street, Y1
Lewiston, Maine 04240

Testing Center services:

Wound Center
(207) 795-8260 | Practice Website

CMMC Single Stay Unit (SSU)
(207) 753-3907
60 High Street, Young Wing 3
Lewiston, Maine 04240

The 16-bed Single-Stay Unit allows patients to be cared for in the same room from recovery through discharge. The Single-Stay Unit’s (SSU) patient rooms are designed to meet the needs of patients and their families. Each room provides comfortable space and thoughtful amenities so loved ones can stay with the patient through the recovery process. The room design and the layout of the SSU create a very patient- and family-friendly atmosphere.

The SSU is an essential part of a seamless, comprehensive system that creates a beneficial relationship between patients, families and care providers. Such relationships can assist the healing process.

CMHVI Mailing Address:
Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute
300 Main Street
Lewiston, ME 04240

In addition to seeing patients at the main offices in Lewiston, CMHVI’s cardiologists care for patients at the following regional cardiology clinics:

Central Maine Heart Associates, Bridgton Hospital, Bridgton – (207) 753-3900

Central Maine Heart Associates, Rumford Hospital, Rumford – (207) 369-1130

Topsham Care Center, Topsham Fair Mall Road, Topsham – (207) 798-6300

For patients who are receiving care from CMHVI—we encourage you to call our care providers and support staff at Central Maine Heart Associates and Central Maine Cardiovascular Surgery if you have any questions.

Heart Attack

If you think you or a loved one is experiencing a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to drive to the hospital.

Each year, about 800,000 Americans have a heart attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is cut off. Having a heart attack is a frightening experience, but the good news is about 85 percent of people survive if treated quickly.

The best cure is prevention: as part of our commitment to cardiac and vascular health, we sponsor wellness and prevention programs throughout the region.

Around 85 percent of heart damage occurs within the first two hours of a heart attack, so be sure to call 911 right away if you or someone you’re with shows symptoms of a heart attack.

Certified for Rapid Response: CMMC’s Chest Pain Center

We are proud of the fact that our CMMC Chest Pain Center, which is part of our Emergency Department in Lewiston, is certified for its rapid-response care. If you come in with chest pain, the emergency professionals in our Chest Pain Center provide the immediate care you need. We treat all patients with chest pain as potential cardiac patients until we determine a definite diagnosis.

If you arrive at our Emergency Department with chest pain or other heart attack symptoms, you will be immediately connected to a cardiac monitor, receive oxygen and started on intravenous lines so that life-saving drugs can be administered quickly if needed. Our experienced emergency professionals conduct diagnostic testing to determine what’s causing your symptoms and once your condition is stable, we connect you with one or more cardiologists for possible follow-up care.

Know the Warning Signs of Heart Attack

It’s important to be aware of the signs of heart attack so that if you or someone you’re with is having a heart attack, you can get emergency care as rapidly as possible. Warning signs include:

  • Chest pain or discomfort that occurs in the center or left side of the chest; it may last for a few minutes or more or it may come and go
  • Pressure or a feeling of squeezing or fullness in the chest
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or your back, neck, stomach or jaw
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cold sweat
  • Nausea (with or without vomiting)
  • Light-headedness or fainting

The signs of heart attack may look different in men than in women. Although men and women may both feel chest pain or pressure, women often don’t have chest pain with a heart attack. Instead, they may have other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or dizziness, that are less commonly associated with heart attack.

Keep in mind that your chance of having a heart attack goes up if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes or if you smoke or have had a previous heart attack or stroke.

Learn How We Provide Diagnosis

To determine whether you’re having a heart attack, our chest pain specialists may conduct one or more of the following tests:

  • Blood tests: These tests measure certain enzymes in your blood. For example, high levels of an enzyme known as troponin in the blood can indicate a heart attack has taken place.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): A test that measures heart rate, monitors the heart’s electrical system and provides images of the heart’s structures, assessing heart and valve health and blood flow.
  • Chest X-ray: X-rays may show whether the heart muscle has been damaged.
  • Echocardiogram: An ultrasound test that uses sound waves and the echoes they produce to obtain highly detailed images of the walls and chambers of the heart.
  • Cardiac stress test (also known as a treadmill test or exercise EKG or ECG): A test that measures how your heart performs in response to exercise or stress. This test monitors blood flow and oxygen levels as your heart beats faster and works harder.
  • Nuclear stress test: A test that assesses the blood flow to your heart by taking two sets of pictures of your heart: one set while you’re at rest and the second while your heart is being stressed by exercise, medication or a combination of both. Radioactive material is injected into your vein to highlight healthy and damaged tissue in the pictures.

Get Access to a Range of Treatments

Heart attack treatment varies based on several factors, including the type and severity of the attack and other health considerations. After we determine that you’re having a heart attack, we may provide one or more of the following treatments:

  • Medications: Depending on the type and extent of your heart attack, as well as any other health conditions you have, your provider may prescribe drugs such as anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, cholesterol-lowering medications, diuretics or vasodilators.
  • Thrombolysis: A procedure in which a clot-dissolving agent is injected to restore blood flow in a coronary artery.
  • Catheterization and balloon angioplasty: A test in which an inflatable balloon-type tool is used to compress plaque against artery walls, allowing increased blood flow. Balloon angioplasty is performed during a catheterization.
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): Also known as angioplasty and stent treatment, PCI implants a tiny mesh tube in an artery to prevent plaque from blocking the blood vessel. After clearing blockage in an artery, your provider uses a catheter to place the stent in the newly opened artery. The stent helps hold the artery open and reduces the chance that plaque will block the artery again.
  • Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG): Also known as heart bypass surgery, this procedure is open-heart surgery requiring general anesthesia. During bypass surgery the surgeon removes a piece of a healthy blood vessel from your leg, arm or chest wall to use as a graft to create a new path for blood flow around a blocked artery. One end of the healthy graft is sewn to the blood vessel just below the blocked artery. The other end of the graft is sewn above the blocked artery. Blood can then flow around the blocked area. After bypass surgery, blood moves more freely through the coronary arteries, lowering the risk of heart attack.

Recover with Cardiac Rehabilitation

If you have a heart attack or any other heart conditions, we offer cardiac rehabilitation as part of our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Our cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that helps you recover with an individualized plan that provides evaluation and instruction on physical activity, nutrition, stress management and other health-related areas as needed. Cardiac rehabilitation can make a significant difference in your quality of life after a heart attack.

  • Coronary artery disease
  • Angina
  • Coronary artery angioplasty or stents
  • Open heart surgery such as coronary bypass or valve surgery
  • Heart failure
  • Heart transplantation

As a heart attack survivor, you will also be invited to join Mended Hearts™, a patient-run support group affiliated with the American Heart Association that offers support and encouragement through its visiting program, monthly meetings and educational forums. To learn more, call: (207) 795-8230.

Coronary Artery Disease

In a healthy heart, blood flows smoothly and easily through clear arteries and the heart gets all the oxygen it needs. But if you are diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), the arteries that bring blood to your heart become hardened and narrowed by plaque buildup, reducing the amount of oxygenated blood delivered to your heart.

As the leading cause of heart attacks and death in the United States, it’s important to take a CAD diagnosis seriously. Our board-certified cardiovascular providers can help ease your concerns and improve your outlook by providing a full range of state-of-the-art cardiac care. In our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, known as our Cath Lab, we perform a range of diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures, including heart catheterization to assess and diagnose CAD, and treat with angioplasty and stent placement.

CAD: The Most Common Type of Heart Disease

If you have CAD, you’re not alone. It’s the most common type of heart disease in the United States. CAD occurs when cholesterol and other materials build up on the insides of your arteries. This buildup, known as atherosclerosis, starves your heart muscle of oxygen and may create pain, which is known as angina. If plaque breaks up, a blood clot can form and cut off blood supply to your heart, causing a heart attack. CAD can also lead to other heart conditions, such as arrhythmia or heart failure.

Although you may never experience symptoms from CAD, especially in the early stages, if you have any of these symptoms, talk to one of our specialists to determine if you have the disease.

  • Chest pain or discomfort, especially with activity or emotion
  • Heaviness or pressure on your chest, under your breast bone or in your neck, upper back, stomach or arms
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • A general feeling of weakness

Determining Your Diagnosis

We offer a full range of tests to diagnose CAD and other cardiac conditions. Our diagnostic tests, many of which are non-invasive, offer safe, painless ways to check your cardiac function and determine the extent to which plaque may be blocking your arteries. Our specialists use the latest tests and tools to diagnose CAD, including:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): A test that measures heart rate, monitors the heart’s electrical system and provides images of the heart’s structures, assessing heart and valve health and blood flow. 
  • Cardiac stress test (also known as a treadmill test or exercise EKG or ECG): A test that measures how your heart performs in response to exercise or stress. This test monitors blood flow and oxygen levels as your heart beats faster and works harder.
  • Pharmacological (medication-induced) stress echocardiogram: A stress test that uses medication to stimulate exercise for patients who are unable to exercise safely.
  • Metabolic stress testing: A test that measures the performance of the heart and lungs while under physical stress. Like an exercise stress test, it includes an analysis of your respiratory system.
  • Nuclear stress test: A test that assesses the blood flow to your heart by taking two sets of pictures of your heart: one set while you’re at rest and the second while your heart is being stressed by exercise, medication or a combination of both. Radioactive material is injected into your vein to highlight healthy and damaged tissue in the pictures. 
  • Coronary arteriogram (or angiogram): With this procedure, X-rays are taken to locate the narrowing, occlusions and other abnormalities of specific arteries.
  • Echocardiogram (Echo): An ultrasound test that uses sound waves and the echoes they produce to obtain highly detailed images of the walls and chambers of the heart.
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): This test is like an echocardiogram but is for patients who have conditions such as serious lung disease, immobility or excess weight that may interfere with the creation of high-quality images with a standard echocardiogram. Instead of using an external ultrasound transducer, this test passes the transducer into the esophagus or stomach through a thin swallowing tube. 
  • Catheterization (Cath) and angiogram: This test, which is used both for CAD diagnosis and treatment, creates images that can be captured in an X-ray of artery blockages that may require repair. During the catheterization, a thin flexible tube called a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in your groin (or sometimes in your arm) and guided toward the blocked vessel. Dye injected through the catheter allows images of your blood vessels to appear on a monitor for analysis.
  • Diagnostic peripheral arterial catheterization: This test is used to diagnose artery disease and blockage that occurs outside the heart, such as in the legs. 

Treatment Options Available to You

Once we have a full understanding of your condition, as well as your health history and your risk factors, we work with you to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs. We provide a wide range of CAD treatments, including:

  • Catheterization and balloon angioplasty: A test in which an inflatable balloon-type tool is used to compress plaque against artery walls, allowing increased blood flow. Balloon angioplasty is performed during a catheterization. 
  • Angioplasty and coronary stent replacement: A stent is a tiny mesh tube that our providers implant in an artery to prevent plaque from blocking the blood vessel. Stents may be implanted in arteries in your heart (coronary arteries), neck (carotid arteries) or liver. After clearing blockage in an artery, your provider uses a catheter to place the stent in the newly opened artery. The stent helps hold the artery open and reduces the chance that plaque will block the artery again. 
  • Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG): Also known as heart bypass surgery, this procedure isopen-heart surgery requiring general anesthesia. During bypass surgery the surgeon removes a piece of a healthy blood vessel from your leg, arm or chest wall to use as a graft to create a new path for blood flow around a blocked artery. One end of the healthy graft is sewn to the blood vessel just below the blocked artery. The other end of the graft is sewn above the blocked artery. Blood can then flow around the blocked area. After bypass surgery, blood moves more freely through the coronary arteries, lowering the risk of heart attack. 

Cardiac Rehab for a Smooth Recovery

We help our CAD patients get back on track with a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program. Our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program ensures exceptional care for all our patients. Our team guides you and your loved ones to achieve a good quality of life after surgery or other cardiac treatment. The program is held on the first floor of the Young wing in the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Department.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program to help you recover by following an individualized plan that provides evaluation and instruction on physical activity, nutrition, stress management and other health-related areas as needed. Cardiac rehabilitation will help you achieve greater quality of life when recovering from CAD and other heart conditions such as:

  • Heart attack
  • Angina
  • Coronary artery angioplasty or stents
  • Open heart surgery such as coronary bypass or valve surgery
  • Heart failure
  • Heart transplantation

You will need to obtain a referral from your provider to enter our cardiopulmonary program; however, we encourage you to call us for more information (207) 795-8225 for assistance in accessing our services or to answer any questions you may have about our program.

A to Z Search for Services

Central Maine Healthcare covers all of your physical and mental health needs.
Click on a service below to learn more about what we offer and where to find care near you.

  • Addiction Services

    We are committed to understanding and serving people who are living with addiction. We provide compassionate trauma-informed care based on best practi… Learn More >

  • Bariatric Surgery

    Central Maine Bariatric Surgery understands how important weight loss is for patients. We have been established since 2007 and have a team ready to su… Learn More >

  • Breast Health

    When it comes to caring for your breast health, Central Maine Healthcare offers a spectrum of services to help screen, diagnose, and treat. From the m… Learn More >

  • Cancer care

    The Cancer Care Center at Central Maine Medical Center is an integrated, multi-disciplinary program that combines a full spectrum of services and med… Learn More >

  • Cardiovascular services

    Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) brings skilled medical specialists and innovative treatments to the people of central Maine and bey… Learn More >

  • Diabetes and Endocrinology

    Diabetes and other endocrine-system conditions are complex, and when you’ve been diagnosed with one, it’s hard to know what to do next. Learn More >

  • Ear, Nose and Throat

    At Central Maine Healthcare, our board-certified ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists understand how this connected system works and can identify th… Learn More >

  • Emergency Care

    If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1 immediately or go to your nearest ER. Emergencies happen when you least expect them,… Learn More >

  • Gastroenterology

    Your digestive system involves so many parts of the body – your throat, stomach, intestines, colon, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder and liver. So, whe… Learn More >

  • Imaging Services

    Welcome to Central Maine Medical Center Imaging Services. We take pride in providing our community with technologically advanced, up-to-date imaging s… Learn More >

  • Integrative Medicine

    At Central Maine Healthcare, we’re focused on the whole you — mind, body and spirit. That’s why we specialize in integrative medicine, with a va… Learn More >

  • Laboratory Services

    Central Maine Healthcare offers lab services at convenient locations for tests as part of your routine appointment or for screening of specific condit… Learn More >

  • Long-Term Care

    At Central Maine Healthcare, our long-term care feels exactly like home. We believe in taking complete care of you or your loved one’s physical, med… Learn More >

  • Neurology

    Central Maine Healthcare's neurologists and other doctors are specialists in epilepsy, movement disorders and other neurological disorders. Learn More >

  • Nutrition Services

    Clinical Nutrition A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a “food and nutrition expert” who has completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree ... <a class… Learn More >

  • Orthopedic care

    The Orthopedic Institute of Central Maine (OICM) serves the people of Central, Western and Midcoast Maine. OICM works collaboratively with our outpati… Learn More >

  • Palliative Care

    Central Maine Healthcare's palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing reli… Learn More >

  • Pediatrics

    CMH’s kid-friendly team members and ambience — as well as our kid-sized examination tables and tools — instantly put children at ease. And we fi… Learn More >

  • Pharmacy

    The CMMC Pharmacy is open to the public and accepts all major insurance plans. As part of your healthcare team, let our pharmacy assist you with manag… Learn More >

  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

    Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a personal choice, and a personal journey. At Central Maine Healthcare, our double-board certified physician a… Learn More >

  • Primary Care

    At Central Maine Healthcare, we make primary care easy and accessible to community members like you. We believe in providing compassionate, quality ca… Learn More >

  • Pulmonary

    At Central Maine Healthcare we provide diagnosis and treatment to our patients as well as education to both the patient and family. Learn More >

  • Rehabilitation and Therapy

    Whether you have suffered an injury at work or on the field, are recovering from surgery or just want to better manage pain, the Orthopedic Institute… Learn More >

  • Rheumatology

    Rheumatology is the study and treatment of rheumatic disorders, a wide range of conditions affecting the joints and connective tissue and typically ca… Learn More >

  • Sleep Medicine

    At Central Maine Healthcare, we know what a peaceful night’s sleep means for your health and life. Our board-certified sleep medicine specialist and… Learn More >

  • Surgical services

    Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute (CMHVI) brings skilled medical specialists and innovative treatments to the people of central Maine and bey… Learn More >

  • Telehealth Services

    Central Maine Healthcare now offers telehealth services, bringing you the care you need when you’re unable to leave home. Online and telephone visit… Learn More >

  • Trauma Center

    We offer three ERs right in the communities we serve – each staffed 24/7 with board-certified emergency providers and specialty trained team members… Learn More >

  • Urology

    Using the latest and most advanced screening technology allows our medical team to scan with amazing detail. This allows us to more accurately detect… Learn More >

  • Women’s and children’s health

    Women of all ages have unique health and medical needs, which is why Central Maine Healthcare has spent decades building services, treatment, educatio… Learn More >

  • Wound Care

    Central Maine Medical Center’s Comprehensive Wound Center is a centralized location for all aspects of wound care. Our team of specialists provides… Learn More >

Rumford Hospital

Rumford Hospital is a 25-bed, not-for-profit critical access hospital (CAH), offering inpatient and outpatient services to the River Valley community. Rumford Hospital provides patients with local access to 24-hour emergency care and an array of healthcare services, including primary care, diagnostic and medical-surgical nursing services, women’s health and ambulatory surgery. The hospital’s swing bed program provides care for patients who need skilled nursing services.

420 Franklin Street
Rumford, ME 04276
Main: (207) 369-1000
Emergency: (207) 369-1051
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 Central Maine Medical Center
Bridgton Hospital
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Central Maine Medical Center

Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) in Lewiston is the flagship facility of Central Maine Healthcare. CMMC is a 250-bed, not-for-profit, Level III Trauma Center, offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services to the people of central Maine. CMMC provides 24-hour emergency care, a state-of-the-art Cancer Care Center, an award-winning stroke center and extensive specialized care. CMMC is also the southern Maine base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service.

300 Main Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Main: (207) 795-0111
Emergency: (207) 795-2200
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Bridgton Hospital
Rumford Hospital

Conditions We Treat: Cardiovascular Services

Find the Beat Again with Arrhythmia Care

If your heart beats too quickly, too slowly or irregularly, you may be experiencing an arrhythmia. Our heart rhythm specialists (electrophysiologists, or EPs), diagnose and treat arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and other problems with the heart’s electrical system. Treatments include implanting medical devices to regulate your heart and minimally invasive procedures that use either heat (radiofrequency) or cold energy (cryoablation) to modify abnormal heart tissue and restore a healthy rhythm.

Clear Up Coronary Artery Disease

Being diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) means the arteries that bring blood to your heart have hardened and narrowed by a buildup of plaque on their inner walls, reducing the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart. Our board-certified cardiologists offer answers through a full range of state-of-the-art CAD care. In our cardiac catheterization lab, we provide diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures, including heart catheterization, angioplasty, trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and stent placement.

Nationally Recognized Heart Attack Care

Heart attacks strike 800,000 Americans each year. You’re most likely to survive a heart attack if you receive emergency treatment as quickly as possible. Our nationally certified Chest Pain Center, part of our Emergency Department in Lewiston, is ready around the clock to provide rapid-response care. If you or a loved one report chest pain, we will treat you as a potential cardiac patient until we determine a definite diagnosis. If you suffer a heart attack, we also offer personalized rehabilitation to help restore your quality of life and reduce your chances of having another episode.

Get Your Life Back after Heart Failure

When you suffer heart failure, your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. Our cardiac specialists can provide you with the full range of care you need for heart failure. You’ll also have access to our comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program to help regain the highest possible quality of life.

Relieve Pain from Peripheral Artery Disease

Just as the arteries in your heart can become narrowed and blocked by atherosclerosis, so too can the arteries that bring blood elsewhere in your body, such as your legs, causing severe pain and other potential problems. This condition is known asperipheral artery disease (PAD). Our board-certified vascular/endovascular providers can provide you with the care you need to feel better and to prevent future problems, such as medication and information about lifestyle interventions.

Find the Right Solution for Structural Heart Disease

If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer with structural heart diseases such as aortic stenosis, the heart surgeons at CMHVI can help. We offer expertise in all types of structural heart procedures, including valve repair and replacement. In addition to open heart surgery, we offer aortic valve replacement (AVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)—a revolutionary, minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery.

Get Relief from Vein Disorders

If you experience leg pain or leg swelling, you may suffer from vein disorders that can result in serious, potentially life-threatening blood clots. CMH Heart & Vascular Care offers a full range of vein treatments to help repair or manage your vein disorders, reducing associated health risks.

Emergency Care

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Emergencies happen when you least expect them, but rest assured, Central Maine Healthcare is here when you need us.

We offer three ERs right in the communities we serve – each staffed 24/7 with board-certified emergency physicians and specially trained nurses, plus direct access to specialists, advanced technology and more resources from one of the largest integrated health systems in the state.

From chest pain to trauma, broken bones to stroke, know that expert care is always around the corner.

Find an Emergency Room Near You

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Why Choose Us?

Emergency Medical Transport

Central Maine Healthcare works closely with both local and state emergency transport services to ensure patients throughout our communities receive the critical medical care they need as quickly as possible.

By Ground: Ambulance Service

Emergency Medical Services (EMS), also known as ambulance teams or paramedic services) are our first line of care. They are always at the ready, 24/7, to respond to an emergency or crisis, provide short-term interventions during transport and deliver a patient to a Central Maine ER with both speed and care.

By Air: LifeFlight

Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) in Lewiston is a home base for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only medical helicopter service. We transport critical trauma patients to CMMC for quick care, and our helicopter pads at Bridgton and Rumford allow rapid transfer of critically ill or injured patients to CMMC. This network helps us provide faster treatment, leading to better outcomes.

Emergency Care FAQ

Central Maine Healthcare is committed to making a trip to the emergency room as stress-free as possible. We’ve prepared this information so you know just what to expect at every step.

What happens when I arrive?
First, you will meet a registrar at the registration desk. The registrar will ask you a few questions and open a record for you in the hospital’s computer system. Then our triage nurse evaluates your symptoms, vital signs and other information to help prioritize your care.

Why did someone else get seen before me, when I got here first? 
The triage process identifies more seriously ill and injured patients who need higher priority care. This means that patients may not be seen by care providers in the same order in which they are registered and triaged.  For example, someone having a heart attack demands immediate attention and will be seen before someone with a fever, cough or even broken bone.

What happens after triage?
You may be escorted to a treatment room or asked to wait in the waiting area, depending upon the seriousness of your illness and available treatment space. Even if space is not immediately available, a care provider may begin any necessary tests, such as blood work or a urine sample.

What happens in the treatment area? 
Once you are in a treatment room, you will be evaluated by a physician, a physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP). An emergency nurse will also assist.

Following your evaluation, your care provider may order additional testing and treatments. An emergency nurse will monitor your condition. The nurse will also give you any medications prescribed by the emergency care provider. If you feel your condition is changing, do not hesitate to tell your nurse or other care provider.

How long will the wait be?
Although everyone’s experience is different, the average visit to any CMH Emergency Department is about two and a half hours. Many visits are shorter, and some are longer.

What happens after I am treated? 
When all necessary treatments and procedures are complete and test results are reviewed, your care provider will decide if you will be discharged home, admitted to the CMH system as an inpatient, or transferred to a different hospital.

Patients who are discharged home are provided with complete after-care instructions. If you are advised to contact your primary care provider, it is very important that you do so.

If you have any questions after discharge, please call the Emergency Department you visited:

Central Maine Medical Center: (207) 795-2200
Bridgton Hospital: (207) 647-6070
Rumford Hospital: (207) 369-1051

Bridgton Hospital

Bridgton Hospital is a 25-bed, not-for-profit critical access hospital (CAH) that serves the people of western Maine. Founded in 1917, Bridgton Hospital provides 24-hour emergency services and features medical and surgical services, intensive care and a variety of other services including oncology, hematology, podiatry, orthopedics, cardiology and diabetes education. The hospital provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic services with a full-service lab and a radiology department boasting 3D mammography, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI.

10 Hospital Drive
Bridgton, ME 04009
Main: (207) 647-6000
Emergency: (207) 647-6070
Directory >

You might be interested in…

 Central Maine Medical Center
Rumford Hospital
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