Central Maine Healthcare

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Tobacco and Smoke Free Campuses

Use of the following is not permitted on CMH property:

  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars
  • Pipe smoking
  • Electronic cigarettes
  • Chewing tobacco
  • Snuff
  • Marijuana
  • Other non-approved FDA devices

This policy helps us keep patients, visitors, and team members safe from second- and third-hand smoke and supports those who are trying to quit tobacco use. Thank you for your commitment to a healthier community.

To learn more, download the following documents:
CMH Tobacco-Free Policy
Team Member Guide How to Support Patients and Families
Tobacco-Free & Smoke-Free Summary & Fact Sheet

Additional Resources:
American Lung Association – Quit Smoking
American Lung Association – Lung Friendly Workplace
Artificial Scents Have No Place in Our Hospitals
GovDocs – Fragrance Free Workplace
Mayo Clinic: Fragrances and Asthma/Allergies

CMMC Specialty Pharmacy

More Than Just a Pharmacy

The goal of the CMMC Specialty Pharmacy is to help patients understand their chronic and complex diseases and the medication used to treat them.

Specialty pharmacies are not the same as retail pharmacies. Our specialty pharmacists help make sure the medication you take is safe and works for you. We offer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so we are always here to assist you with any questions you may have. We can also help you get assistance to pay for your medications if needed.

Our CMMC Specialty Pharmacy care team will teach you how to take, store and refill your medication. We can also teach you about any side effects you may have and screen for any drug interactions that could occur between your new medication and your usual medications.

We offer fast, free, home shipment or your medication can be picked up at our pharmacy which is located at 10 High Street, suite 104 in Lewiston.

As a patient of the CMMC Specialty Pharmacy, our priority is helping you live better and stay healthy. The care team in the CMMC Specialty Pharmacy is made up of clinical pharmacists, benefit coordinators, technicians and patient care coordinators trained in your medical condition and specialty medications. We are here for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week to answer your questions about your medication or condition.

Download a copy of the CMMC Specialty Pharmacy welcome packet.

What to Expect

We will work to assist you in getting your medication paid for through your insurance company and other patient assistance programs that may be available. Our reimbursement specialists are experts at completing financial paperwork and finding ways to help get you your medications.

On time Refills Plus Prescription Monitoring

Our pharmacy team will tell you when it is time for a refill, so you don’t miss any doses, and we will work with your provider to make sure you have the best response possible from your medicine.

Free Medication Delivery Plus Supplies

We can deliver all your medications and supplies needed for your therapy to your home free of charge. Our goal is to make sure you have your medicine in-hand quickly there are no gaps in your therapy. We want getting your medicine to be simple.

Providing Care for Specialized Disease States

Useful Links

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention – List of Diseases and Conditions
  • National Institutes of Health – Health Information
  • Medline Plus
  • Safe Medication – Drug Information
  • National Council on Patient Information and Education
  • Consumer Med Safety

Financial Assistance Programs

We Offer Support By:

  • Helping you recognize and manage side effects
  • Reminding you when it is time for a refill
  • Teaching you how to take your medication
  • Answering your questions about your medicine
  • Helping your provider make sure you have everything you need

Our Services

  • Personalized care
  • Regular follow-up
  • Benefits assistance
  • Free delivery and pick-up
  • 24-hour access to pharmacist to address any urgent patient concerns

To begin using the CMMC Specialty Pharmacy or to transfer your prescriptions, please contact us 207-786-1800.

Pharmacy

Assisting You with Your Medication Needs: 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 managing your medication needs. The CMMC Pharmacy can transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies with a simple request in person or by phone. Our professional team members provide friendly, knowledgeable service in a convenient location. We are your community pharmacy.

Located on the CMMC Campus:
12 High Street (Lobby), Lewiston

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday – closed
Easy refills:  207-795-7177
Automated Refill Line Available 24/7

CMH Pharmacy App: Convenient & Easy

  • Secure messaging with pharmacy team
  • Request refills
  • Set medication reminders

Sign up at https://patient.rxlocal.com/

Services Offered:

  • Patient counseling and education
  • Refill reminders
  • Text and email alerting systems
  • Convenient shipment and pickup options
  • Medication Therapy Management
  • Immunizations
  • Prescription Compliance options (autofill)

For refills, customers may call anytime, using our “refill by telephone” system, by dialing (207) 795-7177. Please remember that the CMMC Pharmacy offers alternative options to ensure that your prescriptions are filled and ready when needed, including auto-refill; auto-sync (where all of a customer’s maintenance medications can be synced to refill on the same day) and mail order (restrictions apply – please call for details).

CMMC Specialty Pharmacy

Our CMMC Specialty Pharmacy helps patients understand their chronic and complex diseases and the medication used to treat them.

Located on the CMMC Campus:
12 High Street (Lobby), Lewiston

Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program

The 340B is a program overseen by the Health Resources and Services Agency (HRSA), a division of the US Department of Health & Human Service. Under 340B, drug manufacturers who wish to participate in the Medicaid and Medicare Part B prescription coverage programs must offer a select list of drugs to qualified healthcare providers at a reduced price. The program, which is not subsidized by the federal government, is intended to allow providers to stretch scarce resources as far as possible to provide more care to patients.

Central Maine Healthcare (CMH) provides comprehensive, integrated healthcare services to a geographically dispersed population and qualifies for the 340B program enabling us to provide additional services to our community.

What 340B Means to CMH and Our Community: Many healthcare services are only partially covered by insurance or not covered at all. Medicare and Maine Care reimburse at rates that are often far below the actual cost to provide care. Savings generated by the 340B drug program help CMH fill the reimbursement gaps from insurance and also supports CMH’s $5.2 Million of free care to needy community members annually.

Examples of Programs Made Possible by 340B

  • Reduced prescription costs: Our affiliated outpatient practice areas provide lower costs for eligible medications at CMMC’s retail pharmacy and via mail order.
  • Rural Areas: Bridgton and Rumford Hospitals provide full-service chemotherapy and specialty infusion enabling patients to receive the care they need closer to home.
  • Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center: Located at the Lewiston campus, our integrated, multi-disciplinary cancer program combines a full spectrum of services and medical specialists to diagnose and treat cancer holistically. 340B savings enable us to provide access to the most up to date drug regimens for every patient we see.
  • Diabetes & Endocrinology: Working collaboratively with patients, our team of board-certified endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians along with other specialists create a personalized care plan for each individual.

Maintaining the 340B Program: CMMC adheres to the American Hospital Association’s 340B Good Stewardship Principles. We have an internal 340B Oversight Committee comprised of key leadership members from across the healthcare system. The committee meets at least quarterly to conduct internal reviews to ensure our program meets the US Department of Health & Human Services HRSA program rules and provide guidance for our program’s future direction.

Do I Need to Do Anything to Benefit? The 340B program is not a direct-to-consumer program. The benefits of the 340B program for our community, such as those listed above, automatically apply to CMH patients who receive their care across our system. You do not need to do anything to take advantage of these benefits.

If you value the types of services that this program makes available to our community by requiring drug manufactures to provide drugs to CMH at a discount, be sure to encourage your congressional representatives and senators to continue to support the federal 340B program as an essential part of maintaining the availability of exceptional care for Central, West, and Mid-Coast Maine.

Gastroenterology

At Central Maine Healthcare, our board-certified gastroenterologists are up to the task. We provide expert care for all types of gastric problems, from everyday stomach ailments to complex intestinal, swallowing and inflammatory conditions. Working closely with you, we’ll create a tailor-made treatment plan to relieve your specific symptoms, so you can get back to your life.

Specialized Care for Digestive Disorders

Our GI doctors combine years of experience with compassionate care to diagnose and treat any gastric issue. Specialties include:

  • Bowel disorders
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Esophageal disorders
  • Hepatitis
  • Ulcerative colitis

Each condition calls for a different path to find the best diagnosis. Some can be identified by blood tests alone; for others we might use X-rays, a CT or MRI, colonoscopy or endoscopy—a painless procedure in which your doctor inserts a thin tube, with a camera attached at the end, into your digestive tract to see what’s happening. No matter how complex, we can help manage the problem successfully, and, in many instances, completely cure it. Depending on your symptoms, treatment options may include medication, lifestyle support, minimally invasive procedures or other therapies to meet your needs.

Helping You Take Control: Some digestive disorders will be with you long-term, and you may need a program of self-management to keep symptoms at bay. Our team, including registered dietitians, is here to show you the skills and tools to support your healthiest life.

Gastroenterology Treatments & Specialties

At Central Maine Healthcare, we’re committed to helping people throughout western and central Maine take charge of their digestive health. Our board-certified gastroenterologists provide specialized care for a full range of gastric conditions, whether your symptoms are mild or significantly impacting your health and daily life. We provide the latest diagnostic tests to understand exactly what’s ailing you, as all as the latest treatments to help you manage your condition more easily and effectively.

Endoscopic Ultrasound: Ultrasounds offer a minimally invasive way to evaluate disorders in all parts of the body, including digestive disorders. These exams use an endoscope—a long, fiber-optic tube that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the lining and walls of the digestive tract and chest. It can also examine nearby organs, including the pancreas, liver and lymph nodes, for other potential problems.

ECRP is a kind of endoscope exam, designed to examine your pancreatic and bile ducts highlighted with dye. Most of the time, your doctor will pair an ECRP with X-rays to get the complete picture.

Laparoscopic Surgery: Should you require surgery to help treat a digestive problem, rest assured you’re in skilled hands. Our surgeons specialize in laparoscopic techniques, which often offer significantly less pain and scarring, fewer complications and a faster recovery compared to traditional “open” procedures.

Prokinetics are a type of medication that reduces some of the discomforts of gastro disorders caused by “delayed emptying.”

Integrative Medicine: For gastric disorders, as well as ailments in other parts of the body, integrative medicine at Central Maine offers therapies that can play a vital role in healing. Acupuncture can help relieve symptoms by stimulating the body’s own natural painkillers. Other approaches include probiotics (beneficial bacteria already found in the digestive tract), fish oil (now widely recognized as an anti-inflammatory), aloe vera gel, as well as nutritional and herbal supplements. Our GI doctors and integrative medicine experts will work together and with you to help create a custom and comprehensive treatment plan.

Gastrointestinal Disorders We Treat

Dealing with any kind of gastrointestinal problem can be painful, not to mention undue stress or embarrassment that keeps you from the life you love. At Central Maine Healthcare, we can help put your body – and mind – at ease. Our dedicated team of gastroenterologists and support staff, including registered dietitians, are skilled in treating all types of digestive problems. Whether your problem is a short-lived “stomach bug” or a chronic condition, count on our experts to help you find the right solution to help get back to feeling and living your best. Click to learn more about Gastrointestinal Disorders We Treat.

Contact Us

Central Maine Gastroenterology
12 High Street, Lewiston, ME
(207) 784-5784

Resources:

General Welcome to the Endoscopy Department Form
New Bravo EGD Instructions
New CN Miralax Instructions
New CN Peg 3350 Instructions
New CN SuPrep Instructions
New EGD and CN Miralax Instructions
New EGD and CN Peg 3350 Instructions
New EGD and CN SuPrep Instructions
New EGD Instructions
New ERCP Instructions
New EUS and ERCP Instructions
New EUS Instructions
New Sigmoidoscopy Instructions
New VCE EGD Instructions

Addiction Services

Mission

We are committed to understanding and serving people who are living with addiction. We provide compassionate trauma-informed care based on best practices and the principles of harm reduction.

Pathways to Treatment

We recognize that people seeking treatment for opioid use disorder may be at different stages in their recovery and their readiness to change. A one-size-fits-all treatment program can feel frustrating to both patients and providers. To ensure that we are responsive to our patients’ needs and providing the best care possible, we have provided several pathways.

  • Bridge Clinic
    • Weekly outpatient appointments with a medical provider for low-barrier access to medication for opioid use disorder
  • Recovery Group
    • Weekly appointments with integrated outpatient care and group counseling for patients with stimulant and opioid use disorder
  • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Weekly outpatient appointments with a medical provider, integrated with virtual group counseling.
  • Maintenance
    • Monthly appointments with a primary care provider for maintenance on medications for opioid use disorder.

Medications

We offer Sublocade, Suboxone, Subutex and Vivitrol.

What To Expect

Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to address any immediate risks related to drug use you may be facing. If appropriate, we help you initiate medication for opioid use disorder and send you home with harm-reduction supplies, like Narcan and medication lock boxes.

You will meet with one of our Behavioral Health partners who will help us develop a holistic wellness plan based on psychosocial assessments conducted on-site over the course of 1-3 appointments. These assessments help us identify any barriers to recovery you may be facing, such as lack of transportation, homelessness, mental illness, or chronic disease.

You can expect to engage with our care team on a weekly basis while you stabilize on medication. From there you and your care team may decide a higher level of care to learn relapse prevention skills is essential to your recovery or you have reached a place where you are ready to sustain your recovery through community and peer support with ongoing medication management.

It is extremely rewarding to be involved with people’s recovery and helping to improve their health and overall well-being.
– Dr. Paul Vinsel, DO

Contact Us

76 High Street
Lewiston, ME 04210
Ph. 207-795-2823
Fax 207-795-2808

If you do not have a phone, please come to 76 High Street in Lewiston and ask to speak to the Addiction Services Coordinator.

Mission, Vision and Values

Our Mission

To deliver compassionate, quality care to patients and better healthcare to communities.

Our Values

Quality
We are committed to always providing exceptional care and performance.

Compassion
We deliver patient-centered healthcare with compassion, dignity and respect for every patient and family.

Community
We are honored to be trusted partners who serve, give back and grow with our communities.

Physician-Led
We are a uniquely physician-founded and physician-led organization that allows doctors and clinicians to direct healthcare at every level.

CMH News

Visitor Guidelines

CURRENT POLICY AS OF 5/18/2023

Visiting Hours

Central Maine Medical Center
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Maternity – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Bridgton Hospital
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Weekends – please enter through the Emergency Department

Rumford Hospital
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Weekends – please enter through the Emergency Department

CMH Provider Team
Normal business hours 

RESTRICTIONS ON VISITATION

Professional judgment will be used to determine whether visitation should be limited for clinical reasons, or, in the event of a shared room, the needs and privacy of other patient(s) in the room, observing the following guidelines:        

  • The patient has two options regarding restriction of visitation:
    • a.      Denied = deny all information; or
    • b.      Restricted = information to be given is restricted as specified by the patient.
  • The patient has the right to:
    • a.      Designate persons to be considered as support persons for visitation by communicating this to the healthcare provider orally or in writing; and
    • b.      Designate visitors, change, or revoke the designation at any time.
  • Patients may have up to two (2) visitors at one time.
  • Designated visitors, along with the changes to designations, should be communicated to the Patient Access Center (PAC) team, Central Registration at Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital or the Hospital Operator as noted in the electronic medical record.
  • In the absence of restrictions, the patient will be on regular status and the caller will be transferred to the patient care unit.
  • In arranging visiting hours, nursing department will balance the patients’ need for rest, with the benefit of having visitors.
  • The charge nurse or patient’s assigned nurse is expected to exercise good judgment in limiting the frequency, duration, and number of visitors.
  • The organization reserves the right to limit visitation for other situations, including community transmission of disease and other clinical restrictions, the disruptive behavior of a visitor, the impact of visitors on the patient or roommate’s need for privacy (especially during a procedure or test), court orders limiting or restraining contact and behavior presenting a direct risk for threat to patients or staff.
  • Visitors’ requests to stay overnight will be granted as long as the patient is located and remains in a single room and the request does not interfere with the medical care of the patient.
  • Additional concerns surrounding the safety of patients and staff can be further addressed through a call to Security, the Nursing Supervisor, by using Signal 5000, or as appropriate to your campus. 

VISITATION GUIDELINES FOR MINORS, DEPENDENTS

  • Minor visitors/siblings may visit minor patients, when a supervising adult accompanies them and remains present.  In these situations, minor visitors may check on their friend but may not remain in the patient’s room without a supervising adult.
  • Minor siblings will not be allowed to stay overnight and/or be responsible for minor patients.
  • When the patient is a minor and the PARENT(S) ARE MINOR CHILDREN, the situation should be handled like a parent and child relationship, unless the provider and/or nursing staff identify problems that affect the care and treatment of the minor.  Adult relatives may be included based on relationships and the needs of the situation.
  • Minor children shall NOT spend the night with the adult patients.  One identified exception is the breast-feeding mother where a separate adult can stay and assist with the infant.
  • Mentally or physically challenged visitors should NOT be left alone and unsupervised with patients; there must be a supervising and accompanying adult at all times, preferably a family member, to avoid distress to patient, visitor and staff.  For situations that require additional assessment, contact Care Management staff for guidance. 

Extraordinary Circumstances:

  • Certain patients will require ongoing accompaniment by a family member or other visitor for some or all of their hospital stay.  Extraordinary circumstances include:
    • a.         Patients with significant intellectual disabilities;
    • b.         Patients with unique communication needs, such as dementia/confusion or language barriers that cannot be addressed appropriately through typical translation services;
    • c.          Patients in police custody;
    • d.         Patients from institutions who require near-constant attendance by a staff member with special understanding of the patient’s needs;
    • e.         Patients who require near-constant attendance and have an immediate family member who is willing to be in attendance; or
    • f.           Compassionate care or end of life care. 

Clinical Restrictions

  • Justified clinical restrictions may include, but need not be limited to, one or more of the following:
    • a.      A court order limiting or restraining contact;
    • b.      Behavior presenting a direct risk or threat to the patient, hospital staff or others in the immediate environment;
    • c.       Behavior disruptive to the function of the patient care unit;
    • d.      Patient’s risk of infection by visitor;
    • e.      Visitor’s risk of infection by patient;
    • f.        Patient’s need for privacy or rest;
    • g.      When the patient is undergoing a clinical intervention or procedure and the treating health care professional believes it is the patient’s best interest to limit visitation during the clinical intervention or procedure; and,
    • h.      Registered sex offenders in nursing units such as Pediatrics when there are children present as patients. 

Visitor Requirements
In-person visitors must follow infection prevention measures, including:

  • Visitors entering rooms of patients on Isolation Precautions are required to adhere to all safety and posted Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.
  • Visitors are not allowed to eat or drink while in Isolation Precaution rooms.
  • Visitors may be asked to leave during aerosol generating procedures (AGP) or the collection of respiratory specimens for patients on Isolation Precautions.
  • It is strongly encouraged that visiting not occur during times of acute illness or exposure, but if unavoidable, masking is required.
  • Masking continues to be required under the following circumstances:
    • a.      If the visitor is experiencing any respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, or fever, fatigue, body aches, headache or vomiting/diarrhea.
    • b.      If the visitor tested positive for SARS-Co-V2 within the previous 10 days.
    • c.       If the visitor has had a known exposure to a communicable disease (ex. 10 days for COVID without a test, 7 days if tested negative).
    • d.      If entering an area/unit designated for high risk patients or identified as experiencing ongoing transmission of infection.
  • Visitors must sanitize hands upon entry and when leaving a patient room.
  • Visitors should not wear gloves unless directed to do so by a staff member.
  • Visitors are not permitted to bring personal items beyond absolute essentials (e.g. wallet or purse, keys, cell phone).
  • Visitors are permitted to leave and return to the building during designated visiting hours.
  • Video conferencing and telephone calls may be possible alternatives to in-person visitation and escorting. Leadership will work with the administrator-on-call and the attending physician to make a final determination on whether visiting criteria are met.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENTS
Extenuating circumstances may necessitate deviation from the terms of a policy. It is understood that emergent situations may occur, which require immediate resolution. Where applicable, appropriate documentation should be created to support the necessity for such deviations.

Updated May 1, 2023

Interpreter Services and Assistive Devices

Central Maine Healthcare recognizes, values and respects the personal worth and dignity of each patient served by our system. If you’re a patient or visitor with communication needs, we will provide you with immediate and equal access to appropriate and effective assistive communication services and devices.

Assistive Services

  • Live in-person interpreter
  • Video remote interpreting (VRI)
  • Over-the-phone interpreting (OPI)

Assistive Devices/Aids

  • TTY telecommunication devices
  • Amplified listening devices
  • Hearing aid compatible big button phone
    (Braille, strobe light and volume control)
  • Special nurse call bell (blow, squeeze, touch, air)
  • Baby cry alarm
  • Alerting devices for phone and/or door
  • Deaf and hard of hearing/visually impaired door sign
  • Page magnifier for visually impaired
  • Dry erase board
  • Pictogram book
  • Totes for supplies
  • Translated documents in top languages
Central Maine Healthcare_CMH-InterpretationServices_18x22Download

Patient and Family Advisory Council

Patient and family advisors, representing the collective voice of all patients and families, collaborate with Central Maine Healthcare to achieve its goal of providing the highest quality patient-centered care to every patient, every time.

Click here to submit your interest

What should I expect as a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council?

The participation of patients and family members on the CMH Patient & Family Advisory Council is very important to enhancing the quality of the healthcare experience. As a council member, you are invited to:

  • Represent the CMH mission/vision/values and service standards.
  • Follow all privacy requirements according to state and federal law (see HIPAA).
  • Share your healthcare experience with other advisors and CMH team members at monthly meetings held both in-person and virtually.
  • Utilize open communication and willingness to offer both positive and negative comments in a respectful way.
  • Participate in group discussions to talk about ideas for how CMH can improve its care, quality, safety, and services.
  • Be respectful of the unique background and perspective of each individual member.
  • Provide insight from the patient and family perspective about CMH’s policies, care practices, and patient education materials.
  • Identify patient and family needs and concerns.
  • Serve on subcommittees and quality workgroups to help bring the patient and family perspective to these efforts.
  • Encourage and support patient-centered care across the system.

To download more about the Patient and Family Advisory Council, click below then check your downloads folder.

CMH Patient and Family Advisory Council Booklet with endorsement stampDownload

Submit your interest today

If you are interested in becoming a council member, please complete the form below.

Once we have received your form, a member of our team will contact you to continue the process, which includes a meet and greet.

For questions please contact:
Ashley Ellis, System Manager Patient Experience
ashley.ellis@cmhc.org

Click here to submit your interest