Patient Amenities
Our staff does its best to make your stay a safe and comfortable one. The following list includes services and resources designed to make your stay at Albany Medical Center Hospital as pleasant as possible. If you require additional assistance, please consult your nurse or call our Patient Relations Department at (518) 262-3499.
Bank and ATM
You'll find a full-service Key Bank on the first floor of Building-C. For quick service and banking after hours, you can use the ATM found just around the corner from the bank (next to the Blood Bank).
Flowers
Flowers and plants are delivered on a daily basis. Unfortunately, patients in special care units can not accept deliveries.
Food From Home
To help ensure that patients receive the full benefits of a carefully constructed diet, we ask that you do not bring food from home unless you receive permission from the nursing staff.
Mail
You can send and receive stamped mail Monday through Friday. If you receive mail after discharge, we will forward it to your home. Stamps and other postal resources are available on the first floor of Building-C.
Choices Cafe
Choices Cafe, located on the first floor of Building-E, off the main hallway in the hospital, is open from 6:15 am to 11:00 pm, Monday - Friday and 6:15 am to 8:00 pm Saturday - Sunday. Choices Cafe offers a wide range of food and drink selections - from soda, coffee, pizza, and sandwiches to complete meals, delicious desserts, and a healthy salad bar. Choices Cafe also offers 24-hour access to a variety of vending machines. A wide variety of food choices are available.
Meals
Your health care team prescribes dietary guidelines according to your individual medical needs. We use those guidelines to construct a daily menu from which you select your favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Kosher meals are available on request, although the content of these meals might be limited by dietary restrictions. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the Hospital.
We serve patient meals between the following times:
Breakfast 7:00 - 9:00 am
Lunch 11:30 - 1:00 pm
Dinner 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Newspapers, Magazines, and Gifts
You'll find our Gift Shop on the first floor of Building-D.
It sells candy, cookies, and soda, as well as newspapers, magazines, flowers, phone cards, potted plants, and other items to brighten your day. You can also purchase a local newspaper from vending machines found on each floor.
Personal Call Button
For prompt assistance, you can use your personal call button. Your nurse will show you how to use it.
Telephone Service
Bedside telephone service is available on a rental basis in most patient rooms. Arrangements for telephone activation can be made during your admission process. You may also activate your telephone by dialing "0" from your bedside telephone or by asking your nurse for assistance. A telephone representative will visit your room to answer questions and arrange payment.
Local calls can be placed by dialing "9" followed by the telephone number. Long distance calls are limited to collect, calling card or third number billing calls. To place a long distance call dial "9" + "0" and the long distance number. You will then be requested to provide additional information based upon the type of call you are placing.
Family and friends can request your direct telephone number by calling our Information Desk. You can also ask the Information Desk to keep your number confidential.
Outgoing calls may be made at any time, however, to avoid disturbing other patients, incoming calls to patient telephones are not permitted between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am.
Television Service
Most patient rooms are equipped with a color television. Patient education and information programming are provided at no charge. Cable TV (including closed-captioned programming) is available on a rental basis. To request TV service, call (518) 262-3168 or ask your nurse for assistance. A TV service representative will visit your room to discuss
the service and arrange for payment.
