We're Here for Life

Our experienced healthcare professionals know that patients need more than expert medical care. For more than 90 years, we've made comprehensive, high quality healthcare available to more than three generations in our community, so you can enjoy the superior wellness resources a healthy lifestyle requires with the compassionate care you deserve.

Our Service Theme states: "We create a healing and compassionate environment by providing the finest in care, courtesy, and service to all people with whom we interact."

At Upper Chesapeake Health, we believe that patients who are at ease, rested, and in a nurturing environment heal more rapidly. Patients at our two hospitals benefit from a holistic approach to care that integrates traditional medicine with complementary therapies and services such as massage therapy, guided imagery, music therapy, and nurturing touch for comfort and pain management.

UCH is fortunate to have a highly qualified medical staff and excellent health professionals. With advanced medical and surgical equipment at their fingertips, they are dedicated to providing the highest quality care in a setting that is conducive to healing. From bedside computer registration to filmless digital imaging, UCH blends comfort and advanced technology.

Upper Chesapeake Health owns and operates:

• Harford Memorial Hospital
• Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
• Upper Chesapeake/St. Joseph Home Care
• Harford Hospice
• Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation

HEALING ARTS

We believe by offering high quality conventional medical treatment along with proven complementary medical therapies, we can help our patients heal faster and get back to their productive lives. It is all part of our commitment to creating the healthiest community.

Our healing healthcare services include:

• Nurturing Touch
• Guided Imagery
• Music Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Community Resource Libraries

Patients can access these services by contacting the nursing team members caring for them. The nurse will schedule the services for patients and/or family members.

Nurturing Touch
We know that sometimes the best benefit we can give our patients is nurturing support - human contact. Our Nurturing Touch program provides someone for our patients to talk to, to calm them, and help them relax through a conversation or a simple hand rub. The Nurturing Touch visit is made by a trained volunteer who will come to the patient's room. The volunteer will provide conversation and gentle touch including a hand and/or shoulder rub as desired.

Benefits

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Heightens sense of well being
• Heightens sense of spiritual connection with others and the environment

Fees

There is no charge for a Nurturing Touch session.

Guided Imagery & Music Therapy
Guided Imagery and Music Therapy are mind-body techniques based on the principle that the mind and body are interconnected and can be encouraged to work together. Guided Imagery is a technique that focuses and redirects your imagination. It is thinking in a positive way, visualizing a pleasant and life affirming experience. A nursing team member trained in Guided Imagery will take you through your session or you can make use of one of our Guided Imagery CD's. A Guided Imagery session lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. Music that has been demonstrated to promote healing and well being is available at the hospital or patients may bring in their own selections.

Benefits

• Reduces stress
• Decreases pain
• Decreases blood pressure
• Decrease in headache severity
• Enhanced sleep
• Decrease in allergy and respiratory symptoms

Fees

Guided Imagery and Music Therapy is provided free of charge to patients.

Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy nurtures the body and spirit through skilled therapeutic techniques and compassionate touch. Touch is vital to increasing endorphins, enhancing the immune response, and healing as well as creating a state of well being.

The physicians on our Medical Staff recommend services for our patients. Some patient conditions may be subject to further physician approval and/or may limit the type of massage received.

The Massage Therapy session is individually designed based on the patient's diagnosis, tolerance to touch and any precautions related to the patient's condition. The Massage Therapist provides treatment in the hospital room. Patient massage is performed by qualified massage therapists who are graduates of an accredited school of therapeutic massage.

Patients and/or family member may request Massage Therapy by contacting a nursing team member to schedule a session. The sessions are 30 minutes for patients and 15 minute chair massages are available for family members and friends. Family members and friends are welcome to schedule chair massages directly by calling ScheduleFirst at 443-843-7000.

Benefits

• Pain relief
• Stress and anxiety relief
• Reduction in heart rate and blood pressure
• Increased blood circulation and lymph function
• Relief from muscle and joint pain and soreness

Massage therapy also benefits patients who suffer from:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Headaches
• TMJ
• Insomnia
• Myofascial pain
• Sports injuries
• Scar tissue
• Depression

Fees
The 30-minute therapeutic massage for patients is $30. The 15-minute chair massage for family and friends is $15. Gift certificates are available at the hospital gift shops by cash or check. You may also use your credit card (MasterCard or VISA) at the hospital's cashier office. To charge by phone, call 443-843-5071.

Community Resource Library
The HealthLink Community Resource Library is a free medical lending library for adults and children. With locations at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and Harford Memorial Hospital, the library features healthcare books, magazines, medical journals, reference materials, health education videos, and computer resources to access health information online. For more information, call 443-643-2923 for the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center library or 443-843-5400 for the Harford Memorial Hospital library.

Hours
The libraries are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To access the material, simply fill out an application for a free library card. Applications are available at the libraries.