CentraCare - Long Prairie Hospital is a Level IV trauma center and critical access hospital, located together with a family medicine clinic. The hospital has been recognized for the quality of its rural emergency medical care by the coalition of Minnesota health care organizations and individuals.
Long Prairie Hospital does not have posted visiting hours, but we ask that visitors respect the wishes of the patient. Here are some important reminders.
- Please help protect patients from seasonal viruses. If you have the signs and symptoms of a cold or the flu, please refrain from visiting the hospital until you are symptom-free.
- If you are well enough to visit, please wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering the patient’s room to help stop the spread of germs and infection.
- Children may visit if they are accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their supervision
- No one with an active infection may visit patients
- Staff have the right to restrict visitors or request they leave
- Nursing staff will advise visitors regarding any limitations
- We suggest limiting visits to patients after 8:30 p.m. so that they can rest, but loved ones are always welcome. If a patient would like a guest to stay in their room overnight, a pull-out sleeper chair is available.
Meditation Chapel
Private space is available onsite in Long Prairie. Family members, patients and visitors are encouraged to use our Chapel, located close to our Gift Gallery, and is available at all times.
Dining
Visitors are welcome to purchase meals, sandwiches, snacks or beverages at the River Bistro which is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Gift Gallery
Our Gift Gallery, located onsite near the Chapel, is sure to have a special item or card for a hospitalized loved one or friend. Stop by for a sweet treat, fun locally made items, clothing, jewerly and unique children’s and houseware gifts for a variety of occasions.
Interpretation Services
Free American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, Text Telephone (TTYs) and access to MN Relay are available to aid our patients who may be deaf or hard-of-hearing. We also have in-person, phone, and virtual interpreters available for non-English speaking patients. Clear, effective communication is an important part of treatment, and healing, for all patients.
Smoke Free Campus
We appreciate your cooperation in maintain a smoke-free environment inside and outside all of our health care properties. This smoke-free policy ensures a safe and healthy environment for our visitors, employees, volunteers and medical staff. We appreciate your help in keeping our grounds as clean as possible.
Latex Safe Hospital
In the interest of the health of our patients and staff, Melrose Hospital has a latex-safe policy. Because of this, latex balloons are not permitted in the hospital. Mylar balloons are an acceptable substitute.
Parking
Patient and Visitor parking for all services is located at the front of the building. A drop off zone is available at the main entrance and emergency entrance if needed.
The Blessing Box is a small, community-supported outdoor pantry filled with non-perishable food items, personal care items and other essential supplies.
Located near the Vitality Wellness Entrance at CentraCare – Long Prairie, it relies on the generosity of individuals to help spread a sense of community, compassion and kindness.
Donations can be dropped off at the Vitality Wellness front desk weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more about what foods and items can and cannot be accepted.
From 1884 to the mid-1970s, Dr. George Christie then his son, Dr. Robert Christie, practiced medicine in Long Prairie. In 1901, they began practicing from their house, which is now Christie House Museum. There were two small hospitals in Long Prairie in the early 1900s, followed by a larger facility located in the town’s commercial district in the 1930s. Many CentraCare – Long Prairie employees and supporters are decedents of physicians who had long-time practices in the community.
In the 1950s, city residents conducted a $500,000 fund-raising drive to build a new, efficient 34-bed hospital. In the 1960s and 1970s, a nursing home with 123 beds and a new clinic were added. At the time, Long Prairie was the first location in Minnesota to offer nurse-midwifery services.
Health Central, a predecessor organization of Allina Heath System, assumed management of the Long Prairie Memorial Hospital and Home in 1978. In 1999, CentraCare Health System purchased the hospital, nursing home and clinic practice from Allina Health System.
In 2016, a $2.5 million goal was met by local residents, businesses and CentraCare employees to build a new medical campus. In 2017, the new hospital and clinic opened. During the capital campaign for the new medical campus, an additional need was identified for community wellness. To date, $4 million has been committed to the #WellnessWins campaign from over 320 generous community members, businesses, civic organizations, foundation and grants. Vitality Wellness opened its doors in May 2019. The facilities’ pool, studio and gym are open to community members seeking community health and wellness opportunities.
Today we are CentraCare – Long Prairie, a not-for-profit health and wellness organization that provides comprehensive, high-quality services to people throughout Central Minnesota.
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