ADAMS COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT #2
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Orthopedic specialist James Perry, M.D. will be taking a medical hiatus from both his Spokane practice and his visiting clinic in Ritzville. In his absence, Timothy Powers, M.D., a colleague of Dr. Perry at Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists, will continue services here along with Dr. Alan Danielson.
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Dr.
Powers is a graduate of the University of Virginia
School of Medicine. He completed his Orthopaedic
Residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan, followed by a Spine
Surgery Fellowship at Ortho Carolina in Charlotte, NC.
Dr. Powers will treat all kinds of orthopedic injuries,
but spinal problems are his forte. He enjoys hunting,
fishing and attempting to keep up with his wife Ann, an
RN and Ironman Triathlete. For appointments with Dr.
Powers or Dr. Danielson in Ritzville, call toll free
1-888-660-BONE (2663).
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The Ritzville High School track was
once again home for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life
on Aug. 15 – 16. Adams County Public Hospital District sponsored a team
and everyone enjoyed a beautiful evening of fellowship raising
money for a great cause. |
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Physician Assistants (PA) are an important part of the practice for Adams County Public Hospital District #2. The use of physician assistants started in 1965 doing primary care. Dr. Eugene Stead from Duke University founded the program using Navy Corpsmen after the Vietnam War. Today PA’s are in all specialties of medical practice, Cardiology, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and of course Family Practice to name a few. The PA is a licensed health professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. They are in essence an extension of the physician and the care they provide. Physician Assistants are allowed to perform physical exams, diagnose health conditions, implement and carry out a treatment plans, which may include prescribing medications. The PA is allowed to practice under the physician to the scope that is allowed by the physician and state practice laws. Physician Assistants are used throughout the United States and many other countries. PA’s are going to be utilized more often due to the aging population, the utilization of the health care system, and the predicted shortage of physicians. According to USA Today by the year 2020 there will be a shortage of 85,000 to 200,000 physicians. We will start to notice the shortage across the nation as early as 2011. Currently there are areas in Washington that are having a shortage of physicians. PA’s are essential to maintaining health care services in our area. The clinic and hospital are fortunate to have 2 regular PA’s employed who cover clinic practice and hospital practice as well as 1 additional PA that provides coverage as needed. The physicians and the PA’s provide 24 hour coverage 365 days per year. The physicians have worked with the PA’s for many years and place a great amount of confidence in them and extend to them the freedom to practice knowing that should any questions arise the PA’s will consult them. The PA’s along with the physicians, make up the leadership of the healthcare team which includes nursing, radiology, laboratory, specialists, and all others who impact your health care needs. The PA’s working for the communities in the district have a firm knowledge base and understanding of medicine. John Valeri and Marnie Boyer are both Certified Physician Assistants. They maintain their certification by completing 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years. Then every 6 years they have to retake the National Certification exam. When you call to make an appointment and we have a PA available remember that they are an extension of the physician and have communication with the physician as needed to develop a plan of care to ensure better health for you. return to top
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Emergency Room Services |
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The Emergency Room at EARH is staffed 24/7 with a Physician or Physician Assistant, licensed nurse, and certified nurse aide. Our staff is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Trauma Care (TNCC), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). They are very skilled in starting IV’s, blood drawing, wound and suture care, and knowledgeable about most medications (there are new ones coming out every day), not to mention all the many other skills that are too numerous to include here. Our entire staff maintains certification in all aspects of emergency care.
The patients we transfer out are those who require surgery due to injuries or condition or extensive care or treatments not offered at this facility such as; ICU/CCU care, renal dialysis, cardiac care etc. Our patients are transferred out of this facility by Med Star (helicopter) or by ground ambulance. The patient’s condition will determine if a licensed nurse will accompany the patient and EMT’s to another facility.
Our recent addition to the level of care offered at EARH is “Cardiac Level 1”. In conjunction with Sacred Heart and Deaconess Medical Centers in Spokane there is now a protocol followed for a specific cardiac condition called ST Elevation. EARH staff is now able to transfer our patients from our Emergency Room to the Heart Cath Lab in either Spokane hospital in 90 to 120 minutes, depending on weather conditions and mode of transportation available.
The staff at EARH wishes to thank the community and those that travel through for allowing us to care for you in your time of need. We hope you continue to consider us for all your health care needs. |
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Adams County Hospital District had a Turkey Drive Nov. & Dec. of 2008. Through the generous donations of employees and community members we were able to donate 550 lb. of food, 38 turkeys and $210 to the Community Food Bank. Thank you to everyone that donated to this effort!! |
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ART Contest Winners Announced |
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Eighteen Students from Ritzville, Lind and Washtucna submitted entries for an art contest sponsored by East Adams Rural Hospital during National Hospital Week, May 10 – 16. The theme for the contest was “Healthy Activities”. The winners of each category were Preschool – 1st grade – Rachel Nygren – 1st Sydney Kinch - 2nd
2nd – 4th grade - Macy Foulkes – 1st Emma Aldrich – 2nd
56h – 6th grade – Brooklynn Hostetler – 1st Gail Harder – 2nd
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Adams County Public Hospital District #2 and the Washington State Death with Dignity Act
The recent passage of Initiative 1000, the “Washington State Death with Dignity Act”, has raised many questions for patients, physicians, and hospitals.
After careful consideration Adams County Public Hospital District #2 has chosen to not participate under the Death with Dignity Act. This means that East Adams Rural Hospital’s physicians, employees, and independent contractors will not assist in ending the life of a patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Our medical staff and other healthcare professionals will continue to provide compassionate, high quality care to all our patients. Our providers will be responsive to a patient’s query about life-ending medication with openness and honesty. Our goal is to provide timely and helpful information that allows patients to make informed decisions about end-of-life care. |
Adams County Public Hospital District employees raised $250 during their 2009 Turkey Drive. The money was donated to the Ritzville Food Pantry to buy turkeys for their holiday food baskets. In November the employees donated 528 lb of food to the Food Pantry. |
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H1N1, (swine flu) is a new variety of A-influenza virus, called swine flu because this type of virus can originate in pigs. Seasonal flu can be an A or B virus with any number of origins, often avian or bird. The H1N1 (swine flu) spreads quickly, is highly contagious and is transferred person to person by coughing, sneezing or touching an object that an infected person contaminated and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth. The first documented case of H1N1 in the United States was in April of 2009. By June 11, 2009 H1N1 was at a world pandemic level and now is widespread in 21 states. Washington is listed, at this time, as regional spread level and Adams County has had positive A virus tests and confirmed H1N1 ( 99% of A-virus positive test results are H1N1).
What are the symptoms of Swine Flu? The symptoms of flu-like illness may include: Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees centigrade or greater Cough, sore throat (with no other know cause) chills, headache, body ache, fatigue, diarrhea and or vomiting. Having nausea and vomiting does not mean that you have “the flu”…..you may have a gastro-intestinal virus or other gastro-intestinal problem….influenza is primarily a respiratory disease.
What should you do if you have flu-like symptoms? 1. STAY HOME!! Stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. 2. Keep sick children at home. This is a highly contagious virus and there is very little that your doctor can do for you once you are sick. Anti-viral medicines are used to treat people who are sick enough to be hospitalized or who are ill and have a higher risk for developing complications such as pneumonia. People infected with the H1N1 can infect others 1 day before to 7 days after getting sick. Remember, most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu. 3. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take fever reducing medicines like Tylenol for headache, body aches, and fever…please no aspirin for children under 12 years of age.
If you must leave your home when sick wear a mask. Always cover your cough or sneeze and wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol based hand sanitizers.
What can I do to stay healthy? 1. Avoid close contact (within 6 feet of someone who has symptoms of illness). Stay away from crowds or crowded public places. 2. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not immediately available. 3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his or her face. 4. Practice good health habits: get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of liquids and eat nutritious foods. 5. Get vaccinations for both H1N1 and seasonal flu.
The seasonal flu vaccine is available now. The first available H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine will most likely be a nasal spray containing a live-attenuated virus and can be given to healthy people 2 to 49 years of age. This nasal spray is not for pregnant women, children under two, adults over 50 years of age, folks with chronic respiratory disease such as asthma, or people on steroids or other immunosuppressant drugs. The injectable vaccine for H1N1 should be available sometime in early October. The priority groups for the injectable H1N1 vaccine are: Pregnant women, people who have contact with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services employees, those over 6 months to 24 years of age, and those with chronic medical problems from age 25-64. People over 65 are less likely to contract the H1N1 flu, but will be offered the vaccine. And yes, the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine can be given at the same time, but using different injection sites. Judy Korby,
Additional information available from the state of Washington by clicking here - http://www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/ |
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Employee Charity Fund Donation |
| The employees of Adams County Public Hospital District #2 donated their 2009 Charity Fund money to the Ritzville, Lind and Washtucna Park & Recreation Districts to pay for swim passes for children in need. Each Park & Rec. District received $155 to use for the passes. |
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2009 Employee of the Year
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 2009 EMT of the Year EMT of the Year for the District is Neva Malby. Neva has been an EMT and a Certified Nurse’s Aide for the District for nine years.
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December 16, 2009
Administrator’s
Message
Adams County
Public Hospital District #2
Paul Lewis,
Administrator As we near
the conclusion of 2009 I thank our patients, district
residents and partnering agencies for their continued
support of our hospital district. The upcoming year
promises to be one of change and new opportunities for
healthcare providers on both national and local levels.
While the federal healthcare debate continues we remain
committed to providing accessible, quality care close to
home. Emergency Medical Services We are
fortunate to have skilled EMTs stationed in Washtucna, Lind
and Ritzville who dedicate a large portion of their time to
be on standby and provide immediate response to medical
emergencies. The EMS program would not be possible without
our EMTs and we appreciate their continued dedication and
commitment to answering calls where and when needed. We
also rely on multiple community partners and we appreciate
the collaborative efforts of city representatives, EMS
associations, local fire districts, dispatch services and
law enforcement agencies that provide rapid access to
ambulances and a coordinated response to emergencies. An
EMT training course will start later this month and will
provide additional EMTs to each community. Facility Development Our
facility development program continues to be one of the key
strategic objectives for the district. We face growing
challenges associated with patient access, regulatory
requirements, technology infrastructure and aging mechanical
systems in our current hospital building. Earlier this year
the Board of Commissioners established a Physical Facilities
Committee to gather information on facility development,
land requirements and capital equipment needs. Committee
membership includes two district commissioners, medical and
administrative leaders and five district residents. The
committee is currently working with an architect firm to
evaluate new facility models and determine future land
requirements. A committee report is provided at the regular
board meetings and information will also be available on the
district web site. As more information is gathered, public
forums will be scheduled to present updated information and
receive community input regarding the district’s future
facility development. Thank you
for your continued support of Adams County Public Hospital
District #2. We appreciate the opportunity to provide
quality healthcare services in our local communities.
Last Modified: 06/28/2010