December 2009
Where caring counts. Feel the difference.
H1N1 Flu Not Your Typical Flu To prevent the flu • Wash hands with warm water and soap − if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough. • Stay away from people who are sick. • Avoid large crowds. • Do not share snacks, food, drinks, or cigarettes with others.
Whoops. I have it. Now what? • Stay home from work, childcare, school, or public gatherings when sick with a fever and cough. If you have H1N1 stay home for at least seven (7) days after the start of symptoms. If you are still sick after seven days, remain home until you are fever-free for 24 hours. • Drink a lot of fluids (i.e. sports drinks) to prevent dehydration. • Cough into your sleeve or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of tissues in a covered container and wash your hands. • Most people with influenza do not need to see a doctor. Call your healthcare provider if you or a family member is sick enough to need medical care. • Anyone having difficulty catching their breath should seek medical care as soon as possible. • Avoid having sick family members taking care of infants and others at high risk for complications (i.e. immune-compromised) of influenza. For more information go to: www.MasonGeneral.com and www.Co.Mason.Wa.Us/health/community_health/h1n1.php.
Remember, prevention is the key to staying well.
TM
Vol. 25 No. 6
Mason General Offers Physical Therapy Right Here O
n the road to recovery, Mason General Hospital offers patients a direct route: its own physical therapy department. Right inside Mason General, two physical therapists, two assistants, and an occupational therapist are on hand with a facility featuring all of the standard equipment. One of these therapists has been on staff for more than 20 years. “People are getting better when they come here,” said Chris Eggers, manager of the physical therapy department at Mason General. Chris Eggers, manager of Mason General HospiPatients receive care for neurotal’s physical therapy department, demonstrates a logical, orthopedic, sport-related piece of equipment therapists use at MGH to help and even pediatric issues, often patients improve their balance. working to regain balance, flexibility and their regular functional abilities. People recovering from strokes often benefit from physical therapy. The occupational therapist on staff provides specialized therapy for hand-related injuries, as well as performing splinting, and addressing orthopedic and overuse symptoms. “Her skill set is fairly unique for this area,” Eggers said. Eggers said he enjoys his job because it allows him to assist people facing these circumstances and make the experience easier for them. “It’s just the interaction with the people and helping them return to an active lifestyle,” he said.
Strong Financial Position Allows Hospital to Move Ahead With Facility Master Plan Dear Community,
After several consecutive years of a strong financial performance, coupled with an extremely favorable climate for construction, we are pleased to announce Mason General Hospital has an extraordinary opportunity to make several high-priority improvements over the next two years in the facility. The $33 million cost of these projects will be financed by operating revenues and will not require a taxpayer bond issue. These improvements include: The addition of a new surgery wing to the existing hospital New operating suites to accommodate new technologies; which will replace existing rooms that are too small to meet current and future needs An expanded and modernized emergency department to accommodate current and future patient needs and to increase patient privacy and provide more space for waiting patients Continued on page 10…