IN PULSE Vol. 36 No. 2 •
WCGH welcomes OB/GYN
News from Waldo County General Hospital • March 2016
Waldo County General Hospital is pleased to welcome Anne Stohrer MD, MPH to the Women’s Health practice. Dr. Stohrer comes to Maine from The Women’s Center at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, VT where she worked as a generalist OB/GYN physician and supervised and provided backup for midwives. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Stohrer received her medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA and then completed her internship and residency at Washington University of St. Louis, MO. In 1997, she earned her degree in Masters Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Stohrer will join the Women’s Health practice in Suite 108 of the Cobb Medical Building, 16 Fahey St., Belfast. Appointments with Dr. Stohrer may be made by calling 338-9939.
Maine Women’s Fund awards dental grant
Waldo County Dental Care has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Maine Women’s Fund: “To help vulnerable Waldo County women improve their health, wellness and economic security by providing timely dental care, oral health education and referrals for community support services.” The dental clinic has been providing dental care to low income residents since 2013. More than 50% of the patients treated last year had not been to a dentist in five years or more. In 2015, 177 women visited the hospital’s emergency department for dental pain. The emergency department is able to provide short-term relief but in most cases the pain and infection returned. Tooth decay and infection have long lasting impacts on health, self-esteem and employability and untreated can lead to more serious health problems, including premature births and chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Currently, there is a fivemonth waiting list for new patients at the clinic. Even with an expansion in the clinic last December, the need far
exceeds the capacity, so a priority list was established. The four priority criteria are: • Have a co-occurring medical condition that is compromised by dental infection, such as diabetes • Be pregnant. Maine is one of only 10 states that does not provide dental care to pregnant women through Medicaid. Tooth decay and gum disease during pregnancy are linked to low birthweight babies and pre-term birth • Be a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. Many of these women have never had access to dental care and have damaged or knocked out teeth • Need dental care to secure or improve employment, including those transitioning off Temporary Aid for Needy Families. Beginning in June 2016, the clinic will serve as a clinical work site for fourth-year dental students from the College of Denistry at the University of New England allowing 16 additional appointments each week. These expanded slots will be set aside for emergency and priority care appointments. INSIDE Hospital news Hospital Aid Community Health Winners News briefs
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Belfast has a new Driving evaluations being offered to the community public health nurse Waldo County General Hospital is offering driving
When Samantha Paradis, RN, BSN, finished her degree with a double major in nursing and psychology at the University of Maine, she started her career at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. What she saw there changed her career path. “Early on I saw things being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that could have been prevented with health education and health literacy. I decided I wanted to do health care, not sick care. I felt I could make more of a difference by teaching people how to live healthier,” Samantha says. Earlier this year, she was accepted as a Global Impact Fellow and traveled to Ghana to work for five weeks at an eye clinic, a US based non-governmental organization, Unite for Sight. She worked teaching patients how to put their eye drops in correctly, especially the older population. She also worked as an RN at WCGH and will continue to work shifts as appropriate. She became the Belfast Public Health Nurse on February 22 of this year. Samantha is hoping more of her time, 20 hours a week, can be devoted to looking at the socioeconomic status of those with health problems and figuring out how to prevent those issues. “I have been meeting with stakeholders to learn their roles in the community and to see how they see my role evolving,” says Samantha. Samantha, who comes from the Fort Kent area, is also working on her Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of New England.
evaluations to members of the community. Anyone with a doctor’s referral is eligible to have an evaluation conducted at the hospital. The program is managed by Skip Philbrook, PT, Director of Rehab Services. The O.T. Driver Off Road Assessment Battery (OT-DORA) is completed by occupational therapists on staff. After a brief interview, the following areas are evaluated: range of motion, strength, visual skills, balance, coordination, reaction time and awareness of road laws. Collected data is then submitted for review by the requesting doctor in order to assist in determining if a person is safe to drive or is ready for an on the road test. The assessment lasts about 90 minutes. “After working with patients for a few years in this community, I have heard multiple individuals and family members express concern about loved ones ability to drive,” said Moriah H. Grant, OTD, OTR/L. “This assessment process is helpful and easy for all those involved. The results of the evaluation will be explained to the patient and family so if they have any questions, they can be answered right away. I hope that this makes this very difficult decision easier for the providers, patients and families.” “The decision to stop someone from driving can be a very difficult and emotional one for all those involved. This assessment will offer some objective data which can be used to help that process move forward or to show that someone may actually be safe to continue,” said Philbrook. “Either way, it prevents the decision from being totally a judgment call.” A limited number of insurance providers cover this evaluation. Potential patients or family members should contact their insurance provider to see if the evaluation is covered. Office personnel are able to answer questions about the cost of the evaluation. For more information, contact the Waldo County General Hospital Rehab Department at 338-9316.
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Learn about Advance Care Directives at open house
If you suffered a medical emergency that left you unable to communicate with medical personnel, would your family know what your wishes are about end-oflife care? Would you want to be resuscitated? Put on a respirator? Have a feeding tube inserted? There is a way to ensure that your wishes are followed even if you can’t communicate. On Wednesday, April 20, from 9 am to noon, there will be an open house on the second floor hallway of the Cobb Medical Building, 16 Fahey St., Belfast. At the open house, you will be able to ask questions and get the assistance you need to make your healthcare wishes known. There will be free on-site assistance to fill out your advance directives, which will allow your family to know and honor your wishes.
Social Worker in ED
Social Worker Ashley Hoffman is now providing social services to patients in the Emergency Department (ED) from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Thursday. She is helping patients to find primary care providers, connecting homeless patients with social services, initiating Home Health Services and collaborating with Care Coordinators on frequent visitors to the ED. She will also be assisting with extended stay psychiatric patients and helping patients with insurance and medication coverage. ED Nurse Manager Kim Spectre says, “Ashley’s kind and caring approach combined with her easy going personality, makes her a perfect addition to our team as well as an effective support person to patients in the ED who are in desperate need of her services.”
Julie Page, second grade teacher at the East Belfast School, and Gary Gale, a third grader at the school, are all smiles after receiving tooth brushes, tooth paste and floss from Belfast Public Health Nursing Association. The items will be distributed as needed to students attending Belfast schools.
Going to North Carolina without leaving the gym The 2016 World Heart Games will take place in Charlotte, NC in May. Although none of the Waldo County General Hospital rehab patients will be in attendance, they wanted to figure out a way to participate. Since January 5, attendees in the outpatient supervised exercise program have been keeping track of the distance they have walked on the treadmill, pedaled on the stationary bike and climbed on the
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stair steps. Those miles have been recorded on a map with the route from Belfast to Charlotte. So far participants have traveled 1,378 miles and are on the return trip to Belfast. The program, created and monitored by Mary Hanrahan, RN and Sue Driscoll, RN has helped to motivate their patients. “It gives me a short-term goal,” said one participant, adding that the ultimate goal is to “lose weight, stay healthy and not have another heart attack.”
Waldo County General Hospital Aid Briefs
After nearly a year of work and passing a state exam, 12 medical assistants at Waldo County General Hospital earned their certifications. Graduating March 18 were, front row from left, Rapunzel Baughman, Heather McLaughlin, Cassie Carpenter, Kathy Chambers, Polly Temple and Danielle Littlefield. In the back row from left are Jen Schofield, Amy Bonin, Cheryl Hibbard, Mary Wardwell, Denise Harriman and Leanne Temple. Dan Bennett, Chief Operating Officer, in back, was the speaker at the celebration. He said it is very important for the hospital to have certified Medical Assistants and they are a real plus for patients, co-workers, physicians and nurse practitioners. “We need a highly skilled, qualified work force. We thank you very much for working on this.”
Yard Sale Saturday, April 23 8:00 am - noon. Large indoor yard sale, rain or shine. Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 23 Mill Lane, Belfast. Donations welcome at the church on Friday, April 22, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. No televisions, computers or large appliances. Open to the public. For more information, call 323-3901 or 548-0232.
Community Health & Wellness Briefs Registration required for all events, please visit http://journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 921-3950 Introduction to Meditation
Are you interested in meditation but don’t know where to begin? Join Health Coach Barbara Crowley for this three-session series to learn about meditation. Wednesdays April 6, 20 & May 4 5:00 – 6:30 pm Registration fee is $15 for the series Waldo County General Hospital Classroom, 116 Northport Ave, Belfast
Move it to Lose it
This low-impact exercise class is designed for participants with a BMI of 30 or higher and is led by Mirja Pitkin. Thursdays April 7, 14, 28 & May 5, 12, 19 5:15 – 6:30 pm Registration fee is $37.50 for the six-week session East Belfast Elementary School Gym, 14 Swan Lake Ave, Belfast
Fresh Salads in a Jar
Mason jars aren’t just for canning - they make portable, portion-control meals simple and keep salads fresh for up to a week. Join the Community Health & Wellness team to learn how to make perfect and tasty mason jar salads. Participants will create their own salads to take home. Tuesday, April 26 5:30 – 7:00 pm Registration fee is $10 Waldo County General Hospital Classroom, 116 Northport Ave, Belfast
A Peaceful Night’s Sleep
Sleep is important for overall health. Learn how much you should be getting and why it’s important, find out what happens when you don’t get enough and learn practices that can help you sleep better. Thursday, April 28 5:00 – 6:15 pm There is no cost to participate in this course Waldo County General Hospital Classroom, 116 Northport Ave., Belfast
Non-emergency doctors’ appointments are available on the weekend to WCGH Primary Care patients
Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 338-9344 Appointments Recommended Cobb Medical Building, Suite 202 4
Daisy Award winner: Leanne Temple wins Fight at Waldo Teri Blackadar RN Food Nineteen recipe Teri Blackadar RN, an emergency room nurse, is the most recent Daisy Award recipient at Waldo County General Hospital. A patient, who called Teri his “Nightingale,” wrote: “Teri was the first person I saw when I arrived at your emergency room…and practically the last person I saw when I left…From the time she helped me through the admission paperwork, she was quite simply a wonderful human being, whether setting my mind at ease with small talk about home remedies, checking my vitals and my IV drip or bringing me another cup of ice water. You are so lucky to have her on your staff.” Daisy Award nominations are accepted from patients and their families, staff and physicians. The winner is selected by the Patient and Family Advisory Council. Nomination forms are available at hospital departments, medical offices, the lobby and the café. Or contact Lindsey Faulkingham, RN, BSN, Daisy Coordinator, 3382500 x4139 or email lfaulkingham@wcgh.org. The Daisy Award recognizes the extraordinary work nurses do for patients and their families every day. Congratulations to all nominees: Candy Decesere, RN – ICU, Pat Kelley, RN – MSU; Abigail Sears, RN – MSU; and Ashley Valliere, RN – MSU.
entries featuring blueberries were received from WCGH colleagues to be considered for the Food Fight. Following judging, that number was reduced to two. The Best Café prepared the two final recipes, Melinda Hellum’s spinach, blueberry, Leanne Temple was the winner of the Waldo County General Hospital quinoa salad with Food Fight blueberry lemon dressing and Leanne Temple’s berry topping/pie filling for tasting and voting. The salad was a surprise to many. “I don’t like quinoa or spinach but I like this,” said one taster. There was no way though that the salad could compete with the warm blueberry and raspberry topping over ice cream. “How can a salad compare with this?” asked more than one taster. “This doesn’t seem fair,” said another, “a dessert against a salad.” When the votes were counted, the berry topping won easily. Leanne, who works in orthopedics, will see her recipe entered in the final MaineHealth competition on March 29, in Portland. Her recipe will be prepared by a catering company and compete against 13 other recipes, each featuring a different vegetable or fruit. Attendees, including a panel of local celebrity judges, will vote on which one takes the top spot. The winner will receive a $250 Hannaford card.
Six hospital practices are honored
• Arthur Jewell Community Health Center Six Waldo County General Partners Family Practice • Searsport Health Center Hospital practices have been • Waldo County Medical Partners The practices earned this recognized for their commitment Family Medicine distinction based on the to excellence in childhood • Donald S. Walker Health Center standards in the MaineHealth immunizations. They are: • Stockon Springs Regional Childhood Immunizations • Waldo County Medical Health Center Program. 5
News Briefs Deece Ruggles of Nursing Education and Lee Philbrook, a tech in the Emergency Department, offered a Code 99 training to eight EMTs from the Stockton Springs and Searsport Ambulance Services. The training was held at the hospital using our patient simulator (“SIM Man”). This allowed the EMTs to practice their life-savings skills. Individual elements including CPR, defibrillation, airway management and EZ-10 placement were also practiced. ***** Congratulations to Jeff Davis, who has been named regional security director and Denise Needham, who will become regional director of pharmacy. Congrats also to
Jenifer Harris, center, Regional Director of Marketing & Communications at Waldo County General Hospital and Pen Bay Medical Center, presents a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County’s board president, Michaelene Achorn. At right is Mandie Sawyer, executive director for the local Habitat affiliate.
Lindsay Miles Garton, who received her degree in nursing from St. Joseph’s College. ***** Did you know that we now provide wound and ostomy care to patients in all departments? Wound and Ostomy Care nurses are
available here on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9 am and 2 pm. If you contact Kim Metcalf, RN, CWON, at 207462-3553 or x4486, they will come to your office to see your patient.
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Address service requested
118 Northport Ave n P.O. Box 287 n Belfast, Maine 04915 (207) 338-2500 n www.wcgh.org
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