Hospital Corner – December, 2017

Dear Community,

First, my thanks to the Mineral County Independent News for finding space each month for a column about Mt. Grant.  Our hope is that we can address concerns and answer questions for families, patients and residents.  After all, we are here to serve you.

Good News!  We are proud to announce that your local hospital is the recipient of a significant grant (over $900,000).  More details will be released soon by the foundation awarding us the grant but we can tell you that these funds will be used throughout the hospital, clinic and the Lefa L. Seran Nursing Home.  Long overdue medical equipment upgrades, facility improvements, and a new van for our nursing home residents will help us ring in a joyful new year.

Telehealth (also known as Telemedicine) is making its debut this month, with expanded services planned throughout 2018.  Look for information coming in the mail soon.  As many of you know, it can be a challenge to see medical specialists—the long trip to Reno or Carson City (traffic, no parking spaces, weather), then biding your time in the waiting room until the doctor is ready to see you, followed by the drive home (which often seems to take longer).  With our recent Renown Regional Medical Center Telehealth partnership, many of these trips should no longer be necessary.  Via a computer video link, specialists in Reno can perform exams, diagnose and prescribe treatment for you—right here in Hawthorne!  Rural hospitals across Nevada and throughout the country are now discovering how this technology can improve patient access to quality healthcare.  Curious what this looks like?  Stop by the Clinic and ask for Amanda, our Telehealth medical assistant; she will be happy to give you a tour. 

AB474 was signed by Governor Sandoval in June and becomes law on January 1, 2018.  On that date, Nevada medical providers must follow strict guidelines for prescribing controlled substances (CS) for the treatment of pain.  Contact your Mt. Grant physician or mid-level provider if you have further questions about how this may impact your pain management program.

What is the heart and soul of any good hospital?  Tough to single out one group from all the others who treat, cook, clean, maintain and do the business of operating a hospital but there is one team that stands out, who provide care and compassion at all hours, seven days a week to patients and residents?  At Mt. Grant, we are fortunate to have just such a team.  Director of Nursing Jan Kollodge and staff of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, MAs, and Ward Clerks work to the highest standards—committed to providing nursing at its finest. 

If you have questions or comments about these topics, improvement suggestions, or any other related to your healthcare, please stop by my office.  I am fortunate to work with highly trained and experienced medical professionals; they are sure to know the answer.  Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2018.

Hugh Qualls, MGGH Administrator