Sarah Brookins Named MCDH Employee of Quarter

At the First Friday celebration for the month of November, Sarah Brookins of the hospital’s Clinical Information Technology Department was named MCDH Employee of the Quarter. Here are some examples of statements made about Sarah. “She is a team player, responsive and respectful.” “She is always willing to stop and help.” “Always has a smile on her face.” "Sarah is definitely a TRUSTED employee - she is a team player; responsive and respectful, understanding, easy to approach, and she gets things done!" Sarah receives a check for $150 and is eligible for 2011 MCDH Employee of the Year. Congratulations Sarah! You are very deserving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that all of the members of our MCDH family and friends are able to enjoy a Thanksgiving holiday this year in which we are able to count our blessings and give thanks for all that we have received in 2011. The times are definitely hard but I’m hoping that everyone that this message reaches out to, has at least 1 thing that they can give thanks for. We at MCDH wish you all the very best!

National Rural Health Day

November 17, 2011 has been designated as National Rural Health Day in the United States. This is a great opportunity for the thousands of small rural hospitals, rural clinics and rural providers to take a bow and receive the heartfelt thanks of each of their local communities. Our rural hospitals are, more than likely, (1) the largest employer in the community, (2) a precious resource that provides cradle to grave care and (3) the reason that our resident friends and neighbors are able to remain living in the home that they have loved for their entire life, or a major reason why people from outside of the area have decided to retire here. We are all of those things to the local citizens of the Mendocino Coast and I would venture to say that nearly every other rural hospital in the United States could say the exact same thing!

We have not planned any special events for today, unlike many small rural hospitals. However, we are holding our monthly “lunch n’ learn” session that is open to the public. This month our guest speaker is hypnotherapist, Alena Guest who will show a video on hypno-anesthesia in surgery. It is our pleasure to continue to be able to serve our local population and to continue to provide high quality health care.

The Connecting Corridor is Complete!

For the first time in over 5 years, MCDH diagnostic imaging patients do not need to go outside in order to obtain an MRI from our hospital. Also, for the first time in over 3 years, patients do not need to go outside for a CT Scan! On October 28, the new connecting corridor from the main hospital to the Diagnostic Imaging Center was officially opened. Thank you to Gus Killion, Linda Dutcher and our General Contractor, JLK, for getting this VERY important piece of the new building completed. It's supposed to rain this week. But our patients and our staff will be dry

2011 Mendocino Coast Hospital Health & Wellness Festival

Last Saturday Mendocino Coast District Hospital hosted the Fifth Annual Mendocino Coast Hospital Health and Wellness Festival. And according the virtually eveyone involved, this one was the best one yet! The Festival Organizing Committee has been Chaired every year by Chief Clinical Officer, Roni McDermott. This is what Roni had to say afterward. "This year we provided over 730 screening exams for blood pressure, oxygen saturation, blood glucose, hearing, lipid panel, balance, bone density and % body fat composition. This is a big increase over previous years. In 2009 we did 206 tests and in 2010 we did approximately 600. We also had over 35 exhibitors, making this the largest festival in 5 years!" Roni added "We could not have put on such a great show without our volunteers that made it all possible. Every one of our volunteers showed up ready to work and to do whatever it was going to take for a successful event."

This year a challenge was issued to all MCDH employees to accumulate the most "personal power points" for fitness activities. The prize for the most points accumulated was a WiiFit. The winner of the WiiFit was Heidi Olsen. Thank you Roni and thank you to members of the Committee, especially Marte Tubbs and Elizabeth Luevano.

Turkey Day in the Kitchen

On September 28, I continued my practice of conducting CEO Rounds in each department of our hospital. This month I spent the day working in our Dietary department. I began my day helping Bernardo to set up patient breakfast trays and taking the carts out to our nursing floor. Next I had the honor of helping Daniel prepare the day's lunch meal It was "Turkey" Day. That could have been refering to the day's menu or the new kitchen helper for the day! I wonder how many people know that Daniel, a local boy (born in our hospital) who made good, was trained at the Cordon Bleu School in San Francisco. And how many of us knew that Daniel is skilled in making ice scupltors too? Now that we know, don't be surprised if you see an ice sculpture some time at MCDH. My contribution for lunch was turkey stuffing. If word of this gets out it is going to make it more difficult for me to play dumb on Thanksgiving. After making the stuffing and the mashed potatoes, I was able to observe Kristy making up the menus for the next days meals. I was impressed by her expertise in skillfully preparing meal choices for the next day.

My next assignment was working the cafeteria line with Carol. She was probably happy to have the help considering that everyone shows up for Turkey Day in our Cafeteria. Our dining room is open to the public. Where else can you get a turkey meal with all of the trimmings for only $6.00? After lunch I was supposed to help Roy wash the dishes. Somehow I got called out of the department and missed that part. I promise to come back and help you with the dishes some time Roy.

As usual I came away from my day in a hospital department with a great appreciation for the wonderful work that all of the members of the MCDH family provide. I got a lot of pride today from having an opportunity to help to serve our patients, our staff and our visitors. It is really a privilege to be able to serve at Mendocino Coast District Hospital.

Pharmacy Moving Day

Mendocino Coast District Hospital is 38 years old and has a great need for a new Pharmacy department. We have a top notch staff of Pharmacists and Pharmacist Technicians who work in a Pharmacy that has changed very little in all of those years. Thanks to our U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson and the U.S. government, grant funds have been made available so that we can upgrade and expand our pharmacy. The first step in expanding our Pharmacy is to vacate the existing department. That step was accomplished today with the hard work of, not only the entire Pharmacy staff, but also the tireless work of our Plant Maintenance Staff. The Maintenance Staff handled all of the "heavy lifting," while the well organized Pharmacy staff pulled stock from shelves and placed it on carts that were wheeled from the current department into a temporary department that will be the home for our Pharmacy for the next 6 months. Pharmacy and Maintenance staff were assisted by volunteer staff from a variety of hospital departments who came to help. It was truly a team effort and a marvel to behold.

On Monday, construction work will begin on our new Pharmacy department. We can hardly wait. One thing that I know for sure. 6 months from now there will be another moving day. And I am certain that it will be as well organized and efficient as the one that took place today. Congratulations to Chief Pharmacist Lois Leister and her entire department, and to John Funderburk of Plant Maintenance and his entire department. You all did a great job today!