Progress Notes — February 15, 1985
This document has been recreated below for ease of use. It has been lightly edited for clarity. Hyperlinks have been inserted where additional, relevant information is available.
For posterity, the original document is available, too.
Joan Straatmann, Editor
Administrator's Column
By Jerry Marquette
There are many times we forget to say "thank you". I feel that "thank you" should be the most used words in our vocabulary. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks for what we have accomplished in 1984.
"Thank You to the People of the Parish for Voting Yes on September 29, 1984.
"Thank You to the Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury for forethought and support.
"Thank You" to the Medical Staff for making the necessary changes in the direction of Intensive Care.
"Thank You' to all the Employees of the PCGH for accepting change and the challenge to make our care the best there is.
"Thank You" to our Patients, in which we serve and care for both as in-patients and out-patients.
Thank You" to our construction crew, (especially Ted LeBlanc), architects, contractors, and each worker for doing such an excellent job in preparing and building our hospital to the design of the future for Pointe Coupee Parish.
"Thank You" to both Nursing Homes in the Parish and all the other supportive Health Care Providers in the Parish for giving us the other resources to provide care out of the hospital setting.
We, the management at Pointe Coupee General Hospital are dedicated to serve the people of this Parish and provide health care at its state of the art. 1984 was only a beginning. In 1985 you will see further changes all geared to "Progressing, Caring and Growing" towards the continuous changes in health care.
"Thank You' for your Patience, Understanding and Belief in what we are doing at Pointe Coupee General Hospital.
Feb. 23 & 24
Physician ACLS Course.
April 14
False River Marathon Relay plus 5-mile Relay and Walkathon. The Relay is to benefit the National Sports Festival. So try to get your Teams together and enter now!
April 28
The GRAND OPENING of the Pointe Coupee General Hospital Expansion Project. Information will be forth-coming on this upcoming celebration!
June 1
The Annual Hospital Picnic will again be held at the Scott Civic Center.
During the month of March, Pointe Coupee General Hospital is sponsoring a program for educating the community regarding substance abuse prevention.
Shirley Smith, Regional Coordinator for S.A.P.E., and Maryann Hofstad, R.N. with Baton Rouge General Hospital Chemical Dependency Unit, will offer a workshop for the hospital employees and other interested people every Tuesday in March, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Local Residents in the field of education and medicine are invited to share their knowledge and experience in dealing with the problem of substance abuse in the community and surrounding areas.
The four 1 ½-hour sessions will meet in the LPN Classroom (old chapel building) at Pointe Coupee General Hospital.
Let's welcome all the new Employees at PCGH since our last Newsletter.
Linda Bergeron, Out-Patient
Cindy Bond, RN
Alfred Burk, Security
Judy Coursey, RN
Mike David, Collections
Mary Debetaz, Insurance
Florence Hurme, Home Health, RN
Lee Jackson, Data Processing
Barry Janis, X-Ray
Bonnie Jewell, LPN
Juliet Kimble, LPN
Rebecca Koffman, Out-Patient
Lynn Landry, Ward Clerk
Cynthia Nipple, Out-Patient
Bernan Ready, Switchboard
Dianne Robertson, LPN
Allyson Schexnayder, RN
Katherine Schroeder, GPN
Thomas Sorrels, RN
Stephanie Terrance, Out-Patient
Charlie Mae Thorton, Housekeeping
Celeste Tullos, Home Health
Ever Notice...
...that the number of people watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action?
...that whatever the person at the next table orders, it always looks better than yours?
Exercise
Daily exercise is one way to counteract medical problems, such as weakened muscles, stiff joints and diminished cardiovascular capabilities. Everyone can benefit from an exercise program.
The human body was made to move, and suffers from lack of movement. A muscle loses 3% of its strength in a day when it is not used. In physical therapy this can be corrected.
We know that Pointe Coupee General's Physical Therapist, Gordon Dodson, will never suffer from this problem! Gordon keeps a full schedule working with the Hospital patients, Nursing Home Patients, plus making Home Health visits to the patients. We have never properly welcomed Gordon to our Family, and would like to do so now.
Welcome!
Cajun II Electric mock disaster drill.
What put Americans in hospitals last year?
According to an insurance study, circulatory system problems accounted for 21% of male patients while digestive disorders ranked second with 16%. Pregnancy and childbirth caused 25% of all hospital stays for women. Another 10% of female patients received care for reproductive problems.
The study also found that even though hospitalized men usually have more serious problems, women are hospitalized more often.
Happiness consists not in having many things, but in needing few.
A Veterinarian in Great Britain received a phone call at midnight from an old Scotswoman. "I'm sorry to disturb you," she said, "but I can't get my two wee doggies apart."
"Why don't you try chucking a bucket of cold water over them," the vet suggested sleepily.
"I've already done that," replied the woman, "but they didn't pay any attention."
"Well ... er ... hit'em with a stick."
"I've tried that, too, but they just carried on."
"Okay," said the vet resignedly. "Put the receiver back on the hook. Then carry them over to the phone, and I'll ring them up."
"Oh," the old woman said doubtfully. "Do you think that will separate them?"
"Well," replied the vet, "it's just worked with me."
Congratulations!
The Annual Employee of the Year Award was given to Maggie Ratcliff, R.N., Emergency Room Nurse.
Employee Birthdays
3-4 Charlie Thornton
3-6 Mike David
3-11 Brett Smith
3-18 Dr. Helm
3-20 Terrilyn Nelson
3-20 J. P. Leonard
3-23 Jamie Harris
3-23 Pat Boyd
3-24 Dr. Gaupp
3-27 Dr. Montelaro
3-30 Donna Kimble
4-2 Ida Nell Gaines
4-5 Paula Turner
4-10 Mercedes Albert
4-15 Alfred Burk
4-15 Gary Williams
4-16 Paula Mack
4-16 Karen Fielder
4-25 Rebecca Koffman
4-26 Mary Anderson
4-28 Dr. Morrison
4-30 Dorothy Trim
4-30 Phillip Decuir
5-1 Rita Darensbourg
5-4 Roger Bazile
5-10 Juliet Kimble
5-10 Virginia Bass
5-18 Janice Howard
5-25 Celeste Tullos
60-Bed Acute Care Hospital
8-Bed Intensive Care Unit
Emergency Room Staffed 24-hr.
Nursing Service
OB/GYN Services
In & Out Surgery Services
Lab
Nuclear Medicine
Ultrasound
X-Ray
Physical Therapy
EKG/Stress Testing
Respiratory Therapy
Pharmacy
Anesthesia
Dietary
Housekeeping
Medical Records
Business Office/Administration
Central Supply
Maintenance/Security
Home Health Services
Out-Patient Clinic
'Bonne Sante' means 'Good Health'. At Pointe Coupee General Hospital, every service we offer means good health.
That's why we are offering to the community a chance to simplify the paperwork when being admitted to our Hospital, saving time and energy. By applying for a 'Bonne Sante' card to carry with you, you can take advantage of this tremendous service.
It's just one more way Pointe Coupee General is "Progressing, Caring and Growing for the community. 'Bonne Sante’
A Few of Our Dedicated Employees!
Congratulations To
Debbie Barnes, R. N.
Fran Talbot, R. N.
Julia Stauffer, R. N.
Maggie Ratcliff, R.N.
Miriam Bissett, R.N.
Rose Miller, R.N.
Joanie Dauzart, R.N.
Allyson Schenayder, R.N.
All of these Pointe Coupee General Hospital Registered Nurses passed the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course, sponsored by the American Heart Association.
The purpose of this ACLS Course is to test Physicians, Nurses, EMTS, and Peri-Medics, on their ability to care for critical cardiac patients. This testing includes intubation, intravenous therapy, cardiac monitor interpretation and emergency drug doses and usages.
If you're an adult of average weight here is what you accomplish in 24 hours:
You drink 2.9 quarts of liquids.
Your heart beats 103,689 times.
Your blood travels 168,000,000 miles.
You breathe 23,040 times.
You inhale 438 cubic feet air.
You eat 3 ¼ pounds of food.
You speak 4,800 words, including some unnecessary ones.
You move 750 muscles.
Your nails grow .000046 inch.
Your hair grows .01714 inch.
You exercise 7,000,000 brain cells.
…Do you feel tired?
Pointe Coupee Home Bound Health Services has been in operation since June, 1984, and we feel has become an essential part of Pointe Coupee General Hospital. The staff has grown to 3 registered nurses, 1 aide, and 1 secretary.
Because of Pointe Coupee Home Bound Health Services, PCGH has extended its services to all areas of Pointe Coupee parish and beyond. Patient visits have steadily increased and the goal is to increase these visits and provide the highest level of care possible in the home. If you know of anyone who could benefit from these services; nursing and aide visits, plus physical therapy, contact your doctor. If the patient has Medicare or Medicaid and meets the guidelines, these services are 100% reimbursable.
A hospital is a place where people who are run down generally wind up.
We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?'
Unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way.
Pointe Coupee General Hospital's new Intensive Care Unit opened on January 14, 1985. We are very proud of this new, well-run unit, with Debbie Barnes as Supervisor. Round-the-clock intensive nursing is supplied by 11 dedicated employees.
All of the Intensive Care Nurses are certified ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support).
31 patients have received ICU service in just over the month the unit has been open.
Back in 1960 only 25% of Americans with cancer could look forward to recovery. Today, 50% of cancer victims can expect to survive this dreaded and mysterious illness. By the turn of the century, many experts are predicting a 90-100% cure rate.
Medical treatments, early detection and prevention are important factors in winning the battle against cancer, plus improvements in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Mutual respect and trust are the secret ingredients of getting along inside the walls of a busy hospital. Each of us has our duty to perform. We are part of a large group functioning together to provide total care for our patients.
Sometimes it is difficult to understand the "ins and outs" of other departments, whose duties and responsibilities may be unknown to us. We must acknowledge their importance within the system. On the surface, others' tasks may even seem rather simple. We may think our department has far greater importance in the total hospital picture, but a little humility is helpful. We are interdependent. Often we do not understand each other's priorities. Rudeness and sarcasm do not accomplish anything, except to alienate and antagonize. Patience, understanding and common courtesy accomplish wonders.
Inevitable delays occur occasionally. You can be sure that when priority work is completed, the department that has demonstrated patience and understanding during a frantic time will receive earliest attention to their needs. In contrast, the individual who is rude, sarcastic and impatient will find his department's needs at the bottom of the list. To speed up production, use common courtesy with kindness, it helps.
Telephone courtes is of great importance. Telephone requests to other departments are often required. Central Supply, X-ray, Kitchen, Housekeeping, etc. respond more quickly when we are approached with a gentle, kind manner, instead of a demanding, rude, insistent tone. We should remember the old adage, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". It still works!
Babies, Babies, Babies!
Our first baby of 1985 was born on January 6, 1985, at 4:40 a.m., at Pointe Coupee General Hospital. A little girl was born to Tom & Lori McNicoll of Ventress and was named Elizabeth Ena, weighting 6 Ibs., 12 oz. Elizabeth is their first child.
During 1984, Pointe Coupee General saw an increase in the babies delivered by Dr. Joe Wheeler at our Hospital, taking advantage of our new neonatal equipment and services offered.
Free prenatal classes are offered to our community's expectant mothers, fathers and any family members who wish to attend. Remember, "Birth is a family experience," and we want to help the entire family be a part of it!
Mouths of Babes Dept.
"Do you pray before meals?" the little kid was asked. "Oh no," he said, "my Momma's a GOOD cook!'
Oh Baby! Babies born at Pointe Coupee General
| 1984 | 1983 | |
| Jan. | 9 | 9 |
| Feb. | 8 | 13 |
| Mar. | 11 | 6 |
| April | 13 | 10 |
| May | 6 | 15 |
| June | 13 | 18 |
| July | 19 | 11 |
| Aug. | 14 | 14 |
| Sept. | 26 | 15 |
| Oct. | 17 | 16 |
| Nov. | 12 | 13 |
| Dec. | 15 | 8 |
| Total | 163 | 148 |
Congratulations!!
