Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
  • Home
  • Services
  • Providers
  • Careers at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
  • About Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
  • Patients & Visitors
  • News
  • Home
  • Services
  • Providers
  • Careers at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
  • About Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
  • Patients & Visitors
  • News

Archives

Yearly Archives: 2015
Pawnee Valley Community Hospital > 2015
Aug26
0

HaysMed Wound Care Clinic Added to PVCH Services

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

In an effort to meet the needs of the community, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital will be adding the HaysMed Wound Care Clinic to the line of services offered at the PVCH. The HaysMed Wound Care Clinic will be providing expanded wound treatment for difficult, complicated or atypical wounds.

“In conjunction with HaysMed, we are excited to bring this new service to the communities that we serve,” commented John Hughes, PVCH Administrator. “Chronic wounds can be detrimental to the quality of someone’s life and has the potential to lead to amputation. We want to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible when dealing with these severe injuries.”

Likely candidates for treatment are those suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, and infection and wounds that haven’t healed within 30 days. Other wounds that can be addressed though the Wound Care Clinic are bone infections (osteomyelitis), skin tears or lacerations, burns and slow or non-healing surgical wounds.

In collaboration with Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, specialists from HaysMed’s Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center will be providing the wound care services in Larned. This unique team of specialists is dedicated to healing chronic wounds and the combined knowledge of the team creates a multidisciplinary approach to wound management.

Treating wounds is a complex task with each case being unique and healing at varying rates. As part of the healing process, the staff at the Wound Care Clinic will teach patients to care for their wound at home between treatments and protect is from further injuries. They will also be available to answer the patient’s questions and give the patient the support they need.

In the United States, chronic wounds affect 6.5 million patients. Diabetes, increased age, obesity and other factors all contribute to the rising number of chronic wound cases and over 2 million Americans will suffer from venous ulcers in their lifetime.

Unfortunately, diabetes affects 8 percent of the total U.S. population – an estimated 26 million people – and 26 percent of those Americans are over the age of 65. The incidence of chronic wounds, especially foot ulcers, increases among those diagnosed with diabetes. Patients with diabetes are also 10 times more likely to require an amputation at some point in their lives. Each year approximately 700,000 diabetics will undergo amputation. The number of chronic wound cases illustrates the tremendous need for wound care in Pawnee Valley Community Hospital’s service area. The Wound Care Clinic provides hope for these patients.

Patients can either be referred by their physician for treatment or if they have had a wound that hasn’t healed within 30 days they can do self-referral. To schedule an appointment they can call 620-285-3161 or 785-623-5602.

Jul2
0

CinemaVision – Now a Reality with PVCH’s MRI

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

Imagine being able to watch your favorite movie during an MRI.  This is now a reality for patients at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital with the new CinemaVision technology.  These innovative “goggles,” accompanied with MRI safe headphones, immerse patients in a movie of their choice and ultimately help them remain calm during the noisy MRI scan.  This also allows technicians to obtain better imaging results without the use of sedation or anesthesia.

“Our hope is that this technology will decrease the anxiety of our patients that getting an MRI can cause.” said Shelly Stanton, Imaging Director at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.  “If you have ever had a pleasure of having an MRI, you have experienced the strain of having to lie perfectly still for about 40 minutes while you hear the constant ping of the MRI during your testing. An MRI is a very important diagnostic tool for many medical conditions, but people do have trouble taking the test, especially if they are a least bit claustrophobic.   The loud noise and long period of lying absolutely still can also lead to serious anxiety.”

The MRI goggles produce a video image similar to what a person would experience from a five foot display set while standing ten feet away.  So the image will appear as if it is being projected from a distance to prevent any feelings of claustrophobia. Patients have the option of viewing a pre-selected video or bring a favorite DVD from home to watch, or can listen to their favorite CD.

The CinemaVision System was funded through the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation as a way to improve a patient’s MRI experience. “As an MRI patient myself, I know first-hand the noise you experience during MRI testing. I am so glad to be able to help improve our PVCH’s patients’ experience and reduce their anxiety while they receive MRI testing,” shared Lewis Young, PVCH Foundation Trustee and donor.

Jul2
0

PVCH Vial of Life Program Launched

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

July 1, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is launching the new Vial of Life program to the citizens of Pawnee County. Essentially the program is designed as a way to capture an individual’s health information in a location that is easily identifiable and assessable for first responders to the scene.

The Vials look like a normal prescription bottle with VIAL OF LIFE on the label with a magnet attached to the bottle. Inside the bottle is a Health Information Sheet along with instructions on how to properly implement the program. The instructions are as follows: 1) Fill out the Health Information Sheet in PENCIL so that in-formation can be updated as needed. Place the Health Information Sheet into the Vial along with a copy of your durable power of attorney or do-not-resuscitate order, if you have them. 2) Place the Vial in a visible spot in the upper right hand corner of your refrigerator where local emergency response teams have been trained to look for it. Then put the magnet on your refrigerator. 3) Take the information sheet with you when you visit your doctor, pharmacist or emergency room. Record any new information, medications or changes to reflect your current status. Replace your Vial in your refrigerator and leave it there unless updates are necessary.

Prior to production the Health Information Sheets were reviewed by both the Larned EMS Director, Josh Huff, and PVCH Nursing Director, Kendra Barker, to make sure that all the information they might need in responding to a medical emergency is included on the form.

“The first responders I have visited with are very excited about this program. They have witnessed first-hand how a patient’s emergency care can be hin-dered when vital health information is not assessable,” shared Linda Henderson, PVCH Marketing Director.

PVCH is training all first responders in Pawnee County on the Vial of Life program. This includes Larned EMS, Larned Police Department, Larned Fire Department, Pawnee County Sheriff, Garfield Fire Department, Burdett Fire Department & EMS and Rozel Fire Department.

The Vials will be available at the PVCH Information desk, ER, Acute, PVMA and other healthcare clinics in the area and the Pawnee County Health Department. The Vials are free to the public.

 

Jul2
0

Healing Garden Continues To Grow

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

As the summer heat builds, the cooling water of the new waterfall is now flowing in Pawnee Valley Community Hospital’s Healing Garden.  While the waterfall’s landscaping still has to be completed, patients and staff now have the luxury of being able to visit the Healing Garden and enjoy the gentle sounds of the water cascading down the two resurfacing waterfalls. 

“The completion of the waterfall takes us one step closer to having the Healing Garden completed.  The next step is getting our fence put up along with the irrigation system,” shared Linda Henderson, PVCH Foundation Director.  “Once the fence is up, our patients can experience more privacy in this tranquil setting.” 

Among the items yet to be completed include the gazebo, pagoda and of course the landscaping.  “Everything depends on funding and without the funding we are unable to move forward with this project,” commented Henderson.   Healing Garden Legacy Bricks are still available for a donation of $35  to be engraved and placed along the pathway in the Healing Garden.  Each brick allows for three lines of 14 characters each for engraving.  This is a great way to honor family members, special occasions or loved ones. 

Henderson invites anyone is interested in a tour of the Healing Garden to see the progress first hand to give her a call.  “We are very excited about the progress we have made, but we still have a ways to go before we can see this project to completion.”

Jul2
0

Parret Credits Great ER Care In Saving Her Life

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

“On April 13, I was at home in bed. It was about 2 a.m. and I woke up and just wasn’t feeling right,” shared Sandra Parret about the night that transformed her life. “I didn’t dream it was my heart. I was dizzy but not dizzy. I felt weird so I got up and headed to the bathroom. Once there I just felt like I wanted to lie down so I thought ‘I have to get to the bed’ but collapsed before I got there. My partner called 911 and before we left the house the emergency responders gave me a baby aspirin to chew on. I was then rushed to the emergency room at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.”

Soon after her arrival Parret was diagnosed with having a heart attack.  “Some things about being in the ER are very clear and other things are a complete blur,” commented Parret. “I really feel like Debbie Tomlinson (ER provider at PVCH ED) saved my life that night. I was never really worried because someone was always telling me ‘you are in good hands’. Someone was paving the way for me.”

Parret was then transported out by Eagle Med to Hays Medical Center. “I ended up having two heart attacks with 100% blockage, and before everything was over I had three stents put in,” commented Parret.   Miraculously there was no damage to her heart.

Prior to her heart attacks, Parret knew she carried some risk factors for heart disease including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but she was taking medications to combat their effects. Nine years earlier she was also a smoker but had given that bad habit up. And working at a high stress job with demanding deadlines – well that didn’t improve the situation.   You see, because she had a family history of heart disease and combined with the other risk factors, it made her more aware of the possibilities of heart disease than most.

Because of this awareness, Parret had taken up swimming before work with a few of her friends. But two weeks prior to the heart attacks she started to notice that while getting ready for work she would be running out of energy. She brushed it off and contributed it to being sick with allergies, which eventually lead her to give up her swimming routine. Then she started to experience pain in her neck and shoulders which continued to get worse, even while just sitting.

Following her stents and release from the hospital, Parret has been faithful to her rehab appointments at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. She is currently on a regiment of doing cardiac rehab three days a week alternating with physical therapy two days a week. “I’m at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital five days a week. I love it! I think it is a great hospital and the doctors and staff are wonderful and caring,” shared Parret. “I’m so glad we have it here because having this hospital here truly saved my life.”

As a grandmother to five grandchildren, ages 16 – 5, Parret today understands that life is too short. Her advice to friends and family is that “There is nothing that’s worth the stress of losing your life for it. Enjoy life and find a way to do what you love to do.”

Jul2
0

PVCH Campus To Add New Parking In The Near Future

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

With 114 parking spaces originally allotted for PVCH and PVMA when the new hospital building was completed, no one would have imagined that three years later the hospital would have already outgrown their parking needs. “This is a great problem to have,” commented John Hughes, PVCH Administrator. “The number of people utilizing our facilities continues to grow while we continue to add new healthcare services. With this in mind, we need to make sure that we have adequate parking for our patients, visitors and staff.”

Plans for a new parking lot, located north of the Pawnee Valley Medical Associates at the corner of Carroll Avenue and Eleventh Street, have been in the works for some time now. The new lot will add an additional 42 spaces for campus parking.

Before the lot could be constructed one house had to be removed from the property while a basement house was demolished. Following house removal, foundations, utilities and trees were removed from the lot.

The surveying has been done and the Pawnee County Commissioners have approved the initial architectural drawings. PVCH is now waiting for the final design to be completed with all of the specs.

On July 7, the plan will be taken before the Larned City Council for their approval. Then the job will go out for bids, including bidding for both a concrete parking lot and an asphalt one. This way the Pawnee County Commissioners can compare the two bids and weigh the pro and cons of using either type of material in the construction.

The estimated completion date for the parking lot is the end of summer. Once completed, associates from both Pawnee Valley Medical Associates along with Pawnee Valley Community Hospital will be able to utilize the new parking spaces, which will in turn open up additional parking for our patients.

Jul2
0

PVCH Associates Give Back To Community

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News,Uncategorized

This past year the Associates of PVCH & PVMA chose to take on stewardship projects throughout the community as a way to give back to a community that has whole-heartedly supported the hospital, the clinic and the work they do each day.                                                            

Initially, associates from various departments went together to kick things off and volunteered to work a couple of nights at the State Theatre, participated in Relay For Life and the Christmas Angel Tree, and collected food for the Hunger Games which was then donated to the Food Pantry.

As the year progressed, associates from each department came together to decide on a particular project they wanted to support. In many instances, departments chose more than one project to champion.

Kicking off the effort, the Physical Therapy & Advanced Rehabilitation Department spent a Saturday at the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum cleaning up around the buildings in time for the summer tourism season.

May seemed like a perfect time for the associates to be out and about spreading cheer. The Nursing associates created sixty May Day Baskets which they delivered on May Day to the residents at Diversicare in honor of this wonderful May Day tradition.

Not to be out done, the Dietary and Environmental Services associates created beautiful May Day cards and delivered them with freshly baked cookies to the residents at Country Living of Larned on May Day.

Earlier this spring, the PVCH Nurses partnered with the ladies of the Larned Garden Club to help plant the planters in downtown Larned. Although the weather was brisk, the associates enjoyed working alongside the Garden Club Ladies to beautify Larned’s downtown landscape.

A month later, the Nursing Department, along with their family members, traveled out to the Larned Cemetery prior to Memorial Day Weekend to place poppies on the graves of those who served our country and were Veterans of Foreign Wars and members of the American Legion.

In preparation for Memorial Day weekend, the PVCH Maintenance Crew went out to the Pawnee County All Veterans Memorial to do a little spring cleaning. With mops and scrub brushes in hand, they washed off all of the grim and bird droppings left through the long winter and made sure everything was sparkling for visitors to the memorial.

As the Biking Across Kansas bikers road into Larned on June 8, the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital associates were ready to greet them. Pharmacy’s Bethany Skelton served as the local coordinator for the Biking Across Kansas event by coordinating the volunteers and activities needed to feed, sleep, entertain and manage 900+ guests in our community.  

Associates from the PVCH Lab, Physical Therapy and PVMA also manned a first aid station for Biking Across Kansas bikers who came in bruised and battered from the long ride by offering up first aid supplies, stretching techniques for sore muscles and cold bottled water.

Collecting supplies for the Pawnee County Humane Society and their furry friends looking for forever homes was the mission of several departments of PVCH. Working together were the departments of Admissions, Medical Records, Environmental Services, Dietary and Materials Management along with the Associates of the Pawnee Valley Medical Associates. The collection drive was very successful as several truck loads of cleaning supplies, food and litter were taken out to the Humane Society.

After finding out about a needy family of six in the community, the Cardiopulmonary Department decided to give them a special night out by going together to purchase a Pizza Hut gift certificate, a gift certificate for Frostys, State Theatre tickets and an outdoor game that all can enjoy. The department then presented their gifts to the Pawnee County Health Department who would be making the presentation to the family on their behalf.

Although there was film involved, this time the Imaging Team wasn’t taking images, instead they were taking tickets and serving up popcorn as they took a weekend volunteering at the State Theatre. They enjoyed the experience and only image they took that night was their own group selfie!

With a heart for children, Associates of Pawnee Valley Medical Associates joined forces one week with Our Father’s House to prepare and serve meals at the Noon Community Meal Program at the Methodist Church.

The Administrative Department decided early on that they weren’t going to be afraid of getting their hands dirty when volunteering in the community, so they decided to roll up their sleeves and help members of the Orphan Train Grain spruce up the building with a new coat of paint. During their time at the Orphan Grain Train they also spent time boxing up clothing that would be shipped out to needy parts of the world.

“Being able to give back to our community has been a positive experience for all of us at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and Pawnee Valley Medical Associates,” stated John Hughes, PVCH Administrator. “As an integral organization in our community, we understand the importance of giving back to our community through our volunteer efforts. We look forward to continuing our volunteer efforts in the future.”

Jul2
0

PVCH Launches Facebook Page

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital recently took a step into the great unknown by launching a PVCH Facebook page on social media.   “We have been hesitant to do so until now,” shared Linda Henderson, PVCH Marketing Director, “but with the popularity of social media and our need to be relevant with our younger demographics it seemed like the next logical step in connecting with our consumers.”

“Not only will Facebook allow us an opportunity to share new medical advancements and services offered at PVCH, but we are also able to highlight educational opportunities, the outstanding work of our associates and our service in and around the community,” commented Henderson. “You can connect with PVCH’s new Facebook page by searching for Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and “Liking” us to get the latest updates and information taking place at PVCH.”

PVCH is also in the process of upgrading their current website and will be launching a new look in the near future. You can find the current website and relevant PVCH information at pawneevalleyhospital.com.   On the website you can catch up on recent news releases, learn about the various services available at PVCH, Pawnee Valley Medical Associates and the specialty clinics; pay bills online, enter the patient portal and check out current career opportunities at PVCH.

May8
0

Discover Your Inner “Super Hero” During PVCH’s 5th Annual Benefit Fun Run/Walk

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is challenging all participants of this year’s 5th Annual Benefit Fun Run-Walk to discover their inner “Super Hero”. The “Super Hero” Fun Run/Walk, to benefit the USD #495 Larned High School Indian Athletics, is taking on a whole new look as participants are encouraged to wear their favorite “super hero” costume as they navigate this year’s one mile and 5K course.

The event, being held on Saturday, June 13th, is for runners and walkers of all ages. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. on the PVCH Campus at the intersection of 11th & Carroll with race time beginning at 8:00 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in the 5K to the top placing adult male and female, youth ages 13 – 18 and 12 & under; and the top One Miler. Prizes will also be awarded for the most creative costume in the categories of adult – both male and female; youth ages 18 – 13 and 12 & under.  

To be guaranteed an event t-shirt you must register on or before June 1, 2015. Registration fee for the 5K Run/Walk: 18 & up is $25; Students 6 – 17 is $15; 5 & under – Free (no shirt); for the One Mile event – $15; Shirt only – $15. Registration forms are available at PVCH, Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and area businesses, or online at pawneevalleyhospital.com.

All of the proceeds from this year’s event will go to benefit Larned High School student athletes through the high school weight program. “Almost every student athlete uses the weight program at the high school”, shared Athletic Director Dustin Wilson. “The importance of this program is starting to be realized by our student athletes in high school competition. We also have the highest number of student athletes progressing on to college teams then we have ever seen in the past.”

In 2014, the PVCH 4th Annual Benefit Color Fun Run/Walk successfully raised $3,979.19 which helped fund additional free weights and dumb bells for the weight room which is something that all students atheletes use throughout the year.  In 2013, the PVCH Fun Run/Walk successfully raised $3,656 which helped fund a Weight & Conditioning Record Board for the LHS weight room, which designates top lifters by grade, gender and event, plus new training dumb bells.

If you would like further information on this year’s Color Fun Run/Walk please contact Jason Rath or Kimi Bowman at 620-285-8605 or Linda Henderson at 620-285-8840.

Fun Run/Walk Registration Brochure
May8
0

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Celebrates Hospital Week

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News,Uncategorized

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital will be celebrating National Hospital Week from May 10 – 15. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Where Miracles Happen Every Day”.

The nation’s largest health care event, National Hospital Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a community wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals. The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust and goodwill among the public and eventually spread to facilities across the country.

From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community. Hospitals are more than a place where individuals to go heal, they are part of the community that fosters health and represents hope.

In recognition of the hard working Associates at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, various activities are scheduled throughout the week including Cookie Day, PVCH Pride Day, a “Candy Bar”, 3K Fun Run/Walk, Walking Tacos, a Chocolate Frenzy, a Basket Extravaganza, a Yogurt Bar and “Special Deliveries” to the various departments. PVCH Associates will also be taking department group photos which will be featured on the hospital’s website – pawneevalleyhospital.com and their Facebook page.

The commemorative celebration serves as a reminder that hospitals are foundations of the communities that built and nurtured them. Hospitals today are multi-dimensional environments that offer every medical specialty, with a focus on prevention and wellness. They are there to serve people in every community from all walks of life.

Page 1 of 212

Recent Posts

  • Pawnee Valley Community Hospital: Your Guide to Better Health
    January 26, 2023
  • Courtney Burger joins team at Pawnee Valley Medical Associates in Larned
    January 26, 2023
  • Pawnee Valley Community Hospital encourages blood donations
    Pawnee Valley Community Hospital encourages blood donations
    January 13, 2023
  • PVCH announces Diabetes Solutions class schedule for 2023
    January 13, 2023
  • Thacker named Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation director
    January 13, 2023
  • Dr. Arlo J. Reimer, Family Medicine Physician, Joins the Team at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
    December 1, 2022
  • Dr. Herwich now seeing patients at Larned hospital and clinic
    October 10, 2022
  • New MEDITECH EMR system offers Patient Portal, automatic reminders
    May 26, 2022
  • PVMA nurse practitioner shares stress-management information
    April 28, 2022
  • New sleep technologist joins PVCH to care for patients
    April 21, 2022

Send us an Email

Pawnee Valley
Community Hospital
620-285-3161
923 Carroll Avenue
Larned, KS 67550

Google Map Error

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • January 2020
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • February 2015
© Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
Notice of Privacy Practices | Nondiscrimination Statement | No Surprise Disclosure | Good Faith Estimate