Tilden Hospital Focus Group Report- 2011
Local Citizens Comment
on Tilden Hospital
This past September, a group of 40 community members were assembled at the Lied Auditorium to take part in a discussion concerning the delivery of healthcare services provided by the Tilden Community Hospital and TCH Medical Clinic. The discussions took place over a four night span with approximately ten members each night. The series of discussion were moderated by Joseph Nitzke, Ph.D. from Ionia Research out of Newcastle, NE
Dr. Nitzke was contracted by the hospital board and administration to conduct the focus groups in order to gain some insight into the local community’s perception of the hospital, clinic and delivery of healthcare services. The results of the survey will be one tool that will help the board and administration develop a long-range strategic plan for the future delivery of healthcare in the community.
A number of important issues were raised by the groups and it is the hope of the board and administration to address those issues to the community in a series of articles that will appear in the newspaper and on the hospital’s web site over then next several weeks. If you would like to read the final report, the full, unedited report can be found by downloading the link below or copies can be picked up at the Tilden Library or at the Tilden Hospital.
on Tilden Hospital
This past September, a group of 40 community members were assembled at the Lied Auditorium to take part in a discussion concerning the delivery of healthcare services provided by the Tilden Community Hospital and TCH Medical Clinic. The discussions took place over a four night span with approximately ten members each night. The series of discussion were moderated by Joseph Nitzke, Ph.D. from Ionia Research out of Newcastle, NE
Dr. Nitzke was contracted by the hospital board and administration to conduct the focus groups in order to gain some insight into the local community’s perception of the hospital, clinic and delivery of healthcare services. The results of the survey will be one tool that will help the board and administration develop a long-range strategic plan for the future delivery of healthcare in the community.
A number of important issues were raised by the groups and it is the hope of the board and administration to address those issues to the community in a series of articles that will appear in the newspaper and on the hospital’s web site over then next several weeks. If you would like to read the final report, the full, unedited report can be found by downloading the link below or copies can be picked up at the Tilden Library or at the Tilden Hospital.
| tch_focus_group_report_2011.pdf |
Articles in the Tilden Citizen:
Article from Amy Wesphalen,PA-C:
Antibiotics are powerful medications used to treat bacterial infections. But antibiotics can cause more harm than good when they are not used properly. It is very important to know that antibiotics do not work for all infections and illnesses. They do not work for viruses. Viruses cause colds, flu, most coughs and sore throats. Often, the best thing you can do for colds and the flu is to let the illness run its course. Supportive care is important. A few examples of supportive cares are staying hydrated (avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks), getting lots of rest, using over the counter decongestants/antihistamines and acetaminophen/ ibuprofen as needed. Overuse of antibiotics can result in antibiotic/bacterial resistance. Usually, antibiotics kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. However, some bacteria have become resistant to certain types of antibiotics. This means that the antibiotics no longer work against them. Bacterial resistance emerges when antibiotics are used too often or are not used appropriately (such as not taking the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your provider or taking expired medication). You can protect yourself and your family by knowing when you should use antibiotics and when you should not. Contact your provider to discuss if antibacterial therapy is needed to resolve your infection.
Amy Westphalen MPAS, PA-C
Article From Anita Stokes, PA-C
Tips for a Successful Visit with Your Medical Provider
Let’s face it; nobody likes to go to the doctor. It can be a very stressful and confusing event. Here are a few tips to make the visit easier for you and your provider.
1. When scheduling your appointment, please alert the receptionist to all the complaints you need addressed. This allows the receptionist to schedule the appropriate amount of time, so that the appointment isn’t rushed.
2. If you know that blood work is needed for your appointment, you can have it drawn the day before your appointment so that the results can be reviewed during your appointment.
3. Bring all of your current medications with you to your appointment. This includes pills, shots, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops, supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications. This prevents interactions and assures that the medical office has noted the proper dosage of each medication.
4. If you check your blood pressures or blood sugars at home, please write them down and bring them to your appointment. This allows the provider to make medication adjustments based on where you normally run, rather than the one measurement obtained the day of the office visit.
5. Lastly, bring a family member or friend with you to the appointment. They can help you remember questions you wanted to ask, and help you absorb the information and suggestions your provider has given you.
Hopefully the above tips will help your next office visit run smoothly.
Anita Stokes, PA-C
Antibiotics are powerful medications used to treat bacterial infections. But antibiotics can cause more harm than good when they are not used properly. It is very important to know that antibiotics do not work for all infections and illnesses. They do not work for viruses. Viruses cause colds, flu, most coughs and sore throats. Often, the best thing you can do for colds and the flu is to let the illness run its course. Supportive care is important. A few examples of supportive cares are staying hydrated (avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks), getting lots of rest, using over the counter decongestants/antihistamines and acetaminophen/ ibuprofen as needed. Overuse of antibiotics can result in antibiotic/bacterial resistance. Usually, antibiotics kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. However, some bacteria have become resistant to certain types of antibiotics. This means that the antibiotics no longer work against them. Bacterial resistance emerges when antibiotics are used too often or are not used appropriately (such as not taking the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your provider or taking expired medication). You can protect yourself and your family by knowing when you should use antibiotics and when you should not. Contact your provider to discuss if antibacterial therapy is needed to resolve your infection.
Amy Westphalen MPAS, PA-C
Article From Anita Stokes, PA-C
Tips for a Successful Visit with Your Medical Provider
Let’s face it; nobody likes to go to the doctor. It can be a very stressful and confusing event. Here are a few tips to make the visit easier for you and your provider.
1. When scheduling your appointment, please alert the receptionist to all the complaints you need addressed. This allows the receptionist to schedule the appropriate amount of time, so that the appointment isn’t rushed.
2. If you know that blood work is needed for your appointment, you can have it drawn the day before your appointment so that the results can be reviewed during your appointment.
3. Bring all of your current medications with you to your appointment. This includes pills, shots, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops, supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications. This prevents interactions and assures that the medical office has noted the proper dosage of each medication.
4. If you check your blood pressures or blood sugars at home, please write them down and bring them to your appointment. This allows the provider to make medication adjustments based on where you normally run, rather than the one measurement obtained the day of the office visit.
5. Lastly, bring a family member or friend with you to the appointment. They can help you remember questions you wanted to ask, and help you absorb the information and suggestions your provider has given you.
Hopefully the above tips will help your next office visit run smoothly.
Anita Stokes, PA-C