Latest News from January 2010

During the weeks of January 18 and 25, multiple subcontractors continued work inside the new hospital.  Ceiling grid installation was finished in the acute care department.  Tile installation continued in the private patient bathrooms in acute care.  Dry wall installation began in the administration department and taping began in the medical clinics and emergency department.  The ceiling grid in the acute care patient rooms was finished.

Case work for the acute care department will be delivered the first week of February.  The large windows along the south end of the main corridor as well as the windows near the chapel and in the dining room were delivered and will be installed soon.  The lifts in the acute care department are being installed in the patient rooms.

The project is still on schedule for completion this fall.  For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.

Jeff Breitkreutz, PA-C and Bob Reilly, PA-C at Valley County Health System attended the Principles of Critical Care conference in Kearney on January 28-29.  The conference objectives were to prioritize assessment needs for critically ill patients, identify appropriate diagnostic tests, identify and respond to significant changes in the unstable patient, recognize and initiate management of acute life-threatening conditions and prioritize the steps in dealing with sudden deterioration of the critically ill patient.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Breitkreutz or Reilly, call the Ord Family Health Center at 308-728-3606.

Larry Proskocil, Facilities Director at Valley County Health System, has been elected to the Nebraska Society of Engineers (NSHE) Board of Directors.  NSHE membership represents hospitals and their environments of care staff in Nebraska. The vision of NSHE is to be the region's premier organization for professionals specializing in healthcare facilities management. Larry will serve a two year term on the board.

During the weeks of January 4 and 11, the contractors continued work inside the new hospital.  Framing of the windows in the chapel began.  Ceiling grid installation began in the acute care department.  Tile installation began in the private patient bathrooms in acute care.  Dry wall installation continued in the medical and specialty clinics.

Plumbing rough-in was completed in the emergency room, surgery and maintenance departments.  The main lines for the fire sprinkler system have been installed throughout the building and they are now starting on the branch lines in the medical clinic and specialty clinic.  Electrical rough-in has begun in the administration and rehabilitation departments.

The project is still on schedule for completion this fall.  For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.

Ord - The Hospice Department at Valley County Health System will be holding a children's bereavement day retreat called Camp Healing Hearts.  It is a day long camp for children and adolescents (age 7-14) who have experienced the loss of a loved one.  The camp is scheduled for Saturday, February 6th at the United Methodist Church in Ord from 9 am to 3:30 pm.

Camp Healing Hearts will offer activities that provide comfort, understanding and skills to children who are grieving.  Campers will have the opportunity to meet others their age who know what it is like to lose a loved one. The day closes with the release of balloons in memory of each loved one.

There is no cost for the retreat. The camp is made possible by memorial gifts made to Valley County Hospice.  Lunch, snacks, materials and a t-shirt will be provided to each child. For more information on Camp Healing Hearts, contact Marilyn Winkelbauer at 308-728-4315 or Renee Karre at 308-728-3539.

During the weeks of December 21 and 28, the contractors continued work inside the new hospital.  Painting of the acute care department began and taping of the dry wall in the surgery and emergency room departments was underway.  Dry wall installation in medical records, medical clinic and specialty clinic continued.  Cable tray installation and sprinkler piping rough in continued.

The roof on the entry canopy will begin as soon as the weather cooperates.  Ceiling grid, installation of case work and painting will begin in the acute care department in January.   

Paving of the helicopter pad, connecting drive between Valley View Living Center and the new hospital, and sidewalks will be completed in the spring.

For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.

Burwell - The Rehabilitation Services department of the Burwell Medical Clinic will soon be moving to a new location in Burwell.  Physical, occupational and speech therapy services provided by Valley County Health System will be located in a new building at 150 North 9th Avenue in Burwell.  The new location allows for more space, new and updated equipment and better service for the residents of Burwell and surrounding areas. 

Physical therapy services will be offered five days a week with occupational and speech therapy available by appointment.  Betty Wheeler, PT, serves the Burwell clinic location.  Betty graduated from Central Michigan University in 2004 with a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy.  She has been practicing in Burwell since October of 2008 to promote wellness throughout Burwell and the surrounding communities.  Betty utilizes not only traditional therapy measures, but also includes specialized training from the Postural Restoration Institute.  This approach is designed to restore diaphragm and appropriate breathing function combined with repositioning and balancing the pelvis, hip, back, and shoulder muscles to create a restored posture that moves and functions more normally.  These techniques may effectively treat many difficult diagnoses including hip bursitis, sacroiliac, and low back pain, leg and foot pain, headaches, and neck pain as well as pain in the upper back and ribcage regions.  Exercises focused on proper breathing patterns as well as manual techniques are utilized in order to relieve pain and promote proper movement and function.  Custom orthotics will be a new addition to the clinic to assist in holistic patient rehabilitation for foot, knee and low back pain.

Physical therapists diagnose and treat pain and movement dysfunction following injury, illness and surgery.  Treatment involves utilization of various forms of exercise, manual skills and healing technology to assist in decreasing pain and restoring function.

Occupational therapists are educated to facilitate patients' return to performing functional and meaningful activities of daily living more independently. Whether the debility is due to injury, disease, or deconditioning, occupational therapy can maximize independence and function in a wide variety of patient ages and functional levels.

Speech therapists are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of speech, voice, and language disorders.

The new location for Burwell Rehabilitation is planned to be open for business mid-January.  An open house for the new location will be held in early February.  More information will be released soon about these two dates.

To schedule an appointment at Burwell Rehabilitation call 346-5442.