National Nurse’s Week May 6-12 observed at VMH
National Nurse’s Week to be recognized May 6-12 at Veterans Memorial Hospital ... May 6-12 is National Nurse’s Week. Pictured above are a few of the nurses in different departments at Veterans Memorial Hospital. There are many levels of care offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital’s nursing staff including inpatient acute, skilled, observation, monitored cardiac, respite/courtesy care, surgical, home health, hospice and outpatient infusion therapy. These various levels are observed throughout the many nursing departments such as Surgery, Maternity Services, Emergency, Inpatient, Outpatient and Cardiac/Pulmonary. For more information on the career of nursing or the levels of care available at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, call Karen Mathis, Chief Nursing Officer, at 563-568-3411. Submitted photo.
May 6-12 is National Nurse’s Week. The nursing staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital is all state licensed professionals with specialized training in advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support, trauma nurse core curriculum, and neonatal resuscitation provider course. They are committed to providing optimal care of patients and their loved ones by creating the best healthcare experience when caring for their friends and neighbors.
There are many levels of care offered by the hospital’s nursing staff including inpatient acute, skilled, observation, monitored cardiac, respite/courtesy care, surgical, home health, hospice and outpatient infusion therapy. These various levels are observed throughout the many nursing departments such as Surgery, Maternity Services, Emergency, Inpatient, Outpatient and Cardiac/Pulmonary.
Inpatient acute-care is for patients who are acutely sick with injuries or medical conditions. Typically these patients are in the hospital for more than three days.
Skilled care is for patients to rehabilitate so they become stronger after surgery or an acute medical condition. The goal for skilled care patients is to make them strong enough to go home. Even those who did not have their surgery at Veterans Memorial Hospital may qualify for skilled care services post-operatively.
The observation level of care is for patients who are sick, but will most likely be able to go home within 48 hours.
Monitored cardiac care is for patients who are having difficulty with their heart or their breathing. These patients are placed on a heart monitor where their heart rhythm is continually monitored at the nurse’s station.
Respite/courtesy care is a self-pay care service offered to families when they need a little extra help taking care of their loved one.
Hospice level of care is a service that is available at Veterans Memorial Hospital for patients and their families. Hospice care focuses on bringing comfort, self-respect and tranquility to people in the final years of life.
Home health care allows patients to remain in their homes independently while receiving personal cares and medication management by visiting skilled registered nurses.
Infusion Services are performed by the surgery department registered nurses. Infusion therapy is needed when medications or fluids cannot be taken by mouth or a stronger version of this medication is needed. These fluids or medications are delivered directly into the body through a vein with an IV.
Infusions and treatments can be given as often as twice per day or as seldom as a one-time dose.
Some examples of the Infusion Clinic services include:
• Dressing Changes and Wound Care
• IV Antibiotic Therapy
• IV Infusions
• Anti-Inflammatory and Steroid Therapy
• Blood Transfusions
• Iron Therapy
• Hydration and Electrolyte Replacement
• Medication Injections
• Pain Management
• Immunoglobin Treatments
• Port Care and PICC Line Care
• EKGs.
For more information on the career of nursing or the levels of care available at Veterans Memorial Hospital, call Karen Mathis, Chief Nursing Officer, at 563-568-3411.
