RCHC MEDICAL SERVICES -

CARDIAC REHAB | DIABETIC EDUCATION SERVICES | DIETETIC COUNCILING | THE LABORATORY | PHARMACY SERVICES| NURSING SERVICES | PHYSICAL THERAPY | RADIOLOGY SERVICES | SWING BED

CARDIAC REHAB is a three phase program that monitors exercise and educates patients with Heart Disease. Under the direction of a physician, patients focus on improving cardiac symptoms and quality of life.

DIABETIC EDUCATION SERVICES offers diabetic patients and their families a more complete understanding of the disease process of diabetes and the ability to use basic tools for their diabetic care. Patients on diabetic diets learn to choose healthy foods, and eat the right amounts at the right time. They are also taught how different medications work to fight diabetes and how exercise benefits diabetics by improving their health and energy levels. The Clinic is under the direct guidance of Rodney Dill, M.D. and Registered Nurse, Diane Sis, RN.

DIETETIC COUNSELING is offered through the dietary department at RCHC, where a Registered Dietitian is available two times monthly. The RD provides teaching and educational materials for special diets that your physician may prescribe. Appointments are scheduled through the Dietary Mgr. @ Ext. 233.

THE LABORATORY is responsible for various tests performed on blood, urine, and other body fluids. The laboratory also utilizes reference laboratories to run some specialty tests to keep the cost down for the patient. These findings assist in the diagnosis and treating of illness and monitoring of recovery. Under the direction of a Pathologist, most tissue specimens removed in surgical procedures are examined to determine if the tissue is healthy or diseased and indicate which disease is present.

PHARMACY SERVICES is operated under the direction of a licensed consulting pharmacist from Hays Medical Center which oversees physician orders. This Pharmacist attends pharmacy and therapeutic meetings which allow physicians and pharmacists to voice any concerns. The RCHC pharmacy provides medications to inpatients, outpatients and those seen through the ER. Mary Clark, RN oversees the ordering and stocking of medications, and is responsible for the removal of expired medications.

NURSING SERVICES provides patients with a wide variety of nursing services and vital skills to our community along with safe and satisfying medical care. The Nurses work closely with the RCHC providers and staff in all departments, and are valued for their clinical expertise and care coordination. The licensed practical nurse and the nursing assistants are also members of the nursing team. The LPN and aides work directly under the supervision of the registered nurse (RN). The RN is responsible for the operation of the hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. The Nursing Department is under the leadership of Karla Heble, RN/Director of Nursing.

PHYSICAL THERAPY evaluates and treats those with musculoskeletal disorders, neurological dysfunction and those with other types of disease, injury or illness. Manual therapy, joint mobilization, and myofascial release are only some of the special skills used by therapists to treat patients to help lessen disability and pain, and improve overall function and quality of life. Therapists use special equipment called modalities when treating patients which help aid in the healing and recovery of an injury. Electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold packs and ultrasound are some of the modalities one may require during a treatment session. As part of a treatment and rehabilitation process, a physical therapist will often stretch, strengthen, facilitate muscles, challenge balance, teach home exercise programs and enhance basic mobility skills. The physical therapist assistant helps the physical therapist with patient treatment programs.

RADIOLOGY SERVICES offers numerous mobile services as well as in house services. These include Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, CT (Cat Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Digital Mammography, Bone Mineral Density (Dexa Scan), EKG as well as radiographs. We can perform general radiographs in house also.

SWING BED offers cost effective, safe, skilled or intermediate care for individuals who don't need full hospitalization, but cannot yet function independently. The bed is a regular hospital bed and does not “swing”. The Swing Bed Program may answer the patient’s needs when Acute Care is no longer needed, but still require more help before they can care for themselves at home. Both Skilled and Intermediate Care, with an emphasis on rehabilitation, can be delivered in a Swing Bed setting. It provides transition between the Acute Care hospital and discharge to the patients' home or a nursing home.