FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Howe
509-925-5771 or 509-929-1938March 31, 2005
KITTITAS VALLEY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF ADVANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCANNER
The New LightSpeed CT Scanner From GE Medical Systems Provides High-Resolution Images To Facilitate Earlier, More Accurate DiagnosisELLENSBURG, – Kittitas Valley Community Hospital has acquired a new LightSpeed16 Computed Tomography (CT) machine that provides three-dimensional images of the human body. According to Craig Wilson, Assistant Administrator of Patient Care Services, KVCH patients can now receive the same state of the art technology here in Ellensburg that is available in larger facilities throughout the state.
The LightSpeed16 CT scanner, manufactured by GE Medical Systems, now allows doctors to view multi-dimensional wafer-thin images of a patient’s body and internal organs within seconds, reducing exam time for patients. The system provides exceptionally high-resolution images that help doctors to more accurately diagnose patients than ever before.
“The addition of this new CT system further complements and expands the range of quality diagnostic services that KVCH offers Kittitas County residents,” said Wilson. “LightSpeed16 technology will provide us with vastly improved image quality, an entry into new applications for computed tomography, and an overall enhanced diagnostic confidence on all our studies.”
CT exams are used when people are ill or injured, or when a doctor suspects a medical problem that is not easily detectable from a normal physical examination. CT scans non-invasively assist physicians in the diagnosis of a variety of areas throughout the body.
The CT system is the fourth evolution of GE’s award-winning LightSpeed® CT platform, the CT scanning system that revolutionized the industry in 1998.Originally developed in the 1970s, CT or “CAT” scans combine the power of X-ray technology and computers -- allowing physicians the ability to view wafer-thin cross-sections of internal anatomy without the need for surgery.
About KVCH
Kittitas Valley Community Hospital is located in Ellensburg and offers 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgical services, critical care, family birthing center, respiratory care, laboratory, and imaging services.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Howe
509-925-5771 or 509-929-1938APRIL 1, 2005
New Web Resource Gives Hospital Patients Quality Information
ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) unveiled a new consumer web site today, Hospital Compare. The web site provides instant, objective, easy-to-use and free information about the quality of hospital care in Washington State and nationwide. CMS is the federal agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid.
The hospital quality information is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov" www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov. Select Compare Hospitals in Your Area, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Kittitas Valley Community Hospital, along with many other hospitals in Washington State, is an enthusiastic participant in Hospital Compare. Enrollment and submission of data to Hospital Compare is voluntary.
“Medicare and Medicaid’s new Web resource, Hospital Compare, gives the public information to help them to become informed consumers of hospital care,” said Eric Jensen, administrator. “We encourage consumers to use this tool and to contact the hospital, or to talk with their physician if they have questions about the information presented.”
KVCH Director of Medical Affairs Dr. Rick Johnson said, "We are pleased with our positive performance in several areas. Our hospital is embarking on a major project to deliver standardized medical care that is patterned after best evidence based practice from throughout the United States".
Jonathan Sugarman, CEO of Qualis Health said, “As the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization in Washington State charged with working with hospitals to improve their quality of care, we have seen firsthand how hospitals are making changes and improving,” said “We commend our state’s hospitals for making quality a top priority every day.”
The new resource was developed by CMS, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with nearly every eligible hospital in the nation. It reports quality of care information for hospitals on three common conditions: heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Howe
509-925-5771 or 509-929-1938April 1, 2005
Hospital District 1 Board votes to approve purchase of Cle Elum Family Medicine Center
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Kittitas County Public Hospital District 1 Board of Commissioners voted at their monthly meeting last night to proceed with negotiations to purchase the Cle Elum Family Medicine Center practice and employ staff and physicians at the clinic. The decision reflects Kittitas Valley Community Hospital’s role in maintaining and expanding access to healthcare for Kittitas County residents.
“The hospital serves all of Kittitas County and we are committed to preserving access to physicians not only in Ellensburg, but throughout the county,” said Board President Jack Baker.
Dr. John Anderson said, “This purchase gives the clinic the support and resources needed to take healthcare quality and access to the next level in Upper County.”
Cle Elum Family Medicine Center serves approximately 8,000 patients from Upper and Lower County and is accepting new patients. The practice is currently owned by a partnership of Paul Schmitt, MD, John Anderson, MD and Elizabeth Wise, MD. In addition, the clinic also employs Rob Merkel, PA-C. Dr. Anderson said that the practice plans to recruit one more full-time family practice physician this year.
KVCH Administrator Eric Jensen said, “Maintaining access to quality primary care and financial viability are two key reasons for the trend among rural hospitals of owning and operating more physician practices. Part of our mission is to provide stability in rural healthcare and maintain a healthy balance of primary, specialty, emergency and hospital care.
Plans to remodel and expand office space of Cle Elum Family Medicine Center are underway by Hospital District 2, which owns the clinic building. Part of the expansion plans include co-locating the Cle Elum Urgent Care Center with the clinic so that x-ray and laboratory services can be shared. Additional space for visiting specialists and anticipated growth at the clinic and urgent care center will be part of the project.
Exploration of the purchase of Cle Elum Family Medicine by Hospital District 1 partly came out of the ongoing joint planning process between Hospital Districts 1 and 2. The two Hospital Districts have pursued joint planning to evaluate the ability of the current healthcare system to meet the needs of Kittitas County residents and to address the projected service gaps anticipated from the county’s growing population and the demand they will generate.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2004
Contact: Ellen Howe
509-925-5771
Look Good, Feel Better program helps cancer patients during treatment
ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer can now receive free professional help to enhance their personal appearance through a program sponsored by the American Cancer Society and hosted by Kittitas Valley Community Hospital (KVCH).
Look Good, Feel Better, a program developed by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the National Cosmetology Association, trains volunteer cosmetologists to help women with cancer conceal loss of hair, skin problems and other side effects that can result from cancer therapy.
The two-hour, free program will be offered the second Wednesday of each month from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room C at KVCH, 603 S. Chestnut Street, Ellensburg. Monthly dates are: June 9, July 14, August 11, September 9, October 12, November 10 and December 8. Contact KVCH Cancer Outreach Coordinator Linda Johnson-Trippett at 933-8636 for more information.
Donations of scarves, wigs and turbans are needed. Items can be dropped off at the hospital reception area or at Orange Spice Salon at 201 N. Main Street
“The program will help people look their best – even as they are undergoing cancer treatment,” said Mary McClary, volunteer coordinator for Look Good, Feel Better in Ellensburg. “Although almost all of the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment are temporary, they can be very distressing. It is very rewarding to know that helping people improve the way they look can also improve their outlook and help them feel better about themselves during a difficult time.”
July 14, 2004
Cancer Support Group Forms
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Kittitas Valley Community Hospital Cancer Support Group will meet August 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms A&B on the second floor. The program will be “Coping with Cancer” presented by Charlotte Montgomery, MSN, RN.
This effort is the result of a few women who are living with cancer, and want to get together to enhance their challenges and expand their understanding of cancer and its effects on their lives. Spouses, family members, friends and caregivers are also welcome.
Refreshments will be provided. If you have questions or comments please contact Linda Johnson Trippett, MSN, RN, Cancer Outreach Coordinator, at 509 933 8636.
