Name/Title
WQMH Enhances Healthcare ServicesDescription
WQMH Enhances Healthcare Services from the Waupun/Lomira Progress February 23, 2011
Waupun Memorial Hospital continues to enhance local health care
Bringing a wide array of healthcare services close to home remains a focal point for Waupun Memorial Hospital (WMH), and developments during the past year reflect that ongoing commitment.
"We know that if given the choice, individuals and families prefer receiving healthcare within the communities they live," says DeAnn Thurmer, WMH chief operating officer. "By bringing more healthcare services directly to Waupun Memorial Hospital, we can greatly reduce the need to travel outside the community, and ultimately enhance patient access and convenience."
Knowing that urgent or emergency health situations can arise at any time, WMH is now offering its Urgent Care services (located within its Emergency Department) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"Our patients are finding added convenience with our new open hours," says Thurmer. "You never know when important healthcare services might be needed, and with this change, area individuals and families can be assured they can receive care when it's most convenient or needed by them."
Women's health services remain a focal point for WMH as new technology and services were introduced in the past year. For example, women in the Waupun area now have access to the latest screening tool for the early detection of breast cancer through the hospital's new, state-of-the-art digital mammography.
The digital mammography system provides physicians with clear and precise digital images. The system also provides the largest field of view currently available, which can be extremely helpful for precision imaging of patients with diverse shapes and sizes.
"Digital mammography expands our ability to protect the breast health of women and to detect breast cancer earlier in more women," according to Bill Daly, director of Medical Imaging with Agnesian HealthCare. "While traditional film mammography is very good, digital mammography provides better and more detailed images for a significant number of women."
In addition, WMH welcomed Karen Reynolds, MD, a board-certified general surgeon. In addition to providing women with breast health services, she is also offering a minimally invasive procedure that treats the underlying cause of varicose veins and associated symptoms.
Dr. Reynolds is using the VNUS ClosureFAST catheter, which is designed to heat, shrink and close diseased large leg veins after approximately three minutes of treatment.
"Family history, pregnancy, excess weight and professions requiring extended standing are all risk factors for varicose vein disease, and the majority of patients are women," says Dr. Reynolds. "We're gratified to be able to offer this fast procedure as an outstanding alternative to traditional surgery for the many patients who have been experiencing this condition."
Women's health and breast care services benefited by $6,500 that was raised at the 2010 "An Evening of Wine & Chocolate," sponsored by the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation and WMH Special Events Committee.
WMH is also enhancing its ability to return patients to normal function as quickly and safely as possible following a musculoskeletal (bone and muscle) injury.
Thomas Grossman, MD, and Bert Callahan, MD, both board-certified orthopedic surgeons, are collaborating with the Agnesian Center for Bone & Joint Health to develop a comprehensive, leading-edge program in Waupun. Physicians, nurses and other caregivers are focusing efforts on enhancing joint care, sports medicine and outpatient rehabilitation services.
"Our talented team of medical professionals works with each patient and their primary care provider to develop a treatment plan specifically for that patient," says Thurmer. "By combining extensive clinical expertise with compassionate care, the Agnesian Center for Bone & Joint Health is known for its quality of care."
And, WMH's commitment to quality continues, having most recently demonstrated a commitment to patient safety and quality care by achieving the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval. The hospital had a very successful survey. The accreditation recognizes the hospital's dedication to complying with the Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis and their focus on performance excellence.
Two nurse practitioners are also enhancing services in the Waupun area. Julia Houdek, APNP, is serving as a new women's health nurse practitioner at 608 W. Brown Street in Waupun. She works with Scott Hansfield, MD, a Fond du Lac Regional Clinic board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist.
As a women's health nurse practitioner, Houdek offers diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services to women.
Andi Weigand, APNP, nurse practitioner, is now seeing patients at Fond du Lac Regional Clinic locations in Brandon and Ripon. Weigand offers a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services. She diagnoses and treats a variety of health conditions, prescribes medications and provides patient education.
Registered nurses and nursing supervisors received specialized training through the STABLE Program to enhance their ability to resuscitate, stabilize and transport sick and/or premature infants. The STABLE Program was developed to meet the educational needs of healthcare providers who must deliver this important stabilization care.
To learn more about services and programs offered at Waupun Memorial Hospital, call 324-5581.
Caption Under Photo:[Sue Wojahn, diagnostics supervisor with Waupun Memorial Hospital (left),
discusses new digital mammography equipment now available at the hospital with Karen Reynolds, MD, a board-certified general surgeon with AgnesianHealthCare's Fond du Lac Regional Clinic in Waupun.]Acquisition
Accession
2011.0500Source or Donor
Waupun Newspapers and other newspapers.Acquisition Method
Bequest,Collected byCredit Line
These are basically newspaper article that Jim cut from the newspapers and presented for documentation.
