Rehabilitative Care – Getting Back to Full Strength

Edgerton Hospital and Health Services provides a variety of therapy services to patients recovering from debilitating illnesses, conditions, or procedures, including strokes, surgeries, and accidents. These and other unpredictable occurrences may affect a patient’s ability to move freely or use his or her muscles to their full capacity. However, physical, speech, and occupational therapy can be used to remedy or reduce the impact of musculoskeletal and neurological damage, as well as related health issues. Facial retraining therapies may ameliorate facial paralysis, while physical therapy is useful in rehabilitating sports and spinal injuries.

On Saturday, September 19th, the Edgerton Hospital Rehab department is hosting a “Race Day Pit Stop” in the rehab gym. The event takes place directly after the Victory Fun Run Walk, which starts at 8:30am. Guests are invited to the rehab gym to meet the therapy staff, learn proper stretching, enjoy snacks and enter to win a FitBit.

Established in 1920, Edgerton Hospital provides both in- and outpatient rehabilitative care. The rehabilitation program begins with the formation of a personal treatment plan based on individual requirements and treatments, as well as a patient’s existing level of fitness. The hospital provides education and guidance to patients and families, and rehabilitates patients through exercise and other treatments. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday, with extensive hours to accommodate a range of schedules.

Patient Surveys Provide Vital Insight to Healthcare Facilities

A community-based medical facility in Wisconsin, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services has a deep commitment to delivering person-centered care to every patient. In 2014, survey results released by the US Department of Health and Human Services revealed that Edgerton Hospital exceeded national and state averages for patient satisfaction. According to research conducted by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), using patient satisfaction surveys can lead to better organizational performance.

According to medical industry experts, facilities must construct their surveys carefully to achieve the most valuable results. To reach the widest possible audience, facilities should offer both electronic and paper-based options and also limit the number of survey questions to fewer than 10 items. In designing surveys, healthcare providers should focus on questions about how to improve the patient experience. Typically, organizations can expect to receive a response rate of between 10 and 20 percent.

Also, when creating a survey, healthcare providers should have a clear understanding of why they are collecting feedback and how they plan to use it. Communicating results to patients is an important step to let them know their input has value and to build positive relationships.

Hospital Community Education Programs Promote Healthy Living

In addition to providing a full range of medical care, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services offers an array of community education classes. Through these offerings, Edgerton Hospital helps community members achieve health and well-being by participating in exercise classes, nutrition workshops, and other courses. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), more hospitals are creating programs to support community members’ long-term health.

To design effective programs, hospitals should be aware of public health issues and positive health trends in their communities. For example, Edgerton Hospital has partnered with it’s local middle school to sponsor programming focused on combating childhood obesity. With this approach, the hospital is directly working to address a known health risk in the community. By contrast, a hospital in Massachusetts offers running clinics, lectures, and health screenings to help athletically inclined individuals meet their running goals in a healthy way.

Whether hospitals offer a broad array of programming or focus on select topics, education programs have a positive effect on local communities. Through these programs, hospitals focus on individuals’ social and personal needs as a path to improving their overall health.

Endometrial Ablation as a Solution for Heavy Periods

The doctors at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services are equipped to perform a wide range of surgical procedures designed to improve patients’ health and quality of life. In addition to inpatient surgeries, Edgerton Hospital performs outpatient procedures, including NovaSure endometrial ablation.

NovaSure endometrial ablation provides a potential solution for women who experience particularly heavy periods that interfere with living a regular life. It has been shown to be effective at lightening or even stopping periods, and can be performed in as little as five minutes. It also does not involve the use of hormones or incisions, making it a good choice for many women, particularly those who have tried other methods of treating heavy periods without success.

The outpatient procedure involves the use of a mesh device, which is inserted into the uterus. The device, which is shaped like a triangle, then expands in the uterus. Once the device has fitted to the uterus’ shape, the doctor performing the procedure administers radio energy at a particular frequency for about a minute and a half. When the procedure is over, the mesh device is removed completely. Women who are interested in the procedure should consult with a doctor to determine whether this solution is right for them.

Edgerton Hospital Nurse Wins Heroes in Health Care Award

Wisconsin-based Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is a community-based health care organization with a deep commitment to providing value to all people it serves. In 2012, one Edgerton Hospital’s registered nurse, Kathy Dobson, embodied that spirit by providing personalized and compassionate care to a mother and infant in a critical situation. In recognition of Dobson’s exemplary care, she earned the Heroes in Health Care Award from the UW-Rock County Association and the Blackhawk Technical Foundation.

Early on Christmas day in 2012, Wendy Iversen, who was eight-months pregnant with a daughter, arrived at the emergency room. Upon admittance, the medical team, which included Dobson, discovered that Iversen had a prolapsed umbilical cord. When that occurs, babies may not receive the blood and oxygen needed to sustain life. Dobson stayed by Iversen’s side through the difficult ordeal, which included transfer to another hospital for an emergency C-section.

After delivery, Iversen’s daughter, Amelia, had to spend five days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to recover and grow stronger. During the mother and baby’s hospital stay, Dobson visited to check up on them. Today, Dobson is more than just a one-time caretaker for the Iversen family — she is beloved “Aunt Kathy” to little Amelia.

Edgerton Hospital’s Efforts to Improve the Continuum of Care

Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is a critical-access medical facility that serves the needs of Wisconsin residents in local communities such as Milton and Janesville. Dedicated to health-care performance improvement, in 2013, Edgerton Hospital partnered with Studer Group in identifying areas in which it could implement industry best practices and offer patients the best quality care possible. In addition, the partnership focused on identifying ways of ensuring that employees had a productive and motivating working environment.

Founded in Janesville, the Studer Group, is currently headquartered in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The Studer Group maintains a global reach and currently partners with 850 health-care organizations in the United States and abroad. Having achieved the 2010 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the group focuses on efficient ways of building accountability and structure into health-care organizations.

The end result of the collaborative effort between the Studer Group and Edgerton Hospital, reported at http://www.edgertonhospital.com, was to develop an institutional culture with renewed focus on service and quality throughout its entire continuum of care.