Click on each link below for a complete explanation of service.

Community Service Plan 2012 Update

INPATIENT (MED/SURG)
CARE DEPARTMENT

The hospital's 25-bed nursing unit provides both acute and sub acute care. Its small atmosphere helps create a closer bond between patients and professionals; fostering optimal healing and compassionate care.

Acute care is for patients that experience a relatively brief but severe episode of illness or injury. It often initially takes place in the emergency department but can shift to the hospital's inpatient unit.

Sub-acute care is somewhat longer-term and aids in an overall recovery process. The sub-acute program at ECH gives patients the ability to recover from major illness or surgery closer to their home community - and family.

Following a hip-replacement, knee surgery, stroke or cardiac operation, patient recuperation and therapy can be completed at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, saving the family the time and expense of travel. The program provides one-on-one therapeutic care provided by the hospital's physical therapy and rehab department.

The Inpatient Care Department Provides:

• Quality patient care; with superior staffing ratios

• Physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy, dietary consultation, and emergency dental care when required

• Registered nurse oversight of patient care

• 24-hour availability of a physician assistant, emergency department, lab and radiology

• Clean, comfortable patient rooms

• Case management and discharge planning to arrange home care and other required services

• State of the art equipment

• Liberal visiting hours

• Hospice and respite care

Inpatient Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation services are offered to patients during their stay at ECH. The hospital's therapists provide physical, occupational, recreational and speech therapy for patients. Other specialty therapies are also available, based on patient requirements. Each patient receives a comprehensive care plan developed to meet his or her individual needs.

The primary goal of inpatient therapy is to provide treatment so patients can regain their independence, by making a safe transition home. To accomplish this, a comprehensive evaluation is performed by a licensed physical or occupational therapist who will design a patient's individual treatment program.

Conditions staff may address include:

• CA total hip or knee replacement

• Post-surgical conditions

• Stroke

• Debilitating states associated with acute illness

• Post trauma/traumatic injury

Contact Victoria Savage at 873.6377 for additional information about inpatient care and physical rehabilitation services.

PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SPORTS REHAB DEPARTMENT

Outpatient therapy is provided at the Elizabethtown Community Health Center located across the street from the hospital's main facility by a team of licensed physical and occupational therapists. This modern facility is complete with private treatment rooms, exercise equipment, locker rooms and showers.

Patients receive individualized evaluation and treatment plans that take their particular situation into account; whether a sports-related injury, surgical recovery, amputee rehabilitation or muscular issue, the staff can provide therapies to suit each individual circumstance.

The physical therapy and sports rehab department staff also provides all inpatient rehabilitation services for the hospital's inpatient (med/surg) care department.

Outpatient hours of operation:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday & Thursday 8am - 7pm

Patient populations served include:

• Sports injuries

• Pediatric patients

• Orthopedic

• Neurological disorders

• Amputees

• Post surgical rehab

• TMJ, jaw joint and muscle problems

• Vestibular dysfunctions

• Geriatrics

• Specialty therapies (serial casting, lymphedema, etc.)

Rehabilitation services include:

• Light/laser therapy

• Manual therapy

• Therapeutic exercise

• Core stabilization programs

• Cardiovascular equipment

• Myofascial release

• Craniosacral therapy

• Traction

When patients complete the outpatient therapy program, they may continue to use the facility for post-rehabilitation for a small monthly fee. This allows patients to continue with their individualized program and provides an opportunity for additional improvement.

Contact Bill Doherty for more information about the outpatient rehabilitation program at 873.2408.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

The emergency department is one of the hospital's busiest areas, utilizing the resources of the entire hospital. It offers state-of-the-art equipment, along with a highly skilled staff, poised to handle any situation at any moment, 24 hours a day.

The hospital's emergency department cares for trauma patients, critical care patients, individuals involved in accidents, stroke victims, heart attack victims, those with broken bones, people requiring stitches and sick children in the middle of the night. Staff is well-trained and prepared to handle it all - and sometimes, simultaneously.

Emergency department staff is able to manage a variety of traumatic and critical care situations due to its specialized training. This training includes:

• ACLS - advanced cardiac life support

• PALS - pediatric advanced life support

• ATLS - advanced trauma life support

• TNCC - trauma nurse core course

• ENPC - emergency nurse pediatric course

• ABLS - advanced burn life support

The hospital staff is accustomed to dealing with a variety of serious situations. In fact, the ED handles life-threatening, critical care and trauma on a regular basis (roughly 900 per year; 1/3 of which are trauma cases). ED staff assesses and manages patient care when there is limited time to treat. ECH's role is to provide initial, life-saving care that offers patients time to get to a trauma, heart, burn or stroke center.

Many patients can be treated and then released; but some require additional, specialized and immediate medical care. For those patients, ECH is in a unique position with a very unique and critical role: to assess and stabilize the patients so that they can survive transport to a trauma center or other facility that can provide the specific type of care required.

ED staff assesses and manages patient care when key information may not be available and there is limited time to treat. ECH is linked to Fletcher Allen in Burlington via its high-tech telemedicine capabilities. During a trauma, pediatric emergency, stroke or other critical care case, the physicians at ECH confer with trauma teams at Fletcher Allen (a level 1 trauma center).

The emergency department also provides additional services such as:

• Electrocardiograph

• Holter monitor application

• Outpatient cardiac monitoring

• Pulmonary function studies

The hospital's emergency department ensures that residents of the area, along with visitors through the region have access to a facility ready to help them through any situation, 24 hours a day.

LABORATORY DEPARTMENT

The Laboratory Department provides diagnostic testing information, to health care professionals in accordance with state and national standards. The lab is staffed by NYS licensed clinical laboratory technologists 24 hours each day to support the inpatient unit and emergency department.

Outpatient hours of operation:
Monday-Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 7am - noon

Patients do not need an appointment for lab tests, only a provider's order - walk-ins are always welcome by the lab's two phlebotomists. (Evening and off hours are scheduled by appointment.) Results are sent directly to physician offices throughout the day, ensuring that physicians have important information quickly.

Many seasonal residents also use the ECH laboratory for routine testing while vacationing in the area. Results can be faxed directly to their providers.

More than 90% of all testing is performed on-site. Since the hospital does not have to send out for testing, results are quickly and easily reported to physicians.

The ECH laboratory is accredited by the Joint Commission and is licensed by the NY State Department of Health.

Contact Patricia Thaxton, Manager of Laboratory Services, for additional information at 873.3050.

RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

The all-digital radiology department at ECH offers a wide range of imaging services; and is often able to accommodate busy schedules. The department is open 24 hours a day for inpatient and emergency department coverage; patients with a physician order are encouraged to make an appointment.

Radiologists from Associates in Radiology (Plattsburgh) read and interpret radiology exams either on-site or through the hospital's secure picture archiving & communications system (PACS). Images are read throughout the day, with radiologists providing immediate consultations for time-sensitive emergencies (e.g. stroke).

Outpatient hours of operation:

Monday-Friday 7am - 9pm
Saturday & Sunday 7am - 3pm

X-ray

• ECH x-ray technologists are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

• All-digital x-rays can be viewed immediately in the emergency department

• Laser printed images are available if needed; and images can also be burned to CD

• Fluoroscopy and IVUs

  • The digital x-ray unit performs fluoroscopy exams, used to determine functions of a soft body part - indicating how fluid drains and moves throughout a particular area

Mammogram

• Private mammography room

• ECH mammography technologists are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; the department is certified by the American College of Radiology and the FDA.

• Digital technology is used in conjunction with computer-aided detection.

• Digital images are scanned by a computer program, highlighting potential abnormalities; this indicates areas that the radiologist should scrutinize.

• Digital images are easily stored so that radiologists can use them for future comparison.

• ECH offers the MammoPad - a softer pad, providing a more comfortable experience

CT scan

CT scanning (sometimes called a CAT scan) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

It combines special x-ray equipment with computer technology to produce multiple images of the inside of the body. CT scans of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more detail than x-rays.

It is one of the best and fastest tools for studying the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross-sectional views of all types of tissue.

Physicians often use CT exams to:

• diagnose cancer - tumors can be seen, measured and precisely located;

• detect, diagnose and treat vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure or death - it is commonly used to assess for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung) and aortic aneurysms (weak spot, with potential for rupture);

• identify spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures because it can clearly show very small bones and surrounding tissues;

• quickly identify injuries in cases of trauma

• monitor patient response to chemotherapy.

MRI

Patients can now have this important diagnostic test closer to home with an experienced technologist and image interpretation that doctors can trust.

• ECH MRI technologists are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

• High powered unit delivers superior images.

• Stationed at the hospital each Thursday; plans to increase frequency based on demand.

• Prompt turnaround time, often within 24 hours.

• Studies are stored at ECH for future viewing/comparison.

Ultrasound

• ECH ultrasound technologists are certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography

• Studies are scheduled Monday-Friday 7:30am - 3pm.

• Studies performed include: general abdominal, pelvic, OB, small parts and vascular

Bone density scan

• A DXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan screens for osteoporosis.

• Safe, painless and quick test that measures bone density and strength.

• Used to monitor response to particular medications which can affect bone health.

• The DXA unit can provide traditional hip and spine testing, body fat analysis, and tests that can indicate compression fractures.

Echocardiograms

• ECH echocardiogram technologists are available Monday-Friday 7:30am - 2:30pm

• Exams are interpreted by Lake Champlain Cardiology Associates

Contact Molly Thompson for additional information; or to schedule an appointment at 873.3036.

OUTPATIENT CLINICS

Chemotherapy

Elizabethtown Community Hospital offers chemotherapy, closer to home for many patients throughout Essex County. Patients are able to meet with their oncologist from a distance using the hospital's high-definition telemedicine units; reducing the need for travel.

• "Smart pump" IV units help to ensure patient safety.

• High definition telemedicine units allow patients to meet with their oncologist from a distance.

• Hospital pharmacy provides support to chemotherapy / infusion program.

• ECH radiology department supports the chemotherapy clinic with digital mammography, ultrasound, and CT scans.

Infusion

Patients can receive infusion services closer to home with brand-new equipment and team of registered nurses, along with full hospital support.

• Transfusions of blood & blood products

• IV antibiotics

• Medications for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, anemia, lead poisoning

• Osteoporosis medications

Specialty Clinics

Many area physicians offer monthly and bi-monthly clinics at Elizabethtown Community Hospital. Specialty areas include:

• Gastroenterology

• OB/GYN

• Surgery

• Oncology

• Orthopedics

• Urology

• Neurology

• Nephrology

• Pulmonary

• Vascular

CARDIAC REHABILITATION

The hospital has added cardiac rehabilitation to its service lineup.

Cardiac rehabilitation helps people develop heart health through education, physical activity, and lifestyle modification It is coordinated by a physician and involves exercise physiologists, pharmacists, dieticians, nurses and the patient's family.

Cardiac rehab is not reserved for those who've suffered a heart attack. It is a program designed for people who've recently experienced bypass surgery, stent placement, valve repair, heart transplant, angina or angioplasty. Generally, cardiac rehabilitation is a treatment program for individuals who need to improve their heart health. It requires physician referral.

It is a team approach, designed to help a patient transition from a significant heart issue to a situation where he or she feels confident performing daily tasks.

Download the physician referral form here

Contact Meredith King or Kristin Dooley at 873.3170 for more information about the cardiac rehab program.

PHARMACY

The pharmacy at ECH is responsible for management of all patient medications. This includes oversight of the Pyxis Medstations, verification of appropriate dosage, inventory control, and proper disposal of medication. A pharmacist sits on a team that meets regularly to discuss patients' care plans. Physicians also confer with pharmacists regarding drug interactions and other unique situations that may arise during treatment.

As part of its hospital-wide role, the pharmacy provides specific support for each department.

The emergency department relies on pharmacists during trauma and critical care situations. Pharmacists are on-call to ensure that medications required are on-hand and easily accessible to physicians, nurses and other ED personnel. There is a medication dispensing unit in the ED that provides access to life-saving medications.

The inpatient unit provides medications to patients on a regular basis. Nurses utilize the hospital's Pyxis Medstation to access particular medications based on patient records. Pharmacists are responsible for the management of the Pyxis units - double-checking physician orders and entering information electronically into the Pyxis medication system. In doing so, pharmacists ensure that the appropriate medications are ordered, verified, and accessible by RNs who ultimately deliver the medication.

Outpatient clinics, such as gastroenterology, rely on medications supplied by the pharmacy in order to perform procedures such as endoscopy and colonoscopy. The hospital's chemotherapy and infusion clinic also works with pharmacy staff on a daily basis. Chemotherapy patients often receive multiple medications that must be mixed just prior to infusion. After the patient meets with his or her physician and treatment has been authorized, the pharmacy prepares the required medications- they cannot be prepared ahead of time.

Transport Service

Elizabethtown Community Hospital has added an ambulance transport service to its emergency department. Integrating an ambulance with the hospital's services allows it to improve the quality of patient care by cutting transfer time in half. The ECH transport unit is stationed on hospital property, ready to transfer a patient in minutes.

When patients are brought to the hospital, ECH staff provides initial care and stabilizing treatment. Patients with significant illness or injury have limited time to receive treatment - it's an amount of time known as the "golden hour." ECH's role as a critical access hospital is to provide that initial life-saving care, stabilize for transport, and arrange the most appropriate transport method.

The hospital has an ambulance driver, a full time critical-care emergency medical technician (EMT), and part-time critical care EMT on staff. Each of these positions will be working within the hospital's emergency department when not providing transport.