Services at MCDH

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EMERGENCY ROOM

The Emergency Department is staffed 24-hours a day by an experienced team of medical professionals. All Emergency Department physicians are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Emergency Department registered nurses are certified as Mobile Intensive Care Nurses (MICN) and are assisted by a two-person team of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Medical consultants are available on-call in various specialties such as Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics, Pathology, Pediatrics, Radiology, Neurology, & Surgery.

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ICU/CCU

Our four-bed combination Intensive and Coronary Care Unit is designed to provide specialized care for critically ill or injured patients. Our ICU/CCU Unit is staffed by registered nurses who have completed the specialized education and technical training required for the care of these patients. The unit is equipped with sophisticated life-support equipment, as well as current medical technology which allows physicians and nurses to monitor continuously all vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, etc.). The unit also has telemetry services which enable us to monitor cardiac functions for an additional four patients in the Medical/Surgical unit.

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OBSTETRICS

MCDH's Birthing Unit was one of the first in-house, family-centered maternity care programs in California and was a model for other family-birthing programs throughout the country. Although the department has seen many changes over the years, our dedication to providing families with happy and rewarding birth experiences remains the same. Our Obstetrical Unit includes labor, delivery, and recovery services, plus a four-bed nursery with facilities for immediate care, stabilization, and transport for critically ill newborns.

The MCDH Obstetrical Staff promotes the philosophy of childbirth as a natural, healthy and joyous event to be controlled as much as possible by the birthing couple and shared, should they wish, with family and friends. An OB tour is offered monthly to members of the community who are expecting a child.

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MEDICAL/SURGICAL

Our forty-one bed combined Medical/Surgical Unit provides care for both medical patients and patients hospitalized under any of the specialty surgical services offered at MCDH, such as general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, and urologic surgery. In addition, a designated Pediatric Area is available to provide medical and surgical care to infants and children.

Our Medical/Surgical area is staffed by registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and certified nursing assistants whose diversified experience and expertise combine to provide high quality nursing care.

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SWING BED PROGRAM

Fifteen of the Hospital's acute care Medical/Surgical beds are licensed by the State of California for utilization as skilled nursing beds. Our Swing Bed Program allows patients whose medical condition has stabilized to remain in the Hospital if they still require skilled services. Such services may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, IV therapy, and/or other skilled nursing services. The Swing Bed program serves the important function of keeping these patients in the local community, close to their families and loved ones.

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INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SURGICAL SERVICE

Our surgery facilities consist of two operating rooms and a three-bed post anesthesia recovery unit. The Hospital offers a wide variety of surgical services and has the equipment and expertise to perform gynecological and general surgery via the laparoscope, and advanced orthopaedic procedures via the arthroscope.

Our fully-equipped Ambulatory Surgical Service allows patients to have surgery and return home on the same day. This service is located within the surgical suites of the Hospital, providing immediate access to support services such as Radiology and Laboratory.

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Laboratory

Our Laboratory Department provides a full range of clinical laboratory, medicine, pathology, and transfusion services. Under the supervision of a physician Pathologist, our Clinical and Pathology Laboratories allow for a wide variety of tests to assist doctors in diagnosis and treatment. Over 95% of requested tests are performed in-house, reducing delays in reporting results. Extensive testing of control materials ensures that test results are of the highest quality.

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OUTPATIENT SERVICES

In addition to outpatient surgical services, MCDH provides treatment for patients receiving chemotherapy, blood transfusions, diagnostic clinical studies including endoscopic exam and biopsy, and other specialized treatments or procedures.

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RADIOLOGY (X-RAY)

The Radiology Department is a comprehensive diagnostic service that provides state-of-the-art imaging. This full-service department has the only fast high resolution CT scanning equipment on the Mendocino Coast between San Francisco and Eureka. Our State licensed mammography program provides a follow-up reminder and monitoring service. Other services provided by the department include ultrasonography, diagnostic X-ray, and nuclear medicine modalities. The tele-radiology system allows images to be transferred via telephone lines to other hospitals for consultation. Together these services eliminate the need to refer patients out of the area for anything other than specialized services provided by large medical centers.

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AUDIOLOGY

Audiology-diagnostic hearing exams are available. Our hearing booth and equipment are not only for adults, but meet CCS requirements for performing exams on children. Exams are performed by an audiologist.

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RESPIRATORY CARE

Our Respiratory Care Department has a complete pulmonary diagnostic lab and participates in all phases of respiratory therapy. Patients receive state-of-the-art respiratory care form the simplest aerosol treatment to continuous artificial ventilation.

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CARDIOLOGY

In addition to standard cardiographic services, our Cardiology Department has a fully- equipped cardiac stress lab and specializes in echocardiography for non-invasive cardiac evaluation, Holter and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.

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NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

Our Neurophysiology Department is proud to provide not only 21-channel EEG service, but EMG and nerve-conduction testing as well. Our Neuro Lab also provides studies for evaluating optic and auditory nerves.

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PHYSICAL THERAPY

Our Physical Therapy Department provides inpatient as well as outpatient treatment. In addition to all standard physical therapy treatments, such as neurological, orthopaedic and sports rehabilitations, our Physical Therapy Department is equipped with all physical and electrical modalities.

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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Our Occupational Therapy Department provides services to both inpatients and outpatients who have a wide variety of neurological and orthopaedic disorders. Treatment focuses on increasing independence in activities of daily living. In addition to all standard treatment modalities, home evaluations are provided to ease the transition between hospital and home by identifying equipment needs and addressing safety issue.

In addition to rehabilitation services, a Hand Treatment program provides comprehensive treatment modalities including static and dynamic splinting of the injured hand.

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SPEECH PATHOLOGY

The Speech Pathology Department, state licensed for inpatients and outpatients, provides assessment and treatment of speech, language, cognition, and swallowing disorders. Therapists are certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association.

Specialized exercises and compensatory strategies assist patient in reaching their maximum potential for both rehabilitation or habilitation of a communication or swallowing disorder.

Videofluoroscopic swallowing exams are used to assess specific swallowing disorders and define treatment strategies.

Therapy is coordinated with Rehabilitation Team members enhancing a trans-disciplinary approach.

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PHARMACY

Our Pharmacy Department provides pharmaceutical services to inpatients and employees. Inpatient medication orders are filled using the Unit-Dose Drug Distribution System allowing identification of each dose of drug up to the time of administration. Our Hospital Pharmacists prepare IV admixtures (drugs added to intravenous solutions) in a clean air hood to reduce the possibility of contamination. The pharmacy provides home infusion therapy for Home Health and Hospice patients. Pharmacists also consult with physicians and nurses, providing current information on new drugs, assisting with dosing calculations, and monitoring patients for optimal drug therapy.

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NUTRITION DEPARTMENT

Our Nutrition Department is dedicated to providing nutritious, tasteful and attractive meals to aid in the healing process of our patients.

Our Registered Dietician provides inpatient nutrition counseling. Individual outpatient instruction is available with a physician's referral. Group classes in weight control and general nutrition are held weekly.

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HOME HEALTH CARE PROGRAM

Under the direction of the referring physician, the home care program provides a full range of skilled health care and social services to the patient and family in familiar and comfortable surroundings. The home care team promotes family integrity and independence by teaching families the skills they need to care for the home patient.

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HOSPICE PROGRAM

Hospice care responds to the special needs of the terminally ill patient. Hospice is a coordinated program of palliative and supportive care (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual) for dying persons and their families. Services are provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers. The patient's physician can contact the Hospice Program to arrange for care.

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AMBULANCE SERVICE

Our Hospital is designated as a "base hospital." We monitor local and County-wide emergency radio channels and can dispatch two fully-equipped advanced life support ambulances to any location in our hospital district.

The team of emergency medical technicians on board the ambulance remain in constant radio contact with the Hospital and have the skill, knowledge, and equipment necessary to intervene in life threatening emergencies.

We are proud to be able to provide the most advanced pre-hospital care available anywhere in this County.

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