Transitional care
at Blue Mountain Hospital
Eagle file photo
Blue Mountain Hospital offers transitional care where people recovering from surgery or a hospital stay can recover.
Recover in John Day after surgery
Blue Mountain Hospital staff
T
he unthinkable happens. You have
been injured or have an illness that
severely affects your ability to be
independent. Now what? Well,
once your doctor has cleared you after your
surgery or hospital stay, you will need time to
recover with a transitional care team.
What is transitional care?
Care that is provided to a patient when they
are well enough to leave a hospital but not well
enough to go home. In a larger city, patients
that have had surgery or illness would leave the
hospital and go to a skilled nursing facility or
rehabilitation.
The skilled nursing facility would be com-
prised of nursing, physical therapy, occupa-
tional therapy and a dietitian. In rural areas like
Grant County, this service is provided at Blue
Mountain Hospital and is called transitional
care.
Following our core value of providing qual-
ity care close to home, patients do not have to
rehabilitate in Bend or Boise. Instead, through
this program they can stay at Blue Mountain
Hospital during recovery, making it easier on
family and friends to visit and keeping the pa-
tient in familiar surroundings.
Physical therapy
A physical therapist will be the expert in
strengthening, balance training and teaching of
assistive devices.
We will work with you to recover from the
effects of the illness/surgery and also work with
your family or caregiver to make sure they are
ready to help when you go home.
Occupational therapy
Our occupational therapist is trained in
strengthening, use of adaptive equipment
(reachers, etc.) and works closely with the
physical therapist.
Your occupational therapist will work with
you or your caregiver to learn ways of adapting
to your illness or surgery to aid in bathing, get-
ting dressed and preparing meals.
Respiratory therapy
Your respiratory therapist will assist the
team by giving breathing treatments, if nec-
essary, and monitoring your vitals to ensure a
speedy recovery.
Respiratory therapists are not involved in all
cases.
Registered nurse
Your registered nurse will monitor your
vitals, administer medications, follow the
treatment plan of the doctor and, if required,
perform wound care.
The RN will also provide valuable educa-
tion (regarding medications, etc.) to both the
patient and caregivers to insure a safe return
to home.
Registered dietitian
A registered dietitian is your most cred-
ible and reliable source for accurate nutri-
tion information, trained in the use of nu-
trition to prevent and control disease.
They counsel people on topics includ-
ing:
• Diabetes
• Weight control
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Cancer
Registered dietitians help people learn
about staying healthy and selecting the
right foods. Balance, variety and modera-
tion are the keys to healthful eating. A reg-
istered dietitian can help you find a total
eating plan that works for you and your
lifestyle.
Family Health Guide 2018 // 19