News
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Court agrees to stipend
for county clerk
Community HEALTH BEAT
Prairie City
police contract
approved
By Richard Hanners
Blue Mountain Eagle
170 Ford Road, John Day • 541-575-1311 • www.bluemountainhospital.org
Blue Mountain Hospital District: Serving Grant County in 2018
Blue Mountain Hospital District (BMHD) has had a busy 2018 serving our Grant County residents. Through the efforts of our
caregivers and employees across the District and the leadership of the BMHD Board of Directors, Medical Staff and Management
Staff, the District has grown in many areas. 2018 represented a year of serving and providing access to care close to home for more
patients than ever before. We are pleased to have provided compassion, care and quality health care to our patients, focus on
priority initiatives and opportunities and grown access to services in a number of areas.
Patient Experience Committee:
The BMHD Patient Experience Committee has been actively improving our patient experience throughout our organization. A
number of projects and improvements related to the patient experience have occurred, such as:
•
The Emergency Room registration has been remodeled, improving the Triage experience and improving patient privacy.
•
BMH is piloting informational and soothing television programming in the waiting rooms.
•
Directional signage has been updated to assist patients, guests, and vendors in locating the departments they are seeking.
•
Red & green lights have been installed to alert patients when registrars are available to serve them.
•
BMH Emergency Department technology, patient privacy curtains, and furnishing have been updated
•
Patients can pay online for Blue Mountain Hospital (BMH) and Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic (SWCC) or pay by
credit card, check, or cash at the registration desk.
•
Blue Mountain Hospital website has been improved and updated offering an array of information, and an opportunity for
patients to “Leave a Comment”.
Hospital Remodeling and Improvements
Outside of the project improvements made surrounding the Emergency Room registration remodeling, the hospital campus has
experienced other improvements over the course of the year.
•
Additional remodeling has created designated, private waiting rooms for ancillary departments such as Lab, Radiology and
Cardiopulmonary services.
•
Additional patient rooms have been created for Physical Therapy, Radiology, Lab, and patient access, following a Chapel
and office space remodel.
•
The hospital has installed a new Emergency Call System. This Emergency Call System has been installed throughout BMH in
patient rooms and public restrooms to improve patient response time and patient safety. We are very grateful for all who
participated in the Foundation Dinner Golf Scramble, and for those who have made contributions to the Foundation to
allow them to support this project.
Outpatient Department Expansion:
Blue Mountain Hospital’s outpatient service departments, including Radiology, Physical Therapy and Laboratory, have made great
strides over the last year with increased access and new permanent employees.
•
Radiology Department: BMH now offers 2-day appointment turnaround time for DEXA Bone Density orders. BMH
Radiology Department also provides Mammograms, CT Scans, Ultrasounds and MRIs. They have expanded their hours of
operations to 10-hour days, Monday thru Friday, to better serve Grant County.
•
Physical Therapy: Our PT department has expanded services with the hiring of new permanent therapists. This has resulted
in improvements surrounding access and current wait time for an appointment with a therapist is only one to three weeks.
•
Laboratory: The BMH lab recently went live with the Alere Molecular Testing Platform, which will be used to test for
Influenza A and B. This instrument is an innovative system with unique technology, making flu testing significantly faster
and more accurate than conventional flu testing.
Blue Mountain Hospital Swing Bed Program:
BMHD has put much focus on continued implementation and maximization of our Swing Bed/Transitional Care program. The BMH
Swing Bed program provides care for patients who are recovering from surgery, or need treatment to support their recovery, and
will benefit from receiving care close to home. Bill Hodgson, BMHD’s Social Worker/Transitional Care Coordinator will assist you in
transitioning to BMH where you or your loved ones can heal in a great atmosphere close to home, surrounded by family and friends.
He provides resources and accommodations to meet your needs. Bill can be reached at 541-575-1311 ext. 2331.
Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic Access:
SWCC now offers daily “Fast Track” appointments for patients suffering with urgent symptoms such as ear infections, UTI’s, sore
throat, pink eye, flu-like symptoms, and sinus pain, to name a few. Our Providers: Dr. Hall, Dr. Bailey, Dr. Lieuallen, Dr. Betza, Dr.
Sickler, Shawna Clark, DNP, Nora Healey, FNP and April Bieber, PA-C are here to serve your primary care, pediatric, geriatrics, semi-
urgent, urgent/same day appointments and OB care needs. The clinic is open Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The
receptionists accept calls beginning at 7:00 am. Call 541-575-0404 to make your appointment today or learn more about our Fast
Track and same day appointment access.
Blue Mountain Home Health & Hospice Services:
Blue Mountain Home Health & Hospice has also grown programs and services to meet patient and family needs. Blue Mountain
Hospital Outpatient Clinic offers wound care, ear irrigation, testosterone injections and catheter changes according to physician
orders and referral. Nurses are available to assess ear impaction and treat or refer to a physician. The Foot Clinic serves self-pay
diabetics and non-diabetics without a doctor’s referral. Call 541-575-1648 to make your appointment or drop by to learn what Home
Health and Hospice provides. Hours of operation are from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday. Pastor Michael and Michelle
Gibson offer Grief Support Courses throughout the year; this support has received great reviews. Light up a Life, an annual event to
celebrate those who have passed, is December 13th at 6:00 pm at Valley View Assisted Living Facility. Call Michelle at 541-575-1648
or email mgibson@bluemountainhospital.org for more information.
Blue Mountain Care Center Improvements:
The Blue Mountain Care Center has had a busy year filled with increased census and facility improvements. The Care Center has
received recent reinvestment and facility improvement in the form of a new facility generator, heating system, and outdoor grounds
improvement projects. Much of this funding and support in the reinvestment of the Care Center was provided through the
Healthcare Foundation and the generous donations received in 2017. As the physical building at the Care Center has seen
improvements, so too has the number of residents occupying the facility. We have seen a steady increase in resident occupancy with
20 residents consistently residing at the Care Center over the last year.
Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Committee Work:
Blue Mountain Hospital District has been engaged with two Community Heath Needs Assessment (CHNA) Committees: Substance
Abuse & Trust in the Healthcare System Committee, and Access and Preventive Wellness Committee. Both committees, led by Nick
Green and Tilli Bjronberg, have devoted time, energy and commitment to improving and attaining goals. The leadership of BMHD is
very thankful for the efforts, successes and committee engagement surrounding this mandated 3-year project. A few of the projects
implemented have aimed to improve awareness and education surrounding substance abuse, foster trust and confidentiality by
educating employees and the public regarding BMHD’s commitment to confidentiality. This has included broadening training from
BMHD Board members, providers and employees to volunteers, contractors and vendors. We have partnered with community
stakeholders such as Grant County Schools, Community Counseling Solutions, and Grant County Health Department to develop a
community-wide campaign for positive messaging, and increased awareness of the availability of health care services, financial
assistance and insurance coverage options. A new Grant County Resource Guide will be published and available soon, both
electronically and in a hard copy form.
All of our caregivers across Blue Mountain Hospital District including Blue Mountain Hospital, Strawberry Wilderness Community
Clinic, Blue Mountain Care Center, Blue Mountain Home Health & Hospice and the Blue Mountain Emergency Medical Service
would like to wish you and your families a healthy, happy and fun-filled 2018 holiday season. We feel privileged to serve our
Grant County family, friends, and neighbors, and we thank you for allowing us to continue to offer you quality healthcare close to
home.
Submitted by:
Derek Daly
Blue Mountain Hospital District
Chief Executive Officer
December 5, 19
Bend Cardio - Dr. McLellan
Presents...
DECEMBER
VISITING
SPECIALISTS
BLUE MOUNTAIN
CARE CENTER
Resident of the Month
ELVA LOYD
December 7
Bend Neuro - Dr. Tien
1809 First Street • Baker City • (541)523-5439
BARGAIN MATINEE IN ( ) Adults $7
ALL FILMS $6 ON TIGHTWAD TUESDAY
MOVIE SCHEDULE DEC 7 - DEC 13
CREED II (PG-13)
Under the tutelage of Rocky Balboa,
heavyweight contender Adonis Creed
faces off against Viktor Drago, son of
Ivan Drago.
FRI & SAT
(3:50) 6:50 9:30
SUNDAY
(3:50) 6:50
MON - THURS
6:50
INSTANT FAMILY (PG-13)
A couple find themselves in over their
heads when they foster three children.
FRI & SAT
(4:00) 7:00 9:35
SUNDAY
(4:00) 7:00
MON - THURS
7:00
RALPH BREAKS THE
INTERNET (PG)
Ralph and Vanellope discover a wi-fi
router in their arcade, leading them into
a new adventure.
FRI & SAT
(4:10) 7:10 9:40
SUNDAY
(4:10) 7:10
MON - THURS
7:10
$9 Adult, $7 Senior (60+), Youth
December 17
Baker Podiatrist - Dr. Rushton
92670
Quality Healthcare Close To Home
The Grant County Court
agreed to provide a $537 per
month stipend to County Clerk
Brenda Percy for her work han-
dling payroll for county em-
ployees.
County Judge Scott Myers
said Percy had informed the
court she would no longer do
payroll work without the sti-
pend but agreed to handle pay-
roll for January and February as
a courtesy.
Myers noted he had asked
for an opinion from the county
counsel on whether any ethi-
cal issues had been raised by
Percy’s decision. Payroll is not
included in the state’s statuto-
ry description of her job as an
elected official.
Myers had been reluctant to
approve Percy’s request in the
past out of concern that a prec-
edent would be set that might
affect other county workers. He
also noted that he performed
numerous duties that were not
included in the statutory job de-
scription for county judge.
Commissioner Rob Raschio
pointed out that contracting the
payroll work would cost the
county much more than the
$537 stipend Percy requested,
and he motioned to approve the
clerk’s request.
The motion passed unani-
mously with an effective date
of Dec. 26. The court also dis-
cussed ensuring that payroll
work is completed if Percy is
unavailable by training her dep-
uty clerk, Brooke Griffith.
In other county court news:
• The court approved a con-
tract with Prairie City to pro-
vide law enforcement services
through the sheriff’s office. As
Prairie City mayor, Commis-
sioner Jim Hamsher recused
himself.
The county has been provid-
ing law enforcement in Prairie
City since June without a con-
tract. The county will charge
Prairie City $40 per hour for an
officer up to $41,600 per year.
The schedule will remain
flexible so an officer can be
available during peak periods
in Prairie City, including the
city’s Fourth of July event.
The county’s response to mi-
nor crimes and complaints will
depend on available manpower
and other resources, the con-
tract states.
• SAIF Vice President Chris
Vrontakis and Eastern Region
Director Mike Elliott presented
a plaque to Grant County rec-
ognizing 100 years of service.
SAIF is a state-chartered non-
profit that has provided work-
ers compensation insurance in
Oregon since 1914.
• The court approved the
purchase of three iPads with
accessories as the court agreed
it was time to transition to a
paperless office. The move will
provide more transparency to
the public by improving access
to agenda documents while im-
proving efficiency for the court
members, who often work at
home.
• Myers reported on a vis-
it to Burns to meet with Har-
ney County Court and Oregon
State University officials about
providing natural resource ad-
visory services. The Grant
County Court has discussed
creating a natural resource
advisory position at meetings
this year.
While still in a preliminary
stage, one idea called for Grant
and Harney counties to each
provide a half-time natural
resource advisor, while OSU
would provide a full-time ad-
visor to serve both counties,
Myers said. This would allow
each county to choose a local
person familiar with the county,
he said.
• The court also discussed
reinstating the county historian
position. The last time the po-
sition was filled, Diane Brown-
ing worked under the county
road department researching
road histories. Myers noted
there have been three or four
county historians since 1995.
• The court approved a
property line adjustment draw-
ing for the sale of the county
health building on East Main
Street in John Day to Commu-
nity Counseling Solutions. The
change must go before the John
Day Planning Commission.
Myers said the sale price
at this point is $400,000. The
money would go into the coun-
ty’s general fund, with possibly
$70,000 being used to pay for
remodeling the nearby L Build-
ing, which will share a parking
lot with CCS.
• The court agreed to a re-
quest from the Grant County
Library Advisory Board to dis-
continue use of the bookmobile
through May because of declin-
ing use. At that point, the court
will reevaluate the need for the
vehicle.
• Forest Service planners
provided a presentation on the
Ragged Ruby Project Draft En-
vironmental Impact Statement.
The project is located about 9
miles north of Prairie City on
the Malheur and Umatilla na-
tional forests.
Visitors and court members
requested information on spe-
cial measures being taken to
protect pine marten, which are
a project indicator species and
are still legally trapped. Por-
tions of the project area will not
be treated in order to protect
pine martens.
NEPA Planner Sasha Fertig
said the goal is to approve the
Ragged Ruby Project before
the Blue Mountains Forest Plan
is approved. Otherwise the
project will need to be modified
to make it compliant with the
forest plan.
Following Raschio’s re-
quest, the court agreed to
submit a comment in favor of
Alternative 2, which calls for
more commercial thinning than
Alternative 3.
Public comments on the
Ragged Ruby Project must be
postmarked or received by Dec.
17. An open house is scheduled
from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 12
at the Malheur National Forest
Supervisor’s Office.
A man wakes up in
the morning after
sleeping on an
ADVERTISED BED,
in ADVERTISED
PAJAMAS.
Elva Lloyd is 102. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Elva was born on Nov. 25, 1916 in Heath, Idaho to
George and Alice DeBord; she has two brothers.
Elva married Roy Wright and they had two
daughters, Rosalie and Evelyn. She was also a foster
mother to over 10 children, including four of her
grandchildren whom she raised after her daughter
Evelyn passed away. She has four grandchildren, 11
great grandchildren and two great, great
grandchildren. She worked in a motel and in a
bakery. Elva lived in Baker City for over 65 years,
sharing some of those years with her late husband
Jack Lloyd.
Elva enjoys dancing, especially the jitterbug, old time
music, church, fishing, gardening and animals.
Elva came to the Blue Mountain Care Center on
October 6, 2003.
He will bathe in an ADVERTISED TUB, shave with an ADVERTISED RAZOR,
have a breakfast of ADVERTISED JUICE, cereal and toast, toasted in an
ADVERTISED TOASTER, put on ADVERTISED CLOTHES and glance at his
ADVERTISED WATCH. He’ll ride to work in his ADVERTISED CAR, sit at an
ADVERTISED DESK and write with an ADVERTISED PEN. Yet this person
hesitates to advertise, saying that advertising doesn’t pay. Finally, when his
non-advertised business is going under, HE’LL ADVERTISE IT FOR SALE.
Then it’s too late.
AND THEY SAY ADVERTISING DOESN’T WORK?
DON’T MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE
Advertising is an investment, not an expense. Think about it!
Blue Mountain Eagle
MyEagleNews.com
92664
92673
A6
Don’t get left behind, call today! Kim Kell 541-575-0710