The Wingham Advance Times, 1995-05-03, Page 2111E N1 NGNAM AOMAIWk'°lIN,ES
Ilospital
capacity
tapped
in March
Just one day after the March
meeting of the Wingham and Dis-
trict Hospital Board, the patient
population began to increase to the
point where the hospital became
full.
The March meeting of the board
featured discussion on the alarm-
ing trend of decreasing occupancy.
It was a trend that had continued
for four consecutive months.
Even though a number of theo-
ries were given, hospital chief ex-
ecutive officer Lloyd Koch told
the the April meeting of the hospi-
tal board, last Thursday evening,
that the next day the hospital cen-
sus hegan
en-susbeganto climb to the point
were the facility was full and nurs-
ing director Bill Woodley had to
ask doctors on a daily basis to re-
view their patients to see if some -
could be discharged to make room
for the new admissions that were
waiting to come in.
"Patient days, as of today, are
up 9 1/2 per cent over the same
date in April of last year," Koch
told the board last Thursday.
The 'chief executive officer said
that when looking at the statistical
report for the year ending March
31, 1995, the patient activity is
very similar to last year.
"Admissions went down less
than two per cent, from 2,098 to
2,058 and total patient days went
from 18,507 down to 17,981, a
change of 2.8 per cent." said Koch.
However, he noted that activity
went up by five per cent in the
out-patient department, from
15,327 to 16,114 visits this year.
There has also been a noticeable
shift from active patient days to
chronic patient days.
"This is because. we have begun
admitting patients into the chronic
unit rather than waiting for 30
days to elapse on the active unit
before transferring them," said,
Koch. "We feel, this is a more ap-
propriate way to record the activi-
ty that we are doing with these pa-
tients."
The CEO stated that the average
length of stay appears to have
reached a stable level since very
little reduction has occurred from
last year to this. year.
"However, we will continue to
look at specific cases to see wheth-
er they can be changed from two-
day stays to one -day stays and
possibly move to same-day sur-
gery as we compare with other
hospitals how they handle similar
cases," said Koch.
He said that it is interesting to
note that blood transfusions given
at this hospital have dropped by 40
per cent over the year previous.
This is likely due to the publicity
surrounding infections acquired
through blood transfusions in
years past and may also be due to
a few patients that used to receive
transfusions regularly, now not re-
quiring them because of the pro-
gression of their illness
Legion donation...Area branches of the Royal Canadian Legion donated $11,750
to the Wingham and District Hospital for operatin room equipment. The hospital has purchased
a cystoscope, a pain medication control pump, and a Stryker bone shaver for the orthopaedic
surgery program. Hospital chief executive officer Lloyd Koch and hospital board vice -
chairperson Noreen Gnay were on hand to receive the funds from Eric Ross of branch 218
Brussels, Gord Haggitt of branch 420 Blyth, Ed Pyette of branch 309 Lucknow, Gerry Brewer of
branch 307 Howick, Zone C-1 commander and district C hospital chairman John A. MacDonald,
and Andy Rodger of Branch 180 Wingham.
Hospital gets plugged in
Wingham and District Hospital
chief executive officer Lloyd
Koch told the April meeting of the
hospital board last Thursday That
over 100 people were taking com-
puter courses sponsored by the
hospital.
He added in his report to the
board that they are offered at F. E.
Madill Secondary School and run
from April 10 to June 29.
"Interest is extremely high and
you can hear young and old staff
members aliike discussing they
have learned over the coffee table
at work," said Koch. "Our staff
want to be ready when computers
arrive in their departments here in
the hospital."
He told the board that the hospi-
tal had met with three companies
to hear their presentation on their
hospital -wide computer systems,
with two companies providing a
demonstration. The chief execu=
tive officer added that more dem-
onstrations and site visits are
planned over the next two weeks.
"We hope to have a recommen-
dation for the board to approve at
next month's meeting," said Koch.
He told the board that the last
week of March was busy. On
March 29, the hospital hosted
Frazer Bell, the new CEO of the
Huron -Perth District Health Coun-
cil.
Koch said that Bell met with the
facility's department heads and
took a tour of the Hospital.
"His understanding of how we
provide health care at Wingham
and District Hospital is important
if good plans are to be created by
the DHC for the delivery of health
care in our counties," he said.
The hospital CEO added that he
•
also addressed the Town of Wing -
List of Advertisers to be found in this week's
ebe 1t i; ingbantc
2 .[sand= (i mt
Adrienne's Hair Design
Adreach
Ainslies
All Wall Construction
Aquafine
A. R. MacDonald Construction
Askes Bros. Construction
Bakelaar Jewellers
Bluevale Kountry Kitchen
Blyth Festival Singers
B & M Roofing
Brian Rintoul Auctions
. Canadian Tire
Cardiff & Mulvey Real Estate
Christines Clothes Closet
Crystal's Aesthetics
Coldwell Banker
Cowan Printing
Culligan Real Estate
Dan's Repair Service
Dave's Aluminum
The Decor Shoppe
DeJong Plumbing
Doanne Raymond
Gibson's Men's & Boy's Wear
Great China House
Greg Ward EM Windows
Hanna's Mens and Boys Wear
Hart Ford Mercury
Homestead Group Home
Homuth Optometrists
Howson &Howson Ltd.
Howick Homes
Huron & Bruce Machining
Huron County Health Unit
Huron County Board of Educ
Huron County Housing Authority
Huron County Learning Disabilities
JBR Transit
Jake's Auction Service
Joe Reinhardt Construction
Joe's Automotive
John Cullen Chev Olds
John Nowell Carpentry
Kells Insurance •
Keith Fitzsimmons Reel Estate
Larry's Vao Shop
Len Metcalfe Auction Ltd.
Linc Russworm Auctions
Lucknow Farm Supply
MacGowan Nursing Homes
(Braemar)
Mclntee Real Estate
McPhee IDA Pharmacy
Middieton's Home Furnishings
Mom's Place
Montgomery Mechanical
Moran Mechanical
Mrs, B's Baskets
Norm Wadam Haulage
Paul Klopp, MPP
Ptetch Electric
Psychic Answers
Reid & Associates
Rosalinds Fashion Avenue
Ross Mitchell Cabinets
Salvation Army
Snyder Photographic Studio
Spar-Klean Janitorial
Stainton Hardware
Sytlette Beauty Salon
Te -em Farms
The Toy Shoppe
The Workshop
The 2 Step
Token Treasures
Township of Howick
Town of Wingham
Tracey Sifts
30 Minute Photo and Trophies
Vance's Guardian Pharmacy
Wallace Ballagh Auctions
Ward & Uptigrove
Wayne Mann Real Estate
Wendt's Jewellery & Gifts
West Wawanosh Insurance
Wingham Chiropractic Clinic
Wingham Drive -In Cleaners
Wingham Horticultural Soolety
WDCLA
Wingham Golf & Curling Club
Wingham Minor Hockey Ass.
Wingham Tennis Club
2ehr's
ismommemamen
ham's' annual forum on March 29.
He reported that he outlined devel-
opments in health care, both in
Canada and the United States, as
well what the local hospital is do-
ing to stay abreast of these, devel-
opments.
Koch said the hospital was visit-
ed by the perinatal outreach team
from St. Joseph's Hospital in Lon-
don on March 30.
"During this full-day scheduled
visit they reviewed the quality of
our obstetrical program," he said.
"They will be providing us with a
written report in about six weeks."
In his monthly report to the
board, Koch said that about 275
school students had already signed
up for the annual tour of the hospi-
tal, this set for Friday, May 12.
"We will be setting up 12 sta-
tions to demonstrate what each of
our departments do,". he said. "We
will also include a -career informa-
tion display in the classroom."
The CEO said that if any teach-
ers want to sign up for the remain-
ing available spaces, they should
contact Bill Woodley for more in-
formation.
Official plan still
under development
PAT HALPIN
Special to the Advance -Times
WALKERTON - A new official
plan for Bruce'County will take an
extra year to develop and get pro-
vincial approval, thanks to addi-
tional requirements under the re-
cently -proclaimed Bill 163.
The province has listed Bruce
as one of about a dozen
"prescribed" counties, and ordered
it to have a new official plan in
place by Dec. 31, 1997.
"This will require additional
work to be undertaken to address,
the requirements of the new Act,"
said Agriculture, Tourism, and
Planning chairman Rick Gilbert at
the April 18 session of Bruce
County council.
"The provincial government is
requiring greater detail, and more
environmentally oriented policies
in new Official Plans."
Planning director Malcolm
McIntosh said the county's previ-
ous target was to have the official
plan ready by the spring of 1996.
He predicted it will take the prov-
ince up to a year to review and ap-
prove the plan once it is submit-
ted, but said Bruce should have
"no problem" in meeting the dead-
line.
Bruce County's planning com-
mittee met with provincial offi-
cials last month to discuss some of
its concerns about planning as-
pects of the omnibus Bill 163.
From the meeting, Bruce won the
right to phase in new planning pol-
icies under its Official Plan.
"We would look at implement-
ing those over time, based on the
resources we have available and
certainly the level of support infor-
mation that the province is able to
give us through their various min-
istries," said McIntosh.
McIntosh said the goal is to end
up with policies that reflect Bruce
County concerns, rather than have
policies designed to solve prob-
lems facing urban areas with
large-scale development.
With the planning components
in Bill 163 now in force, McIntosh
said there is no point in delaying
"a game plan" for dealing with the
changes.
He warned, though, that the
new legislation also makes the
planning process "'more onerous"
for individuals. •
"If you're coming in to make an
application, there are county is-
sues you're going to have to deal
with, there's local issues, and
there's provincial interests. You
might as well know what those are
up front, and you might as well try
to get all that • information up
front," said McIntosh.
East Wawanosh Township
By-laws passed
East Wawanosh Township council passed its drainage superintendent
by-law and its chief building officer by-law at its regular meeting last
Tuesday evening.
The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) offers the ser-
vices of Jeff King as the township's drainage superintendent for 1995.
The remuneration was agreed upon by the MVCA, Jeff King and the
township council.
Because of the three-way agreement, there was a question as to why'
the by-law was required. It was pointed out that in order to get drainage
grants, a drainage superintendent by-law was needed.
Arnold Bruce was named as the chief building officer for the town-
ship for 1995. Previously, he had always been appointed by resolution.
Parking lot paved
East Wawanosh has agreed to provide $3,000 for the paving of the
parking lot at the Belgrave Community Centre. The total project will
cost about $9,100.
The Belgrave Kinsmen Club has agreed to pay for a portion of the
project, as has the senior citizens group of the village. The paving will
be completed when Lavis Construction of Clinton is paving County
Road 20, later this year.
The parking lot will be prepared for paving by crews from both East
Wawanosh and Morris Townships.
The Belgrave Kinsmen Club will also ask Morris Township to help
with the project.
Hospital
public
forum
The Wingham and District Hos-
pital has organized a public forum
for Wednesday, June 7.
Hospital director of nursing Bill
Woodley said that the public for-
um will be held at the Knights of
Columbus Hall on Carling Terrace
in Wingham, beginning at 7 p.m.
The forum will be on "The
Right to Decide" issue.
Ministry of Health representa-
tives 'will discuss and answer ques-
tions on the Consent to Treatment
Act, the Substitute Decisions Act,
and the Advocacy Act.
Woodley said these three pieces
of legislation are important to eve-
ryone and he encouraged the
members of the board to attend.
The director of nursing tgld the
board that 10 of the hospital's reg-
istered nurses had completed the
two-year critical care program of-
fered locally through Conestoga
College.
An appreciation ceremony for
the 10 RNs will be held Sunday
afternoon at the RPN school. The
10 nurses who completed the
course were Barb Pletch, Mary
Sanders, Marilyn Vanderwoude,
Laurie Bell, Patti Rozendal, Judy
Schumacher, Margaret Ann Orr,
Linda Wall, Joan Adams, and
Debbie Ritchie.
IYENESIAKANYA.1 95
The
Blyth Festival
Singers
prescnr
A Nostalgic Musical L
'Tribute to the
1940's
0's
Saturday May 13
Goderich Twp. Hall
Holmesville
VICTORY TEA
2:00 pm -$5
• Entertainment
" Sing -a -long
* Music
CABARET
- 7:30 pm -$15
* '1939 Casino Band°
*Buffet Dinner
° Dancing
Tickets Available At:
Campbell's Photo (Goderich)
519-524-7532
Bluewater Office Eqpt. (Wingham)
519-357-1554
Something Special (Exeter)
519-235-1252
Crossroads Gifts (Clinton)
519-482-5855
Blyth Festival 519-523-4345
Limited Number of Tickets
For Each Show - Call Nowl
Support Your Community
SHOP LOCALLY
IQs
�.wyfrr
moi;;:`�,}�
ram -ram Xletitentent Centre
Residential Building
• All on one floor • Community oriented care centre
Health support services • Beauty and Barber Shop
. • Accommodation available
• Caring, courteous & understanding staff
WINGHAM - 357-3430
0
Well Look-ee Here !
a
.0
Only 500 ya say?
Yup!!
Absolutely Everything
in the store
(That is, accept our clerks)
Friday, May 5th
From 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
at
288 Josephine St.
Wingham
(519) 357-3757
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Sponsored by:
•
INSURANCE BROKERS
.(Wingham) Ltd.
Gorrie, 335-3525 • Wingham, 357-2636
"INSURING TOMORROW TODAY"
W. H. (Bill)
KEIL
WED. MAY 3
-Fourth Annual Performance Showcase, 7 p.m. at F.E. Madill
THURS MAY 4 0
° Back education course at Wingham & District Hospital gym, 7-9 p.m.'Participants require
a family doctors referral to attend the course; also to run May 10 and 17
•Hot luncheon and bake table at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wingham,
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
'Fourth Annual Performance Showcase, 7 p.m. F.E. Madill,
FRIDAY MAY f%
• Fourth Annual Performance Showcase at F.E. Madill
SAT MAY B
-Formosa Home and Hobby Show end Sale at Formosa Community Centre, 9:15 a.m. to
4:15 p.m.
•Teen dance at Wingham Legion, 8 p.m. -12 a.m. Sponsored by Wingham Kinsmen,
$5 admission.
°Clean Sweep Event, sponsored by your local Wingham merchants
SUN MAY 7
-Singles dance a Wingham Legion, 7-11 p.m.
*Final Service to Trinity Anglican Church, Belgrave will begin at 4 p.m. Everyone welcome
MON Y
•Bluevale seniors open , BluevalMAe Hg all, 8 p.m. Everyone welcome
euchre
MS
MAY 9
•East Wawanosh Township Council meeting, 7:30 p.m. Township office, Belgrave
We Represent • Farm Residential • Auto
• Competitive Rates
• Inspection Service
howick