Volume 11, Issue 5 February 28, 2003
In This Corner by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.
Why do you do what you do at our hospital? While there might be as many answers to that question as there are employees reading this note - there is only one very good answer.
Some individuals enter into a career in healthcare following the example of a parent or other role model. Some are born with an unexplainable need to be of care to others. It is also true that some people find careers in healthcare after an analysis of potential career paths indicates a need for trained healthcare workers and ample career opportunities.
So regardless of the path that brings each one of us to Sunnyside Community Hospital I hope there really is only one answer to the question I posed at the top of the page. We do what we do because people need care.
People need care even when they have no insurance to pay for the bill. That is why we have individuals working very hard to find all alternative sources of revenue and working with the entities who pay some of the bills - Medicare, Healthy Options, insurance carriers and such - to maximize every payment we can.
People need care even when you and I are not here. That is why we are open every hour or every day of every week of every year. That is the kind of overhead most places don't have to worry about. Those of you who carry a pager and can be called back at a moment's notice have an even greater understanding of what it means to always be available to care for people in need.
People need care in an environment that is safe, confidential and meeting all of their needs. That is why we have environmental services and maintenance care to keep things working properly. That is also why we have social services and chaplain services to care for the entire needs of a family working through an illness, injury or death.
While I haven't mentioned doctors, nurses and technicians I haven't forgotten them either. People need well trained, hard working, dedicated healthcare professionals to care for them in times of need. We have assembled a very good team of medical professionals at our hospital. I mention that group last in this space because I wanted each person reading this article to realize there are so many different reasons and people involved in hospital care.
Whatever your job here it is important to someone. I trust it is important to you, and I believe you can see that it is important to many others too.
Senior Health Day March 12th
submitted by Penny Duren
The hospital is holding a special Senior Health Day March 12th at the Sunnyside Senior Center. The day will be free to all who attend and feature a special lunch program by Dr. Art Clevenger and Dr. John Allen. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks will also be done free of charge. The event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Senior Center is located at 1400 Federal Way. Contact Penny Duren for more information.
News from Imaging Department
submitted by Mark Wilfong
We are happy to announce the appointment of Coleen Goulet, RT(R)(M) to Lead Radiologic Technologist in
Diagnostic Imaging/Mammography. She has been performimg in mammography in this capacity
for seven years. She is assisting me in the Department with daily operations, QC and
QI. Please join with me and the Diagnostic Imaging staff in congradulating Coleen on her new
position.
Stork Report! Malissa G. gave birth to Hailey at SCH last week. Birth: Cherillynn
is ready to give birth any time now!
A Caldron of Human Emotions
submitted by Ismael Barraza
The Emergency Room is my title says, "a caldron of human emotions". It is a place where vivid tales of life and death unfold. At the same time it is a place you will be touched by those who take care of the sick and injured who come in through the doors of this very special room.
The war zone of Sunnyside Community Hospital where true anecdotes and vivid tales happen that describe the power of life and death. When the E.R. doors open fast and unexpectedly with a roaring hiss sound which announces the arrival of the outside world's business gone bad. The opens and the air feels uneasy - the power of the adrenaline rushing through the staff members can also be felt. The start of a new battle is sensed.
The paramedics bring in an asthmatic patient who goes into total respiratory failure and the trauma team rushes to the patient. The doctor gives the orders and takes the leadership, the respiratory therapist gives the breath of life with a round oval mask, for example, he delivers the precious oxygen to the ailing mouth and lungs. The nurses start an I.V. They insert a sharp needle into his skin looking for loose veins. They find the veins and the needle is in the right place. As a result, a channel to his body has been opened and fluids and medicine are delivered throughout the body.
At the same time the team is aware that vital signs are down: blood pressure and heart rate are both at dangerous levels. The patient is going into respiratory and cardiac failure. At this point the doctor prepares to intubate... passing a tube into his windpipe and finally reaching an airway into the lungs. It is a delicate job, and if he fails the patient will likely die.
The few minutes during which the team struggled to properly insert the tube passed very slowly. But suddenly the tube was in and with that one touch of the hand everything had changed - one helpless victim rapidly awoke. Everyone was pleased to be part of an effort that "cheated death" one more time. Later the lucky patient was put on a respiratory (ventilator breathing machine) to breath for him.
The disorder of the arrivals creates tensions inside the Emergency Room. The hard workers of this room are buffeted and squeezed by suddenly changing needs of patients. Maintaining a high level of alert and readiness is also tiring.
Everyone connected with the Emergency Department understands and feels the real anguish and fear of what goes on every shift. It wears on the soul and spirit. As the protective layer of self is weakened and the pain seeps through it can begin to stain the soul. The patient's needs call out to the sensitive heart of a healthcare worker. Survival in this fearful room requires a deep kindness, nestled in a very dark sense of humor. A strong faith tempered with a bit of cynicism.
There are secrets behind the drawn curtains of this very room. The echoes from this room are heard throughout the Yakima Valley. Many of these echoes are irreverent, horrifying and heart breaking. The tales of this very room are funny and might make you laugh out loud, perhaps even cry in the same breath. You surely will be deeply touched by the voices of those faithful workers who spend their hours taking care of the sick and injured souls, who come through the doors of this very Emergency Room.
Can We Play
Through? 
announcing the 11th annual SCH Foundation Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, August 16, 2003, 8:00 a.m. start time again!
If you would like to help out, be a sponsor, or be first in line to sign up to play send an email to the foundation office.