There was a pervasive feeling of pride throughout the lobby and halls of Morrison Community Hospital during their Open House on Sunday, January 31, 2010, scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The $2 million renovation is nearly complete, but it was time to share improvements with the public.

Nearly every tour guest smiled and greeted others as they passed in the hall or shared a memory about the hospital.  Jan and Tom Beveroth were born in the second-floor “baby” wing; so were Barbara and Irvin Prins, in 1942 and 1940, respectively. 

This wing became the Family Care Clinic but is now the “brand spanking new” Specialty Clinic.  Two-toned wood floors lead the way to examination rooms with bright windows; warm, neutral paint; equipment so new, it still needs to be anchored to the floor.  Equipment and door signs will be installed soon.  There is a pleasant--but empty--Doctor Sleep Room with the barest essentials for an overnight stay:  new carpet and a flat-screen television.  One large room is also empty, but it will soon handle simple procedures, like mole removals or suturing a wound.

Family members will wait for patients on the second floor, in the former Family Care Clinic lobby.  Now there are comfortable black chairs, soft carpet, artwork, and a flat-screen television to lessen the anxiety.

My guide was Kim Damhoff, R.N., who will be a circulating nurse when the OR’s open.  She will get patients after they have an intravenous  injection, administer relaxing medication, escort patients to the OP and get them positioned, and gather doctor supplies.

The group I joined included three generations of Damhoff family members:  Kim’s husband, Mike; their children, Ryan and Ashley; his brother, Bill; the brothers’ mother, Frances Damhoff.  The Prinses were part of the group.  Frances was a Registered Nurse for 19 years at MCH, where she worked medical-surgical, recovery, and intensive care units and the OR.  She was graduated from college at age 50!

We began in the Pre-Op Room, which has comfortable seating for two people.  Here, a patient will change into a hospital gown, receive an IV, and have vitals taken.

The second OR Room will be used for procedures that do not require anesthesia, so no such cart was present.  Colonoscopy and EGD are examples of upper and lower viewing of the intestinal tract with a television monitor.

There is a system for cleaning and sterilizing the scopes used in all procedures.  It involves a “dirty” room where used items are placed into a high-tech “washing machine.” They are retrieved from doors on the other side of the machine and brought into the “clean” room.  Items are washed with purified water to prevent water spots.  Cleaned items are placed into one of two sterilizing machines, opened with a foot pedal and controlled by a touchpad.  There is a different standard of sterilization (temperature and time) for different tools, so a printed receipt is dispensed to verify that items have been properly germ-proofed.  Finally, items are wrapped and stored in bins.

Other staff offered to tell me about their programs.  I met a tiny, Long-haired Chihuahua named Bonita, “Pretty” in Spanish.  She works in the Four Seasons residential unit.  Director of Nursing in Four Seasons is Sherry Kok; she has worked at MCH three years.  CNA Jessica Olsen has only worked in the unit four weeks, but stated, “I love it!  It’s a lot of fun.”  Kok cares for 31 residents.  “We’re pretty full,” she said.  She is excited about the Sensory Stimulation Room that will begin February 1; it is funded with State money. Residents who are more confused or bedridden will be given experiences that trigger the five senses, such as the aroma of cinnamon to remind them of baked goods.  A story or short discussion will accompany the activities, to draw out memories.

“Family members will be able to conduct these exercises, too.  There will be cool lights, a waterfall, and a Wii game for them.”  Eventually, there will be a popcorn machine and soft-serve ice cream.  The sensory stimulation will be done three times a week for about 15 minutes each session, and all residents and staff will be involved.  Kok is joined in this project by Activity Director Barb Rundall and Devin Straight, Secretary to the Chief Nursing Officer.

Next, Vicki Darland, R.N. and Quality Director, shared her impressions; she has been employed since May 2009.  “I am the director of quality throughout the facility.”  When asked if she deals with complaints, she said yes, but she likes “to focus on the positive.  We use complaints to find opportunities to improve our processes.”  She is “very impressed” with MCH.  “It’s a community-oriented hospital.”