June 2000

Physical Therapy improves health and independence

When patients visit Perham Memorial Hospital’s physical therapy department, they can be assured our staff and they have a common goal - to regain their health and independence.

Drawing on years of training and experience, our physical therapy staff immediately goes to work creating a personalized care plan to meet each patient’s needs and to get them on the move again.

“Patients are generally very surprised at the in-depth and thorough assessment we do of their condition on their initial visit,” says physical therapy director, Dave Dahl. “Our program is very one-on-one oriented so a thorough evaluation is key in designing a program that addresses the patient’s problems, as well as his or her goals and the goals of our staff in helping the patient achieve optimal movement and function and to relieve pain.”

physical therapy chair According to Dahl, the physical therapy department, which includes two physical therapists and a physical therapy assistant, treats the entire spectrum of ages–from pediatric to geriatric. Pediatric patients may involve children who are in need of therapy following an accident that includes a bone break or muscle sprain or strain, to young children with congenital disorders such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Dahl adds that when needed, his department will utilize outside resources in treating children to create a bridge of expertise between his staff and experts in the field of pediatric physical therapy.

Of the 18,000 visits a year to the physical therapy department, the majority of these are patients from age segments beyond pediatrics. These patients are often needing rehabilitation following a sports injury, a neurological disorder such as a stroke or heart attack, or an accident. “Regardless of the type of injury of illness, or the age of the patient, our goal is to help each person regain his or her physical abilities to the maximum level of functionality,” states Dahl. Techniques used by the therapists to achieve these goals include heat/ice modalities, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, strengthening programs, and setting-up home exercise programs for patients to continue to achieve and maintain their highest level of physical wellness

In addition to seeing individuals as outpatients, physical therapy also provides services to hospital patients, residents in the nursing home, and home health care patients, and in many instances, sees the same individual in all settings. By providing physical therapy to all these dimensions, Dahl says the physical therapy department is able to provide a continuity of care to patients that isn’t always available through other facilities.

Dahl emphasizes that Perham Memorial Hospital’s physical therapy department is determined to be a progressive provider of care to its patients–doing so by combining technology and skill with home town care.

PMHH helping the community

Home Care makes donation to TFTF Perham Memorial Home Care nurses and home health aides will be ready for travel next winter with emergency survival kits for their vehicles. The home care agency recently made a donation to Perham High School’s Together for the Future (TFTF) class that created the kits as part of a class project

Employees walk for MS Several PMHH employees participated in the MS Walk 2000 held May 6 in Detroit Lakes. The statewide walk was an effort to raise money to benefit the multiple sclerosis society. The PMHH team had the most members of any team in the entire state and raised over $1,700.

PMHH hosted a health fair in May at the Prairie Wind Middle School for local fifth graders. Participating in the event was infection control director, Nancy Fehrenbach, who conducted an experiment on the correct way to wash hands in helping to control infection. The experiment included using a special lotion which shows germ concentrations in orange under a special lighting device.

Area second graders toured PMHH as part of an annual event for boys and girls in that grade. Shown are students from Dent Elementary asking questions of radiology technologist, Deb Shippee, about the x-ray department.

Volunteers applauded for their contributions

Perham Memorial Hospital and Home joined communities across the country to recognize the contributions of its volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 9-15. Overall, PMHH volunteers contributed 4,287 hours of service in 1999.

Volunteer efforts are a precious commodity which PMHH places a great value on as a resource in helping us achieve our goal of providing quality care to our residents and patients.

“Words cannot do justice to what our volunteers mean to our organization,” said Sue Von Ruden, PMHH volunteer coordinator. “It’s the dedication and commitment these people bring to our team that helps us to be the progressive health care provider we are.”

Five to nine years: (front) Vince Guck, Thelma Damlo, Joanne Wenner, Dorothy Palubicki, and Kathryn Perszyk. (middle) Neva Kitterich, Joyce Kollen, Esther Berry, and Dorothy Hofland. (back) Martha Wilkowski, Bernadette Guck, Mary Ann Minten, Marge Kremer, Dennis Guck, and Joan Guck.

10 to 14 years: (front) Orline Senske, Bertha Hofland, Marion Bucholz, and Florence Seifert. (back) Dolly Bergman, Ann Aderson, Tina Sazama, and Lorly Schik.

15 to 19 years: (front) Tillie Rust and Linette Grismer. (back) Dorothy Belka and Dorothy Defries.

20 to 24 years: (front) John Knight and Lorraine Eifert. (back) Thelma Hassler and Aurlette Schepper.

25 years:
Sister Clarentia Kroll

30 years:
Mary Hemmelgarn

Construction continues at Perham Memorial

Progress is quickly being made on the $1.45 million construction project at Perham Memorial Hospital. The addition to the radiology department, the new drive-through entrance, lobby area, and business office space, are well under construction and should be complete within the next few months. New construction and interior remodeling also continues at the adjoining MeritCare Clinic.

The front entrance to the hospital and clinic will continue to be inaccessible until later this summer. Temporary entrances for both are on the east side of the building.

The new drive-through canopy to Perham Memorial Hospital is near completion, as construction continues on the interior of the facility.

Advice for basic water safety

The American Red Cross says that most drowning accidents could be prevented by adhering to the following rules: