Author: dech_admin

March 2021 Machias – Down East Community Hospital (DECH) has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award^®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare.  The award signifies that DECH is in the top 5% of 4,542 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services.

DECH CEO, Steve Lail, on receiving the award, “We are proud to receive this award and proud of all the staff who provided the special care that earned this recognition for our Emergency Department and our hospital.  We do not take this recognition for granted; we will continue to strive to provide top quality care because that is what we should do, that is what our patients deserve.”

The methodology for America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care award is unique in that it combines Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences. The award recognizes excellence in emergency care based on several process of care measures focused on time patients spent in the emergency department, including:

• Total Time Spent in the Emergency Department
• Time from Admission to a Room
• Percent of Emergency Patients Who Left Without Being Seen

Criteria for selecting Down East Community Hospital as one of America’s Best also included the percentage of patients who came to the emergency department with stroke symptoms who received brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival.  Also included this year were hospitals that performed well in responding to patients showing symptoms of severe sepsis, a very dangerous condition.  The awarded hospitals represent those with emergency departments with average measure times in the highest 25^th to 50^th percentile in the country.  Hospitals received additional credit if they have an accredited trauma center.

The award is especially significant given that long waits and high crowding can negatively impact patient outcomes, including patients leaving without receiving medical treatment, longer overall length of hospital stay and an increase in mortality rates.  “We have found that recommendations are an important consideration used by women in selecting a hospital for themselves and their family. By helping women know which hospitals in their area provide the best critical care, we are able to help them make better decisions, especially when it comes to emergency situations,” says Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award. “Women make over 80% of healthcare decisions and have demanding lifestyles and we help simplify her life by making it easy for her to find the best care in those stressful emergency situations.”

DECH is one of 477 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for emergency care in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.  For more information about the America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care, please visit https://womenschoiceaward.com/best-emergency-care

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD®

The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and coveted credential that identifies the nation’s best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations. The Best Hospitals demonstrate exceptional ratings, providing the highest level of care and commitment to their patients’ health and well-being.  The Women’s Choice Award is the only designation that takes into consideration the preferences of women when selecting a hospital. Visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/ to learn more.

The information contained in this release is not permitted to be used in a non-press related context without the express prior written consent of the Women’s Choice Award.

January 2021 Machias – DECH welcomes its first baby of 2021!  Amber Norton gave birth to Neil Raymond Horn on January 1, 2021 at 7:20pm.  Neil, who weighed in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces, is the wonderful addition to the family of Amber Norton and Calvin Horn and his two “big” sisters Audree and Brielle.

Amber Norton and Calvin Horn of Columbia, pictured with their son Neil Raymond Horn, were presented with a New Year’s Baby basket filled with gifts from DECH and area businesses. Amber and Calvin were happy to be presented with the basket that overflowed with gifts from Down East Community Hospital and area businesses.

Mom and baby were cared for throughout the pregnancy by Christian Inegbenijie, MD and Nurse Midwife, Bjarni Thomas. Congratulations from the OB staff and everyone at DECH on the birth of your son!

Thank you to all who helped us welcome Neil Raymond Horn to our Community: Archibald’s, Bangor Savings Bank, Berry Vines, Bluebird Restaurant, Hammond Lumber, Hannaford’s, Kay Richmond, Machias River General Store, Machias Savings Bank, Tom’s Mini Mart, True Value, Viking Lumber, Dead River Company, Pat’s Pizza.

December 2020 Machias – On Monday, December 21, Down East Community received its first shipment of 200 Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for staff and held its first clinic on Wednesday, December 23 where 73 staff were vaccinated.  This group will be ready for its second dose of the vaccine on January 20, 2021.

The DECH Pharmacist and staff, the Quality Department, and Infection Preventionist did a fantastic job obtaining the vaccines, coordinating the clinics, and vaccinating staff.  Everything went smoothly, and we are ready for the staff clinics scheduled for the week of the 28^th and the week of January 4.

Vice President of Quality, Monique Mills, BSN, RN, CIC, on the first clinic, “This was a special day for DECH and our community.  It feels like the start of hope and light in this dark pandemic. It was so amazing to see the excitement in the healthcare worker’s eyes as they received their first dose. I’m so thankful to everyone for all their hard work on clinic and to all the staff for all they have done since the pandemic began.”

CEO, Steve Lail, “As with the rest of the country, we do not yet know when the vaccine will be available to the general public, but we are optimistic that things will move as quickly as possible and are looking forward to that day.  Beginning the vaccination process before 2021 is a phenomenal feat and we are so thankful.  However, the infection rates in Maine and across the nation continue to rise.  We implore everyone to continue to wear their mask, sanitize their hands, and keep their distance.  We are almost there, let’s make it to the finish line.”

November 2020 Machias – DECH bids a fond farewell to Urologist, Dr. Dhanvant Rathod, for 16 years of dedicated service.  And, gives a warm welcome to Dr. Mark Hirschhorn who will begin practicing at DECH in January.

Dr. Dhanvant Rathod has traveled the roads between Machias and New York for 16 years for the Urology practice at Down East Community Hospital (DECH).  We appreciate his resolute determination to maintain urologic services in Washington County and his commitment to the community and DECH.  There would have been many who would have had to travel long distances for urologic services if Dr. Rathod’s expertise was not available in Washington County.  “He has been a kind and gentle presence in the DECH family; He will be greatly missed.  We wish him many years of happiness and good health.” Steve Lail, CEO.

While Dr. Rathod will be missed, we are pleased to announce that urologic services will remain in Washington County.  We would like you to join us in giving a warm welcome to Dr. Mark Hirschhorn who will begin practicing at DECH on January 5, 2021.  Dr. Hirschhorn comes to us from SMHC Urology and York County Urology, LLC, in Biddeford, where he has practiced for the last 22 years.  Dr. Hirschhorn received his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, MA.

Dr. Hirschhorn provides urologic care to men and women.  Some of his specialties include: Voiding Dysfunction, Hypogonadism – Low Testosterone; Erectile Dysfunction; Stone Disease; Cancers of the kidney, prostate and bladder.   Some of the many services he provides include: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Enlarged Prostate (Urolift, REZUM), Greenlight Laser Vaporization of Prostate; Laparoscopic Kidney Surgery; Bioidentical Hormone Replacement; Penile Injection Therapy and Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation for Erectile Dysfunction; Minimally Invasive LASER stone surgery; BOTOX Treatment for overactive Bladder; No Scalpel Vasectomy.

Dr. Hirschhorn’s practice will be located at 229 Main Street in Machias.  An appointment can be made with him through a referral or by calling his office directly at (207) 255-5600.

September 2020 Machias – It doesn’t seem possible that it has been 8 years since Dr. Holzen hung up his shingle here in Machias to provide ENT services to the people of Washington County.  He came to us as a traveler and, as those who love this area and the people in it do, ended up signing on as an employed provider of Down East Community Hospital.  “He fit in nicely and comfortably with staff and the community.  Not only did he provide great care for his patients, he also provided entertainment to the community playing rhythm guitar in the very talented Timber Creek Band.  We wish him a long, healthy retirement in his beautiful home state of Tennessee.” Steve Lail, CEO, Down East Community Hospital.

While Dr. Holzen will be missed, the community will not go without the services he offered.  Dr. Stephen Salzer has been a member of the hospital medical staff since February of 2018 and is a well-respected member of the team.  He offers a full complement of Ear Nose & Throat services and impressive credentials.

Dr. Salzer is board certified in Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and Head and Neck Surgery. He was also an Instructor at Yale where he taught and supervised residents in the Pediatric Head and Neck Surgery Clinic.  He has published numerous articles and book chapters on topics including nasal and sinus surgery, head and neck oncology, phonosurgery (surgery for voice disorders), and hearing physiology. He is the recipient of numerous awards for academic achievement, research and surgical technique. Here are some of the services he provides at Down East Community Hospital.

• Endoscopic surgery
• Facial fractures, trauma and congenital facial deformities
• Pituitary surgery
• Sinusitis
• Snoring, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Tonsillitis
• Vertigo and balance disorders
• Voice disorders
• Balloon Sinus Dilatation
• Thyroid and Para-Thyroid
• Balance Disorders
• Mouth, Neck, and Throat Cancer Treatment
• Ear Infections and Perforations

July 2020 Machias – Down East Community Hospital held its annual meeting of the Corporators on Tuesday, June 30.  During that meeting, they provided an overall update of 2019 and reviewed the 2019 Annual Report.  Usually, new board members are elected to fill open board positions but there were no open positions this year.  Kathryn Land was elected as Board Chair.  Kathy succeeds outgoing Chair, Wayne Peters, who completed his term.  Wayne has spent over 8 years on the board; the last 2 as Chair.  CEO, Steve Lail, “Wayne, who has already dedicated countless hours to this hospital, will remain on the board.  We are thankful for the work he did as Chair and appreciate his guidance and dedication.  Kathy Land has been on the Board for 9 years and has also committed countless hours to the hospital.  We are pleased that she has stepped into the Chair position and look forward to her thoughtful leadership.”  Current members of the board are Kathy Land, Chair, Lisa Carlisle, Vice Chair, Nate Martell, Secretary, and Mike Hennessey, Treasurer, Wayne Peters, Eric Burke, John Corrigan, Karen Eldridge, Corey Schwinn, Betty Marshall, Christian Inegbenijie, MD, Jacqueline O’Clair, Rose St. Louis, and Rita Ten, MD.

In addition to being on the board for the last 9 years, Kathy has been a member of the DECH Auxiliary for over 12 years.  She has a Managed Care Certification, a BS in Organizational Management and has over 25 years of experience in healthcare organizations.  Her background includes extensive experience in patient accounts management and managed care strategy development and implementation.  She is a skilled managed care contract negotiator and has worked with various healthcare settings, including acute care, ambulatory surgery, outpatient, behavioral health, dental, and skilled nursing facilities.  Kathy has also worked in collaboration with physicians and a PHO to effect contract terms and rates of reimbursement that addressed the financial and network needs of the parties involved.  Her strengths include the development of strong, open relationships with physicians, third party payers and managed care organizations.

Since being a member of the DECH Board, Kathy has been active on the Finance, Governance, and Executive committees.

CEO, Steve Lail, “Kathy has a solid background in healthcare and strong ties to this hospital.  She holds our staff in high regard and is committed to our mission to improve the health care of the people of Sunrise County.  Kathy will, undoubtedly, provide steadfast governance as our Board Chair.”

May 2020 Machias – Dr. Gayle Kraus, Professor of Marine Ecology at UMM, recently donated $6,200 to Down East Community Hospital to purchase two high flow oxygen nasal cannula units in memory of her Mother, Muriel L. Kraus.

President and CEO of Down East Community Hospital, Steve Lail, “These systems will be extremely beneficial for patients requiring respiratory assistance.   Dr. Kraus’ generosity to this hospital and the community is remarkable and we are forever grateful.  Our staff and the residents of Washington County will benefit from these high flow oxygen systems for years to come.”

High flow oxygen (HFO) therapy is a form of respiratory support used in a hospital setting where oxygen is delivered to a patient at rates of flow higher than that delivered traditionally in oxygen therapy.   High-flow oxygen therapy allows the clinician to provide accurate oxygen delivery in a wide array of patient populations and treatment arenas. It is intervention therapy for treating patients with mild to moderate hypoxemia (an abnormally low concentration of oxygen in the blood). The utilization of HFO therapy in appropriate patients can improve oxygenation and can decrease the patient’s labor to breath without the need for noninvasive or invasive ventilation. In addition, it may reduce the duration of ICU stay in some patients.

The warm, humidified constant flow improves gas exchange and is commonly used on patients with acute respiratory failure. It has been used to successfully treat patients with COVID-19, COPD, and bronchiectasis.  Using humidified (warmed) gas keeps mucus more fluid and aids airway recovery and results in less labored breathing and shortness of breath.

“These high flow oxygen systems will be extremely helpful for patients requiring respiratory assistance.  These units will help so many people during these high-risk seasons and beyond. They are something that will be used by our Respiratory Therapy Technicians, the Emergency Department and our anesthesiologist for a long time to come.” Emergency Department Director, Carrie Cassidy, BSN, RN, CEN.