Three Rivers Hospital OB Program Closing April 1, 2020
BREWSTER, Wash. — Nov. 15, 2019 — In response to learning that Family Health Centers will move its obstetrics services to Mid-Valley Hospital effective April 1, 2020, Three Rivers Hospital will end its own obstetrics program.
“This is the end of an era for Three Rivers Hospital,” said Chief Executive Officer Scott Graham. “We have long prided ourselves on our top-notch OB program. We’re sad to see it come to an end, but we support Family Health Centers’ choice to centralize OB services in order to keep this invaluable service available in Okanogan County.”
Family Health Centers’ medical director, Dr. James Wallace, explained during the hospital Board of Commissioners meeting on Oct. 2 that the decision was made because Family Health Centers has struggled to recruit more physicians to Okanogan County.
Three Rivers Hospital administration spent the following month gathering data, running financial analyses, and having discussions with Family Health Centers leadership and providers regarding the future of obstetrics at Three Rivers.
Based on the analysis completed, it was determined that the financial resources it would take to recruit the necessary physicians would be too significant. With this information, the Board of Commissioners determined it wouldn’t be feasible to continue OB services without the Family Health Centers physicians.
Three Rivers Hospital records an average of 90 births per year.
Interview with Pauline Glessner former Employee and Patient
We had the great opportunity to sit down with former employee and patient of Three Rivers Hospital, Pauline Glessner. Pauline is the mother of our Employee Health Nurse, Carla Boyd. It was a pleasure to spend time with Pauline and hear her story. We hope you will enjoy spending a couple minutes with this lovely lady.
KOZI Radio interview with COO Melanie Neddo
This week our COO Melanie Neddo was feature for an interview on KOZI Radio. Melanie spoke with 2nd Cup of Coffee host Jay Witherbee about the roll of rural hospitals in our community. Melanie and Jay also discussed our Family Medicine clinic and the services we provide to the community through the clinic.
We invite you to listen and learn more about Melanie as well as some of the service we provide for you and the community.
New Beds Await Patients at TRH
Three Rivers Hospital Plant Manager Rob Wylie, far right, gets ready to help unload new Stryker S3 patient beds on December 29.
Three Rivers Hospital is already following through on its promise to invest in the facility when voters approved a levy lid lift in August. The hospital celebrated the start of the new year with the arrival of 18 brand new patient beds, and more furniture will arrive within the next month.
According to Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Munson, the ability to replace all of the hospital’s outdated patient furniture has been a long time coming.
“This will be the first time in over 20 years that we have replaced furniture,” she said. “This is a very exciting purchase for us. To be able to replace beds that are over 40 years old with new, more comfortable beds that have the technological capabilities to help us deliver safe patient care is a huge step in a positive direction.
“This purchase was centered around the patient and really supports our mission of leading the innovation of safe and respectful patient care.”
The Board of Commissioners authorized Munson to sign a lease agreement with Stryker in November for of about $319,000. As part of the agreement Stryker waived the taxes and freight fees, a savings of nearly $20,000. In addition, Stryker provided free upgrades to iBed technology and deluxe mattresses that come with a 10-year warranty.
The new Stryker beds offer more safety features and a modern look compared to the hospital’s older beds, seen in the background.
Stryker delivered the S3 medical/surgical beds on December 29; they immediately were placed in the acute care wing. Within the next few weeks the hospital is expecting the rest of the furniture: two maternity beds, 21 patient chairs, 21 over-bed tables, 21 bedside stands, one recliner bed, one treatment recliner, one loveseat sleeper, four newborn bassinettes, and three TruRize power chairs.
The new beds and TruRize chairs will lend to greater safety for patients as well as nurses. The chairs offer improved mobility for patients without placing physical strain on nurses, and the iBed technology includes anti-fall warning lights and sounds to help protect high risk patients.
Surgery Tech Jose Bucio helps set up one of the new Stryker patient beds on December 29.
As the new furniture is moved in, employees are working on giving patient rooms a makeover with fresh paint and new fire-retardant curtains.
Meanwhile, hospital administration continues to work toward the other goals outlined to voters: relocating the emergency department to a more appropriate space in the hospital that is currently used for clinical services; upgrading the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system to be compliant with state Department of Health regulations; replacing sections of the roof directly over patient care areas; and investing in staff training. One area is being converted into an education room so staff and providers can keep up on their credentials and current care techniques without needing to travel.
These projects are slated to begin this year with the help of engineering firm McKinstry.
Three Rivers is also working with Stryker on a package to upgrade surgical suite equipment, Munson said.
TRH Yard Sale on Oct. 6, 2016
Three Rivers Hospital is holding a yard sale on Thursday, October 6, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the McKinley Building at 507 Hospital Way in Brewster, WA 98812.
These items were approved as surplus by the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 27, 2016.
Metal packing tape dispensers – 2
Light gray adjustable lamp with cord
Countertop cabinet w/ drawer and white cupboard with tan marbled top
Blaster Advantage label printer
Swingline heavy duty stapler
Stanley Bostitch heavy duty stapler
Bates heavy duty stapler
Medical sky hook (possibly for PT traction)
Body composition analyzer by Tanita Corp.
Tall back office chair by Ikea (note: leans back without stopping)
M/S medical pump w/case
Giant scope optical light by American Opticals Corp.
Lighted eye and ear scope w/black case by AD2
Dual-channel iontophoresis system by Dupel
Procto desizzation set by Birtcher Corp.
Wooden box
Ohmeda monitor by Louisville Company
Four-leg IV pole (note: rusted underneath)
Mirrors, approx. 14×18 inches – 2
White sink, no faucet
Metal sink w/tall faucet and cabinet
White shelf, approx. 24×36 inches
Desktop vanity w/etched glass cabinets
Stereo 8-track player by Sound Design
Stereo 8-track player by True Tone
White toilet w/tank
White sink w/faucet and hoses
Waiting area style chair w/wooden frame, gray fabric
Metal frame chair, dark blue
Three-drawer filing cabinet, tan by Norwalk
Wall mount automatic soap dispenser by Provon
Black plastic shelving – 4
Possible cassette case, brown w/handle
Voice tube assembly, Plantronics Sound Innovation
Pink Recliner, IV Therapy chair by Invacare
Three-chip video camera system by Smith & Nephew – 2
Surgery cabinets – multiple
Desks – 2
Nursing station chart holder/carousel
Five-drawer filing cabinet, burnt orange by Conserv-A-File
File Master index card size filing cabinet on top, two-drawer filing cabinet on bottom, light blue metal
Three-drawer cabinet
Master Files filing drawers, total of 6
Employee lockers by Republic Storage System – 3
Physical therapy hot packs
Over door traction set by Sun Mark
Dyonics Power by Smith & Nephew
SCD machine, orange (broken) by HuntLeigh Healthcare
Patient television (broken) by Memorex
Wheelchair by Imbacare
Hydrocollator lotion warmer by Chattanooga Pharmacal Co.
Hydrocollator hot pack warmer by Chattanooga Pharmacal Co.
Hemoglobin Photo Meter w/red plastic case by Hemocue
Black plastic shelving
Spiral book maker and plastic binding combs
Adjustable limb elevator
Pulmomate compressor nebulizer by Debilbiss
Call button w/cord
Medi-Mech tall metal cabinet w/adjustable plate on top (note: large and heavy)
Sole supporters foot impression kit by Biomechanically Correct
Plastic filing drawers, small
Pulse oximeter by Oxi-Pleth
Therapeutic ultrasound generator by Chattanooga Corp.
Operating pump generator by Silent Surgical Tech
Electrical surgical unit by Olympus
Mini-refrigerator by Chef Mate
Color video monitor by Sony
Vital signs monitor by Synamap – 2
Rolling metal cart w/drawer
Duracuff thigh cuff by CritiKon
Pediatric infant cuff by CritiKon
Eight-battery basket w/handles and charger stand by Welch Allyn
Endoscopy power supply
Stryker system 5
Electrosurgical foot switch by Valley Lab
Hyfrecator by Birtcher Corp.
Force 2 electrosurgical generator by Valley Lab
Silver standing pole lamp w/white glass shade
Multifunctional cosmetic warmer w/mirror, purple w/green handle by UZ01 International
Mini-fridge II by Bockel Scientific
Volumetric Infusion Pump by Baxter-Colleague-CX – 3
ECG w/rolling pole and basket by Hewlett Packard
Bair Hugger w/hose and blanket by Augustine Medical – 2
Bacti-Cinerator cylinder, green base w/stand by Scientific Products
Sliding keyboard tray, black by Fellowes
Blood pressure stand/meter w/cuff, mercury style
Monitor by Sony
Dermatone Meshgraft
Vacuum regulators by Chemetron – 2
Suction Regu-Gauge by Chemetron – 2
Yellow X-ray date label by Veriad – 2
Green border label by Veriad – 2
White left oblique MLO label by VAL – 6
White “left CC” label by VAL – 6
Electronic cash registry by Sharp Corp.
Digital synthesized tuner w/two speakers by Magnavox
Compact CD player by Persidian
Portable lamp by Underwriters Laboratory
Cash registry by Royal
Stepping stool, orange (note: defective)
Refrigerator/freezer by Gibson
Refrigerator by Kelvinator
Surgitron vapor machine in rolling cart by Euman
ECG machine w/rolling pole and basket by Hewlett Packard
Braun Electro Dermatone
Telemetry transmitters by Hewlett Packard – 2
Mammography Phantom by Nuclear Associates
Emergency Assistance sign
Microsoft Office
Basic 2007 disc
Sensitometer by X-Rite – 2
Anti-static fluid by Xerox – 2
Ice machine (note: broken)
X-ray labels by The St. John Companies – 29
Video cassette EG by Scotch
Video for breast self-examinations by the Susan G. Komen Foundation
White “right CC” label by VAL – 3
Right oblique MLO label by VAL – 6
Left oblique MLO label by VAL – 3
Red sparkly Christmas ornament
Green sparkly Christmas ornament
Red Christmas ornament w/green sparkles
Green Christmas ornament w/red sparkles
Gold Christmas ornament
Felt Christmas tree skirt
Box of Christmas lights – 2
Toy Santa
Bible – The New Testament
Label fuser cleaner – 7
Antique stapler by Swingline
Plastic tote w/three drawers
Video tape – 38
Blue plastic barrel
Dopplex
Portable oxygen tank by Norco
Plantronics CS50
Green blanket
Cryo-Fridge by Rebco
Gurney w/oxygen tank by Midmark
Mammography film, 18×24 by Kodak
Cassettes, 8×10 by Kodak – 15
Cassettes, 10×17 by Kodak – 21
Cassettes, 14×17 by Kodak – 9
DVD player by Sony
Foot pedal by Hamilton Industries
Pink cabinet, approx. 4×5 feet
Yellow cabinet, approx. 3×6 feet
Tan cabinet, approx. 4×5 feet
Cast cutter by Stryker
Box of various cassettes
Box of various mammography cassettes
Desk drawers – 4
Air conditioning unit (note: no unit cover or faceplate) by Tecumseh
Calibration syringe, 3 liter by Hans Rudolph, Inc.
Fluid warmers by Level I Technologies – 2
Television by Zenith
Blood bank cryo-fridge by Revco
Light reader by GE
Centrifuge by Quest Diagnostics
Ice machine lid
Lab analyzer by Hermle
Mammography machine by Lorad
Ear & eye scopes w/charger by Welch Allyn – 3
Heat lamp by Graham-Field
Two-way safe lamp by Kodak
Bats & Rabies: Taking Precautions at Home
Compiled by Jeremy Vandelac, Ancillary Manager
Three Rivers Hospital
Chelan and Grant counties have recently found bats infected with rabies, and Spokane County also found a rabid bat. 
One of the bats in Grant County bit a person removing the cover off of a boat; it was the first known human case in Washington since 1997. Within the past 25 years, four domestic animals in Washington have been diagnosed with rabies, and by law, all cats, dogs, and ferrets are required to be vaccinated against rabies (WAC 246-100-197). So with that said, the rate is very low, with less than 1% of bats in the wild having rabies. Still, it is extremely important to never touch a bat. We’d like all of our hospital district residents and visitors to be aware of what to do if they encounter a bat. The below information has been compiled from Grant and Chelan-Douglas County Health District emails and informational materials.
What is considered a bat encounter?
- A bite, scratch, or saliva in your eyes, nose, mouth or fresh wound.
- Finding a bat in the same room of a person who might be unaware that a bite or direct contact occurred (i.e.: a person sleeping or an unattended child).
What should I do if I have an encounter with a bat?
- If you have been bitten, immediately wash the bite site with plenty of soap and lots of running warm water for a minimum of 10 minutes, then seek immediate medical attention.
- Report the encounter to Chelan-Douglas Health District, Monday – Thursday (509) 886-6400. After hours or weekends, please call (509) 886-6499. For Okanogan County, call (509) 422-7140 or 911 after hours.
- If possible, catch the bat safely, avoiding direct contact. Use heavy leather gloves, a net, and tongs. Put it in a can or a bucket and tightly cover it with a lid. Do not damage the head of the bat because the brain is needed for testing.
- Bats should be captured only if there has been direct contact with a person or pet, or if the bat was found in the room of someone who might have been bitten. Once these bats are captured, they should be tested for rabies infection. Do not release a live bat or throw out a dead bat that has bitten or scratched, or has had direct contact with a person, unless instructed to do so by public health.
Keep bats out of your house! Bats must not be allowed into your home. It’s best to contact animal control or a wildlife conservation agency for assistance with “bat-proofing” your home. If you choose to “bat-proof” your house yourself, here are some suggestions:
- Carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry into your living quarters.
- Use window screens, chimney caps, and draft-guards beneath doors to attics, fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel wool or caulking, and ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly.
- Prevent bats from roosting in attics or buildings by covering outside entry points.
- More information on “bat-proofing” can he found here: http://www.batcon.org.
More information on bat exposure, what to do if you find a bat in your home or cabin, what to do if you are bitten by a bat, and how to avoid exposure to rabies can be found at:
- Bat exposure fact sheet- English http://www.cdhd.wa.gov/docs/BatPosterEnglish.pdf
- Bat exposure fact sheet- Spanish http://www.cdhd.wa.gov/docs/BatPosterSpanish.pdf
Additional information about rabies:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Rabies http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html
- Washington State Department of Health – Rabies http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Rabies
