’s
July 8, 2016 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
SCKMC Focuses on Recruitment
KDHE Warns of West Nile
Physician recruitment continues to be a top priority of SCKMC administration as they plan for long term organizational success. With the addition of two new providers over the past year, Dr. Adam Keesling and Dr. Willie Posey, the medical center looks to continue to recruit more general medicine providers to the community. “As (doctors) retire, we may need to replace up to three more physicians in the near future. We need to prepare ourselves for that financially, and from a recruiting standpoint. It needs to be an ongoing, long-range program that involves all of the community of Arkansas City and not just the hospital,” said SCKMC Chief Executive Officer Virgil Watson. In response to that challenge, the hospital has put together a group of local individuals to assist with a long term recruiting plan from a community perspective. “I like to call it a team because the responsibilities are more than just a committee. Our recruiting team has a couple of responsibilities, one to identify those things within our community that we can use to help sell Ark City to potential physician candidates. Then there is a part of our community that we need working on a continuing basis to raise money to recruit doctors so that we have a fund that we can go to and have the money to pay physicians and attract them to Arkansas City, Kansas,” Watson said. Watson believes the recruitment team will help Ark City stand out among a sea of competition for medical providers. “We are in competition with all the other communities our size to get trained medical professionals to come to our community to set up practice. We have to come up with things that make us unique from all these other people. We have to market that this is a perfectly sized community to start a medical practice. There are more than enough patients but you won’t be overwhelmed to a point it interrupts your quality of life. Here you can have a life outside of being a doctor,” Watson said. The community recruiting team’s next meeting will be held at SCKMC on July 12th. Individuals interested in assisting with physician recruitment efforts or donating towards a long-term recruitment fund can receive more information by contacting Virgil Watson at (620) 442-2500.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has identified a high number of Culex species mosquitoes in traps predicting the increase is likely to be statewide. The Culex species are known to transmit West Nile virus; they are not known to transmit Zika virus. West Nile virus symptoms range from a slight headache and low-grade fever to swelling of the brain or brain tissue and in rare cases, death. KDHE recommends the following precautions to protect against West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases: • When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. • Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Wear long sleeves and pants at peak times or consider staying indoors during these hours. • Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. • Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels.
Extreme Obstacle 5K August 27th 9:00 a.m. Patterson Parkway, Ark City Register online at www.sckmc.org Early Registration Discount Ends 7/31!
June Employee of the Month Congratulations Jennifer Schmeidler, Registered Nurse with the Emergency Department, for being named the SCKMC Exceptional Service Award winner for July. Jennifer was nominated by multiple patients for making them feel welcome and being attentive to their needs. Jennifer was presented with a certificate of appreciation by John Jones, Senior Administrator of Patient Services, and will also have a special parking spot reserved for her throughout July.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. Many people use over the counter Imodium (loperamide) to help treat symptoms of diarrhea. The FDA warns that taking higher than recommended doses can cause serious heart problems. The majority of the cases which reported serious heart problems occurred when Imodium was intentionally misused or abused. Seek medical attention if you or someone faints, experiences irregular heart rhythm, or becomes unresponsive.
Now Offering After Hours Services
620-442-4850
515 N. Summit, Ark City
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www.sckclinic.com
Monday 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. to Noon
• After hours services are walk-in only, no appointments taken. • Services will be offered to patients on first come, first serve availability and limited to the time frame listed above. Depending upon the number of patients, it may not be possible to see every patient presenting that day. • All follow up activities will only be scheduled during normal business hours (8a-5p Mon-Fri) this includes prescription refills, nurse calls, and scheduling of on going appointments. Those in need of immediate medical attention should seek care at the South Central Kansas Medical Center Emergency Department or contact 9-1-1.