Joel slipped in our kitchen. He fell, couldn’t move and asked me to call an ambulance. Response was incredibly prompt, thorough and respectful. He was moved with utmost care.
We discovered that the paramedic was the son of someone we knew well. The Dolores ambulance service, serving us upriver and those living up to the county line, including the West Fork, was recently terminated by the outside organization put in place to run our hospital.
The ER physician and nurses all were so concerned, friendly and efficient. X-rays determined a very severe fracture which we were advised required surgery right away. Our longtime orthopedist was out of town and we were advised by the ER doc that a trip to Durango would be unbearably painful. However, a nurse on duty took time to relate to us that she had assisted in surgery several times and reassured us that the doctor was excellent.
By then it was about 11 p.m. and we were moved to a pre-op area as the surgery was scheduled for the next morning. I asked to sleep in the room and was comfortably set up in Joel’s room. During the night, Joel was checked regularly and his pain controlled.
Sunday morning, I was nervously waiting alone during the surgery. A woman delivering breakfast to the patients passed by several times, each time inquiring how I was doing and if I wanted anything. I will never forget how empathetic Terry was and how lovely her attention felt throughout our hospital stay.
The care and attention Joel received the next six days in post-op was amazing. Not only did his doctors visit him, but nurses from various departments stopped by to visit and see how he was doing and share stories about having adored and worked with our now retired Dr. Hyle. Bob Hyle and Doug Bagge also came up to visit.
I take this time to relay our experience to you because I truly learned how deeply meaningful a community hospital is. The staff are our neighbors. They know our community, how we live, share our experiences and most likely we know them or have some mutual connection. They care for us!
Unfortunately, their situation is tenuous. Community Healthcare Corporation, an outside agency, has taken over management of Southwest Health System. It seems that mismanagement of finances has left our hospital in dire straights. Many employees have been fired without notice. Our Dr. Bagge’s contract was not renewed. He loves this area and has been with the hospital for 22 years. Employees have established lives and families here and many were born locally. Job insecurity has prompted increased resignations. Employees were even requested to sign non-disclosure agreements, including not to talk about things not disclosed to the public by the hospital. I strongly believe this is an appalling way to treat dedicated people.
If you are concerned, speak up at the hospital board meetings, contact our local newspapers, write letters, call local radio stations and talk to friends. Keep an awareness of goings at Southwest Memorial, our own community hospital.
Pat Kantor
Dolores