A Story of Health Care in the High River Hospital District
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A STORY OF HEALTH CARE IN THE HIGH RIVER HOSPITAL DISTRICT ALBERTA HEALTH LIBRARY SERVIC ES © COPYRIGHT 1990 THE HIGH RIVER HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Publishers, excepting brief quotations for review purposes. Published by Sandstone Publishing Ltd. ISBN No. 0919489-23-0 Printed by Style-Craft Printing Ltd. 11 The anniversary seal was adapted from the official logo described below and used on hospital correspondence and specially designed items throughout 1990. This logo is an incorporation of of peacefulness and sustenance, ancient and modern symbolism. which indicates the physical location The brown tree symbolizes the of the hospital and nursing home; "medicine tree" and is a link from The white open sky above symbol High River's past; izes the eternal purity; The stylized blue river which And the blue outer circle, encom crosses the tree at a point above passing the logo, captures the eternal ground level, symbolizes the river of aspect of human endeavour. life; This design, while symbolic, is al The partial inner sphere of green so functional, uniquely identifying signifies "mother" earth and qualities this institution. 111 In any community's pursuit of health, wealth and happiness for its citizens, the first requisite is health. Modern medical science continues to do wonders. The discovery of germs, serums, new drugs, anti-toxins and complex diagnostic tools is never-ending. History tells us that the modern hospital had its beginning long before the Christian era, when India, Persia and Arabia gave methodical care and attention to the sick. The Greeks and Romans provided shelter and attendants for their sick. One of the earliest such shel ters was founded in 370 A.D. The hospital idea grew and expanded. The difference between the early historical concept, and modern times in the Western world, is that care centres and skilled attendants were provided only for the wealthy. The larger percentage of the populations, the poor, had no access to medical care centres. Today, all members of society have equal access. IV This is direc_ted towards four distinct areas of service: - High quality of treatment ofpatients. - The promotion of health within the community. - Long term care services that recognize potential maintenance of health and quality of life. - A broad range of treatment, assessment, diagnostic and support services on an area wide basis. v fJn f°JhE cSpi'rit <!J{ §ood dl(EdicinE fJab [E o{Co nfrnfa [/nbwduction Nostalgia ....................... .. ................. 33 Hospital Day ........................ ............ 34 The Logo ................ .................... ...... .iii Public Health Unit a "First" ........... 34 Health .............................................. .iv Candy Stripers ................................ 35 Mission Statement ............................ v Service Tickets ................................ 36 Message from Chairman ............... viii Blue Cross Hospital Plan ................ 36 Message from Executive Director .. .ix Doctors' Medical Contracts ............. 37 Editor's Notes .................................... x New Health Care Benefits .............. 39 News Flash ....................................... xi Medical Services Inc ....................... 39 Caiffj ~c:dicinc: Problems - Bats In The Attic ......... .40 Red Cross Blood Donor Service ..... .41 Medical Care ...................................... 1 Hospitals Names ............................ .42 Pioneer Doctors ................................ .3 Nurses Home -The Noble House .. .42 The First High River Hospital. ......... 8 The Second High River Hospital ...... 9 The Farm Women's Lobby ............. .10 ~ta((<W.:: cf?.::m.::mbc:i Care-givers of the 1930's ................ .43 Blackie Health Care ........................ 11 Care-givers of the 1940's ................ .45 Nanton Health Care ........................ 14 Care-givers of the 1950's ................ .47 Cayley Health Care ......................... 16 Care-givers of the 1960's ................. 51 Municipal Districts Map 1920 ........ 16 Flash Back ....................................... 56 Community Sports Medicine .......... 17 Hospital Care As It Used To Be Okotoks Health Care ...................... 17 A Stormy Year ................................. 57 <JJfanning, tfu ~unicipaf The 1970's ........................................ 58 dto1pitaf Things Begin To Change ............ ..... 65 A New Residence ............................. 66 Organizing ....................................... 21 A Nursing Recollection ................... 67 The Construction ............................. 22 The Nurses Union ........................... 69 The Move .. ....................................... 22 Administration ................................ 70 The First Rural School of Nursing .23 The First Municipal Board ............. 72 Growing Pains ................................. 27 Board Chairmen & Members ......... 73 Community ~c:moiiE1 The Nursing Home .......................... 74 Medical Staff Increase .................... 76 Graduation ...................................... 30 Vl The Transition Period ..................... 78 Support Services ................ ." ...... .....115 Environmental Services ................ 11 7 c:lf- df01pitaf SEcond Clo Rehabilitation Therapy ................. 119 c::fVonE The Laboratory ... ..................... .. .. .. 122 Administrative Reorganization ...... 80 Diagnostic Imaging ................ ....... 123 A New Executive Director .. .. .......... 80 Nutrition Services .... .. .. ..... .. ... .. .....124 Planning the Building ..................... 81 Dispensing Good Medicine ........... 126 Volunteer Services ......................... 127 CfhE {)((iciaf {)pEning The Auxiliary ................................. 128 Blayney and Clark Memorials ........ 87 Personal Emergency Response ..... 130 Into the 1980's Under One Roof.. ... 88 Meals On Wheels ......... ............ .. .. .. 131 A New Health Care Era .................. 88 CanSurmount ................................ 131 A New Role In Nursing ................... 90 Pastoral Care .......... ....................... 132 Buttons and Bones ................. ... .. .. 133 Cfh'"lEE df01pitaf1 l/J.ndE'"l {)nE Counselling Services ..................... 135 d?oo( Outreach Programs ....................... 136 Emergency, Surgery and The Social Committee ................. .. 137 Maternity ................................... 92 (Fun and Games) Nursing Home and Long Term High River District Hospital Care ............................................ 95 Foundation ................. .... .. ... ... .. 143 The Medical Unit ............................ 97 The Art Collection ......................... 144 The Lieutenant Governor's Scholarships ............................. 145 d1!(Edicaf Sta((, 7990 ............. 98 Accreditation ................................. 146 Long Term Care ............... .......... .... 147 CfhE f):)i1hict c:lfmb-ufancEi Statistical Flashback .................... 149 Ambulance Service ........................ 101 Ambulance Service - Okotoks ....... 104 CfhE c:lfnniuEHa'"ly <JjEa'"l Ambulance Service - Nanton ........ 105 1990 - Celebrating 70 Years .......... 151 Those Who Serve ........................... 106 The 1990's - On The Threshold of Change ......................... ............. 161 f):)Efa'"ltmEnh and SE'"luicEi The Museum .................................. 162 Departments .................................. 107 What Goes Around Comes Administration ..............................108 Around .......................... ............ 164 Finance and Administration ......... 109 Dedication Says It All ................... 165 The Physical Plant ........................ 110 The Hospital History Book Human Resources ........ .................. 112 Committee ................................ 166 Admitting ....................................... 113 Acknowledgments .. .... .... .. ............. 167 Medical Records ............................. 114 The lndex ......... .............................. 168 vii d1!1t:11a9t: 'Jwm 'Jht: Chai'l.man of th£ !Boa'id "In the Spirit of Good Medicine" The Hospital District owes a debt bears testimony to the patience and of gratitude to the men and women commitment of the volunteers who who have contributed to the success work so diligently to enhance this of this hospital and to the high quali hospital. ty of health care enjoyed throughout Some two years ago we initiated the the District: the physicians, nurses, project, and formed a volunteer book administrators, volunteers, patients, committee to help celebrate the 70th politicians, and hospital workers in anniversary of the first High River Hos every part of the health care system. pital District Board of Directors. On behalf of the 1990 Board of The First Board meeting in 1920 Directors of the High River Hospital was held to set boundaries and build and Nursing Home, I salute them all, a new hospital. In 1990 we're talking and I salute the hard working mem again about proposed regional bound bers of the Book Committee who aries. We've never really stopped have brought their stories to us. talking about hospital expansion. Congratulations. A Board of Directors brings its own priorities and expertise in pro Yours truly, viding leadership and direction to the hospital. Over the years each Direc tor has left his or her own particular ~J mark, depending on the era and the Manley Flynn,