Newsletter [July-September 1977]

              Patients,.,
(and what they're saying about us!)
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Jamy Curl, Illustrator
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I was a long way from home (Maine) and
quite upset by what happened, and everyone in
the Emergency Room and on my floor and the
technicians were all just great to me. It made
so much easier for both myself and my
husband.
Being a native of Greensboro, Wesley Long
Hospital means a great deal to me and to my
family. The warmth, careful attention and
concern by the staff have been very important
to all of us during the many times we have had
someone there.
I have been hospitalized at other hospitals
and Wesley Long has a warmer friendlier
atmosphere, and everyone wanted to be of
assistance. Both the services and the food were
outstanding.
Since 1951, my first trip to Wesley Long,
and since that time, my wife and I have been
patients on several occasions and we have
nothing but praise for the staff of this
hospital.
As a clergyman I am well aware of the
difficulties of your work and I respect y'all! I
was very pleased with Wesley Long, the
facilities, the nursing staff on 2 South, the
attendants, and the care I received. I would
like to know that they are commended for
their work. I especially would like to see
Attendant Ken Spence commended. He is an
asset to your hospital, for he impressed me as a
young man who takes his work very seriously
and cares for the patient above and beyond the
"call of duty".
If I am ever in the hospital again, (and I do
plan another baby), I would choose Wesley
Long. Everyone was so nice and kind.
GREENSBORO, N. C.
WESLEY LONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
JULY-SEPTEMBER, 1977
Improving Patient Care with Infection Control
THE HOSPITAL DETECTIVE
A young girl, critically injured by a truck, was quickly brought into our
hospital and after surgery was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit along
with other critically ill patients. The girl's mother, in talking with our staff,
confided that her eight year old daughter had been exposed to chicken pox.
The danger of this childhood disease to other adult patients in the unit was
readily apparent to the ICU nurses who obtained the proper information and
alerted our Infection Control Nurse, Sarah Hester. Knowing the incubation
period as being 7-21 days, she consulted with the attending physician and the
child was placed in isolation on the seventh day. The young girl broke out with
chicken pox on the 15th day after exposure. Had the child remained in ICU
and the other patients been exposed to the disease, more serious complications
would have resulted. In cases such as this, Infection Control plays a key role
in our patient's care.
Infection Control also began investigating methods to reduce surgical
wound infections. The Infection Control Nurse found the tray with the
necessary instruments for changing sterile dressings was being used for more
than one patient. She recommended that individual sterile tray packages be
made up to be used when patient bandages are changed. As a result the quality
of patient care was improved.
Infection Control also works with other departments in the hospital. If a
particular type of infection or strain of organism is prevalent in an area, the
Infection Control Nurse is called in to confer or to investigate to determine the
cause. This may involve working with lab in microscopic examinations, or
consulting with laundry or housekeeping concerning disinfectant techniques.
The Infection Control Program here at Wesley Long focuses on prevention
with daily surveillance to monitor patient care. The program also concentrates
it's efforts on people in the hospital who have "touching" contact with
patients. A mild hand soap is provided in each patient's room so nurses can wash their hands
frequently. Other infection prevention is achieved through teaching. Mrs. Hester and In-Service
instructors, Mrs. Virgie Bingham, R.N., and Mrs. Martha Pearman, R.N., organized and taught
classes on isolation techniques to Radiology and Housekeeping staff. These departments learned how
to enter an isolation room with precautions such as gloves, gowns, and masks, and the housekeeping
staff was instructed on techniques for disinfecting a contaminated room. Through these sessions
patients as well as staff benefit by controlling the spread of infection.
Infection Control plays a major role in our accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Hospitals. One of their requirements is that there be a system for controlling infections and that it be
written into a policy and procedures manual outlining the program.
Our Infection Control Committee is headed by Dr. Edwin Bryan and Sarah Hester, our Infection
Control Nurse has attended training sessions at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her studies included epidemiology and bacteriology.
Mrs. Hester participates in area and state workshops and seminars. Her work is vital to the
protection of our patients and one phase of our quality health care.
Cultures help identify
treatment. Shown is a
infection early and accurately to aid in effective
staph aureus.
WLCH OVERVIEW
The staff of Wesley Long will soon benefit from a
staff health room under the direction of Isabelle
Hiatt, newly appointed health care nurse.
According to Dr. Ron Joyner, Chief of
Emergency Services, the Emergency Room is now
readying plans to assume departmental status
effective in August with the coming of a department
head of the Emergency Department.
Sixth Floor, now closed for renovations will
reopen in August with approximately 50 patient
beds. Sixth West, will house the lab stress testing,
employee health room, nurse conference, and staff
solarium.
Print Shop, headed by Harvey McGehee, is now
in a new larger area in the Kiser Building.
In excess of 60 nurses are joining Wesley Long this
summer.