Author: murrayhospital

Spring Creek Health Care resident, Bernadine Palmer recently celebrated her 100^th birthday on March 30th. Staff and fellow residents enjoyed birthday celebrations while practicing social distancing.

Murray Pediatrics is now offering curbside medicine to patients who need a face-to-face visit with their provider. This service is in addition to telehealth services that are also in place.  For more information on curbside medicine with Murray Pediatrics or to schedule an appointment, please call 270.759.9223.

Spring Creek Health Care resident, Bessie Allen recently celebrated her 104^th birthday. Staff and fellow residents sang to Allen and partook in birthday celebrations while practicing social distancing.

Having a baby is one of the most exciting times for families, and Dana Bazzell, Director of Perinatal Services, understands this time more than anyone after being a part of thousands of deliveries here at Murray-Calloway County Hospital. Her shoes will be hard to fill after announcing her retirement, and dedicating 44 years of care to new moms, babies, and families in our region.

When she began college at Murray State, she had plans to be an elementary education teacher, however, after her son Chad, was hospitalized in the pediatric area, she was so impressed with his care, and how the staff treated her family, that she changed her major to nursing. She graduated in December of 1975 from Murray State University and began working on January 6, 1976, after being hired by Nadine Turner, Director of Nursing at the time.  She was assigned to 4^th floor-7am to 3pm shift where Dorothy Higginbotham was her supervisor. Dana still has her first paycheck stub showing that she made $3.98 an hour when she started.

“The 4^th floor was closest I could get to working with laboring mothers and newborns as it was on this floor that these patients were located. Working labor and delivery became my favorite area. Patients came for an exciting reason and they weren’t sick, in fact they were eager to deliver, learn about being a mom, and take home their baby,” Dana said.

At the time, Labor & Delivery was a part of the 4^th floor but later that year it was separated and became a Labor /Delivery and Postpartum unit. She took the head nurse role of the unit in 1978, where she worked labor and delivery for six years. In 1984 she became the clinical director of this unit as well as the 4^th floor medical surgical and gynecological area. She continued as director of the OB unit that moved to newly remodeled areas on 3 North and 3 West in February 2007 and the medical surgical and gynecological area that moved to 2 west in March of 2007. These units were the first in the hospital to offer all private patient rooms.

Dana was able to reminisce about some of her most memorable stories. She said just recently, she was here for a newborn’s birth in which she was also in the delivery of  the newborn’s mother and grandmother.

She also remembers a shift when she worked in labor when it was so busy that she and Dr. Tom  Green delivered four babies in eight hours, and another time when he was trying to calm a young teenage patient.  He calmly asked her family to go back to the waiting room, and then she and Dr. Green both had to run to take the patient quickly to the delivery room just in time for the baby to be delivered.

Dana also talks about being in a delivery with Dr. Gene Cook, where she says everything was going well after the baby was born and she was attending to the new baby, when he asked Dana to assist him again because another baby was coming and it was not known prior that she was pregnant with twins.

“Dr. Green always made the patients and staff laugh. He would sometimes stand on his head, wear masks at Halloween, and always loved taking pictures of the new baby and the families after delivery. Dr. Cook was also always great to his patients, he delivered our daughter Keri. He had an excellent bedside manner that showed his patients that he truly loved his profession. I really enjoyed working with him as well,” she commented. 

She has also worked with other OB/GYNs and pediatricians. She made sure to mention Dr. Conrad Jones who she said was priceless, had the respect of everybody, and took excellent care of his patients, which she knew even before because he delivered her son Chad. She could not forget Dr. Clegg Austin, who was the only pediatrician for several years and helped her with the medical needs of both her children until they were adults.

“I love that I decided to be a nurse in labor and delivery, there are sad times in which you cry with the patients, but 99% of the time it’s a happy occasion.” 

“I just liked the closeness of all the people here – everybody helps each other. It really is like family. I have worked with such great staff over the years. I count on them, their knowledge, the excellent patient care they provide, and their teaching skills with new staff,” she said

Dana has been married to her husband Dickie for 49 years. She has one son, Chad, who is a sales representative in Bowling Green, KY, with Avanos. Her only daughter, Keri, is a clinical pharmacist at Norton Hospital Downtown, in Louisville, and recently got married on March 14^th. Mickey is their rescue cat who is two years old.

After retiring, Dana says she wants to start working on her house more, doing some needed renovations. She loves to read and plans to do more.  She enjoys being outside and is looking forward to doing yard work, gardening and walking at the MSU arboretum which is only down the street from her home.  As a kid, she always enjoyed fishing with her dad at the lake and their family ponds, so she is planning to take some time and enjoy that hobby. Dana also loves to cook and bake, and is ready to make banana bread and chocolate oatmeal cookies that she is known for and has made so many times over the years to bring to hospital bake sales and to the staff. One of her bucket list items is to travel more and she has already begun planning for a trip to the Holy Land next January.

Dana’s retirement celebration will take place on Thursday, April 16 from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm in the Private Dining Room on the first floor of the North Tower just outside of the Cafeteria.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital confirms they received notification of our first COVID-19 positive patient in Calloway County late last night.  On March 11, Murray-Calloway County Hospital opened a dedicated Respiratory Illness Clinic to effectively and efficiently handle the large influx of Influenza A and Strep patients in the community and to best prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 patients.

A visitor came to Murray from out of state last weekend to visit with people here in Murray.  They attended a local church service on Sunday, March 15. After returning home, the visitor developed symptoms on Monday, March 16 and was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 17.  One Murray resident that this person spent time with is an employee at MCCH. On March 18, the employee followed our protocol and informed us that they had contact with a person who tested positive during our staff temperature checks before their shift started. The employee was wearing a mask already, but was taken to Occupational Medicine for evaluation.  The employee was then sent home and immediately instructed to be quarantined. They were tested, and late last night confirmed positive for COVID-19. The employee and their family are fine and were informed to be at home in quarantine.

The Calloway County Health Department was notified of the outcome so that more extensive history and investigation can be taken as appropriate.

“Until we have the capability to do widespread surveillance testing, we are utilizing the tests only for patients that a physician determines may be potentially at risk,” said Jeff Eye, Chief Nursing Officer.

Community members with concerns about exposure and risk should contact the Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline at (800) 722-5725.

Those experiencing symptoms who feel they need evaluation should utilize the Murray Medical Associates Respiratory Walk In Clinic located in the Medical Arts Building at 180 West. Please call ahead at 270.753.0704 to make a same day appointment.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms

AND

• Have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

There are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

If you have questions, or would like additional information, please contact Melony Morgan, Public Information Officer and Marketing Director of Murray-Calloway County Hospital at 270.762.1381 or 270.978.6978.

The risk for most people of being exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) is low, according to the CDC, but simple, everyday steps can reduce the chance of catching or spreading respiratory diseases including COVID-19. These include covering your cough or sneeze and thoroughly washing or sanitizing your hands. Call your doctor and stay home if you are sick.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Amber Ashby, APRN to Murray Cardiology Associates and Murray Heart & Vascular.

Ms. Ashby graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management & Dietetics and from Madisonville Community College with an Associate Degree of Science in Nursing. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama focused in Adult Gerontology Acute Care Program.

She has worked at Baptist Health in Madisonville in several areas including Critical Care and the Cardiac Cath Lab.

In her spare time, Amber enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors and weight lifting. She is engaged to Junior Maynard and lives in Benton with her two goldendoodles.

Ms. Ashby will work alongside Dr. Ali Homayuni to diagnose and treat patients throughout the entire continuum of cardiac care.

Amber Ashby, APRN, has joined Murray Cardiology Associates and the Interventional Cardiology team located in the MCCH Medical Arts Building at 300 South 8^th Street, 182 West Wing. To make an appointment, call 270.762.1560, or for more information contact the Marketing Department at 270-762-1381.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital will halt all elective surgeries for a 30 day time period beginning close of business Wednesday, March 18. Our surgeons will determine which procedures are elective yet necessary to conduct. This step was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Surgeons and the U.S. Surgeon General. All hospitals in our region are following the same guidance.

MCCH, which has asked surgeons to consider rescheduling elective surgeries, said the request is meant to help it to conserve medical supplies and blood, ensure resources are available to those most in need and to limit the number of patients and visitors coming into the hospital.

“We’re most likely to see patients with COVID-19, or possible COVID-19 (cases), at the hospital,” Jerry Penner, CEO said. “At the same time, we want to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.”

Elective surgeries that may be postponed include surgeries for gallbladder stones for patients experiencing no symptoms, some orthopaedic cases, bariatric surgeries or hernias with no risk of perforation.

Administration at MCCH said they will look to surgeons to help decide which surgeries should be considered urgent and be performed. Patients often schedule elective surgeries anywhere from weeks to months in advance, depending on the procedure.

MCCH is hoping to start rescheduling surgeries after the 30-day period, though that could change depending on the situation with COVID-19. Surgeons who typically perform the elective surgeries will still likely be busy handling other urgent and emergency surgeries.

Also, Murray-Calloway County Hospital is asking the community to limit visitation at this time to one visitor per patient. If you are sick or under the age of 16 we ask that you do not visit the hospital. Visitation may become even more restrictive in the future.

When visiting, remember to wash your hands with soap and water when entering and leaving patient rooms. Those with fever, runny nose, body aches, or respiratory symptoms should not visit.

We appreciate the cooperation of our community to maintain the safest possible environment for patients, visitors and staff.

We have seen a spike of cases in Flu and Strep and as a cautionary approach, we have opened the MMA Walk-In Respiratory Clinic located in the Medical Arts Building (SUITE 180 WEST). This clinic is OPEN for all patients experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath.

The Respiratory clinic will operate with the following hours: Monday – Friday – 8 am – 6 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm; and Sunday, 12 pm – 4 pm.

Please call ahead to 270.753.0704 for same day appointments.

Employees and providers in the clinic will be wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) in an effort to prevent any transmission of illness. Please do not be alarmed if patients and staff are wearing masks – this is for the protection of themselves and others.

For more information on the Walk-In Respiratory Clinic, call 270.753.0704.