Palliative care — Nurses want facility for | - terminally ill patients | by Sheena Falconer Crispina Cote and Maryann Dvornak, two energetic and caring nurses at Mills Memorial Hospital, are hoping to see the creation of a palliative care unit at the hospital by early 1992. Palliative care units have been opening up all over Canada, as people recognize the special needs of dying individuals, and both nurses feel a unit in this region is long overdue. _A_ palliative carte unit is devoted to the care of dying patients. The focus of the care-. givers is on the quality of the patient's life. The terminally ill patient requires support and reassurance from family and friends, as well as health workers, in order to cope with both the fear of dying and anxiety about their families, particularly if they have depend- anis. The palliative care unit provides a peaceful, homelike setting in which patients can discuss their concerns. It will be decorated in a contemporary fashion and furnished with car- pets, drapes and pictures. The room will be equipped with a fridge (already donated by Swifty Muffler) and a micro- wave (donated by the Miss Ter- race Beauty Pageant entrants) so Contributed by Ray Tank, Area Coordinator, Terrace Emergency Services Did you know that your health and safety could be affected by extreme climate conditions? Peo- ple in the northern part of B.C. are very self reliant! This is not some- thing that is inherited, but rather a response developed by extreme conditions. The most common occurrence in the area is that of flooding. I am sure that many of you have experi- enced minor flooding over the years. The hazards are obviously dependent on the quantity of water. Some of these hazards are houschold damage, water contami- nation, property damage and, in extreme situations, isolation, In anticipation of the worst, some of the preparations could be any or all of the following: -pre-identification of the problem area and remedial action «formation of a “neighbourhood help/watch group” for assistance during a problem. Preparation of a survival kit etaped to the top of the kit: date of renewal, emergency phone numbers, safety information on utilities, list of contents éjnclude information on health lips ‘extra medication kept current, that families of patients can bring them food from home. A TV and. VCR are also planned, not only to provide entertain- ment and diversion for the patient and family, but also to enable the family to videotape special events for the patient. A bed-sofa will enable the family to stay with the patient around the clock. Maryann, who has worked in palliative. care previously, recalled a family who lived in the unit with the. patient, and went from the unit to school and work. One of the most expensive items in the unit would be an electric hospital bed, which allows the patient to have con- trol over the raising and lower- ing of the bed. Itis very impor- tant for patients to be able to exert control over some aspecis of their life, and such a bed is invaluable, as the patient does not have to ask nurses or family to change the bed position. Doctors, nurses, therapists, clergy and other health care providers will all be working together with patients and fam- ilies to provide reassurance and advice. Families will be encour- aged to take over the care of the patient if they wish to do so. Crispina comments that they want the palliative care unit to be a cheerful and homelike first aidkit, etc, ewater purification information and tablets (or household bleach) *portable radio and batteries non-perishable foods heat and light sources, ie: can- dies, matches, etc. ‘eblankets or sleeping bags Two items that individuals should check with their community offi- cials or Provincial Emergency Program Representative are what will be provided and how informa- tion will be conveyed to the public on relocation plans if required. One of the most difficult concepts to accept is that you have to look after yourself first to ensure that you are able to help your loved ones, friends and neighbours. There are many more questions that will need answers in a particu- lar emergency situation. The key to survival in most emergencies is preparation! Identify the emergen- cy that could affect you, then research the actions required by you and be aware of who to con- tact for assistance. What are your questions or con- cerns? Write us al: “Did You Know That... ?” Skeena Health Unit 3412 Kalum Street Terrace, B.C. V&8G 4T2 piace. Eventually, they would like to see the unit expand. At the beginning there will be room for only one family. Four nurses from the hospital are attending a palliative care seminar in Vancouver at the end of October, in order to provide the best possible care for patients and their families during this most difficult time in their lives. Businesses and individuals who would be interested in making donations for this unit should contact Crispina Cote at 635-2211. Hospital, purchase Dr. James Dunfleld: First in Northwest to have equipment. The Terrace Regional Health Care Society is currently investi- gating the purchase of laparo- scopic cholecystectomy equip- ment for Mills Memorial Hospi- tal, and the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation is willing to help out. Terrace Review —— Wednesday, November 6, 1991 23 Crispina Cote, Maryann Dvornak: A cheerful, homelike place for dying patients. foundation consider of fibre optic device Leisinger explains, "It’s a newer and better way of removing gallbladders through fibre optics." Dr. Dunfield explains that instead of extensive surgery resulting in a large scar under the right side of the ribs, the procedure will show only four small puncture wounds. The two mid-line punctures around the belly button will be less than 1 cm in diameter. These will be used by the surgeon to view the operation through fibre optics and a video screen. The other two punctures will be used for operating through and will be only 1/2 cm in diameter. Another big plus for this pro- cedure is the reduced hospital and recovery time — reducing the hospital stay from 7 to 2 days and the recovery time at home from 6 weeks to 1 or 2 weeks, Dr. Dunfield recently returned ated which company’s laparo- scopic cholecystectomy machin- ery is most appropriate. The Terrace Regional Healthcare Society will evaluate price, service guarantees and the e- quipment themselves before making a decision. Sixty days is required for delivery. Because the Terrace Regional Healthcare Society has already exhausted their capital equip- ment fund for this fiscal year (ending March 31), the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation has "kindly agreed to assist the Society with "bridge financing’ to be paid back once the 1992/93 capital equipment fund is allotted in the next budget year." The equipment will cost between $50,000 and $60,000. Once the equipment is installed, possibly in early Jan- uary, “we'll be the first in the Northwest to have this equip- ment", says Dr. Dunfield. LEU Hospital administrator Michael from Quesnel where he evalu- a | ; - erilage Park. Tevave B.C. Photo Noma Rerby Dr.R.E.M. LEE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION 1992 CASH CALEND $5,000 Grand Prizel Over $26,000 in Prizes! _ THE YEAR ‘ROUND GIFT. cash Calendars from the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation make a Christmas gift that brings with it the chance to win cash every day of the year and the satisfaction of supporting an important local cause: the purchase of a CT scanner for Mills Memorial Hospital. The calendars are being sold in numerous retail outlets this year.