Decade of caring

Dimitra Lavrakas

Nov. 7, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The words on everyone's lips are "state of the art." And Peterson Regional Ambulatory Care Center, celebrating its 10th year in the community, certainly is up-to-date -- from its soon-to-be installed Toshiba Titan 1.5 wide-bore MRI to the digital mammography machines that cost $400,000 each.

The mammography machines give a better picture, and are "easier on the ladies," said Carey Ferris, supervisor of the ambulatory care center with diagnostic imaging that includes mammography, CAT scan, MRI and ultrasound.

The coming MRI machine will accommodate larger patients and is not as enclosed to lessen patients' claustrophobia.

Everywhere one looks at the facility, the machines gleam, the surroundings soothe and the personnel glow with professionalism and compassion.

Without PRMC's resources, there would be a longer travel distance to comparable services.

"San Antonio and Austin are the closest that have a hyperbaric chamber," said Kace Regan, director of marketing and community relations for Peterson Regional Medical Center. "They come here from all over the Hill Country -- Fredricksburg, Rock Springs, Junction."

Donald Schultz is taking a treatment in the chamber and smiles to visitors through the glass.

"For 90 minutes they can watch TV or we entertain them," said Ellen Heiderich R.N. C.W.S. (nurse and certified wound specialist) and manager of the wound center, which she calls "the best-kept secret in Hill Country."

But it's stuck in a "cave" she said. While the number of patients have grown, the building has not.

Over at the rehabilitation services, Melissa Raughton, lead occupational therapist and director of pediatric rehabilitation, shows off a windowless room full of toys and tumbling mats. Ten years ago, there was no such department.

The goal of pediatrics rehab, Raughton said, is to prepare children to fully participate in school.

"With kids, they learn everything -- it's a whole-team approach," she said. "We work on the fine-motor skills like drawing and playing games and also gross-motor skills like running, jumping, rolling over, because their occupation is playing."

Raughton and physical therapist Curt Rickert, who also is a clinical supervisor, showed off the large therapy room with its floor-to-ceiling windows that offer an expansive view of the surrounding hills and Peterson Regional Medical Center just on the rise above ACC.

Patients in the area work out on machines or practice various exercises and stretches designed for them by staff to help regain motion or skills lost in strokes, accidents or disease.

With sunlight streaming onto the surface of the nearby therapy pool, occupational therapist Martha Davis leads Patricia Hickey through a series of rehabilitative aquatic exercises.

"Both rooms were designed with windows and light, because studies have shown that light helps speed recovery," said Regan. "We keep the pool temperature at 90 degrees. It's the medium to work in if you need to unload joints."

Mike Williams, who heads up outpatient surgery that includes three operating rooms, an endoscopy area, a pain management center and intravenous therapy, said ACC is particularly proud of one accomplishment this year.

"The Joint Commission that certifies hospitals -- and we have to go through the same certification procedure as the hospital -- gave us zero deficiencies," he said. "We have a perfect score."

Williams made sure to point out how proactive ACC is at providing the best equipment that medical providers need.

"Everything we have here is state-of-the-art technology. Anything physicians or surgeons have required, we have provided for them," Williams said. "In the eight years I've been here, there hasn't been a request I haven't been able to provide."

Soon, the ACC will get even more help through the proceeds of The Legacy Gala on Nov. 14, and the Celebrity Chef Cooking School with Chef Tim Love set for Nov. 12. These events celebrate two important anniversaries -- ACC's 10th and Peterson Regional Medical Center's (formerly Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital) 60th. Although tickets to the gala are sold out, tckets for the cooking school still are available for $75 by calling 258-7421.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0413-39530100