Good Shepherd Health Care System News

Chemotherapy services on track to begin this fall

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:37:00 -0700

Surveys, needs assessments, and other feedback from the people we serve all say the same thing: Oncology services are the number-one new service our patients would like to see offered at Good Shepherd. When you speak, we listen--and deliver. In a partnership with Columbia Basin Hematology and Oncology (CBHO) out of the Tri-Cities, Good Shepherd is developing an in-house chemotherapy program, and we intend to begin offering the service this fall.

Good Shepherd senior nurse manager Vicki Horneck, RN will run the day-to-day chemotherapy operations at the medical center, under the supervision of a CBHO oncologist. Horneck and three other senior nurses are completing training in the delivery of the chemotherapy treatments, either intravenous, via injection, or pill-borne. There are also home-based treatments in some cases, and our nurse team will supervise those cases as well. Pharmacy personnel are being trained to prepare the chemotherapy medications, and a dedicated space is being constructed for the service.

Questions about oiur coming chemotherapy program? Call program manager Vicki Horneck at 541-667-3684.

State offers free Medicare class

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:57:00 -0700

Every day, state Medicare experts hear from people who missed a Medicare deadline, face a penalty or paid more for health or drug insurance than they should have. “People call and say nobody told me about this deadline or that my neighbor’s drug plan isn’t the best for me,” said Carol Barnard, Medicare trainer for the state’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program. “That’s why we offer classes that explain Medicare and answer typical Medicare questions.”

SHIBA is a state-federal program trains a network of volunteers to offer free, unbiased counseling to Oregonians with Medicare. State staff will visit Hermiston on May 18 to offer a free two-hour class on the ABC & Ds of Medicare. The class is open to anyone, including people new to Medicare. More than 13,000 people in Umatilla and Morrow Counties are enrolled in Medicare.

Class information - - It’s important to pre-register for the class to ensure a space and to reserve an information packet is available. Seating is limited.

When: Tuesday, May 18 4-6pm

Where: Good Shepherd Medical Center Conference Centers 1&2 (across from our pharmacy)

Who should attend: People enrolled in Medicare or soon to be enrolled in Medicare; insurance agents, staff or caregivers who work with Medicare recipients.

To pre-register: Please call 541-667-3509

Help with Medicare: Call SHIBA at: 1-800-722-4134

Volunteer opportunity: SHIBA trains and supports volunteers who want to help people with Medicare in their community. Learn more by attending this class or by calling SHIBA.

SHIBA is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more formation, visit SHIBA at www.oregonshiba.org

Safe Patient Handling

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:49:00 -0700

We've been selected to serve as a pilot program for Oregon in the use of Safe Patient Handling (SPH) equipment, state-of-the-art gear designed for patient comfort and safety that also reduces the chance of workplace injuries.

Good Shepherd Medical Group adopts single telephone number

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:09:00 -0700

You asked for it, and we said “you bet.” A single call to (541) 567-5305 now connects you to our medical group appointments, billing, medicine refills, and our operators

Care Van

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:36:00 -0700

Complimentary Care Van Transportation 8:30 to 4:00, Monday through Friday.

Here at Good Shepherd, we don’t want transportation issues to get in the way of quality healthcare. We offer complimentary transportation for patients of Good Shepherd Medical Center and Hermiston physicians who have privileges here.

The brightly colored CareVan is a Dodge Grand Caravan SE minivan with a Braun ramp conversion to accommodate wheelchair patients. Service operates 8:30am to 4pm Monday through Friday. The CareVan travels to Hermiston, Echo, Stanfield, Umatilla, Irrigon and Boardman to pick up and deliver patients to medical care appointments in Hermiston, and then take those patients home.

A volunteer at the main reception desk makes reservations for the CareVan, and dispatches drivers to patient homes. Reservations can be made by calling 667-3888. Calls should be made no later than the day before; even so, there may be occasions when the times sought by the patient cannot be accommodated because of commitments made to other patients who called earlier. Questions can be directed to the Transportation Coordinator, Tina Cullers, at 667-3691.

Thanks go to Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation and Good Shepherd Medical Foundation for grant monies, and to Paul Parish Limited of Kennewick for a generous donation to contribute to the purchase of the van. Grant applications to support operating costs have been made to various other foundations. We are not charging for the rides; still, donations are most welcome. Donation envelopes will be available in the CareVan for riders who can contribute to this service. Most important, we would welcome any contributions friends of Good Shepherd could make to help get this up and going on a self-sustaining basis. Donations are tax-deductible, and should be made to “Good Shepherd Medical Foundation” at 610 NW 11th St., Hermiston, OR 97838

Can You Volunteer for CareVan?

Good Shepherd’s CareVan program is looking for drivers and dispatchers who are willing to volunteer 1 half day per week on a regular basis. Driving shifts run 8:00-noon and 1:00-5:00 pm; dispatch shifts are 8-11 am. 11-2 pm and 2-5 pm. Call Tina Cullers at 667-3691 for more information.