Free Car Safety-Seat Clinic in Dallas
October 29, 2007

Flu shots offered by Dallas hospital
October 26, 2007

West Valley Hospital Foundation Fundraising Gala Scheduled
August 3, 2007

State's busiest ER offers heat-safety tips
July 9, 2007

Hospital offers help in quitting tobacco
June 11, 2007

Parents are urged to "Take 25" minutes for child safety
May 24, 2007

Free Car Safety-Seat Clinic in Dallas

October 29, 2007

The emergency-department physicians at West Valley Hospital encourage Polk County area residents, who travel with children in their cars, to attend a free car-seat safety clinic at the Dallas Fire Department, 915 Shelton, on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"The number-one cause of death and injury for Oregon's kids are motor vehicle crashes," says William Peffley, D.O, an emergency-department physician at West Valley Hospital and family-medicine physician in Dallas. "Ninety-nine percent of car seats are installed or used incorrectly."

Child Passenger Safety Technicians will check the child's car seat or booster seat for correct installation. "Participants will receive hands-on training and learn about recalls. The technicians will also make sure you get the best fit for your child's weight, height and age, and the best fit for your car," says Renee Wilson, an employee at West Valley Hospital and volunteer Child Passenger Safety Technician at the clinic. "We appreciate our partners in this project, specifically Bill Hahn, Fire Chief of Dallas Fire Department," says Wilson.

The clinic is free. Families who are on the Oregon Health Plan or WIC can call (503) 561-5639 to make an appointment and receive a new car seat (there is a $30 co-pay for the new seat).

"We hope parents will take advantage of this simple training to make sure their kids stay safe—and out of the ER," says Dr. Peffley.

Flu shots offered by Dallas hospital

October 26, 2007

West Valley Hospital is offering flu shots to people in the Polk county area, on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and 28, from 1 to 6 p.m. The shots are $15 each and no appointment is necessary. Medicare is accepted. Those receiving shots must be 18 years of age or older.

"The first case of flu has been documented by the state public health division," says Julie Fontanilla, MN, RN, Director of Nursing Services at West Valley Hospital. "Now is the time to get that important flu shot."

The flu-shot clinic will be held in the West Valley Hospital Conference Room, 525 SW Washington Street, in Dallas.

"Up to 50 percent of people with influenza have no symptoms, but can shed the virus and infect others for up to five days," says Fontanilla. "Getting an annual flu shot can help limit the spread of this deadly disease."

West Valley Hospital Foundation Fundraising Gala Scheduled

August 3, 2007

On Friday, Aug. 17, the West Valley Hospital Foundation is holding its eighth annual summer gala, Moonlight and Vines, at BeckenRidge Vineyard in Dallas.

Everyone is invited to attend this summer garden party and silent auction. Guests can enjoy a dinner that includes Mediterranean flank steak, lemon artichoke heart stuffed chicken breast, or vegetarian spinach ravioli, served with fine wines, while listening to the music of the Gaylon Jay Quintet.

During the silent auction, participants can bid on items ranging from trips to places like SunRiver, and gift baskets with themes like A Taste of Italy.

All proceeds raised will be used to support various programs and services at West Valley Hospital. Last year the event netted over $18,000.

"It’s a great show of support that each year so many Polk County residents come to this event to not only celebrate West Valley Hospital, but also to help us build on the future of bringing top quality medical care to this area," said Sherri Partridge, Annual Giving Officer for the West Valley Hospital Foundation.

Tickets are $42 each, and can be purchased by calling the West Valley Hospital Foundation at 503-831-3456. Deadline for purchasing tickets is August 10.

Major sponsors of the event are West Coast Bank, Dallas Branch, and Spirit Mountain Casino. Silver sponsors are Bollman Funeral Home and Weyerhaeuser.

State's busiest ER offers heat-safety tips

July 9, 2007

Salem Hospital will see more than 100,000 patients at its ER and Urgent Care Center this year, making it the busiest in the state.

The staff and physicians of the hospital's emergency department offer these tips to help you, your children, and even your parents, stay safe, and what to do if you have problems in the heat.

Stay well hydrated

• Aim for two to three quarts of fluid per day.
• Water is good, but don't limit your intake to just water. You also need electrolytes, which you can get from a variety of sports drinks.
• Caffeine beverages and sodas with caffeine dehydrate you. Since the goal is to stay well hydrated, stay away from caffeine.
• If you're thirsty, you've waited too long.
• One way to tell if you're getting enough fluid is to look at your urine. In general, it should be clear. Yellow urine means you need to drink more water, unless it is affected by food, vitamin or medication intake.
• Limit alcohol intake during hot weather. It doesn't count toward your water consumption and it can impair your judgment.

Be smart about your outdoor activities

• Unless your job requires you to be outdoors, stay inside.
• If you have to be outdoors, avoid strenuous activities between the hottest times of the day, typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• If you need to be outdoors, prime the pump before you go. In other words, start your fluid intake before you take your first step outside.
• Wear sun block and a hat.
• Use a water spritzer to cool off. Battery-operated, hand-held fans may also be helpful.

Some people need extra precautions

• "Before the day is over, call your mom and check on her," says Sherri Wood, R.N., emergency department director. High heat can cause people to be confused. So be sure to check on your elderly relatives or neighbors to see how they're doing.
• The very young and the elderly are most susceptible to thermal-regulation problems. Their bodies simply have a harder time regulating heat. They especially should avoid the outdoors and manage their fluid intake. This is also true for people with chronic illnesses, like those on dialysis.
• Children can become dehydrated much more quickly than adults. Be sure they get enough fluid and follow all heat and sun-safety procedures.
• Don't overdress your newborn. If you're wearing a tank top and shorts, then a similar outfit for your baby is appropriate, whether it be a shorts outfit or simply a t-shirt and diaper. Stay in the shade. Use a lukewarm washcloth to cool baby. And carry a blanket to protect the baby when you enter air-conditioned extremes.
• Some medications can cause problems during heat spells, particularly some psychiatric medications and diuretics. Talk with your pharmacist if you have concerns.

 Be safe in the water

• When it gets hot, you may be tempted to jump in the river to cool off. Be careful. Remember, Oregon rivers are cold, even on hot days.
• Wear a life jacket on the boat and in the river.
• Do not consume alcohol.
• Children need close parental supervision in the water, as do some people who have mental or physical disabilities.
• If you have a home pool, make sure it has a fence around it.

Warning signs and what to do if you experience them

• Heat illness progresses through three stages: heat cramps, then exhaustion, then heat stroke. If you experience heat cramps, you'll have muscle cramps and feel dizzy. You need to get in the shade and use a cold compress and take fluids.
• In heat exhaustion, you'll sweat profusely, and be pale. You need to get in the shade, and use a cold compress and fluids. IV fluids may be needed.
• "If you are having a heat stroke, you will be very pale and have a fever. You won't be able to sweat and you will be mentally confused. Your body core temperature has gotten too high. Call 9-1-1!," says Joseph Kenoyer, M.D., an emergency physician with Salem Hospital.

Heat related illness can cause serious problems. You can reduce your chance of feeling tired or becoming seriously ill with a few simple steps.

Hospital offers help in quitting tobacco

June 11, 2007

West Valley Hospital in Dallas is offering a FreshStart Smoking Cessation course at the hospital for a fee of only $20. The course will be held on Tuesdays, starting June 19, at 5:30-6:30 p.m. A support person may attend at no extra cost.

People who attend this four-week course will learn about tobacco addiction, stress-coping strategies and more, and then develop a plan for successfully quitting tobacco use. To sign up please call Salem Hospital Education Services at (503) 561-5639.

FreshStart, a program developed by American Cancer Society, emphasizes that smoking cessation is a two-part process: (1) stopping and (2) staying stopped.

Because individuals differ as to which part is most difficult for them, FreshStart addresses both processes: the group and the facilitator will help participants stop smoking and learn new techniques for ending the physical and psychological need to smoke.

The four meetings are conducted as interactive work sessions. Topics include quitting cold turkey, use of nicotine replacement, fighting urges to smoke, addressing physical symptoms of withdrawal from smoking, and highlighting all of the benefits of not smoking.

FreshStart will give participants concrete ways to handle two major obstacles for many ex-smokers: weight control and stress management. Participants will receive class materials to review and use at meetings and at home. All along, FreshStart reinforces that the individual is the key to their own fresh start.

Parents are urged to "Take 25" minutes for child safety

May 24, 2007

May 25 is National Missing Children's Day and in the spirit of prevention, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is asking parents to Take 25 minutes with their children to talk to them about safety.

Cindy Crosby, R.N., family educator at Salem Hospital says, "The goal is not to frighten your children but rather to empower them with information that can help keep them safe."

Here are 10 safety tips to share with your children:

1. Teach your children their name, address and telephone number. Make sure they know your full name.
2. Make sure your children know how to reach a trusted adult if they are scared or there is an emergency.
3. Set safety rules: Keep the door locked and do not open the door for anyone when home alone.
4. Instruct your children not to give out personal information to anyone they do not know well and trust, whether on the computer, on the phone or in person.
5. Keep the computer in a common area, rather than in the child's bedroom. Monitor the computer use and discuss safety issues.
6. Do not display your child's name on their backpack or lunchbox. It may put them on a first-name basis with someone who intends to do them harm.
7. Stress the importance of staying with a buddy when walking, riding bike or playing.
8. Set up "what if" situations and ask your children how they would respond.
9. Teach your children how and when to call 9-1-1.
10. Practice safety skills so that they become second nature. While you do not want to scare your children, it is important to make sure they are aware of dangers so they can avoid them, or confidently deal with them if they happen.

Crosby adds, "If you don't have time to spend 25 minutes talking about safety with your children on May 25, please remember any time is a good time to talk to children about staying safe."