For several months, the board has had much discussion, researched various brands, and received bids on new cat scan equipment. The final decision was made to purchase the Toshiba cat scanner for $388,000, including the $100,000 trade in of PAHCS' previous equipment. PAHCS will pay $7000 a month on a lease/purchase agreement at six percent interest.
The new equipment will be capable of holding patients up to 450 pounds. It will also be able to perform better readings for sinus patients, who previously were referred to other facilities.
The Toshiba is three to four times faster than PAHCS' previous equipment. An exam that now takes 45 minutes, will only take ten minutes with the new equipment.
In other PAHCS business, the board toured the rehabilitation department, which provides such services as occupational and physical therapy. Tim Lane, RPT stated that occupational therapy services at PAHCS has grown 20 percent since last year, and rehabilitation services overall has grown 54 percent.
In January of 1997, Mindy Peterson began offering hand therapy. Terry Winter will be offering massage therapy by appointment.
Although speech therapy has adequate space, more room would be helpful for the cardiac rehabilitation patients to perform their various exercises. Although the rehabilitation department might have more space available in another location off the Paynesville hospital grounds, Tim Lane felt that moving the rehabilitation department to a different site would be impractical since they are presently able to better consult with patient's doctors at their current site.
Regarding PAHCS' new health care staff, Dr. Randy Nelson began on active staff September 1, and Cindy Smith, dermatologist, will also begin taking patients every other Wednesday, beginning this month.
In honor of Dr. Ernest Aulick's 40 years with PAHCS, as well as Ruth Aulick's many years of service to the community of Paynesville, a retirement party is planned for Sunday, September 21. The community is invited to stop by 700 Stearns Place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.