Photo by Jennifer Allen

New equipment with enhanced technology at River Valley Health System will expand patient treatment options while decreasing the need for invasive surgery.

Monday, November 01, 1999

New equipment with enhanced technology at River Valley Health System will expand patient treatment options while decreasing the need for invasive surgery.

Hospital trustees this week approved the purchase of a new pediatric gastric scope, which will permit physicians to retrieve small, non-digestible items children accidentally eat, and a new common bile duct retriever. The two have a collective cost of $27,500.

Other new technology includes biopsy equipment that will enable physicians to perform biopsies without the need for an incision.

"This will help with early detection and diagnosis, especially with breast cancer," said trustee Rodolfo Canos, M.D.

"The new biopsy equipment is another part of the new RVHS imaging center," explained Terry Vanderhoof, CEO. "We also have implemented a full-time MRI unit, with volumes already exceeding our expectations."

In other business during this week’s monthly trustee meeting:

– Vanderhoof reported renovation work is continuing throughout the 2 South wing of the hospital. The work includes converting all patient rooms to single beds with private baths. "We also have finished construction in the former intensive care unit, which will enable us to move some administrative offices to that area," he said. "In turn, that will let us move pharmacy to the space previously occupied by those offices on the second floor, plus it will let us convert pharmacy’s current space back to patient rooms."

– Connie Lowe, RN and director of nursing, discussed the hospital’s new women’s health programs, including a special cardiovascular awareness project planned for November and osteoporosis screenings in December.

– Vanderhoof said the hospital is Y2K-compliant in all patient care areas with only a few minor, non-patient areas still to be certified before the end of December.

– Trustees approved physician applications for Steven Merkel, M.D., family practice, active status; Gail Feinberg, D.O., active status; Kimberly Oxley, M.D., pediatrics, courtesy status; Kathie Watson-Gray, M.D., family practice, courtesy status; Aaron Williams, M.D. radiation oncology, courtesy status; and Daria Lee, M.D., family practice, active status. Admitting privileges also were granted to active-status emergency room physicians James Ross, M.D., and Stephen Shy, M.D.

Trustees attending included chairman Bob Griffith, Eileen Vass-Brown, Dr. Canos, Don Lambert, Glenda Marting and Jim Weber.