January 4, 2007 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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ounty's
Up 2.9 percent from the budget
the Mason County Commission
boating program is getting its own account
passed for 2006, the 2007 budget
totals $90,283,832. Commission-
rribalr°up'i: ers unanimously approved the
: budget during a regular meeting
West on December 27.
mous, The county's Current Ex-
Third pense Fund indicates a balance of
$30,355,384. New this year is the
cohol- i Sheriffs Boating Fund, an account
that will handle revenues and ex-
penditures for the sheriffs boating
program. In setting up this fund
the commission moved financing
of the boating program out of the
sheriffs general office budget.
Commissioners also approved
funding a clerical position for
three months in the Department
of Emergency Management, an
operation which has been a divi-
sion of the Mason County Sheriffs
Office.
Prior to passage of the budget,
the commissioners took comments
from Sheriff Steve Whybark and
District Court Judge Victoria
Meadows concerning budget mat-
ters related to their elective offices.
Whybark said the Mason County
Jail needs more money to address
the health problems of an aging
inmate population and Meadows
made remarks indicating said dis-
trict court needs more money to
provide adequate defense for peo-
ple who don't have a lot of money
and find themselves accused of a
misdemeanor crime.
The commission indicated it
may revisit these issues at the
beginning of this new year. Final
changes incorporated into the 2007
budget towards the end of the old
year include:
Eliminating a vacant admin-
istrative assistant position in the
budget, finance and risk manage-
ment office and a vacant seasonal
aide position in the facilities and
grounds department.
. Establishing an indigent de-
fense department funded by state
(Please turn to page 21.)
Wh ere caring counts. Feel the difference.T00
orfum[00e5
I Public Hospital District Recommends Re-Districting
to Best Serve Local Communities
As part of a year-long planning process to ensure it is prepared to meet future
needs, commissioners of Public Hospital District No. 1 (the governing body of Mason
General Hospital, Oakland Bay Pediatrics and North Mason Medical Clinic) of Mason
County recommended December 19, 2006, that the Hospital District boundaries be
realigned to better meet the healthcare needs of Mason County. A public hearing will
be held Monday, January 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Port of Allyn to hear comments from
the community. Following the public meeting, the hospital commissioners may approve
the boundary change after a second public hearing. The final decision being made by
the Mason County commissioners will be held on January 30 in Belfair.
"Employees and community residents are encouraged to attend the public hearing
to speak in favor of the re-districting effort because it will allow the district to invest
in the hospital's core services, make the system stronger and better meet the healthcare
needs in our communities," said Bob Aplel, CEO of MGH.
Areas recommended for removal from the District would include the north portions
of Belfair and the areas north of the Hood Canal that include Tahuya and Dewatto.
According to reports, residents of these areas use other hospitals, particularly Harrison
Memorial in Bremerton, over Mason General Hospital. The change will reduce the
geographic size of the Hospital District and will allow it to bring better alignment of
services with the needs of the remaining population.
"As part of the planning process, the commissioners and hospital leaders looked
at who is using the hospital's core services now and who is likely to be using them in
the future," said Hospital Commissioner Scott Hilburn. "We also studied access to
care patterns for current District residents. As a result of this process we have begun
to make a number of changes that will strengthen our core hospital and clinic services
and improve access to a wider range of services."
Some of the changes already completed or in the process of being made at
MGH include:
- the addition of a third x-ray room and the purchase of new x-ray equipment
- digital x-ray and MRI capability will be added in 2007
- new information technology will be added that will give patients and providers
the benefits of electronic medical records
- continuation of the recruitment of new physicians to the community
- a new information system at the two clinics was recently added along with the
hiring of a Clinic Director to help streamline clinic operations. The District
continues to invest in and improve clinic operations to best serve patients there
Special purpose districts such as Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County
were created to give local populations the ability to invest in needed infrastructure
and control operations through locally elected boards.
"The people who reside within the newly drawn District boundaries directly benefit
from its existing healthcare services, including the provision of high quality, 24-hour
emergency care," said Hilburn. "Residents will have a continuing interest in maintaining
an excellent hospital as well as local access to other needed healthcare."
I In keeping with our Mission Statement, "...to protect and promote the health
of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion...", Mason
General Hospital wants to help make healthcare affordable. If you need financial
assistance with hospital expenses, please call the MGH Business Office at (360) 427-
9547 for more information on:
- 25% Discount
- Property Tax Adjustment
- Uncompensated Care
Continuing Education classes offered for Mason General
Hospital employees, medical staff and the community during
January:
Orientation for New Employees
Basic Life Support Certification Course for
Mason General Staff
Strong Perifax for OB Staff
Annual Clinical Staff Safety Education
Online Cognitive Skills Development for the Clinical Staff
Mock Adult Code Blue Skills for Clinical Staff
Basic Cardiac Life Support Course for the Community
Mock Pediatric Code Blue Skills
Mock Neonatal Code Blue Skills
Pre-Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Arrhythmia
Recognition
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
New Computer System (Kronos) Ongoing Training
Region-Wide Consortium Critical Access Trauma Training
For more information, contact Tom DtDonna, R.N., MGH
education director, at (360) 427-3609 (from Belfair (360)
275-8614).
Congratulations to Tlsh Jordan,
anesthesia department, for being
selected "Employee of the Month"
for January.
Treasures Thrift Store
recognized Evelyn Nauman as
Volunteer of the Month for
November. Congratulations!
The Karen Hilburn Breast Cancer Fund is
available to Mason County women who are non-
insured or under-insured for breast cancer
screening and treatment at Mason General
Hospital.
Call MGH at (360) 427-3648 (from Belfair (360)
275-8614) and ask for Women's Health in
Diagnostic Imaging.
F Treasures and Treasures, Too!
Thrift Stores are now on-line!!
Check out our web site at
www. treasuresthriftstores.org
and see what we have! I
Or drive on down:
Downtown Shelton on Railroad Ave.
Treasures is open 9:30 a.m, - 5:30 p.m,
and Sundays from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Treasures, Too is open Monday - Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m, and is closed Sundays.
Donations are accepted Monday - Saturday from
lO a.m. - 5 p.rn.," Sundays by appolntment only.
We need volunteers.
Call Sandy at (360) 427-3858,
Our Mission Statement
We take every possible
action to protect and
promote the health of the
people in Mason County while
extending respect and compassion
as we serve each individual.
Mason General Hospital
Bay Pediatrics
Mason Medical Clinic
Where caring counts. Feel the difference. TM
TTY/TDD: (360) 427-9593 Equal Opportunity Provider
Translation Services Provided Se habla espafiol
MGH (360) 426-1611 * From Befair (360) 275-8614
NMMC (360) 275-4084 From Shelton (360) 426-8405
OBP (360) 426-3102
Mason General Hospital is accredited by the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
MGH's Visiting Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. daily.
Thursday, January 4, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 19
ounty's
Up 2.9 percent from the budget
the Mason County Commission
boating program is getting its own account
passed for 2006, the 2007 budget
totals $90,283,832. Commission-
rribalr°up'i: ers unanimously approved the
: budget during a regular meeting
West on December 27.
mous, The county's Current Ex-
Third pense Fund indicates a balance of
$30,355,384. New this year is the
cohol- i Sheriffs Boating Fund, an account
that will handle revenues and ex-
penditures for the sheriffs boating
program. In setting up this fund
the commission moved financing
of the boating program out of the
sheriffs general office budget.
Commissioners also approved
funding a clerical position for
three months in the Department
of Emergency Management, an
operation which has been a divi-
sion of the Mason County Sheriffs
Office.
Prior to passage of the budget,
the commissioners took comments
from Sheriff Steve Whybark and
District Court Judge Victoria
Meadows concerning budget mat-
ters related to their elective offices.
Whybark said the Mason County
Jail needs more money to address
the health problems of an aging
inmate population and Meadows
made remarks indicating said dis-
trict court needs more money to
provide adequate defense for peo-
ple who don't have a lot of money
and find themselves accused of a
misdemeanor crime.
The commission indicated it
may revisit these issues at the
beginning of this new year. Final
changes incorporated into the 2007
budget towards the end of the old
year include:
Eliminating a vacant admin-
istrative assistant position in the
budget, finance and risk manage-
ment office and a vacant seasonal
aide position in the facilities and
grounds department.
. Establishing an indigent de-
fense department funded by state
(Please turn to page 21.)
Wh ere caring counts. Feel the difference.T00
orfum[00e5
I Public Hospital District Recommends Re-Districting
to Best Serve Local Communities
As part of a year-long planning process to ensure it is prepared to meet future
needs, commissioners of Public Hospital District No. 1 (the governing body of Mason
General Hospital, Oakland Bay Pediatrics and North Mason Medical Clinic) of Mason
County recommended December 19, 2006, that the Hospital District boundaries be
realigned to better meet the healthcare needs of Mason County. A public hearing will
be held Monday, January 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Port of Allyn to hear comments from
the community. Following the public meeting, the hospital commissioners may approve
the boundary change after a second public hearing. The final decision being made by
the Mason County commissioners will be held on January 30 in Belfair.
"Employees and community residents are encouraged to attend the public hearing
to speak in favor of the re-districting effort because it will allow the district to invest
in the hospital's core services, make the system stronger and better meet the healthcare
needs in our communities," said Bob Aplel, CEO of MGH.
Areas recommended for removal from the District would include the north portions
of Belfair and the areas north of the Hood Canal that include Tahuya and Dewatto.
According to reports, residents of these areas use other hospitals, particularly Harrison
Memorial in Bremerton, over Mason General Hospital. The change will reduce the
geographic size of the Hospital District and will allow it to bring better alignment of
services with the needs of the remaining population.
"As part of the planning process, the commissioners and hospital leaders looked
at who is using the hospital's core services now and who is likely to be using them in
the future," said Hospital Commissioner Scott Hilburn. "We also studied access to
care patterns for current District residents. As a result of this process we have begun
to make a number of changes that will strengthen our core hospital and clinic services
and improve access to a wider range of services."
Some of the changes already completed or in the process of being made at
MGH include:
- the addition of a third x-ray room and the purchase of new x-ray equipment
- digital x-ray and MRI capability will be added in 2007
- new information technology will be added that will give patients and providers
the benefits of electronic medical records
- continuation of the recruitment of new physicians to the community
- a new information system at the two clinics was recently added along with the
hiring of a Clinic Director to help streamline clinic operations. The District
continues to invest in and improve clinic operations to best serve patients there
Special purpose districts such as Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County
were created to give local populations the ability to invest in needed infrastructure
and control operations through locally elected boards.
"The people who reside within the newly drawn District boundaries directly benefit
from its existing healthcare services, including the provision of high quality, 24-hour
emergency care," said Hilburn. "Residents will have a continuing interest in maintaining
an excellent hospital as well as local access to other needed healthcare."
I In keeping with our Mission Statement, "...to protect and promote the health
of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion...", Mason
General Hospital wants to help make healthcare affordable. If you need financial
assistance with hospital expenses, please call the MGH Business Office at (360) 427-
9547 for more information on:
- 25% Discount
- Property Tax Adjustment
- Uncompensated Care
Continuing Education classes offered for Mason General
Hospital employees, medical staff and the community during
January:
Orientation for New Employees
Basic Life Support Certification Course for
Mason General Staff
Strong Perifax for OB Staff
Annual Clinical Staff Safety Education
Online Cognitive Skills Development for the Clinical Staff
Mock Adult Code Blue Skills for Clinical Staff
Basic Cardiac Life Support Course for the Community
Mock Pediatric Code Blue Skills
Mock Neonatal Code Blue Skills
Pre-Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Arrhythmia
Recognition
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
New Computer System (Kronos) Ongoing Training
Region-Wide Consortium Critical Access Trauma Training
For more information, contact Tom DtDonna, R.N., MGH
education director, at (360) 427-3609 (from Belfair (360)
275-8614).
Congratulations to Tlsh Jordan,
anesthesia department, for being
selected "Employee of the Month"
for January.
Treasures Thrift Store
recognized Evelyn Nauman as
Volunteer of the Month for
November. Congratulations!
The Karen Hilburn Breast Cancer Fund is
available to Mason County women who are non-
insured or under-insured for breast cancer
screening and treatment at Mason General
Hospital.
Call MGH at (360) 427-3648 (from Belfair (360)
275-8614) and ask for Women's Health in
Diagnostic Imaging.
F Treasures and Treasures, Too!
Thrift Stores are now on-line!!
Check out our web site at
www. treasuresthriftstores.org
and see what we have! I
Or drive on down:
Downtown Shelton on Railroad Ave.
Treasures is open 9:30 a.m, - 5:30 p.m,
and Sundays from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Treasures, Too is open Monday - Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m, and is closed Sundays.
Donations are accepted Monday - Saturday from
lO a.m. - 5 p.rn.," Sundays by appolntment only.
We need volunteers.
Call Sandy at (360) 427-3858,
Our Mission Statement
We take every possible
action to protect and
promote the health of the
people in Mason County while
extending respect and compassion
as we serve each individual.
Mason General Hospital
Bay Pediatrics
Mason Medical Clinic
Where caring counts. Feel the difference. TM
TTY/TDD: (360) 427-9593 Equal Opportunity Provider
Translation Services Provided Se habla espafiol
MGH (360) 426-1611 * From Befair (360) 275-8614
NMMC (360) 275-4084 From Shelton (360) 426-8405
OBP (360) 426-3102
Mason General Hospital is accredited by the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
MGH's Visiting Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. daily.
Thursday, January 4, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 19