News

This October, Washington County Hospital (WCH) is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. (Male breast cancer incidence is small but it is important to know that the disease can affect men as well.) The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A report released by the American Cancer Society states that, “death rates from breast cancer in the United States have dropped 39% between 1989 and 2015.” This trend can be related to women having their screening mammograms done annually.

• The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.A mammogram is a special breast X-ray that can detect 90 percent of cancers – even before a lump can be felt. While this makes mammograms a very important tool in early detections of breast cancer, they are not perfect. Approximately 10 percent of breast cancer can be missed. A woman should not ignore something she feels just because she had a normal mammogram.For more information about the Breast Health Services offered at WCH please call the Radiology Department at 618-327-2323.
• WCH offers Digital Diagnostic and Screening mammography services in our Women’s Health Suite. The Mammography Department is accredited by the ACR (American College of Radiology). All mammography studies are performed by Registered Mammography technologists. All diagnostic services that are needed are performed the same day if indicated by the Radiologist from Clinical Radiologist, S.C., who specializes in Breast Imaging. The patient is then able to speak with a Radiologist at time of exam. Most Diagnostic exams will have results that day and the patient will know if any further procedures are needed. Screening exams will have results within one or two business days. WCH is also available to complete Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsies if determined necessary by the Radiologist.
• Total breast health is the key to early detection. Early detection of breast cancer is maximized through a combined approach of monthly self-examinations, a thorough physical examination by a physician, and a mammogram.

Like WCH on Facebook or visit our website at www.washingtoncountyhospital.org for latest updates and happenings at WCH.

Please join WCH at the Nashville Fall Festival, Friday & Saturday, September 27^th & 28^th.  We will have lots of information about our hospital services and a fun area for kids to color pictures.  Stop by while our Medical Group providers are there for a Meet & Greet. 

Washington County Hospital has been recognized for its commitment to patient safety and quality with the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) Innovation Challenge: Partners in Progress Aware from IHA’s Institute for Innovations in Care and Quality. The Partners in Progress Innovation Challenge helps support the mission of the Great Lakes Partners for Patients Hospital Improvement Innovation Network (HIIN) mission to reduce harm through impactful organizational innovation that can be implemented at other hospitals and health systems across the state.

“IHA and its more than 200 hospitals and nearly 50 health system members are dedicated to advancing person-centered health care through evidence-based quality and safety initiatives and innovative programs that can measurably strengthen health and healthcare for all Illinoisans,” said A.J. Wilhelmi, IHA President and CEO.

“The IHA Innovation Challenge: Partners in Progress Awards highlight innovations that can lead to better outcomes both locally and statewide,” said Helga Brake, Vice President of Quality, Safety and Health Policy, IHA. “Improving the healthcare system is a team effort, and we hope that hospitals in Illinois and elsewhere can use these patient safety initiatives as a starting point for their own quality improvement projects.”

Sue Drabing, Vice President of Provider Services at MEDS, shared, “ensuring providers and the nursing team are educated to recognize the signs and symptoms of sepsis is crucial in the rapid treatment and for the best possible outcome for the patient. MEDS providers are currently providing 24/7 Emergency Care and managing Inpatients at Washington County Hospital in collaboration with SSM Telehospitalists.

Sepsis is an infection that can develop quickly and rapidly worsen.  It is a medical emergency that can be life threatening if left untreated.  The CDC states that more than 1.5 million pe

Washington County Hospital is hosting a Blood Drive on Tuesday, September 10^th, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. The Blood Drive will be in the lower level conference rooms of the hospital. The best entrance would be the Education Entrance on the South East corner of the hospital. Please come and join us. Each pint donated can save up to 3 lives!

The Rural Health Clinic at Washington County Hospital offers all your school physical needs. Call 618-327-2225 to schedule an appointment today with one of our providers.

Washington County Hospital’s Health Fair is slated for Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 at 7:00am.