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Nursing

Patient care is provided by a multidisciplinary health care team including family physicians, surgeons , an internal medicine specialist, nursing, respiratory therapist, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, clinical nutrition, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, discharge planning as well as related community caregivers. On the first floor, fourteen beds are allocated to medicine, and four beds are in the intensive care unit. On the second floor, two beds are designated for obstetrical and there are twelve medical/surgical post operative beds. AMGH palliative room is also located on the second floor. Individualized care is provided for patients of all ages.
A significant portion of patients admitted to AMGH are treated for heart disease; angina, myocardial infarction, chest pain and cardiac arrhythmias. Primary care is provided in Goderich. Secondary and tertiary cardiology services are provided by hospitals in London and Kitchener. The linkages with these hospitals ensure a continuum of care and consistency in the care provided. A comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation service, Healthy Hearts, is available for Goderich and area patients post discharge. |
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Teaching on the medical unit also includes: a cardiac teaching program, focusing on anatomy and physiology, medications, and diet; and a diabetic teaching program focusing on self management of the disease. A Diabetic Nurse Educator and Nutritionalist provide assistance to patients before, during and after a hospital stay. There is also a Healthy Sugars Program at the YMCA.
Patients travel to London for the majority of their oncology treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The scope of diagnostic services include laboratory, radiography, fluoroscopy, stress testing, holter monitoring, spirometry testing, electrocardiograms, mammography, echocardiography, manometry, continuous blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound and CT.
Multidisciplinary care conferences to review all inpatients are held daily Monday to Friday. Patient care goals and progress are discussed using the combined input from the patient's family, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, speech/language therapy, nutrition and case managers from Community Care Access Centre to create a plan for discharge. |
Intensive Care
Level II
The four bed intensive care unit (ICU) provides fully monitored medical and surgical intensive care for the most acutely ill patients. The unit provides the equipment, supplies and expertise required to stabilize and care for critical patients until the crisis passes or a transfer to a tertiary care centre can be arranged.
There are two beds, adjacent to the ICU, within the medical unit complement which often functions as the step down facility. The staff in the ICU also monitor the cardiac tracings of medical patients that are connected to the ten telemetry units on the medical floor.
Medical coverage of the ICU is provided by general practitioners, in consultation with anesthesia and internal medicine.
Pediatrics

Children 0 - 16 years are considered paediatric patients. Age specific care is provided for children requiring medical or surgical intervention. Medical services are provided by all general practitioners on staff. Patients requiring a higher level of care are transferred to a secondary centre in Stratford or London, or a tertiary care centre in London or Toronto. Patients requiring ENT or orthopaedic services are also referred to paediatric services in Stratford. Visiting ENT and Pediatric consultants hold monthly clinics.
The philosophy of care provided by the paediatric services is based on an interdisciplinary team approach and a family centred care concept. Parents of paediatric patients are allowed extended visiting hours and overnight stays are accommodated.
Paediatric patients and families with special needs are referred directly or via the Healthy Baby, Healthy Children Program to appropriate care agencies. The County of Huron Children's Aid Society and the Huron Perth centre for Children and Youth are two agencies that provide social support to families.
Long Term Care

The long term care program has four beds available for care. Admission criteria require that the patient be chronically ill or have a functional disability, not be in an acute phase of the illness, and have rehabilitation potential which can best be realized by a slow-paced rehabilitation program.
Currently individual assessment is provided by the general practitioner and the other related disciplines. Allied health support to the unit includes speech/language pathology (including swallowing assessments), monthly consultation by a dietician, and assessment for care by physiotherapy.
A TIA Clinic and Stroke Clinic is provided through referral to Stratford General Hospital.
The Huron Hospice Volunteer Program is a Volunteer group that provide palliative care services for the terminally ill and their families. They are available upon request to provide emotional and respite support to families in need in both the hospital and the community.
A day care program is available at the Huron Day Centre for the Homebound located in Clinton. A stroke rehabilitation program is provided in conjunction with the program. In special cases patients from the hospital access the program prior to being discharged home.
Hospice Palliative Care

