News Briefs
Skate park phase II approved
ST. IGNATIUS - The St. Ignatius town council authorized the continuation of fund-raising and construction Feb. 2 to build Phase II of the skate park.
Kristie and Bruce Nerby explained their plans and budget for Phase II of the skate park during the meeting. Phase II plans include an additional 34-foot by 100-foot skate bowl and the budget was about $19,000 for the additional construction.
"All I need now is for someone to write me a $19,000 check," Nerby joked.
Nerby also reminded the council that Phase I of the skate park hasn't had its concrete sealed yet and needed to have it done as soon as possible.
- Reporter David Flores
St. Luke's earns trauma distinction
St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan received word that it has been designated a Community Trauma Hospital by Montana.
"This is formal recognition of the steps we have taken to be prepared for a trauma event," said Leah Emerson, director of nursing at St. Luke.
The steps include having a defined response with the necessary equipment, personnel and supplies on hand "to get the job done," Emerson said.
In addition to the Community Trauma Hospital designation, Ronan has been given the Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Improvement Network's Quality Improvement Award. This honor is in recognition of steps the hospital has taken with local Emergency Medical Services personnel to improve the quality of care for trauma patients.
"St. Luke has always worked closely with the local volunteer and paid EMS services to provide quality care to trauma patients," said Shane Roberts, CEO at the Ronan hospital. "That's why, when we saw things we could do to improve how those services were delivered, it was a no-brainer."
In its pursuit of designation as a community trauma hospital, St. Luke developed an interdisciplinary trauma committee made up of doctors, nurses, ancillary service technicians and EMS personnel. The committee provides an avenue to discuss issues and to discover opportunities for improvement.
Kitty Strowbridge, the Quality Improvement coordinator at St. Luke, says that trip report documentation of pre-hospital care by EMS personnel had been identified as one area that could measurably be improved.
"By more effectively documenting the kind of care that is being delivered during EMS transport, our trauma team saw an opportunity to elevate the quality of care for the patient," Strowbridge said.
In 2008, 54 percent of St. Luke's trauma patients arrived by EMS transport. At that time 50 percent of the transports had trip report documentation.
After the trauma committee identified ways of improving the paperwork, the trip report documentation improved to 92% with 23 of 25 cases recorded between January and July of 2009 having trip reports present.
The Ronan hospital CEO, Shane Roberts, serves on the board of directors while St. Luke Director of Nursing, Leah Emerson, and Strowbridge are active on various committees in the Network which is extremely rare according to the QI nurse. "That makes us a leader as a critical access hospital in the state of Montana," she observes.
-Courtesy of Wayne Fuchs
Polson student art on display
Businesses throughout the area are displaying Polson School District's students' artwork.
This rotating exhibition, done in a variety of mediums, was created by Polson students from pre-school through high school. The public is encouraged to visit the following businesses during normal business hours to view the students' art; Community Bank, Cove Deli and Pizza, Crow's Nest Gallery, First Citizens Bank, First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank, Jackie M's Footwear, Lake County Leader, Polson City Office, Polson School District Office, Quinn's Wrap Shack and the Valley Journal.
The displays will change about every six weeks giving the public an opportunity to enjoy the artwork of many students.
- Courtesy of Marsha Anson
Gallagher up for state PCC
Bill Gallagher, former Polson businessman has announced he is running for Montana Public Service Commission District 5. He is looking forward to representing Lake and Flathead County on the Commission, he said in a press release.
Gallagher, the former owner of the Polson Days Inn, Farm Bureau Insurance and Club Wave Water Sports left Polson for Helena in 1996.
Gallagher, now an attorney, with a focus on utility matters and protecting private property rights, is a self described "Ronald Reagan conservative that has had enough," the release said.
He is running as a Republican for the PSC seat currently held by democrat Ken Toole.
Gallagher is confident the people of this district will support him, the release said.
"I look forward to serving. Having lived or worked in 3 of the six counties, (Lake, Flathead, Lewis and Clark) I know this District, its people and the economy," he said.
Gallagher, 50, has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, for 31 years. They have two grown children, Catrina, a stay at home mom, and David, an IBEW Journeyman lineman.
-Courtesy of Bill Gallagher