CHNA and Implementation PlanNursing
Offering Patient Care Beyond Compare.
Nursing: Harrisburg Medical Center Nursing Department
Harrisburg Medical Center’s nursing services range from Ambulatory Care to Behavioral Health Care. The full continuum of care encompasses the following units providing nursing care.
- Ambulatory Care
- Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- EKG
- Emergency Department
- Oncology and Infusion Unit
- Medical Surgical
- Operating Room/Recovery Room
- Special Care Unit/Progressive Care Unit
- Inpatient Behavioral Health
Employees of the nursing department have specific levels of training for the type of patient care they deliver. Staff positions include RNs, LPNs, CNAs, Monitor Technicians, Unit Clerks and Psychiatric Technicians. Approximately 65% of the nursing staff are registered nurses. The staff also has specialty training in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and trauma nursing for appropriate care areas.
The mission of the Harrisburg Medical Center’s Nursing Department is to assist the individual sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or recovery. The nurse will work “with” the patient, rather than “for” or “on” the patient, in partnership that encourages and supports the patient’s individuality and sense of control.
Medical & Surgical Care
The Medical-Surgical Unit is a 34-bed in-patient nursing unit. Semi-private and private rooms are offered. Special private rooms to isolate patients with infectious diseases, called isolation rooms, are also on this unit. If you have a reason to be hospitalized or observed as an outpatient for a general, non-critical medical disease or surgical procedure, this is where your physician will have you admitted or observed for a short period of time.
Twenty-four hour nursing care is provided by RNs, LPNs, and Nurses Aides. Visiting hours on this unit are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a limit of two visitors per patient. Children under the age of 12 should not be visitors according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Televisions with cable service and telephones are available.
Progressive Care
The Progressive Care Unit (PCU) is the area of the hospital where patients still continue to be observed for 24 hours; however, their condition has typically improved so that their activity level can increase. The patients in this area will usually wear a mobile cardiac monitor so that the heart rhythm can be observed during their more natural activities.
Open visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and only two visitors at a time are allowed. No children under the age of 12.
Equipment
As you tour through the SCU and PCU, you may notice strange and unfamiliar noises. Our new equipment is used for support and treatment. This monitoring system allows the critical care staff to observe patient’s heart rhythm, heart rate, invasive and noninvasive blood pressures, and continuous pulse oximetry measuring the percent of oxygen in the blood.
Special Care
Critical Resources To Help Ensure Recovery
The Special Care Unit is the area of the hospital where patients are continuously observed 24 hours by advanced cardiac life support certified registered nurses. The Special Care Unit (SCU) is important in meeting the needs of patients who have experienced such events as heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), dangerous heart rhythms, serious accidents, or major surgery.
Visitation is from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on even hours for 15 minutes, and only two visitors at a time are allowed. Remember, these patients need their rest to help in their recovery.
Equipment
As you tour through the SCU and PCU, you may notice strange and unfamiliar noises. Our new equipment is used for support and treatment. This monitoring system allows the critical care staff to observe patient’s heart rhythm, heart rate, invasive and noninvasive blood pressures, and continuous pulse oximetry measuring the percent of oxygen in the blood.
Ambulatory Care
Ambulatory Care is staffed by a total of eight RNs and LPNs. Their certifications include Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and two ACLS instructors. Our area includes 11 outpatient beds, two endoscopy suites and two outpatient exam rooms.
Ambulatory Care Procedures
1. The same day surgery department of the Ambulatory Care unit allows the patient to have surgery and go home all in the same day.
- Same Day Surgery – Some minor surgeries are performed in Ambulatory Care. Other surgical patients are cared for before and after their surgeries in Ambulatory Care, which allows for maximum care at a minimum cost.
2. The unit of Ambulatory Care has video, fiber-optic equipment in two endoscopy suites, as well as a staff of registered and licensed nurses. This provides the patient quality care with a personal small town touch.
Diagnostic Endoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- EGD-Gastroscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
Treatment
- Dressing changes
3. Intravenous Therapy (I.V. Therapy) is used to give some medicines such as antibiotics, to assist in healing.
- I.V. Therapy – Antibiotic and Intravenous Therapy on an outpatient basis
4. Blood Transfusions – Patients receiving blood and/or blood products in Ambulatory Care are closely monitored during and after transfusions and discharged in the same day.
5. Specialty Clinics are offered by six physicians to include treatment for kidney/urinary tract, respiratory system, wounds, ophthalmology, and neurology.
Oncology and Infusion Unit
Ambulatory Care has an outpatient oncology and infusion unit with five patient care areas staffed by RNs. Our nurses provide outpatient care for chemotherapy patients, as well as other patients receiving medication or blood by IV infusion. Our goal is to provide compassionate holistic care.
In Oncology, we provide not only chemotherapy, but we monitor lab results, flush ports, give injections and dressing changes. The nurse works closely with the patient and their oncologist, some as far away as St. Louis, to provide the best care possible and with the convenience of being close to home.
Outpatient Chemotherapy by registered nurses in an outpatient clinic setting.
Injections and lab evaluations for outpatient oncology.
Procedures in the department require a physician referral.
Emergency Services
Always Ready When You Need Us Most
In cases of trauma or sudden illness, such as heart attacks, minutes can make the difference between life and death. Your emergency medical needs will be met at Harrisburg Medical Center by a staff of highly motivated specialists trained in providing you with thorough, quality care. HMC Emergency Service is staffed by physicians, mid-levels, RNs, and ER Techs. Physician certification includes emergency medicine and family practice. Certifications of the nurses include Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Trauma Nurse Specialist, and ACLS Instructors. We provide immediate treatment with physicians on site 24 hours a day.
Surgery
Harrisburg Medical Center is proud of our surgery unit. Ten skilled surgeons perform inpatient and outpatient surgery (same day surgery) and endoscopies.
We have three accomplished Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Our highly trained LPNs, RNs, Surgical Techs and support staff have 171 years of combined experience with credentials of Basic Life Support (BLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and First Assistant.
With the addition of our newest surgeon, Dr. Brahm Jyot, we now offer more laparoscopic surgeries, which are less invasive.
Some of the surgeries we offer, include:
- Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
- Gastroenterology
- General Surgery
- Gynecological
- Ophthalmic
- Orthopedics
- Podiatry
- Thoracic
Procedures offered in the Endoscopy suites are:
- Bronchoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- EGD-Gastroscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
Harrisburg Medical Center is a trusted choice for your surgical needs whether, inpatient, outpatient, or endoscopy.
