Editor,
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the staff at John C. Fremont Hospital, specifically the ER. I sustained a severe injury to my left ring and middle finger on Aug 4.
A trip to the ER for treatment was necessary. From the admission staff, nurses on staff, on call physician, X-ray tech, I was treated promptly and with a good dose of professionalism.
My wedding ring was removed, thankfully, without having to be cut. The nurse on staff, a Coast Guard veteran, cleaned the wound. X-rays were taken by the technician to reveal the damage to my fingers.
Most of the damage was on my ring finger. The physician on call, Dr. Benson, put in stitches to put my finger back together. Thank goodness for lidocaine. I was admitted, treated and discharged within two and half hours.
The following day, after picking up some prescriptions, my wife (a retired nurse) strongly suggested a trip back to the ER for a dressing change. There was still a fair amount blood oozing from the injury.
So another trip to the ER. I told the admission people what had happened, and showed the dressing that needed changing. I got in right away.
The nurses on staff were friendly and we swapped a few jokes. The dressing was removed. The physician on call, Dr. Leight, checked the wound and gave his approval.
Another nurse came and put on a new dressing and that was that. I was sent home with some more gauze and antibiotic cream.
There’s a little twist in this story. The morning after the injury, I tried to get an appointment with a surgeon to get his opinion if surgery was necessary. His office said no after I explained what had happened.
However they recommended a hand surgeon, Dr. Ward. A call to their office and they would not see me without a referral. It turns out, Dr. Ward and Dr. Leight know each other.
On my second visit, while my dressing was being changed, Dr. Leight put in a call to Dr. Ward with a referral. Upon my discharge, included with the paperwork was the referral.
To paraphrase Dr. Leight, “my heart was singing.” This brings us to Thursday. I faxed the discharge papers along with the referral to Dr. Ward’s office.
A follow up phone call to get a date and time for an appointment. There was an opening Friday afternoon in his Turlock office. But X-rays were required. I stated that X-rays were done at the ER.
Their response was if I couldn’t get a disc with X-rays, I would have to get another round of X-rays. This is where the imaging department at JCF came through beautifully.
I left a message and hoped for a quick call back. About 25 minutes later, I got the call. I explained this was a rush job because the time frame. I don’t remember the lady’s name who called back, but she did say “we’re on it” STAT.
Less than hour later, another call and was told the disc was ready for pick up at the front desk. I was and still am amazed how all the pieces fell into place.
I met the good Dr. Ward on Friday. He is one of the most unique physicians I’ve ever met. I asked him how he knew Dr. Leight. He laughed and said Dr. Leight sends all the good people from Mariposa who hurt and injure themselves with these types of injuries.
Mine was a log splitter. Dr. Ward says between August and November, “It’s chainsaw injury season and Mariposa sends its share.”
A recap, injured, treated twice, surgery all done in six days. Currently on the DL. Go figure.
In closing, again thanks and high praise for the admission folks, ER staff, X-ray tech, the ER physicians and the imaging department. This wasn’t my first trip to the ER.
Other injuries and mishaps occur. Looking back, each incident, some serious, some not, treatment was prompt and done with a degree of respect and skill. It would be a serious blow to this town and county if JCF closed its doors. It happened in Madera and other rural hospitals are at risk.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul E. Jarvi
Mariposa
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