Nursing Department

The Nursing Department provides professional care to patients following set standards & practices. They work alongside the providers and other hospital team members in caring for patients. Community Memorial patients are treated in the Outpatient area, Emergency Room, Acute Care & Swing Bed.

Patients can also see their specialist via Telemedicine, which is a patient consultation using video & audio, rather than the patient driving to another town to see their specialist.

Patients who present to the Emergency Room may also be seen by a Doctor at Avera Health via the Avel eEmergency system, which also uses video & audio. This doctor may assist the CMH providers and nursing staff in providing care to the critical patients

Emergency:

The emergency department is available for patients 24 hours per day/365 days per year.  A medical provider is on call and evaluates all patients that present to the emergency room.  Avel eCARE specialty services are also available in the emergency room.

Upon arrival to the ER, your condition will be evaluated to determine the severity and extent of your condition.  Due to the nature of emergencies, those patients with life-threatening illness or injury will be treated first even if you arrived prior.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program:

Cardiac Rehab is treatment provided for people who have had a heart attack, heart surgery or treatment for heart disease.  Rehab services provides education and physical rehab to speed the recovery process and improve activities of daily living.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program:

Pulmonary Rehab is a program that helps patients that have been diagnosed with any chronic lung disease.  The program helps individuals with breathing exercises, respiratory muscle training, and breathing relaxation. 

Telemedicine Services:

eCARE telemedicine services are available for consultations with some specialists.

What to Expect:  Just like an office visit, you’ll enter an exam room, equipped with a video camera and monitor.  You will see, hear, and speak to the remote physician.  A CMH staff person will be in the room with you and will help the offsite physician with any diagnostic equipment such as a stethoscope or camera to get images.

Nutrition Services:

Professional nutritional services are available for complete nutrition assessments, one to one personal nutrition counseling, weight management and diabetes education.  A registered dietician is available for medical nutrition therapy for in or out of the hospital treatment and education.

Tena Kolda
Director of Nursing