Welcome to Oakes Community Hospital

For more news from the Oakes Community Hospital please visit our News Page.

5K Fun Run/Walk - Saturday, June 8, 2013

Click here to Download Registration Form

Healing Garden Becoming A Reality In Spring

click photo at right to enlarge

Click here to view list of Donors, In Memory Of, & In Honor Of

Sister M. Dianna Hell, Mission Leader, and Lee Boyles, Administrator, have worked with Philip Homan, local Architect, on the design for the Healing Garden at the Oakes Community Hospital. The Healing Garden is a passion of Sister Dianna’s and she has worked diligently to have her dream become a reality. Sister M. Dianna reflects upon the Healing Garden as a place of reflection, relaxation, healing of the mind, body and soul.

In preparation for this article to the public, Sister Dianna says “I am so happy to come to you at this time to tell you about the Healing Garden. Many of you have frequently asked me when the Healing Garden will become a reality or have said you have funds to give but don’t want to give it until the Healing Garden is for certain.”

As soon as the frost is out of the ground, Philip Homan will begin working on the Healing Garden. Depending upon the funds available, the work will be completed in three phases. The statue of the Blessed Mother Mary, a waterfall, and the original marble from the front of the old hospital will be incorporated into one of the phases. As illustrated in the design, a walkway will intertwine throughout the shrubs, shade trees, and benches, allowing patients to stroll outdoors, admire the beauty of nature, or simply enjoy the garden with visitors. The garden will be open to all patients, families, friends, visitors and employees to use as a place of peace and reflection.

Currently $10,186.16 has been received from memorials designated for the Healing Garden. If you are interested in donating to the Healing Garden you may contact Sister M. Dianna Hell. If Sister doesn’t have the answer immediately to your question she will contact Philip Homan and get back to you.

Memorials may be given as monetary memorials or the purchase of an identified object in the project such as a memorial bench, tree, shrub, waterfall, bird bath, tables, chairs, etc. Personalized pavers for the walkway may be discussed. Donations or memorials earmarked for the Healing Garden can be dropped off or mailed to the hospital, attention Sister M. Dianna Hell.

OCH Educational Gift Program

Recognizing the need for high-quality rural health care and increasing demand for trained professionals, Oakes Community Hospital has announced that it is once again offering two $750 educational gifts to students from our service area pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

This program is open to area high school seniors or graduates, who have enrolled or are currently enrolled, in a course of study leading to a Certificate/Diploma or academic degree in a healthcare field (may only win the award once). A few examples of eligible healthcare fields are Medical Lab Technology, Nursing, and Social Work.

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university, vocational/technical school, a school of nursing, or an institution accredited by an appropriate state licensing health career board.

Applications may be picked up from Oakes Community Hospital or your school’s guidance counselor. Application is also available as a fillable/printable PDF.

For more information or to request an application, contact Julie Entzminger at 701-742-3837 or by e-mail at julieentzminger@catholichealth.net, or Sister Dianna Hell at 701-742-3607 or by e-mail at SisterDiannaHell@catholichealth.net. All applications must be returned by April 19, 2013.

Oakes Community Hospital is Undertaking a Community Health Needs Assessment and Wants Your Opinion!

As part of our ongoing effort to meet the health care needs of the community we serve, Oakes Community Hospital is undertaking a Community Health Needs Assessment. The overall objective of the community assessment process is to determine health needs from the perspective of the community, NOT the perspective of the hospital or its employees. This is an important distinction because much of the discussion will be focused on where the true health needs lie and how the hospital can better serve these needs within the community. Your input as a community member is needed to better understand the health needs that exist within our community.

Read Full Press Release

We ask for your help by completing the survey online, please use the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2MY5NYX

Rejoice in the rich fabric of family and friends which holds you safe, and grateful, at many times in life. It is often heard when people come to Oakes, “Wow, this community has great support” and it is true, we are blessed with generous, caring people. This past year Oakes Community Hospital (OCH) has been privileged to share in providing care keeping you at the center of the picture with: 1,369 Emergency Room Visits, 10,009 Outpatient Visits, 2,258 Inpatient days of care and 403 total inpatient admissions. Continued...
		Oakes Community Hospital Foundation can assist you and your financial advisor as you plan your family’s future. We offer a full range of planned giving options that may help you achieve your goals. Oakes Community Hospital Future Endowment - View Brochure North Dakota Taxpayers May Receive A 40% Tax Credit for Gifts to Endowments - View PDF

Hot or Cold?

Cold is used to constrict blood vessels, decreasing the amount of active bleeding and reducing swelling in the case of an acute injury (i.e. any type of sprain/strain, surgical intervention, bruise etc) inside of the first 72 hours of occurrence. Whenever tissues have been disrupted, there is a period of bleeding within the tissues which results in what we see as a bruise when it reaches the surface of the skin. Even if there is no physical appearance of discoloration, there is still bleeding deep within the tissues, not visible to the eye. Ice also interrupts the pain receptors in the area, creating the “numbing sensation”, in turn relieving pain as well. An ice massage to the affected area is a great way to settle down pain in addition to the benefits of decreasing swelling.

Heat, on the other hand, is used to dilate (or open) blood vessels to increase blood flow. When blood vessels become strangulated by tight tissues (i.e. muscle spasms, persistent swelling more than 72 hours, formation of scar tissue etc.) blood flow slows. Heat will increase the ability of the vascular system to move swelling out of the area, allowing oxygen and necessary nutrients for healing to flood the sore area. In addition to the increased blood flow, much like heating metal before you can bend it, heat restores the flexibility to the tissues as well. This will allow you to be able to move without as much pain. Heat also interrupts the pain receptors in much the same fashion as ice, allowing the tissues to relax.

Hot and cold used in combination with one another is a very effective way to care for severe cases of pain and swelling inside of the first two weeks of an injury. Using ice and heat in a combined treatment is very effective in treating severe sprains and muscle spasms. This process is called “contrast treatment”. This is used to open and close the blood vessels, creating a “pumping” effect to rid the area of bleeding and swelling. The process is a 20 minute treatment always started and finished with ice. The sequence is as follows:

• 5 minutes of ice
• 2 minutes of heat
• 2 minutes of ice
• 2 minutes of heat
• 2 minutes of ice
• 2 minutes of heat
• 5 minutes of ice

Remember that if you are ever in doubt of which option is best, contact your physician or physical therapist to help see you down the correct path to recovery.