Editor,

We are writing as members of the community who have received services at Whidbey General Hospital, and who happen to also work in the Medical Ambulatory Care / Oncology Unit (MAC) at Whidbey General Hospital.

We are certified oncology and certified specialty nurses who have worked at the hospital for 7 to 25 years. Our average tenure is 14 years. We love our patients and our jobs. In our years at the hospital, we have watched the MAC unit grow. In 2012, we were one of 79 hospitals nationally that received an outstanding achievement award from the Commission on Cancer. We are proud of both our unit and our hospital.

We are concerned about our patients and want to ensure they continue to receive quality care. As our hospital ages and technology changes, we want to make sure the facility continues to grow. We recently installed a state-of-the-art computer system that has changed how we do our work. Upgrading our technology has been challenging but we are doing it.

It is gratifying to be a part of the change in healthcare today. We value technology and we know how much this new technology means to our patients and their healthcare. They are going to receive more fluid healthcare with the new system. Our patients’ medical history is at our fingertips.  Our physicians and nurses are able to pull up their patients’ medical records and promptly evaluate their needs.

The hospital can’t, however, stop with an electronic medical record. We need to improve our aging facility so our patients can continue to receive quality and safe healthcare. We need to ensure our patients’ safety through the control of infection and provide for their privacy as they heal. This is for both the patients and their families. Our patients deserve respect and dignity during their healing process. We are excited that our community has an opportunity to improve our hospital through a remodel that will include rooms to support the new technology and provide privacy. This will make a difference for our patients who need hospitalization.

We stand by our patients and their families. We encourage you to stand by your community hospital. Vote YES on the upcoming hospital bond in November.

Sincerely,

LISA TOOMEY, RN OCN

JULIE GUILBERT, RN OCN

ANN BELL, RN OCN

CANDY THOMAS, RN OCN

LINE GOULET, RN MSN OCN CDE

GINNY GREEN, RN OCN

DON MILLER, RN OCN CDE

LINDA JACOBSON, RN OCN

SUSAN CAREY, RN OCN

JACKIE BRUNS, RN OCN

MARTA JENSEN, RN OCN

MICHELLE BEESLEY, RN WOCN

COLLEEN KLAMM, RN WCRN

MELINDA BUCHHOLZ, RN