KVH gets tech upgrade
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
The Klickitat Valley Health hospital has gotten a major technological upgrade.
The facility is now equipped with a $55,000 C-Arm, a device that allows doctors and surgeons to get a glimpse inside patients during operations, kind of like a "virtual X-ray," according to administrators.
Beyond surgical operations, the machine has a number of uses including assessing fractures and identifying foreign bodies in patients like needles or pieces of wood.
Diagnostic imaging supervisor Greg Smith said a speech doctor recently asked about the machine to use for swallow tests.
"It's not a hugely technical piece of machinery but it offers a tool that lots of different doctors can use," said Smith.
The apparatus rolls underneath the patient's table and fits around the body, projecting an X-ray onto a screen.
Smith said it is a mainstay of any major hospital and will allow the facility to attend to more people locally.
"I am very pleased that we now have this important diagnostic imaging equipment available in Goldendale," said interim CEO Phil Hanna. "This device provides real-time moving images of internal features and will allow KVH to provide a broad range of additional services in our community."
Hospital administrators have leased the refurbished machine for a six-month trial period after which they will decide is it is getting enough use.
If so, the idea is to purchase the machine outright.
Sunset Auto opens new doors
Sunset Lube and Service in Goldendale will hold a grand opening celebration for its second location this Saturday, Feb. 7.
Festivities will include food and refreshments, along with drawings for specially-priced oil changes and auto services.
The Goldendale service shop bought Thumper's Fast Lube, located on Columbus St., earlier this month and turned it into a second branch to allow more comprehensive service. Owners said the add-on will let them better diagnose automotive problems and provide "preventative" car care.
"It's extending our customer service to something we couldn't offer here," said co-owner Carmen Knopes. "We're going to be able to provide full-service...eventually we will have an integrated computer service."
The Columbus St. shop will offer oil changes, transmission services, and belt and hose replacement, among other services.
The grand opening Saturday will feature extended hours. For more information, call (509) 250-0342.
Goldendale teacher and mom dine with the Dog Whisperer
Goldendale fourth grade teacher, Jody Beers had a thrill of a lifetime last month when she and her mother, Mary Jane Beer, attended the Seattle Dog Winterfest at the Bell Harbor Convention Center. What made the event special was the opportunity to meet famed Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan.
The Beers are both active with the Goldendale Animal Shelter and Dogs of the Gorge (DOG). The event presented information about other animal rescue organizations and included a trade show.
Millan was the featured speaker at the event. The women waited several hours in line for Millan's book signing session and later attended dinner and visited with Millan.
Millan's expertise in dog behavior were of particular interest to Mary Jane who has been a dog groomer for more than 45 years and trains and shows dogs.
Proceeds from activities associated with Winterfest went to Ginger's Pet Rescue, of
Seattle, and the Cesar and Illusion Millan Foundation. |
