Hospital is humming

Recent comments regarding Shriners Hospital in Spokane have left the impression that 170 staff members are working to help, on average, only six children. Here are other facts.

As of March 31, the average daily patient census at midnight at Spokane Shriners was indeed 6.8. However, on a daily basis we see approximately 50 children in the Outpatient Clinic and 10 to 15 on the Inpatient Unit who are either preparing for or recovering from surgery. Over half of our operations are same-day surgeries so most of the kids treated are able to heal in the comfort of their own homes. In reality, then, we are seeing 60 to 70 children a day at Shriners.

In the first quarter of 2009, our staff have performed 174 surgeries, held 2,158 clinic appointments, seen 970 patients in physical therapy, seen 196 patients in occupational therapy, performed 1,242 laboratory procedures, completed 2,131 radiology orders, assisted 238 patients with orthotics and 46 patients with prosthetics and provided the nursing care, scheduling, medical records, transcription, nutrition, facilities and administrative support to each of these functions.

Shriners is still accepting new patients and treating children with expert care at no cost. Thanks for your support.

Sally Mildren

Director of public relations, Shriners Hospitals for Children

Spokane