During the month of May, Speechâ€"Language Pathologists and Audiologists promote national awareness about speech, communication and hearing disorders. Early identification and intervention prevent more serious communication disorders and leaming problems. Some signs of Speech Language Disorders: â€" a child does not respond to simple commands â€"a speaker is difficult to understand â€" the voice is constantly husky, harsh, or hoarse â€" the speaker avoids communication with others Some signs of Hearing Disorders: â€" there is a failure to respond to speech or familiar sounds â€" there are frequent requests for repetition of the message â€" there are difficulties understanding in noisy situations Call the Speechâ€"Language Pathology Hot Line at 338â€"4617 to find out more. PB d 44A Bs doa nc Dr. Keith Phillips than it did two years ago. This bed reduction is a result of the shift from inpatient service â€" the way business was done in the past â€" to today‘s day surgery, outpatient service and community approach. As an example, a gall bladder operation used to take 5 or 6 days in the hospital and about 6 weeks: recovery time at home. Today, the procedure only requires two small incisions. Therefore, the patient stays in hospital ‘for one night‘ and returns home to recover for about a week. Another example is in matemnity. Healthy mothers and babies can now be discharged from the hospital 24 hours after a vaginal birth and 72 hours after a caesarean birth. While the time at the hospital is short, OTMH has introduced support programs to help mothers care for their babies in the first few days at home. There are also a number of support services available throughout the region such as the Breastfeeding Clinic, Health Line Halton and Oakville Parent Child Centre. Procedures today are also more efficient for the physicians and surgeons as we are able to address all of our patients‘ needs. The number of beds OTMH uses on a dayâ€"toâ€"day basis depends on the service needs of the community and the facility‘s available resources. With more day surgery and a quicker turnaround time for the patient, fewer beds are required. Throughout 1994â€"95, OTMH will continue to focus on improved bed utilization and service delivery, while maintaining the highest quality care possible. THE NEW REALITY of health care today has evolved from services centered around acute hospital care to a broader community approach focused on wellness. Today‘s population is more knowledgeable and has support from a variety of community organizations who deliver services on all healthâ€"related issues. Our whole philosophy is changing. The nature of medicine is no longer tied to hospital admissions. OTMH is addressing these chalâ€" lenges. Having revisited its longâ€"term strategic plan, and faced with a new physical structure, a number of service areas were reorganized at OTMH to enhance the delivery of services to the residents of this community. Add to this the advanced technology and equipment available today, and you will understand how patient care is changing. In most cases, the impact and recovery time for our patients has lessened. As a result, OTMH is operating with less ‘open‘ beds mu 170941 TW C _ «. May is Speech and 86 5 Hearing Month NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM OAKVILLEâ€"TRAFALGARNV MOg OAKVILLE TRAFALGAR MEMORIAL HOSP]TAL SERVE YOU Dr. K. Phillips WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE N _ HOURS OF OPE s 2P § J y / A longâ€"awaited program was formally welcomed to OTMH by President CEO, Dieter Kuntz on Tuesday, May 3rd with the induction of the first Hospital Chaplain, Catherine Thompson. Family, friends and colleagues joined with community and ministerial representatives to demonstrate their commitment to wholistic care as an integral part of OTMH. The role of the Chaplain is to serve the religious, spiritual and emotional needs of patients, families, staff, physicians and volunteers. The induction service was a true reflection of _the spirit of caring that exists within OTMH and the Oakville community. SHARING Over the course of the threeâ€"day Accreditation survey from April 25thâ€"27th, OTMH demonstrated Quality in every way â€" from the colourful blooms at the front entranceway, to the enthusiastic efforts put forth by all team members. The process has just begun. The visions that teams identified throughout this process have been well documented and will be implemented as each team strives to meet its standards. The Board of Govemors was very pleased with the overall comments and recommendations given by the accreditation surveyors at the debriefing session on April 27th, and noted the hard work by all levels of staff, physicians and volunteers in achieving this goal. The final report and award from the Canadian Council on Health Facilities Accreditation is anticipated in about eight (8) weeks. A special "Thank You" to our patients and visitors who assisted us throughout this process with their comments, advice and support. OTMH â€" What a Team! OTMH NEW EQUIPMENT CAMPAIGN "You can help put our campaign over the top" on Tuesday, May 17th, Blitz Night â€" when they come calling. .. Setting a _ course _ for tomorrow... . with advanced care today. They care about your care. all over the town... and the staff and physicians at OTMH... NEIGHBOURS TEAM UP FOR CHARITABLE CORPORATION