5 November 2013
Peace Harbor Recognized for Results
The top organization for measuring quality and results at health care facilities around the country says Florence’s Peace Harbor Medical Center is one of the best.
The Joint Commission recently named the local hospital a “top performer on key quality measures”. That’s the result of Peace Harbor maintaining records of different clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. A new category added this year… and one in which Peace Harbor is recognized as well… relates to pneumonia and influenza.
The hospital was selected because of continued high scores in several different performance categories. Peace Harbor CEO Rick Yecny says he understands safe, effective care is what matters most to patients. He says that’s why Peace Harbor has made a commitment to positive patient outcomes based on “evidence-based” care processes.
The Joint Commission is a non-profit, professional organization that accredits and certifies more than 20-thousand health organizations and programs in the United States.
Lane County project recognized as one of the best in the state
A project to rebuild a section of Sweet Creek Road, completed earlier this year, was selected as the Public Works Project of the year.
The Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association presented the award to Lane County Engineer Bill Morgan who said it was a difficult project that “started with a retaining wall replacement, but quickly became a bridge building project”.
A retaining wall that kept a one-quarter mile stretch of the road from falling into the Siuslaw River failed two years ago, and officials decided to make repairs.
The road is sandwiched between a steep rock slope and the river, and conditions prevented replacing the wall. That’s why the decision was made to just build a 500-yard long bridge along the wall.
Work took more than a year and a half, but access was maintained for the 68 residents and the thousands of anglers, hunters and visitors throughout the project.
Despite the challenges, Morgan said the project came in on budget and eight months ahead of schedule.
OK to harvest Mussels
Oregon Department of Agriculture officials say levels of naturally occurring toxins in mussels along the Oregon Coast have fallen to safe levels. They’ve ordered the reopening of a portion of the Central Coast to recreational harvesting of the shellfish. Mussel harvesting had been closed between the Yachats River in Lincoln County and Cape Arago in Coos County since September 6th. Mussel harvesting remains off limits south of Cape Arago to the California Border.
Log Booms to protect boats and docks
Crews at the Port of Siuslaw marina are preparing for more debris in the river as the winter storm season approaches. They’ll begin installing winter barriers across boat basin entrances, including the main boat launch, this week.
The log booms are intended to keep debris out of the mooring areas where it can damage docks and boats.
Boaters are responsible for securing the booms after entering or exiting the marina. Port of Siuslaw officials are urging caution when doing so.
