Facts & Figures

- Our Hospital

Located in the beautiful high desert of southeastern Arizona, Sierra Vista Regional proudly calls Sierra Vista, Arizona home. Nestled in the San Pedro River Valley 75 miles southeast of Tucson, we enjoy spectacular mountain views and year-round temperate climate.

Serving our 40,000 strong communities in Sierra Vista, Ft. Huachuca, and Cochise County, we offer these facts:

- 86-bed, Joint Commission accredited, acute care facility
- 70 active, 37 courtesy, and nine Allied Health physicians
- More than 7,600 annual patient visits
- 1,400 new citizens born here each year

- 28,000 annual emergency room visits
- 375,000 tests performed annually in our accredited full-service laboratory
- State of the art technology
- Well-appointed and maintained hospital

Press Releases

HOSPITAL'S AUXILIARY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR GIFT SHOP

Do you have extra time on your hands? Have you ever considered volunteering? The Sierra Vista Regional Health Center (SVRHC) Auxiliary is seeking volunteers for the hospital gift shop. Assistance is greatly needed for the holiday season and to fill shifts after the first of the year. The shop, which is located on the lower level next to the hospital's Emergency Lobby entrance, is open seven days a week. Volunteer shifts are from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The shop offers an exceptional array of well-priced quality items, from unique collectibles and plush animals to distinctive jewelry, sundries and snacks.

No retail experience is necessary to volunteer. In addition to the personal satisfaction of helping your community, volunteers receive discounts on their Gift Shop purchases, with the exception of candy and items already reduced in price. Volunteers are also welcome to a free meal at the hospital's Canyon Café before or after completing a full shift.

If you are interested to volunteer with SVRHC's Auxiliary, please pick up an application at the SVRHC Human Resources office or the hospital gift shop. The Human Resource office is located at 2601 East Wilcox. Upon completion, volunteers will be contacted in regards to completing the next steps to becoming a part of SVRHC's Auxiliary volunteer program. . For more information, please call Sharrina Cook-General at 417-3153.

Founded in 1976, the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Auxiliary works year-round to raise funds to support the hospital and those it serves. The Auxiliary finances its projects through the operation of its hospital gift shop and annual Candlelight Ball, in addition to bake sales, scrub sales, art sales and jewelry shows throughout the year.

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Proposition 201 - Smoking Within Distance

As you may have heard by now, on July 2, 2007, Sierra Vista Regional Health Center (SVRHC) will become a totally smoke free facility. SVRHC is a facility that promotes health and wellness in our community, so the decision to become smoke free was not a difficult one. However, with the new Proposition 201 going into effect on May 1, 2007, there will be a few preliminary changes to the campuses of SVRHC.

Passed by Arizona voters last November, Proposition 201's intention is to protect the health of Arizonans by ensuring that all offices, health care facilities, retail stores, licensed child care facilities, sport arenas, restaurants, bars and bowling alleys are smoke-free. It also eliminates smoking within a reasonable distance of entryways and exits to ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter these venues. The main purpose of the Smoke Free Arizona Act is to protect Arizonans from the harmful affects of second hand smoke whether they are at work or in public. Below are facts that illustrate just how unhealthy second hand smoke can be:

• 4,000 chemical compounds have been identified in secondhand smoke, 200 are poisons and at least 40 cause cancer.

• Smoke-filled rooms have up to six times the air pollution as a busy highway.

• Secondhand smoke will stay in an enclosed environment for approximately two weeks before the air is officially clean.

• In the United States, annual healthcare expenditures solely from secondhand smoke exposure total $4.98 billion .

• Secondhand smoke is responsible for approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually in U.S. non-smokers.

• Secondhand smoke has been estimated to result in at least 53,000 annual deaths in the United States.

• In the United States 43% of children aged 11 years and under live in a household with at least one smoker. By age five, each of these children will have inhaled the equivalent of 102 packs of cigarettes.

• Exposure to the secondhand smoke of just one cigarette per day accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

• Environmental Tobacco Smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic or cause cancer. Unfortunately, the general public's exposure to secondhand smoke is much higher than most people realize.

• Secondhand smoke, sometimes referred to as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning ends of a cigarette, pipe, cigar, bidis, and kreteks (sidestream smoke) and the smoke emitted at the mouthpiece and exhaled from the lungs of smokers (mainstream smoke).

• The widespread practice of smoking in buildings exposes non-smoking occupants to combustion by-products under conditions where airborne contaminant removal is slow and uncertain. Over the past two decades , medical science has shown that nonsmokers suffer many of the diseases of active smoking when they breathe secondhand smoke.

In the last several months, many healthcare organizations around the nation have become tobacco free because their organization is committed to the health and safety of their employees, patients, customers, and family members. They felt it was their responsibility to assume a leadership role, and SVRHC does, too.

Joe Renn, Chief of Environment of Care indicates, "The final no-smoking policy better reflects the hospital's culture and health values." He continues, "On May 1, 2007, SVRHC will restrict staff, visitors and patients from smoking within 50 feet of any hospital entrance or building leased by the hospital, which includes all off-site offices. There will be signs posted that state no smoking beyond a certain point."

As SVRHC progresses towards becoming a totally non-smoking facility, they ask that everyone observe the posted signs and abide by them. Renn says, "SVRHC's decision to go smoke-free is not an attempt to force anyone to quit using tobacco products, rather, the tobacco free initiative is a concrete way we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to our community to promote healthy living."

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SVRHC Leader Receives National Appointment

A very competitive process recently led to a national appointment for Diane McDaniel a Sierra Vista Regional Health Center board of trustee member and past chairperson of their board.

In making the announcement, Lanny Kope the hospital board's governance chairman, praised McDaniel for being selected to the Regional Policy Board (RPB) Eight of the American Hospital Association (AHA). "The selection process is very competitive and one in which politics and lobbying does not play a role."

Ron Wagner announced McDaniel's role at the hospital's board meeting in January. In doing so he said, "This is a wonderful tribute to Diane and a boost for our region."

As one of nine RPB's across the United States, the mission of each board member is to provide regional input to the AHA for national healthcare policy development as well as to bring back current and breaking national healthcare information to their states and communities.

Region eight consists of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. The two other trustee members of RPB Eight come from Utah and a second one from Arizona.

"I was delighted to learn about Diane's appointment," Margaret Hepburn, president and chief executive of the hospital said. "The collaborative contacts and flow of information is exactly what is needed as we continue to address and assess healthcare needs in our region."

"I am indeed honored to be one of the three trustee members of the region eight board, " McDaniel said recently. "As a past chairperson of the hospital board of trustees and a former registered nurse, I am passionate about ensuring accessible, quality healthcare in our community - in this seven-state regional role I can make sure our voice from Arizona is heard."

There are approximately 24 members on RPB Eight including an executive from each state level in the region, a state representative, a healthcare organization executive officer, physicians, three hospital trustees, and a representative from the Association of Nurse Executives.

As a former chairman of the AHA's leadership development committee, Kope is familiar with the competitive selection process. "After her application was

submitted, Diane had the daunting task of selling herself in a telephone interview to two people she had never met," Kope explains. Two trustees, one from Tanner Health System in Carrollton, Georgia, and the other from Jewish Hospital Healthcare Services Louisville, Kentucky conducted the interviews.

The results of the telephone interviews along with supporting information then went before the AHA's Leadership Development Committee comprised of 12 trustees from across the nation. "Based on the interviews and her qualifications, Diane was selected as one of the three trustee representatives on RPB Eight and will serve a three-year term," according to Kope.

"In addition to her successful interview Diane's service as a past board chair for our hospital was critical for her appointment," Kope says. "The fact she was elected as chair by her peers is a key element in consideration for the RPB's." McDaniel served as the hospital's board chairperson for four years. Additionally, along with her husband Glenn, McDaniel successfully owns and operates Office Smart in Sierra Vista.

Meeting three times a year, the AHA uses the RPB's as sounding boards for various issues for discussion on regional levels. The boards also allow for two-way communication between the AHA and states. Notes from each regional meeting are sent to the AHA in Washington, D.C. to help formulate strategic planning and advocacy issues.

McDaniel will be attending her first meeting this coming March held in Tucson. Ensuing meetings will be in Montana and Utah.

"A great advantage to my membership for our hospital and communities are establishing contacts I can call on for collaboration that will endure for years greatly benefiting our communities," McDaniel relates. Kope indicates his contacts made during his years as chair of the AHA governance and nomination committees remain close and beneficial.

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Gabrielle Giffords Visits SVRHC

Sierra Vista Regional Health Center was the site for a visit by newly elected congressional representative, Gabrielle Giffords, in late January.

Traveling to Arizona immediately after the presidential State of the Union address, Giffords met with the hospital's board of trustees and executive team, receiving an up close and personal view of healthcare in Sierra Vista and Cochise County.

"Our area is growing rapidly and that brings a variety of challenges to healthcare," Lanny Kope, hospital board member and chairman of the governance committee, told Giffords during the meeting. "From recruiting physicians and staff in critical specialties to planning for growth and expansion of services we are pleased Representative Giffords took the time to meet with us."

Board chairman Ron Wagner provided documents to Giffords from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) on advocacy issues especially as they relate to rural healthcare concerns.

"The high cost of professional liability insurance continues to challenge the recruitment of physicians to the area," Wagner indicates. "Our hospital has established advocacy goals that parallel advocacy issues supported by the AHA and AzHHA -- one of the most important is that of professional liability reform." Giffords learned in communities across the nation - and in Cochise County - physicians are faced with possible early retirement or leaving a state for another thus compromising the care of their patients. "In the near future access to quality healthcare will be as serious a problem as affordable healthcare," warned Wagner.

In the last three years Sierra Vista saw three physicians - urology, family practice and orthopedic surgery -- move to states where professional liability reform has already taken place. The orthopedic surgeon has yet to be replaced.

And the critical need is not just with physicians. The group explained that professional staff is in short supply including pharmacists, radiology and lab technicians, respiratory therapists as well as nurses. Board member Joanna Michelich indicated faculty to teach healthcare professions are also in high demand. "The lack of teaching faculty is a common problem in Arizona."

Giffords indicated as part of the immigration debate, congress is looking into importing professional staff. They are also looking to boost the University of Arizona nursing program - and that of other nursing schools -- and offering loan forgiveness for working in rural areas.

"The reduction in what hospitals receive as reimbursements persists and remains a concern for area hospitals." Kope explains. "The disparity between a dollar spent and money earned can be as great as 60 cents for SVRHC. Businesses can't spend more than they make."

The current reimbursement concern is an impediment to growth of needed services and purchases of equipment. "We must keep up with technology," Hepburn informed the gathering. "We just purchased a new MRI and a nuclear medicine camera and are looking to invest in non-invasive cardiac diagnostic equipment."

Vice president, Marie Wurth, said the cost of staffing the hospital runs about 54 percent of the hospital's total budget. "We don't pay rural wages -- our salaries are commensurate to those of urban locations." The hospital has found in conducting national staffing searches in order to attract staff, their salaries must be competitive.

Illegal immigration continues to be a healthcare issue in the area. An impact felt by SVRHC and area hospitals that treat those entering the country illegally but receive little or no reimbursement for care given.

During her visit, Giffords took a 'white coat' tour. Introduced to staff members, she also viewed recent changes in the emergency department and heard about plans to decompress the hospital's main campus. "With state-wide emergency wait times in the news lately we showed Representative Giffords how recent changes in our emergency department processes allowed for a reduction of patient ER wait times by 85 minutes." Gayl Murphy, the hospital's marketing/public relation's manager says. Murphy also explained how other changes including the hiring of patient and family representatives has aided the flow of communication among physicians, staff, and customers.

"I shared with Representative Giffords quality and accessible healthcare is one of the most important services for any community," Hepburn indicates. "We view ourselves as family and friends taking care of family and friends - a responsibility we take seriously."

"We also explained to Representative Giffords about how we connect with the communities we serve," Kope said. "We embrace the trust the public places in us as we stand ready 24/7 for the unexpected in our neighbor's lives as well as staying ready to respond to disasters."

In thanking Giffords for her visit, Hepburn concluded the goal of the meeting was to help update Giffords about health care priorities in Cochise County. She indicated SVRHC is passionate about health care and in keeping the local communities healthy and hoped Giffords could help in those endeavors.

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Hospital's Diabetes Program Undergoes Modification

Those living with diabetes will soon have greater access to professional help through Sierra Vista Regional Health Center's Diabetes Program.

"We are now offering group classes that will be open to the public on Type 2 diabetes," Julie Henderson, Registered Dietitian and program coordinator announces. "For a nominal fee, our program will consist of a series of five, two-hour classes."

Henderson, also a certified diabetes educator, explains the biggest change in the hospital's program is that participants will no longer need a physician's referral in order to attend these classes or need to meet certain diagnostic criteria. Classes focus on topics such as the diabetes disease process, nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, medications, short-term and long-term complications, and physical activity.

As a disease with no cure, education is at the heart of good diabetes self-management. Each day approximately 3,561 people are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). In the United States, 6.3 percent of the populations have diabetes and 5.2 million are not aware they have the disease.

The hospital's diabetes program is partially funded by a grant from the US Department of Health Services called STEPS to Healthier Communities. Seventeen states were awarded these grants and Cochise County was one of the Arizona counties endowed with grant funds. The grant helps fund outreach activities to help people understand and manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and obesity.

Two course series will run concurrently, one on Tuesdays and the other on Thursdays. Classes begin November 9 and November 14, both at 9:30 a.m. at the hospital's Outreach Education Center located at 1840 Paseo San Luis.

Joining Henderson on the diabetes team are Karen Ramirez, RN, Anna Keefe, Registered Dietitian, and Maureen Kappler, RN. Course fees include informational booklets, samples meal plans, nutritional information and other support material. Registration is required and can be made by calling the diabetes team at 458-0136.

A diabetes support group is also being formed to provide long-term help for those living with diabetes, and for their support members and caregivers.

Led by Kappler, the group's goal is to provide up-to-date information. Speakers will include people who work with diabetes and who may, also, have diabetes, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and foot care specialists.

The first meeting takes place November 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. also at the Outreach Education Center and is open to all ages and anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and their family, support, or caregiver members. No reservations are needed and for more information the public may call 458-0136.

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SVRHC Receives Re-Accreditation From National Organization

By demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission national standards for health care quality and safety, Sierra Vista Regional Health Center has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval.

"We sought continued accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to patients' safety and quality care," says Margaret Hepburn President and Chief Executive Officer. "We view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence."

"Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic, and organization-wide improvement in an organization's performance and the outcomes of care," says Kurt Patton, executive director, Hospital Accreditation Program, Joint Commission. "The community should be proud that Sierra Vista Regional Health Center is focusing on the most challenging goal - to continuously raise quality and safety to higher levels."

The award of accreditation is for a three-year period beginning May 6, 2006.

"I am very pleased and proud of our achievement - especially under the new unannounced survey process called Shared Visions - New Pathways." Hepburn indicates. "As a healthcare organization, we can have a general sense of the job that we do, but it is particularly gratifying when that sense is confirmed by certified surveyors."

The Joint Commission has accredited SVRHC since 1969 when it first received full accreditation.

"The Joint Commission's Board of Commission adopted a proposal to conduct all regular accreditation surveys on an unannounced basis beginning in January of this year," according to Mandy Budny, Director of Performance Improvement and Medical Staff Services at the hospital. Shared Visions - New Pathways is an entirely new approach to evaluating quality and safety in health care organizations. Budny describes it as truly an audit of the actual delivery of critical services and not a review of policies. "It's no longer a snapshot - it is a feature-length film, providing panoramic insight into our organization's daily operations and system." This was the hospital's first unannounced survey under the new process.

The new unannounced survey practice now enhances the accreditation method by ensuring surveyors observe the hospital's performance under normal circumstances. "One of the reasons the Joint Commission switched to unannounced surveys was to ensure they receive an accurate reflection of the quality and safety of care during a survey," Budny explains. "Healthcare providers must focus on providing safe, high quality care at all times - not just when they are preparing for a survey."

The survey at SVRHC consisted of three surveyors examining hospital services and departments for four days. Both the hospital and its home care services were examined. Joint Commission surveyors must pass a stringent certification process. Surveyors at SVRHC consisted of a physician and two registered nurses.

Physician and staff involvement is vital to the on-site survey because of the focus on patient care through the new survey process including observation of care. "Everyone on our health care team pulls together, " Budny says. "We are thankful for the dedication and commitment of everyone in our pledge to excellence."

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

When an organization chooses to be accredited by the Joint Commission they, and the community they serve, can realize many benefits, to include:

Increased confidence in the quality and safety of care, treatment and services.
A competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Improved risk management and risk reduction.
Helps organize and strengthen patient safety efforts.
Education on good practices to improve business operations.
Provides professional advice and counsel thereby enhancing staff education.

"While we have successfully undergone a thorough on-site review, our focus remains on continuous standards compliance over the course of the three-year accreditation cycle," Budny indicates. "Our efforts are to maintain a constant state of survey readiness to improve the safety and care of patients, which is the ultimate aim of accreditation."

More information about Joint Commission can be obtained from their official website www.jcaho.org .

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Important Snake Safety

Arizona Poison and Drug Inforamtion Center 1-800-222-1222

The desert is a beautiful and magical place. It is also a dangerous place, home to some of the most venomous snakes in the United States. Through the years, western folklore has portrayed these reptiles as aggressive, menacing and evil. However, putting aside folklore tales, our fascination with these creatures has 'bitten' us, allowing our understanding, knowledge and lack of fear to increase over the years. The Coral Snake and 17 different species or sub-species of Rattlesnakes found in Arizona are among the most diverse and fascinating animals in the world. August and September are the most active months for snakes in our region, so using caution and common sense can prevent us from a painful and dangerous bite from one of these desert neighbors.

With the wide variety of rattlesnake species found in our area, most of us are bound to encounter one at some point in time. It has long been established that Cochise County is home to the notorious Mojave rattlesnake. The Mojave is known to have a toxin that acts on the nerves that is not typically found in most rattlesnakes. However, recently attention has been focused on the Sierra Vista area following several unusually severe snakebites. Raising suspicions regarding possibly another variation in the venom composition in Cochise County that has not yet been described. Dr. Warren Gluck, Department Chair Emergency, Sierra Vista Regional Health Center says, "These snake bites were treated appropriately, but because the properties of the species' venom was unknown to us at the time, it made treating them in the traditional manner a challenge." This potentially new venom component will require further investigative efforts which could involve the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, Arizona Game and Fish and other agencies.

Jude McNally, R.Ph., A.B.A.T., managing Director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center says, "The warm summer months are when we see a higher number of calls for all bites and stings. But, in the months of August and September, we historically have our greatest number of snakebite cases." At least 50% of all snakebites that the Arizona Poison Center is consulted on, could have been prevented. McNally continues, "The patient saw the snake, realized the danger and still placed themselves at great risk. In reviewing our poison control data over the past several years, the most severe snakebite calls to our center, have all originated in Cochise County."

Identifying Rattlesnakes

With 17 different species and sub-species of rattlesnakes in Arizona, one common factor among all of them is that they are all venomous. Venoms are complex poisons that vary greatly in compositions and potency among species and individuals. In addition to rattles, all rattlesnakes share some other common physical characteristics:

• A triangular shaped head

• A facial pit

• Cat-like pupils

• Foldable fangs

The best way to know if you have come across a rattlesnake is if you can see a rattler on the tail. Be aware that young rattlesnakes may not have fully developed their rattlers, so they might only have a few small undetectable segments that might not make any noise. Each species also has its own coloration, which can range from blue/gray, blackish, pink, brown/orange, whitish gray, yellow and more. The best thing to do when you encounter any snake is stay away.

Preventing Snake Bites

Taking precautions greatly reduces the possibility of snakebites.

• Leave wild animals alone. Fifty to seventy percent of reptile bites were provoked by the person who was bitten - that is, by someone trying to kill, capture, or harass the animal. Avoid the animal by slowly walking away.

• Be aware of peak movement times. Reptiles are most active in the warmer months of April through October. During the hottest months, they will be most active early morning, late evening and at night. They may be encountered anytime during the day in spring and fall and on warm days in winter.

• Keep hands and feet out of crevices in rocks, woodpiles, and deep grass. Always carry a flashlight after dark and wear heavy shoes or boots when hiking or walking.

• Never handle a venomous reptile, even after it's dead. Reflex strikes with the injection of venom can occur for several hours after death.

So You Got Bit

You see it in the movies, read it in books, and hear advice to cut and suck the venom out of the wound. Studies have shown that those types of "first aid" have contributed to increased tissue damage in and around the wound. DO NOT use ice, the incision and suction method, tight tourniquets, administer drugs or alcohol, or use electric shock. These measures may delay the patient's transportation to professional medical care and can cause more damage than good. Dr. Gluck suggests the following to minimize the potential for complications:

• Calm and reassure the patient.

• Remove any constricting items, such as jewelry or clothing, from the affected limb.

• When practical, immobilize the affected limb at approximately heart level. Immobilization reduces blood flow through the limb and slows systematic spread of the venom.

• DO NOT bring the snake to the health care center for two reasons : 1) the snake may bite again; 2) capture may delay transportation to professional care.

• Initial swelling, discoloration, and pain can be very minimal even with a potentially life threatening bite .

• Transport the patient to the closest health care facility without delay .

Fortunately, fatalities from reptile bites are extremely rare when modern medical resources are available. But despite the fact that the recent death rate has dropped to less than 1%, very serious symptoms are possible and bite victims must be seen in a medical facility without delay.

Living with Our Desert Friends

Snakes are wonderful, fascinating creatures that have adapted and evolved for thousands of years to our rough desert climates. A few rattlesnake species are listed as "protected" under the Endangered Species Act and under Arizona law. It is against federal and state laws to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. We can continue to live in harmony with them as long as we respect them. For further education, and to view phenomenal pictures on all reptiles in Arizona, please visit the Reptiles and Amphibians of Arizona web page at http://www.reptilesofaz.com/h-accounts.html

Arizona Poison Control Center

The Arizona Poison Control Center is recognized internationally for its expertise in managing human's encounters with snakes, scorpions, and other venomous creatures of the desert. Liz Barta, B.S.N., CHES, is the educator for the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson. She does presentations on poisoning intervention, venomous desert creatures, and elder adult concerns and is a resource for other toxic hazard concerns. Liz encourages everyone to call the Poison Control Center if they have been bitten by a poisonous animal, or have questions or concerns about medications, poisons, pesticides, household products and stings. It is especially important to seek help when a child is involved.

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Hospital Changes Special Care Nursery Visitation

A revised visitation policy for the Special Care Newborn Nursery at Sierra Vista Regional Health Center is now in effect. Adults and children who have a sore throat, diarrhea, fever, cold symptoms or have been exposed to a contagious disease, such as chicken pox, within the previous two weeks will be unable to visit newborns in the Special Care Nursery. Children under the age of 12 will not be able to visit in the Special Care Nursery during the months of October through April.

The Maternal Child staff will assist and review a health screening form that will be completed by the parent before a sibling may enter the Special Care Nursery. Well children under the age of 12 may visit their new sibling in the Special Care Nursery between months of May through September.

The present general visitation policy for the Maternal Child Department remains unchanged. Family members, siblings of any age, and friends may visit mothers and babies on the unit between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., after baby's arrival. Children of friends and relatives that are under the age of 14 may not visit on the unit at any time. One support visitor may stay overnight with the new mother. The hospital urges that anyone who is ill should not visit a patient at the hospital.

In the western United States, infectious outbreaks such as RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) typically occur during late fall, winter, and early spring. By screening younger visitors and limiting visitation during high-risk months, the hospital anticipates a reduction in the spread of possible infection to special care newborns.

"Children of friends and relatives that are under the age of 14 may not visit on the unit at any time."

Maternal/Child Unit

Media Contacts

Marketing & Public Relations Department
Mailing address: 300 El Camino Real, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Physical Address: 2601 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Public Relations Officer
Marie V. Wurth, VP Public Relations Officer/Human Resources Officer
(520) 417-3120
Marie.Wurth@svrhc.org

Manager, Marketing & Public Relations
Linda Kamrowski
(520) 417-3095

Linda.Kamrowski@svrhc.org

da.Kamrowski@svrhc.orgLinda.Kamrowski@svrhc.or

Advertising
Sharrina Cook-General, Assistant
(520) 417-3153

Sharrina.Cook-General@svrhc.org

Sharrina.Cook-General@svrhc.org
Sharrina.Cook-General@svrhc.org

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