In June 2010, I spent four nights at Allen County Hospital after surgery. The surgeon, Dr. Hall, did a great job. The nurses and staff at Allen County Hospital were great.
The facilities were a different story. The emergency room where I first went does not have the greatest privacy. When I was taken upstairs for surgery I first had to be taken out the west door of the emergency room and in doing so I had to go by the waiting room where everybody waits for those who are in the E.R. Needless to say, I would rather have had my privacy. A new hospital would take care of this problem.
After surgery I was sent to the intensive care unit on the first floor (south end) of the hospital. This room was not built with privacy in mind. I then was sent to an individual room. Due to the age of the building, each room does not have a separate thermostat. Needless to say, it was pretty warm in the room, but the temperature has to be kept at one temperature to try to satisfy all patients. A new hospital would have thermostats for each room.
If you are undecided on how to vote or if you are planning to vote no for the sales tax increase, please take a tour of the current hospital. Now is the time to build a new hospital, it will not get any cheaper.
Please vote yes for healthcare in Allen County!
Steve Womack
Iola, Kan.
