 |
||||||||
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Ambulance
Back to top 
A registered nurse works with the physician and/or cardiologist to develop a program individualized to each patient's needs. The program's goal is to return the patient to important life activities quickly and safely. We also work with patients to increase their understanding of heart disease, their medications, and how to take them. We help reduce patients' risk of heart disease and help them recognize the signs of heart disease that require medical attention. RCH also offers exercise stress testing and cardiolyte testing. These tests help the doctor evaluate the heart's function, risk of heart attack, and need for medications or surgery. Registered nurses work closely with the physicians and the radiology department to safely guide the patient through testing and determine the need for any further treatments.
The center has five stations, each with its own recliner and television. Four shifts operate from 4:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, giving patients greater flexibility to make appointments that work with their schedules. The medical director of the dialysis unit is Dr. Siva Jagarlapudi, M.D. He visits the unit once each month and as needed. Dr. Jagarlapudi also attends a monthly outpatient clinic at the Ringgold County Hospital. Hermien Creger, ARNP, specializes in dialysis and comes to the unit monthly to see patients and clinic outpatients. Dialysis Unit Staff Dr. Craig Shadur, M.D., with DaVita Dialysis Centers, sees his patients in the unit twice a month or as needed. Dr. Bruce Ricker from the Mt. Ayr Medical Clinic is our emergency physician. Should an emergency occur, he (or his designee) is available to attend. Our patient care manager is Pam Straight, RN, PCM. Pam has extensive training in hemodialysis. Our chief dialysis technician is Kathleen McGrath. Kathleen has extensive training with water treatment systems and machine maintenance. Related Links Heartland Kidney Network
Back to top
We believe in treating the whole patient, and with a low patient-to-staff ratio, patients will never be just a number. The RCH inpatient department remembers that we are not just providing care for patients, we are providing care for our families, neighbors, and friends.
Click here for a detailed list of tests offered at RCH.
We utilize a state-of-the-art mobile isolation chamber to provide a safe environment in which to prepare chemotherapy and sterile IV admixtures. Our drug distribution is automated using a Pyxis MedStation 3000 dispensing unit, which also supports inpatient and emergency room dispensing functions. Our pharmacist monitors medication for appropriateness to each patient's condition, dispenses medication to hospital patients, and serves as a drug information resource. Our pharmacist is a member of the patient's healthcare team, working with nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to provide patients with the best possible care.
Basic Diagnostic Radiology (x-ray) Computed Tomography (CT) Mammography Ultrasound Mobile Nuclear Medicine Mobile MRI Mobile Vascular Ultrasound
Physical therapy (PT) is centered on health promotion, prevention of physical disabilities, and the rehabilitation of persons disabled by pain, disease, or injury. Our physical therapists are hands-on specialists that help decrease pain, restore function, and improve mobility to help individuals achieve independence in all aspects of their lives. After a thorough evaluation to identify specific needs, the RCH physical therapist may provide the following treatments: gait training or balance training, range of motion exercise, manual therapy, pain management methods, neuromuscular re-education, wound care, therapeutic exercise to improve strength and endurance, orthotic/prosthetic training, functional mobility skills training, lymphedema management, patient/family education, and more. Occupational therapy (OT) assists people in developing skills necessary to achieving independent and satisfying lives. OT treatments are designed to improve one's ability to perform daily activities. The Ringgold County Hospital OT team completes home and job site evaluations and makes adaptation recommendations, does performance and skills assessments and recommends treatments, and makes adaptive equipment recommendations and gives usage training. We also provide guidance to family members and caregivers. Speech therapy (ST) facilitates improved communication, swallowing, and cognitive skills. Diagnoses that are treated by speech pathologists may include aphasia, apraxia, dysarthia, laryngectomee, disfluency, dysphagia, and voice problems. RCH speech pathologists are trained to facilitate improved speech, language, voice, and fluency with the goal of advancing an individual's communication skills. We also evaluate and treat swallowing disorders. Cognitive skills such as memory and problem solving are skills we can evaluate and treat to maximize a person's ability to function independently and safely.
The surgery department is staffed by an experienced group of nurses who assist our surgeons with many procedures. Two of the nurses are certified surgical technologists and one of our nurses holds certification with the certification board of perioperative nursing. All staff nurses are certified in advanced cardiac life support and several hold trauma nursing core course certification as well.
Recent Upgrades Bring the Power of Healthcare Close to Home RCH recently purchased equipment that expanded surgical treatment options for female bladder control issues, offering patients solutions previously not available locally. RCH also boasts a well-equipped minor procedure room. Endoscopy equipment with state-of-the-art clarity was added with a recent purchase, offering our patients the convenience of better healthcare close to home. |
The Ringgold County ambulance service, a hospital-based department of the Ringgold County Hospital, serves Ringgold and the surrounding counties 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. RCH EMTs are certified at various levels, from basic EMT through paramedic specialist. With three ambulances, specialized equipment such as the Zoll cardiac monitor with twelve-lead capability, and MercyOne/LifeFlight landing facilities, the Ringgold County ambulance service is well equipped to respond to emergency situations.
Our experienced team of doctors and nurses is ready to help you return to the most active and fulfilling life possible! The 
The dialysis unit is a non-profit and hospital-based department of the Ringgold County Hospital. The facility received initial Medicare certification on November 6, 2001. We are certified for hemodialysis only.
The emergency room operates 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Most patients experience very little wait time. Local physicians, contracted emergency physicians, and nurses who are advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support- (PALS), and trauma-certified use state-of-the-art equipment to maintain an emergency room that is large enough to serve you, but small enough to know you. 
The Ringgold County Hospital offers a complete line of inpatient services, including acute and skilled care, outpatient services, state-of-the-art cardiac monitoring, and an ACLS/PALS-certified nursing staff. We also serve as a clinical instruction site for the LPN and RN programs of Southwestern Community College.
The Ringgold County Hospital laboratory provides practitioners and patients with laboratory services of the highest standards. Our staff consists of qualified professionals who provide constant coverage. The laboratory offers a complete spectrum of tests using up-to-date analytical equipment. Most tests are completed in-house—an outside laboratory handles those that are not. The laboratory also performs EKGs, and is responsible for Holter monitor and cardiac event monitor hook-ups. Computer technology is used to monitor tests and report results. We have an on-going quality assurance program and are licensed by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment.
The Ringgold County Hospital pharmacy department provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient services, including inpatient medication distribution, outpatient chemotherapy, and outpatient IV infusion services. 
The Ringgold County Hospital radiology department's technologists are highly trained to meet your imaging needs. We offer on-call and regular hours coverage. Our technologists and department meet all state and federal standards for licensure.
The 
Registered respiratory therapists are on duty at Ringgold County Hospital seven days a week during the day and are on call for emergencies. We provide a full range of respiratory services to all areas of the hospital including pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas analyses, and incentive spirometry. Sleep studies are coordinated through our department with an independent mobile sleep study company. The Ringgold County Hospital respiratory care team also offers limited home oxygen and nebulizer therapy for our patients.
Ringgold County Hospital has two surgical suites—one for major surgical procedures and one for minor surgical procedures. The RCH surgery team performs many procedures, including laparoscopic procedures, general abdominal surgery, hernia repairs, biopsies, cataracts, tonsillectomies, and others. Our surgeons specialize in general 
Anesthesia care is provided by
|