September 26, 2013
Thursday PM

I am totally in favor of the hospital  extension.  Through the years additions were made on the hospital and many requests were made for additions.  We are the main hospital in SE Alaska and now in need of an up to date Surgical Unit.  We currently have ONE surgical unit.  

Last year I was scheduled for a colonoscopy.  I arrived before 11:00 a.m. having fasted for more than 12 hours.  I laid on the cot/gurney for seven hours.  There was at least another person ahead of me for a colonoscopy.  Because of a surgical emergency I did not have my surgery until 6:30 p.m.  The anesthesiologist had no idea of my expressed experience on anesthesiology as I’ve experienced through the years as he had no chance to communicate with me as had all the nurses through the day. After my surgery I was sent to a hospital room... and was SUPER hungry.  It took a lot of talking to allow me to get home.  

From my experience at Ketchikan General Hospital we need to expand the surgical unit in order not only to encourage surgeons but other doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to Ketchikan.

Katie Nelson
Ketchikan, Alaska

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