To the Editor:
I recently read Ronald Riel’s letter to the editor regarding the petitioner’s frustration with the hospital administration’s decision to move the first-floor residents to the second floor. It seems that the frustration has to do with the fact that a change in elevator location is required, and concern about fire safety.
I wonder if the 1,455 petitioners have considered that all of the residents are either in wheelchairs or are bedridden and the majority of the residents at Sunnyside do not have the physical capability of going outside to enjoy the patio. The very few who do use the patio use wheelchairs for their visit. It seems that most of the frustration is on the part of the visitor.
In regard to fire safety: The hospital and nursing home are inspected on a regular basis by the Minnesota State Fire Marshall, and others. The Fire Marshal ensures that all safety systems, including an evacuation plan, are in place, and operating properly. Only in extreme cases are hospital and nursing home residents removed from the facility. Evacuation plans dictate that patients are “evacuated in place.” This means that patients and residents are moved to that part of the facility that is not in danger. This procedure is common throughout the United States. You do not put hospital patients and nursing home residents out in the elements. The staff is trained in these procedures.
I don’t know the facts regarding the decision to put the rehab department on the first floor, but I can’t help but think that the patients using the rehab facility have severe mobility problems. If so, then the first floor is the safest place with the best access for these patients.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keep in mind that these changes were all made in order to add a dialysis unit to the hospital, which will be a huge service to our area. Ask any patient with kidney disease.
In making these decisions all facts are taken into consideration, not just how far it is to the elevator.
Glenn Peterson, Cloquet
