Prairie Lakes Healthcare System announces a Therapeutic Pain Specialist certification completion of Physical Therapist, Eric Fjeldheim of Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Services. Fjeldheim’s certification as a Therapeutic Pain Specialist broadens therapy services available to rehab patients.

Fjeldheim completed a rigorous six month research based curriculum that resulted in advanced clinical competency in the evaluation and treatment of chronic or persistent pain.  The certification included developing an understanding of neurobiology and physiology of pain and advanced treatment. Fjeldheim’s holistic philosophy allows him to empower the patient using individualized treatment programs for all different types of pain.

Those who have been experiencing aches and pains for longer than a few months may benefit from seeing Fjeldheim. Patients can make appointments by calling Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Services at 605-882-7700.

Prairie Lakes Physical Therapy

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Steven Miller, MD, Cardiologist. He joins Prairie Lakes Cardiology staff; including, Evelio Garcia, MD, Salem Maaliki, MD, and Jacklyn Karli, CNP.

“I look forward to contribute to the growing need for cardiology services at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System,” said Dr. Miller.  “We want to provide the best and most convenient services possible in the area. My mission is to provide ease of access, a wide array of cardiology services and friendly, compassionate care to the patient and family. I am extremely excited to be a part of a growing team. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this community.”

Dr. Miller is board certified in cardiovascular disease. He received his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE. He completed residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and was a Cardiology Fellow at Madigan Army Medical Center.

You may schedule an appointment with Dr. Miller by calling the Prairie Lakes Cardiology Clinic at 605-882-7953. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment.

Prairie Lakes Cardiology Clinic

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System broke ground October 25, 2016 on a $40 million expansion project on the hospital campus. The campus has seen significant changes over the past two years; including a new 65,000 square foot clinic building, an east entrance canopy, and helipad relocation. Prairie Lakes is pleased to announce that the project is now nearing its end.

The strategically placed building, that is adjacent to the Emergency Department, allows quick access to the new rooftop helipad. The helipad will become operational within the next few weeks. Contractors and Prairie Lakes staff members are making finishing touches on the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic.

The Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic will open for patient appointments on Monday, October 29, 2018. Specialty services moving to the clinic include cardiology, dermatology, general surgery, nephrology, pulmonology and urology.  The clinic includes a lab, adding convenience for many patients needing those services in conjunction with their clinic appointment.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics will make the move to the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic to be on the same floor for patient convenience.  The new rehabilitation therapy department will include a state-of-the-art therapy pool. A notable feature of the future therapy pool is a lift that lowers patients slowly into the water without having to use steps.

A Public Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23, 2018. All from our region are invited to discover the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic between 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. A program and ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. will celebrate the completion of the expansion project.

Future Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic Directory:

2nd floor:
Urology
General Surgery
Space for expansion

1st floor:
Cardiology
Nephrology
Pulmonology
Dermatology
Space for expansion
Conference Center

Lower Level:
Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics
Rehabilitation Services
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy

Donors made a difference

Donations to the therapy pool campaign by the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation will enhance the lives of rehabilitation and sports medicine patients. The new HydroWorx 2000 Series aquatic therapy pool will be part of Prairie Lakes Rehabilitation Services, in the new location fall 2018.

The HydroWorx 2000 Series warm water aquatic therapy pool is designed to reduce pain, improve range of motion and enhance rehabilitation outcomes. The pool’s technology and low impact environment will benefit patients young and old.

Therapy Pool Features:

• Adjustable Water Depth with the Moveable Floor
• Resistance Jet Technology
• Underwater Camera Monitoring System
• Underwater Treadmill
• Zero Depth Entry with the Moveable Floor

The focus of BASH 2017, a fundraising gala event by Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, raised funds to purchase clinical phototherapy (light therapy) equipment to enhance dermatology services at Prairie Lakes. Phototherapy services enables Prairie Lakes Dermatology  to help patients who suffer from severe skin diseases and can be more cost effective for patients and may free them from potential medication side effects. Three different units of phototherapy will be available in the Specialty Clinic.

 Read more about the expansion project Foundation  Medical Services

Prairie Lakes Radiology has been busy with a Digital Radiology (DR) upgrade this last year. “The DR imaging service enhancements touch all of our general radiology patients,” said Jenna Hulscher, PACS Administrator. “We have created a more comfortable and convenient imaging experience for many of our PLHS patients with the ability to do exams portably with instant images.”

Summary of what DR offers to patients, physicians, and technologists:

Quality of Services

• Radiation dose to patients will be greatly reduced as Digital Radiography (DR’s) technology advancements utilize lower x-ray techniques, decreasing the radiation dose to the patient and scatter radiation dose to the staff. Improved bariatric and pediatric imaging.
• DR portables have prior image reviewing capabilities that allow technologists to duplicate imaging parameters to allow for a more accurate comparison for inpatient sequential testing.
• After the exposure, patient’s images will display on a digital viewing screen on the portable within seconds and the technologist will be able to perform QC functions and annotation of the exam before its sent for Radiologist interpretation.  If a repeat is necessary, there is next to no delay in patient care. 
• Bone removal capabilities on chest x-rays to rule out bony lesions that appear to be in the lung fields or catheter/line enhancement filters that will make PICC lines stand out against the soft tissue background to show exact placement so they can be adjusted sooner and then utilized by nursing staff earlier.

Increase Customer Satisfaction

• Patients are increasingly aware of issues related to radiation dose levels especially with Radiography exams.  Patients will have peace of mind knowing they are receiving the lowest dose possible.
• Patients will have faster exams due to technology that automatically aligns the x-ray tube with the grid placed behind/underneath the patient reducing steps that the techs have to take prior to exposing the patient.

Physician Satisfaction

• Improved imaging and faster turnaround times in surgery decreases the length of time that patients are sedated for certain cases.
• During trauma, surgeons and ER physicians can view the images instantly as they display on the portable unit.  With only a 3-5 second delay for initial viewing of images on portable studies, physicians in the ER, OR and/or PICC nurses will be able to act on image findings close to real time.