Nov. 14, 2007

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Long Prairie Memorial Hospital & Home
(320) 732-7324

Long Prairie Memorial Hospital and Home becomes the first CALS Hospital in Minnesota

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Comprehensive Advanced Life Support Program (CALS) recognized Long Prairie Memorial Hospital and Home, a member of CentraCare Health System, for becoming the first Minnesota CALS Hospital. A CALS Hospital plaque was presented to Paul Van Gorp, M.D., Marie Katterhagen, R.N., Jodi Hillmer R.N., and Roger Oberg, Administrator and CEO, at the 2007 Report to the Community on November 6.

CALS is a program designed to provide lifesaving emergency medical education for rural healthcare providers. Developed in Minnesota in 1996 as a result of collaboration among emergency medicine, family physicians, rural practitioners, academic specialists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and paramedics, it now is one of the premier education programs for rural healthcare providers. One of the pioneers in this effort was Paul Van Gorp M.D., a Long Prairie physician for 30 years and Chair of the CALS Governing Board.

The CALS Hospital designation represents an institutional commitment to quality rural emergency medical care and recognizes the clinicians who have completed the education as well as the administrators who provided the infrastructure for this achievement. Long Prairie Memorial Hospital and Home met the criteria at the highest possible level with 100% of nurses and provider staff trained in CALS. In addition, they have secured the recommended equipment and demonstrated their commitment to the CALS principles.

Upon achievement of CALS Hospital designation, Long Prairie Memorial Hospital has become a member of the CALS Hospital Consortium, reflecting leadership in rural emergency medical care and reinforcing the network of care in rural America.

“We are very honored to become the first hospital in the state of Minnesota to receive this designation,” stated Jodi Hillmer, Director of Patient Care Services at Long Prairie Memorial Hospital. “CALS is one of the best programs I have ever been a part of. The team approach involves everyone in the decision making and treatment of each patient. It also focuses on early preparation for transfers to tertiary care centers when appropriate.”

Learn more about Long Prairie Memorial Hospital.

Learn more about Comprehensive Advanced Life Support Program (CALS).

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