When it comes to providing you with the best in medical care, CentraCare Health System - Sauk Centre has all the resources on hand: Expertise of skilled medical professionals, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced diagnostic technology and equipment.

Acute Care
The acute care department is staffed 24 hours a day with registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Our experienced and professional nursing staff work closely with the physicians on the hospital staff to assure that the patients receive care that meets or exceeds the current standards of care.

The acute care department provides care for:
Medical patients
Surgical patients
Pediatric patients
Coronary patients
OB Newborns

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Athletic Training Services
Whether you are recovering from injuries or honing your performance for demanding physical activity, we're here to help. Not all athletes wear a jersey. Active people are athletes. Certified athletic trainers work with individuals of all ages and all activity levels.

Certified athletic trainers (ATC) are educated medical professionals trained in injury and illness prevention, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate care, treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning. ATCs spend time at the high school with the athletes at practices and games. ATCs are on the sidelines of games treating all injuries. ATCs are responsible for injuries from cleaning and covering cuts to stabilizing catastrophic head and neck injuries and everything in between. ATCs also spend time at the hospital and clinics. ATCs are a unique medical profession as they are the only professional to see a patient from pre-injury state (through diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation) to return to play state.

Sports Medicine Staff
Dr. Joel E. Dunn, D.O.
Holly Terres, Athletic Trainer
Minnesota Board of Medical Practice Certified
(320) 352-2221

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Cancer Care
Following the same treatment protocols used at larger institutions, our chemotherapy program offers something larger programs cannot: one-on-one, personal care. Often the nurse who sees a patient during the appointment at the hospital with the consulting oncologist Dr. Mark Hauge from the Coborn Cancer Center, will be the same nurse who administers chemotherapy in the hospital's chemotherapy room. We have a chemotherapy certified RN to administer chemotherapy. The nurses work with your local family doctor and the oncologists from St. Cloud, Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota to provide comprehensive care through your cancer treatment. Dr. Mark Hauge sees cancer patients in Sauk Centre every month. Chemotherapy can be administered Monday through Friday, or as needed by treatment plan.

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Cardiac Rehabilitation
A comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program is offered for patients who are recovering from a heart attack, surgery or other heart condition. Phase 2 cardiac rehab is usually covered by insurance. You will need to contact your provider to ensure coverage. The focus of this phase is to work on physical skills to return to your normal activities and provide you with extensive education about your heart condition, your risk factors and how to incorporate changes for better health. Continuous heart monitoring and frequent vital sign assessment by the rehab staff ensures a safe exercise program of six to eight weeks, usually three times per week. In addition, we routinely update your physician on your progress.

Cardiac rehabilitation appointments are scheduled in Sauk Centre. When your family physician refers you to the cardiac rehabilitation department here, you will receive a call to schedule an appointment.

For more information or for more questions on cardiac rehabilitation, please call the information desk at (320) 352-2221.

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Childbirth
Becoming a parent is one of the greatest joys in life. At CentraCare Health System - Sauk Centre, we specialize in making the birthing experience happy and memorable for everyone involved. Our staff of skilled professionals not only cares for you and your baby during your labor experience, but provides education to new parents long before your baby is born and continues even after you and your baby go home.

Preparation begins with childbirth and breastfeeding classes, which are offered throughout the year. The education resumes in the labor, delivery and postpartum period and is continued as you go home with a complementary home visit from one of our skilled nurses.

Our two labor delivery rooms are specially equipped to accommodate the entire labor and delivery. Hospital nurses are trained to assist mothers and fathers through the labor and delivery process.
A complimentary Tuscan inspired Steak and Wine entree is provided for you and your significant other. The nurse will assist you in making arrangements for this "special date" and time together.

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Emergency
The emergency services department at CentraCare Health System - Sauk Centre is Level 4 Trauma Certified and provides 24-hour service with an on-call physician available at all times. An ACLS (Advanced Coronary Life Support) certified ER nurse renders care for people of all ages. The emergency room is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This is a short-stay area where primary assessments are done and patients are discharged, admitted to the acute hospital, or stabilized and transferred to another facility. Ground ambulance services are provided by Sauk Centre Ambulance. In cases of severe injury air ambulance services are also available.

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Home Care and Hospice
Learn more about our Home Care and Hospice Services

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Laboratory
Our laboratory staff of certified Medical Technologists and Medical Laboratory Technicians provides service 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The laboratory is certified under the federal government's "Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act" (CLIA) and is inspected bi-annually to maintain its certification. The laboratory's CLIA certification number is 24D0406054.

The laboratory performs a full range of testing including: hematology, coagulation, chemistry, immunochemistry, blood gases, urinalysis, blood banking, serology and microbiology.

The laboratory has its own quality assurance program and reports to the quality assurance committee and participates in proficiency testing three times a year for all areas of testing. During proficiency testing the laboratory is asked to perform testing on unknown specimens by an outside organization, American Association of Bioanalysts. Those results are sent in and must meet standards set by CLIA to maintain its certification. It also voluntarily participates in microbiology surveys sent out by the Minnesota Department of Health.

The laboratory staff is also certified to perform breath alcohol testing for the Department of Transportation for individuals working in safety sensitive positions.

The laboratory is committed to quality and customer service knowing that 85% of physician decisions utilize laboratory test results.

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Nursing Home and Senior Housing
Learn more about our Nursing Home and Senior Housing

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Nutrition Counseling
Nutrition counseling is available for people with a wide variety of nutritional needs. These include but are not limited to cardiac, diabetic or dialysis patients, those requiring sodium or lactose free diets, as well as those involved in weight management. Your physician orders nutrition services, or this service may be accessed by calling 320-352-2221 to set up an appointment.

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Occupational Therapy
The Occupational Therapy (OT) department focuses on skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all areas of their lives. The OT department helps patients and residents develop the skills for living independent and satisfying lives.

Our occupational therapists are particularly skilled in assessing and managing personal and environmental risk factors in all activities for older adults. OT helps our nursing home residents avoid health problems and makes it easier for them to live with existing conditions. The OT department's main focus is helping nursing home residents maintain as much independence as possible by working on upper body strength, dressing, toileting, and other daily activities.

Occupational therapists are also available to help hospital patients during rehabilitation after injuries and/or surgeries.

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Operating Room
The hospital's surgery staff provides quality care by using new and up-to-date, state-of-the-art equipment and instruments. The combined efforts of our surgical staff perform approximately 300 surgical procedures a year.

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Outpatient Surgery
Sometimes, you just want to recover in the comfort of your home. Some surgeries do not require patients to remain in the hospital overnight. We have doctors and nurses available 24/7 in case you have questions, so you can feel comfortable during your at home recovery.

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Outpatient Therapy
A broad spectrum of therapy services are available in one location at CentraCare Health System - Sauk Centre. Outpatient therapy offers the coordination of outpatient services such as physical therapy, pediatric therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, spine therapy, sensory integration therapy, and massage therapy. Patients will enjoy convenient parking, a pleasant reception area, private treatment rooms, whirlpool treatment, and ample space for therapeutic exercise.

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Outreach Services
We bring a variety of medical specialists to Sauk Centre to serve you close to home. Following is a list of specialties that offer outreach services here:

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Pharmacy
The pharmacy has one full-time pharmacist and two part-time technicians. We fill medications for our acute care, hospice, oncology, and long term care patients. We work directly with the nurses and physicians improving patient medication therapy. We mix outpatient IVs and chemotherapy. We also respond to codes and help in the emergency room. The pharmacy has a buffer room with hoods for USP 797.

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Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on developing, maintaining and restoring maximum movement and functional ability throughout a person's life. Physical therapists work with patients when movement and function are threatened by the process of aging or that of injury or disease. The method of physical therapy sees full and functional movement as the heart of what it means to be healthy.
Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing movement potential, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. It involves the interaction between physical clients, families and caregivers, in a process of assessing movement potential and in establishing agreed upon goals and objectives using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists.

We provide these types of physical therapies:
Orthopedic and sports injuries
Athletic performance
Work-related injuries
Chronic pain and alternative therapies
Postoperative therapy
Pilates

Silver Sneakers Get fit, have fun, make friends ... with the SilverSneakers Fitness Program! Muscular Strength and Range of Motion classes are offered at the hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:15-11 a.m. Social events are held the second Wednesday of the month at 10:15 a.m. Contact Bill Larson in our Physical Therapy Department for more information at (320) 351-1772.

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Radiology
CentraCare Health System - Sauk Centre employs only radiologic technologists who are specially trained to obtain the highest quality studies, and are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Our radiologic technologists are also certified in mammography through the ARRT. Our equipment and technologists are qualified through the state ongoing Mammography Quality Standard Act and the Federal American College of Radiology.

Our sonographers are registered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical sonographers (ARDMS). The technologists actively participate in continuing medical education to keep abreast of the latest developments in diagnostic imaging.

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Swing Bed Program
The Swing Bed Program is a Medicare-funded program that enables a patient to benefit from extended care in a hospital setting. Swing beds typically fill the gap between acute care and a patient's discharge to home.

The Swing Bed Program is a federally approved program for small rural hospitals. It is designed to be short term with discharge options being explored as an ongoing process by your family doctor and the staff of CentraCare Health System - Sauk Centre

If you have been in an acute setting in any hospital for three or more nights within 30 days, and require skilled care on a short-term basis, you may qualify for a skilled swing bed under the Medicare program. Your physician will determine if you need skilled care. Examples of skilled care that qualify for skilled swing bed payment under the Medicare program include: IV therapy, sterile dressing changes, post surgical follow-up care, monitoring of new/changed medication, rehabilitation on a daily basis.