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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 S E P T E M B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S H E A L T H C A R E Winter and flu surges, too Fluctuating patient volume can occur for different reasons, says Maine Hospital Association President Steven Michaud. In the winter, volume might increase due to flu outbreaks or increased num- bers of recreationists in popular snow areas. Coastal communities like MDI, Blue Hill and Camden-Rockland tend to see a spike in patient volume due to increased tourism, he says. At the same time, he notes, hospital staffers going on summer vacations might create a need for seasonal hires. Like MDI Hospital, MaineHealth can attest to the coastal surge. Of MaineHealth's 11 facilities, surges occur at four, each one in coastal commu- nity: LincolnHealth, with an urgent care campus in Boothbay Harbor and a hospital/ER in Damariscotta; Pen Bay Medical Center, serving Rockport, Rockland and Camden; and Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast. "We see a 30% percent increase through the summer," Cindy Wade, regional executive vice president and chief operating officer for Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital and LincolnHealth, says of the four facilities. LincolnHealth's emergency depart- ment, for example, sees an average 27 patients per day in the winter and 48 to 49 in the summer. In Boothbay Harbor, LincolnHealth's 12-hour urgent care facility averages nine patients per day in the winter and spikes to 26 or 30 in the summer. Pen Bay Medical Center has MaineHealth's busiest emergency department, due to the size of the area it serves. In the winter, Pen Bay Medical Center's emergency department sees an average of 53 patients per day and in the summer an average 70 per day. Waldo County General Hospital's emer- gency department also spikes, from an First Advisors Investment Management. Retirement Planning. Trust Services | firstadvisorsonline.com | 866-563-1900 PROTECTING DREAMS | Securities and investment products are not bank deposits, are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not obligations of, nor guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate, and may involve investment risk, including the possible loss of value or principal amount invested. YOUR LIFE'S WORK IS OUR LIFE'S WORK. You've worked, sweated, and sacrificed. You've made good on a few of life's dreams. Our team will honor this lifelong effort with the same level of dedication —and the same work ethic—that it took to realize your dreams. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » We're the primary care providers for the 3 million people who come on the island to visit. So we see a lot of primary care ailments. And then, also, a lot of orthopedic injuries — more ankle sprains and broken wrists. — Nathan Donaldson ER director, MDI Hospital

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