Carroll County General

CARROLL County's wish list for the General Assembly this year includes another effort by Del. Donald B. Elliott to increase the number of county commissioners from three to five. There's little public clamor for that change, except when someone strongly disagrees with a decision of the commissioners. Few politicians are jumping on the bandwagon. Carroll voters in 1998 soundly defeated a ballot referendum question authorizing the five-commissioner system. They also defeated a proposal for charter government.

A new partnership between Carroll County General Hospital and local fitness facilities may have more seniors discovering that fitness can be fun.Beginning Aug. 30, seniors can take two exercise classes and enjoy pool time at the YMCA whether they are members or not.Many senior citizens and active older adults have already discovered that it's easier to get into shape while dancing to Lawrence Welk's "Bubbles in the Wine," or doing the cha-cha.Forget the "no pain, no gain" theory. With classes that cater to their individual goals and limitations, participants say they can focus on having fun.Some class members do the arm exercises while sitting in a chair.

Carroll County General Hospital has two projects on the drawing board for 1999: the construction of an oncology center in Westminster and the opening of an outpatient radiology center at the nearby Richard N. Dixon Building.The hospital's plan to build a one-story, 13,250-square-foot cancer treatment center on South Center Street is scheduled for a hearing before the county Board of Zoning Appeals on Dec. 29.In the Dixon Building, the hospital plans to renovate the second floor to consolidate outpatient radiology services offered at Carroll County General and at a Poole Road facility operated by the hospital's partner, Advanced Radiology, P.A.The hospital has added services or facilities in each of the past two years.

Carroll County General Hospital has two projects on the drawing board for 1999: the construction of an oncology center in Westminster and the opening of an outpatient radiology center at the nearby Richard N. Dixon Building.The hospital's plan to build a one-story, 13,250-square-foot cancer treatment center on South Center Street is scheduled for a hearing before the county Board of Zoning Appeals on Dec. 29.In the Dixon Building, the hospital plans to renovate the second floor to consolidate outpatient radiology services offered at Carroll County General and at a Poole Road facility operated by the hospital's partner, Advanced Radiology, P.A.The hospital has added services or facilities in each of the past two years.

Women looking to ease the pain of childbirth have a new weapon -- the power to self-medicate during labor and delivery.No waiting for doctors or nurses. No agony. Just a simple gadget that provides an instant dose of anesthesia with the push of a button.For the first time in the Baltimore area, such technology is in reach -- but only at Carroll County General Hospital, a small community hospital in Westminster."This was the first time I had an epidural that worked, that I could control all through the labor and delivery," said Betsy Berner, 35, who had her third child, Emily, in the county hospital's Family BirthPlace.

Carroll County General Hospital recently received accreditation with commendation from the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.The Illinois-based accreditation agency evaluates and accredits nearly 11,000 hospitals and home care agencies, and more than 7,000 other health care organizations nationwide. It was founded in 1951.While evaluating Carroll County General, agency officials said they were "consistently impressed" with the hospital's "pragmatic" pursuit of excellence and commitment to improved patient care.

The emergency room at Carroll County General Hospital was ranked in the top 10 percent of nearly 300 hospitals nationwide for patient satisfaction during this year's first quarter, according to a survey by a Chicago-based consulting firm.The rating was the result of polling of patients and surveys of emergency rooms among 281 participating hospitals in 41 states. The rating is a composite reflecting such categories as nursing and physician care, testing services, medical outcomes and the admissions process.

Downtown Hampstead will be filled with tables of arts and crafts, food, collectibles, sports cards and memorabilia Saturday as the Hampstead Rotary Club sponsors its 25th Hampstead Day.More than 150 vendors of antiques and arts and crafts will sell a variety of items from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available.Starting at 9 a.m., entertainment will be provided in front of the old Hampstead Elementary School. The lineup includes the North Carroll Assembly of God Kids Choir, Windy Ridge bluegrass band, and Andrew Lawrence offering blues and rock 'n' roll.

The baby business is booming at Carroll County General Hospital.Since opening the first phase of its $3.3 million Family Birth Place in July, the number of births at the Westminster hospital has been on the rise. There were 96 in December alone, making it one of the busiest months for babies in the hospital's 35-year history.If the pace continues, Carroll County General officials expect for the first time to exceed 1,000 births in a year. The hospital's fiscal year ends in June."Our number of deliveries has been growing steadily for years, and with this newer facility it's growing even quicker," said Tricia Supik, assistant vice president of comprehensive community services at the hospital.

Carroll County General Hospital and Sinai Hospital plan to open medical offices within a few blocks of each other in Eldersburg, a growing area now served only by Sinai's walk-in clinic and several private physicians.The hospitals are expanding services to meet the health-care needs of the region's growing populace. Eldersburg's population has grown 21 percent since 1990 to 22,485. The nearest hospitals are Carroll County General in Westminster and Northwest Hospital Center in Randallstown.