George Stahl/Special to the Sun

The Kern Valley Hospital provides top-notch care for the many residents and visitors who find themselves in need of care for their pulmonary conditions. Marc Vernon, of Kernville, has been working at the hospital in the Pulmonary Care Department for the past two years. He has been instrumental in caring for the respiratory needs of patients and residents in the facility, as well as caring for those who are referred to the Unit for treatments requested by local health care providers in the valley.

The Department not only responds to patients who come into the Emergency Room, but also helps in seeing to the comfort of patients who need to be admitted to the hospital. “We are part of the care team for patients and residents in the acute care and skilled nursing units of the hospital, assisting the doctors and nurses with anything necessary to enhance the patients’ breathing,” said Vernon. When the head of the department, Tom Wright, retired a year ago, Marc was the logical person to take the position. After working with Wright for his first year, Marc stepped up from the role of protégé to department head. The respiratory department has a staff of three, with one therapist on duty at a time. 2012 has proved to be a busy year so far. “This year, the elderly population in the valley has been hit hard with pneumonia.” Vernon said. Along with these, Vernon said, there has been an increase of patients with symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). “Unfortunately, this particular generation did not have the same level of smoking education that we have now. As a result, COPD in the elderly is more prevalent,” Vernon added. With the Kern Valley attracting so many retirees, a lot of Vernon’s patients are retired construction workers, miners, and industrial workers who, over the years have inhaled particulates or toxins and are now exhibiting signs of COPD. The Respiratory Department “does everything that we can to help these people breathe easier, and to enjoy a better quality of life.”

Many healthcare providers send their patients to the hospital for treatment who are showing signs of having trouble breathing or that they suspect of having a respiratory ailment. “We provide an out-patient service for the doctors so that their patients don’t have to drive to Bakersfield for the test. We do electrocardiograms (ECG) right here and the doctors can get the results within 24 hours. We also do electroencephalograms (EEG) by which the doctors can be aided in diagnosing such things as seizures disorders, adolescent depression, anxiety or even ADD, (Attention Deficit Disorder).

“The Department has recently acquired a new Ventilation machine with the help of the Hospital Auxiliary and it has proved to an invaluable piece of equipment for the respiratory program at Kern Valley Hospital,” Vernon said, proudly displaying the machine. You wouldn’t think that state of the art equipment was behind the cabinets and cases in the two-room Respiratory unit, but, “Even though it doesn’t look very exciting or glamorous here, the work we do is very necessary and important,” Vernon said. “We have a good, professional staff. They have a wide scope of experience and we employ cutting edge techniques.” The unit also has a Bi-Pap machine, which is a non-invasive ventilator unit used very affectively on patients suffering with COPD exacerbation. The Department also has an EKG machine used on every patient seen in the Emergency Department and those admitted for care, as well as, patients referred on an out-patient basis.

Vernon, who was born in the Santa Cruz area and moved to the Kern Valley fifteen years ago said, “My wife and I see this as a great area to live in. We have a great appreciation for the outdoors, and enjoy this close knit community.” Marc sees it as a pleasure to be able to help the people of the valley in his capacity as the lead Respiratory Therapist at KVHD.

The next time you go to your doctor, ask for a referral to the hospital for any pulmonary test or treatment you might need. Why not save yourself a trip down the canyon? Marc and his staff will be more than happy to help with your gas savings.