Injured hockey players are often treated at PRH
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of the “PRH: Making A Difference” series of articles appearing daily in the Penticton Herald until Nov. 3, highlighting Penticton Regional Hospital as it moves towards the opening of its new patient care tower in the spring of 2019.
For a nationally-respected Junior A hockey team, it’s a huge plus to know that when the injury bug strikes, there’s a quality hospital nearby. Dan McDowell has been the Penticton Vees’ trainer for the last five years, joining the team shortly after they won the 2012 RBC Cup national championship.
McDowell estimates that 25 to 30 per cent of Vees players who get injured during a game or practice are taken to Penticton Regional Hospital — mostly for separated shoulders, torn up knees or concussions.
McDowell started as a Junior Alevel trainer in 1995 with a team in the Ottawa area, turning to his true passion after years as a federal public servant. He acknowledged he’s more inclined to send an injured player to hospital in Penticton than he did with his previous team in Ontario.
“The Vees program here is definitely more intense than the league back East I was with — the coach has them on the ice so much,” he said. “So sending them to hospital and getting them looked at there, gives us an idea as to how long the player may be out (of the lineup).”
Players are normally taken to Emergency for treatment and X-rays, or possibly the cast clinic — especially for hand and wrist injuries. At other times, players are referred to physiotherapists and chiropractors. Illnesses and other non-injury ailments are usually dealt with by one of the team physicians.
However, just like anyone else, young junior hockey players aren’t too keen about spending time in a hospital waiting area.
“The players don’t like to sit around and do nothing. They like it even less if they get an X-ray that shows no fracture,” he said.
Therefore, McDowell has to be wary that some players may be reluctant to go to hospital if they have another injury. On a rare occasion, a player might not admit to suffering any pain to avoid waiting outside a hospital emergency room.
“So I try to choose carefully when I send someone to hospital. If the player exhibits too much pain or discomfort, then definitely I’ll send them to get an X-ray and further treatment as required,” he said.
“Otherwise, my past experience and knowledge help determine which players will be sent to the hospital.” Phase 2 of the PRH expansion (starting in 2019 following completion of the new David E. Kampe Tower) involves a major upgrade to the Emergency department. However, recentlyintroduced procedural efficiencies at the hospital have significantly decreased overcapacity levels.
Still, there are times when Emergency department gets backed up. In contrast to walk-in clinics, patients are dealt with on a medical priority basis, rather than on a first come, first served basis.
McDowell said the Vees’ overall experience with PRH has been very good, even when it comes to paperwork. For U.S. players on the team, medical insurance questions can sometimes pose a problem. However, McDowell said hospital staff work hard to sort out any difficulties which may arise.
“There is an awful lot of co-operation that way, and it is very much appreciated. Generally, if the players are injured they’re looked after.”
PRH is currently undergoing a $312-million expansion and the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation is raising $20 million to provide the medical equipment required. To donate, contact the SOS Medical Foundation at 250-492-9027 or visit our website.