Diabetes Program

At Bay Area Hospital, our program and its person-centered approach is nationally recognized by the American Diabetes Association. Bay Area Hospital wants patients to be successful in managing their diabetes. We provide classes and resources so you can find options that work for you. We are always looking at how we can best support our patients as they work to improve their health.

A National Diabetes Statistic Report compiled in 2020 indicated that 13.2% of adults in the U.S. have this condition and, further, that 21.4% of these people don’t know they have it! We’ve learned that 11.3% of adults in Coos County and 20.4% of those in Jefferson County had diabetes at the time of a 2017 local study, Unfortunately, in today’s world those numbers may be much higher as teenagers, who are now more sedentary and consume more fast food, are increasingly diagnosed with Type 2 (“Adult Onset”) diabetes. So, what exactly is diabetes and what can be done to control it? Simply put, diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, and this results in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine. Diabetes damages blood vessels and can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and/or vision loss. Medical professionals diagnose diabetes by measuring the level of blood sugar in their patients and this measurement is continued over time to ensure that the disease is under control.

Our Certified Diabetes Educator Rita Hoover, RN, CDCES and a team of allied health professionals are busy at work helping patients learn to control their symptoms and, thereby, assure better health. Our program, which has been in place for more than 25 years, continues to grow in size and scope and its quality and person-centered approach is recognized by the American Diabetes Association through the certification process that takes place every four years.

Prevention is key when it comes to diabetes and we offer a FREE one-time class that will teach you how to slow or prevent the progression of diabetes. This is a great class for those that have prediabetes, are glucose intolerant, or have other risk factors for diabetes.

Classes are offered two times per year and dates vary.
Location: Community Health and Education Center (CHEC)
3950 Sherman Avenue, North Bend
Please RSVP to (541) 266-7928 if you plan to attend.

We offer a diabetes self-management program designed to help you understand and manage your diabetes. This program has four classes and also includes an individual appointment with a registered dietitian.

You must have a referral from your physician/healthcare provider to enroll. Call (541) 269-8441 for more information.

These services on temporary hold due to COVID.

Diabetes Screening

Bay Area Hospital offers FREE diabetes blood glucose screening on the fourth Thursday of every month from 9 to 10 a.m.
If you are at risk of developing diabetes, have a family history of diabetes, or have a history of high blood sugar, cholesterol, or triglycerides then we encourage you to get screened. Call Rita Hoover at (541) 266-7928.
Location: Bay Area Hospital Spruce Conference Room 1775 Thompson Road Coos Bay, OR 97420

Diabetes Review

If you want to learn more about a specific aspect of diabetes care then the Diabetes Review class is for you. We meet the first Tuesday of every month from noon to 1:30 p.m. We encourage family members or support persons to attend as well. Call Rita Hoover at (541) 266-7928.
Location: Community Health and Education Center 3950 Sherman Ave. North Bend, OR 97459.

We know that diabetes can affect all aspects of your life. It is important for you to get the support you need to cope with the many challenging aspects of managing diabetes. We offer a Diabetes Talk Group to help you maintain your physical and emotional health. Call (541) 756-4387.  This service on temporary hold due to COVID.

Other Resources

Currently there are is an ABC Diabetic Walk and Talk that takes place at Mingus Park. Visit www.southcoastdiabetes.org for more information or call (541) 756-9054. You can sign up for our FREE online newsletter to learn more about diabetes and diabetes care. Please email Rita Hoover.

Family Birth Center

Having a Baby at Bay Area Hospital

Pregnancy, women, and babies are our passion! From the moment you find out you’re pregnant, Bay Area Hospital’s Family Birth Center is there for you. When your healthcare provider tells us you’re expecting, you’ll be contacted by the MOMS (Management of Maternity Services) team. MOMS is a free, voluntary prenatal education program for you and your family. Registered nurses will answer your questions and provide education, reference materials, emotional support and referrals to community agencies. The same nurses you’ll see in MOMS and in Labor and Delivery offer free comprehensive childbirth education classes.

Our prenatal services include ultrasound and fetal testing, when recommended by your doctor or midwife. We encourage you to write down or state your birthing wishes, and we will try our best to accommodate. We aim to help you have the birth you desire, while keeping you and your baby safe. All nurses have had continuing education in labor support, fetal monitoring and lactation support. The labor and delivery unit includes eight suites where you are often allowed to labor, deliver, and recover in the same comfortable room.

Options to assist with pain management in labor include position changes and movement, hydrotherapy, intravenous pain medications, and epidurals. Two of our labor suites have jacuzzi bathtubs, and birthing balls are available.

After your baby is born, bonding is encouraged by keeping you and your baby together as much as possible. Breastfeeding assistance is offered and certified lactation specialists are available for consultation. Our focus is helping you have the happiest, healthiest pregnancy and birth possible. After discharge, a postpartum or home visit is also available to further assist with any additional needs that arise.

Our Women’s Health unit specializes in caring for women undergoing gynecological surgeries or assisting with gynecological medical needs. We have found that by keeping this unit adjacent to maternity services, we are better able to care for the unique needs of women. Registered nurses educated and specializing in women’s health will assist you in your recovery. Our focus is on holistic care, with the aim of providing excellent physical and emotional care. We encourage feedback from our patients because we want to provide the best care possible!

Family Birth Center Bay Area Hospital Coos Bay

MOMS Program

Management of Maternity Services

MOMS (Management of Maternity Services) is a free program serving all who plan to deliver at Bay Area Hospital. Specially trained registered nurses work with you and your family throughout your pregnancy and after your baby is home to help you feel comfortable with your maternity experience and the care and feeding of your newborn.

Our MOMS program partners an experienced nurse with your family to assist you throughout your maternity experience; assist with pre-admission registration and prenatal class registration; provide healthy pregnancy information and support; and explore your birthing options and choices with you. Throughout your pregnancy, we offer individual meetings and follow-up phone calls to connect you with community services you may need.

NOTICE: In light of recent changes with the COVID-19 pandemic, the MOMS Program has canceled all Childbirth Education classes until further notice. We hope that the following information below will provide useful resources for new and expecting mothers during this time:

MOMS also offers an after-baby follow-up visit. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfed infants have a weight and jaundice check within five days of birth. Those who participate in MOMS before delivery will be offered a postpartum home visit from an experienced MOMS nurse to evaluate mom’s and baby’s health. During this visit, the nurse will also assist with feeding issues and answer parents’ questions. The MOMS nurse can also offer information and referrals to services for postpartum depression, parenting programs and other community resources.

Lactation services are also provided through the MOMS program. Three internationally certified lactation consultants and experienced MOMS registered nurses help you and your baby get off to a healthy start with breastfeeding. Assistance is offered on the postpartum home visit and weekly follow-up calls. Certified lactation specialists are available for consultation during your stay at the hospital, and a consultation can be scheduled for after you get home as well.

If you have not met with a MOMS RN for your one-on-one appointment, please call 541-269-8258.
We suggest you take these classes in your third trimester, finishing at 37 weeks or before.

Nurse Handing New Baby To Mom

Palliative Care

Relief From Your Symptoms

Palliative Care provides support to help you feel better. That support comes in many forms:

  • Medication to relieve pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, or nausea
  • Emotional or spiritual support to relieve stress
  • Talking with an expert nurse, who can help you understand your illness and treatment plan

Medical treatment can be difficult when you feel bad. So Bay Area Hospital offers comprehensive support for inpatients and their families as they cope with:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Severe liver disease
  • Severe kidney disease
  • Other complex or life-threatening illnesses

Like a faithful friend, Palliative Care is with you from diagnosis throughout the course of your illness, whether your treatment is curative or life-prolonging. That’s why we sometimes call it “Pal Care.”

Palliative Care is a medical and nursing specialty that provides medical and social support to help you feel better. Palliative Care works closely with your doctors. It emphasizes managing pain and symptoms, while offering social services, counseling and spiritual support.

You or your family may request a Palliative Care consultation by calling 541-269-8538.

  • Provides relief from unpleasant symptoms such as pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, nausea, and constipation
  • Helps you and your family navigate the healthcare system and understand your illness
  • Offers guidance with difficult and complex treatment choices
  • Addresses emotional and spiritual concerns
  • Helps you clarify the goals of your treatment
  • Plans for continuity of care in the hospital
  • Assists with planning for care at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility
  • Helps you connect with community resources, such as home health organizations and state-supported care agencies
  • Helps you fill out advance directive and POLST (Physician’s Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment) forms
  • Allows time for discussion, values communication, choice, and the dignity of the individual
  • Emphasizes comfort and quality of life

Palliative Care is not hospice care, but Palliative Care coordinates with local hospice organizations that provide end-of-life care and bereavement support.

Your Palliative Care nurse can arrange a hospice consultation at your request.

Medical Director – Our medical director is Dallas Carter, MD. Dr. Carter is board-certified in palliative medicine and family practice.
Nurses – Our certified nurse practitioner and registered nurses meet individually with each patient. They review your medical and social history, discuss your treatment plan, listen to concerns from you and your loved ones, answer questions, and make recommendations for relieving pain and other symptoms.
To learn more: – Call 541-269-8538.

Pediatrics

Having a sick or hospitalized child is scary for any parent. Bay Area Hospital’s Pediatric Department recognizes the unique needs of children and families and strives to provide the best care possible. We encourage parents to be involved in their child’s care and offer sleeper chairs, bedding and showers so parents can stay at their child’s bedside. If your child is exclusively breastfeeding, a meal tray will be provided to you free of charge. Registered nurses caring for your child are PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)-certified.

Family-centered care at Bay Area Hospital

Upon arrival, your nurse will begin a family-centered care plan that includes pediatric safety precautions. Our unit is protected with an electronic security system to prevent child abduction. To make your child feel at home, our rooms include kid-friendly décor. Children’s movies and games are available.

In addition to generalized medical and surgical services, the pediatric department also has a pediatric diabetes program and a safe room for pediatric behavioral health patients until they can be transferred for treatment.

Young Girl Being Held By Female Pediatric Nurse

Psychiatric Services

Psychiatric Services at Bay Area Hospital provides inpatient care for the community. Our inpatient unit is a secure 13-bed, acute care facility located inside the hospital.

Our comprehensive team consists of psychiatrists, registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, recreational therapists, licensed professional counselors, dietitians, pharmacists, and clinical nursing assistants as well as occupational and speech therapists.

Psychiatric disorders we commonly treat include:

  • Addictions
  • Anxiety
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Other thought processes that impair function

Our inpatient unit encourages visitation within the visiting hours of 12-1 pm; 3:30-4:30 pm and 5:30-6:30 pm. Please call to make an appointment for visitation during one of these times. Visitors must be 18 years old to be permitted on the unit. Visitors are asked to leave all personal belongings outside the unit for patient, staff and visitor safety.

We work closely with community resources and agencies to assure patients have the support they need to maximize their quality of life. We provide patient and family therapy and life skills education that allow and enable the client to make positive and lasting life changes.

Our mission is to provide a safe and therapeutic environment while respecting our patients’ privacy and confidentiality; our goal is to ensure a sustainable recovery for the patients, families and loved ones. No one will be denied care due to their inability to pay. A sliding fee schedule is available upon request at our registration desks.

Please view our brochure on what to expect when a family member or friend is discharged from the hospital after receiving care for mental health here.

Click here for a list of local mental health resources and 24-hour crisis services.