MAY 15, 2023 – Debate is heating up as Minnesota legislators consider passing a bill that would limit Minnesotans’ access to hospital care.

The “Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act” would establish staffing committees that set nurse staffing ratios. Rigid ratios would make it impossible for hospitals to adapt to the day-to-day needs of the patients who come to them for care: Hospitals would not be allowed to adjust staffing as the number and acuity of patients fluctuates.

Dr. Greg Erickson likes fixing things. From carpentry to surgery, he makes things better for people. “It’s gratifying to take someone who has pain or an injury, and be able to fix that problem.”

State Representative Kristi Pursell (D-Northfield) met with Northfield nursing home leaders to talk about the staffing crisis in long-term care facilities, and how the state legislature can help.  

Nursing home leaders are urging Minnesota legislators to increase state funding for caregiver wages. Minnesota’s seniors were turned away from long-term care 11,000 times in just one month, mostly due to lack of staff.

In May, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Northfield Hospital – the current hospital on North Avenue in Dakota County, built in 1983.

We celebrate our 113th anniversary, too: Since 1910, Northfield Hospital has been caring for our community. It’s been quite a ride – especially the last three years.

We’re proud of our past, a tradition of exceptional care. We’re optimistic for the future too, as we grow across the region, add and expand services, and care for an ever-increasing number of patients across the communities we serve.

Dr. Randolph Reister is a baseball fan. And a strong advocate for his patients: “I believe the needs of the patient are the only needs to be considered.”

First job? I mowed lawns in the little town where I grew up. I mowed about 20 people’s lawns and played baseball, and that was my summer.

Free time? I like to run, and play with my kids, and I’m a huge baseball fan. I used to be a player, but now I just watch.

Best part of your work? Seeing people get better.

Holiday season is a poignant time to remember loved ones we have lost.

Northfield Hospice hosts "Tree of Remembrance" to honor those who have passed away. This community event is a short program of reflections, music, and reading of the names of loves ones remembered and honored.

The ninth annual "Tree of Remembrance" airs Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 pm on KYMN Radio (95.1 FM, 1080 AM, and streaming at kymnradio.net). Special thanks to our friends at KYMN for hosting the program.

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 – Starting today, Northfield Hospital will not allow visitors under age 18 during the current RSV outbreak.

This restriction is to protect our patients and to protect children, who are at risk of serious illness from the highly contagious virus RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Cases of RSV are increasing dramatically across the community.

Siblings under age 18 are not allowed in the Birth Center at this time.

Only visitors 18 and older are allowed for patients in the hospital and in the Birth Center, and residents in the Long Term Care Center.

JUNE 9, 2022 – Due to recent public violence including the June 1 shooting at a hospital in Tulsa and the June 3 stabbing at a hospital in California, NH+C is addressing its safety measures against possible threats of violence in our facilities.

We have no known threat to our workforce or campuses at this time.

NH+C staff are reviewing their training on how to respond to an active threat of violence (including active shooter) if such an event were to occur on any of our campuses.

FEBRUARY 23, 2022 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics is allowing some visitors under age 18 as part of adjusting its COVID restrictions. This expansion may be reversed if there is an increase in positive COVID cases.

Visitors of any age with any COVID-19 symptom are not allowed.

Hospital patients may have two visitors at a time. It does not have to be the same two visitors for the whole hospital stay. Visitors under age 18 are allowed if they are able to be masked at all times. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

JANUARY 14, 2022 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics has tightened visitor restrictions as cases of COVID-19 increase dramatically, driven by the highly contagious omicron variant.