Dear Editor:

Several months ago my husband had an unfortunate early morning fall at home, involving significant trauma/bleeding to his ear and face. Once I assessed the situation and got the bleeding stopped, it was clear he needed to get to the ER under our own transportation.

Because we live on the Boothbay/Edgecomb line, it took 20 minutes to arrive at Miles ER, where we were seen immediately by Dr. Bates. After careful examination, stitches were in order for multiple lacerations to his ear and side of face. Dr. Bates, in his calming manner, prepared my husband with all manner of injections to numb the area. While working on my husband, Dr. Bates was concerned about one tear within the ear that might have lost significant blood flow and may not make it. His decision to close the entire wound area was the right move.

At discharge, Dr. Bates arranged for my husband to see a plastic surgeon in Portland for a second opinion on the area of concern. The appointment with the plastic surgeon was within the week of injury. Upon examination, the surgeon exclaimed that my husband was not going to lose a part of his ear and that the attending ER doctor at Miles Memorial Hospital did a perfect job stitching him back together. The doctor said there should be no concern for any problems and now several months later … his wounds have healed perfectly well. You would never know there were stitches all about his ear and face.

This is a public thank you for the expertise and calming manner of Dr. Bates at Miles Memorial Hospital emergency room. Both my husband and I have used the services of the ER at Miles and both of us have been surgical patients several times at Miles. We have the greatest respect for the doctors, nurses and all staff at Miles Memorial Hospital.

Bill and Sue Burge
Boothbay