Health

by Angie Mettille RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, Program Coordinator

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.  Diabetes is a disease full of challenges. Every day presents decisions that need to be made and sometimes problems that need to be solved. What should I eat for breakfast? How many carbohydrates are in that bowl of soup? How will that banana affect my blood sugar? Did I take my insulin this morning?  My blood sugar is higher than normal, what do I do? I’m worried about my risk of heart disease and stroke because my A1c has been higher than my doctor likes, how can I decrease my chance of complications? How am I going to pay for my insulin this month?

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering the next recertification course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMS, etc.) Wednesday, November 18, beginning at 5 p.m.    This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

There is a small fee to participate in this class and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask, if they have one. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them as a BLS Healthcare Provider for a two-year period.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required for the class to be held. All participants will be required to physically distance during the class and wear a mask. They will also be screened at the hospital main entrance when they enter the building.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is now offering flu shots on an appointment-only basis.  Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Those with an appointment to receive their flu shot should remain in their vehicle until the nurse comes to get them and should bring along their insurance or Medicare card.

For more information or to make an appointment for a private flu shot, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-3411.
 

The need for blood has not stopped during COVID-19 and is always in even higher demand over the summer months, so the local blood drives continue to be held. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, November 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.   

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Edna Wyninger by Frank and Patty Goltz, Scott and Jill Manning, Ardie Kuhse, Steve and Maureen Thode, Cindy Barness, Penny Wheeler, Fred and Geralyn Smith, Tom and Karen Regan, Stephanie and Eric Palmer, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Dennis and Sandy Deal, Steve and Sheryl Evanson and Patricia Wellendorf.

Memorials were also given in memory of Don Schwartzhoff by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Mary Ann Hager, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Leslie and Joann Winters, Mary Fink, James and Jill Kiesau, Pat and Debbie McGeough, Ryan and Kari Smith, John Kerndt, Russ and Mary Jo Meyer and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Housekeeping Department.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Rose Marie Winters by Les and Ada Marie Kerndt, Dave and Laurie Martin, Dave and Sandy Lyons, and Gary and Jean Gilbertson.

submitted by the American Institute of Cancer Research and Veterans Memorial Hospital

Early detection can prove to be lifesaving when it comes to detecting and fighting breast cancer. There are four important ways to play a crucial part in finding breast cancer early on, which could significantly increase one’s chances of recovery should one be diagnosed with the disease.

1. Perform a monthly breast self-exam (BSE.) Because 65 to 70 percent of all breast cancers are found by women themselves, there’s no substitute for a BSE. Examine the breasts the week following a menstrual period for anyone age 20 and over. For women who are no longer menstruating, they should perform a BSE the first day of every month.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Patients who would prefer to try just about anything before taking prescription opioids to treat their physical pain are not alone. According to a new report, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach.

Earlier this year, data was collected from nearly 63,000 American adults, and 78% say they prefer to find another option to treat pain rather than taking medication prescribed by their doctors. The use of narcotics is viewed as a “crisis” or a very serious problem, and most people do not want to get caught up in it.

This study could mean that in the future, patients and health-care professionals alike will try drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids.

Instead of using pain medications, those surveyed in this recent study chose physical therapy as the safest option in treating pain.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is now offering flu shots on an appointment-only basis. Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Those with an appointment to receive their flu shot should remain in their vehicle until the nurse comes to get them and should bring along their insurance or Medicare card.

Influenza, also called “the flu”, can cause fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches to people of any age, and can lead to pneumonia and even death. Most deaths caused by influenza occur in the elderly, the very young or people who have a compromised immune system.

The Center for Disease Control now recommends that everyone age 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu every year.  Flu shots are especially important  for the following people:

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering the next recertification course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMS, etc.) Wednesday, November 18, beginning at 5 p.m.    This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

There is a small fee to participate in this class and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask, if they have one. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them as a BLS Healthcare Provider for a two-year period.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required for the class to be held. All participants will be required to physically distance during the class and wear a mask. They will also be screened at the hospital main entrance when they enter the building.

The need for blood has not stopped during COVID-19 and is always in even higher demand over the summer months, so the local blood drives continue to be held. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, November 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.