Health

As Iowans continue to push through the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain their new sense of normalcy, parents and guardians of school-aged children are reminded that annual physicals and back-to-school immunizations are still important.

According to a report released by the Iowa Department of Public Health, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, well child visits have declined significantly, causing a delay in required and recommended immunizations, health screenings, and referrals. Statewide, there was a 55.5% decrease in the administration of non-influenza vaccines to children ages four to 18 years during March and April 2020 compared to the same months in 2019. April had a 75.0% decrease from the previous year, while March had a 37.1% decrease. Compared to other child and adult age categories, the largest percent differences were among 11-12 year olds and 13-18 year olds.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation “Caring for All” donor wall was recently updated thanks to the work of John Kerndt of Kerndt Monument Works and Kenny Liddiard of Liddiard Builders, pictured  in the photo at right.

This “Caring for All” donor wall is located in the main entrance lobby of the hospital. The wall publicizes and thanks those donors who have contributed to the hospital either in one larger donation, or those who have been regular, annual donors as their donations accumulate to the different levels of recognition.

The wall also recognizes all memorial donations of $500 or more given in memory of any individual in the community. These memorials may be cumulative for the same person named in a variety of donations to the Foundation, or a lump sum donation from the deceased family or a combination of these. All memorial donations of any amount given to the hospital are also listed in the Memorial Book near the donor wall.

Veterans Memorial Hospital still encourages the continued use of face masks in the community, but urges all to wear them appropriately. Masks are extremely effective against the COVID-19 virus, but must be worn correctly to ward off the virus.

The following instructions from Johns Hopkins Medical Center give simple, effective rules for mask use.  First, hands must be cleaned just prior to putting on the mask, making sure to touch only the sides or bands of the mask with the hands - the fronts of a mask should never be touched. Hands should always be cleaned again after removing a mask. Masks must always cover both the mouth and the nose and fit under the chin. Reusable masks must be laundered after each use in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.  Disposable masks should be thrown when they are visibly dirty or damaged.  Masks should also never be shared with another person. Masks should be worn whenever around others in public places away from home.

Veterans Memorial Hospital was recently made aware that a few people in the community had received a phone call from the hospital, stating their social security number had been hacked. The hospital would like to alert the public that no such phone calls are being made by Veterans Memorial Hospital and that this is probably a phone scam to be very cautious of.

For any questions, feel free to call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Due to COVID-19 and the postponement of Waukon Corn Days, Veterans Memorial Hospital will not be holding its 27th annual 5K Walk/Run this year. But the hospital staff has marked the walk/run route that curves around the city for anyone in the community to enjoy at any time.

The first distance offered on the route is a 1.5-mile loop around the hospital campus and golf course. Participants may choose to return to the hospital at that point, or go the entire distance of the 5K or 3.1 miles that will continue around the city streets of Waukon before returning to the hospital campus.

Maps of the 5K route and the alternative 1.5-mile route are available at the main entrance of the hospital along with participant goodie bags. The routes start and end at the south side of the hospital along the Gundersen Clinic parking lot. The entire route is clearly marked with arrows and the word “5K” all in brightly colored paint.

The LifeServe Blood Center reported yet another very successful blood drive held in Waukon Monday, August 3. Every blood drive held in Waukon since the start of COVID-19  has successfully recruited many first-time donors who are all encouraged to continue giving blood regularly. A total of 38 units were collected and seven new donors joined the donor list. The 43 units of collected blood will save 129 lives.

The local blood drives will continue during COVID-19 since the need for blood does not stop. 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 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation annual Three Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament that was scheduled for June 22 has been restructured for this unprecedented year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Foundation has partnered with the Waukon Golf and Country Club to offer an alternative “COVID-Classic” tournament which includes a round of 18 holes of golf and a $10 drink voucher to use anytime between now and October 15 of this year, 2020.

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and often celebrated with barbecues and road trips. Motorists should be aware as they hit the highways that the Labor Day holiday weekend is one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of drunk-driving fatalities.

During the 2018 Labor Day holiday period (August 31-September 4), there were 439 traffic fatalities nationwide. Forty-three percent of those fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking and more than one-third (38%) of the fatalities involved drivers who were over the legal limit. Ultimately, drinking and driving is a choice that puts all road users at risk.

It is imperative that everyone does their part to end drunk and drugged driving. Remember that it is never okay to drink/drug and drive. Even if planning to have only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or use a ride serve to get home safely.

Three Veterans Memorial Hospital staff members studying nursing have each been awarded a $3,500 scholarship from the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF), which is supported by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). These three staff members, who are also current students, include Morgan Van Ruler, a nursing student at Viterbo University; Tyler O’Neill, a nursing student at the University of Iowa; and Jayne McCormick,  who is already an RN and is now achieving her bachelor’s degree from Mt. Mercy University.

These three staff members are among 62 outstanding students from all over Iowa who have received assistance this year from the IHERF Health Care Careers Scholarship Program.

The children of Harold and Margaret Halverson recently donated an automatic defibrillator to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Margaret’s memory. Margaret utilized the hospital facility and services numerous times over the years. This defibrillator is located on the lower level of the hospital for easy accessibility to all the meeting rooms and the dining area located in the hospital. Pictured, left to right, are Mark Halverson, Mary Jo Meyer, Margie Sommers, Cindy Butikofer and Greg Halverson. Submitted photo.