Health

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Laboratory in Waukon has returned to full services following the slowing trend of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the Laboratory remained in service throughout the spring months, the entire list of services is now once again available and all offered in a safe setting.

The hospital Laboratory sees many repeat patients on a regular basis for a large variety of blood tests that are ordered by physicians locally and from out of town. If a test is ordered that can’t be run at the local hospital, the Lab can draw the blood and send the sample for more advanced testing, saving the patient valuable time and money.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Laboratory is open in the very early morning for fasting labs. Lab technicians are on site for a blood draw before a patient goes to work. INR testing can also be completed by the hospital’s Lab.

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, 2020.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care has availabilities for immunizations which are now held on an appointment-only basis. During COVID-19, the walk-in immunization clinics will remain on hold, but for those who want to call ahead and make an appointment, they can do so by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

With school right around the corner, the Community and Home Care public health office advises families to make their appointments now to be sure all needed immunizations are received before school begins. Immunizations are extremely important. They have eradicated Small Pox, eliminated polio from the Americas, and they have almost eliminated Tetanus, Diphtheria and Rubella.  Immunizations have also greatly reduced the occurrence of Measles, Pertussis and Meningitis. Millions of deaths and other tragedies have also been prevented by vaccines.

Veterans Memorial Hospital visiting hours have been extended from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, but are still limited to just one visitor per patient per day. For patient safety, the hospital is still enforcing the following guidelines:

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon will hold a Prepared Childbirth Education class (formerly called Lamaze) Saturday, July 25 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Large Conference Room of the hospital.

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are now offered in one half-day session. Tours of the OB Department are available with these sessions as well. These Prepared Childbirth Education classes are available for a small fee per session and will be offered every three months at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Preregistration is necessary, as seats are limited. To register, email childbirth@vmhospital.com or contact Brianne Leikvold, RN, OB Supervisor. Veterans Memorial Hospital’s next Prepared Childbirth Education course is scheduled for October 24.

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 local blood drive will be held Thursday, July 9 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will again meet at Veterans Memorial Hospital with two optional meeting times in order to follow all of the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

Diabetes Educator, Angie Mettille, RN, CDE, will be facilitating the same Diabetes Support Group meeting at two different times Thursday, July 16, which is the normal date for the support group to be held. One session will meet at 10 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m. to help keep the number attending limited to 10 or below. All those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Angie by July 14.

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, July 15, 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 fee to attend the 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 two years.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Dick Gearhart by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, JoAnn Peake, Ron and Nancy Brandt,  Richard and Joan Leiran, Dave and Laurie Martin, Carl and Betty Christianson, Audrey Angel, Debbie Rixen, Mary Ann Hager, Jane Dietrich, Marv and Anita Petersen, Betty White, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich, DVM, Randy and Lori Hesse, Don and DiAnne Haler, Jean Huffey and Dave and  Sandy Lyons.

Memorials were also received in memory of Margaret Bulman by Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Jean Huffey, Dave and Laurie Martin and Les and Ada Marie Kerndt, Jr.

Memorials and donations are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible and can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

Colonoscopies are once again available at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Since mid-March and COVID-19, all elective procedures at Veterans Memorial Hospital have been on hold until now. Anyone that is due for a colonoscopy or is concerned about symptoms is welcome to schedule a consultation. Individuals who are interested can call the Surgical Coordinator’s office at Veterans Memorial Hospital and ask to be set up for a consultation for a colonoscopy. Those interested may need to see their regular provider in addition to the surgeon prior to the procedure.