Health

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will begin meeting once again 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, June 18, which is the normal date for the support group to be held. One session will meet at 10 a.m., 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 Mettille by June 16.

The LifeServe Blood Center reported that a very successful blood drive was held in Waukon Monday, June 1. A total of 45 units were collected, surpassing the goal by three units. Six  new donors joined the donor list. These 45 units of collected blood will save 135 lives.

“June was another successful blood drive - I am amazed at the number of donors we are seeing in Waukon - what a blessing!,” states Kathie Gayther, Territory Representative of the  Life Serve Blood Center.  “There were six new donors this drive. Keep them coming!”

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.

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.

The regular Caregiver Support Group meetings held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus.  However, this support group is now being held through conference calls.  Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432. Then enter the participant code 961847#. You will then be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Kay Mooney by Scott and Kim Bollman, Jamie Longmiller, Ron and Nancy Brandt, Pat Pettingill, Theresa Lyons, Marv and Marge Strike, Matt and Dawn Teslow, Dan and Mary Scholtes, Carl and Betty Christianson, Roger and Karen Melcher, Eugene and Betty May, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Barry and Sue Miller, Robert and Karen Fossum, Brent and Anne Berns, Herb and Anne Dehli, Dr. Dave and Joan Schwartz, Ryan and Sam Collins, Mary Ann Burke, Mary Jo Nordheim and Tom Waters, Mike and  Teresa Myers, Laura and Bryan Arensdorf, Erik and Janelle Helgerson, Linda Thompson, Bill and Pat Moody, Brian and Denise Wullner, Bob and Jeanine Mathis, Bev Platten, Mavis Berns, Randy and Debbie Burke, J.C.

Wearing masks has become a new norm and really does help to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19. But the respiratory therapists at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon remind everyone wearing masks to still exercise the lungs.

“Don’t forget to take frequent deep breaths while wearing a mask to exercise the lungs,” stated Stacie Radloff, Respiratory Therapy Supervisor at Veterans Memorial Hospital. “It is important to exercise our lungs to prevent infections from settling. The best way to do this is to take your mask off, get some fresh air and take up to five slow deep breaths at least once an hour.”

Getting outside for some fresh air is preferable, according to the Respiratory Therapy department, but removing the mask indoors when distanced from others and taking the deep breaths is very effective as well.

Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to reopen outpatient services such as elective colonoscopies, mammograms, physical, occupational, speech and cardiac rehabilitation, laboratory testing, massage therapy and immunizations. Each and every patient and visitor who enters the hospital is screened with a temperature scan as shown in this photo above, and is asked a short series of health questions that are COVID-19 related. Pictured above is Paul Promnitz of Waukon inside the main entrance of the hospital with Morgan VanRuler, C.N.A., taking his temperature with a temporal thermometer. Each staff member at the hospital also screens their temperature before entering the hospital, all in an effort to continue to stop the spread of this respiratory illness. Submitted photo.
 

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation annual Three-Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament that was scheduled for June 22 has been postponed until further notice. The hospital Foundation is reviewing other options for the tournament while following the COVID-19 safe distancing guidelines.

The Foundation will notify past tournament teams of any optional tournament event that may be held later this year. But at this time, the June 22 event will not be held as scheduled.

For more information about the golf tournament event, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, Veteran Memorial Hospital has had to limit surgeries and outpatient procedures, just like every hospital has had to, to one degree or another. However, the hospital is now beginning to offer a few elective surgical procedures, such as colonoscopies and mammograms.

Individuals who are interested in inquiring about having one of these preventative procedures should call their provider. The provider can then share the order for the procedure with Veterans Memorial Hospital. Then the appointment and instructions will be shared.

The hospital will be taking the highest precautions with each and every patient, leaving appropriate time between procedures and using all personal protective equipment and protocols.

The regular Caregiver Support Group meetings held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital have been canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. However, this support group is now being held through conference calls. Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432. Then enter the participant code 961847# to be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging is reaching out to extend this program during COVID-19 to keep people safe at home, yet offer them the support they need as a caregiver. Contact Kelly Kuennen at 800-779-8707 with any questions.