Health

The complex role of the Health Information Management Department is one completed efficiently and effectively behind the scenes of every healthcare organization.

At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), there are five certified professionals who each handle a large piece of the health record.  Some of these pieces include obtaining pre-authorization from insurance companies prior to a procedure, credentialing each and every medical provider, transcribing provider notes and very specifically coding each and every care given and supply used for each patient in each department of the hospital and clinics.

The Health Information Management Department maintains medical records for each patient and coordinates the release of information. They follow strict patient confidentiality guidelines for proper release.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital’s “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 8, from 3:30-6 p.m. Free health testing, exhibits and interactive activities will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages.

New this year, all those attending are welcome to enter the fair through either the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Medical Clinic or the Gundersen Medical Clinic, or the main entrance to the hospital. Parking will be readily available at any of those entrances allowing for greater accessibility to the fair this year.

The route will again proceed through the various booths and displays throughout the hospital, the VMH Clinic and the Gundersen Clinic, then exiting through the same exit as they entered where door prizes will be available. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event.

April is Foot Health Month. The feet are a part of the body that is often ignored, but are truly one of the most important parts, supporting the rest of the body in most every move it makes. Podiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in foot and ankle care.  A podiatrist diagnoses and treats health issues concerning not only the feet, but the ankle as well.

Podiatrist Dr. Kristina Thompson of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) is available every Monday and Wednesday in Waukon consulting and treating patients, and even providing minor surgical procedures.

by Angie Mettille RN, Certified Diabetes Educator

April is Defeat Diabetes 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?

A diabetes educator can help you defeat diabetes by developing a plan to stay healthy and give you the tools you need to navigate the various curveballs that diabetes can throw at you.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.   This year will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Toe Tappers as part of the musical line-up, all held Friday evening, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

BBF will again remember their late guitarist Pat Dougherty, the only deceased member of four local bands which included Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River.  Pat was a key member of these bands with both his guitar and vocals. Event organizers will again have Pat’s guitar on display this year at the event, as well as memorabilia provided by the Dougherty family.   Attendees can look for the display adjacent to the main stage in the Pavilion that evening while also visiting with members of Pat’s family.

April is National Occupational Therapy Month.   Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Occupational Therapists commonly care for patients who are on skilled care, also called swing bed.  This level of care is beneficial to the patient’s recovery following an injury, illness or surgery, and helps them regain their function and strength in order to return home safely.

Rena Kruse of Eitzen, MN, learned of the Veterans Memorial Hospital skilled care program from a friend of hers who had greatly benefited from this care following a fall and broken hip. She asked to be transferred to VMH following her surgery in La Crosse, WI for her broken ankle. She was admitted on skilled care and stayed nearly two weeks, benefiting from the occupational and physical therapy she received twice a day throughout her stay.

In the world of Medical Laboratory Science, it doesn’t get more accurate than molecular technology. Recent advances have also made these technologies more efficient and more affordable. At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Lab, molecular technology is used to identify infections by using DNA and/or RNA extraction.

There are four instruments at VMH that together can identify 53 different organisms and 10 different antibiotic-resistance genes. The most common panel that is performed is the new Mini Respiratory Panel, composed of COVID-19, Influenza A and B, RSV, and Rhinovirus.

Molecular testing not only takes less time than classic testing, but it is also more sensitive because it takes less organism to produce a positive result. These together mean quicker treatments for those with certain infections.

by Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist
 
Dr. Kristina Thompson, Podiatrist, provides specialty foot care at Veterans Memorial Hospital. She recommends the following for “de-feeting” diabetes.
• Avoid soaking feet, this causes excessive dryness and can lead to cracks.
• Check feet daily for any new blisters, wounds, etc.  
• Avoid going barefoot, especially if you have neuropathy/diabetic nerve damage.
• Ask your provider about diabetic shoes.
• Work with your providers and/or diabetes educator to keep your glucose within target range.  This decreases risk of complications.
• If you notice a blister or wound, don’t delay treatment.  Get in with a provider with a knowledge on wound care.
• Exercise if you are able.  This increases blood flow circulation.
• Don’t remove callus or corns yourself, see your doctor!

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 18, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, will discuss the topic of diabetes technology. Most people and patients carry a smartphone now, and there are many apps that are free and easy to download and use that are helpful with activity monitoring, carbohydrate counting or blood sugar tracking.

She will also talk more about continuous glucose monitors and encourages everyone living with diabetes to use one. She states, “As with anything else in the medical world, insurance companies play a big part in making those devices affordable for those wanting to use them, so they are not an option for everyone… yet.”

Congratulations to the 40 students who completed the recent Veterans Memorial (VMH) Hospital Babysitting classes Friday, March 29. The classes were instructed by Corinne Cook, RN, and consisted of teaching the qualities of being a good babysitter including basic child care, accident prevention, fire prevention, and first aid.

These new babysitters also learned CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the Heimlich Maneuver in the case of a choking child. The Waukon Police Department even helped with addressing and teaching about many safety concerns.