Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital has announced it plans to transition to a new electronic medical record system the end of February. This new system will now link to all departments, encompassing all areas of the hospital, including the billing department.

With this change, patients will see a new statement following any hospital service which will be a completely different look from what they are used to receiving due to the use of a new vendor. In addition, patients’ account balances will also be handled by a new system that will be unfamiliar to current patients. For example, a patient may have a test performed in February and it will be processed through the current company, MedPay, and after March 1, self pay statements and phone calls will come from the new vendor instead.

Over 950,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease. Since February is National Heart Month, Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon provides the following facts and tips on heart health:
- 250,000 people die within one hour of onset of a heart attack.
- 60-70% of those individuals are male.
- Heart disease is the number-one killer of American women and men.
- 75-80% of cardiac arrests happen in the home.
- Bystander CPR does improve the outcome once someone has arrested.
- Traditional CPR courses are not reaching those who live with high-risk populations.
- Rapid defibrillation is the most important treatment for victims.
- For every minute delay in defibrillation there is a 10% loss for chance of survival.
- In the case of heart attack, “Time is Muscle.”
- In the case of stroke, “Time is Brain Tissue.”

Sweating, nausea, dizziness and unusual fatigue may not sound like typical heart attack symptoms, but they are common for women. Pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest is not always severe or even the most prominent heart attack symptom, particularly in women. These symptoms may occur more often when women are resting or even asleep.

“That is why it’s important for women to understand their unique symptoms and work to reduce their risk of heart disease,” says Elizabeth Leschensky, family nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare in Waukon.

Certain factors play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women than the traditional risks of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity. “Women should control traditional risk factors as well as these to help prevent heart disease,” says Leschensky.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Ida Duffy by Kent and Donna Schultz, Laura Duvel, Marilyn Bulman and Wendy Bucheit.

Memorials were also received in memory of Curt “CD” Kruger by Marv and Marge Strike, Dave and Laura Martin, Randy and Karen Loeb, JoAnn Peake, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Orrin and Nan Grangaard, Ken and Jill Lampman, Mae Jean Bakke, John and Lorna Kerndt, Elsa Hager, Craig and Barb Lensing, Robert and Marilyn Bulman, Cyril and Shirley Larkin, Mary Ann Hager, Norb and Nola Palmer, Carol Krumme, Wayne and Nona Sawyer, Dan and Traci Byrnes, Dale and Ann Rademaker, Jackie Westby, Kate Wooden, Jim and Bev Larson-Needham, Lois Evans, Otto and Eleanor Thorstenson, Jim Moritz, Lesa Moose, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, and Allan and Fern Rissman.

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Wednesday, February 8 at 2 p.m. This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support group meets the second Wednesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested  Thursday, February 16. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not a member of the Auxiliary. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room located in the Waukon Wellness Center. 

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner if chosen. Contact Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. All proceeds go toward the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Evelyn Welper by Russ and Mary Jo Meyer, Jane Dietrich, Tharin and Bailey Meyer Benson, Patsy Kerndt, David and Suzanne Hahn, Rick and Cathy Larson, Jeff Mitchell and family and friends of Evelyn Welper.

Memorials were also received in memory of Donna Wiley by Marv and Marge Strike, Norb and Nola Palmer, Dave and Laurie Martin, Mae Jean Bakke, Dr. Bill and Libby Withers, Gayle Larkin, Carl and Betty Christianson and family of Donna Wiley.

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

Flu Shots are still available at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

Flu shots are available without appointment each Wednesday afternoon during the weekly immunization clinic in the Community and Home Care Department located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon. These immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays.

For more information, contact the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Office at 563-568-5660.
 

The upcoming Fresh Conversations program, sponsored by Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, will be held at the Waukon Wellness Center Senior Center Tuesday, February 28 at 11:15 a.m. The program will include a discussion on how to prevent food illnesses, including tips on reading food label “use by” dates to keep your groceries safe. You’ll talk about body symptoms to be aware of that can indicate you have a food illness. And, you’ll learn about the State of Iowa’s 844-IowaSic hotline  you can call if you suspect you have a foodborne illness.

Local facilitator, Tatum Miller from  Good Samaritan Society-Waukon, will lead the conversation packed with tips on how to keep your food safe. Check out the congregate meal site and take part in a meal while you are there.

The flu has hit Iowa, but there is still time for immunization. Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care continues to offer flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during its regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, January 25 from 1-4 p.m. and then again Wednesday, February 1 from 1-6 p.m. and each Wednesday afternoon thereafter. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots are always offered as well.