Health

Wed
03
Aug

Repelling mosquitoes and ticks this summer

from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Insect repellents prevent mosquito bites and repellents with DEET also prevent tick bites. Follow these guidelines when using repellent with DEET:
1. Read and follow all directions.
2. Use only when outdoors and wash skin with soap and water after coming indoors.
3. Do not put on wounds or broken skin.
4. Higher concentrations of DEET mean that the repellent effect lasts longer, but lower concentrations repel just as well.
5. Products containing DEET can be used on adults and children older than two months of age.
6. When using a sunscreen at the same time as a repellent, remember the sunscreen goes on first, followed by the repellent.

Wed
27
Jul

Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation receives Model A car proceeds ...

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation was recently gifted a 1930 Model A car by Dr. Richard Hermeier of Waukon. Adam Hooten of Teddy’s Auto Sales donated his time and effort in the sale of the car on behalf of the Foundation. A total of $13,850 was received for the sale of the car, which was then gifted to the hospital Foundation. Pictured above with the Model A car, from left to right, are Matt Teslow, Foundation Director; Adam Hooten of Teddy’s Auto Sales; Linda DeBuhr and her grandson, Franklin Thomas Johnson of Zumbro Falls, MN; Dr. Richard Hermeier; and Foundation Directors Ardie Kuhse, Kay Zimmerman, Nona Sawyer, Craig Lensing and Patty Goltz. The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation supports Veterans Memorial Hospital and various medical needs in the surrounding communities. Submitted photo.

Wed
27
Jul

Free chair massages at Waukon Corn Days


Massage therapy at Veterans Memorial Hospital ... Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering free chair massages at the Waukon Corn Days celebration Thursday, August 4. Shannon Bernatz, Licensed Massage Therapist, pictured above, is a full-time massage therapist at Veterans Memorial Hospital and will be offering free chair massages at the event from 4:30-7:30 p.m. She joins part-time therapist Vicki Klepper in making massage therapy available to area communities five days a week with more expanded hours. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering free chair massages at the Waukon Corn Days celebration Thursday, August 4. Shannon Bernatz, Licensed Massage Therapist, is a full-time massage therapist at Veterans Memorial Hospital and will be offering free chair massages at the event from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Hospital recently expanded its massage therapy hours allowing services and scheduling to be more readily available. The benefits of massage therapy include decreasing anxiety, enhancing sleep, increasing energy, improving circulation, improving concentration and reducing fatigue among others. The types of massage offered at the hospital have also expanded and include Swedish Massage, Heated Stones,  Sports Massage, Compassionate Touch, Reflexology, Pregnancy Massage and Cupping Therapy.

Wed
27
Jul

Make appointments for August Vaccination Clinics; Free test kits and masks available

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will continue to offer all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at their weekly immunization clinics each Wednesday throughout the month of August. These vaccinations are by appointment only. To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, in August and beyond, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to wear a mask and bring an insurance card and vaccination card if coming for a second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Since Veterans Memorial Hospital is a health care facility, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does require that masks are still to be worn by every patient and visitor to the hospital.

Wed
27
Jul

Blood Donor Day scheduled; “Tackling” blood shortages

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, August 1 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Due to a current blood shortage, the LifeServe Blood Center is offering an incentive to help “tackle” the blood shortage. Everyone who donates blood the month of August will be entered into a drawing to win a “Tackling the blood Shortage” prize package. The winner will be drawn August 30.

The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with blood and blood products. Here are some interesting blood facts:

Wed
27
Jul

Some tips for food safety this summer

Simple precautions from the Iowa Department of Public Health can reduce risk of food-borne illness

Warm weather means more outdoor activities, including picnics and cookouts. Every year, Iowa sees an increase in food-borne diseases during the summer. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans that a few simple precautions can reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Always remember to:

Wed
20
Jul

Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital Membership Drive now on


VMH Auxiliary membership drive has begun ... The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is now holding its annual membership drive. The Auxiliary is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services and needed equipment. Pictured are the current Auxiliary officers with the blanket warmer they recently purchased for the hospital’s Maternity Services Birthing Center. Pictured above, left to right, are Jayne McCormick, RN, Supervisor, with Auxiliary President Bev Larson-Needham, Auxiliary Treasurer Donnalee Osland and Auxiliary Secretary Ann Roed. The Auxiliary holds annual fundraisers, such as the Women’s Health Day Salad Luncheon, the Pillow-Perk, and the Masquerade sales each fall, plus an annual membership drive each summer. All the money the Auxiliary receives goes back to the hospital for equipment. Membership enrollment forms are available at the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Submitted photo.

The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) are actively recruiting new and returning members to join them during their annual membership drive.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The Auxiliary also holds annual fundraisers, such as the Women’s Health Day Luncheon each fall, the Pillow-Perk and Masquerade sales in October and their annual membership drive each July. All the money the Auxiliary receives goes back to the hospital for equipment.

Wed
20
Jul

VMH to offer a variety of free health tests and training at 2022 Allamakee County Fair

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering a variety of free health tests and education at the 2022 Allamakee County Fair.  Testing and educational materials will change daily and will include the following schedule:

Wed
20
Jul

Monkeypox: Centers for Disease Control shares facts on the latest viral disease

In May 2022, a global outbreak of monkeypox - a rare viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus - was confirmed with a cluster of cases found in the United Kingdom. Since then, countries around the world have seen an uptick in monkeypox cases, including the United States.

While monkeypox cases are increasing across the country, the general population is currently at low risk of contracting the disease.  The spread of monkeypox is different from the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic for the following reasons:

• There is a vaccine for monkeypox.
• Monkeypox can be treated with available antiviral medicines.
• While COVID-19 passed easily from person to person, monkeypox does not spread as easily between people. Monkeypox transmission typically requires skin-to-skin contact, direct contact with body fluids, or prolonged face-to-face contact.

Wed
20
Jul

Blood in special demand during the summer months

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, August 1, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once a month in Waukon, to allow for more donors to give. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Blood centers across the United States see a decrease in blood donations during the busy summer months. During the summer, people become more active, have busier schedules, spend more time outdoors and take vacations. While donations decline, hospitals see an increase in the need for blood. More driving can mean more automobile accidents. A person who has suffered severe injuries from an automobile accident can need up to 50 units of blood.

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