Health

by Caty Bruening, MT, Laboratory Supervisor

In most people’s opinion, having blood drawn is not the highlight of a doctor’s appointment, emergency room (ER) visit, or hospitalization; yet, lab results from these blood samples play a considerable role in the diagnosis and care plan of a patient’s health. It is said that 70% of a patient’s medical record is composed of lab results.

The laboratory technicians at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon consider themselves fortunate to collect blood, so that they can have that connection with patients that larger hospital laboratorians don’t experience. The lab staff at VMH ensure each blood draw is performed with care, comfort and quality in mind. However, the blood draw is only a small part in the series of the care given by a lab tech.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital’s “Family Wellness Fair” will finally return after three years and be held Wednesday, May 11, from 3:30 to 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.

All those attending the fair are asked to enter through the new Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic entrance, then proceed through the various booths and displays, and exit the event at the main hospital entrance. Everyone will also be asked to wear a mask. Extra masks will be available at the main entrance, if needed.

This would be the 25th annual event sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital and will include many attractions for all ages. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event.

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Springtime has finally arrived, and many people will be anxious to be out in the yard planting their gardens. Gardening can be a very rewarding hobby or pastime, even therapeutic to the mind and soul. However, when the physical tasks become too painful or difficult, many people find that having a garden is more of a chore.

Occupational therapists work daily with people to ensure that no matter the physical limitations, disabilities, disease, or injury that those people have, they can still participate in the activities that they love and enjoy. One of the roles of an occupational therapist is to develop strategies, compensations, or modifications so that people are not hindered by their aches, pains, or physical limitations in order to participate in their favorite activities.

Here are some tips to help make gardening less of a chore:

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will be offering all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, plus the additional booster dose, at their weekly immunization clinics each Wednesday throughout the month of April. These vaccinations are by appointment only and are held each Wednesday afternoon, with extended hours available the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

These vaccinations will be available at the main entrance of the hospital in the Meditation Healing Center. To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination in April and beyond, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660.

Thanks once again to the efforts of the Christensen family, the second annual Julie Christensen Memorial Blood Drive will be held this Friday, April 29 at the Waukon Wellness Center from 1-5:30 p.m. in the Senior Center in cooperation with Life Serve Blood Center.

Julie Christensen was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia November 27, 2019 and was in the hospital until February 14, 2020. She was then able to come home for a short while before she was admitted back into the hospital March 7, 2020 for more chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor in Germany. It was a perfect match. Julie’s stem cells grafted well and she became Leukemia free. During this time, Julie received 45 units of blood and 38 units of platelets.

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988, but during social distancing Helping Services advocates noticed a decline in calls.

The agency responded by implementing a secure chat option for anyone in need of reaching a local advocate. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will respond 24 hours a day.

Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Advocates work alongside survivors to achieve their best outcome. All services provided are at no cost and are confidential.

For more information about Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center call 800-383-2988 or chat with someone at HelpingServices.org/chat.
 

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist, Veterans Memorial Hospital

April is National Occupational Therapy Month.  During this month of celebration, the occupational therapists at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon want to remind community members of ways to stay safe and independent in their own homes and most importantly, how to prevent falls.

Occupational therapists who work in hospitals often are referred to assist people who have fallen at home. A fall at home could result in fractured arms or legs, not to mention multiple bruises and tarnished pride. Often, many of these falls could have been prevented, had precautionary steps been taken to make their homes safe and clutter free.

Nurse practitioner, Andrea Krogman, RN, DNP, has joined the staff at Gundersen Waukon Clinic and offers medical services for patients of all ages. As a Family Medicine nurse practitioner, Krogman offers a variety of services including well-child exams, annual well-visits, women’s health, employment physicals, disease management and screenings to promote health and physical and mental health wellness.

Thanks once again to the efforts of the Christensen family, the second annual Julie Christensen Memorial Blood Drive will be held Friday, April 29 at the Waukon Wellness Center from 1-5:30 p.m. in the Senior Center in cooperation with Life Serve Blood Center.

Julie Christensen was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia November 27, 2019 and was in the hospital until February 14, 2020. She was then able to come home for a short while before she was admitted back into the hospital March 7, 2020 for more chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor in Germany. It was a perfect match. Julie’s stem cells grafted well and she became Leukemia free. During this time, Julie received 45 units of blood and 38 units of platelets.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon have teamed up to provide a day for area you in sixth through eighth grades to explore the many health care careers that are available to them.  The event will be held Wednesday, April 27, which is a teacher in-service day with no school in the local school district. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

All attending will be visiting numerous health care departments around the hospital and hearing from staff in those roles. They will share their education, job duties and what the typical day in their work life is, all in an effort to introduce more youth to the vast career opportunities in health care.