Elective procedures and services available continue to grow at VMH while keeping a safe environment
Elective and outpatient services continue to reopen ... Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to reopen outpatient services including ultra sound and cardiac stress testing, among most all other services. Donna Odegaard of Waukon has visited Veterans Memorial Hospital for a number of tests and services since the onset of COVID-19, and states she feels safe with every visit she makes. Donna is pictured above in the outpatient treatment room, receiving an infusion. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to reopen outpatient services such as ultrasound, cardiac stress testing and all elective colonoscopies, mammograms, physical, occupational, speech and cardiac rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, laboratory testing, massage therapy, immunizations and sleep studies.
One local patient, Donna Odegaard of Waukon, has visited Veterans Memorial Hospital for a number of tests and services since the onset of COVID-19, and states she feels safe with every visit she makes.
“I have been doctoring at Gundersen Health Waukon Clinic and Veterans Memorial Hospital the entire time since COVID-19 began in March and I am very comfortable each time I visit,” states Donna. “I had some ringing in my ears and a hip that was bothering me a lot, so my daughter took me to see Jenny Stegen at the Gundersen Clinic in Waukon in March. From that appointment, Jenny ordered a number of tests for me at the hospital. I had an MRI that discovered I had experienced three strokes so that really got to the bottom of the ringing in my ears. I have had an EKG, an Ultrasound and a CT scan, as well as a cardiac stress test, all during COVID-19. Each time I came in for a test, the staff was dressed in their protective equipment and took great precautions to keep me safe. I never worried.”
The hospital takes the highest precautions with each and every patient, including leaving appropriate time between procedures and using all personal protective equipment and protocols. Anyone coming into the hospital must wear a face mask. Also, anyone who is not feeling well is asked to call the hospital to reschedule their elective procedure.
“Four years ago, I had a mammogram at Veterans Memorial Hospital which discovered breast cancer, so I still continue to visit the hospital every few months for an infusion as well, as ordered by my cancer doctor in La Crosse,” adds Donna. “I feel so fortunate to have all of these services here locally, in this safe environment.”
Each and every patient and visitor who enters the hospital is screened with a temperature scan and is asked a short series of health questions that are COVID-19 related. Each staff member also screens their temperature before entering the hospital, all in an effort to continue to stop the spread of this respiratory illness.
Individuals who are interested in inquiring about these procedures or services 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.
For more information, contact Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
