Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon has announced that Tuesday, November 3 the hospital Board of Trustees approved the plans to proceed with establishing a family medical clinic in Waukon. The former Mayo Clinic building, which is adjoined to and is now owned by Veterans Memorial Hospital, will be the site for this clinic.

“The Gundersen Waukon Clinic has done an amazing job trying to pick up as many patients as they possibly can following the closing of the Mayo Clinic last fall, but the truth is, there is just such a great demand for local primary care, they just can’t do it all,” states Michael Coyle, Chief Executive Officer of Veterans Memorial Hospital. “We see so many patients every day in our Urgent Care who just need to see a primary care provider for non-emergent care that could have been handled in a clinic setting. But because there is no other option, they come to urgent care, which does not make for good continuity of care.”

For those who are living with diabetes, taking insulin, and have Medicare, participating in the Medicare Open Enrollment Period is important every year. It is especially important this year as you prepare for 2021, as there have been some positive changes made within Medicare that could impact how much you pay for your insulin, without necessarily increasing the monthly premium you currently pay.

Open enrollment is the annual period when enrollees can make changes to their health insurance and medication part D plans. To make changes to your 2021 plan, you must do so during a specific timeframe. This is taking place now until December 7, 2020.

Medicare health and drug plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide on the options that best meet their health needs.

The Caregiver Support Group meetings that were held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital continue to be held through conference calls during COVID-19.  Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432 and then enter the participant code 961847# to be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is still offering flu shots on an appointment-only basis. The Hi Dose flu vaccine is also still available.  Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660.   When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Those with an appointment to receive their flu shot should remain in their vehicle until the nurse comes to get them and should bring along their insurance or Medicare card.

Influenza, also called “the flu”, can cause fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches to people of any age, and can lead to pneumonia and even death. Most deaths caused by influenza occur in the elderly, the very young or people who have a compromised immune system.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of  Leon Schoh by Jan Brandsmeier, Dennis and Sandy Deal, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Dave and Laurie Martin, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Ralph and Marie Plein, Kay Zimmerman, Marlys Leiran, Carol Paus, Jane Deitrich, Wendy and Paul Ebner, James Moritz,  Donald and Joyce Bakke, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Brad and Judy Herman.

Memorials were also received in memory of Marjean Fahey by Mary Ann Hager, Patricia Pettingill, Marv and Marjorie Strike, Dave and Laurie Martin, Dave and Sandy Lyons, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, Elaine Knuppe, Dacia Johnson, James and Jill Kiesau, Brad and Judy Herman, Kathy Tobin, David and Dawn Clark, Nancy Schoh, Cheryl Bollman, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Bev Larson-Needham, Mary Fink, Jane Dietrich, Sheila Snitker, Charles and Marcella Fritz, Debra Heldt and Becky Hoffman.

by Angie Mettille RN, Certified Diabetes Educator, Program Coordinator

November is National Diabetes Awareness 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?

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering the next recertification course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMS, etc.) Wednesday, November 18, beginning at 5 p.m.    This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

There is a small fee to participate in this class and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask, if they have one. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them as a BLS Healthcare Provider for a two-year period.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required for the class to be held. All participants will be required to physically distance during the class and wear a mask. They will also be screened at the hospital main entrance when they enter the building.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is now offering flu shots on an appointment-only basis.  Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Those with an appointment to receive their flu shot should remain in their vehicle until the nurse comes to get them and should bring along their insurance or Medicare card.

For more information or to make an appointment for a private flu shot, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-3411.
 

The need for blood has not stopped during COVID-19 and is always in even higher demand over the summer months, so the local blood drives continue to be held. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, November 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.   

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Edna Wyninger by Frank and Patty Goltz, Scott and Jill Manning, Ardie Kuhse, Steve and Maureen Thode, Cindy Barness, Penny Wheeler, Fred and Geralyn Smith, Tom and Karen Regan, Stephanie and Eric Palmer, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Dennis and Sandy Deal, Steve and Sheryl Evanson and Patricia Wellendorf.

Memorials were also given in memory of Don Schwartzhoff by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Mary Ann Hager, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Leslie and Joann Winters, Mary Fink, James and Jill Kiesau, Pat and Debbie McGeough, Ryan and Kari Smith, John Kerndt, Russ and Mary Jo Meyer and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Housekeeping Department.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Rose Marie Winters by Les and Ada Marie Kerndt, Dave and Laurie Martin, Dave and Sandy Lyons, and Gary and Jean Gilbertson.