Health

Wed
02
Sep

Openings available at Immunization Clinics; Make an appointment now

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care has availabilities for immunizations which are now held on an appointment-only basis. During COVID-19, the walk-in immunization clinics will remain on hold, but for those that want to call ahead and make an appointment, they can do so by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Immunizations are extremely important. They have eradicated Small Pox, eliminated polio from the Americas, and they have almost eliminated Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Rubella. Immunizations have also greatly reduced the occurrence of Measles, Pertussis, and Meningitis. Millions of deaths and other tragedies have also been prevented by vaccines.

Wed
26
Aug

Ultrasound expertise at Veterans Memorial Hospital; Services available during COVID-19


Ultrasound services have resumed at VMH ... Pictured is Mike Larson, long-time ultrasound technician at Veterans Memorial Hospital, with Stephanie Iverson of Waukon, who has returned to the hospital for a fourth ultrasound experience since she is expecting her fourth child. Larson has performed all of Iverson’s ultrasounds with Larson’s specialty experience spanning over 40 years in that service. Submitted photo.

Ultrasounds are another one of the many outpatient services that have resumed at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Ultrasounds for maternity services as well as abdominal, vascular and cardiac screens are all performed routinely at the hospital with all COVID-19 precautions being taken each and every time.

Mike Larson of Postville has been performing ultrasounds at Veterans Memorial Hospital for over 40 years. He began his professional career at St. Francis Medical Center, now Mayo, in La Crosse, WI, where he worked for seven years. Following, he began working for Clinical Ultrasound Services, traveling northeast Iowa performing ultrasounds at many different health care facilities each week. Upon the retirement of the owner of that business, Larson chose to continue his career as a full-time technician at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Wed
26
Aug

Caregiver Support Group to hold conference calls during COVID-19

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 Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) 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. Then enter the participant code 961847# to then be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

Wed
26
Aug

Grief Support Group to meet at VMH September 8

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, September 8 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Room, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

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, and be sure to wear a face mask. All attendees will be able to physically distance during the meeting. This grief support meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

Wed
26
Aug

Community CPR for Child Care Providers and Lay People offered at VMH

Veterans Memorial Hospital in cooperation with the American Heart Association is offering a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for lay people (those not working in healthcare), which includes child care providers, Wednesday, September 16 from 5-8 p.m.

The CPR class, which will cover adult, child and infant CPR, will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital. The cost of the class, for certification or recertification, is the same. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them in Heartsaver CPR AED for a two-year time period. This class does not include a first aid certification.

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.

Wed
26
Aug

Blood in special demand during summer months

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, September 3 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 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.

Wed
26
Aug

Memorials received by Health Care Foundation

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Robert “Bob” Anderson by Mary Jo Nordheim, Chuck and Lois Votsmier,  Richard and Joan Leiran, Dave and Laurie Martin, Mary Ann Hager, Marlys Leiran, Audrey Angel, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Joan Moody, Jane Dietrich, Ann Rademaker, Lillian Larson, Bob and Marilyn Bulman, John and Mary O’Neill, Russ and Mary Jo Meyer, Ken and Gloria Krambeer, Bev Krambeer, Lucille (Huffman) Hanson, Jack and Denise Hager and  Brad and Erin Berns.

Memorials were also received in memory of Margaret “Peggy” Hennessy by Susan Hall, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Lois Evans, Bev Krambeer, Chuck and Darlene Dahl, Jane Dietrich, Maury Mooney, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Chuck and Lois Votsmier, John and Janice Rea, Ralph and Kim Hennessy, Jim Hennessy and Jane Grotegut.

Wed
19
Aug

County Public Health urges parents to schedule well child and immunization appointments now


Make children’s immunization appointments now ... According to a report released by the Iowa Department of Public Health, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, well child visits have declined significantly, causing a delay in required and recommended immunizations, health screenings, and referrals. VMH Community and Home Care has availabilities for immunizations which are now held on an appointment-only basis. To make an appointment for a private immunization clinic, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660. Pictured above, Emily Guyer receives her school immunizations from Jenny McNamara, RN, at left, and Deb Hanson, RN, at right. With school right around the corner, the Community and Home Care public health office advises families to make their appointments now to be sure all needed immunizations are received before school begins. Submitted photo.

As Iowans continue to push through the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain their new sense of normalcy, parents and guardians of school-aged children are reminded that annual physicals and back-to-school immunizations are still important.

According to a report released by the Iowa Department of Public Health, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, well child visits have declined significantly, causing a delay in required and recommended immunizations, health screenings, and referrals. Statewide, there was a 55.5% decrease in the administration of non-influenza vaccines to children ages four to 18 years during March and April 2020 compared to the same months in 2019. April had a 75.0% decrease from the previous year, while March had a 37.1% decrease. Compared to other child and adult age categories, the largest percent differences were among 11-12 year olds and 13-18 year olds.

Wed
19
Aug

VMH Foundation Donor Wall updated

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation “Caring for All” donor wall was recently updated thanks to the work of John Kerndt of Kerndt Monument Works and Kenny Liddiard of Liddiard Builders, pictured  in the photo at right.

This “Caring for All” donor wall is located in the main entrance lobby of the hospital. The wall publicizes and thanks those donors who have contributed to the hospital either in one larger donation, or those who have been regular, annual donors as their donations accumulate to the different levels of recognition.

The wall also recognizes all memorial donations of $500 or more given in memory of any individual in the community. These memorials may be cumulative for the same person named in a variety of donations to the Foundation, or a lump sum donation from the deceased family or a combination of these. All memorial donations of any amount given to the hospital are also listed in the Memorial Book near the donor wall.

Wed
19
Aug

Face masks continue to be a must for safety; Wear them correctly


Wear face masks correctly ... Veterans Memorial Hospital still encourages the continued use of face masks in the community, but urges all to wear them appropriately. Masks are extremely effective against the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but must be worn correctly to ward off the virus. Pictured above is a graphic from John Hopkins Medicine that portrays the correct way to wear a mask, making sure it covers the nose, mouth and chin. Hands should always be washed before and after adjusting the mask.

Veterans Memorial Hospital still encourages the continued use of face masks in the community, but urges all to wear them appropriately. Masks are extremely effective against the COVID-19 virus, but must be worn correctly to ward off the virus.

The following instructions from Johns Hopkins Medical Center give simple, effective rules for mask use.  First, hands must be cleaned just prior to putting on the mask, making sure to touch only the sides or bands of the mask with the hands - the fronts of a mask should never be touched. Hands should always be cleaned again after removing a mask. Masks must always cover both the mouth and the nose and fit under the chin. Reusable masks must be laundered after each use in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.  Disposable masks should be thrown when they are visibly dirty or damaged.  Masks should also never be shared with another person. Masks should be worn whenever around others in public places away from home.

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