Health

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will not hold a regular meeting in December, but will resume its monthly meetings in January with the next scheduled meeting Thursday, January 16.

For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The next LifeServe Blood Center Blood Drive will be held Monday, January 6, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon to allow for more donors to give. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) with blood and blood products.

The Blood Center is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous, and especially over the holidays.

Over half of the United States population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than four percent donate on a regular basis. A single donation of blood can be used to save up to three lives and help in treatment of cancer patients, accident victims, hemophiliacs and surgery patients.

by Brandy Strub, MS, RD/LD, Dietitian, Veterans Memorial Hospital

The influenza season is in full swing throughout the country. It’s not too late to get a flu shot. Vaccination now can still provide protection for the remainder of the flu season, which can last as late as May, and is available at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care. In addition, simple steps like frequent hand washing and not coughing or sneezing on people can help prevent the spread of influenza. Most importantly, if you or your child is ill, stay home from work or school.

Each year, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon compiles a Baby Coupon Book made up of over 60 coupons from various businesses within and beyond Allamakee County. The coupons are given to each and every family that delivers a baby at the hospital throughout that year. The hospital coordinates this coupon book in an effort to assure all babies, - and not just the first baby - born at the hospital are treated extra special.

The book contains a variety of businesses who offer a discount, gift certificate, free item or free meal to the mom or baby. Veterans Memorial Hospital then designs and prints the book and shares one validated copy with each family that delivers their baby at the hospital in that given year. There is no cost to the business to participate, other than what they have included in their coupon, once and only if it is redeemed.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will not hold a regular meeting in December, but will resume its monthly meetings in January with the next scheduled meeting Thursday, January 16.

For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans that an annual flu vaccination is the best way to protect them and their loved ones from the flu. As people gather together for holiday meals and parties, they’re more likely to spread illness around. Receiving the flu vaccine will help everyone stay healthy to enjoy all the festivities.

This is especially important during family gatherings that infants, those with chronic diseases, or elderly individuals might attend. Infants younger than six months of age are not old enough to receive the influenza vaccine, so they are at a higher risk of catching the flu from someone else and they have the highest chance of being hospitalized if they get ill. Anyone with flu-like symptoms during the holidays must stay home and away from others.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Ambulance Service was awarded $18,000 by the Allamakee County Community Foundation last spring for the purchase of a new radio system, referred to as Ambulance Communication Interoperability Enhancement. The hospital matched the nearly $5000 remaining dollars to purchase this new system which has now been installed.

This is National Handwashing Week. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing hands to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The recommendations for effective handwashing and use of hand sanitizer were developed based on data from a number of studies.

People often get sick when they make contact with germs from feces on their hands. These kinds of germs can get onto hands after people use the toilet or change a diaper, but also in less obvious ways, like after handling raw meats that have invisible amounts of animal feces on them. A single gram of human feces - which is about the weight of a paper clip - can contain one trillion germs.

The 2024 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy drew huge numbers at the events and viewing of the large numbers of Christmas trees and record number of silent auction items on display. The event was held November 15-18 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion, and was a huge success thanks to all of the overwhelming community involvement.

A record number of auction items were donated to this year’s Fantasy by area businesses and individuals.  The 140 auction items were displayed and auctioned on a silent auction bid to the highest bidder Monday night at 6 p.m.

Trees on display during this 33rd annual Foundation Fantasy highlighted 57 Christmas Trees and displays all decorated by individuals, businesses and many groups around the area. Many individuals worked, served, and donated to this community celebration.