VMH gives lead screening presentations at local schools

Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Cultural Diversity Liaison Norman Feinstein, RN, recently presented on the importance of Lead Screenings and lead poisoning prevention at the Allamakee Community Elementary Schools. Veterans Memorial Hospital’s role as the Home Health/Public Health provider of Allamakee County includes being this county’s representative of the Tri-County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. This is part of a state-wide network managed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. In any program that focuses on prevention of illness and maintenance of good health, public education is a major tool. Veterans Memorial hospital is actively pursuing the goal of prevention of lead poisoning in this community, rather than deal with cases as they occur.

In compliance with that, directive education programs are being brought into the county schools. Mrs. Karen Burke, RN, Allamakee Community School nurse, invited the hospital in to speak in the Waukon and Waterville elementary schools to parents of children who will be in kindergarten in the next school year. Two presentations were made in Waukon’s West Elementary School and two in the Waterville school. Nearly 100 parents were informed of the presence of lead hazards, how to correct them, how to protect their families, and the importance of lead testing.

Similar presentations are occurring in the Postville Community School system. There the audience is older school students in the Personal Wellness classes. Mrs. Cici Mueller and Mr. Ray Rankin have provided this opportunity.

For more information on lead screenings and lead poisoning prevention, please call Norman Feinstein, RN, Veterans Memorial Hospital at 568-3411.