Got Flu?

Area schools are reporting student absences due to influenza and influenza-like illnesses and stomach bugs such as gastroenteritis and noroviruses, aka “stomach flu.”

We’re not alone in this. Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting an increase in influenza and influenza-like illnesses in the past week. As we are coming into the last two weeks of the holiday season, this will likely increase even more. From shopping malls, to parties, to airports, and family gatherings, these bugs will invariably be passed from person to person.

Need a flu shot? Call your healthcare provider or
Grinnell Regional Public Health
641-236-2385.

Seasonal influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. It comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. It often runs its course in a week or less, but it can take some time to recover back to 100 percent. Influenza is nothing to mess around with, particularly for those with special health concerns and our most vulnerable – infants and senior adults.

The good news is that it’s not too late to receive your immunization for seasonal influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) urges everyone over 6 months of age to receive seasonal influenza vaccine annually.

The bad news is that there is no vaccine for what we typically call “stomach flu.” Diarrhea and vomiting are the hallmark symptoms of gastroenteritis and norovirus.

Reports from the CDC are saying that this could be an especially difficult influenza season. They state that historically when influenza A strains are more predominant, it tends to be a more severe flu season with increased hospitalizations and deaths.

The Iowa Department of Public Health says that the three leading strains being seen in the state are Influenza A (H3N2), A(H1N1), and B. All three of these flu strains are covered by this year’s vaccine - A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B, although some of the A(H3N2) viruses may only be partially covered in the vaccine. The other factor that could complicate an already potentially difficult flu season is that the CDC reports less than 40 percent of adults have received a flu shot and only 42 percent of children have had an immunization against seasonal flu nationally.

Need a flu shot? Check with your primary care provider or call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385 to make an appointment.

Remember: Cover your coughs and sneezes - Clean your hands frequently - Contain germs by staying home when ill.

http://www.idph.state.ia.us

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphNews/Reader.aspx?id=106B2C3B-A162-4558-A341-C2FA0AEE21DD

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=185633

Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

We’re less than two weeks until Christmas and the holiday season is in full swing. Shopping, parties, family gatherings, school programs, and the winter weather is bringing us all indoors. And when we come indoors, we are in close quarters with groups of people. Sneezes and coughs are spreading their holiday cheer as we gather together.

The Iowa Department of Public Health tracks confirmed cases of seasonal influenza and influenza-like respiratory illnesses.  IDPH has been reporting that this is happening in the state for a couple of weeks now.

Here are a few ways to help keep you and yours healthy this holiday season and all winter long.

• It’s hard to stay away from crowds, but be smart about it when you are out and about. You can buy small bottles of hand sanitizer just about anywhere. Put it in your bag, the car, your child’s backpack, your desk drawer, and use it when you don’t have easy access to soap and water. Use after contact with any high-touch surface such as grocery carts or door handles.

• Eating well-balanced meals and getting plenty of rest will help your immune system stay healthy. This is no small feat in the sprint from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Eat well-balanced meals and healthy snacks. When you go to a party, bring a healthy dish and you know that you will have something to enjoy when the other treats start to beg for your attention.

• Another way to de-stress and to keep off extra holiday pounds is to get in some regular exercise. Even a brisk walk can do wonders for the body and the mind. It’s a good habit any time of year, but December is especially a good time. 

• Limit alcohol consumption and certainly do not drive any motor vehicle after you have been drinking. Never get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Always choose a designated driver, walk, or call a cab. Never drink and drive.   

Despite all your best efforts, you may get ill.  If you do get sick, please do yourself and everyone else a favor and stay home. Colds, flu, and other nasty illnesses are gifts that no one wants to receive. If you stay home and rest, you will recover much faster than if you continue to push yourself.

If you need medical care that is urgent, but not an emergency, Manatt Family Urgent Care is a great option. When you need to see a healthcare provider and your own physician is not available or you need attention before or after clinic hours, Manatt Family Urgent Care is here for you. The clinic is located on the first floor of the GRMC Ahrens Medical Arts Building and is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

The clinic will have holiday hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 31. The clinic will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but the GRMC emergency department will be open as usual. Manatt Family Urgent Care will be back on its regular schedule from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on December 26 and January 2.

When you need to feel better, faster, come and see our team of healthcare professionals when it just won’t wait.

For more information, check out the following:

http://www.cdc.gov/features/healthytips/

Five Reasons Why You Need to Know If You Have Type 2 Diabetes

Nearly one in 10 Americans has Type 2 diabetes—and a staggering 27 percent don’t even know they have the disease. Might you be one? It can come on silently and without warning but the effects are very serious. It’s important that you are aware of the “red flags” and warning signs of this silent disease.

Do you have any of these symptoms?

• Are you thirstier than normal?
• Are you urinating more often?
• Are you hungrier than usual?
• Do you have blurry vision?
• Are you slower to health or having more infections?

If you have any of these “red flags” be sure to tell your health care provider. The sooner you have control of your blood sugar, the sooner you can slow down or stop the damage being done to your body because of diabetes.

A fasting blood sugar over 126 mg/dL, or a blood sugar over 180 mg/dL two hours after you start to eat a meal, leads to a diagnosis of diabetes. Any time your blood sugar is high, damage is done to your blood vessels. 

Without you even realizing you have diabetes, you can have:

• Gradual loss of eyesight (diabetic retinopathy)
• Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure
• Higher chance of kidney failure and osteoporosis
• Nerve damage (neuropathy) causing pain, especially in the hands, legs, and feet. Eventually the nerves can be damaged to the point where they no longer function and become numb.
• Higher risk of serious complications, especially infections and amputation.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to Medical News Today. The good news is that there are many things that people who have type two diabetes can do to manage and live well. Getting diagnosed is the first step. If you have any of the red flags warning you of diabetes, please speak with your healthcare provider right away.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282929.php

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/

Got Insurance?

The 2015 enrollment period for health insurance through the marketplace at Healthcare.gov opens on Saturday, Nov.15, and runs until February 15, 2015. If you need health insurance and did not enroll last year, this is your opportunity to do so. If you enrolled last year, your coverage will continue with the same plan that you have had for the previous year. However, officials with Healthcare.gov encourage you to review your plan and do a little comparison shopping in the marketplace. Some new plans have joined and some details of existing plans have changed. For example, Coventry is no longer offering a product through Healthcare.gov. It’s a good idea to review to ensure that your plan is really the best option for you. Personal or financial life changes in the past year are also a signal that you need to revisit your plan to see if you still qualify for premium discounts.

Grinnell Regional Medical Center once again has specially trained and certified insurance counselors to help you walk through the process at Healthcare.gov. This is not the only way for you to get health insurance, however. Any health insurance provider can help you compare plans and find the coverage that is right for you. Only those insurance providers who have products offered on Healthcare.gov can enroll you in policies offered through Healthcare.gov which may be eligible for discounts and subsidies through the Affordable Care Act.

Because GRMC does not sell health insurance our insurance counselors are available to help you walk through the process of enrollment. We don’t have any financial gain from whatever plan you might choose. GRMC does benefit when patients have insurance, whether from a private health insurance policy, Medicare, Medicaid, or the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan. It greatly helps the fiscal health of the medical center.

If you wish to make an appointment with an insurance counselor through Grinnell Regional Medical Center, please call Amanda Bergmann at Grinnell Regional Public Health, 641-236-2385 to set up an appointment. 

https://www.healthcare.gov/

More Good News from GRMC

Technically, GRMC is not a research hospital. That label usually falls on those large teaching hospitals like University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. However, GRMC is in the midst of two research projects testing new infection prevention measures. These two projects put us in the regional news spotlight last week.

Two weeks ago here on The Rx, (click here to read previous story) we wrote about the Bioquell disinfecting system that we’ve been using at GRMC since early 2014. What made it newsworthy is that Bioquell reported that their germ-eliminating robots and services are being used by health facilities around the world to decontaminate locations where Ebola-infected and exposed patients are being treated. This includes Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

We pitched the story to our friends at KCCI in Des Moines. They also thought it was pretty interesting and sent out a news crew last Thursday. (Click here for the KCCI story on their webpage.) 

 

The other project features CuVerro, a copper alloy used on high-touch surfaces around the hospital,

particularly in patient rooms and at the new Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center at Postels Community Health Park. Copper alloy has naturally occurring bacteria killing properties. What that means for the medical center is that the copper alloy surfaces are constantly killing bacteria naturally and within 90 minutes, any surface bacteria are dead. Copper alloy is found on IV poles, patient tables, bedrails, light switches, and toilet flushers. At the new fitness center, it has been incorporated into the free weights as well. This is a project we are working on with students and faculty at Grinnell College and the Medical University of South Carolina.

Our friends at Radio Iowa picked up the story and ran with it. (Here’s the link to the Radio Iowa story on their webpage) 

We’re always ready for good news coverage that highlights unique and beneficial projects GRMC staff are doing with our partners. 

Five Ways to Have a Safe and Fun Halloween

Tonight as the sun goes down, little ghosts and goblins will pour into the streets to go trick-or-treating through the neighborhoods.  We’ve got a few tips to help keep the entire celebration a safe and fun one.

 

Let’s start with carving those pumpkins! This is definitely an activity that requires adult supervision. Leave the kitchen knives in the drawer and pick up a pumpkin carving set. These will still give you a good cut if you slip but they aren’t likely to send you to urgent care for stitches. 

Flashlights or glow sticks are great for increasing your child’s visibility and just simply add to the fun of the evening.

Consider giving treats that aren’t candy. You will find individual packets of pretzels, raisins, and cheese-flavored crackers, and other non-sugary treats. Halloween-themed pencils, temporary tattoos, or other party favors for kids are easy to find.

Avoid using colored contact lenses to change the color of the eye, for all kinds of reasons.

Make sure that your trick-or-treaters have a good and well-balanced meal before they head out. Sort through their haul when returning home. Some candy may not be appropriate for your child – too small and it could be a choking hazard. Set limits on how many treats they can have. A morning-after tummy ache is not a fun way to remember a great Halloween.

And all the common sense stuff is still true. Stay on the sidewalk, watch carefully for cars, don’t take homemade treats from people you don’t know, set a curfew for your older kids if you aren’t going out with them.

Should you need us, we’ll be here. Manatt Family Urgent Care is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. until noon on Saturday, for the morning after stuff. And of course, our emergency room is always open 24 hours a day.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/halloween.html#

http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/

http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

Keeping Ahead of Ebola

While the world is still focused on the Ebola virus, there is some good news coming forward this week. We have learned that people who have been exposed to the virus have passed the required 21 days of quarantine with no further illness. Nigeria has been declared “Ebola-free.” There have been no additional reported cases of Ebola in the United States for several days. And hospital and public health leaders across the nation are working hard to make sure we all stay safe.

Grinnell Regional Medical Center also learned that one of our partners, Bioquell, is helping in the fight against the Ebola virus. This week, Bioquell reported that their germ-eliminating robots and services are being used by health facilities around the world to decontaminate locations where Ebola-infected and exposed patients are being treated. This includes Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

The portable, automated system uses a 35 percent hydrogen peroxide solution, which is distributed as a vapor throughout the contaminated area, ensuring complete, three-dimensional coverage. This is very important because this technology will totally eliminate any risk of residual contamination.

GRMC started using Bioquell early in 2014 in all patient rooms throughout the hospital as a preventive measure against the spread of hospital-acquired infections. GRMC is the first hospital in Iowa and the first hospital in the nation under 50 beds to use Bioquell’s unique hydrogen peroxide vapor decontamination technology in our patient rooms. Even though GRMC’s hospital infection rate is well below the national average, we’re committed to doing all we can to making sure that it stays that way.

Hospital-acquired infections include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, otherwise known as MRSA, Clostridium difficile, commonly referred to as C-diff, and vancomcin-resistant enterococci, (VRE). We fight these hard all the time because these infections have become resistant to the antibiotics typically used to treat them.

Bioquell’s process eliminates 99.9 percent of pathogens on surfaces, including the Ebola virus. GRMC uses this technology today to fight infection.  It’s already part of our standard protocol and now other hospitals are turning to Bioquell to eliminate the Ebola virus. This only strengthens our belief that we are doing the right thing for patient and staff safety and health at our community hospital.

What you need to know about Ebola

One of our main objectives for this blog is to help you sort out the avalanche of health information available on the internet. The current media coverage tracking the Ebola virus that has found its way into the United States is no exception.

Information on the spread of the virus and how it is affecting people in West Africa and here in the U.S. abounds – on television, in the newspaper, on the radio, online, coffee shops, hospitals, and just about everywhere. Additionally, there is a good deal of sensationalism. There is no question that the Ebola virus is very serious and we need to do all we can to stop its spread as quickly and effectively as we possibly can.

That said, the Ebola virus is not as easy to catch as the coverage suggests.

Viruses are spread in a number of ways and some are spread very easily just simply through the air. Sneezes, coughs, touching contaminated surfaces such as door handles or shopping carts are all ways in which viruses travel from person to person.

Ebola is only transferred through contact with bodily fluids such as sweat, saliva, urine, feces, semen, vomit, or blood. This means that you must actually come in contact with bodily fluids from an individual who is infected, their used linens or clothing, or a used needle syringe, for example. Ebola is not spread through the air, water, or food.

We think of other viruses like SARS or H1N1 that affected other countries much more than it has the United States and these are more easily spread than Ebola.

Some viruses that are transferred through the air include seasonal flu, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella, mumps, measles, bacterial meningitis, among other heavy hitting illnesses.  We have developed vaccines against these illnesses because they are easily spread.

There is no vaccine at present for the Ebola virus.

In an editorial published in the October 12, 2014 issue of The Des Moines Register, editorial staff noted that if there were a vaccine for Ebola, people would line up for hours.

Complications from seasonal influenza can lead to death. Depending on the year and the severity and prevalence of the particular influenza strains moving through the population, it is estimated that anywhere from 3,000 to as many as 49,000 people annually die of complications from seasonal influenza.

And yet, only half of American adults get a flu shot on an annual basis. Seasonal influenza is very easily transmitted. You can catch seasonal influenza by simply talking within three to four feet of someone who is infected.

Complications can include dehydration, pneumonia, and secondary infections. Persons who live with chronic illnesses can become very ill with seasonal influenza and also from any complications they may develop. The risk of getting seasonal influenza is far greater for the average American and the risk of developing serious complications from seasonal influenza is much greater than the odds of contracting Ebola.

The Ebola virus must be taken seriously, but not sensationally. GRMC public health officials, emergency staff, public safety and disaster preparedness officials,  and health officials from Grinnell College, are working together on protocols and procedures in the chance it is needed. These representatives work together year-round on many issues of public health and safety and the Ebola virus is no exception.  

For more information, you can go to:

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/what-need-to-know-ebola.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

Five Reasons Why You Need to Access Your Patient Information Portal

Ok, first of all, what is a patient information portal?

According to healthIT.gov, a patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as:

Recent doctor visits

Discharge summaries

Medications

Immunizations

Allergies

Lab results

Some patient portals also allow patients to:

Exchange secure e-mail with their health care teams

Request prescription refills

Schedule non-urgent appointments

Check benefits and coverage

Update contact information

Make payments

Download and complete forms

View educational materials

There are two patient portals currently offered by Grinnell Regional Medical Center. The hospital has a patient portal that contains health information for inpatient visits starting July 1, 2014. As each patient uses inpatient services, the information available will increase.

Patient portals from GRMC physician clinics, such as Grinnell Regional Family Practice, have much more data available from several years.

To set up your GRMC hospital patient information portal, go to www.grmc.us or https://grmc.intelichart.com/PatientPortal /account. You will be given instructions to create your account. You can also add your dependents who are age 17 and younger.

To access your medical record at GRMC affiliated clinics, go to https://www.followmyhealth.com/Login - or follow the links from the GRMC website, www.grmc.us.

Five reasons why you should access your patient information portal:

1) You can exchange a secure email with your healthcare provider through the clinics.

2) Prescription refills are a breeze.

3) Track your childrens’ immunizations.

4) Follow your vitals taken at each appointment – blood pressure, height, weight, and related information.

5) Hospitals and clinics have financial incentives from the federal government for making this information available through a patient portal and for their patients setting up an account to view your health information. The more patients use these portals in a meaningful way, the greater the financial incentive for the hospital and clinic.

It’s all about you and your access to your personal healthcare information. We want you to become engaged and comfortable with your healthcare team and this technology is one more way GRMC can help you do just that.

For more information, go to:

http://www.healthit.gov/patients-families

Pink

From coast to coast, October heralds a change of season and color. Fall shades of russet, burnt orange, and gold color the landscape and often our homes.

And then, there’s pink.

Since 1991, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation gave away pink ribbons in honor and memory of breast cancer survivors and those who had lost their lives, pink has become an unexpected fall color.

Pink is everywhere in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It serves as a reminder to all that breast cancer is prevalent and affects both women and men.

Many women schedule their annual mammograms in October and you can too. Grinnell Regional Medical Center is proud to be one of the first hospitals in the state of Iowa to have 3D digital mammography, the latest technology to detect abnormalities at a very early stage. With the top mammography radiologists in the state through Iowa Radiology, GRMC can offer the latest in diagnostic breast health.

And if something is found, GRMC stands at the ready to assess and provide the care needed through extraordinary and caring healthcare providers.

As they say, “Do it for the ones you love. Do it for yourself.” If you haven’t had a mammogram in a while, please speak with your doctor about a referral and tell them you want to come to GRMC. Our mammography team is highly trained and experienced. They will put you at ease. And our technology and radiologists are second to none. Peace of mind is a valuable thing.

Call to make an appointment today. 641-236-2355.

Five Reasons to Take Back Your Unused Medications at Saturday’s Take Back Event

If you are like most people, you have unused medications in your home. Prescriptions that you no longer need to take. Over-the-counter medications past their effective dates. Half-empty bottles that are just taking up space.

But that’s not all they are doing. They can pose a real danger in many households with children who often can open the “child-proof” bottle better than many adults or where the threat of prescription drug abuse is possible.

1. Child safety – Take a look at many medications and you will see how much they look like candy. ExLax in its chocolate form is a perfect example. Sudafed looks like cinnamon red hots. Any coated tablet can look like a coated candy like M&M’s.

2. Reducing confusion on which medication is current and correct. This is especially important for older adults who may take a few different prescriptions during the day. Accidental overdose can happen when dosages are changed, or a new prescription is introduced that is not compatible with another prescription. Take back those that are no longer needed.

3. Reducing the risk of prescription drug abuse – Prescription drug abuse is very prevalent. If you are sharing your medications with others and that medication is not prescribed to that individual, it can be very harmful. Do not share. Pain killers, sedatives, and stimulants can be highly addictive and can also find their way into being sold on the street.

4. Avoiding environmental hazards – According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who sponsors these events nationwide, more than 780,000 pounds of unused and unwanted drugs were collected across the nation during the 2014 spring collection alone. Over the past four years, these take back events have collected an extraordinary 4.1 million pounds. And if we just throw this bottle in the trash or just flush these few down the toilet… 2,213 tons of prescription and over the counter medication in our water supply is an environmental nightmare to be avoided.

5. Making sure that what’s left in the medicine cabinet is exactly what is needed.  It’s time to take stock. Cold and flu season is just around the corner and fall allergy season is in full swing. Inventory what you have. Check the expiration dates and avoid taking those that have passed their effective dates. Pull out everything you do not use and take them for disposal.

GRMC and the Grinnell Police Department are working with the US DEA on this take back event on Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grinnell Public Safety Building. Just drive up and hand the items over for safe disposal. They don’t have the capability to accept syringes, needles, or lancets, however. Any pills, powders, capsules either prescription or over-the-counter will be taken.

Be Proud to Get Tagged! It’s GRMC Auxiliary Tag Day!

Aux.il.ia.ry –adjective  

Providing supplementary or additional help and support.

(The Oxford Dictionary)

Yellow tags will flutter everywhere on Friday, September 19, when the GRMC Auxiliary hosts its annual Tag Day. This event has been a tradition for 90 years where area residents are asked to make a donation in exchange for the bright yellow tags.

The tradition of Tag Day began in the 1920s as a fundraiser for Grinnell General Hospital. It started as “Balloon Day” and all contributors received a brightly colored balloon. Downtown businesses were generous donors and had many balloons decorating their store windows.  Hospital archives note that on the day of the annual event, the city was “blooming with balloons.” It was not until the days of World War II and the shortage of rubber that paper tags replaced the colorful balloons.

Tag Day supports the auxiliary’s projects every year as they have for generations. Funding for the Grinnell Regional Babies Room program for new mothers, hospital tours with area first-graders, and an extensive healthcare scholarship program are among the ongoing projects supported by the auxiliary. This is all done in addition to their goal to be a positive influence on the patient experience at GRMC through patient and volunteer services.

Additionally, Tag Day and all GRMC Auxiliary fundraisers help them raise funds toward their pledge of $150,000 for the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign.

Area residents from all the communities in the GRMC service area are encouraged to stop at participating businesses or collection places to make a donation. Tables will be set up in Brooklyn, Grinnell, Montezuma, Toledo, and Victor. Tags will be sold at GRMC clinics in Lynnville, in Toledo at Deer Creek Health Center, and in Victor. Patriot Bank in Brooklyn will have volunteers selling tags. In Grinnell, look for auxiliary members at GRMC, Casa Margaritas,  Fareway, HyVee, Lonnski’s, McNally’s, Medicap Pharmacy, Pioneer Bookstore, Pizza Ranch, Post Office, Saints Rest, Walmart.

Top facts you need to know about Enterovirus EV-D68

Talk about a rotten way to start the school year! A nasty respiratory virus is making kids sick across the region. Officially, it is known as Enterovirus EV-D68. It’s not a new virus or strain. It’s been around for many years but healthcare providers are seeing an unusual spike in cases right now, particularly in children. Like any other virus, children who may live with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, are experiencing the worst of it and have had to be hospitalized.

The virus starts out with symptoms similar to that of a common cold and then can cause wheezing and issues with breathing.  There are no anti-viral medications that are effective on enteroviral infections so treating the symptoms and providing comfort measures while it takes its course is the only way to go.

Why now at the beginning of the school year?

It’s not uncommon to see a spike in illnesses after summer and winter breaks. All it takes is one infected student to come to school and start spreading the virus around, just like a lot of other illnesses. We see it around the holidays, too, when groups of people come together inside and sneeze, and cough, and spread the love.

What can I do to stay well?

Enteroviruses affect the gastrointestinal tract, so it spreads through fecal matter on hands that have not been thoroughly cleaned. So…

1.     Keep your hands clean – Wash hands often with soap and water for as long as it takes you to sing the alphabet or sing “Happy Birthday.” This is an excellent way to teach kids about washing hands.

2.     Keep your hands to yourself and if your hands are not clean, avoid touching your nose, mouth, eyes. Don’t eat without washing your hands thoroughly and be sure to wash your hands after touching surfaces in a public place such as at school, work, or the grocery store.

3.     Keep things clean – counters, door knobs, toys. High touch items in your home and in places where you spend time.

4.     Keep food-related things clean – Be sure all surfaces for food prep are as clean as you can keep them. This includes not sharing utensils, plates, or cups.

5.     Keep to yourself – try to avoid kissing and hugging those who are ill. Easier said than done when you have sick little ones who crave cuddling.

What if I am sick or if one of my children are sick?

1. STAY HOME. There’s just simply no other way around it.

2. Prevent spreading it around your family and friends by following the list of good hygiene activities listed above.

3. Seek medical attention if you or your child has difficulty breathing or begin wheezing. This is especially important if you already have asthma or live with respiratory illnesses.

4. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and call your doctor if you are concerned.

Keep this list handy because seasonal influenza is waiting in the wings. Public seasonal flu vaccine clinics through Grinnell Regional Public Health begin on September 22.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the top four flu viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.

Children aged six months through eight years who are receiving the vaccine for the first time need two doses of vaccine. They should receive the first dose as soon as possible to allow time to get the second dose before the start of flu season. The two doses should be given at least four weeks apart.

Officials say that most people who pick up this current enterovirus will not be affected any more than they would if they caught a good old cold.  Seasonal influenza packs a bigger punch for a wider group of individuals and has the potential to make those infected pretty ill. Typically, a full-blown case of seasonal influenza can take as long as two weeks to recover from. 

Bottom line – always practice good hygiene, get your flu vaccine, stay home if you are ill.

For more information:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2014/09/08/enterovirus-crops-up-in-iowa-can-be-risky-for-kids/15284863/

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphNews/Reader.aspx?id=6B8130B2-7FBC-4C12-BF62-6DFE260D00CA

http://now.uiowa.edu/keywords/enterovirus

http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/prevention-treatment.html

12 Ways to Make Your Home Safe for Young Children

We all know how inquisitive and curious little ones can be. It’s astounding how quickly they can manage to find their way into things that we didn’t even realize could be an issue.

If you have babies or young children in your home on a regular basis, it’s time for a hands and knees tour around the house. Whether your baby is becoming mobile or if you have young children who visit your home, it’s very much worth your time to really assess how toddler and child-friendly your home is. With two and a half million children visiting our nation’s emergency rooms and urgent care centers with preventable injuries annually, safe spaces are important. While we can’t prevent all accidents, we can certainly manage the risk.

According to the National Safety Council, mechanical suffocation and suffocation by ingested objects cause the most home-related fatalities to children 0-4 years of age.

Here are 12 things you can do to make your home safer for children:

1. Make sure that a crib in use in your home meets all the current safety standards. Older cribs made before 1974 were not manufactured with these standards. Do not use these older cribs. And, do not donate them, or sell them on a garage sale. They are not simply not safe to use.

2. Install safety latches or locks on cabinet doors and drawers containing items that are potentially harmful for children. Obvious choices are places where household cleansers, medicines – both prescription and over-the-counter, tools and sharp objects are stored. These latches can be purchased in a hardware store or from a retailer that handles baby items. There are a variety of options to meet your needs and install easily.

3. Install a lock or a doorknob cover to prevent children entering a room. If it is possible to simply lock up a room that you do not want a child wandering into without adult supervision, just do so.

4. Make sure that firearms in the home are completely inaccessible to children.

5. Install window guards. Nylon or metal screens on open windows will not stop a child from going through if they are pushing or leaning against the screen. It is not uncommon to hear of a child falling out a second story window accidentally because they have leaned against the window screen. The screen is not strong enough to hold a child in.

6. Use safety netting around a deck or a balcony.

7. Cover outlets not in use. Covers are simple to install and help prevent children from putting their fingers or metal objects into the outlets.

8. Use safety gates to keep children off the stairs and out of rooms when a door cannot be locked.

9. Install an anti-scald device for your shower or bathtub. Setting your water heater to a maximum of 120 degrees will also help avoid accidental scalding.

10. In addition to secure fencing around pools, install safety covers on both pools and outdoor hot tubs to keep children out. Be extra careful with small inexpensive wading pools, too. 

11. Use window treatments with safety tassels and inner cord latches to help prevent strangulation.

12. For everyone in the house, CO2 detectors and working smoke alarms save lives. Period.

It’s not realistic to expect that you can prevent accidents just by giving the child your full attention. You might be surprised at how quickly a child can find themselves in harm’s way even if you are distracted from them for just a moment. Using these simple tips can help you keep them safe.

For more tips on childproofing your home, check out these websites:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/childproof.html#

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Kids-and-Babies/Childproofing-Your-Home--12-Safety-Devices-To-Protect-Your-Children/

Just Ears, Noses, and Throats

oto·lar·yn·gol·o·gy    noun   \ˌō-tō-ˌla-rən-ˈgä-lə-jē\

A medical specialty concerned especially with the ear, nose, and throat—called also otorhinolaryngology.

Jeremy D. Vos, MD

It’s also a fourteen-letter word that can be abbreviated as “ENT” for ear, nose, and throat. If you have children, you might be very aware of this medical specialty. You may typically think of an ENT specialist when your children have frequent ear infections, allergies, or need their tonsils removed. Otolaryngologists or ENT specialists treat a wide variety of health issues related to the ears, nose, and throat.

Your family practice physician may refer you to an ENT

Michael J. Reed, MD

for a number of reasons.

Ears:  In addition to treating frequent ear infections, ENT’s also treat injuries, cancer, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears known as tinnitus.

Nose: Health issues affecting sinuses such as frequent infections, nose bleeds, allergies, or asthma.

Throat: This includes tonsils, adenoids, laryngitis, chronic sore throats, and acid reflux.

This can include sleep disorders, facial and neck plastic surgery, and hearing restoration.

ENT Medical Service offers comprehensive testing and treatment for allergic conditions affecting the head and neck—allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, and allergy affecting the ears and eyes.  They provide medical management, skin prick and intradermal testing, blood testing, as well as offer allergy shots and drops for allergy desensitization. Shots are administered in both Grinnell and Iowa City.

Every week, Jeremy D. Vos, MD, sees patients at Grinnell Regional Medical Center in the visiting specialty clinic. In early August, Michael J. Reed, MD, began seeing patients twice monthly and will increase hours if needed. Dr. Reed also plans to perform surgical procedures at GRMC.

Otolaryngologists receive up to 15 years of college and post-graduate training in their specialty.  This includes four years of medical school and five years of post-graduate training and could also include a fellowship in a subspecialty. GRMC is pleased to welcome Dr. Vos and Dr. Reed from ENT Medical Services in Iowa City.

For an appointment, speak with your primary care provider or call ENT Medical Services at 319-351-5680.

To learn more:

https://www.entmedicalservices.org/practiceareas/ent.html

New Year's Resolutions?

The start of a new school year is an exciting and busy time. Think about making some new year's resolutions now for healthy eating. Here are a few suggestions that you might choose from to get the school year off to a great start:

Breakfast is pretty important for kids to get a good start on the day. Test scores are higher, kids are more likely to participate in class, and they have better concentration with the benefit of a healthy breakfast. A balance of protein and carbohydrates will keep them going until lunchtime. Stay clear of sugary things and refined carbohydrates - donuts, packaged baked goods, sugar-coated cereals. These foods fill up kids with empty calories that don't provide the nutrition their bodies require.

Need some ideas?

Oatmeal with fresh fruit and milk

Nut butter on whole grain toast or a whole-grain toaster waffle with banana slices.

Cottage cheese and fruit

Whole grain cereal with fruit and milk

Plan to take lunch to school or work more often. If you don't already pack a lunch, consider doing so a couple of days a week to start. Typically, it's much easier to make healthy choices in the morning and not at noon when you are hungry and staring at a fast-food menu. It's also friendly on the household budget. Bring your children into the process and allow them to choose from healthy options.

Need some ideas?

Make-Your-Own Lunchables - Kids love these, but they can be pricey and may not have a lot of healthy choices. Find a multi-compartment lunch container and fill the cubbies with things like fresh fruit slices or berries, carrot or celery sticks, sweet red peppers and dips like hummus or nut butter.* Add whole-grain crackers, a few slices of cheese, and some lean and low sodium protein. 

It's a Wrap! - Take a whole grain tortilla or a large lettuce leaf, spread with cream cheese, layer with grilled chicken breast chunks, tuna, and/or veggies, roll and wrap. Add a piece of fruit, some graham crackers or cookies and call it a healthy lunch.

Encore! Encore! - Make an extra serving of dinner for tomorrow's lunch. An extra grilled hamburger, chicken breast, or lean pork chop can make a repeat performance in a sandwich or salad the next day. Pack it all up the night before and then grab and go in the morning. 

Cook dinner. It sounds so simple but it does require some advanced planning. There are hundreds of websites with ways to plan a week of meals for a family of any size and budget. Browse around and find one that works for you. Meal planning and cooking at home are good for your health and your budget. Lots of tips on how to make a good home-cooked meal in 30 minutes abound on the internet. 

Eat dinner together as a family more often. When school starts, schedules get full very quickly. Sit down together and reconnect at the end of the day. Turn off the TV and make a phone-free zone for the next 30 minutes. Share the good things about the day and what didn't go so well. Why is this healthy? Kids who eat regularly with their families have a stronger family bond, an expanded vocabulary, and do better in school. It's a worthwhile investment of time. Even if you can only swing it a couple of days a week, give it a try. Maybe getting together at breakfast will fit into your family's schedule better? 

Give yourself and your family the gift of health and start the new year off right. Model healthy choices for your kids and teens. Teach them to make good choices that will lay a solid foundation for health throughout their lives. 

Want more information? 

     

http://www.eatright.org/kids/

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/healthy-lunchbox-tips

Breakfast is really important for students http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=6442482043#.U-4jZPldWBI

Five Reasons for Your Teen to Eat Breakfast

http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442477998

Family Dinners in a Flash http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442466480

  

*Some schools have restrictions on bringing nut butter, such as peanut butter, to school due to students having severe and life-threatening allergies. Check first before you send this to school with your child. 

Connecting Online with Your Healthcare Provider

You might pay your bills online, add money to your child’s school lunch account, or use an app to find your way to a new destination. And now, your healthcare provider is joining the online communication world.  Financial incentives provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services through healthcare reform are encouraging hospitals and clinics across the country to adopt electronic medical records and provide online patient access to health records.

Grinnell Regional Medical Center has launched two online patient portals that allow patients fast and easy access to their hospital and clinic records from any computer or device that connects to the internet. The goal is to improve your healthcare experience in several ways.

By using secure online communication, you can view lab results, dates of healthcare visits, view medical history from patient visits to your clinic at any time day or night. You can also contact hospital and clinic staff through a secure messaging system and read medical education and news through this portal.

Patient information from July 1, 2014 and forward is available on the GRMC portal, while patient information from GRMC clinics goes back several years.

Just in case you are wondering, those clinics affiliated with GRMC are:

Grinnell Regional Family Practice

Grinnell Regional Internal Medicine

Grinnell Regional Orthopedics

Grinnell Regional Pain Clinic

Grinnell Regional Women’s Health Clinic

Manatt Family Urgent Care

Deer Creek Family Care

Lynnville Medical Clinic

Victor Health Center

Patients with a valid email address can begin to use the secure, web-based tools now by registering for a secure patient portal account. Or during your next hospital admission process or clinic visit. Parents will also be able to enroll their minor children and access their accounts. Links to both portals are available on the GRMC website at www.grmc.us. You can set up your personal account at any time.  GRMC staff members have resources to walk you through the process as well.

For more information, you can contact your healthcare provider’s office staff or contact the GRMC patient portal resource desk at 641-236-2381 or email patientportal@grmc.us.  The goal is to help you become comfortable with accessing your own health information and to be engaged in your good health.

Leading the Way for Wellness

For more than 10 years, Postels Community Health Park has provided the public with integrated medicine services. The dream of a community health park originated with the donation of the building located at Broad and Commercial Streets in downtown Grinnell. Formerly the home of Grinnell Beverage, the building was donated by Joanie and Arnie Heimsoth and Dick Postels in 1999.

For years, the motto of Postels Community Health Park reflected the inclusion of a variety of wellness services all “under one roof.” Through the services offered at Postels Community Health Park, patients find an approach that recognizes the importance of the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions in health and healing. The building currently houses Acupuncture Clinic of Grinnell, Strovers Chiropractic, physical therapy, therapeutic massage, some fitness equipment, and group fitness classes.

 

We are now implementing plans to move the majority of services at GRMC’s Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center into the space formerly used by The Galaxy Youth Center at the Postels building. Adding these services to the Postels Community Health Park will truly bring all these services under one roof.

Renovations are underway right now and the plan is to have the space up and functioning for clients this fall. The wellness program is growing with nearly 400 members and we anticipate building those numbers once the new space is operational. Improvements include the installation of new functional fitness circuit equipment, glass entrance doors, windows on the Commercial Street side of the building, a dedicated Spinning® room, additional treadmills and cardio units, new sound equipment, and new flooring, and lighting. A new entry system will provide 24/7 access to members. Bathrooms with showers are being added as well as a new handicapped accessible entrance. Funding provided to the campaign has already allowed us to install a new furnace, replace the roof, carpet, and hand rails.

And the current home of the Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center? What happens to that?

This space will become the home of the F.A. Jones Physical and Occupational Therapy Center as well as our pulmonary rehab space. There will still be opportunities for members to exercise in the Ahrens Medical Arts Building. Many people feel more secure doing this work on the hospital campus just in case they might require medical attention. The warm water exercise pool is also staying in its current location in the Ahrens Medical Arts Building.

All of this has been made possible because of private donations, which is pretty extraordinary.

Also extraordinary is the story that our CEO and President Todd Linden will tell you. He recently attended a national meeting of hospital administrators who are now coming to the realization that their hospital or health system should get involved more heavily in wellness and fitness services. They recognize that the trend in healthcare is moving toward keeping people well and healthy in the first place. That’s something that we’ve been doing in Grinnell for more than 15 years. Who says that rural America doesn’t lead the way?

For information about joining the fitness center, please call 641-236-2999.  

How to throw a party for 500 friends.

If you have been to a GRMC Blue Jean Ball, you know that it is a fun party. When the idea first came up, GRMC staff and volunteers were talking about hosting another great GRMC Gala fundraising event. However, we were all in the middle of some tough economic times five years ago and we thought it was time for the popular GRMC Gala to get out its blue jeans and get a little casual.

The ball is held in the fall and in 2011 it went hand-in-hand with the Grinnell Optimists’ annual fly-in breakfast. It took an army of community volunteers from sun up into late the next morning to host both events at the Grinnell Municipal Airport. Just over 300 guests bought incredible auction items, danced to The Dweebs, and partied into the night with the hangar door wide open on a lovely September evening.

In 2013, the event moved to the Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center at Ahrens Park. Those who had a blast in 2011 told all their friends what a great party it was. Nearly 500 tickets were sold and the GARC hosted the entire function along with our new best friends, The Dweebs. More than $32,000 was raised that night for GRMC.

We’re not the only ones who think the Blue Jean Ball is a fabulous event! It’s now won two national awards!

GRMC’s second Blue Jean Ball earned a bronze award from the Thirty-First Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards out of more than 3,700 entries. A national panel of judges reviewed entries based on creativity, quality, message effectiveness, consumer appeal, graphic design, and overall impact. Gold awards were given to 297 entries; silver awards to 279 entries; and bronze awards to 252 entries.

Other Iowa winners included the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, Unity Point, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Mary Greeley Medical Center. National winners included AARP, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Johns Hopkins HealthCare.

Award-winning graphic design by Jennifer Hawkins,
GRMC's graphic designer

The event also won silver in the Aster Awards, hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc. This program recognized outstanding healthcare professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year 2013.

The 2014 Aster Awards received nearly 3,000 entries from across the United States as well as Canada and South America. All entries are judged by industry experts and are scored on multiple criteria with a possibility of 100 total points. Participant’s entries competed against similar-sized organizations in their specific groups and categories.

Best of Show – Only 1 issued in 2014

Guests bid on more than 60 auction items at BJB 2013

Judges Choice – Score of 100% (only 8 issued in 2014 – top 1%)

Gold Awards – Score of 95 to 99 (top 5% in the nation)

Silver Awards – Score of 90 to 94 (top 12% in the nation)

Bronze Awards – Score of 85 to 89 (top 16% in the nation)

Awards were issued for entries that received top marks from judges placing them in the top 16% of the nation for advertising excellence. Submissions were scored on multiple criteria which included creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.

Honorary co-chairs for GRMC's Moving at the Speed of Life
comprehensive campaign at BJB 2013. Addison Jones for
the late Marion Jones, Jewel Kintzinger Day,
Leila Maring, and Waldo Walker.

Here’s the thing. Most of the hospitals and healthcare systems receiving these awards had external advertising agencies doing the work. GRMC is one of the few hospitals in the country with our own internal “advertising agency.” All our ads, our quarterly Healthletters, brochures, are designed and often printed in house or printed by local printing businesses.

We know that this award is a testament to the volunteers who helped plan this event. It is truly a labor of love that takes a lot of effort to make it a success.

BJB 2013 Emcees Ben Latimer and Mike Pearson.

And now we have big news!

The Dweebs are coming back for Blue Jean Ball 2015!

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Harris Center, Grinnell College

We’ll start planning the event later this fall for next year. Be watching for more information on the event over the next year and get ready for Blue Jean Ball 2015.

 

Preparing for School Includes Vaccinations

Very soon, the store aisles that now display sunscreen, pool toys, and beach towels will be filled with notebooks, pencils, and glue sticks.

As you go through the lists of things your child needs to return to school in August, make sure that their vaccinations are updated. It will be much easier on everyone if you get those taken care of now during the hazy, lazy days of summer instead of waiting until the week that school starts.

This is especially important for children entering kindergarten and seventh grade as there are special requirements for children at this age.

That first day of kindergarten is a big day and parents naturally want it to go very smoothly for their child. But if there’s no current documentation of immunizations on file with the school, the child cannot attend their first day and might end up getting their shots instead. Not a great way to start off the school year for anyone.

If your child attends a licensed child care center or is home schooled, these requirements apply as well. And while the Iowa Department of Public Health immunization requirements do not extend to college students, many colleges and universities have their own list of vaccination requirements for students.

Getting all the recommended vaccines is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children’s health. Immunizations not only help prevent their own child from getting ill and missing school, but they are also protecting the wider community. Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough,” can be deadly for newborns and infants.

Why Vaccinate?

Immunizations create a shield of protection at school and at home. Given recent outbreaks, parents can protect children with a vaccine from dangerous and highly contagious diseases like pertussis and measles.

Many parents have never witnessed the damaging effects of a vaccine-preventable disease. As a result, they are not aware of the continued importance of getting all children vaccinated.

Diseases like measles are only a plane ride away. Measles epidemics are occurring in the Philippines with nearly 32,000 cases as of April 2014.

When a child comes down with a disease such as whooping cough, chickenpox or the influenza, he or she may miss a lot of school while recovering. And, someone will need to stay home to provide care and make trips to the doctor.

In Iowa school districts, children are required to provide proof of immunizations by the first day of the school year.  Your student will not be admitted to school on the first day without this proof. Parents should request a copy of their child(ren)’s immunization records from the primary care provider and give a copy to the school district. Vaccinations can be administered at several primary care clinics or at the Grinnell Regional Public Health Clinic.

To schedule an appointment for immunizations at the public health office, call 641-236-2385. Grinnell Regional Public Health is located in the Light Center for Community Health at 306 Fourth Avenue in Grinnell.

Make a plan to start the new school year in a healthy way.  Many serious infectious diseases still exist and can be preventable through vaccination. Visit with your healthcare provider or call us for more information.

Information on immunization requirements for all ages can be found here . http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IDPHChannelsService/file.ashx?file=48B83034-AB88-4E48-877E-5F6F60F9023F

Or, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Immunizations and TB, at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/ImmTB/Immunization.aspx?prog=Imm&pg=Laws.