Making a Difference in Everyday Excellence

For the past four years, GRMC has participated in The DAISY Award to recognize excellence in nursing.

DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System and was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). His family wanted to do something special in his memory. DAISY was created to award nurses for their everyday excellence.

Doris Rindels, Kim Jones, and Todd Linden

On April 29, GRMC honored the 2015 DAISY nurse for outstanding leadership, patient care, excellent nursing skills, and dedication to GRMC. In recognition of this award, the honoree receives a certificate, a special DAISY pin, a bouquet of fresh daisies, and an invitation to a special luncheon at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines on June 12. All DAISY Award nurses selected for the year are honored with others from Mercy Health Network hospitals.

GRMC’s 2015 DAISY Award goes to Kim M. Jones, RN, a member of the obstetrical team in the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center. Kim received nominations from supervisors and coworkers.

“Kim demonstrates compassion to women in labor through her kind words of encouragement. Her confidence, compassion, professionalism, and knowledge base are all attributes she utilizes to build trust in the nurse-patient relationship. Kim is cognizant of the importance of skin to skin time with mothers.”

“Kim goes above and beyond. She came in during a snow storm on short notice to cover another department so out of town staff could go home safely. She has been noted by her peers as an excellent teacher for NRP, prenatal classes, and preceptoring new employees and students. And she is a great GRMC advocate out in the community. Each year she helps distribute bike helmets to area third graders.  She was instrumental in implementing the transcutaneous bilirubin meter so GRMC follows AAP guidelines regarding infant surveillance for jaundice.”

“I would trust her with any of my family members.” “Kim is the kind of nurse that truly meets the worthiness of receiving the DAISY award. She is the kind of nurse we would want taking care of our families and our patients.”

Eighteen nurses were nominated at GRMC this year by patients, family members, co-workers, and supervisors. Every nomination shares incredible stories of compassionate care, great teamwork, and extraordinary nursing. It’s a tough decision to make.

Previous DAISY nurses from GRMC are Kim McNurlen, RN, Medical Surgical Unit in 2014; Diana Fenner, RN, Home Health, in 2013; and Ellen Waterbury, RN, ICU, in 2013.

May 6 to 12 is National Nurses’ Week. It’s a great time to recognize the dedication and compassion of nurses at GRMC and its affiliated clinics.

“The one really positive thing we could hold onto from the experience of his eight-week hospitalization was the skillful and amazingly compassionate care he received from his nurses - even when he was totally sedated. When Pat died, we felt compelled to express our profound gratitude to nurses for the work they do for patients and their families every day. This is the primary mission of The DAISY Foundation.” – quoted fro

Thinking About Weight-Loss Surgery?

It’s a life-changing decision and not a quick fix. If you are thinking about weight-loss surgery as an option, there are many things to consider. Start by having a talk with your primary care physician. Your doctor is the best place to begin the conversation. Weight-loss surgery is not always the best option, even for those who need to lose a lot of weight.

If you decide to explore weight-loss surgery, do as much research as you can on the programs available. There are several options in central Iowa, including Grinnell Bariatrics – a program between Surgical Associates of Grinnell and Grinnell Regional Medical Center. This program has been a pioneer in bariatric or weight-loss surgery since 1980. Today, this multi-disciplinary program is designed for each individual patient’s unique needs. The team includes nutritionists, mental health professionals, physical therapists, family medicine, exercise specialists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, and care coordination, in addition to surgeons. 

Where to start?

• 1.     Begin by talking with your primary care physician to see if weight loss surgery is a good option for you.
• 2.     Gather as much information as you can about programs that are available to you.
• 3.     Learn about the various kinds of weight-loss surgery.
• 4.     Research what steps you have to go through before, during, and after the procedure.
• 5.     Make sure that the programs you are interested in include plenty of support throughout the entire process and for years after your procedure.
• 6.     Get to know the medical team who will handle your care.
• 7.     And then make the decision based on what is right for you.

http://www.grmc.us/services/surgery/bariatric-surgery

http://www.grinnellsurgeons.com/en/bariatrics/

New Pain Solutions

What you need to know about rheumatology

Rheumatology (ROOM-ah-tall-ah-gee) is a subspecialty of medicine that works with various diseases that affect soft tissues, joints, connective tissues, muscles, and organs such as kidneys, lungs, liver, and the immune system.

Some of the more common ailments you might see a rheumatologist to diagnosis and treatment include arthritis, Lupus, fibromyalgia, and gout. Did you know that there are about 100 different types of arthritis? The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the more common. An estimated 27 million Americans live with osteoarthritis. It is developed through wear and tear on our joints as we age.

Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is much less common. Only about one percent of Americans, 1.3 million people, live with RA. It is an autoimmune disease where something triggers the immune system to fight against the tissue found within the body’s joints. RA tends to affect women more than men.

Pain is one of the common threads that runs through rheumatic diseases such as fibromyalgia, gout, arthritis, lupus, and other rheumatic diseases.  Women are often diagnosed more frequently than men for these diseases. Pain management and living well with chronic pain is something that rheumatologists provide for their patients.

Area patients now have a broader scope of rheumatology services available at GRMC. Eman Boulis, MD, with Central Iowa Rheumatology Clinic has been seeing patients at GRMC since the fall of 2014. Boulis is certified by the American Boards of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine. She has published research on lupus and osteoporosis and has experience in the diagnosis and management of RA, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, carpal tunnel, and joint and muscle pain, among other conditions and treatments.

For more information about rheumatology and the Central Iowa Rheumatology Clinic at GRMC, call 641-236-2338.

http://www.grmc.us/find-a-clinic-or-provider/visiting-specialists

http://www.arthritis.org/

www.grmc.us

10,450 Third Graders

According to the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center, injuries are the leading cause of death for Iowans age 1 to 34. The Burden of Injury report maintains that wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent. Furthermore, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that bicycle riders who are not using a helmet are 14 times more likely to die than those who are wearing a helmet.

Children and youth often receive safety education about how wearing the right protective gear is important. However, in order for them to actually reduce the risk of injury, they must have a helmet to wear when they use wheeled sports equipment including bicycles, scooters, skateboards, in line skates, and similar equipment. It is not always feasible for parents to provide safety equipment for their children when it is needed.

For nearly 20 years, community businesses, individuals, and service clubs have partnered with GRMC and the medical staff to provide a bike helmet fitted to every third grader in our six county service area. It’s an amazing project that began with the GRMC medical staff in 1996. By the end of May 2015, 10,450 bike helmets will have been presented to third grade students over the past 19 years. That’s a lot of precious minds.

If you want to be a part of this project, go to this link on our website.

Or do it the old school way and make your check payable to GRMC, designating “bike helmets” in the memo line. Mail to us at GRMC, Communications and Development, 210 Fourth Avenue, Grinnell, IA  50112 and we’ll use it to help protect a child. 

Five Reasons to Schedule a Regular Massage

The physical and emotional benefits of massage therapy are many. So many that if you could bottle these benefits in a pill, everyone would be taking it.

Studies show the following results from massage therapy:

Decreased blood pressure and heart rate

Increased immunity through massage of lymph tissues to release toxins

Working out stiff muscles throughout the body

Release endorphins, the body’s feel-good hormones

Care for depression and anxiety

And much more.

At GRMC, our licensed massage therapists are credentialed to provide therapeutic massage within the hospital setting when it would be helpful and appropriate under a physician’s care. Laboring mothers often benefit from massage for back and joint discomfort as well as to help relax and calm them during this time.

We also know that patients who receive a massage as they prepare for a surgical procedure may require less anesthesia because they are more relaxed and may have less concern or worry about the pending procedure. This can also help with recovery. Patients who require less anesthesia have the potential to recover more quickly and easily.

Massage therapy is offered when it is appropriate for those who find themselves having to stay in the hospital. For all the reasons mentioned before, it helps to alleviate physical discomfort, relaxes the body and the mind, and contributes to a more positive experience for patients.

You don’t have to be a patient to get a wonderful therapeutic massage at GRMC. Massage therapy is available from our staff in Grinnell and Victor. In Grinnell, massage therapy is available at Postels Community Health Park, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In Victor, the GRMC massage therapist is located at The Hair Studio, weekly, alternating between Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check out the many options you have for massage at our website. 

Add a scrub to slough off your winter skin! Get a paraffin dip for your arthritic hands. Try a complete body wrap for full relaxation and skin care.

To schedule an appointment at either location for a 30-, 60-, or 90-minute massage, call Postels Community Health Park at 641-236-2953 or e-mail postels@grmc.us.