Horn Public Health Promotes New Vaccination Requirement for Adolescents

The Iowa Department of Public Health has made changes to the Iowa Administrative Code which will require a dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) vaccine for all adolescents entering the 7th grade. This requirement will become effective at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year.  This new requirement is in response to the large increase in cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in the US and in Iowa in the past few years.  Studies indicate that protection from pertussis received from vaccinations given before the child’s entry into school wanes after a period of 5-10 years which puts students in middle and high school at a higher risk for pertussis.

In order to protect more students and to make it easier to meet the new vaccine requirement, this year only, the Iowa Department of Public Health will purchase Tdap vaccine for adolescents in Grades 6-12.  The Tdap will be administered by Ida and Sac County Public Health Departments at school based clinics during the current school year. All students in grades 6 through 12 will be eligible to receive one dose of Tdap at their school site regardless of health insurance coverage. This is a cost-saving service for the parents of the adolescents and will be a one-time only offer. A schedule of clinic dates for each school site will be announced once we have an accurate count of the number of students that will be participating. The current plan is to conduct the clinics in mid-April.

If your child has already received one dose of Tdap at age 10 or older, they do not need another booster.  Please provide the date of that Tdap vaccination to the school nurse at the school site your child attends.  You may need to contact your healthcare provider to verify that information.

If you have questions regarding to the consent or about the Tdap vaccine itself, please contact your school nurse or Horn Public Health at 712-364-7311.

Horn Recognizes the Performance of the Community Health Department

Back Row: Anne Beery, Patti Andrews, Cindy Mildenstein, Micki Fischer, Pam Shever, and Angie Scales
Front Row:  Erin Dausel, Huxley, and Zanet Thies

Horn appreciates all of the great work staff does. As a way to share praise and recognition, Huxley, the performance pooch, has been adopted to share the good news! Each month Huxley is passed on to recognize the exceptional performance of another department...This month the Community Health Department was recognized, which includes Home Health, Hospice, and Public Health. Below are comments from the community on the fantastic care we provide!

• Please continue to provide the quality care and don’t lose that passion/compassion for the work you do. May God bless you Hospice angels.

• We are truly blessed to have the BEST Hospice and Home Health here in Ida Grove.

• The staff members at Horn Home Health and Hospice are always willing to help out when needed and give expert guidance when we need help controlling a resident’s pain or when educating families on disease processes.

• The communication between Horn’s staff is superb!

• Horn Home Health and Hospice always focus on quality of care with respect, dignity, and kindness.

• The staff members were kind and gentle. They took a huge burden off of my grandmother’s shoulders by providing much needed care.

• Their passion and compassion for what they do every day is appreciated.

Horn Public Health Services Will Provide Pertussis Vaccination Clinics at Schools

2012 showed a large increase in the number of cases of pertussis (whooping cough) reported in Iowa.  More than 1,450 people were diagnosed with pertussis - a 425% increase from the state average in the past 5 years.  As of November, at least half of Iowa’s 99 counties had reported cases of the disease with the highest rate of illness in children ages 10 to 14.  Studies show that protection from pertussis received through DTaP vaccinations given to infants and preschoolers diminishes in 5 to 10 years which results in a higher rate of infection among adolescents.   For this reason, the Iowa Administrative Code has changed to require a dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) for students entering Grade 7 beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.  This action is to protect children at the age where they are most at risk for the illness because their immunity to pertussis has become weaker.

To make it easier for parents to comply with the new vaccination requirement, Horn Public Health and Sac County Public Health are working with local school districts, to offer Tdap vaccinations for students 11 to 18 years of age in grades 6 through 12.  The clinics will be held during the second semester of the current school year. Parents with students in this age group should watch for more information in upcoming weeks.  Questions about the vaccinations may be directed to Horn Public Health (712-364-7311), Angie Kastner, OA/BC-IG School Nurse (712- 364-2255) or Candi Graff, Ridge View School Nurse (712-368-4353).

Symptoms and Treatment of Pertussis

The germ that causes pertussis is carried in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes.  When a person with close contact breathes the “contaminated” air, those germs settle in the lungs.  At first symptoms are much like a common cold -runny nose, sneezing, mild fever and a dry cough. Within 2 weeks, symptoms get worse as the infection causes thick mucus to be trapped in the lungs and a severe cough develops.  The cough can be so violent that it causes vomiting or breathing problems.  A coughing spell may end with a high pitched “whoop sound” as the person tries to breathe in deeply -hence the name “whooping cough.”  

When testing by a doctor confirms pertussis early in the illness, an antibiotic can be prescribed to lessen the severity and length of symptoms.  Infected persons that do not take antibiotics may be contagious for as long as 21 days.  Vaccination, frequent and thorough hand washing and avoiding contact with persons who are ill are all important ways to reduce the risk of getting pertussis. 

HPC Entrance

Horn Physicians Clinic – Ida Grove is expanding their clinic space to utilize the patient rooms on both ends of the building. Effective immediately patients will enter through the door under the new blue Horn Physicians Clinic sign.

Dr. Veltri will now be practicing on the new side and utilizing the new pediatric room...made possible by funds from the Jillian Grace Duck Race!

Marc Augsburger, CEO, Accepts Position with Michigan Hospital

  

Marc Augsburger, CEO of Horn Memorial Hospital, has accepted a CEO position with his former employer, Caro Community Hospital in Caro, Michigan, effective April 14.  This move allows the Augsburger’s to be closer to their family who reside in the Michigan area.

“For the past three years, it has been a pleasure working with all of the communities that Horn serves. A few challenges were met along the way and a number of very positive enhancements have occurred at Horn.  Melissa and I wish the highest success for Horn,” comments Augsburger.

Marc Jensen, Board Chair, stated, “Horn Memorial Hospital was very fortunate to have had the services of Marc Augsburger available to us for the past three years. He has made many positive changes and has put our hospital on a positive path toward the future. We will miss his expertise and enthusiasm but the opportunity to relocate closer to family was something he could not pass up at this time.  We have a great team of talent at Horn Memorial, and the highest level of healthcare will continue to be provided during the search for a new CEO.  We wish Marc all the best in his new position.”

Ida County Pink Walk supports HMH Women's Health Suite

Judy Andresen and Lorna Steenbock from the Ida County Pink Walk Committee presented Jerri Downs, HMH Radiology Director, $8,100 to the Women's Health Suite. These funds were raised from the 2012, 2nd Annual, Ida County Pink Walk. Over 230 registrants and 150 walkers participated in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. HMH is honored to be the recipient of these funds to support women's health.

Give the Gift of Coffee from the 10th Cup, Specialty Beverages at Horn Memorial Hospital

The 10th Cup has a great holiday promotion going on for all of you coffee lovers out there…for just $25.00 you can purchase a gift basket that includes:

·         2 Bags of Coffee Beans

·         10^th Cup Travel Mug

·         $10 Gift Certificate to the 10^th Cup

·         In addition, each time you refill your 10^th Cup Mug, you  
        will receive 25 cents off your beverage purchase