Helpful Tips to Prepare for Emergencies

“Disasters can’t happen to my family.”  Or can they?  “I’m prepared for emergencies.”  Or are you?  September is National Preparedness month.  Over the next four weeks, Ida County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers will share why preparing for emergencies are important to them.

Ed Sohm, Ida County Emergency Management Coordinator and MRC volunteer remembers a time residents from Battle Creek needed to be evacuated due to a fire at a business facility.  “Evacuations are more common than many people realize, and the amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard.  Many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities.  That is why planning ahead is essential,” states Ed. 

Ed shared some important evacuation guidelines.  1) Develop a Family Emergency Plan that identifies places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your neighborhood.  2) Keep a backpack with important numbers, a list of your medications and copies of important papers readily available to take with you in any emergency.  3) Keep a half tank of gas in your car at all times.  Gas stations may be closed or you may not be able to pump gas during power outages.  4) Don’t forget to take your pets with you.  5) It’s a good idea to check with elderly neighbors who may need a ride.  6) If time allows, call your out-of-state contact in your Family Communications Plan to let them know where you are going. 

“Now is the time to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and disasters,” reminds Ed.  

New CT System Provides a Clear Diagnostic Image with Low Radiation Dose

Jo Rettinghaus, Radiology Technician views a 3-D image from the new 64-slice CT Scanner

High definition. Super-fast processing speeds. Crystal-clear images. Sophisticated technology.

We’re not talking flat-screen TVs or mini tablets. These words describe the new CT system at Horn Memorial Hospital.

A new Siemens SOMATOM Perspective 64-slice CT (also called computed tomography) system was installed in the radiology department this month. CT systems combine special X-ray technology with computers to produce highly detailed images of organs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels.

Specifically, the Perspective CT incorporates the latest 64-slice acquisition technology with the ability to produce up to 128 reconstructed slices for ultra-high resolution 3-D images. The technology may sound complicated, but it’s important: the higher the slice, the more detailed the image, and that helps physicians make a more accurate diagnosis.

“Radiation exposure is a concern for many patients,” said Kristin Treinen, director of radiology. “What many patients don’t know is that everyone is exposed to different sources of natural radiation in daily life, including being in the sun and flying in an airplane.”

CT systems use ionizing radiation to generate the pictures that physicians use to diagnose diseases and conditions, such as trauma, cancer and cardiovascular disease.  Horn Memorial’s new Perspective CT is equipped with SAFIRE technology, which can reduce radiation dose exposure by up to 60 percent, while delivering excellent image quality.

“With our new equipment, exams take less time and are more accurate, so patients are exposed to less radiation,” Treinen said.

The availability of such high-tech equipment at Horn Memorial Hospital gives area residents the peace of mind not having to travel far for highly detailed CT exams.

“Our goal is to offer the latest technology with the quality of care our community expects and deserves,” said Treinen. “By replacing our older scanner with this new and improved Perspective CT, we can do more types of exams with low radiation dose.”

A physician referral is required for a CT scan.  To learn more about our new CT technology, visit
www.hornmemorialhospital.org or call 712.364.3311.

HMH Upgrades to 64-Slice CT Scanner