HMH and Ida County Public Health Prepared for Infectious Diseases, Even Ebola

Horn Memorial Hospital and Ida County Public Health are working closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health in response to the West African Ebola situation.  Ebola can be scary, and with the recent media coverage of this disease, it is understandable there may be concerns that a case of Ebola could occur here; however, there is a world of difference between the U.S. and the parts of Africa where Ebola is spreading.  The United States, Iowa, and Ida County have a strong healthcare system, and Ida County has a community hospital and public health professionals who are prepared to handle contagious illnesses.

“Ida County residents can be confident that Horn Memorial Hospital has protocols and proper protective equipment in place for individuals who contract contagious diseases,” says HMH Infection Prevention Coordinator Julie Andresen, RN.  “Our hospital and staff are well trained and ready for any public health threat, should the need arise.” 

It is important to remember the Ebola virus is not spread through the air, and it is only contagious if the infected person is having active symptoms.  Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of a person experiencing symptoms of the disease such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches; it can also be spread through exposure to objects such as used, contaminated needles.  It is also important to realize that the risk of an Ebola outbreak in the U.S. is extremely low, there have been no cases of the disease in Iowa, and the U.S. Public Health system is taking extraordinary measures to keep this risk low. 

Andresen and Patti Andrews, Ida County Public Health Nurse, remind everyone that the risk of contracting any type of infectious disease can be minimized by following these basic everyday healthy practices:

• Wash Your Hands!
• Stay Home When You Are Sick!
• Cover Your Cough!

Horn Memorial Community Health Offers Flu Clinics

Now is the time to prepare for the flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. 

Horn Memorial Community Health will be offering Community flu shots clinics:

• Wednesday, October 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Ida Grove Community Hall
• Thursday, October 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Arthur Evangelical Free Youth Building
• Friday, October 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Galva The Meeting Place  
• Friday, October 10from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Holstein Methodist Church
• Monday, October 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Battle Creek Community Center

Clinics are available for individuals 19 years and older.  A Medicare card or Medicare Advantage Plan card is required.  Flu shots for all other individuals is $31.00.  If you are homebound and would like to receive the flu shot, please call Horn Memorial Community Health at 364-7311.

The flu is different from a cold.  Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.  The flu usually comes on suddenly.  People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and though more common in children than adults - vomiting and diarrhea. 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older who do not have a contraindication to the vaccine.

Some people refuse influenza vaccination because they believe they “got the flu” after receiving the vaccine in the past.  There are several reasons why this misconception persists: (1) Less than 1% of people who are vaccinated with the injectable vaccine develop flu-like symptoms, such as mild fever and muscle aches, after vaccination. These side effects are not the same as having influenza, but people confuse the symptoms. (2) Protective immunity doesn't develop until 1–2 weeks after vaccination. Some people who get vaccinated may get influenza shortly afterward. They develop influenza because they were exposed to someone with the virus before they became immune. It is not the result of the vaccination. (3) To many people "the flu" is any illness with fever and cold symptoms. If they get any viral illness, they may blame it on the flu shot or think they got "the flu" despite being vaccinated. Influenza vaccine only protects against certain influenza viruses, not all viruses. (4) The influenza vaccine is not 100% effective, especially in older persons. It is especially important to vaccinate pregnant women because of their increased risk for influenza-related complications. Vaccination can occur in any trimester, including the first. Only inactivated vaccine should be given to pregnant women. In addition, breastfeeding is not a contraindication for routine vaccination. People with cancer or a history of cancer should receive the seasonal flu shot.  Living with cancer increases your risk for complications from influenza. If a person has cancer now or has had cancer in the past, they are at higher risk for complications from the seasonal flu.  People who live with or care for cancer patients and survivors also should be vaccinated. Persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a prior dose of influenza vaccine, or who are known to have a severe allergy to a vaccine component should not be vaccinated. Vaccination should be deferred for a person with moderate or severe acute illness until his/her condition improves. While the flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza, it’s also important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness.  Remember the 3Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.

HMH Leads a Community Engagement Forum

Horn Memorial Hospital held an employer/community engagement forum for area businesses and community leaders on Tuesday, September 16 through a live WebEx.  Guest speakers included Kirk Norris, President of the Iowa Hospital Association; Mike Ralston, President of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry; and Elliott Smith, Executive Director of the Iowa Business Council.  Twenty-five business leaders from surrounding communities were in attendance to learn more about the challenges and opportunities we face with the future of healthcare.  The WebEx focused on the Affordable Care Act and how it affects the landscape of both healthcare and business.  Following the live WebEx, attendees received an update by Chris Nichols, CEO, on the future of Horn Memorial Hospital. 

Nichols reported that the hospital is doing well in many areas.  He shared that surgery cases are up 40% from 2013; notable contributors to this are Benjamin Bissel, orthopedic surgeon from CNOS, who has begun performing shoulder surgeries this year as well as the pain injection program led by Charlie Delaney, CRNA.  Horn Memorial’s average census is 10-11, which is very strong for a hospital and community our size.  Nichols stated, “Even with a building project in our future there are many great aspects of our building, the final piece is to update the original 1966 patient rooms and corridor for both the comfort of our patients as well as improved efficiency for our staff.  We have recently toured several hospitals to help us better visualize what our options are for an inpatient room remodel.  We do not intend to make any final decisions immediately nor do we plan to break ground in the next year, but we are excited about our options and look forward to the future of Horn Memorial Hospital.”  

Welcome to Medicare Seminar Coming Soon

Horn Memorial Hospital, in cooperation with Connections Area Agency on Aging and Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), will be offering a free “Welcome to Medicare” seminar on Tuesday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the hospital conference center.  This free educational seminar will cover topics such as Medicare Parts A & B benefits, prescription drug benefits (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans, as well as Medicare Supplement Insurance.  Pre-registration is suggested, but walk-ins are welcome.  Call Horn Memorial Hospital at 712.364.3311 to register.

Horn Hospice Offers Growth After Loss Program

Horn Memorial Hospice is now accepting registration for “Growth After Loss”, a grief support group and educational program designed to help individuals work through the grieving process.  Losing a loved one is never easy, but with the understanding and support of caring individuals, healing is possible. 

We can help you work through the grieving process with others who have experienced loss.  In small groups facilitated by professionals, participants can listen and share in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding.

The sessions will begin on Monday, March 31^st and run for six consecutive Mondays.  The group will meet in the Horn Memorial Hospital Conference Center from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Pre-registration is appreciated.  To pre-register or for more information regarding the program content, contact Cindy Mildenstein, RN or Zanet Thies, Bereavement Coordinator at 364.7311.  

Grant Funds from ICCBF Purchase New Bed

Horn Memorial Hospital now has a total of 17 new beds with SafeView Exit Systems after receiving a grant from the Ida County Community Betterment Foundation in May.  The purchase of these beds, along with hospital wide training on care of the fall risk patient has dramatically decreased falls at Horn Memorial Hospital

Women's Health Suite Offering Saturday Mammos