COVID-19 and Your Mental Health

The COVID-19 outbreak has upset our daily routines.  Social distancing, quarantine and isolation are stressful situations and everyone will react differently.  These reactions are normal.  You may feel:

• Anxiety, worry or fear related to your own health status and those you care about;
• Frustration at the challenge of securing things you need, such as groceries and personal care items;
• Concern about effectively caring for children, parent and others in your care;
• Uncertainty or frustration about how long you will need to remain in this situation;
• Loneliness and feeling cut off from your normal routine;
• Anger if you think you were exposed to the disease;
• Boredom and frustration if you are unable to engage in regular day-to-day activities;
• Unease about your financial situation and the future of the economy;
• Ambivalence or uncertainty about the situation; or
• Disappointment for cancelled events with family and friends, closed restaurants and gathering places.

Arm yourself with facts, not fear.  Being knowledgeable about the topic may relieve anxiety and make it easier to cope.  Use trusted resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ or Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) https://idph.iowa.gov/.

Information is constant in today’s society.  It is important to know the facts, not rumors, but when information creates a barrier to your daily functioning in can actually increase fear and anxiety.  Unplug.  Watch a favorite movie, read a book, go for a walk, bike ride or work on a project.  Connect with others through a telephone call, email, text or social media.  Stick to a routine.  Even if you are not going to work, get dressed and make meals at regular times.

When should you seek help?  If your anxiety is affecting your ability to function in some part of your life, it is time to reach out.  Talk to your healthcare provider and discuss your concerns.  Many providers are covering telehealth services at this time.  You can also use the website www.YourLifeIowa.org for information on gambling, addiction, substance use, suicide prevention, and mental health.  You can also connect by live chat, text (855-895-8398) or phone (855-581-8111).        

COVID-19 Update

Horn Welcomes Mask Donations Including Respirators

Thank you to those that have graciously donated masks and respirators. Here is another type of respirator mask that can be donated to Horn Memorial.  They are ideal for painting, grinding, and sanding. If you have one of these respirators laying around and would like to donate it, please drop it off at Horn Memorial Hospital or mail to 701 East 2^nd St, Ida Grove, IA 51445. Thank you!

Horn Now Accepting Sewn Masks

Thank you to those that have reached out to make masks for our hospital and clinics. Everyone’s contribution is so important and appreciated! We are able to accept sewn masks at this time. If you or anyone you know is willing to help, please refer to the Q&A and instructions posted. It is important to create products that are usable and as effective as can be! Please keep in mind Covid-19 is a constantly changing situation and we may need to make changes or modifications to our process as we go. Updates will be made as changes occur.

Website Instructions:
https://buttoncounter.com/2018/01/14/facemask-a-picture-tutorial/

Another mask needed is the following:

https://www.statethelabel.com/pages/masks?fbclid=IwAR0vbx96pTcvfAfz-trzByHezNellMoNr7vIJsy25I4Pr8SNFD0A3vrM0hc

Hospital Face Mask Q&A

Q: Who can participate in making masks?
A: Anyone with a sewing machine, as long as you are healthy and not sheltering with anyone
showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Q: How should I prep my workspace before I create?
A: ​Begin by washing your hands and clearing/cleaning a space in your home free of food, smoke,
pets, and kids. Your work environment need not be sterile, but it should be as clean as possible.
Wash your hands frequently and do not touch your face.

Q: How should I prep my fabric before use?
A: Please prewash your fabrics and then iron them before creating the masks. This will reduce
shrinking of the masks when they are washed after their first use. Please ALSO rewash masks
once they’re made, right before packaging them to be delivered.

Q: What materials are needed?
A: ​Fabric should be new, unused, breathable and tightly woven, such as 100% cotton, quilting
cottons or cotton flannels. For ear loops/ties: elastic, fold over elastic, or hair ties

We want these masks to be washable in the event they need to be reused.
Please ​DO NOT USE​ vintage, stretchy, knit, used towels/sheets, clothing, metal, plastics, filters,
vacuum bags, interfacing or unknown material fabrics. Please do not use rubber bands for ear loops.

Q: What pattern should I use?
A: We will accept any pattern as long as it meets the current material guidelines. We ideally
want masks that can be used to cover providers’ N95 masks (in case they need to use one N95
mask for long periods of time) and also masks that could be used independently in other areas
of the hospital/clinics/for first responders where PPE is not available. Masks should be at least 2 layers thick, but breathable.

Q: How should I package my donations once I am done?
A: Upon completion and after washing your masks, with clean hands, place masks in a clean
bag (i.e. a new trash bag). It may be easiest to then put the bag in a box that we will be able to
tape shut for easy transportation. With the donation, include a sheet (outside the box, taped to
it) with the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Number of Masks & pattern used

Please deliver the masks to Horn Memorial Hospital: Emily Lange, Director of Quality 

Consider Donating Personal Protective Equipment to Assist in COVID-19 Response

In preparation for COVID-19, the Ida County Healthcare Coalition is encouraging Iowa businesses and organizations to donate extra personal protective equipment (PPE) to assist health care providers and health care facilities responding to COVID-19.  Any type of health care PPE will be welcomed, especially gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks.  To donate PPE, please contact the Emergency Manager, Ed Sohm at 712.364.2533 or esohm@idacountyia.us.

COVID-19 Updates Regarding HMH and HPC

Horn Memorial Hospital and Horn Physicians Clinics continue to monitor the changes to the COVID-19 to keep patients, visitors and staff safe. There are a few updates that we will be making effective March 19th. These updates are in line with the guidance from Iowa Department of Public Health and our partnering hospitals and clinics who are following suit.

Here are the updates:

Horn Memorial Hospital-
In order to protect staff, patients and visitors, all persons who enter HMH will be screened and have their temperature taken and logged.

The front entrance and the Emergency Room door will be the only access to Horn Memorial Hospital. Please use the Emergency entrance for EMERGENCIES ONLY.

The front entrance will be open 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Staff will be present at this entrance to screen and log all those that enter.

Horn Physicians Clinics-
Please call us prior to presenting to the office. You will be screened over the phone, and we will instruct you on what to do.

In order to protect our staff and patients, all persons that enter HPC will be screened. If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms we are requiring you to put on a mask.

All exam rooms are being disinfected between every patient.

Our providers and nurses are reviewing their schedules and contacting patients if they feel the visit could possibly be rescheduled for a later date.

Dial 2-1-1 for Coronavirus Information

Since the start of this outbreak, Horn Memorial Hospital and Ida County Public Health have worked closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to monitor potential cases of COVID-19.  We have and will continue to work with our local, state and national partners to be ready for this virus.  

Please direct your questions regarding the new novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 to 2-1-1. This is a hotline that is staffed 24/7 Monday-Sunday.