The Heart Truth for Women

What you learn in one hour could

save your life.

FREE Health information session will be held on

Wednesday February 15 Noon - 1pm

Guest Speakers

Christy Vitzthum, ARNP and Courtney Palmer, CRT

located in the HCMH Conference room with a light lunch provided

For more information or to reserve your place, please call 332-4200 ext 127

Annual Wellness Screenings

HCMH and Humboldt County Public Health announce Wellness Screenings

The Annual Wellness Screening will be Tuesday, February 14th 6:30 am - 9 am. Screenings are open to the public.

Please call Humboldt County Public Health between 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

For more information please click on the link:

Annual Wellness Screenings

Helen Wickre Honored at

Annual Meeting

Helen Wickre along with forty-four "Aux/Vol Shining Stars" were honored at the Aux/Vol/CEO Luncheon last week at the IHA Annual Meeting. Each hospital has the opportunity to designate one outstanding, extra special auxilian or volunteer from their hospital to be honored as a "Shining Star."  

Iowa is blessed with 40,000 auxilians and volunteers, who have given more than 1.8 million hours of their time and have donated over $4.3 million to our hospitals. The importance and the impact the auxilians and volunteers make in Iowa hospitals each day, each hour, each minute is incredible.

Foty-five auxilians and volunteers were chosen for 2011 for shining above and beyond at Iowa hospitals. IHA appreciates what they do for Iowa hospitals and their communities.

Kim Schipull

October Employee of the Month

 Kim has been employed with HCMH since 2003.  She has worked for Humboldt County Public Health from that time and within the last couple years has worked at HCMH Infection Control nurse.  Kim has taken her new job duties and soared with them, following up on infection control areas, yet with a pleasant smile and heartfelt desire to do her job to the best of her ability.  Kim is a loyal employee to HCMH, wanting to be an active participant in making our hospital grow and be successful.  Kim is a team player and enjoys the work that she does 

BACK by POPULAR DEMAND

DUELING PIANO'S

ENCORE PERFORMANCE

Two guys, two pianos, and unlimited laughs

Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos defies all the expectations and experiences in a dueling piano show.  Dave & Ted take you on a variety class act adventure, where the audience paves the way to a wild and zany performance. Back by popular demand, the show dares to go where you take it with comedy, music, and a whole lot of improv. Whether twenty-five or eighty-five, you will be guaranteed to be on your feet and part of the action.

HCMH Foundation will be holding it's Annual Founder's Event on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Humboldt County Events Center.

We heard many postive comments on how much fun last year's Founder's Event was.

This year Foundation is supporting our Ambulance service. The Ambulance Department has requested funding to purchase two - Lifepack 12 Defibrillator/Monitors for a total cost of $28,000. The Lifepack 12 is a multi-parameter monitoring system that detects heart rhythm which can then be directly sent to Iowa Heart Center. The cardiologist will read the information and begin assisting with the care plan at the scene. We know with a cardiac event, time is of the essence and the sooner we begin treatment, the more lives we can save.

The HCMH Emergency Management Team (EMT) has a dedicated staff of 30 volunteers on call 24/7responding to over 650 calls per year with an average response time of 8 minutes. HCMH EMT’s also utilize an Urgent Response Program. In the event of a cardiac attack, trauma or unresponsive individual, our EMT’s arrive at the scene in less than 4 minutes from the initial 911 call.

 We never know when a loved one will need emergency care. The Foundation is requesting a minimum of $150 to join the Founder’s Club. With your Founder’s Club membership, you will receive an invitation for 2 to the 9^th Annual Founder’s Event. This is our way of thanking you for your support, along with an opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of others who recognize the need to support our Hospital and its ambulance service.

 For more information please contact Gary Moritz, 332-4200 ext.126

or email @ garym@humboldthospital.org

Medicare D Evalution & Enrollment

Humboldt County Memorial Hospital will be hosting a Medicare D evaluation and enrollment event on November  1^st and 2^nd.    

If you would like to enroll or investigate options, a SHIIP rep will be here for assistance.   Look for more details as they become available.

ARTERIAL LIFE SAVING OFFERED AT HCMH 

American Heart Association research shows that one in three Americans have one or more type of cardiovascular disease. Humboldt County Memorial Hospital (HCMH) now offers Arterial Life Saving Screens to help people identify their risk for cardiovascular disease early, before an event such as a heart attack or stroke occur.

 The screening package includes four screens, costs $99 and takes less than an hour to complete. The first screen is an ultrasound exam that shows plaque build-up in the carotid arteries, which are the main blood suppliers to the brain, and assesses the risk for stroke. The second screen is also an ultrasound exam that shows if the aorta (the largest artery in the body) is weakened and enlarged, leading to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. A ruptured aorta can cause blood loss, shock, and death. The third screen takes blood pressures on the upper arms and ankles to check for blockages in the legs and detect Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), also known as hardening of the arteries. People with PAD have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. The fourth screen is a total cholesterol test. Optimal levels of cholesterol are necessary for proper body cell function. However, cholesterol can build up, eventually narrowing or blocking the arteries and causing atherosclerosis, which is a condition responsible for 97% of heart attacks.

 All screens are done by ultrasound or a blood draw and have absolutely no radiation exposure. Additionally, a board certified radiologist reviews all the results to determine if they are within normal or abnormal ranges. These results are then sent to the patient within 10 days. This is a great screening package that gives you and your physician a lot of information for only $99. It’s a proactive way to know the specific steps you should take to improve or take charge of your overall cardiovascular health.”  

 Anyone that has two or more of these conditions may benefit from the Arterial Life Saving Screening package:

 • Over 40-years old                                                • Cigarette smoking

• More than 20 pounds overweight                            • Diabetes

• Family history of stroke                                        • High blood pressure

• Family history of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm         • Inactive lifestyle

• High cholesterol                                                   • Heart disease

Those interested in more information or in making an appointment are encouraged to call the Radiology Department at HCMH 515-332-4200

Medicare Part D Drug Changes to start in October

Humboldt County Memorial Hospital will host Meeting

Meeting to be held in November - Look for updates here

For more information contact: SHIIP -- Iowa Insurance Division 515-281-5705  

     Several important changes for people on Medicare will start taking place this October.  Each of the changes relate to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

     Most important are the new dates for the Part D “Open Enrollment Period.”  The new dates are October 15-December 7.  This is the time when individuals can change Part D plans for 2012, enroll in a Part D plan or drop coverage.  Choices made during the open enrollment will go into effect January 1, 2012. 

     “This is a change from past years when the open enrollment was November 15-December 31,” says Kris Gross from the state of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP).  Gross adds, “We’re asking everyone to remind family, friends and neighbors that the dates for changing have moved up a month.  We don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to make their choice of plans for 2012.”  Plans can change their coverage and costs from year to year so comparing plans during the open enrollment is critical.    

    The “Annual Notice of Change”, sent out by plans to explain formulary (drugs covered), benefits and cost changes for 2012 is due in mailboxes September 30.  “Notice of Creditable Coverage” are also due September 30.  This is a notice from employer/union and other group health plans which tell Medicare eligible enrollees if their drug coverage will be “as good as or better than Medicare’s coverage” in 2012.

     The 2012 Medicare drug plans will be available on the Medicare website, www.medicare.gov, on October 1.  Plans not renewing their contract with Medicare for 2012 must  notify their members by October 2.

     Two other important changes are coming to Part D next year.  The “donut hole” or “coverage gap” will continue to close.  Once again you will pay 50% for brand name drugs covered by the plan, but your cost for generic drugs will be reduced from 93% to 86%.  Each year these costs will drop until the donut hole is closed.

     Currently, anyone in a nursing home on Medicaid and Medicare does not pay anything for drugs covered by their Part D plan.  In 2012, the same will be true for individuals who qualify for the Medicaid Elderly Waiver Program.  

     If you have questions about Medicare Part D contact SHIIP, a free, confidential service of the state of Iowa. You can call 1-800-351-4664 (TTY1-800-735-2942), go to www.therightcalliowa.gov or e-mail shiip@iid.iowa.gov.

Susan Nielsen has been an employee of HCMH since 2000.

Susan began working in the Business Office and has grown to working to working in Surgery and the Outpatient Clinic as well. She is good with details and manages to keep her many jobs organized.

She also tends to the butterfly garden outside of the Long Term Care windows.

In her spare time, Susan is very involved in 4-H and has shared some of those fun activities with Springvale residents.

Going the Distance 5K Run/Walk

Thank you for your support of our 1st Annual Going the Distance to Make a Difference Run/Walk. A big thanks to all the volunteers and HCMH Radiology Department for undertaking this project for such a great cause.

Plans are already under way for next years event.

Again, Thank you 

Please click on link below for results.

HCMH Going the Distance 5K Results 

June Employee of the Month

Erin Baker

Erin works both in Long Term Care and In-Patient. She is an outstanding in patient care and smiles frequently. She will help whenever she can and is always offering good ideas. She is an asset to both Long term Care and In-Patient

Nurse's Station Complete

HCMH Maintenance Department has complete the expansion and renovation of the nurse's station. A very welcoming design features a reception desk for the ward clerk. Behind the front counter are two work stations for the nurse's on duty along with work stations for the Physicians.

Patient Care coordinator Kelly Smith-Larson also has her own work area. The expansion also has a conference room attached. Julie Carlson, Director of Nursing would like to thank the Maintenance Department for all the hard work and time in completing a beautiful new area.  

Brad Albertz has been employed at HCMH since 1987 and staffs the laboratory from 7PM to 3:30 AM. In addition to performing patient lab tests, Brad does an excellent job maintaining the lab instruments and any additional projects given him. Brad is dependable, self-motivated and is always willing to help out the ER staff as needed.

Humboldt County Memorial Hospital on the Journey to High Performance.

Michelle Gloss, Improvement Manager from Press Ganey Associates Congratulates Humboldt County Memorial Hospital on our efforts, which have resulted in statistically significant improvement for HCMH. "Your hard work and dedication to quality improvement are evident in the increase of your Emergency Department scores for Overall Satisfaction. The mean score has increased by 5.3, which is statistically significant. Press Ganey recognizes that change was not random, but due to some change within your facility. Your patients have recognized this change!"

HCMH CEO Rob Colerick "We are very proud of the hard work the staff is doing to meeting to expectations of our patients".

HCMH Radiology Department completes installation of a new 16 slice CT scanner. 

The BrightSpeed Series by General Electric benefits both practitioners and patients. BrightSpeed maintains the optimal speed, power and resolution needed to aid in non-invasive diagnoses from colon cancer to cardiovascular disease.

Radiology Director Stacy Clarken commented on the new CT scanner. "The new BrightSpeed Elite Enhanced CT Scanner offers a balanced design enabling it to deliver four very important things all at once that being enhanced clinical performance, excellent image quality, broadened coverage, and maximum exam speed".