Imaging The new, advanced MRI has a wide opening that provides more space and a more comfortable scan. Patients can customize their experience by choosing lights, music and photos to help them relax. The improved technology provides options for breast, prostate and vascular scans that were not previously available at Grundy County Memorial Hospital (GCMH). Laboratory The new Laboratory, set to open by July, has doubled in size. It features three private draw rooms and a larger space to accommodate additional analyzers for testing needs. As always, patients can walk in to receive lab work without an appointment. Surgery The new Surgery Department boasts larger pre- and post-op rooms, an additional operating room, and dedicated rooms for procedures and endoscopies, allowing for easier and more timely scheduling. A spacious waiting area for families features a digital status board, so loved ones can be aware of each step of the surgery journey. A dedicated entrance and patient exit allow for privacy and convenience. The unit also features patient safety enhancements that are among the first of their kind in use in Iowa—including a ventilation system that is clinically proven to reduce the potential for surgery site infection. SPRING 2024 2 Expanded lab offers walk-in screening tests! 5 Get the care your heart needs, close to home Inside The care you trust—now in a bigger and better space When you need surgery, imaging or lab services, choose a local team you can trust—in our new and improved facility! On your next visit, you’ll find an impressive “big city” building with the same small-town compassion and care you’ve come to appreciate. From modern design to maximized infection control and patient comfort and safety features, the hospital’s new Surgery and Imaging Center and expanded Laboratory deliver next-level care to the residents of the rural communities we serve. “Each visit surpasses the last one! Everyone there provides an experience you will want to tell everyone about. Truly the best care for anyone needing surgery!” —NRC Patient Experience survey, March 2024 Take a look inside our new addition!
When you see your doctor for an annual wellness or preventive health exam, you may also need screenings based on your age, gender, and personal and family medical history. Often, that means a lab visit for blood tests. From routine health screenings to diagnostic tests and patient monitoring, the Grundy County Memorial Hospital (GCMH) Laboratory provides access to the medical lab tests you need. Staying current on screenings can help catch health issues in their early, most treatable stages, before you even notice symptoms. Request that your provider send orders for lab testing to GCMH, where you’ll enjoy convenience, easy access and improved privacy in our brand-new Lab! Wellness screenings available The hospital makes it convenient for you to stay on top of your key numbers for good health by offering 10 basic blood tests without a doctor’s order. You can visit the lab for routine blood work, pay the wellness screening price for the tests you need and have your results mailed to you. No insurance claim will be filed. Prices range from $15 to $35 per test. Blood tests available without a provider’s order: ● Comprehensive profile, including HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (8–10 hours of fasting is needed for accurate test results). healthNEWS 2 Don’t let medical conditions sneak up on you WALK IN TODAY! No appointment is necessary for most lab services, including those for which no provider’s order is needed. Use Entrance #1 on the hospital’s south side. Lab hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Your trusted health partner Many products and services you trust for your family come with a guarantee—or perhaps an expert endorsement. At Grundy County Memorial Hospital (GCMH), we rely on our advanced accrediting agency, DNV, to validate our hospital performance with annual reviews to ensure that we’re meeting high standards. The results of our patients’ after-visit surveys are evaluated weekly to identify opportunities for improvement and to celebrate what’s going well. We’re currently celebrating another endorsement of the hospital’s performance. For the fourth consecutive year, GCMH has been named a 2024 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital among more than 1,300 critical access hospitals nationwide by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Chartis Center annually honors outstanding performance among U.S. rural hospitals based on quality and safe care, solid finances, patient experience, market share, and more. It’s rewarding for our health care team to be recognized for their efforts to deliver trusted care. This issue of Live Well focuses on the hospital departments that have recently expanded to serve the growing number of patients who trust GCMH with their health care needs. Our building expansion project is slated to be complete in midsummer. We’ve scheduled a public open house for Sunday, Sept. 15, to celebrate our new chapter in health care. Watch for more information to come! Adam Scherling, MHA GCMH Administrator ● Hemoglobin A1C. ● Hemogram. ● TSH. ● Free T4. ● PSA. ● Vitamin D. ● Blood typing. ● Vitamin B12. ● Folate. ● Urine micro- albumin.
Mental health is an essential part of overall health. And it doesn’t become less important with age. In fact, good mental health can help older adults live independently and improve their quality of life. The Senior Life Solutions team, which includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed mental health counselor, office and patient coordinator, and myself, who serves as program director, is prepared to help those who are experiencing poor mental health with a program that provides group and individual therapy and ongoing support. The program is conveniently located at Grundy County Memorial Hospital. Signs of mental health issues When a person’s mental health is suffering, they may express it in many ways. Some of the most common symptoms in older adults include: ● Noticeable mood changes, such as anger, anxiety, irritability or sadness. ● Sleeping too much or too little. ● Less interest in doing things they once found enjoyable. ● Using alcohol or drugs to cope. ● Loss of appetite or an unwanted weight change. ● Thoughts or behaviors that are disturbing to others. Tips for boosting mental well-being Research indicates a link between mental illness and cognitive decline in adults. Helping your aging loved one make healthy changes can improve their outlook on life. Consider these triedand-true tips. A regular exercise routine, especially outdoors. Physical activity and spending time in nature are proven ways to lift spirits. Meaningful social connection. Spending quality time with family and friends is an obvious choice. Volunteering is another way to meet new people who have common interests and build a sense of purpose. A healthy diet. Good nutrition, such as eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins, supports mental health. Good-quality sleep. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule helps seniors get enough ZZZs. Talk therapy. Therapy—especially with a mental health professional who specializes in counseling older adults—can help you or your loved one with anxiety, depression, grief and self-acceptance. Sources: AARP; National Council on Aging; National Institute of Mental Health Upcoming classes and events Register for classes at gcmh.link/events. Payment is requested at registration. Heartsaver First Aid CPR class June 4 or Aug. 6, 5 p.m. $35 Learn how you could help save a life in an emergency. This class combines online learning with in-person training at the hospital. Safe Sitter June 27, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $35 Safe Sitter™ instills young teens with the skills to be safe at home alone or to care for other children. Students need to have completed the 5th grade to take the course. 3 By Dannielle Wolff, BSN, RN, GCMH Senior Life Solutions Program Director Support older loved ones with their mental health GET HELP Call 319-824-4126 to connect with the Senior Life Solutions program at GCMH. We would welcome the opportunity to speak to you about individual mental health needs for you or for a loved one.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month—a good time to talk not only about prevention, but also about treatment options for the most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Treatment choices have expanded in recent years to include a non-invasive method of treating nonmelanoma skin cancers, or basal cell and squamous cell varieties. The Cedar Valley ASCENT (Allergy, Skin Cancer, and Ear Nose and Throat) Clinic of Kenny Rodriguez, MD, sees patients each Monday in the hospital’s Specialty Clinic for skin checks and biopsies for those with concerns about skin cancer. If skin cancer is confirmed through biopsy, treatment options are discussed, including the new image-guided superficial radiation therapy (IG-SRT). This non-surgical treatment uses low-dose x-rays, administered to the skin cancer over multiple sessions, to kill cancer cells, allowing healthy tissue to grow back in its place. How does it work? Once a suspicious spot has been biopsied and found positive for non-melanoma skin cancer, an initial consultation, including an ultrasound image of the cancer, will be scheduled. After that, treatments begin, usually within one week from diagnosis. Ultrasound imaging is used to monitor the cancer at each appointment so treatment may be targeted and progress measured. A typical patient will receive IG-SRT three times weekly for seven weeks. Up to three spots may be treated at one session. 4 New treatment option for skin cancer Image-guided superficial radiation therapy now available at GCMH Specialty Clinic Visiting specialists: Allergy, Skin Cancer, & Ear Nose and Throat Kenny Rodriguez, MD Karen Sadler, ARNP 319-888-8044 Audiology Seema Arab Wilson, AuD 800-728-4327 Cardiology Kari Haislet, DNP, ARNP Micaela Rahm, ARNP 319-236-1911 Dermatology Angela Buttjer, PA-C 800-245-6246 Diabetes & Endocrinology Chitra Reddy, MD Deb Van Dyke, DNP, ARNP 319-222-2750 Gastroenterology/ Hepatology Srinivas Kalala, MD Tracy Elliott, ARNP 319-234-5990 General Surgery/Colonoscopy Paul Burgett, MD, FACS 319-824-5081 Stephen VanBuren, MD, FACS Alison Wilson, MD, FACS 641-752-6391 Maternal Health & Family Planning Allen Women’s Health— Kathi Bower, ARNP, FNP-C 319-235-5090 Mental Wellness Megan Heise, ARNP, PMHNP Carly Pollock, LMHC 319-299-2864 Nephrology T. Michel Daoud, MD Vinay K. Kantamneni, MD 888-397-4575 Oncology Zoe Schult, ARNP 319-233-2701 Ophthalmology/ Cataract Surgery Benjamin Mason, MD 319-277-0103 Orthopedics Robert Bartelt, MD 319-833-5381 Podiatry Stephen Solomon, DPM 319-824-5081 Kenny Rodriguez, MD Cedar Valley ASCENT Clinic Karen Sadler, ARNP Cedar Valley ASCENT Clinic HAVE A SUSPICIOUS MOLE OR OTHER SPOT? Call 319-888-8044 for an appointment with the ASCENT Clinic. Or your primary care provider may refer you to the clinic for IG-SRT after a positive skin cancer biopsy.
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of poor health and premature death worldwide, emphasizing the importance of accessible heart care. At Grundy County Memorial Hospital (GCMH), we prioritize heart health and offer a range of cardiology treatments and services to ensure the wellbeing of our patients. Expanded diagnostic capabilities From electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiograms to stress tests, our diagnostic offerings allow for timely results and treatment plans for various cardiac conditions. GCMH recently introduced nuclear and treadmill stress tests to the diagnostic tests offered, along with vascular studies. Each of these tests may be ordered through your cardiologist and/or primary care provider and scheduled at GCMH. Cardiac rehabilitation Following a cardiac event such as a heart attack, stent placement or heart surgery, rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovery and long-term well-being. Our cardiac rehabilitation program offers supervised exercise sessions and support to help patients regain strength, improve cardiovascular fitness and foster a healthy lifestyle post-treatment. Cardiology Clinic Visiting providers from UnityPoint Health– Allen Hospital Cardiovascular Center hold a weekly clinic at GCMH to allow patients to receive cardiology care close to home. From medical management of hypertension to consultation and treatment of cardiac disorders, Kari Haislet, DNP, ARNP, and Micaela Rahm, ARNP, guide each patient on their heart care journey. Featured SERVICE GCMH has your heart care covered 5 Anti-Coagulation Lisa Veit, PharmD Pain Management Rich Jacobson, CRNA Hospital services CONVENIENT ACCESS TO CARE For a complete list of GCMH services, visit gcmh.link/services or scan the QR code. Call 319-824-5081 or 888-824-5081 for scheduling information. Wound Healing Mandy Vervaecke, ARNP Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Sleep Center Infusion Therapy Physical Therapy Diabetes Education TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART If you need a diagnostic test or an appointment with a cardiology specialist, ask your doctor to refer you for timely and convenient care at GCMH. Our team of registered nurses in the GCMH Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Department works with each patient to help them regain strength and stamina and return to living well.
By Crystal Petersen, RDN, LD GCMH Wellness Program Manager Summer is often a time of loose schedules, vacations and days packed full of activities—but it’s still important to make mealtimes a priority. Regular meals and snacks provide more opportunities to give your body the energy and nutrients it needs, allowing you to work, play and enjoy the day! Plan and structure your meals Planning to eat every three to four hours may help prevent between-meal hunger that can lead to unwise snacking or overeating. At meals, eat enough, but not too much, to reduce the chances of overeating. On a scale of 0 to 10 (where 0 is starving and 10 is painfully full), you should aim to eat at about a level 6, where you are comfortably full but not stuffed. With regular mealtimes, your body and mind can trust that the next meal is not too far off and can help avoid hunger-induced food cravings. Ditch the mindless and chaotic eating habits and begin putting mealtime structure in place. Start by choosing the foods you eat now and schedule them into meal and snack times that work for you. Conquer this, and then plan a little further out by planning meals for the next day or two. Remember: A healthy, reliable rhythm of eating is the intention. School lunches, home-cooked meals, dining out, and a bowl of cereal and milk are all meals. Elaborate meal plans and gourmet, freshcooked meals are optional. Be smart about snacks Adding well-spaced snacks, about halfway between mealtimes, keeps your energy high while allowing you to arrive at the next mealtime feeling hungry but not famished. Standard U.S. Postage PAID Grundy County Memorial Hospital 201 E. J Ave. Grundy Center, IA 50638 2024 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in LIVE WELL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. LIVE WELL is published as a community service for the residents of the service area of Grundy County Memorial Hospital, 201 East J Ave., Grundy Center, IA 50638, grundycountyhospital.org, 319-824-5421 Adam Scherling Administrator Kelly Jans Marketing Communications Lead Crystal Petersen Wellness Program Manager A new treatment for skin cancer is here! Learn what this might mean for you— see page 4. TIPS FOR CREATING GOOD MEALTIME HABITS 1 Eliminate distractions and focus on eating. Anything that takes our focus off the food makes us more likely to eat more than we need without knowing it. The TV, phone, computer, email, work and driving are all common eating distractions. 2 Choose food you enjoy and actually taste it. Make time for food preparation and eating so you can notice and savor your food. Seeing, tasting and smelling the foods you enjoy will help you feel satisfied and content, likely decreasing the need for more food later. 3 Slow down! It takes 20 to 30 minutes from the time you start eating for a signal to get to your brain that your body has had enough food. Making this a habit allows your body to tell you that you have eaten the right amount. Improve your mealtime habits this summer
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