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2011 Was Filled With Big Changes for ACHS!

With the New Year we are looking back at 2011, Adair County Health System has had a lot of changes. Our biggest change was in October Angela Mortoza became our new CEO. She came with a new outlook and many new ideas to help our organization provide our patients with quality care. In December, Kevin Heinzeroth joined Adair County Health System as our new CFO. Kevin is still getting his feet under him! We have had many more changes and January is already looking like a month for additions to our provider staff and services we offer. If you haven’t been to our facility in a while please stop in anytime for a tour and to meet our new top management team!

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Great American Smokeout!

Today, November 17, is the Great American Smokeout.

Approximately 70% of adult smokers in the U.S. report they want to quit completely. Smokers may take part and quit for the day or make plans to quit permanently. Many also use the day as a chance to encourage their friends and loved ones to quit smoking.

Learn more about the Great American Smokeout  http://bit.ly/sUPnCO

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National Nurse Practitioner Week – November 13th – 19th

As the healthcare provider shortage crisis looms, nurse practitioners offer the high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered services needed to help solve the increasing demand for healthcare in the United States.

Nurse practitioners are licensed, expert clinicians with advanced training who provide primary, acute and specialty healthcare services. They work as a partner with their patients, helping them make educated healthcare decisions on healthy lifestyle choices.

Adair County is fortunate to have three nurse practitioners on staff at the Adair County Medical Clinics. Kathleen Nelson, ARNP is located at the Fontanelle Clinic, Marvel Blazek, ARNP is at the Greenfield Clinic and Mary Jo Ytzen, and ARNP is at the Stuart Clinic.

National Nurse Practitioner Week (November 13th – November 19th) is a time to celebrate these unique healthcare providers.

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A Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Will Take Place on Nov. 9th

A Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Will Take Place On November 9, 2011.   The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 1 p.m. central time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio, television, and cable. The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline providers across all states and territories. Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, State, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS Participants, and others in the EAS Community have been working toward making this test a reality. As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses. Anyone can visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

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What is a Nurse Practitioner

Many people are unaware of what a new practitioner is and what they can do so here is a little bit of information…

The Iowa Family Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) who has completed a Master’s degree in Nursing with an emphasis in nursing theory, research and clinical practice.  They have obtained national certification in family practice and are licensed by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Family Nurse Practitioners are primary health care providers who focus on health promotion and prevention.  Their holistic approach distinguishes them as quality, cost effective health care providers for individuals, families, communities and special populations of people in both rural and urban areas of the state.

Family Nurse Practitioners services include; comprehensive history and physical exams, well-child visits, immunizations, family planning, prenatal care, preventive screening, and diagnosing and treating acute and chronic health care concerns.  Family Nurse Practitioners manage patient care by ordering lab test, x-rays, prescribing medication, teaching, counseling and working collaboratively with other health care professionals.

Family Nurse Practitioners are concerned with keeping the patient healthy, spending quality time in assessing needs and concerns for both the client and their family, respecting diverse cultural beliefs and values, and providing information that allows for an educated decision in one’s health care management plan to promote health and wellness. 

Health care services provided by a Family Nurse Practioner are generally covered by all payers.

Family Nurse Practitioners in Iowa may work in a collaborative practice with another health care provider or may work independently with other Nurse Practitioners.

Adair County Health System has three Nurse Practitioners practicing in the Adair County Medical Clinics.  In Fontanelle, Kathleen Nelson, ARNP.  Greenfield hosts Marvel Blazek, ARNP.  New to the Stuart area is Mary Jo Ytzen, ARNP.  To schedule an appointment with either please call 641-743-6189.

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Iowa’s Start Somewhere Walk

October 7th at 12PM
Adair County Health System and Adair County Health and Fitness Center are both participating in the state wide Start Somewhere Walk.   We would love to have everyone join us in this healthy event.  You can join either one of us by getting details from the website http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/start-somewhere-walk.  On this website go to “find a walk” from there do a search for 50849 and you will see both organizations listed.  Click on either one for details.
If you are unable to join us at that location or time consider getting up and going for a short walk on your own.  Any type of exercise is healthy for all of us!

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Flu Vaccination Clinic

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Two human West Nile virus cases confirmed in southwestern Iowa

Two human cases of West Nile Virus were confirmed this week in western Iowa. The first case occurred in an adult male from Pottawattamie County, and the second in an older adult Harrison County woman. Several additional cases are also being investigated in southwestern Iowa. The months of standing water resulting from the Missouri River flooding has likely provided favorable conditions for mosquitoes. West Nile virus activity usually peaks in September and October. For more information about West Nile virus, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/WNV.aspx.

 

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Home food safety mythbusters (part 3)

September is National Food Safety Education Month and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) encourages all Iowans to learn the truth behind some common food safety ‘myths.’ This week’s myth is about cutting boards.

 Myth: Plastic or glass cutting boards don’t hold harmful bacteria on their surfaces like wooden cutting boards do.
Fact: Any type of cutting board can hold harmful bacteria on its surface. Regardless of the type of cutting board you use, it should be washed and sanitized after each use. Solid plastic, tempered glass, sealed granite, and hardwood cutting boards are dishwasher safe. However, wood laminates don’t hold up well in the dishwasher. Once cutting boards of any type become excessively worn or develop hard-to-clean grooves, they should be discarded.

 To learn more about how to reduce your risk of foodborne illness, and for additional information about food safety myths, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/food_safety.asp.

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Canning Safety

As farmers’ markets fill up with bounties from local fields, and backyard gardens produce more beans and tomatoes than can be eaten, experienced canners and those considering canning are getting out their jars and pressure canners. Canning is a great way to preserve food, but if done incorrectly can lead to serious consequences. In 2009, there were three botulism outbreaks in the United States (events with two or more cases). The three outbreaks were caused by home-canned green beans (associated with three cases in Washington), home-canned asparagus (three cases in Washington and Minnesota), and home-canned tuna (two cases in CA). Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is most commonly produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles, arms, legs, and trunk. A USDA Guide on Canning is available at www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/publications_usda.html.

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