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Volume 8 | Issue 2 | September 2014
Find the Food!
Inside this newsletter you will find the fruits and vegetables shown here hidden in various places. Find all eight fruits and vegetables for your
chance to win a prize! Send your name, address and phone number as well as this newsletter with the hidden items boldly circled to:
MCH&HS Marketing
PO Box 250
Blair, NE 68008
All entries are due by October 31, 2014. Correct entries will be entered in a drawing.
CONGRATULATIONS to Valerie Stamper for winning our last newsletter Find the Food contest!
Memorial Community Hospital
810 N. 22nd Street
Blair, NE 68008
402.426.2182
Blair Clinic
812 N. 22nd Street
Blair, NE 68008
402.426.4611
Cottonwood Clinic
120 S. 9th Street
Tekamah, NE 68061
402.374.1585
Fort Calhoun Clinic
4929 CR P43
Fort Calhoun, NE 68023
402.468.4655
MCH&HS Home Health
Blair - 402.426.1274
Oakland - 402.685.6358
Tekamah - 402.374.1777
volume 8 | issue 2 | page 2
Message From President & CEO of MCH&HS, Bob Copple
We continue to read and see in the media a great deal of information about health care costs. Locally, this has been highlighted by the recent
discussions between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and UniNet. And while the individual discussions between insurance companies (payors) and
physicians and hospitals (providers) are certainly important, it tends to downplay the impact we as individuals have in driving the cost of health care in
the United States. So what can each of us do?
1. Pick the Right Level of Care. If we access the health care system at the right place we ultimately reduce utilization and we also reduce the cost of
each visit. Both strategies reduce the overall cost to the health care system. So what does this look like?
• Primary Care – this is where the majority of all health care, education, and lifestyle changes happen. Our primary care providers are best suited to help with chronic disease or chronic conditions like back pain, health maintenance, acute needs like flu or colds, annual physicals or other
non-emergent medical complaints. Our MCH&HS primary care sites utilize both physicians and physician assistants (PA’s), both of which are very qualified to address these needs. Primary care providers can best build the patient relationship, know the most about you, and ensure the best continuity of care.
• Walk-In Clinic or Urgent Care – these sites are very appropriate for minor bumps, injuries, rashes, and acute needs like flu or colds. Our Walk-In Clinic can be a great option to help a new patient get established with our MCH&HS clinics, after-hours and on weekends, or when you cannot
get an appointment with your established provider.
• Emergency Department – an emergency room is intended for just that – emergencies. This could be anything from chest pain, acute injury,
a loss of consciousness, inability to move a limb, stroke symptoms, seizures, or a sudden onset of shortness of breath. Across the U.S. at least
20-30% of all ED visits (which cost multiple times the amount of a primary care office visit) are non-emergent resulting in longer wait times for
emergent patients and much higher costs.
• Inpatient (or hospital) Care – this service is for patients who are admitted to the hospital due to their condition and ability to meet multiple criteria documenting a need for hospital services. The admission criteria for both hospital and skilled nursing patients are getting stricter and more specific each year as CMMS (Medicare & Medicaid) and insurance companies work to reduce unnecessary utilization.
• Post Acute (or after hospital) Care – these services are typically outpatient related and can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation; all of which are available at MCH&HS.
• Home Health/Hospice Care – in home services are often overlooked and underutilized as a way to assist patients in retaining independence and
help families ensure a higher quality of life for those patients. Home based care is often less expensive than a long-term care or a skilled nursing facility and allows the patient to stay in their own surroundings with family members, pets and personal belongings.
2. Take Accountability for Ourselves. A huge gap in the recent health care reform legislation is the lack of accountability for individuals around
lifestyle choices, and other choices that result in higher utilization and health care expenses. Employers and providers alone cannot bring about significant shifts in what people eat, drink, smoke, the amount of exercise, or other lifestyle choices. These are all choices we make each day.
Individuals are also the ones who choose whether to access the health care system at the right point – or do what might be more convenient but
more expensive.
volume 8 | issue 2 | page 3
3. Let Our Wishes Be Known. For most Americans we spend 80% of our entire lifetime of health care costs in the last 30 days of our lives. “End of Life”
health care accounts for between 20-30% of all health care expenses. Two challenges present themselves – first is knowing when a person is
reaching their last 30 days, second is having a clear understanding of what the person wishes to have happen. We can only really impact the
second item and I can relate to this on a very personal level.
Several years ago, knowing that my parents were aging and that my mom had a chronic disease, we entered into what became a six month dialogue about what they wished their end of life experience to be like. I was living in another state, traveling back to see my parents each month, and wanting them to be in a position where they were making the decisions and having control over their future health care. As part of
the conversation several things became very clear (and I think this is true for many people):
• Independence was extremely important.
• Living/staying at home was a priority.
• Not being a burden to anyone was important.
• Having a good quality of life (access to the grandkids, flexibility on meals, making choices, etc).
• No heroic health measures were to be implemented – so they signed a DNR (do not resuscitate), DNI (do not intubate), and my brother who lived close by became their health care power of attorney.
Another very important piece of our conversation (we used a tool called “Five Wishes” to facilitate all of this) were discussions about their other “wishes.” This included everything from what they wanted the grandkids to know about them, to specifics about their funeral services. Again, the focus was on what they wanted to happen (not what we kids thought) and letting my parents make their own choices and decisions. This
was not an easy conversation, and for me and my parents it stretched out over six months. A few years later when my mom became seriously ill, it was a great benefit that we had these discussions at a prior time, when there was no crisis and everyone was included. It removed some of the emotional burden, so we could all say we followed mom’s wishes and she passed on her own terms.
In the U.S. this is such a tough topic and most people avoid the discussion. It is a great step of personal accountability to initiate the conversation
with your family – and let your wishes be known. It is also helpful to let your primary care provider know your wishes so we can document these requests, and if a crisis arises, we can better serve you.
In closing, we certainly can control our own destiny and shape the health care expenses in our
homes and community. Our MCH&HS team remains committed to serving you and helping
you live a healthier life! Enjoy the fall and let’s all make a point to get outside and enjoy the
weather!
Robert C. Copple,
President & CEO
volume 8 | issue 2 | page 4
Healthy Families Program
Healthy Families is a new, local program using professionally trained staff
and community intervention techniques to improve the health behaviors
of children who are overweight or obese and their families. The program is
coming to Washington County after several successful years in the Omaha
Metro. Memorial Community Hospital & Health System is partnering
with the Blair YMCA, Three Rivers Public Health Department, and the UNL
Extension Office to offer this program, free of charge to those that qualify.
The program was started by nurses, physicians, nutritionists and physical
therapists from multiple health care organizations in the Omaha area. The
interactive program is offered in a community setting, requiring attendance
from both parents and children. It focuses on creating lifestyle changes
and setting goals, to include physical activities where parents and children
participate together. During the eight week program, families will improve
knowledge on affordable ways to eat healthier, budget smarter, plan meals,
prepare healthy foods and make healthy choices regarding nutrition and
physical activity. During the eight week course, which starts September
30th, the participants will get a free YMCA membership. Upon graduation,
the family will receive a $50 grocery store gift card.
The Healthy Families course has found significant improvements in body
mass index (BMI), fitness, self-efficacy, and the quality of life.
How do we Qualify?
If your child is between the ages of 6 and 18, and your doctor has
expressed a concern about their weight, your entire household is
invited to join Healthy Families. We can coordinate the required
doctor’s referral for you.
Class Overview:
Family Play - 30 minutes - families get moving together in some fun games.
Good Eats - 1 hour - families sit down together for a nutrition or physical
activity lesson and to share a healthy snack.
For more information, or to sign up, contact:
Laura Willey
402-426-1494
402-533-8897
Fax- 402-426-1439
Healthy Families will meet once a week beginning September 30th at
the:
Blair Family YMCA
1278 Wilbur St
Blair, NE 68008.
You will be notified of exact
times and dates by the Healthy Families Coordinator.
volume 8 | issue 2 | page 5
Diabetes Program
Memorial Community Hospital & Health System has an
American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognized diabetes
program. The program is managed by two Certified
Diabetes Educators, Lana Pleak, RN, CDE and Jeane
Christenson, MS,RD,CDE. The program includes individual
and group education that follows ADA standards. The
goal of the program is to provide education to help with
diabetes self–management and control of the disease.
Education includes information on glucose monitoring,
medication, nutrition, activity, reducing complications,
healthy coping, and problem solving.
For more information, please contact Jeane
Christenson at 402-426-1232.
Freedom From Smoking
Are you ready to be a quitter?
Quitting smoking isn’t easy – but it’s easier with the right help. The American
Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® program gives you options,
resources and support to quit for good!
Freedom From Smoking® is the premier smoking cessation program from the
American Lung Association. It helps you develop a plan of action that leads to
your quit day. You’ll also get the support you need to remain smoke free for
life!
What you will learn:
• How to know if you’re really ready to quit.
• Medications that can increase your success.
• Lifestyle changes to make quitting easier.
• How to prepare for your quit day.
• Coping strategies for managing stress and avoiding weight gain.
• Developing a new self-image.
• How to stay smoke free for good.
POP QUIZ: Is Freedom From Smoking for you?
1. Do you want to quit?
2. Is quitting a priority for you?
3. Have you tried to quit before?
4. Do you want to improve your health - and your family’s health too?
5. Do you want to feel better and in more control of your life?
6. Are you ready to quit - even though it may be tough?
If you answered “YES” to even one of these questions, you owe it to yourself to find
out how Freedom From Smoking can help.
To discuss enrollment in
this class, please call:
402-426-1197
volume 8 | issue 2 | page 6
How it works...
Did you ever wonder the difference between the Blair Volunteer Rescue Squad and other, private ambulance services you occasionally see in town?
We are here to explain the difference.
• When the hospital makes a call for a rescue squad to transport a patient, we usually call Midwest Medical (there are other options but they are out of Missouri Valley and closest to us).
• We try not to call the volunteers away from their jobs. Also, getting a crew together during daytime hours is more difficult because it’s generally at least a three hour commitment.
• If we choose to transport a patient with the volunteer rescue squad, then there is no one to respond to emergencies in our community.
• Most of the volunteer EMT’s, although wonderfully trained, are not paramedics. They are extremely capable of handling most
medical emergencies, but certain transfers require a specific skill level. An example would be administering medication, which our rescue squad is unable to do unless there is a trained paramedic available.
• The Volunteer Rescue Squad is not “free” as some assume. The charges you pay go to new equipment, gas, training, and other materials. Unlike the Fire Department, which is tax supported, the Rescue Squad is not.
• Based on industry standards, the Blair Volunteer Rescue Squad set their charges in the middle of the acceptable rates.
ALS Association Ice Bucket Challenge & Donation
The MCH&HS leadership team took part
in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Friday,
September 12, 2014. The Ice Bucket
Challenge is an activity and challenge that
has helped bring awareness to the ALS
Association, which is the only national
non-profit organization fighting Lou
Gherig’s disease. MCH&HS employees were
asked to donate to the cause for a chance
to dump a bucket of ice water on their
supervisor’s head. MCH&HS raised nearly
$600 to donate directly to the ALS
Foundation.
volume 8 | issue 2 | page 7
Meet our Emergency Department Providers
On August 26th, MCH&HS
hosted a reception,
welcoming several new
providers who will join Dr.
Maurice Birdwell in the
Emergency Department.
Please help us in
welcoming these providers
to the MCH&HS team.
Maurice Birdwell, MD
Cynthia Reed, DO
Kelly Schroeder, MD
Gerard Stanley, MD
Derek Nelson, PA-C
Welcome Reception & Open House
Please join us in welcoming two new providers
to the Blair Clinic, Dr. Sandra Baumberger and
RaeAnn Meyer, PA-C! We are very excited to have
them joining our team of providers. A welcome
reception with refreshments and light appetizers
will be held in the main lobby of the hospital on
Tuesday, October 7th from 3-6 PM. We hope to
see you there!
Sandra Baumberger, MD
October 7, 2014
3-6 PM | Main Lobby
RaeAnn Meyer, PA-C
MCH&HS is very lucky to have such a wonderful Labor & Delivery department and we would
like to share it with you. Please join us on
Tuesday, October 7th from 3-6 PM to see what
private suites and one-on-one care looks like at
MCH&HS.
volume 8 | issue 2 | page 8
June Jam
2014 Caring Kind Award Winner
The annual concert in the Park during the Gateway to the West
Days celebration had a new name this year…..June Jam! The
Friday evening concert, co-sponsored by MCH& HS and American
Broadband, was held at Lions Park and drew a large gathering. Local
band Mulligan Stu entertained guests, with the Kiwanis Club and
the Fine Arts Club providing food and drinks. Guests received a raffle
ticket and many prizes were given, including beach towels, chairs,
umbrellas, blankets, and a Kindle Fire.
Rebecca Guzinski, PA-C
Cottonwood Clinic
2nd Annual Dash & Splash
The 2nd Annual Dash & Splash, sponsored by the MCH Foundation and
Cargill, drew 160 runners and walkers this year, and over 40 volunteers.
The 5K Fun Run/Walk raised approximately $7,300 to support the
Foundation, which raises money for equipment and services that
advance health care services at MCH&HS. The weather cooperated on
race day, and runners and walkers welcomed splashes from volunteer
firefighters who used water hydrants throughout the course.to cool
them off. Many volunteers also lined the route to splash participants
along the way and provide encouragement. A breakfast was served
following the event.
“We are fortunate to pair with Cargill for this event and have the help
of many volunteers, including the Blair Fire and Police Departments.
Without their support, this event would not be possible,” said Alicia
Kempcke, event coordinator.
Rebecca Guzinksi, PA-C from our
Cottonwood Clinic in Tekamah was
recently recognized by MCH&HS
employees as an outstanding
employee, who provides top notch
care to the hospital and health
system, her patients, her coworkers,
and the community. For many years,
the Nebraska Hospital Association has
been honored to bestow awards to
Nebraska health care employees that
have risen to the top by providing
service excellence and dedication to
their profession. Becky will be
recognized at the Annual NHA
Conference in October.
Congratulations Becky!