JCH&L Reaches Safety Milestone

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Jefferson Community Health & Life reached an important safety milestone on July 19: logging an entire year without an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable incident.

“With about 260 staff members, that means we have achieved 347,637 total labor hours without a serious injury,” said Patrick Hoins, JCH&L Facilities Director. “We are proud of the ownership our staff has taken in ensuring their own safety, and the safety of others.”

This includes all areas of JCH&L: health center, long-term care, fitness center, and clinics. An OSHA recordable injury or illness includes work-related injury or illness that results in days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job, and in general any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.

“Our safety process is built from the iceberg model, encouraging all staff to find hazards and report them so they can be taken care of before anyone gets hurt,” Hoins said.

In 2019, staff members have reported 25 near misses or unsafe conditions. When an unsafe condition or near miss is reported, it is investigated as appropriate, reviewed by the safety committee, and action plans are developed as needed. All types of injuries and potential injuries are tracked and evaluated monthly. Information is shared with all departments about the basics of any incident, including causes and potential barriers to a safe working environment.

“Thank you to our conscientious staff and our active safety committee for their work to help us reach this milestone,” Hoins said.

Meet Me at the Sidewalk Encourages Activity

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Meet Me At the Sidewalk, a free community activity organized by JeffCo On the Move, will provide a variety of activities encouraging active use of the new H Street Sidewalk on Thursday, Aug. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All ages are invited.

The event includes a 1 mile at-your-own-pace walk, with a variety of activities available along the way. Activities will include sidewalk chalk and a variety of ways to be active at stops along the way between Jefferson Community Health & Life and the Faith Lutheran Church playground. The event will include healthy snacks and giveaways. The first 100 participants will receive a Meet Me At The Sidewalk drawstring backpack.

The celebration is being organized by JeffCo On the Move, a community coalition dedicated to encouraging active lifestyles and increasing our community’s walk– and bike–ability and safety. Coalition members include Public Health Solutions, Jefferson Community Health & Life, Fairbury Public Schools, Fairbury Public Library, Jefferson County Attorney, and many interested individuals. The event also appreciated the support of Safe Kids, Fairbury Gardens, Rooted in Relationships, Heritage Care Center, Boy Scout Troop 302, and Faith Lutheran Church for this event.

August Health Today: Blue River LOSS Team

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The August Health Today Program will be “LOSS: Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors” by Jill Kuzelka, chairperson of the Blue River LOSS team. The session will be held at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Conference Rooms at Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Learn about the Blue River LOSS Team, (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors.) The LOSS Team was created to provide hope and encouragement for those impacted by Suicide.

Health Today is a free monthly health education session offered by Jefferson Community Health & Life in a lunch-time session. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch, or are welcome to purchase lunch in the JCH&L cafeteria, which is located near the Conference Rooms.

JCH&L works with a wide variety of professionals who bring educational programs on health-related topics each month.

Reservations are not required. The program is FREE. The only cost for participants would be lunch, if they choose to purchase it. Participants are also welcome to carry in their lunch. Anyone who would like to be on a mailing list to directly receive notices about the monthly sessions or anyone with questions about the program should contact Likens at (402) 729-6855.

JCH&L’s Next Women’s Health Day is July 29

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New Wellness Experience Offers Women a Convenient Way to Take Control of Their Health

Three hours – that’s all it takes for women from Jefferson County and beyond to complete their annual health checks and receive a well-deserved indulgence at the same time. Jefferson Community Health & Life introduces Women’s Health Day, a complete wellness experience designed to make women’s health easy. JCH&L is now scheduling women for the experience on Monday, July 29.

The program, now available at the Jefferson Community Health & Life Health Center and Fairbury Clinic on select days every month, includes:

* Personalized guidance from an on-site Women’s Health Day navigator

* Important health screenings, including fasting lab tests, a screening mammogram and a routine annual exam to assess overall and gynecological health (lab test and mammogram results will be available before participants leave for the day, while Pap test results will be provided later by mail)

* Complimentary breakfast and a relaxing indulgence—such as an express manicure or express pedicure, for example. Offerings may vary.

* Reserved parking

“It’s so important for women to make time for their own health, but we know life sometimes gets in the way,” said Erin Starr, Chief Quality Officer. “That’s why we created Women’s Health Day—to provide a convenient way for women to get their essential health screenings all at once, while also taking time to unwind.”

All major insurance plans are accepted for screening and exams (coverage is subject to individual policy terms). JCH&L Fairbury Clinics accepts new patients.

Appointments for the Women’s Health Day experience start as early as 6:30 a.m. To schedule, call 402.729.6841.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits Aug. 5

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FAIRBURY – It’s “Bravo for Blood Donors” in August. Every donor at the Aug. 5 bloodmobile at JCH&L will have a chance to win dinner and theater tickets. The next blood drive will be held on Monday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nebraska Community Bloodbank bloodmobile in the JCH&L parking lot (on the H street side of the building.) All types are needed.

Giving blood is giving a gift of life. Nebraska Community Bloodbank is Jefferson Community Health & Life’s bloodbank, and the two organizations partner for blood drives in Fairbury to save lives.

To make an appointment, call Jean Smith at JCH&L at 402-729-6851, the Nebraska Community Bloodbank at 1-877-486-9414 or visit NCBB.org and use sponsor code JCHC.

Save the Date: Women’s Health Fair Set for Wednesday, Sept. 25

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All women are invited to an evening of fun and learning!

 Women of all ages have health issues specific to being a woman. Jefferson Community Health & Life will offer a third annual Women’s Health Fair to offer women education, fun and chances to win prizes and pamper themselves on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at JCH&L.

The event is designed in an open house format. Women are free to come for all or part of the evening. The evening will include presentations, health-related booths, “Just for fun” booths with cash-and-carry items available for purchase, screenings, opportunities to be pampered, and prizes. Mark your calendar, save the date and watch for more details to come!

For more information on the Women’s Health Fair, contact Erin Starr at 402-729-6889.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet July 8

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, July 8, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a webinar “Cognitive Issues: Advice for Parkinson’s Care Partners,” by Rebecca Gilbert, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Parkinson’s Support Group generally meets on the second Monday of each month.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cost for participants.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at (402)-729-6855.

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE