JCHL Recognized for Cardiac Arrest Survival

/by

Jefferson Community Health & Life has received the American Heart Association’s Target: Survival quality achievement award for its commitment to treating in-hospital cardiac arrest, ultimately helping to improve survival rates.

Each year, more than 300,000 adults and children experience an in-hospital cardiac arrest.[1] Survival from cardiac arrest largely depends on timely medical emergency team response and effective CPR.

The Target: Survival program was developed to highlight the number of lives a hospital saved by following the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treatment as outlined by the American Heart Association. The program examines patient survival rates following in-hospital cardiac arrest and adjusts for multiple factors, including cardiac arrest rhythm, event location within the hospital, and prior illness severity. Awarded sites have a survival rate that places them in the top 40% of all Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation participating hospitals in the United States.

“Jefferson Community Health & Life is committed to improving patient care by focusing on cardiac arrest survival and continuous quality improvement,” said Erin Smith, chief nursing officer. “The end goal is to ensure more people in Jefferson County can experience longer, healthier lives.”

“We are pleased to recognize Jefferson Community Health & Life for its commitment to improving survival rates for patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest,” said Paul S. Chan, M.D., MSc, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Resuscitation System of Care Advisory Group. “Each life saved is a testament to this team’s timely, coordinated and high-quality care during an emergency.”

1 Annual Incidence of Adult and Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the United States, 9 Jul 2019, Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.119.005580

 

Ohlde, Sutton Recertified as SHIP Counselors

/by

Lori Ohlde, RN, and Deb Sutton, RN, have recertified as Nebraska State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors.

Deb Sutton, RN

Deb Sutton, RN

Lori Ohlde, RN

Lori Ohlde, RN

During the annual Medicare Part D Open enrollment period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) Ohlde and Sutton will offer free opportunities for Medicare recipients to review their Part D options. Dates will be announced soon. They recommend reviewing your Part D options annually, since medical needs and plans often change from year to year.

During September, Medicare recipients will receive Evidence of Coverage (EOC) information from their current plans. The EOC provides details about what the plan will cover, how much an individual pays, and more. People with Medicare should review the EOC to understand any changes the plan will make. The EOC allows people with Medicare to be informed in making a decision as to whether the plan will continue to meet their needs in the next year.

“It is important to be informed about your plan and to seek unbiased information,” Sutton said. “SHIP counselors are always glad to answer questions and help Medicare recipients find the options that will work best for their particular needs.”

During this time of year, there will be a lot of marketing of various Medicare plans. Please remember, different plans may or may not cover a specific area. It is wise to check on specific coverage, providers included and other details before agreeing to a particular plan.

The federal government, through the Administration on Community Living (ACL), funds a SHIP in every state. The Nebraska SHIP is a division of the Nebraska Department of Insurance. SHIP does not sell insurance, nor does it endorse any insurance company, product, or agent.

Nebraska SHIP has a statewide network of certified counselors and partner organizations. Counselors receive extensive training on Medicare and are available to meet for one-on-one counseling, to help with problem solving, provide support during decision making, and assist with identifying potential Medicare fraud, error, or abuse. SHIP counselors will not recommend policies, companies, or insurance agents, but will provide free, confidential, and unbiased assistance.

Ohlde and Sutton can be reached by calling Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-3351. An appointment number for Medicare D reviews will be announced with the appointment dates available. Please watch local media and social media for dates available.

The Nebraska SHIP offers a toll-free hotline that any person eligible for Medicare, relatives, friends, or providers can call for answers to insurance questions, to report potential fraud or abuse, or to arrange a meeting with a SHIP counselor.

If you would like to speak to your local Nebraska SHIP office, call the hotline at 1.800.234.7119.

JCH&L Occupational Health Providing Services at Jefferson County Jail

/by

JCH&L Occupational Health staff members are now providing services for inmates at the Jefferson County Jail.

Jefferson County Sheriff Nick Georgi approached JCH&L about the possibility of bringing local services to the jail because he felt health care services for inmates could be more effective and economical from local health care providers.

“Providing services for inmates at the Jefferson County Jail helps to ensure better continuity of care for the inmates when they are incarcerated and after they are released,” said Lori Ohlde, director of home health and occupational health at JCH&L.

JCH&L occupational health staff began providing contracted services at the jail on Aug. 1. Occupational health staff see new inmates when they are incarcerated, visit all inmates weekly, keep medications stocked at the jail up to date, and work with jail staff or special needs. JCH&L Nurse Practitioner Megan Knutson visits the jail twice a month.

“We are able to monitor the general health of inmates, and have been able to discover some health concerns that needed to be treated early, such as high blood pressure, so the concern didn’t develop into an emergency,” Ohlde said. “We are happy to be able to provide excellent health care services to those who reside at the jail.”

Georgi said he appreciates having services provided locally, and knowing that if an emergency does arise, the inmates’ medical information is already available to JCH&L health care providers. Previously, the jail contracted with an out-of-county company for medical services for inmates.

Hormone Therapy Available at JCH&L

/by

Hormone screening and therapy is available at Jefferson Community Health & Life. Kirisha Afuh, FNP-C, has received specialized training and sees patients at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic.

“Hormones affect all of us,” Afuh said. “My goal is to bring bio-identical hormone therapy here, do it in the safest way possible, and make these services more affordable.”

Afuh became interested in hormone therapy from personal experience. She was having some symptoms and had her testosterone level checked and found that it was low. Taking bio-identical testosterone was a game changer for how she felt.

She said bio-identical hormone therapy (BHRT) can help both men and women with symptoms such as decreased libido, weight gain, mood swings, memory loss, joint pain, fatigue, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats and low energy levels. Bio-identical hormones are plant-derived, and are chemically identical to hormones produced in your body. They replace hormones that are out of balance to help alleviate symptoms.

Screening is available through JCH&L’s HealthyLife Screenings, available on Wednesdays, either 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Because this is a patient-requested test, the patient is responsible to get results to their health care provider. Insurance is not billed. Afuh often recommends lab screenings available through the JCH&L HealthyLife screenings, including: Estradiol, $50; FSH, $25; Prolactin, $25; Progesterone, $25; Testosterone free, $25; Testosterone total, $25. (To see all lab screenings available through the HealthyLife screenings, go to the website at https://www.jchealthandlife.org/care-services/laboratory/ and go to HealthyLife Lab Testing.)

Afuh said hormone therapy medications are typically not covered by insurance, but often the cost is very reasonable. If cost is an issue, she will work with the patient to try to find more reasonably-priced options.

She said patients will have charges for office consultations, but unlike some clinics which do BHRT, there are no membership fees

She believes strongly in involving the patient in their care, and listening to their needs, feelings and concerns. She asks patients to keep her informed in how they are feeling if they start on a treatment plan, so that she can adjust if necessary. She said there are not typically many side effects from the treatments, but it’s all individual.

She said she is happy to do consultations to determine if a person is a good candidate for BHRT. She will also work with specialists, if needed, to make sure the treatment won’t interfere with other health treatments.

“Do you hear about symptoms and wonder if that is you?” she asked.

Appointments can be made by calling JCH&L Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361, option 1, and asking for an appointment with Afuh for hormone consultation.

Stroklund Appointed to State Trauma Board

/by

Rebecca Stroklund, D.O., has been appointed to the Nebraska Statewide Trauma Advisory Board.

Dr. Stroklund will serve a three-year term as the State Trauma Physician Practicing in Emergency Medicine in Rural Level 3 or 4. The appointment is effective through Aug. 28, 2028. JCH&L was recently designated a Level IV Basic Trauma Center. Dr. Stroklund has been part of the JCH&L medical staff since 2021.

The Statewide Trauma Advisory Board consists of 28 members that are appointed by the Director of Public Health.  The Statewide Trauma system is broken down into four regions with each region having a standing committee as part of the Statewide Trauma Advisory Board.  This Board advises the department on the trauma needs and on trauma regulations and statutes.

JCH&L Holding Pear Sale as Fund-raiser

/by

Jefferson Community Health & Life is partnering with Main Street Market of Milford for the sale of Colorado Palisade Pears by the lug, as a fund-raiser for JCH&L. Main Street Market owner Craig Bontrager has pledged to donate to JCH&L based on the number of lugs of pears sold.

Pears are $39 per lug, or $20 per half lug. (A lug is approximately 20 pounds.) Pickup time will be Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the JCH&L main parking lot (west side of the building, accessed from H Street.)

Pre-orders may be placed by calling JCH&L at 402-587–5193. Call any time and leave a voice mail including your name, phone number, how many lugs of peaches you want to order, and what pickup date you want. Orders are due by Sept. 5.

Walk up sales will be offered during the pickup times, subject to pear availability.

Payment is to be made at the time of pickup, cash or check only, with checks payable to Main Street Market. No electronic payment options are available.

JCH&L Charity Golf Tournament Raises Nearly $14,000

/by

The 29th annual golf tournament to benefit Jefferson Community Health and Life was successful, raising nearly $14,000.

“We are very pleased with the success of this annual event. It’s a great way for JCH&L supporters to have a good time and help provide quality health care for our community,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations, marketing and development.

The golf tournament, held Friday, Aug. 8, at the Fairbury Country Club, was a fund-raiser for Jefferson Community Health & Life, a 17-bed critical access hospital located in Fairbury.

A total of 30 teams golfed in the event.  Winning teams were:

Championship Flight — first place, Fairbury Dental; second place, Edward Jones; and third place, Capital Care Staffing.

First Flight — first place, See the Trainer; second place, Davis Design; and third place, American National Bank.

Second Flight — first place, First State Insurance; second place, Blue Cross Blue Shield; and third place, The Olson Group.

A total of 19 companies served as hole sponsors, helping to make the fund-raising tournament possible.  Hole sponsors were: Beckenhauer Construction, Inc., Behrends Welding Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brenntag, CHI, Control Services, Davis Design, Diode Tech, Edward Jones Investments—Jay Peterson, GrandView Eye Care, Heartland Bank, High Plains Anesthesia, Plymouth Electric, Pollmann LLC., Prellwitz Exteriors, Rutt’s Heating and Air, SFM, Signature Performance, and The Olson Group.

Breakfast sponsor: ruralMED. Lunch sponsor: Nebraska Hematology-Oncology. Water sponsor: Globe Rexall. Photo sponsor: UNICO. Putting Game Sponsor: Heartland Bank.

Contributing sponsors included: Capital Care Staffing; Directions EAP; Eide Bailey LLP; Lottman Carpenter; Prairie Health Ventures; Rural Sleep Solutions; Shelter Insurance; and Thrivent.

Raffle prize donors were donated by: Five Nines, Signature Performance, Barber Furniture, Pepsi, Five Nines, Nebraska Health Care Association, Walmart, and Casey’s General Store.

Flag prizes and door prizes were donated by: American National

Bank, Budweiser, Credit Management, Edward Jones-Jay Peterson, Fairbury Journal-News,

Five Nines, Main Street Market, Nebraska Hospital Association, F3 Ag Services LLC—

(Beck’s Hybrids), Shelter Insurance, Union Bank.

Other sponsors for the tournament included Precision Signs and Graphics LLC, Ray’s Applemarket and  Fairbury Country Club.

Teams participating included: American National Bank, Barber Furniture, Beckenhauer Construction Inc., Behrends Welding Inc., Blobaum & Busboom, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brenntag, Capital Care Staffing, CHI, Davis Design, Eakes Office Solutions, Edward Jones Investments —Jay Peterson; Fairbury Dental Associates (2 teams); First State Insurance; Joy Gaston; Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home; Heartland Bank; High Plains Anesthesia Associates; Med-Care Inc. and Dr. J. Paul Meyer; Nebraska Chamber of Commerce; Pollmann LLC; Prellwitz Exteriors (2 teams); Rutt’s Heating & Air; See the Trainer; Signature Performance; Sod Pros LLC, Beatrice; The Olson Group; and Kensly Williams.

“We especially want to thank our sponsors, donors, golf teams and volunteers.  It wouldn’t have been a successful event if we didn’t have such great support from our community, our peers, and companies we work with regularly,” Likens said.

Champion flight – first place – Fairbury Dental

Champion flight – second place – Edward Jones

Champion Flight – third place – Capital Care Staffing

 

 

 

 

 

First flight – first place – See the Trainer

First flight – second place – Davis Design

First flight – third place – American National Bank

 

Second flight – first place – First State Insurance

Second flight – second place – Blue Cross Blue Shield

Second flight – third place – The Olson Group

 

JCH&L Earns Designation as Level IV (Basic) Trauma Center

/by

Jefferson Community Health & Life has earned designation as a Level IV (Basic Level) Trauma Center by the NDHH Office of Emergency Health System/Nebraska Statewide Trauma System. The certification was approved by the state agency on Aug. 22 after JCH&L met all required criteria in a site visit on July 28.

“We are happy to have the official designation as a Level IV (Basic) Trauma Center,” said Holly Wolff, JCH&L chief executive officer. “Our staff has worked diligently to attain this designation, which affirms that JCH&L provides essential and quality emergency services to our area residents.”

Level IV (Basic) Trauma Centers must demonstrate that they are equipped and staffed to provide immediate emergency care to patients with traumatic injuries. They must demonstrate they can perform initial evaluation, diagnostic tests and lab work to identify the extent of injuries. They must demonstrate that they can promptly transfer to higher level trauma centers when needed in order to optimize patient care.

Dr. Rebecca Stroklund serves as JCH&L’s trauma medical director. All providers who care for patients in the emergency department have completed Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification. All RNs who provide care in the ER have completed the Emergency Nurse Association Trauma Nurse certification.

“We have been working on the certification process for most of 2025 because we knew it was an important step to assure our area residents we are well-qualified to care for their loved ones in trauma situations,” said Erin Smith, RN, chief nursing officer at JCH&L. “Our ER staff play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes by focusing on rapid assessment, stabilization, and when appropriate transfer of patients with critical injuries to facilities with more specialized resources.”

Caregivers Support Group to Meet Sept. 11

/by

The Caregivers Support Group offered by the Alzheimer’s Association will meet on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 4:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room. The program will be a video on “Caregiver Training: Aggressive Language/Behavior” from UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the signage to “Caregiver’s Support.”

The Caregiver’s Support Group is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month in the JCH&L Clinic Conference Room.

The support group is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.  The group provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease and learn from other’s experiences. There is no cost, and no pre-registration required.

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

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits Sept. 22

/by

FAIRBURY –The next Nebraska Community Bloodbank blood drive will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the mobile unit in the parking lot of JCH&L’s North Building, 825 22nd St.

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

Appointments are recommended. To make an appointment, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851, or visit NCBB.org/searchdrives and use sponsor code JCHC.

With iDonate you can save time by completing your health history on line ahead of your bloodmobile visit. To get started, visit mbc.org/iDonate

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