While many areas of healthcare have experienced dramatic changes because of the COVID pandemic, primary health care remains important. Jefferson Community Health & Life reminds everyone not to neglect important health needs.

“JCH&L will see patients with any type of health concern, and we encourage those with health concerns to seek the appropriate care,” said Vic Lee, interim CEO at Jefferson Community Health & Life. “While we encourage those seeking routine preventative care to postpone, we don’t want anyone with health concerns to put their health on hold because of the COVID pandemic. We are striving to offer our services in ways that will protect our patients, our staff and our community.”

For those who are feeling well and not having any health concerns, it is recommended that physicals and other routine visits be postponed for now. However, anyone having problems with chronic health concerns – such as blood sugar, blood pressure, heart concerns, thyroid, etc. –should be seen by a primary care provider. In addition, anyone who has something new develop which is a health concern – symptoms of illness, infection, injury, cancer, etc. –should also be seen.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic is encouraging all visits be done via Virtual Visits, if possible.  This may vary by provider and the reason for the visit, which can be discussed when you call the Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361 to schedule an appointment.

If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines that further evaluation needs to be done, the provider will give the patient further direction on how this will take place.

If you have questions regarding Virtual Visits at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic or to make an appointment, you can call 402-729-3361, option 1.

Currently, patients with respiratory concerns are seen at their vehicle at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic. By seeing respiratory patients at the vehicle, the clinic is working to keep clinic exam rooms available for patients with other health concerns.

Some patients who see a specialist at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services for followup may have the opportunity to visit with their specialist through technology from their own home. Both Bryan Heart and Genesis Psychiatric Group have been working with some patients who need followup to do so by telephone.

Patients who have specialist clinic visits scheduled (or who feel they need a specialist clinic visit) should call that specific specialty clinic’s main office directly to find out what options they may have.

Most outpatient specialty clinics which come to JCH&L have been suspended for now. Only essential services are being offered.

Those with questions about a specific clinic may contact JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

JCH&L’s emergency department remains available to see all types of emergencies. Patients are asked to call first if not arriving by ambulance. The JCH&L nursing staff will direct the patient to the appropriate entrance for their specific needs. At this time, those with respiratory symptoms are seen in a different area than non-respiratory symptoms.

Examples of emergency needs include sudden onset of chest pain, loss of consciousness, convulsions, pain that can’t be tolerated or controlled, severe shortness of breath, severe reaction to insect bites or medicines, poisoning, unexplained disorientation or drowsiness, major injury, or uncontrollable bleeding.

All entrances to JCH&L’s health center are now locked at all times. Those who have emergency needs with no respiratory symptoms are asked to use the ER/Outpatient entrance and pick up the telephone in the vestibule to contact nursing services and explain their need. Those who have respiratory symptoms are asked to call 402-729-3351 and ask for nursing to receive instructions for being seen.

Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, residents at Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside and tenants at Cedarwood assisted living are now encouraged to wear cloth face coverings when they are in a room with others. The residents and tenants appreciate the many donations of hand-crafted cloth facemask that have been received.

“CDC recommends the use of cloth face masks for residents and tenants to make sure we are stopping the spread even if a resident or tenant does not have symptoms, but may be infected,” said Deb Sutton, administrator of JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood.

At least seven individuals from the area have already donated hand-crafted cloth face masks for the use of residents and tenants. More continue to be welcome, to allow residents and tenants to have more than one mask, so they may be laundered regularly. Anyone interested in donating cloth face masks should contact Lana Likens at 402-729-6855.

“Staff and residents all appreciate the generous spirit of our area residents who are willing to share of their time and talents to help keep residents, tenants and staff members safe,” Sutton said.

Staff members at both Gardenside and Cedarwood wear medical masks any time they are going to be within 6 feet of residents, tenants or fellow staff members.

The CDC has recently begun recommending that the public wear cloth masks when they are in community settings and will be near people. Medical masks should not be worn by the public, but should be reserved for medical professionals, according to the CDC guidance. The cloth mask should cover both nose and mouth. This recommendation is designed to prevent those who are infected but don’t have symptoms from spreading the illness. Wearing a cloth face covering does not reduce the need for social distancing, frequent hand washing, and other every day preventative measures.

More information is available at www.CDC.gov.

Gardenside and Cedarwood have been totally closed to visitors and any non-essential personnel since March 14. On March 11, visitors were discouraged and any visitors were screened for travel, symptoms and contact with anyone was suspected to have COVID-19.

Family and friends have found many creative ways to show their loves they care: Skype and Facetime; email; phone calls; visits outside windows; cards and letters; and dropping off flowers and other treats.

Anyone who needs assistance connecting with residents or tenants may call Gardenside at 402-729-5220, or Cedarwood at 402-729-6100.

Jefferson Community Health & Life recognizes Organ Donation Month in April. Donate Life Month is a national observance to share the importance of registering to be a donor, honor deceased and living donors and recognize the lifesaving and healing gift of transplantation.

JCH&L flew the organ donation flag on Wednesday, April 8, along with other individuals and businesses. On Thursday, April 16, staff are invited to wear blue and green to raise awareness for organ donation, and for a donation of $5 to Live on Nebraska, staff can also wear their denim to work that day. Live on Nebraska is a conduit for transplantation, partnering with hospitals in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County, Iowa to facilitate the recovery of organs and tissues from those who choose to donate life.

JCH&L works with Live on Nebraska for potential organ, tissue and eye donation. In 2019, JCH&L referred 8 eligible tissue donors and 2 eligible eye donors. There we no eligible organ donors referred in 2019.

“The impact one donor can have is incredible,” said Kyle Herber, President & CEO of Live On Nebraska. “Donate Life Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate the heroes that have already given the gift of life and to educate others on how they can make a difference through donation.”

Every individual has the potential to save and heal 100 people with the donation of organs and tissues. These include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, small intestine, corneas, bone, skin, tendons, veins and heart valves.

Governor Pete Ricketts has declared April as Donate Life Month in Nebraska. The governor’s proclamation recognizes the 900 Nebraska donor heroes who gave the gift of life in 2019, a record number for our state. The proclamation also acknowledges the 400 people in Nebraska and more than 110,00 throughout the Unites States who are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.

Of the 400 people waiting for a transplant in Nebraska, the majority are waiting for a kidney (234) or liver (124). Twelve are under the age of 18. Minority populations account for 23% of Nebraska’s waiting list.

An outdoor display on the lawn of Live On Nebraska’s office in Omaha is dedicated to those on the waiting list. Four hundred green and blue flags represent each person who is waiting for a second chance at life.

Nebraskans are also encouraged to register as donors this month. Anyone age 16 or older can register as an organ and tissue donor. Age, health and lifestyle do not limit an individual’s ability to register. Donor registration is available online anytime at LiveOnNebraska.org.

Individuals can also consider living donation. Living donors most often provide a kidney or a portion of their liver to those in need of a transplant. Living donation is not included in donor registration online or at the DMV. To be considered for living donation, contact Nebraska Medicine.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic is encouraging all visits, whether healthy or sick, to be done via Virtual Visits.  This may vary by provider and the reason for the visit, which can be discussed when you call the Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361 to schedule an appointment.

If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines that further evaluation needs to be done, the provider will give the patient further direction on how this will take place.

If you have questions regarding Virtual Visits at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, you can call 402-729-3361, option 2. To make an appointment, use option 1.

Some patients who see a specialist at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services for followup may have the opportunity to visit with their specialist through technology from their own home. Both Bryan Heart and Genesis Psychiatric Group have been working with some patients who need followup to do so by telephone.

Patients who have specialist clinic visits scheduled (or who feel they need a specialist clinic visit) should call that specific specialty clinic’s main office directly to find out what options they may have.

Most outpatient specialty clinics which come to JCH&L have been suspended for now. Only essential services are being offered.

Those with questions about a specific clinic may contact JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

All entrances to JCH&L’s health center are now locked at all times. Those who have emergency needs with no respiratory symptoms are asked to use the ER/Outpatient entrance and pick up the telephone in the vestibule to contact nursing services and explain their need. Those who have respiratory symptoms are asked to call 402-729-3351 and ask for nursing to receive instructions for being seen.

Those who have other needs – such as questions on bills, requests for medical records information, etc., are asked to call 402-729-3351.

Hospital patients are now limited to 1 visitor per room. Visitors should use the ER/Outpatient entrance and will be screened. If the door is not staffed, please pick up the telephone in the entry way to contact the nurses station for direction.

The Jefferson Community Health & Life Auxiliary Annual Spring Salad Festival has been postponed from its May 7 date.

“We are uncertain whether we will be able to reschedule this fund-raiser for this year,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations. “We thank those who have been faithful supporters of this event, which has been a fund-raiser for the Auxiliary’s projects since 1965.”

JCH&L has been implementing a number of precautionary measures in preparation for possible cases of COVID-19. Although there are no confirmed cases in Jefferson County, there are cases in Gage County, which is also part of our five-county public health district.

The number of Nebraskans diagnosed continues to grow.

Reminders of precautions already in place:

• JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members.
• The JCH&L cafeteria is closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
• Immunization clinics regularly offered twice at month at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services by Blue Valley Community Action have been suspended until further notice.
• Women’s Health Days offered monthly by JCH&L Radiology and Fairbury Clinic are suspended until further notice.
• Volunteers are not coming to the facility until further notice.
• JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services is limiting to patients requiring essential services.
• Non-essential services are being postponed at the patient’s medical provider’s discretion.
• JCH&L Plymouth Clinic will be closed until further notice.
• JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is closed.
• Patients are encouraged NOT to drop bill payments off at the clinic. Please call for other alternatives.
• All support groups and outside programs have been postponed until further notice. This includes Parkinson’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Health Today and Smart Moves lifestyle change program
• Sterling Connection trips for April have been cancelled.
• Patients for all services continue to be screened for recent travel to areas of high incidence/community spread, signs and symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), and whether they have had any contact with persons who have been diagnosed or are under investigation for having COVID-19. Hospital or clinic patients with positive screening results will be cared for appropriately and given guidance and direction.

Most Jefferson Community Health & Life outpatient specialty clinics have been postponed through April 10. Non-essential outpatient services are being postponed, at the discretion of the patient’s medical provider. If you have a question about a specific specialist or outpatient service, please call Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic is now asking all patients to park on the west or east sides of the building, and call the clinic when they arrive for their appointment. Please stay in the car until you are notified that the clinic staff is ready for you, and they will meet you at either the east or west side door, depending in which provider the appointment is with.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic continues to require that anyone with respiratory symptoms call the clinic at 402-729-3361 for an appointment rather than walking in. Virtual Visit appointments are also available, allowing the patient to see a medical provider from their home.

Anyone with questions on these new clinic instructions should call 402-729-3361 and choose option 2 for patient services.

JCH&L has been implementing a number of precautionary measures in preparation for possible cases of COVID-19. Although there are no confirmed cases in the five-county public health district, COVID-19 is currently being treated as if it is in our area due to very limited testing resources.

The number of Nebraskans diagnosed continues to grow.

If symptoms require emergency care, patients are asked to call the hospital at 402-729-3351 before coming to the ER.

 

Reminders of precautions already in place:

• Immunization clinics regularly offered twice at month at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services have been suspended until further notice.
• Women’s Health Days offered monthly by JCH&L Radiology and Fairbury Clinic are suspended until further notice.
• Volunteers are not coming to the facility until further notice.
• JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services is limiting to patients requiring essential services.
• Non-essential services are being postponed at the patient’s medical provider’s discretion.
• JCH&L Plymouth Clinic will be closed until further notice.
• Outpatient visits, surgeries and procedures with many specialists have been postponed. All patients with appointments are being contacted. If you have a question about a specific outpatient service or specialty clinic, please call 402-729-6851.
• JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is closed.
• JCH&L Fairbury Clinic is scheduling patients who have respiratory symptoms in the afternoons, and patients without respiratory symptoms in the mornings. Injections and blood pressure checks will also be in the morning.
• The clinics ask that only one other person accompany any patient to the clinic for appointments.
• JCH&L Fairbury Clinic will no longer take walk-ins. Same day appointments are typically available. Please call 402-729-3361 to make an appointment.
• Patients are encouraged NOT to drop bill payments off at the clinics. Please call for other alternatives.
• JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members.
• The JCH&L cafeteria is closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
• Hospital visitors are limited to 2 per patient room. All will be screened for recent travel to areas of high incidence/community spread, signs and symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), and whether they have had any contact with persons who have been diagnosed or are under investigation for having COVID-19.
• Hospital visitors may use the main entrance from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or the ER/Outpatient Entrance (pick up the phone to reach the nurses station) from 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• All support groups and outside programs have been postponed until further notice. This includes Parkinson’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Health Today and Smart Moves lifestyle change program
• Sterling Connection trips for March and April have been cancelled.
• Patients for all services continue to be screened. Hospital or clinic patients with positive screening results will be cared for appropriately and given guidance and direction. Non-essential services may be rescheduled.
• Patients who have symptoms of possible respiratory illness are encouraged to call for screening over the telephone before arriving at any medical facility.