Friday, November 07, 2014
Medical/Surgical Nurses Week
During Medical/Surgical Nurses Week, November 1 - 7, 2014, the Medical Surgical Pediatrics staff are recognized for their dedication, skills and knowledge.
Medical/surgical nurses focus every day on caring compassionately for patients and families. They possess specialized skills and knowledge of the entire spectrum of nursing care. They build the profession of nursing and the medical/surgical nursing specialty by mentoring and nurturing each other, advocating for patients and families, serving their communities through care and education, and improving patient care.
Medical Surgical Pediatrics nursing staff are supported by care technicians, resource nurses, physicians, and ancillary staff that assist patients with their daily cares and perform countless other duties to fulfill the needs of the nursing staff and patients. Take a minute to thank a Medical Surgical nurse for their dedication to great patient care.
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Wednesday, November 05, 2014
National Radiologic Technology Week
Radiologic technology plays an important part at Prairie Lakes in both the Cancer Center and the hospital. National Radiologic Technology Week, November 2 - 8, 2014, celebrates Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen’s discovery of x-ray on November 8, 1895. Roentgen discovered x-rays in his laboratory, and revolutionized science and medicine as we know it.
Radiation Therapists & Dosimetrists at the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center treat cancer and other diseases in patients by giving radiation treatments. Prairie Lakes Cancer Center offers an advanced radiation therapy system called TomoTherapy. Unlike traditional radiation therapy equipment, TomoTherapy is a first-of-its-kind system that features an advanced CT scanner and the ability for 360-degree radiation delivery, all in one unit.
Radiation Oncology Staff in the TomoTherapy Room at the Cancer Center
RadiologicTechnologists are medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging exams and administer radiation therapy treatments. Many technologists have cross trained and specialize in specific imaging techniques. Prairie Lakes relationship with Consulting Radiologists Ltd. (CRL) has provided the opportunity to expand on the type of imaging exams available in Watertown. Prairie Lakes RadiologicTechnologists work with Radiologists at CRL to provide services like breast imaging, nuclear medicine, and musculosketal imaging.
Radiology Staff with Radiologists from Consulting Radiologists Ltd.
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Monday, November 03, 2014
Come Tour the Caring Club House
The Caring Club House serves as a “home away from home” providing lodging for patients, caregivers and family members who live outside of Watertown and are receiving care through Prairie Lakes. Nearly 1,000 guests were served in 2013. Come tour the Caring Club House and enjoy refreshments on November 6th from 3:30 - 6:30 pm. It is located on the campus of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System on 9th Ave NW.
The Caring Club House is funded completely through community support and donations. It is a not-for-profit community based project of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation with support from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Self-Healing Heart Treatment
Scientist are pretty excited over a new discovery made to help speed up the recovery process after a heart attack.
The discovery shows that certain scar tissue in the heart can turn into blood vessels that directly help in the healing of an injured heart. With this new information, scientist jumped on board to develop a new drug. This drug will help those who have experienced a heart attack, and are in the healing process.
Author of the research published online in Nature, Dr. Arjun Deb says, “It is well known that increasing the number of blood vessels in the injured heart following a heart attack improves its ability to heal.”
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Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Give the Gift of Grain
Donate Grain. Save Money. Impact Healthcare.
Benefits for donating grain, or other crops, directly to the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation:
1) The cash basis you avoid including the sale of the cash crop in income, saving on the self-employment tax and federal income tax.
2) The cash basis you can still deduct from the cost of growing the donated crop as long as the crop is given in a different year than it was grown.
You may make a donation of grain by following these simple steps:
1) Deliver the grain to your local elevator.
2) Ask them to provide a warehouse receipt showing the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation as the owner.
3) Contact the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation to let them know where the grain is stored.
4) The Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation will then order the sale with the original sales invoice.
Please read this brochure or contact Alison with the PLHS Foundation at 882.7631 for more information.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014
It's that time of season...flu season
The flu season is among us and that means getting the flu vaccine.
Why is it important to get vaccinated? According to the CDC, influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalizations and sometimes death. The disease can affect people differently and can be spread to others.
After 6 months of age, anyone can get the vaccination. It is especially important for people 65 years of age and older to get vaccinated since about 90% of influenza deaths occur in that age range.
There are several flu vaccine options for the 2014-2015 flu season. Click here for more details.
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Thursday, October 23, 2014
Respiratory Care Week
During this week we celebrate the contributions of Respiratory Therapists. Respiratory Therapists are involved in the evaluation of the heart and lung function as well as providing breathing treatments. These therapists see all types of patients, from young children with RSV and asthma to older patients with pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People who have had heart attacks, suffered trauma, are born prematurely or have sleep disorders might also need respiratory therapy to help them breathe easier.
Respiratory Therapists work with different departments like Emergency Services, Rehab, and Pulmonology to compose a plan for each patient. Some of the jobs that respiratory therapists perform include:
•Maintaining equipment such as mechanical ventilators, BIPAP, and CPAP machines.
•Assisting in emergencies such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, drowning, and shock.
•Maintaining natural and artificial airways in patients.
•Performing pulmonary function tests.
•Pulmonary Rehab, which provides education and exercise for patients with chronic lung disorders.
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Sunday, October 26, 2014
Breast Cancer Facts
According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 36. Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular health exam. Early detection saves lives by using an approach that lets breast cancer get diagnosed earlier than otherwise might have occurred. The goal of screening exams for breast cancer is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms (like a lump that can be felt).
Dr. Bipin Amin, medical oncologist and hematologist at Prairie Lakes Cancer Center, will offer a free community talk at noon, October 30. He will explain the different types of tests used to detect breast cancer and answer audience questions. Bring your girlfriends or mother and learn together about breast cancer. Register here.
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Friday, October 10, 2014
Jill Fuller, CEO, Elected to Leadership Role
News from the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations:
President and CEO, Jill Fuller, of Prairies Lakes Healthcare System, was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) during the 88th Annual Convention in Rapid City.
Fuller is part of a 12-member board that provides leadership and direction for a unified voice in health care across South Dakota on a state and federal level. SDAHO Board Chair, Kent Olson said. “Jill’s leadership skills and experience are an excellent addition to our board. While there are challenges in health care, there are also many opportunities and I know that because of Jill’s background, we are a better board because she is on it!"
Fuller has been with Prairie Lakes Healthcare System since 2000, prior to becoming president and CEO in November of 2009, she was the chief nursing officer. She is known for building relationships with health care providers and while maintaining strong ties with the community. Before coming to Watertown, Fuller was a hospital administrator in Minot, ND and Winona, MN.
Over 600 health care providers attended the convention representing administration, governance and 18 affiliated health care professional membership societies. SDAHO represents 54 hospitals and 33 long term care facilities across the state. Numerous health care issues were discussed at the convention including quality of care initiatives, health reform, leadership, reimbursement and the future of health care.
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Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Preparing for Parenthood
Being an expectant parent is scary enough, let Prairie Lakes Hospital ease those nerves. Join us for one of our many classes designed to prepare expectant parents for things like birth to sibling preparation.
Here is a list of birthing classes available this month:
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Cesarean Birth Class: Thursday, October 9th at 7 pm
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Breastfeeding Class: Thursday, October 16th at 6:30 pm
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Sibling Preparation Class: Wednesday, October 22nd at 1:30 pm
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Childbirth Class (Series 9): Thursday, October 30th at 7 pm
To see our full calendar of events, click here.
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Sunday, October 05, 2014
Prairie Lakes Hosts Senator John Thune
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomed Senator John Thune on Thursday, October 2nd. Senator Thune visited with staff and patients as he toured the facility. The growth of PrairieLakes and current healthcare challenges were discussed.
Senator Thune recently assisted Prairie Lakes resolve a dialysis reimbursement issue with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The issue affected Prairie Lakes dialysis units located in Watertown, Sisseton, and Ortonville, MN. Senator Thune requested to see the Watertown dialysis unit during his tour.
Senator Thune inquired about the history and success of Prairie Lakes. Hospital administration described strategies to develop services and partnerships on the basis of mission alignment rather than corporate alignment, supporting the organization’s independent status.
Growth strategies were also discussed. PrairieLakes has established 14 specialty outreach clinics in the region, most of which have been developed in recent years. These clinics allow patients access to care close to home. Rural community hospitals in Milbank, SD and Dawson, MN received support from Prairie Lakes to develop chemotherapy services. The organization’s medical staff has grown from employing one physician in 2003 to 22 physicians today.
Senator Thune was able to interact with cancer center staff and patients and inquire about radiation oncology services. Cardiac catheterization lab staff and Dr. Evelio Garcia, Interventional Cardiologist, visited with Senator Thune. He was shown catheterization lab images and recognized the benefits of having heart care services provided locally with rapid response times.
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Thursday, September 25, 2014
Young Women and Heart Disease
Heart disease does not discriminate by gender, but what many don’t know is that more and more young women are being affected by heart disease.
1 in 4 American women dies from heart disease, and heart attacks are becoming more popular in women in their thirties. Young woman tend to ignore signs of a heart attack. Here are four of the symptoms that no one at any age should ignore.
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Chest pain
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Shortness of breath
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Fatigue
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Nausea
Prairie Lakes Hospital has some of the best cardiology care. For more information click here.
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Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Hospital Hill Run Donation to the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House
On June 14, 2014 Prairie Lakes Healthcare System held the 18th Annual Hospital Hill Run. Approximately 150 runners and walkers participated to raise money for the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House, a service of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. Two thousand dollars was generously donated to the Caring Club House, located in Watertown, SD.
The Prairie Lakes Caring Club House exists to meet the hospitality needs of out-of-town patients, families, and caregivers that receive services at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. As Prairie Lakes grows as a regional medical center more people come to Watertown for medical care. As part of our mission to provide compassionate care, we are proud to offer his special home to help ease the burdens families and caregivers may face during their medical experience. Volunteers assist guests daily at the Caring Club House; nearly 1,000 guests were served last year.
Funded and furnished completely through community support and donations, the Caring Club House is a not-for-profit, community-based project of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, with support from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Annual operating costs of the Caring Club House are $17,000. All contributions of time, materials, and monetary donations are welcome and extremely appreciated. Gifts are tax deductible. If you would like to make a donation, please call the Foundation office at 605-882-7631.
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Thursday, September 18, 2014
Fruits and Veggies - More Matters Month
Did you know that over 90% of adults and children in the U.S. are not eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables? So what do our experts suggest we do?
Just add one more! Everyone can benefit from eating just one more serving of fruits and veggies. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, there are 3 main reasons why eating more fruits and veggies matters.
- Fruits and vegetables are major contributors of a number of nutrients that are under consumed in the U.S. Those being vitamins A, C, and K or also known as potassium, fiber and magnesium
- Fruits and vegetables are associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases.
- Fruits and vegetables are relatively low in calories which can replace high calorie foods that aid in weight gain.
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