Most JCH&L Outpatient Clinics Postponed through April 10

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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.

JCH&L Partners with New Bill Processing Company

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is now partnering with Med-Plan Payment Processing for hospital and outpatient services billing. Med-Plan is an extension of our business office. Bills can be paid to JCH&L at PO Box 277, or at our main business office at 2200 H St. in Fairbury.

For the convenience of our patients, Med-Plan Payment Processing offers online bill payment. Med-Plan Payment Processing is also happy to work with you to provide payment plans.

Because our previous partner was Avadyne, patients may still receive statements from Avadyne, and should continue to work with Avadyne on these bills. Avadyne will also continue to work with patients on previously established payment plans.

If you have questions about your bill for hospital or outpatient services, please call Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402.729.3351.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic bills are paid directly to the clinic. Payment may be mailed to JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, 825 22nd St., PO Box 196, Fairbury, NE 68352. If you would like to pay by credit card or debit card, you may pay by phone by calling 402-729-3361, extension 1.

If you have questions about your Fairbury Clinic bill or would like to make payment arrangements, please call 402-729-3361, extension 7114.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage patients to take advantage of making payments by mail, online, or credit or debit card over the phone.

JCH&L Updates Because of COVID-19

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Jefferson Community Health & Life continues to expand its 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. Only hospitalized patients, nursing home residents, and at-risk health care personnel experiencing severe respiratory symptoms will be tested for COVID-19 at this time, said Amber Brunow, JCH&L infection preventionist.

“Those with suspected COVID-19 with symptoms which can be managed at home will be required to self-quarantine for up to 14 days,” Brunow said.

The number of Nebraskans diagnosed continues to grow.

JCH&L 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.

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

In order to protect our staff, patients, residents, and customers, JCH&L is taking the following measures:

As of Monday, March 23

  • 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.

Reminders of precautions already in place:

  • JCH&L Plymouth Clinic will be closed until further notice.
  • Reduced price blood screenings scheduled for March 23-27 in Fairbury and Plymouth have been cancelled.
  • Outpatient visits, surgeries and procedures with many specialists have been cancelled: Podiatry (Dr. Williamson), orthopedic (Dr. Harris), and cataracts (Dr. Sutton). All patients with appointments are being contacted.
  • 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 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.
  • Bryan Heart Institute will not be having clinics at JCH&L Outpatient Services effective immediately until further notice.
  • 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.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic to Offer Virtual Visits; JCH&L Plymouth Clinic Closed Until Further Notice; Several Outpatient Clinics Cancelled

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JCH&L Fairbury Clinic will offer virtual visits beginning Monday, March 23. Virtual visits will offer a great option for patients to be seen by a family medicine provider without leaving their home.

Virtual visits may be used for any type of medical concern. They could be especially helpful for those who have symptoms they feel might indicate COVID-19.

Virtual visits will be submitted to insurance, just as a regular office visit would, but are less costly than office visits. Regular deductibles and copays apply. The patient must have a smartphone or other type of device, such as laptop (must have camera and microphone), iPad, or tablet. If a patient is going to use a family member’s device, they will need to know the phone number or email when they make their appointment.

The process is simple:

  • Call JCH&L Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361 and dial 1 to make an appointment.
  • Staff will need to know your name, cell phone number or email (if you wish to use a laptop), and symptoms or the reason for the visit. They will ask if there a provider you prefer to see.
  • The clinic staff will send you a link. At about 10 minutes prior to your appointment time, you will follow the link.
  • If you are an established patient you do not need to fill out the demographic information online.
  • You will sign a consent and be put in the virtual “waiting room” until your medical provider joins you.
  • If you require testing, you will receive instructions from your medical provider.
  • Once the appointment is complete, if you need a prescription, the clinic staff will transmit the prescriptions to your pharmacy of choice.

“We are excited to be able to offer this new virtual visit option to our patients,” said Erin Starr, chief nursing officer at Jefferson Community Health & Life. “As our society works to reduce and delay the spread of COVID-19, virtual visits are a way to seek medical care from your own home.”

To make an appointment, dial 402-729-3361 and choose option 1. If you have general questions about the process, please call patient services at 402-729-3361, and choose option 2.

Jefferson Community Health & Life continues to expand its precautionary measures in preparation for possible cases of COVID-19. To date, no cases have been identified in Jefferson County or surrounding counties, but the Nebraska number of cases diagnosed continues to grow. In order to protect our staff, patients, residents, and customers, JCH&L is taking the following measures.

As of Friday, March 20:

  • JCH&L Plymouth Clinic will be closed until further notice.
  • Reduced price blood screenings scheduled for March 23-27 in Fairbury and Plymouth have been cancelled.
  • Outpatient visits, surgeries and procedures with several specialists have been cancelled for next week: Podiatry (Dr. Williamson), orthopedic (Dr. Harris), and cataracts (Dr. Sutton). All patients with appointments are being contacted.

Reminders of precautions already in place:

  • 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 and Plymouth clinics will no longer take walk-ins. Same day appointments are typically available. Please call 402-729-3361 to make a Fairbury Clinic appointment, and
    402-729-6888 to make a Plymouth Clinic appointment.
  • Patients are encouraged NOT to drop bill payments off at the clinics. Please call for other alternatives.
  • Bryan Heart Institute will not be having clinics at JCH&L Outpatient Services effective immediately until further notice.
  • 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.

JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center Closed to Public; Family Medicine Clinics Take Additional Precautions

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is expanding its precautionary measures in preparation for possible cases of COVID-19. To date, no cases have been identified in Jefferson County or surrounding counties, but the Nebraska number of cases diagnosed continues to grow. In order to protect our staff, patients, residents, and customers, JCH&L is taking the following measures.

As of Wednesday, March 18:

  • JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center will be closed to the public.
  • 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. Patients who already have appointments are being contacted to be rescheduled.
  • The clinics ask that only one other person accompany any patient to the clinic for appointments.
  • JCH&L Fairbury and Plymouth clinics will no longer take walk-ins. Same day appointments are typically available. Please call 402-729-3361 to make a Fairbury Clinic appointment, and 402-729-6888 to make a Plymouth Clinic appointment.
  • Patients are encouraged NOT to drop bill payments off at the clinics. Please call for other alternatives.
  • Bryan Heart Institute will not be having clinics at JCH&L Outpatient Services effective immediately until further notice.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.
  • Hospital visitors will be 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.

Those with questions should call JCH&L at 402-729-3351.

JCH&L Expands Precautionary Measures Regarding COVID-19

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is expanding its precautionary measures in preparation for possible cases of COVID-19. To date, no cases have been identified in Jefferson County or surrounding counties, but the Nebraska number of cases diagnosed continues to grow. In order to protect our staff, patients, residents, and customers, JCH&L is taking the following measures.

As of Monday, March 16:

  • JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members. Both were closed to visitors as of Saturday, March 14, because of new restrictions from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS.)

Starting Tuesday, March 17:

  • The JCH&L cafeteria will be closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
  • Hospital visitors will be 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.
  • JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center will be open regular hours, but access will be only from the activity court door. JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center members/users will not be allowed to access JCH&L from the fitness center. All fitness center classes are suspended until further notice.
  • 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.

“We are staying abreast of the latest information from the Nebraska DHHS Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and we are working with state and local public health officials,” said Vic Lee, interim CEO at JCH&L. “We ask that our community understand that the situation continues to evolve and change rapidly, and we are making the best decisions we can to protect and care for our area residents, staff and community. Precautionary measures will continue to change as we receive new information on COVID-19.”

Gardenside and Cedarwood Closed

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New restrictions from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) require that as of today (Saturday, March 14) JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood assisted living will be closed to all non-essential personnel, including family members.

JCH&L Takes Precautionary Measures Regarding COVID-19

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is taking precautionary measures and preparing for possible cases of COVID-19. While a small number cases have been identified in Nebraska, none have been identified to date in Jefferson County or surrounding counties.

As of Wednesday, March 11, JCH&L was discouraging visitors to Gardenside and Cedarwood, as the residents and tenants are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19 and influenza, which remains active in the area. Anyone who must visit Gardenside or Cedarwood, and patients at any JCH&L facilities, are now being screened for COVID-19 risk factors.

Screening questions include:

  • Have you traveled to China, Iran, Italy or South Korea or have you been on a cruise ship recently?
  • Do you have any signs or symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat)?
  • Have you had contact with someone who has COVID-19 or who is under investigation for COVID-19?
  • Do you live in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring?

Anyone who has any of these risk factors will not be allowed to visit Gardenside or Cedarwood. JCH&L continues to require masking for any visitors to Gardenside or Cedarwood who have not been vaccinated for influenza.

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.

“The health and wellness of our residents and tenants and the caregiving team who support them is our number one priority,” said Vic Lee, interim CEO at JCH&L. “We are staying abreast of the latest information from the Nebraska DHHS Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and we are working with state and local public health officials.”

We will be educating staff and residents and families on symptom awareness for COVID-19, and infection control best practices.

“We have plans in place for a wide variety of emergencies. These plans continue to be updated and details are changed appropriately as needed for specific possible concerns, such as COVID-19,” Lee said. “Precautionary measures may change as we receive new information on COVID-19.”

Ukuladies to Perform at Gardenside

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The Ukuladies of Seward County will perform at JCH&L Gardenside at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. The public is invited.

The Ukuladies of Seward County is a group of seven women who play different types of ukuleles. They play all types of music, and have played at many different types of events. The group was recently features on Pure Nebraska on Channels 10/11.

You can find more about them on Facebook at Ukuladies of Seward County.

Jefferson Community Health and Life upgrades to Cerner to improve care and enhance the patient experience

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Jefferson Community Health and Life (JCH&L) announced today it has selected Cerner Corporation®, a global health care technology company, to implement a new integrated electronic health record (EHR) across its hospital and clinics. Cerner will provide the hospital with sophisticated health care technology designed to support doctors, nurses and staff as they work improve patient care and safety while streamlining operations.

“This transition to Cerner lays the foundation for JCH&L’s future,” said Erin Starr, chief nursing officer, JCH&L. “Having one connected system used throughout our hospital and clinics will help doctors and nurses work smarter to improve the overall health of our community.”

For more than four decades, Cerner has developed technology to aid hospitals in improving patient care. Connecting the JCH&L network with Cerner’s robust and integrated health care technology solutions will support caregivers in providing a more seamless health care experience.

JCH&L will transition to Cerner Millennium®, a health care IT platform designed to support a patient’s care journey across all venues, from the doctor’s office to the hospital and outpatient clinics. Cerner’s technology will help provide staff with a full digital view of their patients’ health history, giving clinicians direct access to the medical information they need at the point of care. Cerner’s CommunityWorks℠ delivery model, a cloud technology that supports unique needs of critical access hospitals, will be used across JCH&L’s 17-bed hospital, ancillary services and two family medicine clinics.

“Our technology will help drive value to JCH&L and its patients that extends beyond traditional electronic health record services,” said Mitchell Clark, president, CommunityWorks, Cerner. “The move from paper to electronic health records in the JCHL clinics is particularly meaningful as health systems of all sizes look to digitize and scale services in order to better align with patient needs. We’re committed to improve the safety, quality and experience of health care for patients and caregivers.”

A new and improved patient portal will offer patients around-the-clock access to their health records. This technology is designed to empower patients to take an active role in their health care by making it easier to access information and appointment scheduling resources at any time. Once enrolled, those receiving care can use this online resource to securely exchange messages with health care providers, view health results and records, settle balances, schedule appointments and more.

JCH&L has offered comprehensive health care services to the residents of Fairbury and surrounding communities for more than 55 years. Collaborating with an industry-leading health care technology provider puts the health system in a better position to serve the communities needs both now and well into the future.

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