New Lab Tests Now Available in HealthyLife Testing

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Additional Discounted lab tests are now available at the patient’s request at Jefferson Community Health and Life. The additional tests include testing for hormone levels, vitamins and minerals, and titers for immunity.

Since 2021 JCH&L has offered an opportunity for patients to schedule certain lab tests without a physician’s order for a variety of commonly requested lab screenings. These screenings are private pay only, and insurance will not be billed.  The list of tests available has recently expanded.

This service is available on Wednesdays, and alternates between mornings (6 a.m. to 8 a.m.) and afternoons (4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

Area residents may be interested in this service if they wish to have more frequent testing than their health plan covers; to access and manage their health on a regular basis; are uninsured; or have a high deductible and want to take advantage of lower out-of-pocket expenses.

Results will be available on the JCH&L Patient Portal, and will not be shared with providers.

To make an appointment, call 402-587-5193 and leave a message. Appointments are required at least 24 hours before testing. Payment at the time of testing can be made by cash or check. If you would like to use a credit card, please ask for arrangements when scheduling.

JCH&L Joins #DressInBlueNE to Raise Awareness of Colorectal Cancer

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Fairbury, Neb. (Feb. 24, 2025) – Jefferson Community Health and Life is proud to participate in the Nebraska Cancer Coalition’s annual #DressInBlueNE campaign to raise awareness of colorectal cancer and the importance of lifesaving screening. This statewide effort coincides with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March and culminates in Dress in Blue Day on Friday, March 7.

JCH&L staff will be invited to wear denim on Thursday, March 6, for a donation to the Nebraska Cancer Coalition, which strives to raise awareness for various types of cancer throughout the year, including colorectal cancer in March. Staff are also encouraged to wear blue that day.

Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Nebraska, with incidence and mortality rates in the state exceeding national averages. Many are unaware that the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening has been lowered from 50 to 45.

  • In 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 940 new cases and 360 deaths from colorectal cancer in Nebraska.
  • Screening rates remain a challenge, with only 64% of Nebraskans aged 45-75 up-to-date on screenings as of 2022, and only 38% of those aged 45-54 current on their screenings.
  • By 2030, colorectal cancer is expected to become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among 20-49-year-olds. If you are within this age range and have symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider.

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives by detecting the disease early, when treatment is more effective, or can prevent it altogether. If you are ages 45 to 50 or have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened today. Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable—but you won’t know unless you go.

Taking ownership of your health by discussing your family history and screening options with a primary care provider is a vital step toward prevention. Multiple safe and affordable screening options are available, including at-home test kits. Additionally, the public can show support for colorectal cancer awareness by wearing blue on Friday, March 7, and sharing photos on social media using the hashtag #DressInBlueNE and #NC2.

For additional information on colorectal cancer screenings or local resources, please visit: https://www.necancer.org/Colorectal-Cancer

JCH&L Offers Free Medicare Educational Session March 4

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An educational session to help those who are considering Medicare in the next year is being offered by Jefferson Community Health & Life on Tuesday, March 4. The educational session will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the JCH&L Clinic Conference Room and a light supper will be provided. There is no cost to attend.

Medicare can be a complicated topic. Learn about the basics of Medicare and what you need to consider when you are approaching Medicare eligibility or are new to Medicare. The “Welcome to Medicare” program will provide comprehensive information about Medicare including: What does Medicare cost? What does Medicare cover? When should I enroll in Medicare? What rules do I need to know? What is the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage? When are the important deadlines?

Presenters will be Deb Sutton, RN, and Lori Ohlde, RN. Both are certified counselors in the Nebraska SHIP program.

To register, please call 402-729-6855. If you have questions about the program, please call 402-587-5226.

 

U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Nursing Homes Names JCH&L Gardenside Among Best in Nebraska

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Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside has been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report.

Since 2009, U.S. News’ annual Best Nursing Homes ratings have assisted American families in need of either short-term rehabilitation or long-term care for themselves or a loved one.

JCH&L Gardenside earned its U.S. News Best Nursing Home status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for Long-Term Care. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those that satisfy U.S. News’ proprietary assessment of consistent performance in quality measures.

“Gardenside is proud to provide excellent quality long-term care to our residents, who become our family,” said Laura DeBoer, RN, Director of Nursing. “We are always pleased to receive recognition for our care. Our staff strive every day to provide compassionate and quality care for each of our residents.”

For the 2025 edition, U.S. News evaluated nearly 15,000 nursing homes on patient and resident outcomes, such as infection rates; staffing levels; potentially inappropriate reliance on antipsychotic drugs; health inspection results and other indicators of quality.

“U.S. News’ Best Nursing Homes ratings put patient well-being at the forefront and provide families with the objective information they need to make confident decisions about their loved ones’ care,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “These annual ratings recognize U.S. nursing homes that deliver high-quality care, earning consistent positive outcomes, and support American families in finding local nursing homes that prioritize safety and well- being.”

To calculate the Best Nursing Homes ratings, U.S. News evaluated each nursing home’s performance using a variety of quality measures obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The U.S. News methodology factors data such as resident care, safety and outcomes. Both short- and long-term ratings include data on nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing ER and hospital visits. The long-term care rating also includes measures of whether a home changed ownership and how well it was staffed on weekends.

For more information, visit USNews.com and explore #BestNursingHomes on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

JCH&L Gardenside is licensed for 40 residents, and provides both long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. For more information call 402-729-5220.

JCH&L Among Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals for 2025

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For the tenth time in 12 years, Jefferson Community Health & Life has been named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.  Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.

“JCH&L has a great track record of providing quality and compassionate care to area residents. We are pleased to be recognized for the results of our commitment to providing the best health care possible to residents of Jefferson County and beyond,” said Holly Wolff, MHA, CEO of Jefferson Community Health and Life. “Our providers and care teams are proud to provide exceptional care and inspire our community to a lifetime of health.”

Jefferson Community Health & Life scored in the top 100 of critical access hospitals (CAHs) on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™ for 2025, and previously in 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, and 2014. The annual Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award is based on the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX ® from iVantage Health Analytics, and is regarded as one of the industry’s most significant designations of performance excellence.

Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility scored in the top 100 among all Critical Access Hospitals nationally. Now in its 15th year, the INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance. Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility had one of the 100 highest overall scores among all Critical Access Hospitals nationally.

“The Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award program elevates the very best performers and helps create a roadmap for those seeking to improve financial and operational performance while continuing to care for the communities they serve,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This is our 15th year recognizing the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with this year’s winners.”

The list of this year’s Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals can be found at: https://www.chartis.com/top-performing-rural-hospitals

JCH&L is among 15 Nebraska critical access hospitals to make the Top 100 list for 2025. Others are: Antelope Memorial Hospital, Neligh; Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Beatrice; Boone County Health Center, Albion; Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior; CHI Health St. Mary’s, Nebraska City; Community Medical Center, Falls City; Crete Area Medical Center, Crete; Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul; Johnson County Hospital, Tecumseh; Melham Medical Center, Broken Bow; Memorial Health Care Systems, Seward; Phelps Memorial Health Center, Holdrege; Thayer County Health Services, Hebron.

In May 2020, JCH&L was recognized by The Chartis Center and the National Rural Health Association for being in the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation for quality. In May 2018, JCH&L was recognized for being in the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals overall in the nation.

In November 2024, JCH&L was recognized with a Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality. The Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance  (75th percentile and above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and patient perspective. Jefferson Community Health & Life has previously been recognized with the NOSORH/iVantage Performance Leadership award for quality and patient perspective in 2023, 2022 and 2021; quality in 2020; for quality, outcomes and patient perspective in 2017, 2018 and 2019; and for financial strength and patient satisfaction in 2016.

“These recognitions are because of the work and care of our providers, staff and board, and the support of the people of Jefferson County and beyond. The recognition reaffirms what we work hard to accomplish every day – provide exceptional health care to our area residents,” Wolff said.

Two Additional Providers Trained in Dry Needling

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Two additional providers at Jefferson Community Health & Life Sports Medicine and Rehah Services have been trained to perform dry needling.

Landon Zarybnicky, PT, DPT, and Nichole Thorp, PT, DPT, have been trained in dry needling. They join the two therapists who have previously been trained: Callie Engler PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist, and Travis Kostal, PT, DPT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy.

Dry needling is now offered as a stand-alone, cash-based service without a doctor’s order at JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services.

Dry needling is a non-pharmaceutical therapeutic modality which uses a small filiform acupuncture needle specifically for treating and preventing soft tissue pain and dysfunction. Dry needling stimulates the healing process in soft tissues, leading to pain relief and restoration of tissue health and mobility. Dry needling can be beneficial for back pain, neck pain, headaches, TMJ pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, tennis elbow and many other diagnoses.

“I have been utilizing dry needling in my physical therapy practice for 10 years and it has been clinically proven to be effective in eliminating muscular pain and promoting tissue healing,” Engler said. “I have had many patients report great results.”

She said how often the area is treated depends on many variables, including how many needles are inserted during a treatment.

The treatment can be done on those who are under 19 with parent permission.

There are times when dry needling is not something she would recommend, including: near surgical sites less than 4 weeks after surgery; near implants or joint replacements for at least six weeks; if the patient has problems with needles; or near open wounds. She would recommend extra caution with patients who are pregnant, have very high or low blood pressure, or have a fear of needles.

When dry needling is done as a cash-based service, insurance will not be billed and a physician order is not required. Dry needling with up to a 30-minute treatment session is offered for $40. Call 402-729-6840 to schedule or for more information.

JCH&L Staff Certified in Prior Authorization

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Jefferson Community Health and Life staff members Kayla Young, Tiff Bartels and Jasmine Schwisow are now certified authorization specialists, through Accreditation Council For Medical Affairs (ACMA), The Prior Authorization Certified Specialist (PACS) Program.

Schwisow, patient access manager, said the education will be an asset for JCH&L and its patients.

“The training will help us to ensure that we are getting services covered and approved from insurance so everyone can have a peace of mind,” Schwisow said.

The 12-module program covered:

Prior Authorization Understanding

What prior authorization is and how it came to be utilized across the industry

Insurance Policies and Payment

A comprehensive understanding of health insurance for federal, state, and commercial plans as well as pricing, drug tiering and copay assistance

Compliance

Compliance standards relevant to any professional working in reimbursement and access

Processes

Important functional areas within Medical Affairs, such as compliant publication practices, advisory boards, continuing medical education, investigator sponsored research, and post-marketing studies

Barriers to Access

Essential resources and education to develop the skills needed to handle denials and work towards claim resolution

“This program gave us a lot of great material and knowledge we have not learned before. This course explained not just the ‘why’ of the process, but the importance of all the pieces that make up the why,” Schwisow said.

Anyone with questions about prior authorization of services can contact Schwisow at 402-729-3351, extension 4611.

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