Because of increased influenza activity in our area, Jefferson Community Health & Life and Cedarwood are requiring visitors, volunteers and staff who have not been immunized to wear masks when in the facilities. In addition, JCH&L reminds the public that anyone who has been exposed to influenza or has symptoms should not visit. This includes the hospital, Gardenside and Cedarwood assisted living, and includes all events, including holiday parties.

“We are taking this step in order to protect our patients and residents,” said Amber Brunow, infection preventionist.

Gardenside and Cedarwood do not have any active cases of influenza at this time. These precautions are being taken to keep residents and tenants healthy and prevent an outbreak.

Public health influenza surveillance systems are showing a marked increase in influenza activity throughout the state in the past week, including in and around Jefferson County.

Influenza symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that anyone with influenza symptoms stay home and avoid contact with others except to receive medical care. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications and you get flu symptoms.  People at high risk of flu complications include young children, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

The CDC lists these steps to prevent influenza:
*Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
*While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

*Stay home at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without medication).

*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.

*Wash your hands often with soap and water.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

*Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

More than one in three people age 65 years or older falls each year—and those falls can bring serious injury. There are many ways you can learn to help reduce your risk of falling—and JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center’s Fall Prevention Camp is ready to teach you!

Fall Prevention Camp will be a 2-session class which will be held on Saturdays, Dec. 21 and Jan. 11 at JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center. Each class will meet from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The course will include exercises; information on exercise, balance and mobility; medications; posture; footwear; vision; sleep; and using walking sticks, canes and walkers; home hazards; and bone health. The course will be instructed by Charlie Partin, an experienced yoga and tai chi instructor.

The course is free to members of the Burkley Fitness Center. Non-members may participate by purchasing a guest pass (available at the fitness center main desk for $7 per visit) for each class.

Registration is needed by noon on Friday, Dec. 20.

For more information, contact the Burkley Fitness Center at 402-729-6139, or stop by at 2200 H St., Fairbury.

Jefferson Community Health & Life was named among the Top 10 Nebraska Hospitals for Rural Provider Excellence in Quality during the Nebraska Critical Access Hospitals Conference on Quality held Nov. 14-15 in Kearney.

The award uses the iVantage measures as well as scores in the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project. This is the second year for the Top 10 hospitals in Nebraska to be recognized by the Rural Health Association at the CAH Quality Conference. JCH&L was among the Top 10 recognized last year, as well.

A subsidiary of The Chartis Group, iVantage Health Analytics (iVantage) is a leading provider of healthcare analytic and performance management analytic tools. Health system and hospital leadership teams across the country rely on the company’s software and services to deliver customized insights on clinical and financial performance, strategic planning, market assessment and payment optimization. iVantage’s analytics are the basis of continuing thought leadership and insight in the areas of healthcare policy and research.

The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project is a quality improvement activity under the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) grant program of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health policy. The goal is to improve the quality of care in Critical Access Hospitals by increasing quality data reporting and driving quality improvement activities based on the data.

The MBQIP measures include ER transfer communication, CMS core measures in ER and immunization rates for patients.

FAIRBURY – In honor of National Rural Health Day and Diabetes Month, on Thursday, Nov. 21, JCH&L Plymouth Clinic will offer free blood sugar screenings, free blood pressure screenings, healthy snacks and an opportunity for all who stop in to sign up to win a frozen turkey.

The special screenings, snacks and drawing will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at JCH&L Plymouth Clinic.

National Rural Health Day is designated by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health to celebrate the power of rural by honoring the selfless, community-minded, can-do spirit that prevails in rural America and showcase the efforts of rural healthcare providers. It also gives an opportunity to bring to light the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face.

November is also National Diabetes Month – and diabetes is a major health concern in both rural and urban areas of the United States. This year’s focus of National Diabetes Month in on links between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The American Diabetes Association says that 84 million American adults have prediabetes, and are therefore at risk of developing diabetes. Unfortunately, nearly 90 percent of them don’t even know it. A simple blood sugar screening, along with a diabetes risk questionnaire will be available to help you determine if you are at risk.

Blood pressure screening will also be offered. High blood pressure is a “silent killer.” Typically, a person with high blood pressure has no symptoms, and if left untreated high blood pressure can contribute to stroke, heart attack and other health issues. High blood pressure can be prevented and can be managed. Having a blood pressure screening and if necessary making some lifestyle changes can help you live a healthier life.

Everyone who comes in can sample some healthy treats, and sign up for a drawing for a free Thanksgiving turkey.

“On Rural Health Day, we are thankful for our health, and for our community,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations for Jefferson Community Health & Life. “We want to share the Power of Rural with those in Plymouth and the surrounding area and provide some valuable health information which could help people live healthier lives.”

The Plymouth Clinic offers a wide range of family medicine services, including: physical exams and preventative care, treatment of acute and chronic illness, minor surgeries and procedures, laboratory services and radiology services. Winter hours are now in effect: Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Appointments at JCH&L Plymouth Clinic can be made Monday through Friday by calling 402-729-6888. Providers are certified physician assistants Kelsey Cherry, PA-C and Tyler Maguire, PA-C. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 402-729-6888. When the Plymouth Clinic is not open, calls are answered by JCH&L Fairbury Clinic.