Dry Needling Now Available Without a Doctor’s Order

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Dry needling is now offered as a stand-alone, cash-based service without a doctor’s order at Jefferson Community Health & Life 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.

Callie Engler PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist, and Travis Kostal, PT, DPT, are both trained in trigger point dry needling for pain management.

“While it does not help every patient, for many patients who experience pain it can be a very helpful technique,” 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. Younger and healthier patients need 2-3 days between treatments, and older and weaker patients need 4-7 days between treatments. Sometimes patients may find relief after just a few treatments, but severe or chronic symptoms typically require more treatments.

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

Some patients may experience side effects, including syncope, bleeding/bruising, pneumothorax, post treatment soreness, drowsiness, and erythema.

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 Among Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals 2023

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For the eighth time in 10 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.

“We are pleased to be recognized again for our daily commitment to providing the best health care possible to residents of Jefferson County and beyond, while maintaining an efficient and effective facility,” said Burke Kline, DHA, MHA,  CHFP, FACHE, CEO of Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Jefferson Community Health & Life scored in the top 100 of critical access hospitals (CAHs) on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™ for 2023, and previously in 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 13th 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.

“Across the nation, top 100 rural providers continue to serve as a source of inspiration for hospital leadership teams and staff working diligently every day to improve the delivery of care within their local communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “The list of award winners in each category is as geographically diverse as we’ve seen in some time, which is wonderful to see. We’re thrilled to be able to honor the outstanding efforts of these top performing rural hospitals.”

The list of this year’s Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals, as well as the 2023 INDEX methodology, can be found at: https://www.chartis.com/top-performing-rural-hospitals

JCH&L is among 11 Nebraska critical access hospitals to make the Top 100 list for 2023. Others are: Boone County Health Center, Albion; Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior; CHI Health St. Mary’s, Nebraska City; Community Medical Center, Falls City; Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul; Jennie M. Melham Medical Center, Broken Bow; Memorial Community Health Systems, Seward; Memorial Hospital, Aurora; Pender Community Hospital, Pender; and Phelps Memorial Health Center, Holdrege.

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 2022, JCH&L was recognized with a Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality and Patient Perspective. 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 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 reaffirm that our emphasis on quality, performance and satisfaction are making a difference to the people we serve and to our health center. It is because of the work and care of our staff, physicians and board, and the support of the people of Jefferson County and beyond that we are able to meet and surpass these benchmarks and receive recognition,” Kline said.

Kline Named “CEO to Know” by Becker’s

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Jefferson Community Health & Life CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, CHFP, FACHE, was named one of 80 Rural Hospital CEOs To Know by Becker’s Hospital Review in February.

Becker’s Hospital Review published the 2023 list of rural hospital CEOs to know on Feb. 10. The article stated: “The executives featured in this list have put their heart and soul into ensuring their communities have access to the best healthcare services possible. While rural hospitals across the country have faced closure in recent years, these leaders have developed a model for not only surviving, but thriving.”

The story included Dr. Kline’s guidance to JCH&L in adding services including a visiting neurosurgeon, vascular services, and genetic counseling. It recognizes that he was awarded the Medical Group Management Association’s Extraordinary Leader Award in 2021, and the American College of Healthcare Executives Nebraska and Western Iowa Early Careerist Regent’s Award in 2020.

In addition to the honors named by Becker’s, Dr. Kline was named an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy in 2022; earned an American College of Healthcare Executives service award in 2022; named a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives in 2021; named to the board of directors of the American College of Healthcare Executives Nebraska and Western Iowa in 2021; named to the ACHE Editorial Board in 2021; and named a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) in 2021. He has previously been named in the Becker’s Hospital Review “67 Rural CEOs to Know” in 2022; “70 CAH CEOs to Know” in 2019, “71 CAH CEOs to know” in 2018, and “Rising Star: 90 Healthcare Leaders Under 40” in 2018.

Dr. Kline was one of 8 Nebraska CEOs who made the Becker’s 2023 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know list. The full story and complete list may be found at: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists/80-rural-hospital-ceos-to-know-2023.

JCH&L Occupational Health Program Expands

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JCH&L’s Occupational Health Program has expanded, and is now located at JCH&L’s North Building, 825 22nd St. Occupational Health works with area employers to help them improve their employees’ health and productivity.

A wide variety of services are available including Physical Capacity Profile testing, drug screenings, vaccinations, screening bloodwork, and health risk assessments. JCH&L recognizes that each business has its own specific needs, so staff will help you come up with the plan that meets your needs. Bundled prices and volume discounts are available.

“We have been able to help several area businesses with their employee health and wellness needs, and would be glad to look into the needs of other businesses, as well,” said Lori Ohlde, Occupational Health director.

Physical Capacity Profile testing is specific to each job level and job description. Testing includes baseline/new hire testing which can help you make sure that new hires can handle the physical requirements of a job. Whether injuries are work or non-work-related, Fit for Duty (return to work) testing can also help you assure that if an employee has had an injury they are back to where they need to be physically before returning to work. We offer free trials to HR or management staff who are interested in understanding the system. We also offer special discounted rates for testing 10 or more employees.

Drug screenings are available for new employee testing or random testing. Parameters can be specific to your business needs. Our system offers easy and convenient web access to results.

JCH&L Occupational Health offers vaccinations. We can do groups at your business location upon request. Vaccinations available include influenza, Tdap, Hep B, TB, and COVID vaccinations. Please ask if there are others you would like to provide to your employees.

We also offer wellness screens (CBC, CMP, Lipids and T4), and Health Risk Assessments.

We continue to seek ways to better serve our area businesses. If you have specific needs for occupational health services not currently offered, please let us know so we can determine if we can add the service.

If you are interested in more in more information or a demonstration, contact Lori Ohlde, director, at 402-729-6857, or email Lori.Ohlde@JCHealthandLife.org.

JCH&L Holds Annual Meeting

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2022 Another Successful Year

The Jefferson Community Health & Life board of directors held the organization’s annual membership meeting for fiscal 2022 on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Two board members were elected to serve on the board: Sara Stewart and Diane Wellsandt. Stewart and Wellsandt fill positions left by Steven Grizzle and Sherrie Schultis, who each chose not to run for re-election to a second term on the board. Board members are elected from among members of the corporation and may serve up to two consecutive four-year terms.

Trevor Steinmeyer, board chairman, thanked the administration, medical staff, board members and staff for continuing to be excellent and providing exceptional care at the highest level to patients. He said a highlight of the year was the opening of the new state-of-the-art clinic, and adding two new family medicine physicians. He pointed out that JCH&L was named among the Top 10 Nebraska Hospitals for Rural Provider Excellence in Quality and was recognized with a Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality and Patient Perspective.

“It’s obvious Jefferson Community Health & Life continues to be a leader in health care, while continuing to strive for the mission of providing exceptional health and life services for every person, every time,” Steinmeyer said.

Highlights in the CEO’s annual report to the membership from CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, CHFP, FACHE, included the Performance Leadership Award and Nebraska Quality Award. JCH&L received the Spirit Award for safety from the Nebraska Safety Council in 2022. Gardenside continues to be recognized with a 5-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Dr. Kline was named an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy, was named in Becker’s Hospital Review as one of “67 Rural CEOs to Know,” and received an ACHE service award. Madhav Narayan MD and Sean Flor MD joined JCH&L Fairbury Clinic. Megan Corbin was named infection preventionist, Jen Johnson was named fitness center manager, Jennifer Jung became purchasing manager, Cindy Barry become housekeeping manager, and Amber Brunow became laboratory manager. Callie Engler, PT, DPT, was awarded the professional designation of Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Therapy. Therapist Nichole Thorp, PT, DPT, became a certified nutritional physical therapist, and Cassidy Bentley, MOT, OTR/L., CLT, became certified in lymphedema therapy. Jenn Mau, RN, BSN, graduated from the Nebraska Hospital Association QI Residency program and became a Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional. Erin Starr, RN, JCH&L chief nursing officer, earned her master’s degree in healthcare administration. Laura DeBoer, RN, Gardenside director of nursing, received a social worker degree certification. Wayne Franzen, Gardenside day activity coordinator, earned an activities certification. Teresa Kroll earned her medical assistant certificate. Sara Huss, Gardenside CNA, earned a Nebraska Hospital Association Scholarship.

New services added in 2022 included colonoscopies by Gastroenterology Specialties of Lincoln, as well as by local family medicine physicians Dr. Narayan and Dr. Flor. Matthew Shupe, DO, of Nebraska Hematology-Oncology became the second oncologist offering services at JCH&L. Advanced Medical Imaging began offering Interventional Radiology services at JCH&L. Dr. Jeremy Hosein of Neurological and Spinal Surgery LLC began offering clinics at JCH&L. Brittany Filipi was hired as an ultrasound and vascular tech, enabling JCH&L to begin offering in-house vascular screening. A new Dexa Scanner was added. A new CPR training simulator was added. Carolyn Ferguson, FNP-C, began offering Battlefield Acupuncture. The Smart Moves lifestyle change program and Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s support groups both resumed after being on hold for COVID.  JCH&L added a portable ventilator and AirVo2 High Flow Oxygen system.

Chance Klasek, CFO, presented a report containing a comparison of financial data over the past five years. Chance noted that our gross revenues increased to just over $42 million in the current year. After bad debt and contractual adjustments of $11 million and expenses of $30 million, this left us with $1 million of operating income which equated to a 3.14% operating margin. We recognized losses on investments of roughly $1.1 million and received grants of $1 million during the year.

Anyone who has donated $100 or more to Jefferson Community Health & Life is a member of the private not-for-profit corporation.

At the regular monthly board meeting which followed the annual meeting, officers were elected for 2023. Officers are: Trevor Steinmeyer, chairman; Ross Boeckner, vice chairman; and Glenda Austin, secretary-treasurer.

Berkenmeier Receives Chemotherapy Certification

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Carly Berkenmeier RN has received her ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate. Berkenmeier joined JCH&L as the oncology nurse in December 2022.

This certificate means Berkenmeier possesses knowledge in the subspecialty chemotherapy and immunotherapy administration.  This course equips her with the tools she needs to safely administer chemotherapy and immunotherapy to our patients with cancer, while providing the type of quality care demanded by JCH&L.

The course is intended for nurses who have knowledge of cancer basics and are in a position to regularly administer chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It builds on a foundation of cancer knowledge, with the learner earning a certificate of added qualification upon successful completion.

The certification is renewable every two years.

Joni Tilford, MD, oncologist with Cancer Partners of Nebraska, and Matthew Shupe, DO, oncologist with Hematology oncology, each come to JCH&L monthly for clinics. Ancillary services available include lab, radiology, respiration therapy and surgery. JCH&L can take orders for services – including chemotherapy and ancillary services – from any physician or oncologist.

For more information, contact JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

Caregivers Support Group to Meet Feb. 9

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The Caregivers Support Group offered by the Alzheimer’s Association will meet on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at 4 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room.

The program will be a video “Sleep Disturbances” by UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the signage to “Caregiver’s Support.”

The Caregiver’s Support Group is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association which started again in November after a break because of COVID. The group now typically meets at
4 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the JCH&L Clinic Conference Room.

The support group is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.  The group provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease and learn from other’s experiences. There is no cost, and no pre-registration required.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855.

Kids Cooking Class Returns to JHC&L

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Children will have an opportunity to learn about healthy eating and the importance of working together to plan and prepare healthy meals during a Cooking Class for Kids to be offered Friday, March 10, Thursday, April 20, and Friday, April 21, at Jefferson Community Health & Life. The program is open to kids in grades 3-6 and their adult partners. During each class, participants will prepare a simple healthy meal together and then enjoy the meal as a group. The class is sponsored by Jefferson Community Health & Life and Nebraska Extension – Jefferson County. This is the same class being offered on three times – please only register for one.

The Friday, March 10, and Friday, April 21, classes will be offered from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Thursday, April 20, class will be offered from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The registration fee is $20 per team. Pre-registration with payment is required by Friday, March 3.

Aprons will be available for the children to wear during the class, and available for them to purchase after the class if they choose for an additional $5.

For more information or a registration form, call Lisa Edeal, RDN, LMNT, at 402-729-6846.

Norden Earns Bachelor’s Degree in Health Management

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JCH&L Fairbury Clinic Administrator Ashley Norden, LPN, has earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Management from the University of Phoenix.

Norden, who has been clinic administrator since 2020, has been with JCH&L since 2009. She was selected for the Nebraska Action Coalition’s 40 under 40 emerging nurse leader award in 2021. She became a Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional in 2020.

Norden is committed to providing excellent customer service and helping our rural family medicine clinic continue to grow and improve.

Know Your Insurance Coverage

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Knowing your health insurance and what it covers is an important part of staying healthy and keeping health care costs manageable.

Health insurance plans are all very different – and two people covered by the same company may have different plans with different requirements.

Some important parts of your health insurance to know:

Deductible – The Deductible is the amount that you must pay out of your own pocket before the insurance company will begin paying towards any covered expenses. The deductible affects how much money you will pay to the doctor or hospital, and is typically paid at the time of treatment. Depending on the plan, the deductible may be paid once per calendar year or once per new condition.

Co-pay – This is an amount you must pay out of pocket before the insurance company pays for eligible expenses. Typically this is required instead of a deductible or coinsurance and requires you to pay a set fee for a specific service (for example, $25 for an office visit.)

Co-insurance – This a percentage of what your insurance will pay to cover your health care cost after any deductibles or copays have been met.

Provider network – This is a group of providers who have contracted with the insurance company to provide services. In-network providers will typically accept reimbursement from your insurance provider, while out-of-network providers may not. In-network providers may also be available at a lower cost to you.

Preventative care  – Most health plans cover preventative care at 100 percent. Certain screenings and vaccinations fall under the guidelines of preventative care. Some types of screenings can be preventative or diagnostic depending on your personal health history. For example, a colonoscopy can be screening because you have no symptoms, or can be diagnostic because you have symptoms or a diagnosis. Some lab work may also be considered either screening or diagnostic depending on your personal health history. If in doubt, talk to your insurer before you have a screening, so you understand how your preventative care benefits work before the bill arrives.

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