OB-GYN to Be Added to JCH&L Specialty Clinics

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Dr. Wendy Reeves, OB-GYN, will begin seeing patients at Jefferson Community Health & Life outpatient services on Thursday, Oct. 15. Dr. Reeves is with Beatrice Community Hospital Women’s and Children’s Clinic, and will offer a monthly clinic at JCH&L.

“We are pleased to forge this partnership with Beatrice Community Hospital, which allows women to receive many obstetric and gynecological services here at JCH&L,” said Burke Kline, DHA, JCH&L CEO. “We are committed to offering a wide array of specialty clinics and being our community’s most trusted partner for a lifetime of health.”

Besides OB visits, Dr. Reeves will offer a variety of services at JCH&L: minor procedures, tubals, diagnostic laparoscopies, LEEPs, hysterectomies and hysteroscopies. For pregnant women, the initial obstetric appointment will be in Beatrice, and routine visits will be available in Fairbury, unless the patient is high risk. Deliveries for patients seen at the Fairbury outpatient clinic will be at Beatrice Community Hospital. A referral from a primary care provider will be required for an appointment with Dr. Reeves.

Dr. Reeves received her doctorate of medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, and did her residency at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center, Dearborn, Mich. She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

All outpatients who visit the clinic are screened and will be asked to wear a mask. For more information, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

Dr. Todd Martin, OB-GYN, had previously provided specialty services at JCH&L on a monthly basis, but was unable to continue holding clinics at JCH&L because of other priorities.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic does not currently offer pre-natal care. JCH&L Fairbury Clinic does offer complete general care of family members of all ages, including well baby checks and general health care for pregnant mothers. JCH&L health center does not currently deliver babies.

COVID Testing Q&A

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There are many questions surrounding COVID-19 testing and what is available at Jefferson Community Health & Life. While information continues to change and evolve, here is the current information.

What are symptoms of COVID-19?

Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea

If a person has symptoms, what should they do?

We encourage people with COVID-related symptoms to call JCH&L Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361 and choose option 1 to make an appointment with one of our providers. The person making the appointment will ask you what your symptoms are. Depending on symptoms, you may be scheduled for a car visit – which because of changing weather will soon be held in a designated location at the health center. The patient will be given instructions on location.  You will be assessed by a provider. The provider will determine whether or not COVID testing is appropriate.

Those who have emergency warning signs of COVID-19 should call JCH&L at 402-729-3351 before coming to the emergency room. Signs that you need emergency care immediately include: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.

If you need an emergency visit and have COVID-related symptoms, you may be asked to go directly to the entrance for our negative pressure rooms. You will be given instructions.

What if a person needs a test before having surgery?

The ordering facility will call JCH&L health center and we will contact the patient.

If the patient has time for a longer turnaround time, they could also utilize TestNebraska. Test Nebraska is currently at JCH&L each Tuesday providing free COVID-19 testing. Register on-line at TestNebraska.com. On the site you can also see all TestNebraska testing sites available.

What if someone needs a test before travel?

Those who need a test for travel should register online for TestNebraska.com. Tests are free through TestNebraska.

If you need testing for travel and the timing for TestNebraska won’t meet your needs, you can request a private-pay test, which is about $220.

What if a person does not have symptoms, but wonders if they have COVID-19?

TestNebraska can typically be utilized for:

  • Asymptomatic individuals who have no known exposures
  • Known positives wondering if they are still carrying the virus (NOTE: one negative result does not eliminate the 10-day isolation period)
  • Individuals in their 14-day quarantine who are curious if they have the virus (NOTE: it is mandatory to quarantine for all 14 days. Individuals can’t ‘test out’ of quarantine)
  • Individuals wanting free pre-op testing who can afford a shorter turn-around time
  • Individuals needing or wanting COVID testing before or after travel
  • Individuals concerned about asymptomatically spreading the virus to patients, coworkers, family or friends
  • Symptomatic individuals who are willing to wait longer and don’t want to make an appointment (NOTE: these individuals are expected to quarantine until they receive their results)
  • Individuals who do not meet requirements for the 14-day quarantine, but were exposed to someone who was exposed to a known positive and are genuinely concerned for their health and the health of those around them

What about health care workers and public safety officials (such as ambulance or law enforcement)?

Those with symptoms should call JCH&L health center at 402-729-3351.

Does insurance pay for COVID-19 testing?

Typically, if a person has symptoms and a COVID-19 test is ordered or if they are required to have pre-op testing, insurance will cover COVID-19 testing.  If a test is ordered for travel purposes or curiosity, there is an approximate $220 private pay charge for a test.

TestNebraska is offered free for qualifying individuals. Please note, the availability of testing supplies and test kits may affect what the criteria are for qualifying for TestNebraska.

Water Aerobics Class Resumes at JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center

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JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center has begun offering a morning water aerobics class again this week. Morning water aerobics begins the week of Oct. 5, joining other classes which resumed the prior week: Body Pump, Armchair Aerobics, Circuit Training, Senior Yoga, and Tai Chi.

For the water aerobics class, special markings will show participants their spaces in the pool and maintain social distancing. Water aerobics participants will be asked to pay particular attention to masking and social distancing in the locker room, and when entering and leaving the pool area.

For all classes, social distancing will be a requirement, class sizes will be limited, instructors will wear masks (optional for participants), and staff will do extra cleaning. In some cases, reservations may be required. All participants will enter through the alternate entrance (north side of the basketball court), and will be screened. Please do not come if you are ill or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

The basketball court remains closed to activities, and there will be no access for members or guests to the health center from the fitness center.

For details on the classes, please call the Burkley Fitness Center at 402-729-6139.

Members are encouraged to watch JCH&L’s Facebook, Twitter and website for updates, or call 402-729-6139 for more information.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits Oct. 26

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FAIRBURY –The next Nebraska Community Bloodbank blood drive will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2  p.m. in the mobile unit in the parking lot of JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, 825 22nd St.

All types are needed. Giving blood is giving a gift of life. Nebraska Community Bloodbank is Jefferson Community Health & Life’s blood supplier, and the two organizations partner for blood drives in Fairbury to save lives.

To make an appointment, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851, or visit NCBB.org and use sponsor code JCHC.

With iDonate you can save time by completing your health history on line ahead of your bloodmobile visit. To get started, visit NCBB.org/iDonate

Mobile Screening Services to be Offered at JCH&L

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Mobile Screening Services from Bryan Health will be offered at Jefferson Community Health & Life on Oct. 27 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The screenings are available on a private-pay basis only.

Several types of screening are available. Atrial fibrillation screening is available for all ages. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia, affecting 2.7 million Americans. The cost of this screening is $10.

The other three screenings offered are available to those who are 65 or older, or age 55 with certain personal risk factors or family history. Please discuss your eligibility with the scheduler when you call to make an appointment. Screenings available based on age or risk include:

  • Peripheral Arterial Disease screening – A painless, non-invasive test called the anklebrachial index (Abi) compares the blood pressure in the ankles to the blood pressure in the arms to determine how well the blood is flowing. Cost– $20.
  • Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound screening – This painless, non-invasive screening detects the presence of an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta (four hour fast required.) Cost – $40.
  • Carotid Artery Ultrasound screening – This painless, non-invasive screening detects plaque deposits in the carotid arteries. These plaque deposits are a leading risk factor for stroke. Cost – $40.

Appointments for any of the screenings maybe made by calling JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned for JCH&L Clinic Addition

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Groundbreaking ceremonies for a new JCH&L Fairbury Clinic are set for Monday, Oct. 19, at 12:30 p.m. The groundbreaking ceremony will be a hybrid ceremony of in-person and virtual held on the west side of the health center facility. JCH&L staff and participants in the ground breaking will attend in person (masked and respecting social distancing where possible), and the public will be invited to join by Facebook Live.

“This is a momentous occasion and we want to give it the attention it deserves,” said Dr. Burke Kline, CEO. “We also want to keep everyone safe in this time of COVID-19. This allows staff and the community to witness this historic event.”

The clinic project is an estimated $8.4 million project which will attach JCH&L Fairbury Clinic to the west side of the health center. It will include a new main entrance to the facility and a future new office area.

“The new location for the clinic will be much more convenient for our clinic patients, especially when they also need hospital services,” Kline said. “It will modernize the clinic, provide better internal handicap accessibility, allow for easier use of technology, and increase the clinic space to allow us to continue to grow.”

The full project is expected to begin on Oct. 12 with construction of a new parking area west of Cedarwood, which needs to be completed before the clinic construction begins to allow for parking. The new parking area will have access from both the Cedarwood parking lot, and the north lot accessible from H Street. Clinic construction will utilize most of the south H Street parking lot, and will mean the south entrance from H Street will be closed.

In the early stages of the project the front entrance circle drive will be closed and the main entrance will not be accessible. The main driveway and the north H Street parking lot will be accessible, along with the new parking just west of Cedarwood. During the project, the Emergency Room and Outpatient Services will be accessed ONLY from 22nd Street. Some new parking will also be added south of the health center building, and will be accessible from 22nd Street.

“We are working diligently to make sure there is ample parking for patients, customers and staff throughout the project, and when the project is complete,” Kline said. “We apologize for the inconveniences this project will bring. We know the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term inconveniences.”

During the project:

*Burkley Fitness Center users will continue to enter from the basketball court entrance on the north side of the fitness center. This has been the temporary access because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to be the temporary access to the fitness center because of the construction project.

*Patients using JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services will be able to use the Burkley Fitness Center temporary entrance, or may use the Outpatient Services entrance.

*Emergency and Outpatient services patients and customers must use the 22nd Street drive to access services.

*Health center patients, visitors and all others who need to access the health center should use the Emergency and Outpatient entrance.

*Ambulances must use the 22nd Street entrance to access the Emergency Room.

*Gardenside visitors, when permitted, will be directed to which door to use. The main entrance will not be available.

*There will be minor disruption in the west side of Cedarwood’s parking lot during construction of the new parking west of Cedarwood.

Plans for the project are currently being finalized. Plans will be shared during the groundbreaking ceremony. Because the ceremony will be shared on Facebook Live, it will also be available as a video on JCH&L’s Facebook page following the ceremony, said Lana Likens, director of public relations.

JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center Classes Resume

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JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center will begin offering some classes again the week of Sept. 28, with some changes. Classes resuming include Body Pump, Armchair Aerobics, Circuit Training, Senior Yoga, and Tai Chi.

For all classes, social distancing will be a requirement, class sizes will be limited, instructors will wear masks (optional for participants), and staff will do extra cleaning. In some cases, reservations may be required. All participants will enter through the alternate entrance (north side of the basketball court), and will be screened. Please do not come if you are ill or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

The basketball court remains closed to activities, and there will be no access for members or guests to the health center from the fitness center.

For details on the classes, please call the Burkley Fitness Center at 402-729-6139.

Members are encouraged to watch JCH&L’s Facebook, Twitter and website for updates, or call 402-729-6139 for more information.

Brunow Honored As JCH&L’s Caring Kind for 2020

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Amber Brunow, infection preventionist, was recognized as Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Caring Kind employee for 2020.

Brunow has been employed at JCH&L for 5 years. She has been the infection preventionist for three years, and previously worked in the laboratory. She strives diligently to keep patients, residents, customers and the community safe and healthy. She was nominated by many fellow staff members for her work in keeping everyone healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic – all while showing everyone the utmost in care and consideration.

Nominators said Brunow takes great pride in keeping our community safe, and does so in a positive way with a smile on her face. She has been amazing and shown positive actions and kindness through it all. She has demonstrated strong leadership, dedication and teamwork during a time of chaos and uncertainty.  She is humble and shows she cares for each and every one of us. She is quick to respond when she is needed, answers every question to the best of her ability, keeps everyone informed, always makes time for you, and has kept her poise and grace even with the stress of the situation.  She steps up to help anytime and anywhere. Besides leading JCH&L’s response, she has called patients with results, helped with testing (even in other communities), and got JCH&L set up for TestNebraska. Not all infection preventionists go to these lengths.

“We are so proud of Amber’s leadership and care. She is one of so many JCH&L employees who show the teamwork, dedication and spirit that enhance patient care which is recognized by this award,” said Burke Kline, DHA, JCH&L CEO. “We are proud to have her represent us this year as our ‘Caring Kind’ employee.”

Annually, the Nebraska Association of Hospitals and Health Systems encourages each health center to select one employee to represent their hospital or health center as the Caring Kind employee. Although there will be no Nebraska Hospital Association convention this year, each hospital’s Caring Kind employee will be honored with an award plaque and booklet listing all recipients for this year. NHA will create a web-based slide show of the Caring Kind recipients that will run on the NHA website, nebraskahospitals.org, in November.

The Caring Kind recognizes employees who “exemplify the teamwork, dedication and spirit that create a positive work environment and enhance patient care.”

Brunow was honored by her facility with a “walk-through open house,” allowing her fellow co-workers to congratulate her and celebrate with her in COVID-appropriate fashion.

“The Caring Kind Award has truly become a rich tradition for the NHA and our members. The recipients demonstrate a level of kindness, caring, dedication and commitment to their patients that goes above and beyond,” said NHA President Laura J. Redoutey, FACHE.

JCH&L Among Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for Quality

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During the National Rural Health Association Conference held Sept. 23-25, Jefferson Community Health & Life was named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for quality in the country.

The Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals scored best among critical access hospitals as determined by The Chartis Center for Rural Health for quality. The rankings were announced in the spring by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). An awards ceremony was held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, during the NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference held virtually.

Those hospitals that have been recognized as Top 20 Critical Access Hospital “best practice recipients” have achieved success one of two key areas of performance:

Quality index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across the indicators of Hospital Compare Process of Care measures.

Patient perspective index: A rating of hospital performance aggregated and ranked across 10  domains of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS).

They were selected from The Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2020 Top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this yea

“Jefferson Community Health & Life is proud of the efforts of its physicians and staff who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” said Burke Kline, DHA, JCH&L CEO.  “Our results as a top 20 hospital in quality means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future.”

Jefferson Community Health & Life has a history of nationwide recognition as a critical access hospital. In February JCH&L was named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the United States for the sixth time in seven years. JCH&L scored in the top 100 of critical access hospitals (CAHs) on the iVantage Strength INDEX™ in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015 and 2014

In May 2018, 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 2018.

In November 2019, JCH&L was recognized for the third consecutive year with the Performance Leadership Award for overall excellence in quality, outcomes and patient perspective. The Performance Leadership Award is given by the Chartis Center for Rural Health/iVantage Health Analytics and the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health (NOSORH).

“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,” Kline said.

Influenza Vaccination Clinics Scheduled at JCH&L

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Influenza vaccinations will be available at Jefferson Community Health & Life in October. This year, vaccinations will be available at clinics scheduled for the health center conference rooms, as well as at both the Fairbury and Plymouth clinics. This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments will be required at all locations.

Call today to  make your appointment for:

  • Thursday, Oct. 15, or Friday, Oct. 16, at the health center. Appointments will be available from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For appointment time at either of these flu shot clinic days, please call 402-729-6889. When arriving, please use the main entrance (accessed from H Street parking.)
  • JCH&L Plymouth Clinic, Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 20. To make an appointment, call 402-729-6888.
  • JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, appointments may be made for regular clinic hours beginning Oct. 19. (Flu shots may also be given during previously scheduled appointments, if desired.) To make an appointment, call 402-729-3361 (option 1.)

When coming for influenza vaccination appointments this year, please:

  • Wear clothing which allows easy access to your arm
  • Bring your health insurance card and photo ID. Most health insurances cover the influenza vaccine. There will be a fee payable that day if it will be private pay.
  • Bring a completed Health History form (available on our website at JCHealthandLife.org) if you have not had an appointment since we started our new Electronic Health Record on Aug. 17

The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age or older. The CDC recommends that vaccination be during October, if possible. Earlier vaccination could mean suboptimal immunity by the end of influenza season. Once the vaccine is administered, it takes about 2 weeks for peak immunity to develop. The flu season typically starts in about November, so October is optimal timing for most flu seasons.

The influenza virus can cause mild to severe symptoms, and can lead to death, especially among those who have additional risk factors: age (65 and older or 2 and younger), immune compromised, chronic health conditions or pregnancy.

Please note some information specific to children.

*Children 8 and under will need two doses of the influenza vaccination one month apart if they have not had the influenza vaccine before.

*Children 18 and under who are covered by Medicaid can’t get their flu vaccines at these special influenza clinics or at the Fairbury or Plymouth Clinic. They must use a clinic which participates in the Vaccines for Children program. The Blue Valley Community Action Immunization Clinic which holds clinics twice a month at JCH&L offers Vaccines for Children immunizations. For an appointment call 402-826-2141, extension 3.

If you have questions about influenza vaccinations or the JCH&L influenza clinics, please call 402-729-3361, and select option 2 for patient services.

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