iVantage Research Identifies Top Performing Hospitals

FAIRBURY, Neb. — For the fourth time, Jefferson Community Health & Life has been named a top 100 critical access hospital in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

“This achievement is very gratifying and validates our daily commitment to providing the best health care possible to our community, while maintaining an efficient and effective facility,” said Chad Jurgens, JCH&L CEO.

Jefferson Community Health & Life scored in the top 100 of critical access hospitals (CAHs) on the iVantage Strength INDEX™ in 2018, and previously made the Top 100 list in 2014, 2015, and 2017. The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive rating of U.S. acute care hospitals, and the only one to include the country’s 1,300 CAHs. The Top 100 list for 2018 is available at: www.ivantageindex.com/top-performing-hospitals

Nebraska Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals for 2018: Avera St. Antony’s Hospital, O’Neill; Box Butte General Hospital, Alliance; Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior; Brown County Hospital; Cherry County Hospital, Valentine; Community Hospital, McCook; Community Medical Center, Falls City; Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul; Jefferson Community Health & Life, Fairbury; Memorial Health Care Systems, Seward; Phelps Memorial Health Center, Holdrege; Sidney Regional Medical Center; and York General Hospital.

In November 2017, JCH&L was recognized with the Performance Leadership Award for 2017. The Chartis Center for Rural Health/iVantage Health Analytics and the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health (NOSORH) for overall excellence in quality, outcomes and patient perspective.

“These recognitions affirm that our emphasis on quality, performance and satisfaction are making a difference to the community 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 our community that we are able to meet and surpass the benchmarks for recognition,” Jurgens said.

Jefferson Community Health & Life was previously named as a Top 100 critical access hospital for 2014 and 2015. JCHC is one of 10 Nebraska Critical Access hospitals to be recognized for 2017. Other Nebraska Critical Access Hospitals named to the Top 100 CAH list are: Antelope Memorial Hospital, Neligh; Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, Ellendale; Box Butte General Hospital, Alliance; Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior; Community Hospital, McCook; Community Medical Center, Falls City; Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul; Memorial Health Care Systems, Seward; Sidney Regional Medical Center, Sidney. More information on the iVantage Top 100 index can be found at www.ivantagehealth.com.

“The Hospital Strength INDEX provides a true benchmark for helping rural providers to better understand performance levels and identify areas of improvement. When we look across the spectrum of rural-relevant INDEX indicators, the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals are establishing a new standard for how to deliver higher quality care to their communities despite an unpredictable healthcare environment,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader of The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Matthew Williamson DPM Will Visit JCH&L Outpatient Services Twice a Month

Area residents with foot and ankle concerns can once again see a podiatrist at Jefferson Community Health & Life beginning March 27. Matthew O. Williamson DPM, a physician with Capital Foot and Ankle, Lincoln, will come to JCH&L Outpatient Services on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Dr. Williamson’s goal is to offer comprehensive, personalized treatment for any foot or ankle issue with the goal of restoring function and improving the life of each patient.

“We have a real need,” Williamson said. “There’s been a real void.”

Jefferson Community Health & Life most recently offered podiatry services from Dr. Nathan Larson, who moved to practice in Bellingham, WA, about a year ago.

“We are pleased to find a caring and qualified podiatrist to provide outpatient and surgical services locally for our area residents,” said Chad Jurgens, JCH&L CEO.

Included in the comprehensive range of services offered by Dr. Williamson is wound care. He works with sports injuries, sprains, foot and ankle fractures, trauma, tendon injuries, infections, children’s food disorders, flat feet, bunions, hammertoes, diabetic foot care, neuromas, athlete’s foot, ingrown toenails, warts, foot and ankle reconstruction, and Charcot foot deformity.

Dr. Williamson, a Lincoln native, received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Dr. William M. Scholl School of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago. He served his three year surgical residency training at Truman Medical Center, Kansas City. He and his wife live in Lincoln and have two young children.

Dr. Williamson will be traveling to Fairbury on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, and Crete on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. He will also hold clinics at Beatrice and Marysville, Kan.

Podiatry services are typically covered by Medicare and private insurance if they are medically necessary.

When appointments are made, patients will receive registration forms which must be filled out prior to their appointment. For an appointment or more information, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

Because of generous local blood donors, Jefferson Community Health & Life (JCH&L) received a check for $481 as part of the Nebraska Community Blood Bank Hometown Heroes program. The program, which ran from Memorial Day to Labor Day last year, awards monetary funds for an organizational project to communities that pull together for the cause of blood donation.

“Here in Fairbury, the Hometown Heroes funds are allocated to the Fire Department which helps with equipment upgrades and training costs,” said Collin Biesler, Fairbury City Administrator. “As an all-volunteer Fire Department, citizens of Fairbury and Jefferson County rely on a select few dedicated individuals to protect our families. Our partnership with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) is a community effort and it’s great to have NCBB as part of our community.”

Last summer’s JCH&L blood drives collected 56 units of blood and welcomed four new blood donors. In addition to working together to host blood drives, NCBB has supplied blood to the hospital since December 2002.

“We partner with NCBB as a supplier of blood because of cost, service, and the assurance that blood products are from Fairbury and surrounding communities,” said Lana Likens, JCH&L Director of Public Relations.

The first NCBB blood drive hosted at JCH&L took place in October 2003. Since then, donors have given more than 2,000 units of live-saving blood.

If you are interested in being a hero in your community by hosting a blood drive or donating blood contact NCBB at NCBB.ORG or make an appointment for the next Jefferson Community Health & Life blood drive on April 2 at NCBB.ORG/heroes.

Pictured are, from left: Collin Bielser, Fairbury City Administrator; Jami Kassebaum, Nebraska Community Bloodbank; and Chance Klasek, JCH&L CFO. Photo and story by Nebraska Community Bloodbank.

After 21 years, JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center has gotten a brand new look, and new equipment to inspire area residents to a lifetime of health.

Since December 2017, the fitness center has added a new rubberized surface for the walking track, a new surface for the aerobics floor, new carpet throughout, and a complete new set of selectorized weight training equipment.

With the 13 new pieces of Cybex selectorized weight training equipment, Burkley Fitness Center members can do all of the exercises they could do on the 14 models replaced – and even more, said Craig Bontrager, Burkley Fitness Center director.

“With the new equipment, lifts and techniques have been updated and are more ergonomically correct. Several of the machines have individual motion, meaning each limb can move separately. This is beneficial in many ways, and makes the equipment especially versatile for rehabilitation,” Bontrager said.

The new equipment is very user friendly. Each piece has a diagram to show proper use, a QR code links via smartphone to a video demonstration, adjustable areas and handholds are clearly marked, phone and water bottle holders enhance convenience, and weight can be adjusted in 5-pound increments with a simple twist of a knob. Safety, too, has been enhanced, with completely enclosed weight stacks and smooth adjustment of seats and back pad positions.

Bontrager said the response to the new equipment has been positive.

“They love it. We’ve got people coming in now to use the machines who have never lifted weights, and they feel comfortable doing it. We have people who started using the new equipment when it was installed in late January who say they already feel better and can see a difference in their muscle tone,” Bontrager said.

One of the most exciting new pieces of equipment for many users has been the dip/chin assist machine.

“With this machine anyone can perform dips (pullups),” Bontrager said. “Unassisted only about 10 percent of the population can do a pullup. With this machine I’ve seen people successful who have never been able to do a pullup before. The motion is great for the back muscles – and helps our users to strengthen their backs, which is a difficult area for many people to strengthen.”

Bontrager said when the Magnum equipment was installed when the fitness center opened it was top of the line. More than 21 years of use and new developments in the fitness industry meant it was definitely time to replace the equipment, he said.

“A brand new set of top of the line Eagle and Prestige models of the Cybex equipment will serve our community well for years to come,” Bontrager said.

Bontrager encourages anyone who hasn’t yet tried the new equipment to ask a staff member for assistance and training.

“Come check out the new machines and try them,” he said.

The new equipment, at a cost of $50,672, was funded by unrestricted donations to the Jefferson Health Care Fund. When donations to the Jefferson Health Care Fund are unrestricted, the JCH&L board of directors may approve their use for any JCH&L projects.

“The board felt this was an excellent use of a portion of our unrestricted funds, as the equipment fits with our mission of providing exceptional health and life services and our vision of becoming our community’s most trusted partner for a lifetime of care,” said Chad Jurgens, JCH&L CEO. “The equipment is appropriate for those at any fitness level, and can help people reach their health and fitness goals.”

The carpeting and flooring portion of the project was an additional $35,000, which was funded as a capital project for the fitness center by JCH&L.

There is some updating of the Burkley Fitness Center still to come. A new filter system will be installed in the swimming pool late this summer. The locker rooms will also be getting a facelift in the future, with new flooring countertops and sinks. Timing on the locker room project is not yet definite, but we will keep members informed on plans for the project.

Bontrager thanked members and guests for their patience throughout the project, and for the projects yet to come.

“I encourage those who haven’t been here for a while to come check out our new look, our new flooring and our new equipment,” Bontrager said. “We work hard to keep our fitness center equipped to help our members meet their goals.”