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GREAT NEWSFEBRUARY 2020

Get Heart Treatment Near HomeGreat River Medical Center offers high-tech heart care

Great River Medical Center cares for your heart in many areas:• Primary care clinics • Cardiology-Great River Medical Center• Emergency Department• Heart & Vascular Center• Cardiac Rehabilitation Phases 1, 2 & 3

Some patients with heart problems may experi-ence all of these services and others may use one or two. Either way, we have you covered!

Learn about these diagnostic and treatment pro-cedures performed at Great River Medical Center:

AngiogramAn angiogram is an X-ray test that uses a special dye and camera to take pictures of the blood flow in an artery or vein. Common angiograms examine arteries near the:• Aorta • Brain • Head and neck • Heart • Legs or arms • Lungs

AngioplastyThe goal of angioplasty is to open blood vessels and increase blood flow to the heart. It is done when arteries are narrowed or blocked from coro-nary artery disease. Angioplasty can be done with or without a small, wire-mesh tube called a stent.

Cardiac catheterizationThis is an imaging procedure that identifies heart disease by allowing a cardiologist to “see” how well the heart is functioning. During the test, a long, narrow tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm or leg and guided to the heart with the aid of a special X-ray machine. Contrast dye is injected through the catheter so X-ray movies of valves, coronary arteries and heart chambers can be created.

EchocardiogramHigh-frequency sound waves produce images that show cardiologists how well blood is moving through the heart.

Holter and cardiac event monitoringSmall, portable, noninvasive devices record heart activity as a patient does regular activities. A pa-tient usually wears a Holter monitor for 24 or 48 continuous hours, and notes in a diary the time and description of every symptom. A patient may wear an event monitor for up to 30 days, pressing a button to record an electrocardiogram when symptoms occur.

Leg pressure testing (ABI)Using blood pressure cuffs on both ankles and both arms, this painless examination determines how well blood is flowing to all four extremities.

Your health counts.

StentingStenting is a minimally invasive procedure using catheter technology – inserting the device attached to a catheter in a large artery – and advancing it to the site of the damage. To keep a narrowed artery open permanently, an interventional cardiologist inserts a collapsed wire-mesh tube called a stent into place and expands it into the artery wall by in-flating a balloon. In renal and peripheral angioplas-ty and stenting, an interventional cardiologist uses techniques like those used in the heart arteries to open plaque-narrowed arteries in the legs.

Stress testingTo test how well the heart handles added work, patients walk on a treadmill while a monitor tracks blood flow through the heart’s arteries.

Heart Treatment– continued

Heart Attack Warning SignsCall 911 if you have one or more of these signs:• Chest discomfort in the center of the

chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeez-ing, fullness or pain.

• Discomfort or pain in other areas of the upper body, including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or mouth.

• Shortness of breath, which often comes with or before chest discomfort.

• Other signs: Breaking out in a cold sweat, anxiety, nausea or lightheadedness

McCall Named Employee of the MonthAngie McCall was named Employee of the Month at Great River Medical Center. She is a Patient Ser-vice Associate in the Cardiovascular Care Unit.

McCall’s nomination:Angie took a patient home to Mount Pleasant af-ter the patient was discharged. The patient did not have any family or friends who could take her, and she would have had to pay a $75 taxi fee. Angie went above and beyond patient care and Great River Health’s credo values for this patient.

New ProviderJustine Link, DNPMental Health Mercy Plaza, Suite 2521225 S. Gear Ave.West Burlington319-768-3700

Doctorate degree: University of Iowa, Iowa CityNursing degree: University of Iowa, Iowa City

The Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl! For the first time in my life, I will see the Chiefs playing in February. We were one game away from going to the big game last year, but lost to the New England Patriots, who went on to win the championship. This year is different.

A great kickoffGreat River Heath continues to get closer to financial success. I like to say 2019 was the year of planning the work through Project Synergy, and 2020-21 will be years of working the plan to be fi-nancially healthy. Halfway through fiscal year 2020, we are right where we thought we would be. We have made up $5 million in losses, and we expect to reach $10 million by the end of the fiscal year.

We are sensitive to concerns about layoffs as a method to reduce expenses. The plan I mentioned earlier has not included layoffs. Instead, we are reviewing all vacant positions before we fill them. In most cases, these positions are being filled.

Practice, practice, practiceDr. Walid Saad, one of our interventional cardiol-ogists, recently sent me a message saying he saw nurse Stephanie Brown scraping ice from an elderly patient’s windshield. I was pleased to read this for a couple of reasons. Stephanie exemplified respect, commitment, responsibility and ownership when she performed this act of kindness for our patient. I’m glad Dr. Saad took a couple of minutes to com-municate this to me. Together, they demonstrated all five principles of our new credo.

They probably didn’t think “I’m living our credo.” Here’s my point: although the credo is something new to learn, its value stems from actions we practice daily. Be nice. Do your best and take pride in your work. Do what you say you are going to do. We just put the things our employees already know into five sentences.

Victory aheadIn 1970, the Chiefs beat the Vikings in Super Bowl IV. I have high expectations for a victory, just like I have for the future of Great River Health. This year, we’re a step closer to improving our financial situation. Next year, it will be even better.

Our Winning Season Is Coming SoonBy Matt Wenzel, President & CEO

Casual day, school donations reach $12,490Great River Health employees donated $11,410 through casual day contributions in 2019. On designated Fridays, employees may wear jeans to work in exchange for $2 casual day stickers.

The money was given to 22 organizations and services, including:• Great River Friends• Great River Hospice• Honor Flight• Humane Society of Des Moines County• Iowa Donor Network• Midwest Magic Special Olympics• Ronald McDonald House

Nearly $840 was donated in two casual days and in a Cafeteria donation box for area schools. The money will be used to fulfill student needs through school nurses or social workers. Employees also donated hats, mittens, coats and other winter gear to the schools.

Board NotesFleming retires

Bob Fleming retired from Great River Health’s Board of Directors after 43 years of service. He was board chair-man several times. Fleming received the Iowa Hospital Association’s Excellence in Governance Award in 2009.

Aspelmeier honoredA new room in the Legal Services Department at Great River Medical Center was named the Kenneth Aspelmeier Conference Room. A former attorney, Aspelmeier served on Great River Health’s Board of Directors for nearly 20 years, retiring in 2015.

Laboratory Receives Reaccreditation The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) awarded reaccreditation to Great River Medical Center’s Laboratory.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality-control procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equip-ment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

Great River Medical Center’s Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal to or more-stringent than the government’s inspection program.

EventsCPR for Infants and Children (non-certified)6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Tuesday, Feb. 4Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

First Friday ShareA support program for people who have experi-enced the loss of a loved one. 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7Great River Hospice House

Group Diabetes Classes 10 a.m. to noon ThursdaysBeginning Feb. 6

2:30 to 4:30 p.m. MondaysBeginning March 2

FAST Fitness, Agility, Strength and Training 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and ThursdaysBeginning Feb. 11

This eight-week program for 8- to 13-year-olds includes cardiovascular endurance, speed drills, resistance training, hand-eye coordination and plyometric exercises at Wellness Plaza. The price for 16 sessions is $155; Health Fitness members re-ceive a 20 percent discount. For more information and to register, please call 319-768-4191.

Stroke Support Group10 to 11 a.m.Wednesday, Feb. 19Blackhawk Room

Health Careers WorkshopNoon to 3 p.m.Thursday, Feb. 27Blackhawk Room

The workshop helps high school students and others decide whether a career in health care is a good choice for them. Registration is required.

Prenatal Classes

Childbirth Prep(condensed version)9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 1Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Childbirth Prep4-week series6:30 to 9 p.m.Beginning Thursday, March 5Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Big Brother, Big Sister9:30 to 11 a.m.Saturday, March 7Great River Medical Center Registration is required.

Casual DaysFebruary Casual DaysEmployees purchase $2 stickers for the opportu-nity to wear jeans to work on designated Fridays. The February casual days and organizations they benefit are:

Feb. 7 Young House Bridges Out of PovertyFeb. 21 Klein Center Sunshine Club

Letter

Once again, we are so grateful for Great River Health employees’ generous donation of supermarket gift cards for our food pantry. This donation provided foods to stock the shelves during the winter months, and 60 families received a Christmas bag for a complete meal. The requests increased this year, and we were glad to be able to meet the need in our community. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of these families.

Kathy Barrick, Southeast Louisa County Food Pantry

Sixth Annual

Pack the Gym in Pink

SCC men’s basketball gameSilent basket auction

Live cake auction

7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12Loren Walker Arena

Southeastern Community College1500 W. Agency Rd., West Burlington

Get free game tickets• Great River Hospice House 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. week days 1306 S. Washington Rd., West Burlington• Great River Gift Shop• SCC Athletic Office

Great River Hospice will receive money raised at the game against Illinois Central College. The Black-hawks will wear pink jerseys in support of Great River Hospice. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.

Get a Pack the Gym in Pink T-shirt$10 (small to extra-large) and $15 (2X and 3X) • Great River Hospice House• SCC Athletic Office• At the game while supplies last

Start date:June 2017

Why I’m a nurse:I tried several jobs. I was a supervisor at a pro-duction plant for five years, but I wanted to have a deeper connection with people and make a difference in their lives.

Hometown / Where I live now:Vassalboro, Maine / Mount Pleasant

Family:My husband’s name is Jeff. Our blended family has seven children: Dakota, 25; Matt, 24; Austin, 22; Shiloh, 20; Jason, 19; Jamie, 18 and Julie, 16.

Things I enjoy:Reading, baking, cooking and learning. I am work-ing on my master’s degree in nursing education. After that, I want to become a nurse practitioner.

Who I root for:I don’t do sports.

Most recent app I’ve downloaded:Starbucks

Hidden talent:I took French classes from seventh grade through high school because we lived close to Quebec. I also know sign language.

Employee Profile

My biggest achievement:Raising four boys by myself while going to school full time to earn my bachelor’s degree in nursing

Jenny JohannesRegistered Nurse

Pediatrics Unit

Discrimination is against the law Great River Health prohibits discrimination based on age, race, color, creed, ethnic or national origin, marital status, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, status with respect to public assistance, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. Great River Health includes all services provided by Great River Medical Center and Great River Physicians and Clinics. Great River Health provides free: • Aids and services to people with disabilities so that they can communicate effectively. These aids and

services include qualified sign language interpreters and written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats).

• Language services to people whose primary language is not English. These services include qualified interpreters and information written in other languages.

If you need these services, contact your nurse or care provider. If you think Great River Health has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way based on race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex, you can file a grievance with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, 321 E. 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319, 515-281-7102. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax or email. If you need help filing a grievance, Great River Health’s Patient Experience Officer is available to help you at 319-768-4906. You also can file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Ave., S.W. Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, D.C. 20201 1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD) Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html. • ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.

Llame al 1-319-768-1000.

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Your health counts.

Information in this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treat-ment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions about your medical condition. Do not disregard profes-sional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of some-thing you have read here. This information is not intended to be a substitute for pro-fessional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.