Archives for 2016
Dr. Ristvedt Update
August 23, 2016 By
The Ristvedts are proud to announce the arrival of Warren Dennis! Born 7/14/16, 11:22am at OAHS, weighing in at 3lbs 1oz.
Here is an update from Dr. Sarah Ristvedt:
Warren and I are still at Sanford in Sioux Falls, but doing well. Now 5lbs 5 oz, he just needs to get a little better at eating by mouth and get rid of the tube in his nose. Maverick(3.5 years) is a proud big brother, but misses his mom and is disappointed that he didn’t get to ride in the helicopter with his baby brother. We will hopefully all be back to our home in Graceville soon, and I plan to start full time at OAHS in November.
I was really looking forward to getting to start practice prior to maternity leave, however my son had other plans and was born 2 months early. While it was not anyone’s first choice for him to be born in Ortonville so early, have now experienced first hand the amazing skills and fast response of my future co workers! I’m also thankful for the wonderful NICU flight team at Sanford.
Health Care Home
June 22, 2016 By
What is a health care Home?
A health care home or patient centered medical home is an enhanced way of delivering health care. It is an advanced team approach to focus on you as a whole patient not just one aspect. This team approach can be very helpful for people with difficult and challenging health needs. This team approach of care delivery helps patients coordinate services they receive from specialists, therapists, and other services to better manage their health. Health care home teams will help to coordinate all aspects of care.
Team approach:
The health care home team includes you, your provider, a health coach, as well as other health care professionals and staff at our clinic. Your team will also include trusted family and/or friends who you have chosen to play a role in your health care. Your health coach will help you develop a care plan that addresses your needs and will coordinate your care with any specialists you may see.
Is Health Care home right for me?
You could benefit if you have:
• Chronic and/ or multiple illness
• Unstable or newly diagnosed illnesses
• Multiple medication
• Special health needs
What are the benefits?
- Your health care team or individual health coach will help you find specialty care or community services when needed and will make updates to your care plan with you.
- You and your primary care provider discuss your treatment options together and coordinate care with other specialists who care for you.
- You receive improved ability to communicate and make appointments with your health care team.
- You take charge of your health by assuming responsibility for aspects of your care.
- You will develop a relationship of mutual respect & trust with all team members as a platform for success.
- Your cultural and religious beliefs are valued. When possible, your preferences for treatment and care are met.
- You are given information to help you learn more about your ongoing health concerns and address issues sooner, resulting in less ER visits and hospital stays.
- Your primary care provider makes sure you understand your treatment choices.
How Can i get the best care?
- Become more involved with your health care:
- Bring a list of your top questions or concerns to discuss at every visit
- If you have a chronic condition, ask that your care plan is communicated with other medical providers, nurses or other people involved in your health care.
- Be open and honest about your health habits. Your primary care provider is here to help you, not judge you.
- Ask for something to be repeated if you do not understand it.
- Ask your primary care provider to write down the next steps.
- Ask how to get care after clinic hours
- Ask to meet the staff that will be working with you.
- Let your health care home team know how you are doing.
National Men’s Health Week
June 13, 2016 By
POSITIVE NEWS ON THE MAMMOGRAPHY FRONT: 3D™ MAMMOGRAMS REDUCE CALL BACKS
June 8, 2016 By
According to a new study published in the prestigious JAMA Oncology Journal, 3D™ mammograms increase breast cancer detection, cut false positives and reduce stressful and costly call backs for women. The large, multi-year study evaluated three years of 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ screening results and follow-up data from 23,958 women. Results found that using 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ exams for breast cancer screenings can lead to sustained and improved health outcomes for women.
This is the first evidence demonstrating that the benefits of screening with 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ exams can improve over time, and shows that 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ exams can reduce the number of women called back for unnecessary follow up appointments each year.
The study also found that 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ exams increase the breast cancer detection rate when compared with traditional 2D mammography, catching cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.
OAHS Director of Radiology April Staehling, explains why the findings are important. April’s Audio
OAHS named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
May 9, 2016 By
Ortonville Area Health Services has been announced as one of America’s 100 Best Hospital for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. This evidence based designation is the only award that identifies the country’s best healthcare institutions based on Medicare data weighed according to the preference of women in a 2016 national survey of 1,000+ female respondents.
“Women are the Chief Medical Officer for the household, making upwards of 90% of all healthcare decisions. Considering she bears the responsibility of making these incredibly important decisions, the Women’s Choice Award offers a trusted solution by identifying the hospitals that have proven superior patient experience. Finally, a source that shares her values and priorities is available,” said Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award.
The list of award winners, including Ortonville Area Health Services represents hospitals that create an extraordinary patient experience for women and their families by providing exceptional care.
“Being recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals for patient experience speaks volumes to the work our Providers and Staff do here at Ortonville Area Health Services” Said OAHS CEO David Rogers. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to provide exceptional, patient-centered care to each and every person we care for.”
The America’s 100 Best Hospitals scoring process is unique in that it is the only national list that focuses on what matters most to women when choosing a hospital. For 2016, the most important considerations were patient’s willingness to recommend, doctor and nurse communications, staff help, pain management, cleanliness and explanation of medications, in that order.
The qualification process begins with scores derived by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for each hospital in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) database. Our national survey of women determines which questions in the HCAHPS survey, completed by patients after discharge, are most important to them in determining their satisfaction with their hospital stay. A weight is given to each of the most important questions.
The responses to those questions, weighted accordingly, results in a numeric score for each hospital reporting valid HCAHPS data to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The scoring is totally objective and uniform. The best 100 scores in each of the four hospital bed size categories (less than 100 beds, 101-250 beds, 251-400 beds, and over 400 beds) determine the recipients of the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Outstanding Patient Experience award.
For more information on the 2016 America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/awarded/best-hospitals/100s-best/
2016 Sanford Health Network Scholarship Recipient
May 6, 2016 By
Jennifer Weber, pictured here with Dr. Al Ross and OAHS CEO David Rogers, was recently awarded a $2000 Sanford Health Network Scholarship through Ortonville Area Health Services. Jennifer is the daughter of Steve Weber and Christi Boyle and lives in Odessa, MN. In high school she was involved in band, jazz band, pep band, drama, stage crew, church events, mission trips, 4 H, local EMT class and blood drive. Jennifer works as a dietary aide and CNA at Northridge Residence and plans to attend South Dakota State University this fall for pre-nursing. After graduation she would like to return to Ortonville.
Heart and Vascular Screens
April 19, 2016 By
May 12th and 13th
9:30am – 3:30pm
The Heart Screen™: For ages 40-75.
The Vascular Screen: For those 40 or older.
Type 1 diabetics should be screened at age 30 or older.
Only $25 for each screen!
For more information, or to schedule a screen
Please call April at 320-839-4005
Ortonville Area Health Services
450 Eastvold Ave.
Ortonville, MN 56278
Learn How to Create a Healthier Lifestyle and Prevent Diabetes!
February 18, 2016 By
Ortonville Area Health Services is offering a diabetes prevention program. I Can Prevent Diabetes is a CDC Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program. This community-based, lifestyle change program offers diabetes prevention education for people with pre-diabetes or who are at risk for diabetes.
The next class will be offered on Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning May 3rd. We meet 16 times throughout a 6 month period and then will continue to meet once per month to complete a full year long course.
The cost for the I Can Prevent Diabetes program is $75,
which is fully refunded if 15 of the 16 classes are attended.
Attendance incentives will also be given at each class meeting.
Groups will meet with a trained OAHS lifestyle coach once a week to help participants lose weight, eat healthier and increase physical activity. After the initial 16-week program is complete, support and additional learning
session will be offered on a monthly basis for 6 months.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE I CAN PREVENT DIABETES PROGRAM?
Risk Factors for Type 2 diabetes include:
• High blood pressure
• Elevated lipids (cholesterol triglycerides, LDL)
• Obesity (BMI >30)
• Family history of Type 2 diabetes
• History of gestational diabetes
We are looking for participants to take part in a group program that uses a community-based, lifestyle change program designed for people with prediabetes or at risk for diabetes. This program may be for you if you are:
• 18 years or older
• At risk for but NOT currently diagnosed with diabetes
• Overweight
• Not pregnant
“We have offered the I Can Prevent Diabetes class once in the past year with great feedback from participants,” says Brittany Swigerd, RN, Lifestyle Coach & staff nurse at Northside Medical Clinic. “Making simple lifestyle changes such as eating healthier and getting more physically active has proven effective for prevention of diabetes. A 5 to 7 percent weight loss can really make a difference.”
Space is limited to about a dozen participants. To register for this program or if you have questions, contact Brittany Swigerd, RN or Natasha Hynnek, LPN, Northside Medical Clinic at (320) 839-6157.
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