Volume 22, Number 2 May, June, July, August 2016

House CallMay, June, July & August 2016

How else can a person find out what fine services are being provided by the North Valley Health Center, really only by using those services first hand. Exactly what happened to me, and not by design. It started with a surgical procedure that I thought would be rather uneventful as the numbers are 95% of the individuals having this procedure have relatively little if any complications. Well, I guess it was my fortune to keep those numbers accurate, as I was part of the 5%. I had a total knee replacement surgery on July 13th, a Wednesday at another facility providing those specialty surgical procedures. On Friday afternoon I was discharged, with full intentions of taking 1 week of limited office work off and be

fishing by the following weekend. This did not happen. I ended up with some pain management issues that ended up with one of the first rides in the brand new ambulance (another event that was not planned). That ride ended with another ride to the facility that did the surgical procedure for some corrective measures in pain management. Well, this was a little setback as I was in the hospital for another 3 days. Sent home and 2 days later another ambulance ride in the new ambulance, not because I liked the first ride but another necessity. This time it was another 3 day stay to get the situation under control. All of this delayed my healing so I get another phone call from the surgeon stating he wanted to see me again. Well, the delays caused some scaring so back to the operating room for a “knee manipulation”, in other words bending the knee till all the scaring busts loose. Now we are back on the road to recovery. All of this I am telling you so that you can understand that I utilized multiple services at North Valley Health Center and still utilizing the physical therapy services. I just want to let everyone know that I would compare each and every one of those services I received to any rural facility to anywhere, large or small. The care, concern, and professionalism was above and beyond. If you have never utilized or needed to utilize our services I would really hope that the next or first time to give us a try. If for any reason you have questions please give myself or our staff a call. Hopefully I have completed my investigation as to the care and services provided at our North Valley Health Center!!!!!!!! Disclaimer: This is not to scare anyone from having this same procedure as I already utilized most of the 5% of individuals that have issues!!!!!!

Sincerely, Jon Linnell

A Personal TestimonyLetter from Chief Executive Officer Jon Linnell

Dr. Geier Joins North Valley Health CenterNorth Valley Health Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. David Geier to the staff. Dr. Geier is a Family Practice Physician with an emphasis in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Geier grew up in North Dakota and has practiced in North Dakota and Minnesota. Dr. Geier will start on September 26th. What a great addition to our already excellent Medical Staff.

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Dr. Geier Joins North Valley Health Center

It is North Valley Health Center’s goal to provide to the needs of our community, how better not to do this than with our Skilled Swing Bed Program. The Skilled Swing Bed Program was created by Medicare to serve the needs of smaller hospitals and communities. Swing Bed is the term Medicare uses to describe a hospital room that can switch from acute care status to skilled care status. The actual bed/room does not change; what changes is the level of care that the patient in that room receives.

North Valley Health Center offers a Medicare Swing Bed Program as an alternative to prolonged acute hospitalization or short term nursing facility placement for post-acute extended care. The swing bed program provides skilled

nursing care and rehabilitation services. This may include IV therapy as well as physical/occupational and speech therapy.

In order to qualify for Swing Bed Services, a patient must meet the following requirements:

•Be covered by Medicare Part A (Indiana Medicaid does not cover Swing Bed)•Have had 3 overnights in an acute care bed prior to Swing Bed services•Have an ongoing diagnosis and needs that require skilled care as defined by Medicare

*Some private insurance plans cover Swing Bed services; your discharge planning nurse can help you verify benefits if necessary.

Common diagnoses treated in this program include patients with extended IV therapy needs, orthopedic surgeries (hip/knee replacements), fractures, post-surgical procedures, neurological disorders (stroke), and generalized weakness due to CHF, COPD, pneumonia, and other chronic conditions.The length of stay in Swing Bed is dependent upon individual patient needs and progress. Average length of stay is 3-5 days. Medicare will cover up to 20 days at 100% providing the patient has a skilled need. It is very important to understand that Swing Bed care requires the use of the Medicare patient’s skilled nursing facility benefit. Swing Bed is not intended for permanent placement; it is for continued care until the patient returns home or transfers to a facility for longer term care.

Patients are discharged from Swing Bed Services when:

•They have achieved the maximum benefit of skilled nursing or rehabilitation, as determined by the tphysician•The care being provided has become custodial in nature•The patient’s continuing care requires long term rehabilitation placement•There is a change in the patient’s needs/level of care

North Valley Health Center is pleased to offer the service to this community and we look forward to serving you and your family. If you have further questions or would like more information on this program, you may contact Kim Rindy or Sara Kazmierczak at 218-745-4211

Letter From Chief Nursing Officer Sara Kazmierczak

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May, June & July TributesThe following gifts to North Valley Health Center have been received from May 2016 through July 2016 in tribute to the people listed below. Thank you to all who have honored friends and loved ones in this way. Care has been taken to prepare an accurate list, but mistakes can occur. Please notify the Health Center to make corrections.

Mother’s Day Tribute to:

Doris Mae Bengtson BossmanPat Bossman Hines

Father’s Day Tribute to:

Arthur William BossmanPat Bossman Hines

To Honor:

Kathy and Dave Larson ‘s 50th AnniversaryHarland Lipker

In Memory of:

Eileen JohnsonEliz PorterLuther Johnson

Warren HickmanEliz PorterGlorianne and Don Loeslie

Frank TulibaskiVirlynn and Pete Hanson

Don EllerbuschBette and Rick Solberg

Jeanne Deere DahlDeb and Loren Zutz

Dorothy EricksonPat and Lloyd WilkeDebbie and Jerry RominskiKathy and Mark Swanson

Larry KovarEllen and Phil Kotrba

John “Jack” WalkerJean and John WalkerMichelle and Kent WoinarowiczKristen and Nick ThompsonDeb and Curt MyrfieldBobbi and Roger MischelLiz YeadoMarie and Steve Goodwin

Donna KalainMichelle and Kent Woinarowicz

Paul WilkeBobbi and Roger Mischel

Vernon PotucekKim and Darrell RindyKaren MyszkowskiMona Rae and Bob FagerstromCarol and Ron LoeslieMary and Jerry SedlacekDeborah and Rodney EricksonLouise and Dennis BrekkeDebbie and Terry AlbaughJean and John WalkerJan and Bob Greer

Rhea LarsonEllen and Phil Kotrba

Gary BergeronDebbie and Jerry RominskiPam and Lynn Sundby

Rick HarknessBette and Rick Solberg

Eltune EricksonKaren JohnsonBev JohnsonBernadette BorowiczDick EngenMary and Jerry Sedlacek

Robert “Bob” KlinerMarlene and Sig SilnesMona Rae and Bob FagerstromCarolyn and Rod JorgensonTara and Jerred Copp FamilyBev JohnsonKaren JohnsonVern Borowicz and FamilyJan and Ray BurwellShelly and Bob ConelyMary Ann and James NichollsLinda and Dick HamreDeborah and Rodney EricksonRachel and John PetersonBarbara and Donald OlsonYvonne and Chuck BairdSandy and Greg JohnsonKathy and Todd KleinvachterRachel and Josh JohnstonDeanne and Bob BossmanJennifer and Kenny Palm

Robert “Bob” Kliner ContinuedDolores and Chuck DuBoreElva BustrackNancy and Howard SturmanSharon and Roger LappegaardDona NielsenDeb and Loren ZutzEthel and Ted SafranskiKaren LarsonEva and Al BomanBecki and Bill SczepanskiJudy and Tom YutrzenkaDebbie and Terry AlbaughJessica and Jarod PetersonDelores and Jack SedlacekAnn PedersonSuzie and Jerry JevningJeanette and Tony FilipiLinda and Darrell LaudalKathy and Dave LarsonMary and Jay JohnstonJeanie UlfertsKaren and Jim PearsonJo and Doug SorensonLuAnn and Robin JohnsonPhyllis and Bob NowackiGloria and Phil ThompsonEliz PorterDorothy PalmErika and David EricksonMarlene and George NeysKathy and Chuck SteerCindy AndersonSharon and Wayne LarsonMarie and Rick SchmiedebergCarolyn and Don MatzJean and Ron LeveringtonJulie and Mark NowackiCarol and Ron LoeslieKathy and Mark SwansonJean and John WalkerMichelle and Kent WoinarowiczJan and Jim JohnstonMarcy and Jim BubbMary and Jerry SedlacekJackie and Bob BairdMarilyn and Jerry KuzniaSharon and Ron AbrahamsonKim and Darrell RindyAshley and Damon StrobleTasha and Mitch KotrbaBarb NelsonMarie and Duane Filipi

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Robert “Bob” Kliner ContinuedDeb and Curt MyrfieldJill and Vern LysfordBobbi and Roger MischelArlys PedersonDiane and John RehderLeslie and Harvey SedlacekLorene EngelstadSharon and Gerald NelsonAnn and Thomas WoinarowiczLori and Eric JohnsonMarie and Steve GoodwinCarol and Rick ByePam and Lynn SundbyGinny and Jerry KrugerEllen and Phil KotrbaBev and Dick KarrJan and Bob Greer

Mary GajeskiMichelle and Kent Woinarowicz

Diane ChwialkowskiDarlene and Ken GruhotLisa and David SorensonBetty and Gene LaurinEllen and Alan AntonCheryl and Barry NelsonMarilyn and Jerry KuzniaKathy and Dave LarsonPam and Lynn SundbyBobbi and Roger Mischel

Elaine BrodinaEllen and Phil Kotrba

Lloyd RamseyLinda and Earl JohnsonGloria and Phil ThompsonJean and Ron Leverington

Martha CarterEllen and Phil Kotrba

Grace RostenKaren Larson

Kimberly Bagwell BurnsEllen and Phil Kotrba

Inez LoveMarilyn and Arlyn Stroble

Stanley JohnstonLisa and David SorensonDeanne and Bob BossmanSharon and Roger LappegaardKathy and Mark SwansonDolores and Chuck DuBoreCarey and Gary JohnstonMary and Jerry SedlacekKaye and Mike BairdMarie and Rick SchmiedebrgMarilyn and Jerry KuzniaBev JohnstonKathy and Chuck SteerNancy and Howard SturmanJudy and Ed St. GermainBobbi and Roger MischelGloria and Phil ThompsonEliz PorterDeb and Mark MaruskaLiz YeadoBarb Nelson

Donna LandrevilleJanice and Aldon FilipiYvonne and Chuck BairdBev JohnsonKaren JohnsonDeanne and Bob BossmanJackie and Bob BairdDeb and John CoppGloria and Phil ThompsonMarie and Steve GoodwinMona Rae and Bob FagerstromChris Ann and Loren AbrahamsonLori and Eric JohnsonDeb and Loren ZutzKim and Darrell RindyTara and Jerred CoppPeggy and Wayne FeuilleratShirley and James JohnsonEliz PorterArlys PedersonGinny and Jerry KrugerBev and Dick Karr

Joyce HowardGloria and Phil ThompsonDorthy PalmRachel and John PetersonSue Morgan and Sam PotucekLois and Stanley DemeyereJanice and Aldon FilipiKim and Darrell Rindy

Joyce Howard ContinuedYvonne and Chuck BairdElva BustrackFern and Tom HowardJan and Ray BurwellHarvey JohnsonDolores and Chuck DuBoreKaren LarsonArlys PedersonDiane and John RehderBev and Bruce RanstromLeslie and Harvey SedlacekLori and Eric JohnsonJean and John WalkerJackie and Bob BairdDeb and John CoppMarie and Steve GoodwinDeb and Loren ZutzKaye and Mike BairdPhyllis and Bob NowackiSharon and Ron AbrahamsonHazel HendricksonBonnie and Tim HowardGlorianne and Don LoeslieMichal and J. Wendell SandsEliz PorterBobbi and Roger MischelSandy and Greg JohnsonBev and Dick Karr

Darlene VoddenEllen and Phil Kotrba

Jeremy BomanBernadette BorowiczJeanette and Tony FilipiBobbi and Roger Mischel

Gerald NelsonKim and Darrell RindyKaye and Mike BairdMary and Jerry SedlacekAnn PedersonDeanne and Bob BossmanCarey and Gary JohnstonNancy and Doug LaFondBev JohnsonKaren JohnsonJeanie and Gary OenSandra MagnussonJan and Ray BurwellPauline and Derwin BrotenJean and John WalkerDeb and Loren Zutz

May, June & July TributesThe following gifts to North Valley Health Center have been received from May 2016 through July 2016 in tribute to the people listed below. Thank you to all who have honored friends and loved ones in this way. Care has been taken to prepare an accurate list, but mistakes can occur. Please notify the Health Center to make corrections.

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Gerald Nelson ContinuedLori and Eric JohnsonPam and Lynn SundbyEliz PorterSara and Eric DvorakLisa and Tim SedlacekKathy and Mark SwansonBarb NelsonBernadette BorowiczBobbi and Roger MischelVirlynn and Pete HansonBrenda and John HapkaSandy and Greg JohnsonArlys PedersonGinny and Jerry KrugerToby and Earl McGregorShirley and James JohnsonTammy and Paul OlsonBev and Dick KarrJan and Bob Greer

Joanne GinterBernadette Borowicz

Dean FosnessEllen and Phil Kotrba

Roger RivardBeverly and Marshall FulksJanene and Frank RybaskiEthel and Ted SafranskiBernadette BorowiczMarilyn and Jerry KuzniaBev and Mark RobertsonBecki and Bill SczepanskiDolores and Chuck DuBoreSandra MagnussonLisa and David Sorenson

Severina KraftDebbie and Terry AlbaughYvonne and Chuck BairdKim Rindy

Joni BeaudrySuzie and Jerry JevningBobbi and Roger MischelDonna and Larry LaudalGinny and Jerry KrugerGlorianne and Don LoeslieMarie and Steve Goodwin

Lou EftaKathleen and Earl RiopelleShelly SafranskiEd Safranski

Doris NelsonMona Rae and Bob Fagerstrom

Caroline KreselEllen and Phil Kotrba

Robert L. SwansonDarlene and Ted DvorakBev and Dale Clausen

Agnes RominskiMona Rae and Bob FagerstromClarice and Russell DemeyereBette and Rick SolbergJanene and Frank RybaskiSandra MagnussonGertrude KuzniaLisa and David SorensonPeggy and Wayne FeuilleratEllen and Alan AntonDorothy UrbaniakCarol and Tim UrbaniakJudy and Ed St. GermainGlorianne and Don Loeslie

Gary MackowickBremer Bank

Marvin ReitmeierMarilyn and Arlyn Stroble

Gary GregaDarlene and Ted DvorakBev and Dale Clausen

Donald NowackiChris Ann and Loren AbrahamsonSharon and Ron Abrahamson

Lois CarlsonSandra Magnusson

Jerry DriscollScott Hebert

Myron HaugenSharon and Ron AbrahamsonMary CarlsonMona Rae and Bob FagerstromJanice and Aldon FilipiShirley and Dennis RousseauSharon and Wayne LarsonJean and Ron LeveringtonBerna and Earl PawlowskiKim and Darrell RindyRachel and Josh Johnston

The following gifts to North Valley Health Center have been received from May 2016 through July 2016 in tribute to the people listed below. Thank you to all who have honored friends and loved ones in this way. Care has been taken to prepare an accurate list, but mistakes can occur. Please notify the Health Center to make corrections.

May, June & July Tributes

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The state’s adult obesity rate saw a statistically significant drop between 2014 and 2015, from 27.6 percent in 2014 to 26.1 percent in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Minnesota was the only state in the region, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa, to succeed in keeping its obesity rates firmly below 30 percent. According to data released today by CDC, neighboring states’ rates ranged from 30.7 to 32.1 percent.

CDC today released 2015 state- and territory-specific data on adult obesity prevalence using self-reported information from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). All states had more than one in five adults (20 percent) with obesity.

“Minnesota’s obesity rate is markedly lower than our surrounding states and we were still able to achieve a greater decrease in 2015 than our neighboring states,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger. “Achieving healthy weight for all Minnesotans is one of the key objectives for our Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) and its community and private sector partners. By woring together we’ve been able to increase opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity for all Minnesotans in every corner of the state.”

“It is humbling to see that our SHIP efforts are having a positive impact on the overall health of those who live in Minnesota. It proves how powerful a statewide health improvement initiative can be”, states Laura Dahl the SHIP Coordinator for Quin County CHS which covers the counties of Marshall, Kittson, Pennington, Red Lake, and Roseau.

Obesity rates can have a major impact on health care costs for related chronic diseases like diabetes. In 2008, Minnesota policymakers responded to skyrocketing health care costs driven in part by rising obesity rates, by enacting SHIP, as part of Minnesota’s bipartisan health care reform legislation. Since that time, Minnesota’s obesity rate held steady until it ticked up from 2013 to 2014 (from 25.5 percent to 27.6 percent). These latest CDC findings confirm that Minnesota has returned to its historically low vvobesity rate that remains steady on a year-to-year basis even as other states and the U.S. as a whole continues on an upward trend.

According to combined data from the CDC, the adult obesity rate for African Americans in Minnesota was 29.9 percent, which is lower than the national figure of 38.1 percent.

Healthy Eating and Active Living efforts in the five county area include working with the local farmer’s markets, the local food shelves, farm to institution training and support for schools, licensed childcare providers, and medical facilities, the development of a local food network, community gardens, walking paths and trails, the availability of a bike fleet in partnership with the NWRDC, breast feeding support, and the improvement of wellness in the workplace. This list is not inclusive of the work being done in the Quin area, but gives a brief over view of the impact being made in and around the rural communities. For further information please contact the Quin County CHS office at 218-874-7845.

Many factors play a role in obesity, making it a complex health issue to address. Across Minnesota, communities are working together through SHIP to expand healthy eating and active living opportunities along with tobacco prevention with multiple strategies, across multiple setting and sectors. SHIP spends $17.5 million per year supporting grant funding to local community partners that is in all 87 counties and 10 tribal nations. SHIP grants support locally controlled community health boards, which have linked with more than 2,570 active partner sites. These efforts support and leverage the work of a variety of partners such as community groups, schools, employers, farmers, chambers of commerce, hospitals and health care facilities, city planners, county boards, tribal officials and more.

State’s adult obesity rate remains lowest in the region

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Our 19th Annual Golf Tournament North Valley Health Center held their 19th annual “Fund Driving” on the Range Golf Tournament at the Warren Riverside Golf Course in Warren, MN on June 9, 2016. It was a beautiful day and 138 golfers turned out for the event. With the overwhelming response of donors the tournament raised $33,000.

Each year the proceeds from the golf tournament are used for a specific project or projects. Your provided support, along with the success of the tournament, has allowed us to put funds towards EMS training equipment and suppplies and a NuStep for the Physical Therapy Department. Funds will also benefit Lifeline (a personal response service that summons quick assistance for those at home of any age with medical or physical problems). Any donated funds in excess of the stated projects will be used towards additional capital needs of NVHC.

• $4000 Raffle ticket winner was Stacia Barrett. • $250 Raffle Ticket winners were Joe Pierce and Kathy Kleinvachter/Janice Filipi.

Thank you to the many businesses, organizations and individuals who supported the golf tournament.

Flight winners were:

Flight #1 1st - David Erickson & 3 other Guys2nd - West Marshall Confusion3rd - Different Strokes

Flight #21st - Midwest Hauling2nd - First United Insurance3rd - Big Dogs

Flight #31st - Deere Doctors2nd - Lone Oak Family Dentistry3rd - Chicks with Sticks

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Big Papa DJ will entertain us for the evening!

Fun games and prizes throughout the night!

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Our 19th Annual Golf Tournament

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Mark You Calendars for November 18th!

Great Aucion Items

Including:

VikingsTickets

UND Packages

Florida Vacation

& Much More!!

Big Papa DJ will entertain us for the evening!

Fun games and prizes throughout the night!

North Valley Health Center’s EMS staff members attend hands-on training

“One of the first things all EMS providers learn in the very beginning of their classroom training is the importance of Scene Size-Up. Before we can even begin to render patient care, there are many factors we must take into consideration such as…is our scene safe? How many patients do we have? Will we need additional resources? Most questions are answered either while we are enroute or within seconds of our arrival. However, we understand and accept that somethings may not be known until the exact moment when are in the thick of making our first contact with the patient” says DeAnn Ellefson NVHC EMS Manager.

North Valley Health Center EMS takes into consideration that each call, each location and each patient are not the same…and so, we train! To the right are a few pictures from an exercise that some of our staff participated in on July 27th. The main objective was focused around team work: getting to the location, scene size-up, utilizing the staff and tools around us and in our ambulance to get a patient from Point A to Point B. In this scenario, we had to use our resources to get a rather tall unresponsive patient off of the bathroom floor and from an upstairs dwelling. While that sounds like a simple task, throw in ‘crowd control’, some tight corners and a narrow staircase and it can prove to be quite challenging!

Opportunities such as these allow for our staff to train in a laid-back, stress-free setting. Here we are able to take the time to slow things down a bit and walk through each different scenario, ask questions and add suggestions if need be. All training is done to better prepare ourselves for the time when the need for help arises!

A huge thank you to NVHC EMT Mark Jones for taking the lead on this training and also to Owen Ellefson who played the role of our patient!

North Valley Health Center’s Lifeline is pleased to announce that we have added Lifeline HomeSafe Wireless to our Lifeline service. This means that we can now provide service to those who only have cell phone service and no longer have a landline telephone in their home. The Lifeline system provides help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Service is available with the standard personal help button or the Auto Alert personal help button. If you would like more information on the Lifeline services provided by North Valley Health Center, please contact Bobbi at 218-745-5080.

New Lifeline Service Added

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Consider this Opportunityto be a Benefit to those

in a time of Need!!Fall EMR Class Starts September 19th, 6 PM

at the Warren Firehall•Do you want to make a difference in our community?

•Are you looking for a rewarding way to spend your time and supplement your income?

•Would it feel good to help others?

•Are you interested in gaining experience in preparation for a medical career?

•Are you interested in being better prepared to help your loved one in emergency?

North Valley Health CenterEmergency Medical ServicesIs Willing to Invest in You!!!If So....

For More Information or to Inquire:North Valley Health Center Emergency Medical Servicesis currently seeking individuals who have an interest in becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).

North Valley Health Center Emergency Medical Serviceswill waive all participation fees upon successful completion of the class and contract committal to becomean Employee of North Valley Health Center EmergencyMedical Services.

Must be 18 Years of age or older for the EMT programMust be 16 years of age or older for the EMR program

For more information contact:DeAnn Ellefson, EMS Manager218-745-4226 deann.ellefson@northvalleyhealth.org

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v•Primary Care Clinic•Sleep Disorder Clinic•Diagnostic Testing•CT Scans•Ultra Sound•Mammography•Bone Density• Echocardiography•Nuclear Medicine•Acute Hospitalization•Transitional Care/ Swing Bed

•Respite Care•Hospice Beds•Emergency Room•Lifeline•Physical Therapy•Cardiac Rehab•Podiatry•Lab Testing•Cardiology•Audiology•Endoscopy•Public Health•Stress Tests

For more information and a fullcalendar of outreach servies go to:

Northvalleyhealth.orgTo Schedule an appointment call:

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