Changes to Health Center Immunization Program

Now Making Appointments and Billing for Insurance

September 30, 2013:  Livingston County Health Center has announced some changes occurring in the way they do immunization clinics at their office.  These changes go into effect October 1^st.

 Immunizations are an essential part of protecting your child’s health from devastating diseases. It is up to parents to make sure you child is up to date on the immunizations that spare them from illness and injury. 

Beginning October 1st, there will be some changes in the way the Health Center runs its immunization clinics.

Health Center staff will now be taking appointments for our three regular immunization clinics each month.   It is our hope that this change will be more convenient and efficient for our clients.  Previously, all clinics were provided on a walk-in basis.  A client might find themselves in and out at one clinic and waiting for long periods of time at another.  We hope the change will avoid this dilemma.

Another change to the clinics is the Health Center will be requesting your private insurance card and to bill for your child’s immunizations. Please be sure to bring your insurance card to the next clinic you attend.

Livingston County Health Center’s vaccine is provided through the VFC Program (Vaccines for Children), which provides vaccine for children with MoHealthNet (Medicaid) insurance, and those with no insurance coverage. 

Beginning October 1, 2012  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented changes and now our VFC vaccine may not be used for routine vaccination of any fully insured individuals.   We have purchased vaccine for those who don’t qualify for VFC. The local health department is a year behind on instituting this policy at their local agency.  Many counties have been doing this for awhile now.   If you have private insurance coverage please, check your policy to see if vaccinations are covered.

We realize there may be some confusion and questions with the new practices, but feel free to ask Health Center staff any questions or concerns you may have.

Check our calendar or call the health center at 646-5506 for the upcoming Immunization clinic dates.

All immunizations are administered according to recommendations of the Missouri Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Show Me Health - Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. Sudden cardiac arrest usually results from an electrical disturbance in your heart that disrupts its pumping action, stopping blood flow to the rest of your body.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer in the United States.

Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it causes sudden cardiac death. With fast, appropriate medical care, survival is possible. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — or even just rapid compressions to the chest — can improve the chances of survival until emergency personnel arrive.

Fatalities associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) affect 1 in 1,000 and can affect any age group.  Based on population, Livingston County could have approximately 15 fatalities per year due to SCA, 95 percent SCA incidents are fatal.

Sudden cardiac arrest symptoms are sudden and drastic:

·   Sudden collapse

·   No pulse

·   No breathing

·   Loss of consciousness

Sometimes, other signs and symptoms precede sudden cardiac arrest. These may include fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or vomiting. But sudden cardiac arrest often occurs with no warning.

When to see a doctor

If you have frequent episodes of chest pain or discomfort, heart palpitations, irregular or rapid heartbeats, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath, fainting or near fainting, or you're feeling lightheaded or dizzy, see your doctor promptly. If these symptoms are ongoing, you should call 911 or emergency medical help.

When the heart stops, the lack of oxygenated blood can cause brain damage in only a few minutes. Death or permanent brain damage can occur within four to six minutes. Time is critical when you're helping an unconscious person who isn't breathing.

Take immediate action:

·   Call 911, or the emergency number in your area, if you encounter someone who has collapsed or is found unresponsive. If the unconscious person is a child and you're alone, administer CPR, or chest compressions only, for two minutes before calling 911 or emergency medical help or before using a portable defibrillator.

·   Perform CPR. Quickly check the unconscious person's breathing. If he or she isn't breathing normally, begin CPR. Push hard and fast on the person's chest — about 100 compressions a minute. If you've been trained in CPR, check the person's airway and deliver rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If you haven't been trained, just continue chest compressions. Allow the chest to rise completely between compressions. Keep doing this until a portable defibrillator is available or emergency personnel arrive.

·   Use a portable defibrillator, if one is available. If you're not trained to use a portable defibrillator, a 911 or emergency medical help operator may be able to guide you in its use. Deliver one shock if advised by the device, and then immediately begin CPR starting with chest compressions, or give chest compressions only, for about two minutes. Using the defibrillator, check the person's heart rhythm. If necessary, the defibrillator will administer a shock. Repeat this cycle until the person recovers consciousness or emergency personnel take over.

Portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available in an increasing number of places, including local churches, schools and some businesses. You can also purchase them for your home. AEDs come with built-in instructions for their use. They're programmed to allow a shock only when appropriate.

Grand River Heart Restart (GRHR) is a group of concerned citizens and medical professionals from the Chillicothe area that are united in the mission of “Reducing the fatal incidence of sudden cardiac arrest through increased awareness, training and strategic placement of automated external defibrillators.” The group is a member of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and is affiliated with Take Heart America. 

The group is currently working to get more AEDs placed in the community, as well as offer a maintenance program called AED Concierge at a reduced cost through the company AED Authority. AED Concierge provides liability protection, medical oversight and direction through Saint Luke’s, a report to the patient’s physician, a loaner device overnight if the AED is used and replaces pads and battery for the machine.  For more information, contact Fire Chief Darrell Wright or Jennifer Dixon, RN at Hedrick Medical Center.

If you would like to be a part of this group or donate time or dollars to their efforts, call the health center at 646-5506 and ask to speak to Ann or Sherry, or get in touch with one of the other key organizers.

Source: Mayo Clinic and Grand River Heart Restart

September Mom of the Month - Jaime Pittman

Mom of the Month

Jaime Pittman & Jase

 

 

First of all, I have an amazingly supportive husband! After three unsuccessful attempts at in vitro, we were faced with the enormous task of whether or not to choose adoption in order to have a family.  The past two years have been filled with social worker visits, photo shoots, sleepless nights of worry and coming to terms with the fact that I would never be able to carry a child.  As I mourned the loss of any possible pregnancy, I began to research the possibility of inducing lactation as an adoptive mother. 

Initially, I was concerned that people would think I was “weird” for trying this but a lactation consultant put my mind at ease by encouraging me to do what I felt was best for my baby.  I asked my best friend what she thought and she said, “If you can’t grow your baby, the next best thing would be to feed him from your body!”  I also met with my physician, and he, too, was very supportive. 

Initially, I had to start by taking a few different medications necessary to cause the significant breast changes needed to induce lactation. 

Once I “tricked” my body into thinking I was pregnant, I had to make it think I had given birth so milk production would begin.  So, I stopped one of the medications, added a couple herbs and started a very rigid pumping schedule. 

Since we were notified of our son’s birth almost three months before he arrived, I was able to be well into the pumping phase before he was born.  I had actually been pumping for almost a month when he arrived.  This allowed my body to respond more naturally once I was able to place him to the breast.  All of the literature regarding induced lactation with adoptive mothers was very specific in stating that breast feeding is usually for bonding purposes and may not provide adequate nutrition without formula supplementation.  Once we were into a routine, I was able to nurse him at the breast a few times every day as well as give him a bottle of pumped breast milk.  We did have to supplement with formula, which was to be expected.

As an adoptive mother, you have let go of the hope of so many experiences, like ultrasounds of the baby, feeling your baby move inside you, going into labor and knowing you grew your baby.  Once I found out I would be able to attempt to breast feed my baby I was thrilled that I would get to experience such a wonderful miracle!  Breast feeding is hard work when you have your child naturally and even more difficult when you induce your lactation but it is worth it, every minute.  The bond that we have made is so special and I truly believe that nursing my son helped him build trust in me and know without a doubt that I am his mother.

 

 

Labor Day 5k Winners

Labor Day Race Winners

 

18 and Under

Male - Austin Minnis  - 1st -  30.07

Male - Kamden Ward

Female - Cadence James - 1st - 39.53

Female - Julia Minnis

 

19-25

Female

Tessa Wardenburg - 1st - 45.46

Rebecca Steinhoff

 

26-35

Female - Jenna Gibson - 1st - 27.27

Female - Angela Williams

Male - Nolan Parker - 1st - 31.36

 

36-45

Female - Jeannette Straker - 1st - 27.47

Female - Kristen Ward

Male - Lance Wheeler - 1st - 54.53

Male - Keith Sisney

 

46-55

Female - Slavica Calvert - 1st

Female - Jennifer Reeter

Male - Joe Hardie - 1st - 34.04

Male - Neal Burton

 

56 and Over

Female - Leda Beeler - 1st - 42.18

Female - Marian Burton

Male - Richard Witten - 1st - 23.52 -

Male - Tom Ashbrook

 

Labor Day Race

Livingston County Health Center would like to announce their second annual Walk Chillicothe  Labor Day 2K Fun Walk and 5K Competitive Race on Saturday, August 31st at Simpson Park.  

The race begins at 7:30 a.m. in Simpson Park, with registration open at 7 a.m.  There will be a charge to register this year, as grant funding from the Heartland Foundation has ended.  The cost to register will be $15 before August 16^th, and $30 after that date.  Those who pre-register before August 16th are guaranteed a free t-shirt.  Participants can register up to the day of the race, but the health center cannot guarantee a shirt, but will try to accommodate.

Participants can pre-register by picking up a form at the health center, located at 800 Adam Drive or printing their own from our website at livcohealthcenter.com.  Payment must accompany the registration form.

Walk Chillicothe and the sponsors of the race would like to encourage kids, adults, families, well behaved dogs on a leash and handicapped residents to join in the Labor Day Race.   Just-for-fun prizes will be awarded in the Fun Walk, and for those who wish to compete in the 5K Run, medals will be awarded in various classes.

Proceeds from this year’s race will be donated to the North Missouri Center for Youth and Families, a PowerUP! Afterschool Program for Youth here in Chillicothe. 

The health center has continued the efforts of the Walk Chillicothe project in order to plant the seed that walking is possible for everyone and to offer an easy solution for sedentary people to take the first step to active living.  Labor Day also marks the start of the Fall Walking Challenge.   Registration for the Fall Challenge will begin August 12^th, with signups welcomed up to the day of the race.

For more information about the Labor Day Race, or to print out a registration form, visit our website at www.livcohealthcenter.com or our Facebook page at LivingstonCounty HealthCenter.  Call 646-5506 with any questions.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

World Breastfeeding Week

 

 

 

When mothers are able to get off to a good start with breastfeeding, all too often in the weeks or months after delivery, a large number of mothers stop breastfeeding or use formula to supplement their breastfeeding. The period when breastfeeding moms do not visit their primary physician after delivery is the time when a community support system for mothers is essential. As noted by the World Health Organization, "The key to best breastfeeding practices is continued day-to-day support for the breastfeeding mother within her home and community.”

August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week. The theme for the week is “Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers”, and it highlights the importance of breastfeeding peer counselors in helping breastfeeding families be successful.

At Livingston County Health Center, we are dedicated to supporting mothers and families to help them reach their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Certified Breastfeeding Educator, Rachel Snider, has been with the health center since 2009. Rachel works closely with the WIC participants and meets with each mom and family several times during their pregnancy. In talking with the moms and families, she teaches them about not only the benefits of breastfeeding, but also many of the helpful hints and techniques of the “how” to breastfeed. She is also there for support after the delivery of the baby. The health center also has a Lactation Consultant on staff for referrals from the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

 

Anita Perry, ICBLC, CBE

“Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers” Kicks off August 1st

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. The theme for the week is “Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers”, and it highlights the importance of breastfeeding peer counselors in helping breastfeeding families be successful.  

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Rachel Snider, also a Certified Breastfeeding Educator has been with the health center since 2009. Rachel works closely with the WIC participants and meets with each mom and family several times during their pregnancy.  In talking with the moms and families, she teaches them about not only the benefits of breastfeeding, but also many of the helpful hints and techniques of the “how” to breastfeed. 

Rachel offers a breastfeeding class at the health center and also at Hedrick Medical Center on a regular monthly basis. We have mini grants available for businesses that want to become a designated breastfeeding friendly worksite, to help them set up a lactation room for their employees.  So far, we have helped three businesses in our community to set up areas for their breastfeeding staff.  They are:  HyVee, Chillicothe Correctional Center, and Morningside Center.

Also this year, Rachel is hosting “The Big Latch ON!” Thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies/children across the world will gather in their own communities to take part in the Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event in multiple locations. Our local Big Latch On will take place at Chillicothe Farmers Market West side of the Courthouse on Saturday, August 3rd at 10 a.m.  For more information, call Rachel at 660-247-5653.

Livingston County Health Center, a Breastfeeding Friendly WIC Clinic, offers a wide range of services for breastfeeding mom’s and families in our community. We have a private nursing nook that mothers can feed their babies in if they are out and about or after shots. We also offer breast pumps to moms that are on WIC, and with the Maternal Healthy Children Grant we are now also able to rent pumps, for a nominal fee, to breastfeeding mom’s in our community that are not on the WIC program.

We are excited to be a part of our community’s breastfeeding support services. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to call Anita Perry, RN, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Rachel Snider WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Certified Breastfeeding Educator.

The Health Center is also doing its annual media awareness campaign featuring local breastfeeding moms and their babies.  This year, photographer Juliane Sykes volunteered to shoot the portraits, which will also be used in breastfeeding education materials and displayed at our location.

Anyone who would like more information about the health center’s Breastfeeding Support Program should call 646-5506 and ask to speak to Anita Perry or Rachel Snider.