Health Center Offers Sports Physicals to Area Athletes

The Livingston County Health Center is sponsoring its annual spring Sports Physical Clinics for all student athletes in the county.  Application forms have been delivered to all county schools and must be completed and turned into area schools by Friday, March 7^th.

Students in grades 6-11 who are planning to participate in a sport next year are eligible for a sports physical at no out of pocket cost, thanks to a partnership between local health care providers and the health center.  The health center is accepting donations for the service from parents who choose to contribute.

Parents are encouraged to make sure their child turns in a completed form by the upcoming deadline.  Forms are available at all schools, and at the health center office, located at 800 Adam Drive. 

Athletes in all schools are required to have a sports physical on file with the school before they will be allowed to participate in any sport.  The physical is then valid for one school year.  The sports physical form has a new look, but asks basically the same medical history information from the parents.

The medical history allows you to record any health conditions or concerns your child may have, including injuries and any special information regarding medical care you want on file. The exam concentrates on sports related health to ensure each student will have a safe and enjoyable athletic experience, and be able to reach their full potential.   

Local doctors and nurse practitioners will provide the exams at several scheduled clinics in the county, usually at your child’s school.  For about 76% of adolescents, the sports physical examination is the only yearly physical they receive.  Often, health conditions are detected through this exam, and students are referred for follow up with their local physician. 

Forms can be picked up at any school in the office, or at the Livingston County Health Center, located at 800 Adam Drive. Parents must fill out the exam form and follow the instructions given in the attached cover letter. If the exam form is not signed by a parent or guardian, the child cannot receive a physical. 

Forms are due back at the school office by Friday, March 7^th.   Parents are urged to make sure their child turns in his or her form to their school office. Those students with completed forms turned in will be given appointments at their clinic location.

 

For more information about sports physicals, call the health center at 646-5506. 

Health Center To Hold Special Screening Clinic

Livingston County Health Center is offering a Specialized Screening Clinic by appointment on Wednesday, February 26th from 8 to 10 a.m. at their office, located at 800 Adam Drive. 

Testing available through these special clinics includes:

 Hepatitis C Antibody for a cost of $20. While anyone can get Hepatitis C, more than 75% of adults infected are baby boomers, people born from 1945 through 1965. Most people with Hepatitis C don’t know they are infected.

Fecal Immunochem for $35. This test screens for digestive tract bleeding, which may be an indicator of colon cancer.  The recommendation is to have this test beginning at age 50 as part of a routine examination to screen for colon cancer or as directed by your doctor based on family medical history. The procedure requires taking home a test kit and collecting fecal samples, which are then submitted to our lab.  The test must be paid for in advance. 

None of the tests require fasting.

To make an appointment for our Specialized Screenings, call our office at 646-5506.  We are able to take cash or check for payment of services, and we cannot bill insurance at this time.

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

Several local businesses honored by the State for their efforts

Left to right:

Colby Baker, Social Services, Cindy Hayes, BOM, Angela Quick, DON, Rachel Snider, LCHC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Brittney Depuy, Activity Director, Becky Clark, MDS, JoEllen Anderson, Administrator, Anita Perry, IBCLC, LCHC

Several local businesses have been honored with a “Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Award” through the Missouri Department of Health and the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition.

The program is a collaboration to educate employers on the value of providing lactation support in the workplace and to recognize businesses that support their breastfeeding employees.

The award evaluates employers on criteria for three levels of support: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Businesses that meet one of the three levels will be recognized in their community and statewide.

North Central Missouri College in Trenton was awarded the Gold status due to lactation equipment they provide to students and staff, availability of resources, as well as their family friendly policies. Chillicothe Correctional Center was awarded the Silver award and is taking additional steps to achieve Gold status. Grand River Health Care was also awarded Silver Award and Livingston County Health Center was awarded Gold.

Letters have also been sent out to all local businesses so more can get recognition for having a lactation room or for offering support of breastfeeding patrons.

Employer support of breastfeeding provides many benefits to businesses:

·     Cost savings of $3 per $1 invested in nursing support

·     Reduced absenteeism to care for sick children because breastfed infants have less illness

·     Lower health care costs

·     Improved employee productivity with higher morale and greater employee loyalty

·     Increased ability to attract and retain valuable employees

·     Family-friendly image in the community

Women who return to work while continuing to breastfeed need the support of their employers. Their needs are simple: a safe, private and comfortable location at the worksite and the opportunity to pump two or three times during the work day. The Missouri “Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Program” is available to help businesses in becoming a nursing friendly workplace by:

·     Identifying and setting up a suitable private room

·     Scheduling appropriate breaks for nursing employees

·     Reviewing written polices

·      

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite or the requirements, please call 646-5506 and ask to speak to Rachel Snider, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the Health Center.

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

Livingston County Health Center is offering “Hands-Only” CPR

In recognition of American Heart Month, Livingston County Health Center is offering “Hands-Only” CPR at their office on this Friday, February 14^th over the noon hour.   Those interested should call to reserve a spot, as there are only ten kits available per session.  Those who can’t come at noon should call to find out about an alternate time on Friday.  If we receive an overwhelming response, more sessions may be added during the day or at a future date.

Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, at work or in a park). It consists of two easy steps:

·         Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that).

·         Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Every five years, the American Heart Association publishes updated guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care. These guidelines reflect a thorough review of current science by international experts. The 2010 guidelines reported that in studies of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, adults who received Hands-Only CPR from a bystander were more likely to survive than those who didn’t receive any type of CPR from a bystander. In other studies, survival rates of adults with cardiac arrest treated by people who weren’t healthcare professionals were similar with either Hands-Only CPR or conventional CPR.

When interviewed, bystanders said panic was the major obstacle to performing CPR. The simpler Hands-Only technique may help overcome panic and hesitation to act.

Learning basic CPR skills may help save the life of a loved one in case of heart attack.

Call 646-5506 to find out more, or reserve your spot.

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

February Mom of the Month - Tiffany Yount Winfrey

As I come to a close on my breastfeeding relationship with my almost 19 month old, I like to look back at what made me decide to choose this path of nourishment for my daughter Madeline, difficulties we encountered, what kept me going all this time, and the highlights of this special time with her.

When I found out I was pregnant, I instantly knew I would breastfeed her. It was a no brainer to me. I've not been around any breastfeeding moms, but for some reason, it was engraved in my heart to nurse her.

My original goal was six months, but really hoping to make it to twelve. Twelve months came and went way too fast, and she just wasn't ready to stop. Honestly, that was perfectly fine by me, as I really enjoyed our time together. We were a rare fortunate breastfeeding case of having a smooth time with little problems.

When she got a bit older, I started to feel embarrassed by the fact that I am nursing a toddler because it isn't the "normal" thing to do. Those embarrassing feelings soon passed when I realized I am doing the BEST thing for her. There are still so many benefits of nursing past a year.

I give so much credit to breastfeeding for our close bond we have. She is my best bud, and I am incredibly sad to be leaving this chapter behind us

Health Center Announces New Rates for Blood Draw Clinics

Livingston County Health Center is offering its Adult Wellness Blood Draw Clinic Wednesday, January 29th from 7 to 10 a.m. at their office, located at 800 Adam Drive.  The clinic is an effort to encourage adults to get recommended preventive screenings conveniently and at an affordable charge.  

It is the aim of public health to promote health and prevent disease-this service encourages our residents to take charge of their own health before problems arise. 

The health center is offering several basic blood tests for those 18 and older at the Adult Wellness Clinic, all of which require fasting the night before.  (To achieve the most accurate results, it’s best to not eat or drink anything but water after midnight the day before a blood test.)  A light snack will be available at the clinic, as well as water.  If you know you are a challenging draw, it might help to drink water when you get up in the morning and until your blood is drawn.

Rates for testing have changed, due to price increase with the lab we use.  The increase is not huge, but the health center wants local residents to know the changes before they come to the clinic.

The CBC/Chem Profile will now be offered for $30. The CBC/Chem Profile is the most comprehensive blood test , measuring 35 different blood parameters that can have a powerful impact on the state of your health, including complete blood panel, cholesterol profile including lipids, thyroid function and more; a PSA prostate cancer marker for $10; the Hemoglobin A1C, a test that gives diabetics a picture of average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months, for $10; or Vitamin D (25[OH]D, which is short-hand for 25-hydroxyvitamin D) for a cost of $15. Current research is revealing connections between vitamin D deficiency and a myriad of health concerns, including cancer, depression, osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease, and more. 

As a new service to the public, the health center will be offering Specialized Screening blood tests at several clinics throughout the year.  The first of these clinics will be held on Wednesday, February 26^th from 8 to 10 a.m.  An appointment IS required for these special clinics, so we can make sure to have the supplies on hand.  None of the tests require fasting.

Testing available through these special clinics includes:

Hepatitis C Anitbody for a cost of $20. While anyone can get Hepatitis C, more than 75% of adults infected are baby boomers, people born from 1945 through 1965. Most people with Hepatitis C don’t know they are infected.

Respiratory Allergy Panel (IL, IA, MO) for $175*.  This allergen-specific IgE antibody testing involves taking a blood sample and checking for each allergen suspected.  This test is a regional weed and grass panel, which contains the most common airborne allergens in the location where the person lives. 

Fecal Immunochem for $35. This test screens for digestive tract bleeding, which may be an indicator of colon cancer.  The recommendation is to have this test beginning at age 50 as part of a routine examination to screen for colon cancer or as directed by your doctor based on family medical history. The procedure requires taking home a test kit and collecting fecal samples, which are then submitted to our lab.  The test must be paid for in advance. 

ColoVantage for $100.  ColoVantage® is a convenient blood test that aids in the detection of colorectal cancer in patients avoiding having the recommended colonoscopy at age 50. Colorectal cancer treated in localized, early stages has a five-year survival rate of 90 percent. Yet, only 40 percent of cases are diagnosed in early stages, due to low screening rates. Patients who test positive for methylated Septin9 should be further evaluated for the presence of colorectal cancer.

To make an appointment for our Specialized Screenings, call our office at 646-5506.  We are able to take cash or check for payment of services, and we cannot bill insurance at this time.

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

Mom of the Month - Janae Copelin

Breastfeeding, what a wonderful gift to give to your child, but oh so frustrating and disappointing when that natural God given method doesn't work.

My first child wouldn't latch and was formula fed & has turned into a healthy beautiful little girl, but this second time I was determined to make it work.

What could be better (and let's be honest, cheaper) than breastfeeding? Problem was my precious baby boy wasn't interested in latching on either.

Thankfully I had the support of the Livingston County Breastfeeding Counselor, Rachel!!

This time around I chose to pump & while it's time consuming and a bit of work I'm so very glad I made that choice. Those early days were hard, I won't lie, I felt like that machine was sucking out my soul every 2-3 hours & it can be disheartening to pump for 20 minutes and only get an ounce or two, but I pushed through and now we are in our 9th month of pumping!!!

I've learned over the past nine months that the key for me is consistency...the more often I pump the more milk I produce.

My advice to mommas out there that are thinking of pumping, just do it!! You'll be in a group of your own & no doubt some will think you crazy (especially when you mention you've pumped in parking lots & other odd places lol) but is it really that much different than regular breastfeeding? ...I think not!!