CHCS urges area residents to take precautions, prevent the spread of COVID-19
October 29, 2020
Categories: Community health news, News
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment tracks 14-day COVID-19 positivity rates in every county, and each county is given a rating of green, yellow, or red.1 The most recent update from KDHE indicates that both Nemaha and Jackson counties are in the red. Pottawatomie and Marshall counties are yellow along with Wabaunsee, Shawnee, and Geary. Riley County and Douglas County are green. To find the most current information, visit the KDHE COVID-19 website and select Nursing Home Metrics.
Besides...
CHCS recognized by Kansas Newborn Screening Program
October 29, 2020
Categories: News
When babies are born, time is of the essence to screen for problems that could cause developmental disability or severe illness.
The Kansas Newborn Screening Program, a collaboration between public health, hospitals, providers, and the parents of newborns, has provided essential screenings at no cost to families since 1965. Community HealthCare System, or CHCS, is among the Kansas hospitals being recognized for meeting or exceeding screening goals.
Required screenings include...
Procedure masks required starting October 26
October 26, 2020
Categories: News
Community HealthCare System, or CHCS, remains committed to providing high-quality, compassionate, and safe patient care while ensuring the safety of our workforce. Given the widespread community transmission of COVID-19, CHCS is adjusting mask requirements for all patients and visitors starting Monday, October 26.
Masks have been required in all facilities for several months, but as an additional protective measure, CHCS clinics and hospitals...
CHCS nurse shares COVID-19 experience
October 21, 2020
Categories: News, Patient story
Karen Elliott is an infection control nurse. She knows how to prevent disease. She was an advocate for hand hygiene before COVID-19 was in the news. She helps others learn how to take precautions. So she’ll never catch COVID-19, right?
Wrong.
Elliott still doesn’t know how she contracted the virus, but she started have symptoms on October 1. After experiencing gradually worsening symptoms at home (cough, headache, body aches, fever, diarrhea, nausea, loss of taste,...
340B Drug Pricing Program jeopardized by Big Pharma
October 21, 2020
Categories: News
Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act, also known as the 340B Drug Pricing Program, has provided financial help to hospitals that serve the most vulnerable for more than 25 years. The program requires pharmaceutical manufacturers that participate in Medicaid to sell prescription medications at discounted prices to healthcare organizations like Community HealthCare System, or CHCS, that care for many uninsured and low-income patients. The program helps CHCS decrease prices of prescriptions...
CHCS offers more therapies for kids
October 21, 2020
Categories: News
Community HealthCare System now offers pediatric occupational and speech therapy services at all therapy locations: Centralia, Frankfort, Holton, Onaga, and St. Marys.
These services are designed to help patients from birth to age 21 with a variety of diagnoses, including autism, speech and motor delays, sensory processing disorders, apraxia (an inability to perform learned movements on command), phonological disorders (the inability to correctly form the sounds of words),...
New equipment offers latest and greatest in lung function tests
October 20, 2020
Categories: News
CHCS recently acquired a new pulmonary function test, or PFT, machine. The Ultima Pulmonary Function System by MGC Diagnostics helps us provide the most up-to-date testing of how well a patient’s lungs are working.
According to Registered Respiratory Therapist, or RRT, Michelle Budreau, a PFT measures lung volume, or the maximum amount of air a patient can get into his or her lungs. The test also measures muscle strength, which plays a role in our breathing; diffusion, which is...
CHCS considers pool repairs
October 13, 2020
Categories: News
Earlier this year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced closure of many businesses, including fitness centers. Community HealthCare System closed its Fitness Centers, including the pool at our Onaga Fitness Center, which is attached to Onaga Community Hospital. Although the rest of the Fitness Center reopened in early June (with restricted hours, enhanced cleaning, and social distancing rules), the pool has not reopened because of maintenance problems. Several members of our community have requested an...
CHCS promotes Lutz to Director of Ancillary Services
October 9, 2020
Categories: News
Community HealthCare System is pleased to announce that Andrea Lutz, doctor of physical therapy, will transition into a new role as Director of Ancillary Services in the next month.
Lutz will oversee a number of departments in her new position: Dietary, Radiology, Laboratory, Rehabilitation and Fitness, Community HomeHealth, Community Home Care Equipment, Respiratory Care, and Pharmacy. Lutz previously served as manager of Rehabilitation and Fitness.
Todd Willert,...
Physical therapy eases pain, promotes quality of life
October 9, 2020
Categories: Community health news
If you have surgery to replace a joint or repair a torn ligament, you probably know that physical therapy will be part of your rehabilitation process. But did you know that a physical therapist can also help manage chronic pain, encourage healthy aging, and diagnose and treat movement problems?
“Many people don’t realize the array of services physical therapy can provide,” said Andrea Lutz, doctor of physical therapy and Community HealthCare System Rehabilitation and...
