Thanks to Lucky McMahon's determination, a child-sized climbing wall has been added at the Decatur Memorial Hospital Sports Enhancement Center. The wooden wall will help pediatric physical therapy patients build their strength and skills while having fun.
LIVEWELLMAGAZINE.ORG
How a 5-year-old Changed Physical Therapy for Kids Who Need PT in the Future - LiveWell Online Magazine
There are five major risk factors for foodborne illness, like inadequate cooking and contaminated equipment. Our Food and Nutrition colleagues from across the system share some tips on how to decrease the chances of getting sick from a foodborne illness.
LIVEWELLMAGAZINE.ORG
Experts Share Risk Factors for Foodborne Illness and Discuss Why Food Safety Matters - LiveWell Online Magazine
Congratulations to our July Colleague of the Month, Tresa Borero!
Tresa’s nominator wrote “Tresa is a very hard worker and always willing to help out in other areas of the department. I have known Tresa to assist our customers with carrying their tray to a table for them, getting a wheel chair for someone or even helping to pay for their lunch if they don't have enough money to cover everything they have on their tray. When Tresa is walking down the hallway she is always saying “Hello” to everyone she passes and always has a big smile on her face, (even though you can’t see it very well with our face coverings). Thank you Tresa for being the special person you are and it is truly a pleasure to work with you."
While keeping your children safe is important year-round, Baby Safety Month in September is a good time to review opportunities to improve safety at home. Learn more at http://mhs.social/2Ak750Bva40.
Congratulations to Anita Pirtle, our Colleague of the Month for June!
Anita’s nominator wrote “Anita is always ready to help whether it is with patients or co-workers. She works as a Physical Therapy Room Aide/Check-in Secretary. She is very dependable and always greets patients with her bright smile. She treats everyone with great respect. Anita is a wonderful asset to our department and DMH and exhibits our value of Integrity in showing compassion and care to all. I wish there were more people in this world with the compassion and dedication that Anita has toward her patients, co-workers, family and friends.”
The DMH Cancer Care Institute and other local organizations are sponsoring free prostate screenings throughout September. Call 217-876-4750 for more information or to schedule a screening.
Looking for a primary care provider? The DMH Medical Group is welcoming new patients. Call DMH Find A Doctor at 217-876-2856 or send us a message for more information: http://mhs.social/Aoed50BNDeg.
How can you tell if your doctor, pharmacist or health department facility is a safe place to go to get your flu shot? Call before your appointment for their open clinic hours to learn more about their safety procedures.
Congratulations to Brett Poorman, our September Colleague of the Month! Brett started at DMH in April 2018 and recently became a Charge Nurse in the COVID-19 Unit.
Brett’s nominator wrote “Since the start of COVID-19, Brett has volunteered to work in our COVID-19 unit. Brett worked on the unit for so many hours that he was asked to take a charge nurse role while there. He always arrives early to work, is ready for report and has a smile on his face. Patients compliment him and his care that they receive. Brett is a wonderful nurse, an amazing person, helpful to all staff and greatly appreciated."
Herd immunity has been brought up in relation to COVID-19, but what is it and when will it happen?
Is it safe to go get a flu vaccine this year? Yes! Wear your mask, maintain social distancing and practice hand hygiene when going out to get your flu shot.
How can you tell the difference between COVID and the flu? Symptoms are similar, but not the same. Reduce your risk of getting the flu by getting your flu shot. The same preventive measures to decrease the spread of COVID can help protect you from getting the flu. Continue to wear your mask and practice proper hand hygiene and social distancing.
We encourage you to follow the Macon County Health Department (Decatur, IL) Facebook page and take steps to slow the spread in our community. Wear masks. Watch your distance. Wash your hands.
Macon County Health Department (Decatur, IL)
October 27 at 11:15 AM ·
Wearing a mask, especially when close to others, is vital to slow the spread of COVID-19. Masks are only effective if worn correctly. Please continue to be mindful of these guidelines.
Both COVID-19 and the seasonal flu will spread simultaneously this fall and winter. Make sure you and your family members get the flu vaccine and follow basic infection prevention practices to prevent COVID-19. Taking these actions will protect you and your loved ones and conserve hospital beds and medical supplies for seriously ill patients. Do your part to safeguard your community. Get your flu shot!
Buffalo gnats are so last year. Pirate bugs are this year's annoying outdoor pest and we're ready for them to walk the plank.
LIVEWELLMAGAZINE.ORG
Little Black “Pirate” Bugs: Just Wave the White Flag - LiveWell Online Magazine
The infection preventionists at Memorial Health System are professionals who ensure colleagues and patients are educated on and applying best practices to prevent infections. Daily activities include identifying patterns of infection, observing practices, educating patients and colleagues, advising hospital leaders, compiling and analyzing infection data, developing policies and procedures and coordinating with local and state public health agencies. Patient and colleague safety is the number one priority for the infection preventionist.
Safely get your flu vaccine at your doctor's office, health department or local pharmacy. Find a location near you at http://mhs.social/cN9k50BSz7g.
If you're following the COVID-19 numbers, please be aware they likely won't reflect reality for several days, due to the holiday and the possibility that people delayed care or testing. After the holiday when doctor's offices and testing centers reopen, we expect to see a jump in cases.
However, we likely won't see the actual impact of Thanksgiving gatherings until a couple of weeks into December because of the time for symptoms to develop. If you were exposed at Thanksgiving, symptoms could appear between Nov. 29 and Dec. 10. Common initial symptoms are a fever of 101F or higher, a cough, headache, fatigue or diarrhea.
Community spread is at an all time high. Please self-monitor for symptoms. Check your temperature daily. If you go out, wear a mask to protect others from pre-symptomatic spread. Get tested if you have symptoms, and stay home if you have symptoms of any infectious disease. Please visit our COVID-19 webpage at http://mhs.social/DhhC50CwAm6 for testing sites, resources, and more.
Below is today's COVID-19 Community Dashboard with the number of people being treated for COVID-19 throughout our hospitals.
This dashboard is posted daily on our Memorial Health System page. Make sure to like and follow that page to see these dashboard every afternoon.
Memorial Health System
November 27 at 7:00 PM ·
Below is today's COVID-19 Community Dashboard with the number of people being treated for COVID-19 throughout our hospitals.
The dashboard includes the number of people currently hospitalized at Memorial Medical Center, Decatur Memorial Hospital, Passavant Area Hospital, Taylorville Memorial Hospital and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.
We are one of two hospitals in Springfield and one of two hospitals in Decatur. The dashboard only reflects our MHS hospital information and does not include data from hospitals outside of our system.
If you're following the COVID-19 numbers, please be aware they likely won't reflect reality for several days, due to the holiday and the possibility that people delayed care or testing. After the holiday when doctor's offices and testing centers reopen, we expect to see a jump in cases.
However, we likely won't see the actual impact of Thanksgiving gatherings until a couple of weeks into December because of the time for symptoms to develop. If you were exposed at Thanksgiving, symptoms could appear between Nov. 29 and Dec. 10. Common initial symptoms are a fever of 101F or higher, a cough, headache, fatigue or diarrhea.
Community spread is at an all time high. Please self-monitor for symptoms. Check your temperature daily. If you go out, wear a mask to protect others from pre-symptomatic spread. Get tested if you have symptoms, and stay home if you have symptoms of any infectious disease. Please visit our COVID-19 webpage at http://mhs.social/Z8wj50CwBBm for testing sites, resources, and more.
We are thankful for each and every one of you! Please celebrate Thanksgiving with the utmost care and concern for your loved ones during this time of community spread.
“We recognize how much people anticipate and enjoy coming together at Thanksgiving,” said Gina Carnduff, system director of Infection Prevention for Memorial Health System. “Unfortunately gathering together this year has to be approached with an unrelenting focus on safety. That means limiting contact to only those in your immediate household.” Please stay home and have a healthy holiday.
Learn more about the COVIDI-19 at http://mhs.social/2Gvr50CqBdL.
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How to Count Your Blessings Together Online This Year - LiveWell Online Magazine
President and CEO of Decatur Memorial Hospital, Drew Early, asks you to celebrate Thanksgiving with only those in your immediate household. While different this year, staying home will help decrease the spread of COVID-19 and keep our loved ones safe. Please stay home for Thanksgiving and have a healthy holiday.
Proper COVID-19 mitigation efforts were in place during the filming of this message.
Side effects after the COVID-19 vaccination are normal and to be expected. The first dose tells your body to “Wake Up.” It tells your body how to recognize the virus that causes COVID-19 so you can start to build antibodies.
The second dose tells your body to “Start Fighting.” The side effects some people feel after the second dose are your immune response kicking in to fight what it thinks is the virus that causes COVID-19.
Even after your second shot is fully effective, it remains important to continue to wash your hands, wear a mask and watch your distance to stop the spread of COVID-19.
If you have previously recovered from COVID-19 and received the vaccine, you are now eligible to donate all blood products, including convalescent plasma at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. You must have received the vaccination after your COVID-19 diagnosis, and you must be within 6 months of the resolution of your symptoms.
For additional questions regarding eligibility to donate plasma or blood, please visit http://mhs.social/ehsh50DhP3k.
Watching the game at a party is fun, but watching your distance is more important. Our communities are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases. Staying home to watch this weekend's game will help COVID-19 from spreading in our communities.
During Black History Month, we're recognizing black history-makers in our communities. This week, we recognize Dr. Jeanelle Norman, Ed.D. President, NAACP Decatur Branch & former member of the DMH board of directors. Thank you for your commitment to our community, Dr. Norman! Learn more about Dr. Norman at http://mhs.social/iQsl50DrKd8.
Refrain from taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen prior to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. If you develop side effects, pain relievers can be taken.
If you currently take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or similar medications, continue to take your medications prescribed by your doctor.
February is American Heart Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart disease. According to the CDC, someone in America suffers a heart attack every 40 seconds.
Common heart attack warning signs include:
• Pain or discomfort in chest
• Lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting
• Jaw, neck or back pain
• Discomfort or pain in shoulder or arm
• Shortness of breath
CDC.GOV
Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Recovery | cdc.gov
