Subject: November Newsletter: Happy Thanksgiving!

RSV Season Has Arrived; What You Should Know About this Virus

RSV – respiratory syncytial virus – is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Anyone can become ill with RSV and most experience mild symptoms and recover in a week or two.

However, RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under age one. Premature infants, babies with chronic lung problems and weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of complications from RSV.

RSV Information

November is Home Health & Hospice Month: End-of-Life Care for Your Loved Ones

November is recognized as National Home Health & Hospice Month - a time to spread awareness about the benefits of home health and hospice care to improve the quality of life for patients that are in their final stages of life and provide support to their loved ones during their end-of-life journey.

Home Health & Hospice

What's In Your Thanksgiving Dinner?

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many people are busy making plans for holiday meals. What are the nutritional benefits of some of your traditional favorites? Are there ways to add a little boost to your holiday meals. Spencer Hospital Registered Dietitian, Darlene DeWitt, shares some tips and tricks for Thanksgiving meal prep in her latest nutrition blog.

Thanksgiving Dinner Blog

Annual Candlelight Service of Remembrance Set for November 28th at Foundation Church

The holidays can be a difficult time for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one; yet it’s also an important time to remember those loved ones. The annual Service of Remembrance provides a special opportunity to celebrate memories and honor the lives of those who have passed away.

The Candlelight Service of Remembrance will be Monday, November 28th at 6:30 PM at Foundation Church - 1410 W 18th St. Spencer, IA 51301

Anyone with questions regarding the special candlelight service is encouraged to call Avera@Home of Spencer Hospital at 712-264-6380.

SMU Rebroadcast Times:

Thursday, December 1 - 5 PM
Friday, December 2 - 8:30 PM
Saturday, December 3 - 1 PM
Sunday, December 4 - 12 PM

Service of Remembrance

Giving Tuesday 2022 - Patient Needs Fund

Tuesday, November 29th is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving! We have been blessed that our community has been supportive in healthcare services by giving to the Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation. This holiday season we are raising dollars for our Patient Needs Fund. This fund started during COVID to help those who have a few extra needs, often due to a fixed income or inability to work due to an illness. After we started this fund we’ve noticed that our patients in our area have many different individual needs. View our video below for more details on ways this fund has helped to make a difference for our patients! This year there are a few ways one can give:

Mail your contribution to:
Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation
Attn: Sara Taylor
1200 1st Ave E, Spencer, IA 51301
Donate Online - https://www.spencerhospital.org/about-us/donate/donate-online/
Give with Venmo - https://givebutter.com/SpencerFoundationGivingTuesday2022
text giving22 to (202) 858-1233

Thanks so much for your generosity!

Hospital Audit Report Reveals Financial Effects of Staffing Challenges, Pandemic Impact

Spencer Hospital's annual audit report reflected a similar story to healthcare entities across the country, with operating margins negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased expenses related to staffing and a decreased return on investments. The hospital ended the fiscal year with a 0.4 percent negative operating margin as outlined in the annual audit report presented at October's hospital board meeting.

Audit Report