Subject: September Newsletter: Happy Fall!

Spencer Hospital would like to wish our local area farmers a safe and healthy harvest this season! In addition to sharing a few safety tips for our farmers, we wanted to provide a friendly reminder that we can all do our part to stay safe during harvest. Remember to slow down and make room for combines, grain wagons, and other farm equipment as they travel our roadways. Please take extra precaution while passing farm vehicles because sometimes they cannot always see you. Lastly, allow for additional time and patience on the roads, that extra minute or two can help save lives, possibly including your own.

Create Hope Through Action; September is National Suicide Prevention Month

To help raise awareness and start conversations regarding suicide, September is recognized nationally as Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is preventable by learning the warning signs, starting conversations, and helping individuals with suicidal thoughts and feelings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with a 33% increase in suicide rates from 1999 to 2019. At Spencer Hospital, we understand that there is a need in our community to ensure that resources are readily available for mental health needs.

In our recent blog, we break down the L.E.A.R.N. acronym for necessary steps taken to help prevent suicide as well as provide additional resources for individuals that are in suicidal crisis or very distressed.

Suicide Prevention Blog

Local COVID-19 Call Center Available

With Clay County and the surrounding communities experiencing an increase in COVID cases, Spencer Hospital has reopened the COVID-19 Call Center to assist with questions regarding local testing options, exposures and quarantine recommendations. Please call our local line at 712-264-6514 or Toll Free at 1-800-848-0638.

Also, information on testing options, quarantining and isolation are available on our website - please click the link below.

COVID-19 Resources

Local Clinics Transitioning to a New Electronic Health Record System on October 1

Avera Medical Group Spencer, Milford Family Care, and Sioux Rapids Family Care are converting to a new electronic health record on October 1.

The registration process will take additional time as the registrars enter and confirm all of the patient’s information. It is suggested to arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment to ensure that you are on time for meeting with your healthcare provider.

These clinics will be utilizing the same electronic health record as Spencer Hospital, Northwest Iowa ENT, Avera McKennan Hospital and Avera physician specialists in Sioux Falls. This will provide patients who use the various health systems access to their personal healthcare information through a common patient portal.

Thank you for your patience during this transition!

New Electronic Health Record

Spencer Hospital's Virtual Breast Cancer Walk Throughout October

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we’d like your help in promoting awareness of healthy lifestyles for prevention, the importance of screenings for early detection, and the various wonderful treatment options. Please join in spreading awareness any or all of the 31 Days of October by wearing pink (the breast cancer awareness color), taking a brisk, healthy walk, snap a selfie during your walk and send it to us to help promote the cause. We’ll post your photo and you’ll also be entered into a drawing to win a fun and fabulous Pink Gift Basket, which includes a hot pink Yeti beverage bottle and a relaxing massage.

Pink Walk Information

Local COVID-19 Cases & Hospitalizations Increased in Recent Weeks

Locally the number of COVID-19 tests being performed along with the numbers of positive cases and COVID-related hospitalizations at Spencer Hospital have all increased in recent weeks. However, the availability of testing supplies and access to monoclonal antibody treatment options has decreased.

Through September 23, 285 new COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Clay County thus far for the month.

To continue reading, please follow the link below.

Increased COVID Cases

CDC SmartFind COVID-19 Vaccine ChatBot

CDC has launched a new resource - the SmartFind COVID-19 Vaccine ChatBot - to help quickly connect people, including healthcare providers, to clear, consistent, and credible information about COVID-19 vaccines. This ChatBot will also help CDC add and improve the information the agency shares online.

The automated ChatBot features include:

Answers to common questions and answers about COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized and recommended, or undergoing large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States
24-7 access to COVID-19 vaccine information on web-based devices, including mobile phones and tablets
Links to additional resources, such as where to find a COVID-19 vaccination location

SmartFind COVID-19 Vaccine ChatBot

Spencer Hospital Physician Named 'Hospital Hero'

Rather than a cape, this hero typically wears a lab coat, draped with a stethoscope around her neck, and can be found by a patient’s bedside rather than leaping a tall building. Yet daily, Dr. Sonia Sather is heroic in the care and compassion she provides. Next month Dr. Sather will be honored for her commitment to her patients as she’s recognized by the Iowa Hospital Association as one of the 2021 Hospital Heroes.

Dr. Sather was surprised with the news of the IHA award today during a hospitalist team meeting at Spencer Hospital. During the mini celebration, stories were shared of Dr. Sather’s kindness and care, and she was also treated to touching video greetings from her three children. To read more about Dr. Sather's honor, please follow the link below.

Hospital Hero

An OB/GYN's Perspective on COVID-19 Vaccinations

Moms and prospective moms have lots of great questions regarding COVID-19 vaccination vs the risk of becoming infected with COVID. Local OB/Gyn Specialist Dr. Brian Wilson provides an insightful overview on the topic in his latest blog.

Dr. Wilson's Blog

Northwest Iowa ENT Telephone Service Interruption Now Fixed

Recently, our clinic changed telephone providers and we later learned that switch caused a disruption in service to our toll-free number. We apologize for any inconvenience that disruption created and wish to let you know our toll-free number is back in service. Please use either of our phone numbers – our local line or toll-free line – to reach our healthcare team when you need to schedule a patient or arrange a consult. We look forward to hearing from you!

Northwest Iowa ENT