A “CT Scan” or “Cat Scan” stands for computed topography. These computer-generated images are similar to an X-ray, but with several layers. Thus, creating an internal, cross-sectional view of the body. This procedure is non-invasive, painless, and usually only takes a couple of minutes. You can expect to lie on a narrow table, similar to a gurney. The narrow table will pass through what looks like a giant, rotating donut. This is how the multi-layer images are taken. CT scans are helpful in diagnosing unexplained pain and/or disease of internal organs. A qualified technician will prepare you for the procedure and operate the CT machine. However, a medical doctor (Radiologist) will decipher the images. This can be done in-house or remotely depending on your facility and your health condition. Occasionally, intravenous dye is used during CT scans. This is dependent upon your condition and your doctor.
All Services
North Runnels Hospital Clinic has increased its capabilities to help manage your Coumadin therapy conveniently and accurately. Our new Coumadin Clinic located at our main clinic will offer the following:
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1) Finger stick PT/INR on-site! We no longer need vials of blood but rather we will be able to stick your finger much like a glucose test in the clinic. This means less pain and less blood loss.
2) Accurate, immediate results! We will know your PT/INR within a minute and the provider will determine your treatment plan at that time.
3) Easy to read, immediate treatment plan! You will be given a treatment plan on- site with a new prescription if needed. You will know exactly what you should take and when you will need another test.
4) Continuity of care! Tami Halfmann, FNP-C, will be managing your Coumadin therapy and will know your history and treatments well.
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We will make appointments with possible walk-in appointments available on the 1st Tuesday from 9 am – 12 pm and the 3rd Wednesday from 9 am – 12 pm. We will also make appointments as needed, when possible.
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For your first appointment, please bring your current Coumadin dosage schedule. We will check your lab on-site and formulate your treatment plan before you leave.
Our Diabetes Management Program focuses on the education, monitoring, and treatment of patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. As of 2018, an estimated 34 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes–a debilitating disease if not treated properly, Diabetes can place individuals at risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease, neuropathy, wounds, and even blindness.
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North Runnels Home Health Services in Winters will develop a personalized, effective management plan to promote positive health outcomes and improve overall quality of life. Our team works with you and your physician to ensure all plans are created with your specific medical needs in mind; through education, nutritional assessment, and monitoring, our goal is to reduce your risk of complications, and keep you healthy and happy!
Emergency Medical Services is your ambulance and paramedic service. This service allows licensed paramedics to treat and stabilize urgent medical needs outside the hospital, with the intent of transporting you to definitive care. You activate EMS services when you dial 9-1-1 in the event of a medical emergency. EMS services also have the capacity to transport you from a rural hospital setting to a higher level of care if needed.
When life becomes constrained due to age, disability, chronic illness, or cognitive difficulties, it can be challenging for our loved ones to care for themselves at home. That is where a home health aide can help. Home health aides improve the quality of life of their patients through professional, compassionate, hands-on care to build a relationship built on trust and kindness.
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Our team of certified home health aides are there to help by checking vital signs under the guidance of a registered nurse or medical professional, as well as provide companionship and basic health assistance including bathing and dressing.
Home health care brings skilled medical care into your home. A licensed health professional will be assigned to you just as if you were in the hospital. If you are healthy enough to be home but still require frequent medical treatment upon discharge, members of your healthcare team will continue to execute your plan of care. You may receive home visits from a nurse, or physical, occupational, and/or speech therapists. Your team will communicate with your physician regularly and modify your medical orders as needed. Home Healthcare eliminates the burden of frequent travel to appointments while you are healing. Your home health team works alongside your family to help provide advanced care during your recovery.
If you are receiving inpatient care, that means you are admitted to the hospital for treatment. You will receive around-the-clock comprehensive care from a medical team onsite during your stay. This often includes physicians, nurses, nurse assistants, respiratory therapists, PT/OT, clergy, and administrative staff. Your medical team works closely together to create a treatment plan that will get you healthy and home. Due to strides in healthcare and the outpatient setting, getting admitted to the hospital is usually reserved to severe illness or physical trauma.
Laboratory services are used to collect and process human specimens. Specimens may be collected at the facility or at home and brought to the lab for processing. Blood or other instantly available specimens may be obtained on-site. A trained phlebotomist, nurse, or medical assistant is qualified to draw blood. A lab technician is also trained in processing those specimens. This may be done in-house, at the nearest hospital, or sent off to a higher-level lab depending on your condition. Laboratory services help doctors determine infection and/or metabolic status in the body, which contributes to a diagnosis.
This Medicare program is for those patients who, after an acute illness and minimum 3-day inpatient stay, are eligible to continue to receive sub-acute care in the hospital. For example, a patient is admitted for an acute illness, and after several days meets the criteria for discharge. However, the patient is still needing IV medication, wound care, and physical therapy. In an urban setting, this patient would likely receive home health or be transferred to a nearby rehab facility. In rural communities, those resources are not always available. Therefore, patients can continue to receive specialized care in the hospital, although they are medically stable. Qualifications for this service include:
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– Medicare Part A or approved insurance plan
– Authorization by physician
– Daily need for skilled care
– Stable medical status
– 3-day hospital stay immediately prior to starting Swing Bed Program
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The average patient stays in the Swing Bed Program for 1-2 weeks. Consider a long-term care facility for needs lasting more than 40 days.
An often-overlooked medical practice is medication management. As our health changes over time, so do the substances we put into our body.
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Nearly one-third of older home health care patients have a potential medication problem or are taking a drug considered inappropriate for older people.15 Elderly home health care patients are especially vulnerable to adverse events from medication errors; they often take multiple medications for a variety of comorbidities that have been prescribed by more than one provider. The majority of older home health care patients routinely take more than five prescription drugs, and many patients deviate from their prescribed medication regime.11 The potential of medication errors among the home health care population is greater than in other health care settings because of the unstructured environment and unique communication challenges in the home health care system.11Ellenbecker CH, Samia L, Cushman MJ, et al. Patient Safety and Quality in Home Health Care. In: Hughes RG, editor. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Apr. Chapter 13. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2631/
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Our Medication Management Program is designed to help individuals manage their medications so they take them in the right amount, on the right schedule, and avoid the risks of incorrect administration or interactions. Allow our team to ensure you are getting the most effective treatment from your medications through our team of trained specialists ready to assist you in managing all of your medication needs.
Occupational Therapy is used to assess, develop, or regain skills needed to live a physically productive life. Therapy often follows a prolonged physical or mental illness that impaired one’s ability to execute activities of daily living and self care. Treatment plans may include relearning how to bathe, prepare food, write, get dressed, and manage all aspects of independent living. Occupational Therapy is most common after a neurologic injury such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. Your therapist will create a customized treatment plan based on patient deficits. Occupational Therapy is like physical therapy, but for your brain. OT can be done inpatient, outpatient, or at a skilled nursing facility depending on your condition.
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Activities of daily living, Endurance, Strength training, Muscle control, Mobility and/or ergonomics, Spatial abilities, Gross/fine motor skills, Physical wellness and many more!
Physical Therapy is a form of allied health prescribed to ease pain, regain strength and movement without the use of medication. Physical therapy also helps repair and prevent future sports injuries. Therapies can include massage, heat treatment, and exercise. Your therapist will create a detailed treatment regimen to safely achieve desired outcomes. Physical Therapy is common after a bodily injury; especially those that require surgery. PT can be done outpatient, inpatient, or at a skilled nursing facility depending on your condition.
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Fall prevention/balance deficits, Flexibility, Orthopedic surgeries/injuries, Range of motion, Strength restoration, Regaining mobility, Pain modalities, Safe physical exercise and many more!
Respiratory Therapist is a specialized healthcare practioner trained in Emergency/Critical Care and cardiopulmonary medicine. In the assessment and treatment of patients suffering from acute and chronic critical conditions involving cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Today’s respiratory therapist have
demanding responsibilities in the care and treatment of patients and serve as a vital member of the healthcare team.
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North Runnels Hospital District Respiratory Therapy Services Department offers the following respiratory therapy services;
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Aerosol Therapy – Cool & Heated, Oxygen Therapy, High Flow Oxygen Therapy, Aerosolized Medication Therapy, Chest Percussion, Arterial Blood Gas Analysis, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, EKG, Incentive Spirometry, Pulmonary Function Testing, Peak Flow Testing, Pulse Oximetry, Positive Pressure Medication Therapy, Tracheostomy Care, BiPAP / CPAP application and management, Application and management of Life Support Systems (Ventilator/Respirator)
Skilled nursing care is for those in need of concentrated, short-term medical services while recovering from a surgical procedure or an illness, or those who require long-term, ongoing nursing care. Our team of experienced, licensed nurses can be trusted to provide you and your loved one with the personalized, effective care they need. North Runnels Home Health is there for you.
Communication is essential in our day-to-day lives. Our team of licensed Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) will work with you, your physician and your family to help patients overcome their speech, language, and swallowing difficulties that may result from an array of physical and/or neurological injuries – such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s, brain injury, etc. A Speech Therapist will assess the patient’s needs and create a custom plan to establish, treat, and maintain an effective therapeutic speech program. Areas that may be addressed include:
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Stammering or stuttering, Dyslexia, Autism, Cerebral palsy, Aphasia, Difficulty Articulating, Swallowing disorders/injuries and many more!
Another non-invasive method of medical imaging. Sonography is used to create a two-dimensional survey of internal structures. It is most commonly used in pregnancy, but is also used for detecting or measuring abnormalities within organs. A gel-like substance is placed directly on the skin, above the area of the body being examined. Then a wand-like tool is applied to that skin and the image within is immediately projected on a computer screen. These images are difficult to interpret except for those trained. A doctor or sonographer will perform the scan. The timing of results depends on your condition and who is conducting the exam.
Wound care is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Sometimes, it requires a more personalized approach from someone who is specially trained in this area. Whether treatment is required for an injury, medical procedure follow-up, ostomies, or other health conditions, our certified wound care specialists are able to monitor and treat all types of wound(s) through ongoing communication with your doctor. We work to provide innovative wound care that promotes healing, prevents infection, and effectively manages different types of wounds.
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Diabetic foot ulcers, Pressure ulcers, Venous leg ulcerations, Post surgery incision care, Nonhealing surgical wounds, Traumatic wounds, skin tears, laceration care, Burn Care (Outpatient and Post Hospital Burn Center), IV Antibiotics
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Treatments
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Selective debridement-minimal pain debridement, Coordination with specialty physician, podiatry, cardiology, Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery, Wound VAC, vacuum assisted closure, Compression Therapy, Compression Stocking fitting, Total contact casting, pressure redistribution and offloading techniques,
Diabetes education, Smoking cessation, Home Health Care coordination for advanced wound care
X-Rays have been used for decades to diagnose broken bones, lung diseases, and traumatic injuries. This painless, non-invasive procedure can be done in most clinics, as well as the hospital. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that passes through solid objects. This is helpful when looking for air, fluid, masses, abnormalities, or fractures in various parts of the body. The exposure to radiation during an x-ray is minimal, however it is important to notify the technician if you are pregnant or could be pregnant. The technician may offer you a lead apron for protection during imaging, depending on the area being processed. Your doctor will discuss the results with you – often times immediately after the images are taken, depending on your condition.