HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Launches Emergency Telemedicine

As a federally-designated critical access hospital, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital (founded as Community Memorial Hospital in 1921) has served as a main provider of emergency care in Oconto County for decades. On May 1, 2017, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital launched the use of new technology that takes its emergency care services to a new, advanced level now and into the future. It’s called, Emergency Telemedicine.

Emergency Telemedicine allows patients in the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Emergency Department to be seen by emergency medicine physicians at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay … with only the click of a button! It serves as an added resource to the full-time, 24/7 care provided by the highly-skilled and trained emergency medicine providers on staff at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

“As part of Hospital Sisters Health System –Eastern Wisconsin Division, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center operate as one family,” said Dan DeGroot, Chief Operating Officer, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “As sister hospitals, we share the same mission and practices. Now, thanks to Emergency Telemedicine, we can also be in the same room to provide an enhanced level of emergency care when needed.”

Emergency Telemedicine involves the use of a portable device equipped with a screen, microphone, camera with zoom function and vital sign monitoring tools that can be wheeled to a patient’s bedside. When a patient arrives at the HSHS St. Clare Emergency Department, they are immediately and continuously cared for by the providers on staff. If a consultation or additional exam is needed, providers at HSHS St. Clare can use the Emergency Telemedicine technology to immediately contact a physician at HSHS St. Vincent or St. Mary’s to conduct a video conference and/or exam of the patient. The physicians at HSHS St. Vincent or St. Mary’s are available via Emergency Telemedicine 24-hours a day.

“In the past, consultations between the providers at HSHS St. Clare, St. Vincent and St. Mary’s were conducted over the phone,” said Colleen Koski, Director, Patient Care Services, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “Emergency Telemedicine allows us to make more accurate and efficient decisions about patient care. In some cases, it may also eliminate the need for a patient to be transferred to Green Bay for care.”

To learn more about Emergency Telemedicine at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, click here.

In March 2017, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital implemented Telestroke, which utilizes the same technology as Emergency Telemedicine to deliver faster, improved care of stroke patients. Click here to learn more about Telestroke at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

Prevea Women’s Care Now in Oconto Falls

Prevea Health is pleased to announce it is now offering women’s care services at the Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, 853 S. Main St., located in the Medical Services Building on the campus of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

Prevea Women’s Care at the Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center is an excellent choice for women of all ages looking for comprehensive care for pregnancy or for their general health, such as routine exams, tests and procedures. The Prevea Women’s Care team in Oconto Falls is comprised of an OB/GYN physician and four certified nurse midwives (CNM).

Meet the Prevea Women’s Care team in Oconto Falls:

Dr. Jennifer Milosavljevic is a board-certified and fellowship-trained OB/GYN physician specializing in preventive medicine and health maintenance; pregnancy care; high-risk pregnancies; abnormal pap smears; and minor and major gynecological surgery.

Marta Brace, CNM, specializes in routine OB/GYN care; midwifery care and natural childbirth; adolescent care; and preventive care/health maintenance. Marta is also a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

Natalie Larson, CNM, specializes in routine OB/GYN care; labor and delivery support and care in the hospital; health promotion; and contraceptive management, including insertion and removal of Nexplanon®. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Rebecca Morrill, CNM, specializes in routine OB/GYN care; preconception care; labor and delivery support and care in the hospital; and contraceptive management. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from the National Certification Corporation.

Mary Williams, CNM, specializes in routine OB/GYN care; contraception management, including IUD placement and Nexplanon®; postpartum care; breastfeeding and lactation consulting; menopause; and STDs. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Patients can make an appointment with Dr. Milosavljevic, Marta, Natalie, Rebecca or Mary, by calling (920) 436-1360.

Hospital Celebrates Opening of Welcome Center

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the opening of its Welcome Center, located inside the hospital’s main entrance. The Welcome Center at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is staffed by friendly volunteers to provide patients and visitors hospital campus directions, information and wheelchair needs.

The Welcome Center at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, a non-profit hospital, was made possible thanks to a generous donation from ST Paper in Oconto Falls. Construction began in September 2016 and was completed in November. On Wednesday, Dec. 21, hospital colleagues, volunteers and ST Paper representatives gathered to celebrate and bless the
opening of the Welcome Center.

“Our hospital campus is growing as we continue to add new services and technology to meet the health care needs of our community,” said Dan DeGroot, Chief Operating Officer at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “The Welcome Center serves as a touchpoint for all of our services and enhances the experience for patients and visitors the moment they
come through our doors.”

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is in need of more volunteers to staff the Welcome Center. Those interested should contact Regina Boettcher, Volunteer Services, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital at (920) 848-3648.

Slip-and-fall injuries due to icy conditions

Slip-and-fall injuries due to icy conditions are a common occurrence during Wisconsin winter months. To prevent injury, consider the following tips from HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and its partner, Prevea Health.

 

  1. Walk like a penguin.Waddle and keep your center of gravity over your front leg. Raise your arms slightly for balance, keep your hands out of your pockets and your feet pointed slightly apart.
  2. Wear shoes or boots with traction.
  3. Be careful when entering or exiting a vehicle.
  4. Assume that all surfaces are slippery.
  5. Stay on designated pathways.
  6. Apply salt or sand to slippery surfaces, but keep in mind that salt will only melt if the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.

Snow can also be a safety hazard this time of year. For tips on safe snow removal, click here.

Aim for a Healthy Hunt

Aim for a Healthy Hunt
By Amy Romandine Kratz, MD, Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center

25215927 - deer hunters
25215927 – deer hunters

Gun Safety
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds of us of four basic tips: treat every firearm as if it is loaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction, be certain of your target and what is beyond it, and keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until ready to shoot. You should be familiar with the firearm you are using and understand how the safety mechanism works. Leave the safety on until you are ready to fire; that little click you might get when a trophy buck is in front of you is worth preventing your gun from firing accidently.

Tree Stand Safety
Studies show avid hunters have a lifetime risk of 1-in-20 of being injured from falling from a tree stand. Always use a well-fitting, full body harness to prevent falls. Understand the manufacturer’s instructions of the equipment you are using and never alter climbing or safety equipment. Inspect your stand before the hunt starts, as damage from weathering can pose safety hazards. Use a rope or lift to get your unloaded gun or bow into the tree stand and never carry a loaded fire arm as you are ascending into your stand. A free 15 minute tree stand safety course can be found at www.huntercourse.com/treestandsafety. Always let others know where you are hunting and carry your cell phone or other communication device.

Hearing Protection
The shot of a rifle or shotgun is approximately 140 decibels or greater, which is the equivalent of standing next to a jet engine. Sounds at these levels can cause instant and permanent hearing loss. Making hearing protection a part of your gear, especially when at the shooting range can help prevent hearing loss. Don’t forget hearing protection for those that may be out in the stand with you.

Heart Health
For some hunters, the risk of a heart attack is greater than the risk of any of the things we have already talked about. The combination of epinephrine release when you see the big one, dragging your deer, and being alone in the woods can be a bad situation for an at-risk hunter. Talking to your doctor, knowing the signs of a heart attack, having a hunting buddy, learning CPR, and having a way to call 911 can all make the hunt safer.

A successful hunt takes some preparation. You wouldn’t shoot your gun or bow for the first time all year when you have your sights on the buck of a lifetime, so why wouldn’t you prepare the same way with your health?

romandinekratz_amy_croppedDr. Amy Romandine Kratz is a primary care sports medicine physician at Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center in the Medical Services Building on the campus of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. She is also an avid deer hunter and was born and raised in Oconto Falls. http://www.prevea.com/Providers/Amy-Romandine-Kratz/

Halloween Health and Safety Tips

Jackolanterns

With Halloween and trick-or-treating right around the corner, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health, encourage everyone to make the health and safety of their family a priority.

Below, are some tips to ensure a “SAFE HALLOWEEN.”

S – Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
A – Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F – Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or wear a blinking light to help drivers see you.
E – Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.

H – Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
A – Always test makeup in a small area first. Remove before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
L – Look both ways before crossing the street, use crosswalks where possible and walk, don’t run!
L – Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
O – Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
W – Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked visions, trips and falls.
E – Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
E – Enter a home only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit homes; never stop at a dark house.
N – Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Golf Classic

Golf_ClassicThe HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Golf Classic will be held at River Island Golf Course, 100 River Island Drive in Oconto Falls on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The 9-hole scramble is scheduled to tee off at approximately 2 p.m., with dinner on the grill featured at approximately 6 p.m. This is a popular event with limited space, so participants are encouraged to register early!

Registration is now open to golfers and guests at www.scmhgolfclassic.eventbrite.com. Tickets for individual golfers are $60 and include green fees, cart, snack bag, dinner, tees and balls, one drink ticket and five raffle tickets. Those who do not wish to golf and would like to attend the dinner portion of the event can purchase tickets for $20 to include dinner, one drink ticket and five raffle tickets.

The HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Golf Classic is hosted by HSHS St. Clare Foundation, the supporting, charitable arm for HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. Money raised by the Foundation helps provide new equipment, programs, services and innovative and breakthrough technologies at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

For more information about registration, sponsorships or donations for the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Golf Classic, call or email Ann Senn at (920) 848-6369 or ann.senn@hshs.org.

2016 Health/Safety Fair at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital

The 2016 Health/Safety Fair at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls this past Saturday, June 4. The event was a huge success.

Group_Photo
(left to right) Emma Knoerzer, Will Kurowski, Wyatt Knoerzer and Hattie Kurowski enjoy the 2016 Health/Safety Fair at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital after finishing the Run for the Trails run/walk event at Oconto Falls High School.

Sam_Wolf
Sam Wolf checks out the new bike he won at the 2016 Health/Safety Fair at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital.

Living with GERD: Free Presentation for Seniors

McNutt_RichardLiving with GERD: Free Presentation for Seniors

Oconto Falls – Community seniors are invited to a free presentation on living with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) hosted by HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital and Prevea Health on May 5.

GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Many people suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion as a result of GERD.

Dr. Richard McNutt, General and Vascular Surgeon at HSHS St. Clare Regional Surgery Center, will lead the presentation at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, 855 S. Main St. in Oconto Falls.

Living with GERD
· Thursday, May 5
· HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Dining Room
· 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
o 4:30 – Complimentary Meal
o 5:00 – Introduction and update on new services provided at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital
o 5:15 – GERD presentation by Richard McNutt, MD, FACS

To register for this free event, call (920) 848-6398. Space is limited.