Health briefs - School nurses urge parents to prioritize well checks, vaccines

        The Ohio Association of School Nurses (OASN) is urging families to make arrangements now to have their children’s routine well-check appointments and vaccinations updated in preparation for the start of a new school year.         “While officials determine what the next school year will look like due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families must make sure children have had their routine well-checks and vaccinations” said Kelly Wagner, M.Ed, BSN, RN, NCSN, President of the Ohio Association of School Nurses. “Rather than waiting until school begins again to try to make an appointment with your healthcare provider, we encourage you to schedule these critically important visits now.”
        OASN warns families that waiting until classes start could make it difficult to get an appointment with their child’s pediatrician or primary care provider. Families should call their healthcare providers to inquire about how they are accommodating well visits, sports physicals, and vaccinations.
        The State of Ohio requires certain vaccinations before entering the school year:
        • Children entering kindergarten must be vaccinated for polio, chicken pox, measles/mumps/rubella, hepatitis B, and diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (Tdap).
        • Students entering seventh grade in Ohio are required to have an age-appropriate dose of meningococcal vaccine and a booster shot of the Tdap vaccination.
        • Ohio 12th-graders are also required to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.
        • College students should get a flu shot and be vaccinated against Meningitis Type B, in addition to the Meningitis vaccine for strains ACWY. While the MenB vaccine may not be required by all colleges and universities, it is a serious disease that most often occurs on college campuses, and each case is life-threatening, OASN warns.
 
Alzheimer’s Assn. virtual programs
        The Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter will be presenting several virtual educational programs to help the community and families impacted by the disease.
        Presentations cover a variety of topics and occur at different times during the day via videoconferencing to allow individuals to participate in the convenience of their homes.
        They will discuss safety issues in the home, communication, COVID-19 challenges, long-distance caregiving and information on the disease itself. The programs run about an hour and are very helpful for anyone experiencing signs of memory loss or their family members, who may be concerned.
        All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Call 800-272-3900 to sign up.
        Topics include:
        • June 8 – Dementia Conversations, 2 p.m.
        • June 8 – Caregiving from Afar, 6 p.m.
        • June 9 – Effective Communication Strategies, 2 p.m.
        • June 9 – Safety at Home, 4 p.m.
        • June 10 – Healthy Living for your Brain and Body, 10 a.m.
        • June 10 – Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers-Middle Stage, 3:30 p.m.
        • June 11 – Activities at Home, 10 a.m.
        • June 11 – Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers-Late Stage, 3:30 p.m.
        The Alzheimer’s Association offers a free Helpline, caregiver support groups, early stage support groups, education programs, and care consultations. These services are available by phone or online during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more details on the Alzheimer’s Association, visit alz.org/nwohio.
 
Wood Co. Health Center offering MAT Program
        Losing a job, income, or dealing with isolation can lead to anxiety and depression, which can develop into substance abuse. Wood County Community Health Center is offering medication to patients who want help with addiction to smoking, alcohol and other drugs.
        In addition to primary health care services, the Community Health Center offers an on-site pharmacy, reproductive health and dental and behavioral health services. Behavioral health is integrated into primary care to make treating all aspects of a patient’s health more convenient and effective.
        The behavioral health team consists of Fran Leass, behavioral health specialist; Jennifer Lovelace, peer recovery specialist and Sally Royston, nurse practitioner. They are all specially trained in the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, an outpatient program that can help with addictions to smoking, alcohol and other drugs. Leass can also help treat behavioral health issues such as anxiety and depression.
        Wood County Community Health Center accepts all forms of Medicaid and patients with no insurance. The center is accepting new patients and is currently offering telehealth appointments. Call 419-354-9049 to schedule an appointment for primary care with Dr. John Coates; nurse practitioner Katie Barricklow or Sally Royston, or a dental appointment with Dr. Bushra Aouthmany.
       
Magruder Hospital updates
        As Ohio begins to open back up, Magruder Hospital offered an update on its services and safety precautions.
        The hospital highlighted ways it is keeping the community safe:
        • Physical distancing – 6-foot markings on the floor, barriers and varied check-in procedures.
        • Schedule management – staggered appointments and varied check-in procedures.
        • Screenings – taking everyone's temperature and asking about symptoms, travel and contact with others.
        • Masking – requiring everyone to wear a mask, unless medically contraindicated.
        • Enhanced cleaning schedules – waiting rooms, exam rooms, bathrooms and check-in areas will be sanitized regularly with a CDC-approved disinfectant
        • Hand hygiene – frequent handwashing is encouraged and hand sanitizer is recommended when entering and exiting a building and exam room.
        • Visitor restrictions – visitor restrictions remain in place to minimize contact between individuals.
        In addition, family and internal medicine physicians and nurse practitioners are seeing patients in the office and many are also offering virtual visits via video or phone call. 
        The Urgent Care is open 7 days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Emergency Room is open 24/7.
        Patients are urged to call their provider with questions about symptoms or where to go for care. Those who need assistance in finding a provider may call 419-734-3131, ext. 3351.
        For further updates on programs and services, visit www.magruderhospital.com or the hospital’s Facebook page.