Cortez hospital offers new information system
Southwest Memorial Hospital of Cortez on Sept. 1 will implement a new health information technology system designed by Cerner Corporation.
This system eliminates the need for paper health records and will reduce the risk of medication errors, improve patient safety and secure medical records. In addition, physicians in the area whose offices are connected with the system will be able to retrieve lab and radiology results.
Residents who have not been admitted to the hospital or who have not had out-patient testing performed for more than three years will need to reregister on their next visit.
Within the next few months, an online portal will be added to the system that will allow patients access to their own medical records. Patients who do not have a computer or who prefer not to access their records using the Internet will continue to be able to get copies of their records from the Health Information Management (Medical Records) Department.
For more information, call Robyn Bragg at 564-2243.
Health department expands dental services
San Juan Basin Health Department has received a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation to support the Southwest Smile Makers Dental Clinic.
This grant allows the clinic to expand its hours of service.
Southwest Smile Makers can see patients of all ages for comprehensive preventive services and most restorative and emergency oral health need; it accepts Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus.
While this grant increases the availability of affordable oral health care, especially for adults, more dentists are needed who accept Medicaid patients.
The health department encourages all dentists to participate in Colorado Dental Association’s campaign “Take 5,” which calls on dentists to accept at least five Medicaid patients or families into their practice.
For more information about the Take 5 campaign, visit https://cdaonline.org/take5. For more information about the transition project, call Vanessa Boyd at 335-2005.
Smile Makers is in the Commons Building, 701 Camino del Rio. For appointments, call 385-4480.
Heart Safe offers free CPR classes
Groups that would like to learn CPR and do not require a certification should contact Heart Safe La Plata, which is offering free CPR classes.
With a 22-minute video produced by the American Heart Association and portable manikins, Heart Safe can teach CPR. Heart Safe targets youth groups, schools, parent-teacher organizations, churches, workplace wellness groups and civic groups.
For more information, leave a message for Michael Brace at 946-5090.
Area health-education center receives grant
Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center was recently awarded a grant from The Colorado Health Foundation to design and implement a Center of Excellence in Care Coordination.
Registered nurse Nora Flucke is the project director. The goals of the center are to promote access to care, reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes.
The center will develop databases to improve quality and streamline systems that benefit the patient experience.
For more information, visit http://swcahec.org.
Del Alma to receive award for hosting event
San Juan Basin Health Department’s Celebrating Healthy Communities coalition awards its “Seal of Approval” to the Durango Education Center’s Del Alma program for hosting a safe and healthy community event in La Plata County.
The award will be presented at 4:30 p.m. today at the Durango Education Center, 701 Camino del Rio.
The center hosted the Around the World Children’s Festival on April 12. This event was for school-aged children to learn about other cultures. Booths showcased specific countries and highlighted various aspects of that particular culture through an activity or craft.
The Celebrating Healthy Communities coalition presents its Seal of Approval to any nominated organization that holds a public event that is alcohol free, appropriate for children, young people and/or families and is affordable for all participants.
For more information or to nominate a group, email Pat Senecal at psenecal@sjbhd.org.
Prediabetes to be discussed at Mercy
A free class for people who have prediabetes will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 4 in Suite 140 of the Medical Office Building at Mercy Regional Medical Center.
People diagnosed with prediabetes are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Effectively managing prediabetes can help prevent disease.
Sheena Carswell and Marge Morris will teach the class. Attendees will learn how to manage prediabetes and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
To register, call Jan Wesley at 764-2720.
United Blood Services to host blood drives
United Blood Services will host these blood drives:
From 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 2, 4 and 30 and from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 8, 16, 19 and 25 at 146 Sawyer Drive in Bodo Industrial Park.
From 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 3 at the Colorado Department of Transportation, 3803 Main Ave.
From 2:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at First Methodist Church, 515 N. Park in Cortez.
From 8 to 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at BP Durango, 380 County Road 309.
From 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the CrossRoad Christian Fellowship, 1044 Park Ave. in Pagosa Springs.
From noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 in front of Oohs & Aahs and Irish Embassy Pub, 920 Main Ave.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at Durango Urgent Care/DEVO, 2577 Main Ave.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Vallecito Room of Fort Lewis College.
From 1:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at 1830 East Second Ave.
From 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Florida Mesa Presbyterian Church, 1024 County Road 230.
From 2:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 in Westminster Hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 1159 East Third Ave.
From 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Mancos Community Center, 130 E. Grand Ave. in Mancos.
To schedule an appointment, call (877) 827-4376 or visit www.BloodHero.com. For more information, call (888) 804-9913, ext 1000.
Herald Staff
