Features,  Health Matters,  Lincoln Park District,  Red Cross,

Events,  Honors & Awards,  Announcements

Health & Fitness News Elsewhere  (fresh daily from the Web)

Features

[NOV. 23, 2001]  More accurate diagnosis and improved early treatment of burn victims are among the key benefits of the Regional TeleBurn Network being launched by Memorial Medical Center and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, both in Springfield. The network will make possible more accurate diagnosis and improved early treatment of burn victims at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.ead

The Regional TeleBurn Network is the first interactive telecommunications network of its kind for acute burn care in the country. Funded by SIU’s Rural Health Initiative, it is the first clinical application for Memorial’s TeleHealth Network.

The new network establishes a real-time, visual link between Memorial and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. With both audio and visual communication, the on-call physician in Memorial’s burn center can more accurately assess the extent and severity of a burn, prescribe proper administration of fluids, and even direct the treating physician through surgical procedures. The burn center is staffed by SIU’s Division of Plastic Surgery.

"This is an extraordinary development in health care for Lincoln and Logan County," said Woody Hester, president and CEO at ALMH. "Our hospital’s link to the TeleBurn Network enhances patient care by improving communications capability with Memorial Medical Center."

The system utilizes the Illinois Century Network to provide audio and visual communications between Memorial and all those hospitals and health care facilities that join the network. Computers, cameras, monitors and related telecommunications equipment provide audio and visual communication links between the two hospitals. The technology has been installed in the emergency department at ALMH and at the Regional Burn Center at MMC. The network is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As many as 15 hospitals in an area from Interstate 80 to the state’s southern tip are expected to join the network in the next several years.

[to top of second column in this article]

"Prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment for burn patients are critical," said Dr. Stephen Milner, associate professor of plastic surgery at SIU and medical director of MMC’s burn center. "Until now, burn center physicians relied solely on telephone communication to assess a burn’s severity and recommend initial treatment, without the benefit of visual evaluation."

The new network also makes it possible to assess conditions that can be treated with local care and eliminate the need for patient transport to Memorial’s burn center.

"Outpatient follow-up is another very important benefit," Milner said. "This will save patients, caregivers or family members time, travel expense and inconvenience."

The network was made possible by two grants, totaling $219,780, awarded by SIU to Memorial. The grants, made possible through state funding of SIU’s Illinois Rural Health Initiative, cover costs for equipment, installation, training and other, related costs to connect Memorial with four other downstate hospitals, including Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Adding hospitals to the network will depend on availability of future grants.

"ALMH is privileged to join Memorial Medical Center, SIU School of Medicine and the state of Illinois in the network," states Hester. The benefits are many — from improved assessment and treatment for burn patients to better continuing-education opportunities for health care providers in various other disciplines."

The network has application potential for many medical settings, including dermatology, cardiology, pediatric care, emergency medicine and psychiatry, as well as administration of medical care for correctional facility inmates.

[ALMH news release]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

[DEC. 1, 2001]  World AIDS Day is being observed Dec. 1. The United States theme, "I care... Do you? Youth and AIDS in the 21st century," emphasizes that every individual has a responsibility and an opportunity to make a constructive contribution to the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The goal of this day is to underscore that youth are significantly affected by HIV and to call for greater education and involvement of young people in diagnosing, treating and preventing HIV/AIDS.

As of 2000, 25 percent of teens surveyed in the United States falsely believed that HIV testing was standard in routine exams. Fewer than one-third of sexually active teens in the U.S. have been tested for HIV.

In the United States 800,000 to 900,000 people of varying ages are living with HIV or AIDS. An estimated 300,000 of these are unaware they are infected! Since the beginning of the pandemic 450,000 people in this country have died from AIDS. In the early 1990s new HIV infections were estimated at 40,000 per year and have remained largely at that level throughout the last decade.

The number of new HIV infections and AIDS cases is increasing among women in the United States. Of all HIV-positive women, 41 percent report they were exposed through heterosexual contact, and 20 percent reported infections were through IV drug use. Studies indicate that women are less likely to receive or seek treatment when compared to men because of health care, social or financial barriers.

Statistics for HIV and AIDS remain high for Hispanics and African-Americans. As of 1999, while African-Americans accounted for 37 percent of all AIDS cases, they represented only 12 percent of the U.S. population. Social and economic conditions contribute to the increasing risk of HIV among minority communities.

[to top of second column in this article]

As of December 2000, 46 percent of all reported U.S. AIDS cases were transmitted through male-to-male sex. Cultural and religious biases may act as significant barriers to treating and preventing HIV transmission among this group.

If you have engaged in any behavior that can transmit HIV — sexual transmission or needle and blood contact — it is important that you seek counseling and testing. Are you certain the needles used in body piercing or tatooing were clean? Your risk for HIV increases if contaminated equipment was used. Engaging in a committed, monogamous relationship with a person who is free from HIV or other STD is safer if you both mutually agree to refrain from any high-risk behavior.

We all have the power and responsibility to make a difference. We appeal to our youth and those who influence them to educate themselves on how to prevent HIV infection and to help others learn how to prevent the spread of this devastating illness. For more information on HIV prevention or testing, phone the Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317.

Click here for a previous LDN posting, "How long has it been since we talked about AIDS?" by Trisha Youngquist.

Lincoln Park District

Red Cross

Red Cross CPR and first aid class

[NOV. 29, 2001]  The American Red Cross will offer a class in CPR and first aid at the Logan County branch office, 125 S. Kickapoo in Lincoln, on Dec. 18 and 20. The class will be from 6 to 10 p.m. on the 18th and will be completed on the 20th with hours from 5 until 10 p.m.

Preregistration is required. For further information, call 732-2134 between noon and 4 p.m. on weekdays. 

December Red Cross blood drives

[NOV. 29, 2001]  Woody Jones Insurance Agency will sponsor Red Cross blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex on Dec. 5 and 19. Both drives will be from noon until 5 p.m. Donors are encouraged to call (800) 728-3543, Ext. 441, to make an appointment if they wish. Walk-ins are always welcome.

During November, the following people reached goals in their blood donations: David Smith, 12 gallons; Roberta Frye, seven; George R. Mogan, five; Dennis Kimberlin, three; and Brittany Ott, one gallon.

Events

December 2001

Wednesday, Dec. 5
SPONSOR: Woody Jones Insurance Agency
WHO: Public
WHAT: Red Cross blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: Noon to 5 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 18
SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: Public; by preregistration
WHAT: CPR and first aid class; first of two sessions
WHERE: 125 S. Kickapoo
WHEN: 6-10 pm

Wednesday, Dec. 19
SPONSOR: Woody Jones Insurance Agency
WHO: Public
WHAT: Red Cross blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: Noon to 5 pm

Thursday, Dec. 20
SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: Public; by preregistration
WHAT: CPR and first aid class; second of two sessions
WHERE: 125 S. Kickapoo
WHEN: 5-10 pm

Honors & Awards

Announcements

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit. Effective Feb. 1, 2001, the unit will run as follows:

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership (732-2161, Ext. 409) and the Healthy Families Task Force.         

Resources for Logan County families

Agency	Phone number	Address
911	911 (Emergencies) 732-3911 (Office -- non-emergency)	911 Pekin St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital	732-2161	315 Eighth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Aging (Department of)	785-3356	421 E. Capitol, #100 Springfield, IL 62701-1789
American Cancer Society	546-7586 (24 hour)	1305 Wabash, Ste. J Springfield, IL 62704
American Red Cross	732-2134 1-800-412-0100	125 S. Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656
Catholic Social Services	732-3771	310 S. Logan Lincoln, IL 62656
Chamber of Commerce	735-2385	303 S. Kickapoo St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Community Action (CIEDC)	732-2159	1800 Fifth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Community Child Care Connection	525-2805 1-800-676-2805	1004 N. Milton Ave. Springfield, IL 62702-443
Crisis Pregnancy Center	735-4838	513 Pulaski St. Lincoln, IL 62656
DCFS (Department of Children & Family Services)	735-4402 1-800-252-2873 (crisis hotline)	1100 Keokuk St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Heartland Community College GED Program	735-1731	620 Broadway St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Hospice Care of Illinois	1-800-342-4862 (24 hour) 732-2161, Ext. 444	720 N. Bond Springfield, IL 62702
Housing Authority	732-7776 732-6312 (24 hour)	1028 N. College St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program	735-2317 1-800-269-4019	LCHD - 109 Third St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Illinois Department of Public Health	782-4977	535 W. Jefferson Springfield, IL 62761
Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office)	735-5441	120 S. McLean St., Suite B Farm Bureau Building Lincoln, IL 62656
Legal Assistance Foundation	(217) 753-3300 1-800-252-8629	730 E. Vine St., Ste. 214 Springfield, IL 62703
Library - Atlanta	(217) 648-2112	100 Race St. Atlanta, IL 61723
Library - Elkhart	(217) 947-2313	121 E. Bohan Elkhart, IL 62634
Library - Lincoln	732-8878	725 Pekin St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Library - Mount Pulaski	792-5919	320 N. Washington Mount Pulaski, IL 62548
Lincoln Area YMCA	735-3915	319 W. Kickapoo St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry	732-2204	P.O. Box 773 Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln Parents’ Center	735-4192	100 S. Maple Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln Park District	732-8770	1400 Primm Rd. Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan County Department of Human Services (Public Aid)	735-2306	1550 Fourth St., P.O. Box 310 Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan County Health Department	735-2317	109 Third St., P.O. Box 508 Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan Mason Mental Health	735-2272 1-888-832-3600 (crisis line)	304 Eighth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center	735-1413	760 S. Postville Dr. Lincoln, IL 62656
Oasis (Senior Citizens of Logan County)	732-6132	501 Pulaski St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Project READ	735-1731	620 Broadway St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Salvation Army	732-7890	1501 N. Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656
Senior Services of Central Illinois	732-6213 1-800-252-8966 (crisis line)	109 Third St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Sojourn Shelter & Service Inc.	732-8988 (217) 726-5200 (24-hour hotline)	1800 Westchester Blvd. Springfield, IL 62704
U. of I. Division of Specialized Care for Children	524-2000 1-800-946-8468	421 S. Grand Ave. West, 2nd Floor Springfield, IL 62704
U. of I. Extension Service	732-8289	122 S. McLean St. Lincoln, IL 62656

Back to top