LDN - Health & Fitness

Features, Health Matters, Honors & Awards, Announcements

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

ALMH acquires new CT scanner

[AUG. 29, 2001] The Radiology Department of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital has acquired the latest in helical CT scanners. This state-of-the-art equipment, a GE high-speed XI scanner, will provide faster, more accurate films, according to Darla Ludolph, director of radiology at the hospital.

Among the improvements noted with the new equipment is that larger patients, up to 450 pounds, can be accommodated. Previously the maximum weight was 250 pounds. While scanning, the new equipment will simultaneously move the patient through the scanner to give one continuous picture of the area to be scanned. This will ensure that the most accurate scan is conducted with the least discomfort to the patient.

In describing the new CT scanner, Ms. Ludolph said, "This equipment will speed up the process, provide clearer images and allow us to perform a broader range of exams. This will save people from having to go to Springfield or other larger communities and will provide for better patient care all around. Some procedures not previously done at ALMH include kidney stone studies and three-phase liver scans. We can now do those here."

Computer technology provided to the helical scanner will allow for the online transfer of all CT scans to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, where technicians and physicians can view the images in real time or at a later time. As though they were in Lincoln, staff at Memorial can search the scan and adjust the images. Speeds of data transfer have also improved, with the wait time reduced to 25 percent of previous wait time.

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To enable the staff to operate the sophisticated equipment, Ms. Ludolph and ALMH radiology technician Ann Reichle attended a four-day course, Theoretical and Practical CT Imaging, in Milwaukee. GE also sent an application specialist to Lincoln for four days of on-site training following the installation.

In addition, Ms. Reichle recently passed an extensive examination to receive her certification as a registered CT technologist. Reichle stated, "This was a fulfillment of a personal goal for me." She felt the certification would increase patient confidence in her work.

Commenting on the acquisition of the new scanner, hospital CEO Woody Hester said: "This is one more step that ALMH has taken to improve patient care. We are committed to providing the finest in equipment and the most well-trained staff in our hospital. We are proud of this new scanner and of the fine staff in our Radiology Department."

[ALMH news release]

ALMH celebrates with open house

New women’s health and birthing facilities provide caring environment while using advanced technology

[AUG. 3, 2001] Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is celebrating the opening of its newest additions, the Women's Health Unit and Family Maternity Suites, with an open house on Sunday, Aug. 12. The community is invited to tour the new unit and suites from 2 to 4 p.m.

According to Woody Hester, ALMH president and CEO, "We are committed to recognizing and responding to the needs of our patients, families and physicians, and these state-of-the-art facilities ensure that we continue to provide the most up-to-date service available to our community."

The Women's Health Unit is designed to promote the lifelong good health of women. Providing individualized care in a comfortable setting, the unit is dedicated to providing quality care for women in any stage in their life. The Women's Health Unit includes five private rooms, each with private restrooms. The unit will focus on women's inpatient gynecological surgical procedures.

According to Donna Klawitter, obstetrics nurse manager, "At the new ALMH Women's Health Unit, the balance between a warm, caring environment and the most advanced technology helps make women's health our top priority."

At ALMH's new Family Maternity Suites, families are welcomed and encouraged to share in the wonder and excitement of childbirth. Inside each family-centered birthing suite, the latest technology is balanced with the comforts of home.

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One of the unique features of the attractively decorated suites is that labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care are now possible in a spacious single room. There is no need for an uncomfortable move to another room after delivery. Family Maternity Suites includes four private maternity suites, two private rooms and a state-of-the art nursery. The floor also includes a surgery suite for Caesarean sections.

All rooms are private and feature a private bath and hand-held massage shower, color television, VCR, phone and homelike furnishings, including a sleep chair for the support person's overnight stay. A 24-hour visitation policy for fathers and support persons adds to mom's comfort and confidence.

Klawitter states, "We take the health and well-being of the women we serve very seriously and are committed to improving it. These new facilities are state-of-the-art. It is a tremendous accomplishment for this community to have a Women's Health Unit and Family Maternity Suites of this caliber."

These projects were funded by the generous support of community friends, with ALMH employees and the ALMH Auxiliary leading the way.

[ALMH news release]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from Logan County Health Department

Screening detects early prostate cancer

[SEPT. 1, 2001] Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in American men (excluding skin cancer). Approximately one out of every five American men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. More than 80 percent of these cases will be in men 65 years of age and older. Prostate cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer. About 3 percent of the men who develop the disease die from it.

Screening procedures can detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages. Most cases of early prostate cancer cause no symptoms and are detected only by a screening examination. The best way to find prostate cancer is to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE) performed. Some prostate cancers may be detected during evaluation of symptoms such as a slow or weakened urinary stream or the need to urinate more often.

All men 50 years of age and older should ask their physicians about having the PSA test and a DRE every year. Men with close family members who have had prostate cancer should talk to their physicians about starting screenings at a younger age. The best protection against prostate cancer is to have regular medical checkups that include a thorough prostate exam. Regular checkups are important for all men.

[Provided by Logan County Health Department]

Honors & Awards

Announcements

Free annual colorectal cancer screening

[SEPT. 5, 2001] Through mid-September, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is providing free colorectal cancer screening kits and lab testing to assist you in identifying indicators of possible cancer in the colon or rectum. Colorectal cancer is one of the most curable of all cancers when it is detected early and treated promptly. Because colorectal cancer develops over a period of time, it is possible to detect it by testing stool samples long before physical symptoms appear.

The majority of people who develop colorectal cancer are over age 50. Over 75 percent of all cases can be cured, and patients can resume normal lives. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly stool blood tests after the age of 50.

The simple at-home test kit provided by ALMH will help the laboratory check stool samples for hidden blood, which can be a sign of cancer or other internal disorders. The kit lists dietary suggestions of what to eat and what to avoid two days prior to the test. Following these few suggestions can reduce the chances of a "false positive" test result and increase probability of a more accurate test. The kit also provides all materials and directions needed for collecting stool samples and preparing slides for testing, and includes a pre-addressed envelope to mail the sample and information back to the ALMH lab.

The lab will notify you of your results within two weeks after receiving the test. It is important to remember that the screening does not provide a complete cancer detection examination. Regardless of test results, you should see your physician whenever you experience changes in your bowel habits.

To take advantage of this opportunity, all tests must be received at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital no later than Sept. 14.

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Test kits are available at local physician offices, pharmacies and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory. In rural locations it is also available on the Rural Health Partnership's mobile health unit. You may pick up your free kit at the following locations:

In Lincoln

• Abe Lincoln Pharmacy

• Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory

• Family Medical Center

• Graue Pharmacy

• The Christian Village

• Oasis senior center

• Lincoln Health Care Specialists (Drs. Carroll, Harmon, Sagins, Hardiek, Green-Morrow and Sielaff)

In Atlanta, Beason, Broadwell, Chestnut, Elkhart, Emden, Greenview, Hartsburg, Latham, Middletown, Mount Pulaski, New Holland and San Jose, kits are available on the Rural Health Partnership's mobile health unit.

Mobile health unit schedule

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

	Morning: 9-11 a.m.		Afternoon: 1-3:30 p.m.
Monday	1^st and 3^rd	Hartsburg	1^st and 3^rd	Emden
	2^nd and 4^th	San Jose	2^nd and 4^th	Greenview
Tuesday	Weekly	Chestnut	Weekly	Mount Pulaski
Wednesday	Weekly	New Holland	Weekly	Middletown
Thursday	1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd	Elkhart	Weekly	Atlanta
	4^th	Friendship Manor-Lincoln
Friday	1^st, 2^nd, 4^th	Latham	1^st	Beason
			2^nd and 4^th	Broadwell
	3^rd	Maintenance/ special events	3^rd	Maintenance/ special events

The mobile health unit does not operate on the following dates/holidays during 2001: Feb. 19 (President’s Day), April 13 (Good Friday), May 28 (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), Sept. 3 (Labor Day), Oct. 8 (Columbus Day), Nov. 12 (Veterans Day), Nov. 22-23 (Thanksgiving break), and Dec. 24 - Jan. 1, 2002 (Christmas break).

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, 2^nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62704

U. of I. Extension Service

732-8289

122 S. McLean St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

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