HomeArchives October 2010

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY HOSTS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Proceeds benefit health system patients and families

The Auxiliary of the Orange City Area Health System will have its annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, November 4, from 8am to 4pm in the main campus front lobby and gift shop. This popular event includes a bake sale – from decadent desserts to homemade saucyjies – and new holiday merchandise in the Gift Garden. Shoppers support the health system with every purchase.  ocHealthSystem.org

During International Infection Prevention Week October 17-23 healthcare facilities recognize the importance of diligent infection control measures throughout their facilities. The fact is, hospitals face an urgent need to prevent and reduce hospital-associated infections, which affect more than two million patients annually in the U.S.   Orange City Area Health System joins in this initiative and has a continuous, comprehensive program using evidence-based best practice infection prevention strategies. According to Val Droog, Infection Preventionist for the health system, last year (2009) was a year without an identified case of surgical site infection at Orange City Area Health System. “We take the opportunity to find improvements and maintain a learning environment that focuses on providing the best outcome for every patient every time,” says Droog.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month educates women about the importance of early detection. More and more women are getting mammograms to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. As a result, breast cancer deaths are on the decline. Encourage the women in your life to get mammograms on a regular basis. Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) offers a continuum of care in the fight against breast cancer, including full-field digital mammography and stereotactic breast biopsy, plus surgical options including sentinel lymph node biopsy, lumpectomy and mastestomy in its state-of-the-art surgery center. During the month of October, OCAHS has a display in its front lobby with educational materials, pink ribbon giveaways, and drawings for “pink prizes.”

For more information about breast cancer early detection, prevention, and treatment, call Orange City Area Health System at 712-737-2000 or talk to your doctor.

This message is brought to you by Orange City Area Health System.   ocHealthSystem.org

Orange City Area Health System is hosting area high school students for its semi-annual High School Career Exploration, Thursday October 28. This half-day event includes tours of various departments and conversations with many of the health system’s providers.  Students have an opportunity to hear a wide range of information, from what it takes to be a medical technologist, to a day-in-the-life of a family practice doctor, to the rewards of working in Senior Care, to the highs and lows of being an EMT. According to Barb Den Herder, Education Coordinator for Orange City Area Health System, “This event has been highly recognized by area schools because the students not only see many different aspects of healthcare, but also hear firsthand, from our employees, why they chose healthcare and why they love their jobs.” Interested students can sign up through their high school guidance counselor, or by contacting the OCAHS education department at 737-5260.

Orange City Area Health System is a comprehensive health system including four medical clinics, a critical access hospital, surgery center, home health and hospice, emergency services, two nursing homes, and a senior living facility. More information at ocHealthSystem.org.