FREE SCREENINGS FOR VARICOSE VEINS OFFERED IN MARCH

Do you experience discomfort, swelling, and varicose veins? If so, you may be suffering from superficial venous reflux disease. About 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from this condition. Traditionally, patients diagnosed with venous reflux would undergo vein stripping surgery. Now, patients can be treated with the VNUS® Closure® procedure – a minimally invasive and more comfortable alternative to painful vein stripping surgery. Northwest Surgery – part of Orange City Area Health System – offers the VNUS option. If you feel you may be a candidate for the VNUS Closure procedure, surgeons Steve Locker, MD, and Brent Nykamp, MD, are offering free screenings, by appointment, on March 12 and 26, from 4-7pm in the Orange City clinic. Call to pre-register: 737-5317.

Health System Auxiliary hosts team trivia, karaoke, and food to raise money for new senior care facility

The Auxiliary of Orange City Area Health System invites the public to its premier Trivia Night fundraiser on Friday, March 23, at Sioux Golf & Country Club in Alton. This fun, casual event will raise money for the new Orange City Senior Care facility. It will include a team-based trivia competition with opportunities to earn extra points for participating in karaoke, dressing as a team, decorating your table, and purchasing mulligans. Tickets are $15 per person, with 8 players to a team, and includes an appetizer and dessert buffet, prizes, a 50/50 cash drawing, and one free drink ticket. A cash bar will be available. Round sponsorships are available for $75. Doors open at 6pm, and trivia begins at 7pm. For more information or to reserve a table of eight, contact Mary Plathe, OCAHS Volunteer Services Manager, at 712-737-5349. Individual and team tickets may be purchased at the health system ER reception desk. Limited tickets available.

Do you enjoy spending time with seniors?  Do you have a few hours a month to give to the elderly in our community?  Consider becoming a volunteer Resident Advocate at Orange City Area Health System’s Long Term Care Unit or Heritage House.

Volunteers are asked to visit residents three hours a month and attend quarterly committee meetings.  During visits, volunteers assist residents to understand and exercise their rights.  They also work as a team to find solutions to resident and/or family concerns.  Beginner orientation and on-going education are provided.

People who live in long-term care facilities need to speak with compassionate and objective adults who care about their rights.  You may be eligible to serve even if you have a relative who is a resident of Orange City Area Health System’s Long Term Care Unit or Heritage House.

For an application or more information on becoming a volunteer, contact Katie Mulford, Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 800-532-3213.  Or visit www.state.ia.us/elderaffairs/advocacy/rac.html.

Become a volunteer today and see how you can make a difference with our senior citizens.

Orange City Area Health System is an official sponsor for the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), a free health insurance counseling service of the state of Iowa.  Volunteer Health Insurance Counselors are needed to assist older adults who have questions or problems related to Medicare, Medicare drug coverage, Medicare supplement insurance, long term care insurance, and claims filings.

SHIIP volunteer counselors receive six days of intensive initial training during two separate sessions in the spring; a comprehensive SHIIP resource manual; and regular support and follow-up training from the Iowa Insurance Division.

The Sioux County SHIIP office, located at Orange City Area Health System, will open when volunteers have been recruited and trained.

For more information on how to volunteer contact the SHIIP office at 515-281-6867, or Char Ten Clay, SHIIP coordinator for Orange City Area Health System, at 712-737-4002.

In Iowa, Hospitals Generate $6.2 Billion and 70,000 Jobs

Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) generates over 750 jobs that add $26.7 million to the northwest Iowa economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association. In addition, OCAHS employees by themselves spend $6.8 million on retail sales and contribute over $400,000 in state sales tax revenue.

“While this represents significant economic contribution,” explains Marty Guthmiller, CEO of Orange City Area Health System, “it represents only the hospital component of OCAHS. Our medical clinics, nursing homes, and home health programs generate additional millions to the local economy.”

The IHA study examined the jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state’s health care sector. The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data on the American Hospital Association’s Annual Survey of Hospitals and with software that other industries have used to determine their economic impact.

The study found that Iowa hospitals directly employ 70,363 people and create another 65,783 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $3.9 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.3 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

In all, Iowa’s health care sector, which includes employed clinicians, long-term care services and assisted living centers, pharmacies and other medical and health services, directly and indirectly provides 333,554 Iowa jobs, or more than one-fifth of the state’s total employment.

“People are often unaware of the contributions that hospitals make to their local economies, including the number of people they employ, the significance of hospital purchases with local businesses and the impact of their employees’ spending for the entire region,” said Kirk Norris, IHA president/CEO. “Just as no one provides the services and community benefits found at our hospitals, there is also no substitute for the jobs and business hospitals provide and create.”

Guthmiller adds, “Obviously, we’re here to address health needs. But the role we play in the local economy is significant as well.”

The Auxiliary of Orange City Area Health System is hosting its popular semi-annual Masquerade $5 Jewelry Sale on Thursday, February 23, from 8am to 5pm at the health system’s main campus front lobby at 1000 Lincoln Circle SE in Orange City. Thousands of jewelry and accessory items, all for $5, will be available, and a portion of the proceeds go to the Auxiliary to directly benefit patients and families.