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Blanchard Valley Health System

Covid-19 testing guidance for patients and employers

From Bluffton Hospital and BVHS
Posted by Anne Pannabecke... on Saturday, August 8, 2020

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is encouraging individuals to work with their primary care providers to order the COVID-19 test, if needed.

BVHS is collecting outpatient COVID-19 samples with a provider order at the Findlay and Bluffton campuses. These samples are collected by appointment only.

Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are having symptoms related to COVID-19 are also able to be evaluated at Physicians Plus Urgent Care and COVID-19 testing may be ordered and completed onsite.

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Weekend doctor: Preparing for elective surgery

Process is important to make sure you are properly prepared and informed for the surgery
Posted by Fred Steiner on Saturday, August 1, 2020

Information provided by Peggy Robinette, RN; Lisa Butler, RN; and Maura Mathias, RN, Pre-surgical screening, Blanchard Valley Hospital
When an elective surgery is scheduled, you will be contacted to set up a pre-surgery health interview.

This process is important to make sure you are properly prepared and informed for the upcoming surgery. This interview can be done in person or by phone. This type of screening was implemented many years ago to improve patient care before and after surgical procedures.

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Mid-week doctor: Folic acid, why take it?

Folic acid is a human-made form of the B-vitamin folate. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid to be healthy, but especially before pregnancy.
Posted by Anne Pannabecke... on Wednesday, July 29, 2020

By Abigail Maas, NPRN-CNP
Certified nurse practitioner
Folic acid is a human-made form of the B-vitamin folate. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid to be healthy, but especially before pregnancy.

Folic acid helps form the neural tube and is known to decrease the risk of major congenital disabilities of an unborn baby’s brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida). 

Neural tube defects are the second most common major congenital anomaly. It is important to start folic acid supplementation prior to pregnancy due to these congenital disabilities occurring in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

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Weekend doctor: Nutrition for cancer prevention

Consuming a nutritious diet is important for cancer prevention
Posted by Anne Pannabecke... on Saturday, July 18, 2020

By Rachel Niermann, RDN, Licensed Dietician
Armes Family Cancer Care Center
When preventing a cancer diagnosis, there are many factors to consider, both in and out of our control.

An individual’s risk of developing cancer depends on age, gender, genetics, environment, socioeconomic status and lifestyle behaviors. The good news is that we can control the lifestyle behaviors in which we choose to partake.

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Mid-week doctor: Stay-at-home-nursing

It is less restrictive than it sounds
Posted by Anne Pannabecke... on Tuesday, July 14, 2020

By Jenna Cotterman MOT, OTR/L, COQS
Home Health Therapy Manager
Bridge Home Health & Hospice

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to stay at home to receive nursing care and therapy services may be a newer thought to some.

Many aging individuals aren’t aware of the insurance benefits they already have that include in-home care. Those with Medicare as their primary insurance are typically covered 100 percent for home care services, as long as certain criteria are met.

One of these is being “homebound.” It may sound like a scary term, but it is less restrictive than it sounds.

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Weekend doctor: Advanced care planning

A series of conversations to help you reflect upon and discuss your goals and wishes around future healthcare decisions
Posted by Anne Pannabecke... on Saturday, July 11, 2020

By Amy Mills, RN
Bridge Home Health & Hospice
During this COVID-19 pandemic, multiple aspects of your life have been affected.

You may be thinking, “What kind of healthcare would I choose if I became ill? Who would make my decisions for me if I can’t speak for myself?” Advance care planning and completion of advance directives can ensure that your choices are explored, communicated and documented.

Advance care planning involves a series of conversations to help you reflect upon and discuss you goals and wishes around future healthcare decisions.

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