WINTER 2022
HEALTHBEAT Community Healthcare, ROOTED IN TRADITION
Your Partners in Health, Growing to Meet Your Needs
INSIDE Board Spotlight: Meet Kent Bamford, Board President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Barb Schanhals Talks About Her Career and Experience With The Haxtun Health Physical Therapy Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 & 5 Heart Health & Preventing Heart Disease . . . . 6 Seasonal Affective Disorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 New Telemedicine Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
HaxtunHealth.org
A Word from the CEO Haxtun Health wants to be your partner for a better and healthier life. Everything we do is done with that purpose in mind. We are on a journey to be the best health care provider and have made significant progress over the past few months to make it happen. We have worked hard and been blessed with grant and federal funds to make improvements to our campus and clinics. Our brand-new clinic in Fleming is now operating (the best clinic in Northeast Colorado). We are working hard on the original hospital building to replace the infrastructure and breathe new life into the existing building. The infrastructure project is a $4 million dollar project, funded by Grant Dollars from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). We are in the process of building a brand-new clinic on the main street in Haxtun. The funding for this endeavor has been from federal dollars we received. The foundation and basement are done. The steel is up. We are now looking at the final build out of walls, interiors, and making the clinic blend in with the existing buildings in downtown. We hope to open this new clinic sometime within the next 2 years. When completed the building will house a 5,000 sq. ft. Clinic, a Retail Pharmacy, a large Physical Therapy and wellness space, and even a small coffee shop in the corner of the lobby. As excited as we are about all of this building we are equally as excited about our new Laboratory expansion and new Radiology equipment that has expanded both the complexity and volume of what we can provide for you right here in Haxtun. And finally, the most exciting thing happening here is our Team. The Team here has not only weathered the storm of a pandemic but has pulled together in a truly remarkable way. The smiles, true-caring, and focus on you that is evident here makes this a great place to receive care. You really have to experience it to see and feel the difference of the Haxtun Way – Haxtun Strong! Stay tuned as we grow and improve to be not only ‘The Best Hospital in Haxtun’ but your partner for a better and healthier life. Thank you for choosing us for your care,
Dewane Pace, CEO
Winter 2022 Haxtun Health promotes optimum wellness through compassionate and high-quality care. We aim to be your expert source of information in the medical world. Content for the Haxtun HealthBeat is provided by Haxtun Health staff and providers as well as trusted resources from around the country. 2
Services • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Behavioral Health Counseling Cardiology Diabetes Clinic Direct Access Testing Dry Needling – Cash Pay Emergency Room Endoscopy Family Medicine In-Patient (Hospital) Laboratory Laser Therapy Nutrition Counseling Occupational Therapy Orthopedics Pharmacy Physical Therapy Podiatry Radiology Respite Care Sleep Studies Swing Bed Rehabilitation
Board Spotlight: Kent Bamford, Board President of Haxtun Health Kent Bamford is a Colorado native raised in Haxtun. He moved to Fort Collins, graduated from CSU and then he and his wife, Naida, moved back to the Haxtun area so he could work on his agriculture businesses and started a cattle feed yard. That feed yard had been in operation for 45 years when it was sold. Kent now operates two businesses, a farming operation and feed company, each run by his two sons. Bamford said he is lucky that his businesses are family owned and he and Naida can work with their sons. His family businesses also allowed him to come home and tap into another passion of his — providing high-quality, local healthcare.
“We offer different clinics to our community so that some of the services patients previously had to travel to get, we now offer,” he said. “Our growth is a direct correlation to what we have been able to do because our staff is there for us. It is so great that our community can get the services they need at our hospital — locally.” Bamford is amazed at what the Haxtun Health staff has done to get through the pandemic and continue to help the hospital grow.
“The extra efforts that they have given is exhilarating because it makes me know that our employees are invested in what we are trying Bamford started as to achieve at the hospital,” he the Board President of Kent Bamford said. “They have gone above Haxtun Health about a and beyond and succeeded year and a half ago. He’s in these trying times. They have been so been on the board for about four and a half dedicated.” years. He says that you should give back to the community what they give to you. Bamford is just one of five board members “Through my career I’ve served on many boards, even as president on a state and national level,” Bamford said humbly. “However, I was born and raised in this area, and I’ve always felt it’s important to be active in your community because this is where you live. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to join the board and was excited to be a part of it.” Bamford describes his time as Board President as eye-opening. He wasn’t familiar with everything it takes to operate a hospital and stressed the importance of having access to a health care in a rural community.
and stressed that everyone brings a lot to the table, and he is so appreciative of them as well. “We as a board understand our duties to the community and we are always open to visiting with the community about the hospital,” he said. When he’s not buried in work, you can find Kent and Naida cheering on their five grandchildren in their school activities. They also like to travel. They enjoy long road trips together seeing the country, and their favorite place is somewhere they’ve never been.
3
More than 20 Years of Service Staff Feature: Barbara Schanhals, MA
Since September of 2001, a friendly face has worked at Haxtun Health. Now she is cutting back her hours in preparation for retirement, but her hard work and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed. Barbara Schanhals
Barbara Schanhals has worked as a certified nurse assistant (CNA), a limited scope x-ray operator and a medical assistant (MA). She said the wide variety of medical needs in rural areas is what has kept her interested in medicine for so long. “In larger cities, your MAs do one thing, but here in rural America, I can say hello to and help welcome babies into the world but also hold hands of those who need it when saying goodbye to someone and everything inbetween,” Schanhals said.
One memory Schanhals will never forget is when a young mom asked to watch her pregnancy test with her. “As it became positive, the look on her face was priceless,” she said. “It was an amazing moment. She jumped up and hugged me. It was so joyous.” The memories don’t end with patients either. The team at Haxtun has also been a huge part of her life. When Schanhals got the call that her son, who had deployed, was coming home from Afghanistan, coworkers happydanced with her. The Haxtun Health team has also helped her as a patient when Schanhals faced an intensive hip repair.
Something Schanhals loves about working at Haxtun is the ability to keep learning no matter what. “For me, it was to work with providers that always took the time to teach and listen,” she said. “Being able to keep learning is the best part of my career. I have learned so much in working here.”
4
Barbara Schanhals
“I have the best reviews for our physical therapy (PT) department,” she said. “They just brought me back.”
Our Providers Just six months after her hip procedure, she was able to get back out and do what she loves – hiking. But Schanhals said it wouldn’t be possible without the Haxtun Health PT team.
The team of providers at Haxtun Health has a broad range of experience and specialties and is dedicated to bringing high-quality care to the Haxtun community. Meet our team of providers below!
Ben Stephenson, MD Primary Care, Chief of Staff
Amy Seinfeld, DO Primary Care Barbara Schanhals
“They have a great knowledge gain and help you get past your comfort zone into healing,” she said. “Our PT program is geared to help all of our patients, from young teens hurt from sports to 80- to 90-year-olds who need to continue to stay strong. It is a big variety of patients, and they do a rockin’ job!”
Jessica Bullard, NP Primary Care
When she does fully retire, Schanhals says she will spend at least one day a week in the mountains with her husband and grandchildren hiking and that she might finally have time to utilize her craft room more.
Rehabilitation Services Offering specialized physical therapy and occupational therapy services in Haxtun, our staff of certified professionals utilize safe, up-to-date techniques for improving functional health and managing pain. We work with community members of all ages and physical abilities. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 970-774-6123
Sarah Ticher, NP Primary Care
5
American Heart Month: Supporting Heart Health and Preventing Heart Disease February is the month that gets us thinking about hearts — the candy ones and the beating ones in our chest.
5 Heart-Healthy Tips
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, killing nearly 655,000 Americans each year — one in every four deaths. The Haxtun Health team is here to support you in preventing heart disease or to keep it from worsening.
Minimize processed foods, mostly the three F’s — fried, fast and fatty foods. Limit your salt intake. Limit sugars and saturated fats to 10 percent of your daily calorie intake. Practice portion size control.
Dr. Benjamin Stephenson, Primary Care Provider and Chief of Staff at Haxtun Health, said it’s important to prioritize your heart health sooner than you might think. “A lot of our heart patients spent their lives not worrying about heart disease until it was forced on them,” he said. “Young people and middleaged adults may not even know they have several risk factors until it’s too late.” Why Heart Health is Important Heart-healthy lifestyles help us live longer, keep other organs in our bodies healthy and improve our overall quality of life, according to Wendy Evans, MPT, Physical Therapist at Haxtun Health. Start with getting in regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. Education also plays an essential role in your endeavors, so don’t skip on appointments with your healthcare provider. They can provide you with invaluable information about your heart numbers, perform annual screenings and track your annual changes in risk factors. How Haxtun Health Supports Patients By identifying risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, smoking and other habits and traits that contribute to heart disease, Haxtun Health providers can tailor their care to the patient and work with them on necessary lifestyle changes. If you already suffer from heart disease, providers can help decrease your risk of further damage and work with a cardiologist to ensure you are up to date on your cholesterol labs, vitals, echocardiograms, EKGs and medications. Take control now and talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do to improve your heart health for the long term. 6
1. Eat Healthier
Schedule an appointment with Haley Edwards, Dietitian, at 970-774-6187.
2. Get in Physical Activity Focus on low-intensity, long-duration aerobic activities, such as walking or biking. Develop a good exercise routine you can do at home. Set an exercise schedule that lays out specific activities, their duration and the days you will do those activities. Schedule an appointment with Wendy Evans, Physical Therapist, at 970-774-6123.
3. Quit Smoking Smoking lowers your good cholesterol, increases the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels and can cause thickening and narrowing of blood vessels. Schedule an appointment a primary care provider at 970-774-6187 to develop a plan.
4. Decrease Your Stress Stress produces cortisol, which is detrimental to the body when elevated for long periods of time. Protect your heart by relaxing through activities like yoga, Pilates, breathing exercises or taking a long, brisk walk in the countryside. Try downloading a stress management app on your smartphone, such as Calm, Headspace or Breathe. Schedule an appointment a primary care provider at 970-774-6187 to develop a plan.
5. Improve Your Sleep Lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity — all heart disease risk factors. Haxtun Health partners with Fatigue and Sleep Remedies of Colorado to perform sleep studies on our main campus. For an appointment, call 970-774-6187.
Winter Safety:
Emergency Kits & Home Heating Now is the time to take precautions to ensure safety, whether on the road or in our homes during the winter season. Weather in The Centennial State can be unpredictable at times, to say the least. The day can start with brilliant sunlight and fade to a cloudy, foreboding sky by the afternoon. The weather may follow what forecasters predict, or you may see an occasional blizzard or change of wind. We are in the midst of winter on the eastern planes of Colorado and blizzards For Your Vehicle: For Your Home: can sneak up on us while Prepare a Vehicle Winter When it’s time to use your we aren’t looking. We Emergency Kit. Be sure to include fireplace, it’s also time to brush are in the midst of winter items including: up on fire safety. on the eastern planes of • Bottled water • Check your chimney or heating Colorado and blizzards system to make sure they are • Items to keep warm such as clear of debris. can sneak up on us blankets, mittens, socks and hats • Test your smoke and carbon while we aren’t looking. • Ice scraper, snow brush and monoxide alarms, as it might be Put together a vehicle windshield wiper fluid to time for a battery refresh. maintain clear visibility safety kit and brush up • For wood-burning fireplaces, • Flashlight with extra batteries on fire safety now to be keep the screen shut, ensure the prepared. • Jumper cables flue is open and clear. • A first-aid kit • A multitool
• Inspect space heaters and never leave them in a room unattended.
7
Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? Many people go through short periods of time where they feel sad or not like their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. People may feel “down” when days start getting shorter. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder. What are the signs of SAD? SAD is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year. The symptoms of SAD are similar to regular depression and may include losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, feeling sluggish or agitated, and feeling hopeless. In addition to these symptoms, those with winterpattern SAD may experience symptoms like oversleeping, overeating, and social withdrawal. What causes SAD? Scientists do not fully understand what causes SAD. Research indicates people with SAD may have reduction of serotonin levels, which helps regulate mood. Other findings suggest that people with SAD produce too much melatonin—a hormone that maintains the normal sleep-wake cycle. In people with SAD, the changes in serotonin and melatonin levels disrupt the normal daily rhythms. As a result, they can’t adjust to the seasonal changes in day length, leading to sleep, mood, and behavior changes. Deficits in vitamin D may exacerbate these problems because vitamin D is believed to promote serotonin activity. In addition to vitamin D consumed with diet, the body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight on the skin. With less daylight in the winter, people may have lower vitamin D levels, which further hinders serotonin activity. How is SAD treated? Treatments for SAD fall into four main categories that may be used alone or in combination: light therapy, psychotherapy, antidepressants, and vitamin D. 8
Light Therapy Since the 1980s, light therapy has been used for the treatment of SAD. It exposes people to a bright light every day to make up for the loss of natural sunshine during the darker months. For this treatment, the person sits in front of a very bright light box every day for about 30 to 45 minutes during the fall and winter months. A light therapy box can be purchased through many online retailers. Psychotherapy or “Talk Therapy” Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy to help people learn how to cope with difficult situations. CBT focuses on replacing negative thoughts related to the winter season with more positive thoughts. CBT also uses a process called behavioral activation, which helps individuals identify and schedule pleasant, engaging indoor or outdoor activities to combat the loss of interest they experience in the winter. Medications Because SAD is connected to serotonin activity, antidepressant medications are also used to treat SAD when symptoms occur. These prescriptions can significantly enhance patients’ moods. Vitamin D Because many people with SAD often have vitamin D deficiency, nutritional supplements of vitamin D may help improve their symptoms.
If you think you are suffering from SAD or major depression, talk to your health care provider or a mental health specialist about your concerns. You may call the Haxtun Health Clinic at 970-774-6187 to speak with one of our trusted providers. Appointments available in both Haxtun and Fleming.
Haxtun Health Partners with HealthONE: New Telemedicine Technology HealthONE Virtual Network (H1VN) is now providing telemedicine stroke-neurology, acute-neurology, psychiatry and behavioral health assessment services to Haxtun Health. The H1VN Telemedicine Network is an innovative system that uses technology to bring the best of stroke, neurology, psychiatry and behavioral health care to Northeast Colorado. “We are excited to be on the cutting edge of technology to provide the best, most up-to-date care to our critically ill patients,” said Dewane Pace, CEO at Haxtun Health. “The HealthONE Telemedicine Network will allow us to get quick access to specialty consultations when the response time for a stroke patient is so vital.” H1VN allows for a neurologist, psychiatrist or behavioral health clinician to be linked via telemedicine cart to emergency physicians and providers at Haxtun Health. By utilizing the H1VN technology, Haxtun Health will be instantly connected to a stroke-trained neurologist, psychiatrist or behavioral health clinician. The system allows patients suffering from neurological events, stroke-like conditions, or behavioral health episodes to be examined and diagnosed, while the patient is still in Haxtun.
The new telemedicine technology utilizes a mobile cart with an onboard computer, monitor, high-resolution camera and microphone to simultaneously transmit the audio and video portions of a physician consult. Patient medical records, including radiology scans, can be accessed. The patient, local physician/provider and the neurologist/psychiatrist/ behavioral health clinician can conduct online consults anywhere there is an internet connection. “Every second counts in minimizing the damage a stroke can cause to the brain – quick assessment and personalized care are key,” says Dr. Chris Fanale, who developed the H1VN Tele-Stroke Program. “Having this state-of-theart telemedicine program puts the stroke specialist instantly in the room with a patient and ER physician. As a stroke neurologist, I can have a conversation with the patient and family, examine the patient’s ability to move and speak, and even zoom in to assess pupil reactivity. We can talk to EMS and ER staff, and assess monitors and vital signs immediately. There is no other system in the region that is currently offering this level of care to stroke victims.” The tele-behavioral health clinicians offer full behavioral health assessments (BHA) by licensed clinicians (LCSW, LSW, LPCC, LPC, LMFT, or PsyD) and are able to help determine the safety to discharge or transfer to inpatient behavioral health. They are also able to help manage inpatient placement, if appropriate.
9
Haxtun Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlos sprachliche Hilfsdienstleistungen zur Verfügung. The full nondiscrimination statement can be found at https://bit.ly/3jigDoV.
HaxtunHealth.org