NRMC Press Releases

Cognition and Swallowing Among the Common Challenges Persisting for Many Americans After COVID-19

Tue, 04 May 2021 16:26:06 GMT

Speech-Language Pathologists Can Help Patients Regain Health and Quality of Life, NRMC Expert Stresses During Better Hearing & Speech Month

With an estimated 10 to 30% of COVID-19 survivors experiencing “long-haul” symptoms including brain fog and swallowing difficulties, Nevada Regional Medical Center speech-language pathologist Andrea Wydick is encouraging the public to seek care from qualified experts who can help them regain their functioning and quality of life. Wydick is sharing this message in recognition of May being national Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).

“The pandemic has posed so many challenges to us all as a society, but one of the persisting and most vexing ones right now is the daunting set of difficulties many people are having for months after contracting COVID-19,” said Wydick. “From brain fog, to difficulty eating and drinking, to speech and language problems, these can affect return to work, the ability to take care of one’s family, and overall recovery. Many people don’t know about the services of speech-language pathologists—professionals trained in these areas who can make a huge difference for these people. This is an important time for us to spread the word: Help is available.”

How They Help

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help people with, or recovering from, COVID-19 who are having short- and longer-term difficulties in the following areas:

• Cognition

Many COVID-19 “long-haulers” are reporting persistent brain fog as a debilitating symptom after their bout with the virus. This can prevent a return to work and impact their ability to tend to family responsibilities. SLPs can work with individuals to improve their memory, attention, organization and planning, problem solving, learning, and social communication—such as re-learning conversational rules or understanding the intent behind a message or behind nonverbal cues. The focus is on the person’s specific challenges as well as regaining the skills that are most important to their daily life and priorities.

• Swallowing

People diagnosed with COVID-19 may experience swallowing problems that can put them at risk for choking or aspirating, which is when food goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. This may be the result of time spent on a ventilator, or it may be another side effect of the virus. SLPs use different types of tests to determine what happens when a person swallows and how the related muscles are working—helping a patient’s medical team, including the SLP, decide on the best course of action with the patient and their family. SLPs may recommend modified textures of food and drink for patients; therapy exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and muscles in the mouth and throat; and strategies to make eating and drinking safer, such as modifying the pace of chewing/eating, size of food, and more.

• Communication

People diagnosed with COVID-19 are also experiencing speech and language difficulties. Some, such as those who spent a significant amount of time on a ventilator or experienced low oxygen to the brain, may have muscle weakness or reduced coordination in the muscles of the face, lips, tongue, and throat—making it difficult to talk. Others, particularly those who experienced a COVID-related stroke, may experience a language disorder called aphasia—which makes it hard for someone to understand, speak, read, or write. SLPs work with patients through targeted therapy to improve their communication and understanding.

People who have severe speech and/or language difficulties may need to find other ways to answer questions or tell people what they want, such as through gesturing with their hands, pointing to letters or pictures on a paper or board, or using a computer. These are all forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). SLPs help find the appropriate AAC method to meet an individual’s needs.

Where to Find Care

SLPs work in settings that include hospitals, long- and short-term care facilities, private practices, and patients’ homes. Many SLPs are also providing their services via telehealth at this time. If you or a loved one are experiencing communication challenges, Wydick recommends letting your doctor know.

For more information, Vernon County and area residents can contact NRMC Performance Therapy at 417-448-3790, or visit www.asha.org/public .

Appointments Available for Phase 2 Vaccine Clinic

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 20:41:39 GMT

NRMC to host mass vaccination clinic, offers online appointment scheduling.

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to announce that appointments are available for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic to be held Tuesday, March 30. The clinic will be located at the Nevada Community Center at 200 N. Ash Street in Nevada.

Recently, the State of Missouri announced that beginning March 29, Missourians in Phase 2 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes individuals employed in construction, critical manufacturing, higher education, and remaining food and agriculture sectors, including restaurants. It also includes homeless and disproportionately affected populations with an emphasis on racial and ethnic minorities, among others. More information about who is eligible can be found at https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/priority.

There are two vaccine options being offered at the clinic on March 30; Moderna vaccines will be available from 12 to 2:30 P.M. and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine from 2:30 to 4 P.M. Moderna is a two-dose vaccine, requiring a second dose in four weeks. Janssen is a one-dose vaccine.

Registration is required. To schedule an appointment, please visit NRMC’s online registration page at nrmchealth.com/covid19-vaccine . Anyone in need of assistance with scheduling an appointment may call NRMC at (417) 667-3355.

NRMC Welcomes Additional General Surgeon

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 21:06:41 GMT

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is proud to welcome John D. Harrington, MD, FACS to its medical staff. Dr. Harrington is a board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Harrington brings more than fifteen years of experience as a general surgeon. He earned his doctoral degree of medicine at Loma Linda University in 2000 and went on to complete his residency in general surgery at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Pheonix, AZ. Since 2018, he provided general surgery at David County Hospital in Bloomfield, IA. Prior to that, he worked for eight years at Gothenburg Health in Gothenburg, NE. In 2019 Dr. Harrington completed a 4 week mini-fellowship in hernia surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

As a general surgeon Dr. Harrington is able to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of diseases requiring surgical treatment. He provides same-day surgery, endoscopy (upper GI and colonoscopy), and many types of soft tissue and skin surgeries.

“We’ve been leaning really hard on Dr. Dodd for surgery and he has been a gracious team player, putting in lots of hours for many years,” says Steve Branstetter, NRMC Chief Executive Officer. “We’re glad to have a second surgeon in place and we believe Dr. Harrington will be an excellent addition to the staff.”

Working alongside Dr. Joseph Dodd, Dr. Harrington’s office will be located in the Professional Practice Clinic on the second floor at the hospital. To schedule a visit with Dr. Harrington, call the NRMC Professional Practice Clinic at (417) 448-2121.

NRMC Receives $100K Gift

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 22:02:26 GMT

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to announce it has received a $100,000 gift from the Patterson Family Foundation to help fund a cardiac monitoring equipment system update that will span three years and total more than $673,000.

The first phase of the project approved by the hospital board of directors will cost a total of $310,000. This initial phase will include new GE cardiac monitors for all emergency and operating rooms, and is expected to take approximately three months to complete.

“Although all areas of the hospital care are equally important,” says Tara Garrett, Chief Nursing Officer at NRMC. “We chose to start with the emergency department and operating rooms because these areas have the greatest volume of critical patients.”

Cardiac monitoring systems are used to track vital signs such as heart rate and oxygen saturation, as well as breathing pattern and electrical heart patterns. In the past, monitors did not include the ability to trace the heart’s electrical activity via 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG). A separate machine would have been wheeled in for a patient with a cardiac history or as needed. The new monitors will include 12-lead EKG, giving a thorough picture of heart activity at any moment. The constant monitoring alerts nursing staff to a problem, allowing for quick intervention and providing real-time feedback on how well that intervention is working.

“This project is an important investment in the care we provide,” said Garrett. “These monitors are state-of-the-art and the upgrade shows our commitment to our patients.”

Information collected through the cardiac monitors will feed directly into the patient’s chart which has multiple benefits. The automatic recording of information eliminates the chance for human error, reduces workload on staff and gives the nurses and physicians the opportunity to simultaneously monitor the health of multiple individuals from one location.

The Patterson Family Foundation is a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson through collaborations in health care, education and rural communities. They are geographically focused on impacting Kansas and Western Missouri counties with fewer than 50,000 residents.

“Patterson Family Foundation is pleased to contribute funding to Nevada Regional Medical Center as front-line providers and staff work tirelessly to care for patients. We hope this funding helps NRMC purchase the critical equipment and supplies needed to treat COVID-19. It is both our privilege and pleasure to offer a helping hand to rural communities navigating through these unprecedented times,” PFF added.

NRMC to Host Mass Vaccine Clinics

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 16:42:54 GMT

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) announces it will host two new COVID-19 mass vaccine clinics March 3 ^rd and 4 ^th at the Nevada Community Center. The event is by invitation only. NRMC staff are in the process of making calls to schedule individuals registered on its notification list that qualify under the states tiered priority phases. Between the two clinics, there will be a total of 1,000 first doses of the Moderna vaccine given.

Currently, COVID-19 vaccination for Missouri residents is open to the following groups of individuals:

Phase 1A:

• Healthcare Workers

• Long-Term Care Facility Staff and Residents

Phase 1B - Tier 1:

• First Responders

• Non-Patient Facing Public Health Infrastructure

• Emergency Management and Public Works

• Emergency Services Sector

Phase 1B - Tier 2:

• Anyone aged 65 and older

• Any adult with one or more of the following conditions: Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Heart Conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies), Immunocompromised state from a solid organ transplant, Severe Obesity (BMI greater than 40), Pregnancy, Sickle Cell Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

February 15, 2021, the state of Missouri released additional guidance for Missouri vaccinators regarding the residency status of those seeking a COVID-19 vaccine in the state.

The guidance states, “Missouri’s plan prioritizes the vaccination of Missouri residents first. At the State's instruction, NRMC asks individuals to self-attest to their status in a prioritized population and verify their residency.

There are certain exceptions, however. If an employer-based vaccination clinic is arranged, and a Missouri employee lives in a neighboring state, vaccination of this person is allowed.

Infrequently, for the sole purpose of preventing a dose being wasted, it may be necessary to vaccinate a person who is ineligible and has not been determined to have a unique clinical situation that warrants an immediate vaccination. In no case should a vaccinator waste a dose.”

To register for the vaccine notification list, individuals may call NRMC’s 24/7 live vaccine call center at (417) 448-2120 or online at nrmchealth.com/covid19-vaccine . As NRMC and the Vernon County Health Department receive shipments of vaccine in the coming months, the notification list will be used to schedule those interested in taking it.

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About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.

Well-Child Checkups = Essential

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 17:33:12 GMT

Putting off annual checkups are not advised, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although many parts of daily life have been changed, regular health checkups shouldn’t be one of them. Many people worry about the safety of visiting the doctor right now, and not knowing can lead parents to deciding to put off checkups. However, waiting actually puts children at greater risk for serious health issues.

In general, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that young children should see the doctor at each of these stages to make sure they’re meeting developmental milestones:

• 12 months old
• 15 months old (1 year and 3 months)
• 18 months old (1 year and 6 months)
• 24 months old (2 years)
• 30 months old (2 years and 6 months)
• 3 years old
• 4 years old

Older kids benefit from annual exams as well. Without regular consultation with a pediatrician, potentially life-threatening yet preventable conditions could go unnoticed such as depression, high cholesterol or body weight complications.

John M. Fox, MD, pediatrician at Nevada Regional Medical Center, stresses the importance of continuing regular screenings and vaccinations.

“Thousands of children missed their checkups during the pandemic in Missouri alone” Dr. Fox says. “There is no doubt a number of those children have undiagnosed chronic disease. If they missed vaccinations, we could see several develop serious illness that could have been avoided. It's not a decision that should weigh heavily on parents. Our hospital and clinics do everything necessary to provide a safe space for our patients to continue their preventive health care.”

Well-child checkups may be scheduled at any one of our rural health clinics or with Dr. Fox in the Professional Practice Clinic at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Use the links below to find the clinic or provider that's right for you.

NowCare Clinic

Primary Care Center

Rich Hill Family Medical Clinic

John Fox, MD

Butterflies at NRMC

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:54:14 GMT

Introducing the Butterfly IQ, a new piece of ultrasound equipment at Nevada Regional Medical Center.

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) has recently began utilizing new medical technology to provide point-of-care-ultrasound. For more than 50 years ultrasound technology has been based on the same hardware. Traditionally this involves large equipment.

Today, NRMC healthcare providers have the power of ultrasound in the palm of their hands with a compact ultrasound technology, called Butterfly IQ. The Butterfly allows physicians to convert a tablet or cell phone into a monitor for the ultrasound machine. This state-of-the-art technology has numerous advantages.

In the emergency room, the time savings is a significant benefit. Using the Butterfly allows for a Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam and aid the quick location of veins for IV access.

If a patient presents with very low blood pressure, the doctor doesn’t have to send the patient off to radiology. Instead he can simply plug in the Butterfly to quickly examine the chest cavity and check the left ventricular function to see if it involves fluid around the heart or lungs.

Providers in many departments of NRMC are happy to utilize the new technology as well. Larry Seals, DO can use the device for prenatal exams. Steve Marquardt, CRNA, NSPM provides interventional pain management at NRMC. Prior to a surgery, Marquardt is often called upon to inject anesthesia into a specific nerve to numb the area of the body where the surgery will take place. With Butterfly, he will be able to pinpoint the precise nerve within seconds.

Use of the new device is expected to improve patient satisfaction by decreasing wait times for some ultrasound procedures. Most importantly, it will be readily available during a trauma, when life-saving minutes count, such as a suspected internal bleed or cardiac issue.

Timken Awards Grant to NRMC Foundation

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:24:20 GMT

The Timken Foundation of Canton recently approved a grant proposal from Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) Foundation to fund the purchase of a new endoscope sterilization system which will allow NRMC to double the number of scopes that may be performed on any given day.

The Timken grant amount of $45,000 will fund the majority of the project, which totals nearly $74,000. The project is being co-funded by the NRMC Auxiliary in the amount of $25,000.

In June of 2019, the hospital purchased a new high-tech endoscope system. The new sterilizer will not only increase the efficiency and speed of the sterilization process, but it will extend the life of the new equipment by reducing wear and tear as they are disinfected.

“We are very grateful for this investment into our endoscopy program,” said Dana White, CFO at NRMC. “This will help us to take the best care possible of our patients and improve workflow for our employees.”

Jennifer Wilson-Loving, HR Manager at The Timken Company in Fort Scott, KS hands a check off to Dana White, CFO, and Crystal Beshore, Outpatient Services Manager of Nevada Regional Medical Center.

NRMC Clinics Welcome Erwin, DNP

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 21:16:49 GMT

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to welcome family nurse practitioner, Katelyn (Triplett) Erwin to Primary Care Center, located at 627 S. Ash in Nevada and at NowCare Clinic at 345 S. Barrett as needed.

A graduate of Nevada High School, Erwin earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Ks. In May of this year, she completed her Doctorate, also from PSU. For the past four years Erwin has worked part-time on the Medical/Surgical and Intensive Care Units at NRMC. Much of her clinical education hours were spent at NRMC alongside Dr. Amanda Turner, Dr. Jacqueline Youtsos, Sonja Albright, DNP, and Dr. Dan Barnes.

“In primary care you see people through the lifespan,” says Erwin. “That’s what I like – that there’s a little bit of everything. I’ll be seeing OB patients prior to delivery and then their babies for their well-child visits, helping manage chronic conditions and making sure my patients stay healthy and out of the hospital.”

Recently married, Katelyn is a new stepmother to three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, including travelling and outdoor activities. Her favorite hobbies include refinishing old furniture as well and reading, although she laughingly says, she would prefer it not be a textbook.

“Katelyn is a welcome addition to our clinics,” says Steve Branstetter, Chief Executive Officer at NRMC. “Having the extra health provider opens up possibilities for extending clinic hours which we know would benefit our community.”

To become an FNP, one must first pass the NCLEX-RN to become a licensed RN. During years spent as an RN, crucial experience is gained. From there, most FNP hopefuls will work toward a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in family practice, a post graduate degree specific to FNP preparation, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as Erwin did.

FNPs have advanced clinical training and possess a graduate-level education, qualifying them to diagnose and treat complex health conditions. They can perform a wide variety of duties that include but are not limited to development of treatment plans, education, and guidance for disease prevention and healthy living, health examinations, performing diagnostic tests and screenings, and prescribing medicine.

To schedule an appointment with Katelyn Erwin, call Nevada Regional Primary Care Center at 417-448-3600 or visit the Patient Portal at www.nrmchealth.com.

Katelyn Erwin, DNP, APRN-BC

NRMC Foundation Hosts Virtual Race in Support of Women’s Health

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 17:19:17 GMT

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) Foundation recently unveiled an effort to help individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle by hosting a Women’s Health Virtual Walk/Run. Proceeds from the race will be used to provide mammography screenings at no cost to uninsured and underinsured women in October.

Those interested in contributing to the cause without entering the race can visit the event website to make a donation or purchase a t-shirt. Those who wish to enter the race, whether competitively or not, may choose to enter a 5K or 10K for $15. All race participants will earn an event t-shirt as well as a finisher medal and commemorative race bib. The deadline to enter is Saturday, October 3.

To maintain social distancing, NRMC is encouraging online registration for the race. Once registered, participants may run or walk the distance on their own. Individuals may log their race time on the event website to compare scores on the leaderboard.

With the continuing concern about COVID-19 and its spread, it has never been more important for everyone to make health a top priority. While all people are susceptible to the disease, those with underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and respiratory issues should exercise special caution at this time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. While that may sound like a long time, spreading the time over several days makes it an achievable goal. Simply walking 30 minutes a day for 5 days does the job. Others may prefer to exercise for 15 minutes twice daily for 5 days.

In conjunction with the virtual race NRMC Diagnostic Imagining will host a Ladies Night with extended mammography screening hours on Thursday evening, October 1 ^st . During this time, underinsured and uninsured women may utilize grant funding from the NRMC Foundation, covering any self-pay portions of the screening they may incur.

Though breast cancer remains the second most common cancer among women, advances in diagnosis have improved the outlook in recent years. NRMC uses the latest 3D ultrasound mammography screening that is proven to help detect more cancer, sooner. If found early breast cancer can be treated and cured, often with less invasive procedures. The American Medical Association, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society all recommend that women begin getting regular mammograms by the age of 40.

To register for the Women’s Health Virtual Walk/Run, visit the event registration website at www.nrmchealth.com/race.

3M Supports NRMC Foundation Mammography Fund

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 17:15:52 GMT

Representatives of 3M presented a donation of $2500 to the Nevada Regional Medical Center Foundation’s mammography fund on Friday. The fund provides mammogram screenings at no cost to uninsured and underinsured women at Nevada Regional Medical Center each year.

“We are excited for the opportunity to be a part of the NRMC Foundation’s endeavor to help women receive life-saving mammogram screenings,” says Richard Wates, 3M Nevada Plant Manager. “Together, we hope to improve the health of women and the community at-large.”

For more information about the mammography fund, call the NRMC Foundation office at 417-448-3801.

Pictured: Natalie Eberhard, NRMC Foundation Manager; Steve Branstetter, NRMC CEO; Betsy Curtis, NRMC Foundation Board President; Todd Fine, RT(R), CRA, NRMC Director of Diagnostic Imaging; Dana Ellis, 3M Employee Health Nurse and NRMC Hospital and NRMC Foundation Board Member; Nancy Stork, 3M Human Resources Director, and Richard Wates, 3M Nevada Plant Manager.