’s
November 1, 2013 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
Insurance Marketplace Counselors Now Available SCKMC has been approved to be a certified application counselor (CAC) organization to assist people applying for coverage through the health insurance marketplace, also called the health insurance exchange. Hospital staff members Patty Webb and Amber Bryant each completed the certification exam to become a CAC following a five-hour training. CACs help people understand, apply, and enroll for health coverage through the Marketplace. Webb and Bryant are available to help the public through the process of selecting a plan, and will give the consumer information about the full range of options and insurance affordability programs for which they are eligible. They will not direct the consumer towards a specific plan, but may provide information that allows the consumer to make an informed decision as to which plan is in the consumer’s best interest. For more information about this service contact Webb or Bryant at 620-442-2500. More information about the health insurance marketplace can be found at www.HealthCare.gov.
Hospital Staff Scare Up Some Fun SCKMC employees brightened the day of their patients and guests on Halloween by holding their annual costume contest. This year voting is open to both staff members and the public through the hospital facebook page, www.facebook.com/sckmc. You can vote for the best department costume and best individual costume by “liking” your favorite photos. Winners will be announced in-house, on Tuesday, Nov. 5th.
Employee of the Month Cassie Crocker, Med Tech for the Laboratory, is the Exceptional Service Award winner for the month of November! She was nominated by her coworkers for her hard work and dedication. Pictured: Cassie (right) with Laboratory Lead Tech, Lois Faber. If you would like to nominate someone for next month's award visit us at www.sckmc.org.
Healthy Living: Get Vaccinated Flu Activity Expected to Increase in Coming Weeks It’s Fall – and often the time that we start seeing more people sick with flu. By getting a flu vaccine for yourself and your entire family every year, you can help prevent flu-related illness, and missed school or work. Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that infects the nose, throat, and lungs and can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death. Anyone can become sick with the flu and experience serious complications. But even if you are healthy and bounce back quickly, others around you might not be so lucky. Getting a flu vaccine is the single best way to protect yourself and your family from this serious disease. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. However, vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk for complications from flu, and for people who live with or care for someone who is at high risk. You should get vaccinated every year for two reasons. The first reason is because flu viruses are constantly changing, the flu vaccine is often updated from one season to the next to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. The second reason is that a person's immune protection from vaccination declines over time so a yearly vaccination is needed for optimal protection. The flu vaccine is safe. People have been receiving flu vaccines for more than 50 years. Vaccine safety is closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hundreds of millions of flu vaccines have been given safely to people across the country for decades. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The most common side effects from a flu shot are soreness where the shot was given, maybe a low fever or achiness. The nasal spray flu vaccine might cause congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or cough. If you do experience side effects they are usually mild and short-lived. Flu vaccine should be available widely, and in many convenient locations. See your doctor or nurse to get the flu vaccine, or seek out other locations where vaccine is being offered, such as pharmacies, health departments, and many others. For more information, see flu at www.cdc.gov.
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Find out more about our services at www.sckmc.org