Protect your family, get your flu shot today. Appointments are required due to COVID. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting your flu shot before the flu begins spreading in our community. After receiving your vaccination it takes about two weeks to build up antibodies that help protect you from the flu. Getting a shot after the influenza season starts is still helpful, but getting it early provides the most benefit. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, appointments will be needed. Walk-ins will NOT be accepted. The flu shot is offered at Hutchinson Health. The flu mist will not be available this year. Learn more about the CDC's projections for the 2020-2021 influenza season and the vaccination available. Make an appointment to get your flu shot soon! ... Continue Reading
Colon cancer screenings: Who should be screened, when you should start and answers to other common questions
Source: HealthPartners A lot of people put off their recommended cancer screenings – especially colon cancer screenings like colonoscopies. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-quarter of adults have not been screened as recommended. For some, fear of the prep work and the test itself keep them from scheduling their screening. For others, they’re healthy and don’t have any colon cancer symptoms, so they don’t think they need to be screened. But it’s important to know that colorectal cancers – cancers of the colon and rectum – are the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States. You want to be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. And you want that for your partner, parents, grandparents, and other close friends and loved ones, ... Continue Reading
COVID-19 and childhood vaccinations: Is it safe to take my kid to the clinic for their shots?
Source: HealthPartners Just like you, new mom Alexis Thompson is raising a child during a pandemic. And while dozens of to-dos may cross her mind every day, whether to take her baby boy in for his routine immunizations during COVID-19 was a big question mark. Understandably, Alexis – who co-hosts “Jason and Alexis in the Morning” on local radio station myTalk 107.1 – was extremely anxious. She knew her son was due for his 4-month-old shots. She knew the importance of staying on track with his vaccination schedule. But she didn’t know if it was safe to go to a health care clinic right now. She made the decision to bring her son in. And when she arrived at her local HealthPartners clinic, her anxiety melted away. “I was so anxious. But once I got to the clinic, I felt a lot better,” Alexis said. “The clinicians kept everyone a safe ... Continue Reading
Pediatric Appointments: Don’t Delay
COVID 19 has brought forth many delays in our routine lives. Preventative healthcare is not and should not be one of them. The pediatric patient population is a unique population that needs more routine management than other patient populations. Here at Hutchinson Health, our Pediatric department delayed for a very brief timeframe, routine non-urgent care, until the clinic was able to put in place many safeguards for your children to be able to continue with their care with us. Now that these measures are in place, our Pediatricians strongly encourage you to call and schedule your well-child appointments, sports physicals, and immunizations. It is imperative we keep children on track for these visits to keep them safe, healthy, and prepared for what the fall should bring. Please call us at 320-234-3290 to schedule your child’s ... Continue Reading
Staying Safe from COVID-19
What your care team is doing and how you can help. Keeping safety first. We plan ahead and take steps every day to keep our clinics, hospitals and other buildings safe. Many of those steps are below. Here is what guides us: All of our sites have policies to prevent the spread of infections. We have strengthened these policies and taken further action to protect you. We follow all guidelines from our state and national public health agencies. Our experts in infectious disease prevention guide us on the best ways to keep you, your care team and the community safe. Clinic We know that this can be an unsettling time. It can be common to be worried about COVID-19 when you are visiting your clinic, especially if you are there to get care for a reason other than the virus. Please be aware that keeping you safe and healthy ... Continue Reading
Your Mental Health is Important and asking for help can be difficult
You’re not alone if you feel like the current situation with COVID-19 has been disruptive to your life. It has altered almost everyone’s daily schedules and routines, and it has created a lot of uncertainty. We want to help you and your loved ones plan, prepare, and cope with stress related to this rapidly changing situation. Hutchinson Health remains committed to providing mental health services and continuity of care. Telehealth Appointments Our Outpatient Mental Health Clinic has been conducting telehealth visits for both existing patients and new patients. Telehealth has provided an opportunity for continuation of care, to best target and treat mental and emotional health difficulties during this stressful time. Here is some feedback we’re getting from patients, families, and providers that’s been positive! “I was worried I ... Continue Reading
Hutchinson Health Celebrates Certified Nurses Day on March 19
Hutchinson Health Celebrates Certified Nurses Day on March 19 by Honoring the 19 Board Certified Nurses on its Staff Hutchinson Health is celebrating Certified Nurses Day, on March 19, by honoring its board-certified nurses. The following nurses are being recognized for their professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in patient care: Janet Filzen, CNOR: Certified Operating Room Nurse Maureen Lowden, RNC: Inpatient Obstetrical Nurse Nicole Kuttner, IBCLC: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Janelle Walter, IBCLS: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Lee Krenik, IBCLS: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Lindsey Vacek, IBCLC: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Teresa Smith, ACNS-BS: Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist Holly Oestreich, CDE: ... Continue Reading
Hutchinson Health Cancer Center Receives Press Ganey Award
Hutchinson Health is pleased to share that our Cancer Center has been awarded the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for Outstanding Patient Experience. This honor highlights those who strive to improve the patient experience and raise the bar on performance each year. Honoring the Top 5% This award honors those practices who have reached the 95th percentile and maintained that level for an entire year. It is an impressive accomplishment to break into the top 5%, but to sustain that level for an entire year is truly incredible. Congratulations! We want to commend our staff for their teamwork and support, as each patient experience is impacted by every area doing their part and working together. Please join us in celebrating the Hutchinson Health Cancer Center staff on this incredible accomplishment. ... Continue Reading
PowerUp November Newsletter
Ways to PowerUp in November PowerUp Action team meeting We will be helping pack bags for the Backpack program from 2-3pm on November 18th at Common Cup Ministries Parkview Dental Candy Buyback Bring your leftover candy to Parkview Dental Nov 1-5 and receive $1 for every pound. Candy will be sent to service members overseas. Wheel and Cog $2 Tuesdays 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month Rec center indoor playground 9:30-11:30am Monday-Thursday and Saturdays 10am-noon November is Peanut Butter Lovers Month! Pros of Peanut Butter It is a great source of protein It contains lots of healthy fats It is very versatile and can be used in sweet or savory dishes It is very nutrient-dense It does not need to be refrigerated so is easy to pack for on the go It ... Continue Reading
New Electronic Medical Record System
It's Here! Hutchinson Health has upgraded our electronic medical record system to make it easier for you to schedule and receive care. It further connects us to HealthPartners and Park Nicollet should you need additional services. If you want to create a new online account click the blue "Sign in" button to get started. For your appointments, please bring: Please be patient as our staff learns the new, enhanced system. We appreciate your patience and understanding. ... Continue Reading