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Blanchard Valley Health System

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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BVHS corporate PR and Marketing wins three national awards

All communications materials receiving awards were conceptualized, written, developed and printed by the team
Posted by Anne Pannabecke... on Monday, June 22, 2020

The Corporate Public Relations & Marketing Department at Blanchard Valley Health System has been named the winner of three national awards for their Mayo Clinic Care Network campaign.

These awards include a Bronze Aster Award, a Silver Telly Award and an Award of Distinction.

“We are elated to learn that our team received these awards for our work on the Mayo Clinic Care Network campaign,” shared Amy J. Leach, director of Corporate PR & Marketing.

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Weekend doctor: What is a forensic nurse?

Eleven active forensic nurses serve victims of violence in Hancock and Allen County hospitals
Posted by Fred Steiner on Saturday, June 20, 2020

By Mindy Lause, RN
Blanchard Valley Health System
Emergency Department

With social justice issues like human trafficking, sexual assault and intimate partner violence in the media, one might ask: “What is a forensic nurse?”

A forensic nurse is a registered nurse who blends the holistic care of nursing to the body, mind and spirit—to include principles from the law, medicine and science.

A forensic patient is an individual who has a healthcare issue and intersects with the legal system.

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