|
Day in the Life of...
Diane Smith,
Public Health Nursing Administrative Aide
Diane Smith, Public Health Nursing Administrative Aide, took an untraditional journey to the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health.
After high school, Smith attended St. Cloud Area Vocational School in Minnesota where she received a degree in Computer Programming. Her first job was at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where she worked as a computer operator in their aviation program for 11 years. Smith worked in the weather modification research lab, specifically with cloud seading. "Airplanes would go up in the clouds when a storm was brewing," Smith said. "The planes would actually sead on the clouds by spraying this chemical into the storm system cloud with the hopes that it would reduce the severity of the storm." Smith's job was to review the large reels of computer tape and, run a computer program to examine the data. From there, she would edit the data to remove any skewed data, archive it and get it to the scientists for analysis.
Her husband's career landed them in Iowa where Smith stayed home with her children for three years. Smith wanted to get back into the work scene, so she took her Certified Nursing Assistant class and worked as a Home Care Aide for the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health while going back to North Iowa Area Community College for accounting and computers. Soon a position opened in the same department and Smith was able to do the bookkeeping for the Home Care Aides as well as the public health nurses while a staff member was on maternity leave.
Currently, Smith is the Public Health Nursing Administrative Aide. "In this position, I am responsible for entering the nurse's logs into a billing computer program," Smith stated. "This ensures that we bill our clients and insurance companies for the appropriate amount of time spent with them." Smith's other duties are assisting clients with concerns or questions about their schedules or other nursing related issues, sending out physician's orders and additional administrative tasks.
Smith believes the largest benefit of her job is being able to help individuals stay in their homes longer. "With the services my service section provides to members of our county, we are able to help residents of the county maintain their independence, which keeps them at home longer," she noted. Another benefit of her job is the friendly staff she works with. "I love being surrounded by such a supportive and team oriented group of individuals." Yet, she notes the challenges of working for public health will always be funding. "We are an organization that thrives on funding through grants and other opportunities and we constantly question if that funding will be there." Yet, being able to help citizens of Cerro Gordo County and the Health Department staff has made her job very enjoyable for the past 20 years.
Diane Smith will continue to play a valuable role to the Health Department and residents of Cerro Gordo County!
|
|
Department Quick Links...
Scan this QR code with your smartphone for a direct link to our website. |
 |
|
STOPPING THE SPREAD OF
GERMS AT WORK
How Germs Spread
Illnesses like the flu (influenza) and colds are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. The flu and colds usually spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
How to Help Stop the Spread of Germs
* Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
* Clean your hands often
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
* Practice good health habits
* Stay home when you are sick & check with a health care
provider when needed
Cover Your Mouth & Nose When You Sneeze or Cough
Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Cover your cough if you do not have a tissue. Then clean your hands and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
Clean Your Hands Often
Wash your hands - with soap and warm water - then rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces. Wash for 15 to 20 seconds. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
Stay Home When You Are Sick & Check with A Health Care Provider When Needed
When you are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest and check with your doctor as needed. Common symptoms of the flu include:
* Fever (usually high)
* Headache
* Extreme Tiredness
* Cough
* Sore Throat
* Runny or Stuffy Nose
* Muscle Aches, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Practice Good Health Habits
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
*Wellness Council of America - December 2012 Health Bulletin
|
|
|
|
Happy Holidays!
The holiday season is officially here! That means spending lots of time with friends and family. Make sure you get a flu vaccine before it's too late. You don't want to get ill and miss the holiday festivities. Come get a flu shot or mist at our Immunization Clinic. We are open Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM-Noon and 12:30-4:00 PM. Don't forget to bring your insurance card as well!
Rebecca Meyer-Wright and Daniel Wright, former contestants of NBC's "The Biggest Loser" and owners of Fitness Wright Now will be hosting a Community Wellness Conversation on Monday, December 17, 2012, from 6:30-7:30 PM at the Health Department. This month's topic will highlight how to spice up your holiday recipes, workouts and attitudes to help you manage your weight, get fit and stay healthy!
In this month's Public Health Communicator, we provide an article with tips on how to have a safe winter. We also include proper refrigeration tips to avoid food borne illnesses, instructions to stop the spread of germs at work and Howie Staywell's latest YouTube video. As always, our newsletter features our Wellness Corner and the "Day in the Life of" column.
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on all the current information surrounding the Health Department. Make sure to check out the left side of our newsletter, which features our Quick Response (QR) Code. Scan it with your smartphone to get directly to our website.
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health wishes you and yours a very healthy holiday season!
Best wishes,
Nola Aigner
Public Information Officer
Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health
|
|
Happy Holidays from the
Cerro Gordo County Department of
Public Health!
|
|
LET'S GET READY FOR WINTER!!
Winter is upon us, bringing with it holiday celebrations, winter sports and yes...snow. Outdoor activities such as sledding, snowboarding, skiing or just enjoying the view of a fresh snowfall are something we might look forward to. Along with the beautiful snow we receive also comes icy walkways, driveways and roads.
During the winter, people must be cautious of the paths they are walking. Many cold weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps and porches.
To prevent falls:
- Keep your steps and walkways free of ice by using rock salt or other chemical de-icing products. Sand may also be used on walkways to reduce the risk of slipping.
- Avoid wearing high heeled shoes or boots outside. Instead wear flat shoes with slip resistant soles or snow boots that will provide you with traction.
- Purchase a pair of ice grippers for shoes to help you tread safely on ice and snow.
- Take short, flat steps. The heels and soles of your shoes should stay in contact with the ground as long as possible, providing you with the maximum surface contact.
- Remove your boots or shoes once you are inside. Snow and ice often stick to the soles and will melt almost immediately as your shoes begin to warm up. The result is a slippery surface and the risk of fall.
The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. Don't go out until the snow plow and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work. Allow extra time to reach your destination. If you must drive in less than ideal conditions, these tips may help in making sure you steer clear of the ditch:
When driving in ice and snow:
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. Allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn on your lights so your visible to other motorists.
- Don't use cruise control on icy roads.
- Be especially careful on bridges and overpasses which will freeze first.
- Don't pass snow plows or sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and the road in front of them is certain to be worse than behind.
If your wheels skid:
- Take your foot off the accelerator.
- Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go.
- If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
- If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure - you will feel the brakes pulse, which is completely normal.
If you get stuck:
- Do not spin you wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
- Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
- Use a light touch on the gas to ease your car out.
- Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
- Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels to help with traction.
- Try rocking the vehicle. Shift from forward to reverse and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
Always remember to carry a general emergency kit in your car for such situations. Things to include are: first-aid kits, warm clothes, blankets, winter boots and gloves, fully charged mobile phone and phone charger, windshield scraper, snow brush, shovel and spare container of winter-grade washer fluid.
We hope these tips help to keep you safe and healthy throughout the winter months ahead! |
|
Refrigerate, Refrigerate, Refrigerate!
Holiday parties and gatherings have already started or are just around the corner. We often overlook the importance of refrigeration. Proper refrigeration is essential to keep your family and friends protected from food borne illnesses. At room temperature, the bacterium that causes food borne illnesses can double every 20 minutes.
It's important to always make sure your refrigerator is keeping temperatures at below 40 °F. Not all refrigerators show actual temperatures, purchasing an inexpensive appliance thermometer will allow you to monitor and adjust the temperature accordingly. Make sure to purchase one for every refrigerator in your house.
Besides keeping temperatures safe, there are other refrigeration tips to keep your friends and family safe:
- Avoid "Overpacking." Cold air must circulate around refrigerated foods to keep them properly chilled.
- Wipe Up Spills Immediately. In addition to helping reduce the growth of the Listeria bacteria (which can grow at refrigerated temperatures), getting rid of spills - especially drips from thawing meats - will help prevent "cross-contamination," where bacteria from one food spreads to another.
- Keep It Covered. Store refrigerated foods in covered containers or sealed storage bags, and check leftovers daily for spoilage.
- Check Expiration Dates On Foods. If food is past its "use by" date, discard it. If you're not sure or if the food looks questionable, the simple rule is: "When in doubt, throw it out."
For more information about food safety techniques, visit www.cghealth.com
*Information provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
|
|
Howie Staywell has his own TV SHOW!
 | | Healthy Snackin' with Howie Staywell: Episode 1- Banana Burritos |
|
|
Wellness Corner
Healthy Holiday Potluck Tips
Whether it's the church social, a family cookout, a neighborhood get-together or your worksite holiday party, the menu always seems to be filled with delicious foods heavy laden with calories, fat and excess sugars. A typical potluck usually brings a plethora of pasta salads, potato salads, breads, casseroles and of course the obligatory crock pot filled with baked beans. And the dessert table doesn't get any lighter, as cobblers, chocolate chip cookies, brownies and Rice Krispy treats line the trays.
Here are a couple of tips to make your holiday potluck healthier:
- Add light mayonnaise instead of regular
- Dress your salads with reduced-fat dressing
- Use extra-lean meats, skinless poultry, limit the bacon
- Use low-fat dairy products (cheese, sour cream, etc.)
- Choose whole grain products
- Go heavy on the vegetables in your dish
- Use light Cool Whip
- Use applesauce in place of vegetable oil/butter in dessert recipes*
- Use low-fat plain yogurt in place of sour cream or cream cheese in recipes*
*Not all recipes respond well to substitutions; you may want to try it out at home first!
|
Help us promote Public Health services. Forward this electronic newsletter to your friends, family, co-workers and associates. Thank you for choosing the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health! Our Mission Statement: The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health works to optimize the health of all people in Cerro Gordo County. Our Vision Statement:
We will be the leader in making Cerro Gordo County the healthiest
county in Iowa.
Our Value Statement:
We believe in human dignity, respect for individual choices, promotion for wellness and personal safety, protection of the environment, prevention of disease and access to quality health services.
|
|
|
|
|
