National Cholesterol Education Month

National Cholesterol Education Month

  September is National Cholesterol Education Month, this is a great time to remind your patient’s to check their blood cholesterol and take the necessary steps to lower it if it is high. This is also a good time to educate about lipid profiles and food and...
A Healthy Heart Helps Keep the Mind from Cognitive Decline

A Healthy Heart Helps Keep the Mind from Cognitive Decline

 On September 13, Reuters reported that exercising, eating healthy foods and not smoking also helps protect the brain from cognitive decline and dementia, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association. In a recent issue of the...
Prepare Now for Flu Season – Long-Term Care Resources

Prepare Now for Flu Season – Long-Term Care Resources

Now is the time to plan to ensure that 100 percent of your staff have received the flu vaccine before flu seasons starts. The CDC recommends vaccinations by the end of October 2017. Click here for more information on 2017 recommendations. Resources for Long-Term Care...

Get Ahead of Sepsis. Time Matters.

September is Sepsis Awareness Month On August 31, the CDC launched Get Ahead of Sepsis, an educational initiative that emphasizes the importance of sepsis early recognition and timely treatment, as well as the importance of preventing infections that could lead to...
Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes

Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes

  WebEx: The Million Hearts® Toolbox for Hypertension Control September 21, 2017 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm (CT) Because it is uncontrolled among almost 50 percent of hypertensive patients, high blood pressure continues to be a national issue. What is your...
Progress has Slowed in Preventing Stroke Deaths

Progress has Slowed in Preventing Stroke Deaths

This month, CDC Vital Signs focuses on stroke and a troubling new trend: After decades of decline, progress has slowed in preventing stroke deaths.  Almost 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year and more than 140,000 die as a result. Although we,...
Encouraging and Communicating the Value of Immunization

Encouraging and Communicating the Value of Immunization

Originally printed in the South Dakota Medicine Journal, August 2017. Stephan Schroeder, MD, CMQ, CMD Medical Director, South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care The decision-making process for adult immunization can be complex in how it affects both providers and...
Share Family History to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

Share Family History to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

Families share most everything, from the leftovers in the refrigerator to their very DNA. Understanding family health history can prevent colorectal cancer and save a life.  Risk factors, screening options and family health history all impact decisions related to the...
September is Healthy Aging® Month

September is Healthy Aging® Month

  Healthy Aging® Month is an annual observance designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. The mission is to encourage local level Healthy Aging® events that promote taking personal responsibility for one’s health…physically,...
Making Medication Safety a Top Priority

Making Medication Safety a Top Priority

Medication reconciliation has always been a problematic process for a variety of reasons. Patients visit multiple providers and pharmacies and they may take over the counter and herbal medications unbeknownst to their providers. An accurate medication history requires...