Nevada Regional Medical Center recently earned a 5-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the highest rating a hospital can achieve. The overall star rating is based on 48 quality measures in five different categories.
To earn a 5-star rating, NRMC met or exceeded the national benchmark in all 5 categories, which include: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care.
“We are most pleased with the recent news that NRMC has been designated a 5-Star Hospital,” says Jason Anglin, NRMC’s Chief Executive Officer. “This has certainly been a team effort, as everyone has pulled together to consistently provide our patients with excellent care and quality services. Nationwide, only about 14% of hospitals achieve a 5-Star Rating.”
Nevada Regional Medical Center believes that their continued commitment to “Caring with P.R.I.D.E.” (Professionalism, Responsibility, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence) has helped them earn this prestigious 5-star rating.
About Nevada Regional Medical Center Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
CHC/SEK Fort Scott to provide walk-in mammograms July 27
FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a walk-in mammogram event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram.
The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott. Refreshments and a gift will be provided.
Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive.
Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam. A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay.
CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram.
In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong.
For more information people can call 620-223-8484.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has partnered with The Rockefeller Foundation’s public charity, RF Catalytic Capital, and Project Access to Covid Tests (Project ACT) to offer free at-home COVID-19 tests directly to Kansans in vulnerable communities. More than 2,000 Kansas families have ordered over 10,000 tests through Project ACT to date. Kansans can visit AccessCovidTests.org to check if their zip code is eligible.
Frequent testing is especially important for those with more exposure outside the home, such as kids in school or people who spend time in a group setting. By visiting AccessCovidTests.org, Kansans will be able enter their zip code to see if free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits are available in their area.
Kansans who need more support in ordering may call 866-534-3463 (866-KDHEINF).
Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients, as stated on the front door of the CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott.
FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a walk-in mammogram event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram.
The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott. Refreshments and a gift will be provided.
Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive.
Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam. A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay.
CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram.
In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong.
For more information people can call 620-223-8484.
A mental health crisis requires help from trained professionals much like any health care emergency. Starting today, Americans experiencing a mental health crisis can dial 9-8-8 to immediately speak to a trained counselor at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Just like Americans reach for their phones to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, this three-digit number for the suicide prevention lifeline can provide a life-saving call to help those struggling with mental illness.
In Kansas, suicide is tragically increasing. A recent study by the Behavioral Health Services, housed under the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), reported a 70 percent increase in suicide rates between 2000 and 2018.
These statistics represent our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. People of all ages, from all backgrounds, of all races and religions, can fall victim to struggles with mental health. Suicide and mental illness do not discriminate.
In 2019, I joined with my Senate colleagues in introducing the bipartisan National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act, legislation designating 9-8-8 as the official suicide hotline number for those seeking help to battle suicide and mental illness. The implementation of this three-digit number will be crucial to save lives and offer hope to those struggling with mental illness.
Before this legislation was implemented, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline had to be reached by dialing a 10-digit number. While that number will remain active, 9-8-8 is easier to remember and quicker to dial. For those struggling with mental illness or suicidal thoughts, 9-8-8 will provide immediate help from trained, experienced professionals who can offer resources and hope to make it through a mental health crisis.
Access to mental health care became even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Americans felt isolated and depressed, exacerbating mental health illnesses and increasing suicide rates, especially in adolescents. In 2021, concern for the emotional well-being of young adults led to the American Academy of Pediatrics declaring a state of emergency regarding child and young adult mental health.
In addition to our younger generation, another group of Americans who have suffered from increased mental illness, and who are at greatest risk of suicide, are our nation’s veterans and servicemembers. On average, around 17 veterans a day die by suicide, and the suicide rate for active-duty servicemembers has more than doubled over the past decade. Together, the suicide rate for our veterans and active-duty servicemembers is 50 percent higher than among civilians. According to the CDC, suicide rates for farmers and agriculture workers are worse than almost any other occupation.
These alarming numbers motivated Congress to act quickly and pass the National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act, providing a timely response to the current mental health crisis. This legislation was signed into law in October of 2020, and today the National Suicide Prevention Hotline goes live, making 9-8-8 the official emergency number to call in a time of mental health crisis.
This is just one step towards protecting and caring for those facing mental health challenges, but it is a significant one. This hotline creates an easily accessible avenue for those requiring immediate assistance and care.
I encourage anyone who is experiencing a mental health challenge to call 9-8-8. There is no shame in asking for help, and there is always hope even on the darkest days.
I remain committed to do all I can in Congress to develop concrete solutions for those who are struggling with mental illness and who are at risk of suicide. As we make progress to develop and promote mental health resources, I also encourage each of us to recommit ourselves to looking out for those around us. We need each other in this battle against mental illness, and the implementation of this hotline is a crucial step forward in this fight.
Sen. Moran represents Kansas in the United States Senate and authored the legislation to designate 9-8-8 as the official suicide hotline.
Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates the Launch of the 9-8-8 Mental Health Lifeline in Kansas:
Here’s What They’re Saying
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly ceremonially signed Senate Bill 19, bipartisan legislation that launches 9-8-8 as the official 24/7 three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Beginning Saturday, July 16, Kansans and all Americans can call 9-8-8 during mental health and substance abuse emergencies.
Here’s what they’re saying:
“We know we need to make it easier for Kansans to get the kind of help they need, whether they need mental health care resources, or the community needed to live with and overcome harmful substance use disorders. Just like with 9-1-1, Kansans who need someone to talk to about a mental health challenge or a substance use disorder will be able to get connected to important public resources through 9-8-8.” – Sen. Carolyn McGinn, Chair of Senate Ways & Means Human Services Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the 2021 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform
“9-8-8 will be a blessing for so many, it could mean the difference between life and death. 9-8-8 will provide hope and save lives.” – Rep. Barbara Ballard, Ranking Minority Member of the House Social Services Budget Committee and Member of the 2021 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform
“This new 9-8-8 number is an important resource to the people of Kansas whether you or a loved one use it or not. I am pleased to have worked across the aisle to ensure that we sent a bipartisan bill to the Governor’s desk that avoided any increase in cell phone fees or taxes. Health care—including mental health care and substance use treatment—is a public good that all Kansans should have access to regardless of ability to pay.” – Rep. Annie Kuether, Ranking Minority on the House Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications
“KSPHQ is proud of our 50-year history providing suicide prevention and crisis services to the people of Kansas. The 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline is a necessary innovation which will immediately connect Kansans from many backgrounds with evidence-based and lifesaving services” – Monica Kurz, Vice President for External Programming, Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters
“Kansas is joining states and territories across the nation in transition to the easy-to-remember, 3-digit number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This is a top priority for me and our entire leadership here at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).” -Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) and local Chambers across the state have created an association health plan (AHP) – Chamber Blue of Kansas. This AHP offers member businesses access to health insurance savings associated with large group medical coverage.
Join us as Andrew Gutierrez, group sales consultant at Blue Cross, discusses information about this health plan, including eligibility, benefit, and enrollment information.
KDHE has identified a presumptive positive case of monkeypox in Kansas
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), working with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, has identified a presumptive positive case of monkeypox in Kansas based on testing at the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories. This is the first presumptive positive case in Kansas.
The patient is an adult resident in Johnson County, KS who recently traveled out of state. To protect the individual’s privacy, no additional information will be shared at this time. The patient is working with KDHE to identify contacts who may have been exposed.
“The risk of monkeypox spreading in Kansas remains low,” Janet Stanek, Secretary of KDHE, said. “If you are experiencing symptoms of monkeypox illness, it’s important to stay home and contact your health care provider as soon as possible to avoid spreading the disease to others.”
In typical cases, a person may experience symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion followed by the appearance of a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that may appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body like hands, feet, chest, or genitals. However, it is important to note that not all cases will show symptoms before the onset of a rash, so KDHE strongly recommends anyone experiencing symptoms of a monkeypox-like rash with other risk factors contact their health care provider as soon as possible. Risk factors for monkeypox infection include the following scenarios within 21 days of first symptom onset:
Contact with a person or people with a similar appearing rash or who received a diagnosis of confirmed or probable monkeypox, OR
Close or intimate in-person contact with individuals in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity including meeting partners through an online website, digital app or social event, OR
Recent travel outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where Monkeypox virus is endemic, OR
Contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that is an African endemic species or used a product derived from such animals (game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)
The monkeypox vaccine is available to those with a known exposure to a confirmed monkeypox case; however, with the vaccine supply extremely limited in the United States, residents who have not been contacted by KDHE or clinic partners are not able to be vaccinated at this time. KDHE will expand eligibility as additional doses are available.
The KDHE Phone Bank is available to assist in answering general questions about monkeypox. Individuals can call 1-866-KDHEINF (534-3463) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or can email their questions.
About monkeypox
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus spreads between people primarily through direct contact with infectious lesions, scabs, body fluids, or by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread through direct contact with materials that have touched body fluids or lesions, such as clothing or linens. However, standard cleaning practices and laundering reduces spread through these materials. Individuals are considered infectious from the onset of symptoms until lesions have crusted, those crusts have separated, and a fresh layer of healthy skin has formed underneath.
The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 7 to 14 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. Initial symptoms usually include fever, fatigue, headache and enlarged lymph nodes. A rash often starts on the face and then appears on the palms, arms, legs, and other parts of the body. Over a week or two, the rash changes from small, flat spots to tiny blisters that are similar to chickenpox, and then to larger blisters. These can take several weeks to scab over and fall off. For more information about monkeypox visit the KDHE monkeypox webpage.
FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a walk-in mammogram event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram.
The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott. Refreshments and a gift will be provided.
Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive.
Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam. A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay.
CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram.
In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong.
For more information people can call 620-670-6710.
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines will now be available for Kansas Children Ages 6 Months to 6 years
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced that Kansas has adopted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) authorization for administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 6 years old.
“The vaccine remains the best way to protect from serious illness. This important development will help keep children safe and stop the spread of COVID-19,” Janet Stanek, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “We encourage all parents or guardians of eligible Kansans to discuss this with their healthcare provider or the medical professional at the location where you receive care about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot.”
These vaccines have undergone clinical trials specifically for people ages for children ages 6 months to 6 years old to determine that the vaccine is safe, effective and appropriately dosed to minimize possible side effects.
The two vaccines are expected to arrive later this week to Kansas providers, at that time children ages 6 months to 6 years old will be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from a large network of vaccine providers across Kansas, including doctor’s offices, retail pharmacies, local health departments, and clinics.
In addition, many community partners and schools may also offer the COVID-19 vaccine for Kansas children. Information on locations offering vaccines for children ages 6 months to 6 years old will be available at vaccines.gov, and we recommend calling your local provider to confirm availability as well.
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018. It currently houses Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, and I AM Rehab.
In December 2018, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed its’ doors.
Following this, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas reopened a medical clinic at the site at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. and Ascension Via Christi Hospital opened an emergency department, sharing a portion of the former hospital.
They both have leases until December 2022.
Noble Health Corporation entered the picture in 2021.
They completed a feasibility study for the Bourbon County Commission for reopening a hospital.
The City of Fort Scott contributed $200,000, the county contributed $800,000 towards the feasibility study, according to the contract that was signed June 25, 2021. The local government entities used American Rescue Plan money from the federal government for the project, according to Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth in a prior interview with fortscott.biz.
A prior feasibility assessment by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas had helped that health care system to make the decision to move to a different building, Krista Postai, CEO and President of CHC/SEK said.
In an interview with her, Postai was asked to compare the Noble Health Assessment to the CHC Assessment that was completed after CHC moved into the former Mercy Hospital building in 2018.
“We have a very comprehensive, detailed report county-by-county that has all the data one needs to make an informed decision on services, location, etc.,” she said. “We also have a strategic plan that is updated annually that maps out where we’re going, new services, etc. Prior to accepting Mercy’s offer to take their clinics, we had already prioritized Ft. Scott because we had almost 2,000 patients from Bourbon County which is enough to justify a site.”
“There was nothing new in Noble’s report that we already didn’t know or hadn’t already been discussed, including the rural emergency hospital concept that Ascension had always planned on pursuing if feasible,” she said. “In fact, much of our data is more current (2021) although, unfortunately, southeast Kansas isn’t getting healthier or wealthier so changes over the last 20 years have been minimal.”
Ascension Via Christ medical system brought an emergency department back to Fort Scott following Mercy Hospital’s closure and shares part of the former Mercy Hospital building with CHC.
“When we first agreed to transition Mercy’s clinic in the hospital over to us, Mercy indicated we had two years to find another location,” she said. “It was their belief that the building would ultimately be demolished unless we wanted to assume responsibility for it.”
“We sliced and diced all the costs based on actual operational data that Mercy supplied us and factored in roof replacement, the chillers and the boilers….all the things that were nearing the end of their useful life,” Postai said. “We also visited with multiple organizations about their interest in leasing space on a long-term basis that would cover the cost to operate and maintain it.”
“At that point, the county opted to present a counter proposal to Ascension at a much lower price per sq. ft. that would require the county to subsidize it, which they indicated they were willing to do. It seemed wise at that point to step back and let the county take the lead since emergency services was their priority.”
Decision to Move to Another Site
“Concerned about the ongoing costs of maintaining the building – and wanting a more efficient design plus a drive-in pharmacy, plus more diagnostic equipment and space to expand behavioral health services — we begin laying plans to move….and approached the Price Chopper owners about their building,” Postai said. “At that time, the asking price was way too high for us, so we asked Mercy for land on which to build which is how we got the eight acres behind the hospital. As we began design on a new building, the Price Chopper price dropped and we agreed it would be faster to renovate….and it was an ideal location. As we calculated, it was more financially feasible to own the building and make loan payments than it was to pay rent on space in a building with an uncertain future.”
The Price Chopper building, 2322 S. Main, is currently being remodeled into a health care clinic by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
Teri Hulsey, 53, is the new Bourbon County Emergency Medical Services Director as of May 1, 2022.
She had previously worked 11 years at Mercy Hospital until the unit became Bourbon County EMS.
Hulsey and her husband Shannon have four children and nine grandchildren.
In her spare time she volunteers at Kansas Rock Recreation Park.
The following is with an interview with fortscott.biz:
Why did you pursue your career?
“I chose this career to give back to my community and for the opportunity to be an influence to others.”
What will your duties be in this new role?
“To be a leader for the EMS department, to oversee all employees and the responsibilities of those employees, scheduling, billing, and filling the void with shift coverage when needed. Also, hiring and maintaining full rostered staff.”
How many EMS personnel are there?
“There are nine full time and 10 part time employees.”
Teri Hulsey’s office is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd,
Fort Scott, KS. 66701 and can be reached at 620.644.7951.
EMS Agreement
Dave Bruner, the former director, was a part of the Fort Scott Fire Department, and was employed by the city.
“EMS is under the county governorship, with Susan Bancroft’s oversight,” Fort Scott City Manager Kelley Zellner said. Bancroft works for both the city and county as the financial director.
On May 1, 2022, the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County governments signed an agreement that the county will work with, and compensate the city, for dispatch services and an EMS truck operated by the Fort Scott Fire Department. The city agreed to continue maintenance of the EMS vehicles and allow Bourbon County EMS to fuel their EMS vehicles at the city’s fuel pump and then turn in a bill to the county for these services.
