Health Information Management, or medical coding, is one of the little known but most important aspects of health care. Medical coders ensure all details from a patient’s medical documents are accurate. This ensures any billing and record keeping is also correct. The medical coding staff for CCMH includes Carmen Schuett, Laura Gross, Ana Garcia Patino, Dixie Janssen, and Tracy Kastner. Listen as they discuss the ins-and-outs of their positions and the skills it takes to be a medical coder.

To address the on-going shortage of healthcare professionals, apprenticeships are a new concept in developing the next group of nurses, technicians, and healthcare professionals. Kathy Leggett, Business Engagement Liaison with Iowa Workforce Development, discusses the programs the state of Iowa is evaluating for this purpose. She also discusses how non-traditional students can use apprenticeships to launch a new career in healthcare. For more infomation, email [email protected].

April is Donate Life Month, a time to educate about organ, eye and tissue donation. It’s also an opportunity to honor and remember donors and the lives they have saved and healed. Madelyn Clark, Donor Relations Representative from the Iowa Donaor Network, discusses her work with organ donations, who qualifies to be an organ donor, and how to make sure others know you are an organ donor. To learn more, go online to the Iowa Donor Network or call 855−431−9844.

There are numerous challenges in healthcare today including workforce shortages, financial strain on patients and providers, patient access, and cybersecurity to name a few. Trama Vetter, Director of Clinic Services, discusses these challenges and others including patient care. To learn more, or to make an appointment at the CCMH Medical Clinic, go online or call 712-265-2700.

Healthcare careers at CCMH begin with the Human Resources department. Macy Waldemar-Webb, Director of Human Services, discusses the current environment for healthcare careers both in the US and in Iowa. She also talks about the current openings available at CCMH in clinical and non-clinical departments. Those wishing to learn more about healthcare careers at CCMH can go online or call 712-265-2500.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Richard Malyszek, General Surgeon at CCMH, discusses what colorectal cancer is and how it can be prevented. Dr. Rick also talks about the frequency of colorectal cancer diagnosis, diet and exercise, and colonoscopy. To arrange a consultation with Dr. Rick, go online or call the CCMH Medical Clinic at 712-265-2700.

A Community Health Needs Assessment, or CHNA Plan, is a requirement of the Affordable Care Act which passed into law in 2012. Brandi Ruskell,Marketing and Development Coordinator for CCMH, says the CHNA Plan must be completed and posted to the CCMH website every three years. To determine the health needs of a community, three avenues for feedback are utilized: a community survey, external or public focus groups, and internal focus groups. For those wishing additional informaion, Ruskell can be contacted by emailing to [email protected].

A blood draw, or phlebotomy, is typically one of the first experiences people have within the medical system. Roughly 90 percent of all diagnoses for illness or disease come from lab tests on blood samples. Jocelyn Moran, Lab Assistant at CCMH, discusses the process for a blood draw, the most common sites used to draw samples, and what patients can do to help make blood draws a better experience.

The CCMH Construction Project is now in its seventh month. Matt Foster, Project Manager for Graham Construction, discusses what has been completed for the project so far, and what comes up next. Foster also issues reminders about safety around the construction site, and how Graham Construction and its trade partners are working to keep noise, dust and odors to a minimum. Additional constuction updates can be found at ccmhia.com.

The CCMH Specialty Clinic holds 40 different clinics each month from a variety of medical specialties. This includes cardiology, ophthalmology, urology, podiatry, and many others. Hannah Vary, CCMH Specialty Clinic Nurse Lead, discusses the differences between standard clinic appointments versus specialty clinic appointments. She also discusses the need for referrals, how health insurance works with the specialty clinic providers, and potential cost differences. For more information on the Specialty Clinic, its providers, or to make an appointment, call 712-265-2600.