Iowa news
Polk County health officials say hospitals are still operating at limited capacity
Polk County officials say local hospital emergency departments continue to experience incredibly long wait times. That’s because of a high demand for beds, staffing shortages, an increase in summertime illnesses and injuries, and sick patients who need longer care. Officials say those not experiencing a life- or limb-threatening emergency are encouraged to reach out to their provider. (Iowa Public Radio)
Hartley clinic services to transition to Spencer Hospital
The family medicine clinic in Hartley’s Community Memorial Health Center will transfer operations from MercyOne to Spencer Hospital later this summer. The clinic will be managed by Spencer Hospital in collaboration with Avera Medical Group Spencer. Hartley Family Care will offer local family medical care to the community as well as laboratory, diagnostic imaging and physical therapy services. An opening date has not been finalized. Bill Bumgarner, Spencer Hospital president said, “Spencer Hospital understands the trust that the citizens of Hartley and O’Brien County have placed in us. As a rural health care provider, we realize the value of local access to quality medical services. We look forward to serving the people of Hartley and surrounding communities, which includes dozens of our own employees.” (KIWA)
Allen College receives $1.2M grant to support rural health
Allen College has been selected to receive $1,224,179 in grant funding to be dispersed over a three-year period beginning Oct. 1. The program is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Program and will allow Allen College to start a Rural Student Success Program. The program will benefit rural high school students, their support systems, rural health care employers and institutions of higher education within 50 miles of Waterloo. Additionally, the program will aim to increase rural partnerships and community engagement, expand and enhance rural student support services and provide financial assistance specifically for students from rural areas. These long-term initiatives will lead to an increase in rural student enrollment, retention and completion and result in more qualified health care personnel in the workforce for years to come. (Allen College)
National news
COVID-19 deaths to rise through June, CDC forecasts
COVID-19 deaths will likely increase nationwide through the end of the month, CDC modeling suggests. The nation’s seven-day daily death average was 306 as of June 10, up 18.6% from the previous week’s average. The agency’s ensemble COVID-19 forecast from 20 modeling groups suggests this trend will continue, with 1,600 to 4,200 new deaths likely reported in the week ending July 2, which translates to a daily total of 228.5 to 600 deaths. This tally would bring the nation’s total COVID-19 death tally to a range of 1,014,000 to 1,028,000. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
AHA-supported bill would direct GAO to study travel nursing industry
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., has introduced AHA-supported legislation that would direct the Government Accountability Office to study the travel nursing industry’s business and payment practices, including their impact on workforce shortages and potential price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. (American Hospital Association)
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s launches Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Center for Brain Health Equity has announced the first-of-its-kind Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship, with initial awards to 12 African American and Latino nurses from as fellows. With African American and Latino people disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s, the fellowship program is designed to improve brain health and Alzheimer’s disease knowledge, cultivate leadership and promote conversations across a national network of nurses and experts working at the intersections of brain health, public health and health equity. (Business Record)