Iowa news
Officials grateful as new Coralville VA outpatient clinic opens
An expanded Veterans Administration community-based outpatient clinic in Coralville officially opened for patient care on Monday, supplementing the primary care available from the Iowa City VA Medical Center. At 30,000 square feet, officials said the new clinic is about 7,000 square feet larger than the previous Coralville VA clinic, which first opened in 2006. And the extra space, they say, will provide more room for outpatient veterans’ health services in a variety of areas, from psychology and group therapy to suicide prevention, substance abuse treatments, marriage and family counseling, clinical pharmacy services, women’s health, lab services, physical therapy and teleretinal services. (Corridor Business Journal)
MercyOne executive named to “Women health systems CFOs to know” list
Becker’s Hospital Review named Jodie Roettger, interim chief financial officer and division vice president of finance for MercyOne, on its “Women hospital and health systems CFOs to know” list. Roettger is recognized among 182 CFOs who handle strategic financial planning, annual budgets, investments and more. Roettger was hired at MercyOne in 2019 to design a strategic financial plan and centralize financial services across the health system and became interim CFO while maintaining previous duties in 2022. She is responsible for overseeing financial operations – performance and improvement – with a focus on improving financial reporting, reducing overhead and implementing cost controls. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
North Iowa Community Health Assessment is released
North Iowans have a new way to understand the health and wellbeing of their communities. The 2024-2026 Community Health Assessment Report was created by 14 community organizations and local health departments to assess the current health status, needs and challenges facing the region. The Community Health Assessment is meant to serve as a guide to understanding the overall health status of the community, identifies existing needs and concerns and outlines priority areas. Its creators say by consolidating information and efforts in north Iowa, the assessment will reduce duplication, deliver a consistent message and create a more robust support system for those living, working and playing in their communities. It will also allow help community organizations and local health departments design more targeted interventions and pursue grant opportunities that directly benefit the community. (KIMT)
National news
CDC warns not to ‘kiss or cuddle’ your turtle amid 11-state salmonella outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned people to not “kiss or cuddle your turtle” after a salmonella outbreak linked to small turtles has sickened at least 26 people across 11 states. Public health officials announced that they are investigating a “multistate outbreak” of salmonella linked to small turtles after dozens of people have fallen ill in recent months, according to the CDC. (ABC News)
Developmental delays linked to babies with excessive screen time
Babies’ and toddlers’ access to more screen time could lead to developmental risks, according to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association of Pediatrics (JAMA) on Monday. The study, conducted by researchers in Japan looked at the amount of time 7,097 children spent on tablets, phones, watching TV, or using other technology and how it related to their corresponding mental and physical abilities as they got older. The study found that by two years old, babies who spent up to four hours per day in front of a screen were three times more likely to experience communication and problem-solving delays, while those who spent four or more hours on their devices were 5.78 times more likely to experience the same delays. They were also 1.74 times more likely to have underdeveloped fine motor skills and two times more likely to have not properly developed their personal and social skills. (Gizmodo)
95% of patients say telehealth is easiest way to get diagnoses
Telemedicine received the highest ratings when 1,000 U.S. patients were asked about the easiest way to obtain a diagnosis. Software Advice, an information services company, conducted a survey in which 95 percent of participating patients reported telehealth to be the easiest option when seeking a diagnosis. Additionally, 67 percent of the respondents rated the process as “extremely easy,” according to an Aug. 22 news release from Software Advice. (Becker’s Hospital Review)