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| Electro Cardiogram Event Monitoring at MCMC has improved through partnership |
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Cardiopulmonary Services at Mecosta County Medical Center is pleased to have an unlimited amount of heart monitors available to patients through an arrhythmia event monitoring company called LifeWatch.
"By partnering with LifeWatch, we will eliminate waiting timesmake monitoring easier for those that might have difficulty using previous monitors such as children or the elderly," says Cardiopulmonary Services Manager Tim Becker.
A LifeWatch technician is on-site 24-hours a day, 7-days a week monitoring all patient transmissions. These state-of-the-art monitors will autotrigger on atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and tachycardia, while maintaining the capability to record patient activated events as well. "Monitors from the past worked in such a way that patients had to push a button on the monitor to record heart inconsistencies, allowing those interpreting the tests to find problems according to the patient's guess. Now patients can rely on the autotrigger event monitors to provide earlier and more complete arrhythmia detection," says Becker.
LifeWatch has the capability of sending monitors directly to the homes of patients who are unable to come in to the hospital for a setup. A person's physician will refer the test, and an appointment can be scheduled from their office. A patient will meet with their doctor after the test results are complete. LifeWatch will also notify a physician's office or the on-call physician 24-hours a day when a patient transmits a recording that meets specific criteria - working closely with EMS in case of an emergency.
ECG monitoring is reimbursed by Medicare and most insurance companies, and there's no increased cost billed to insurance companies for using this new service. For more information, call Tim Becker at (231) 592-4336.
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| April Is Youth Sports Safety Month |
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Our Local Sports Physicals:
Physicians and Allied Health Staff from MHS offer low-cost ($5 donation to the BR Sports Boosters) Sports Physical Screening Exams to students of Big Rapids Public Schools, St. Mary's, St. Peter's, Crossroads Charter Academy, and MHS/MCMC employee's children. Location is at MHS in the Medical Arts Building. Please sign-up at your schools.
Boys Exams - Wed., May 2 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Girls Exams - Wed., May 30 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
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On-line Sports Safety Course:
P.R.E.P.A.R.E. is a comprehensive, online sports safety course for those who need basic sports safety education. It covers everything from minor injuries, such as blisters, nose bleeds and ankle sprains, to life-threatening situations, including head and neck injuries. The course, which is available online at www.Sportssafety.org, there is a cost and takes approximately three hours to complete. It focuses on the basics of: emergency planning; heat and cold illnesses;
emergency recognition; medical considerations; principles of first aid; head, neck and facial injuries; and warm-up and cool down.
The flexibility of online learning allows participants to complete the course at their own pace. The NCSS (National Center for Sports Safety) is also establishing a network of health care professionals, including physicians and certified athletic trainers, who can teach the hands-on course in a group setting classroom. Children can always benefit physically and socially from sporting activities and from team sports, but it is also necessary to make sure their play is fun, rewarding and injury-free.
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