After surviving two serious heart attacks in the same year, Kerry Olin realized she needed a network of support from individuals with similar stories. Through much discussion and planning, Kerry, together with another young cardiac patient and staff at Platte Valley Medical Center (PVMC), is starting a new Cardiac Support Group at the hospital beginning Wednesday, May 5, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

“The purpose of this group is to provide support to each other as we face changes in our lifestyle due to heart disease,” Kerry explains. “Come meet other cardiac patients in our community, and share your story, your concerns, your fears, and most importantly your triumphs. We will also review what we have learned in Cardiac Rehab., have guest speakers, and plan ways to spread the word to our community about heart disease.” 

The Cardiac Support Group is for anyone coping with cardiovascular disease. “I hope you will join me and others for an evening of fun and support at Platte Valley Medical Center,” Kerry explains in a letter she sends to cardiac patients. 

The Support Group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Cardiovascular Lab Waiting Room at Platte Valley Medical Center. The hospital is located at 1600 Prairie Center Parkway in Brighton.

For more information about, and to RSVP for, the Cardiac Support Group, call Kerry at 720-281-7099, or via email at kerryolin5@gmail.com.

FREE Screening and Seminar April 9

If you have varicose veins, you may be dealing with the unsightly appearance, leg fatigue, throbbing, heaviness, and aching this condition can cause. Now, with the development of a minimally invasive approach to the treatment of varicose veins, you can experience relief without the pain and disability that accompanies traditional vein surgery.

Join Michael Napierkowski, M.D. on Friday, April 9, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., for a free informative presentation about varicose veins. Attend and learn what varicose vein disease is, common symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and new minimally invasive treatment options. 

Dr. Napierkowski will also offer a free private initial screening for vein disease. Participants are asked to wear loosely-fitting clothes (shorts, sweat pants, or skirts) so they can be easily examined. Attendees are also encouraged to bring any old U.S. reports or studies they have on varicose vein disease with them.

Michael Napierkowski, M.D. is a board-certified surgeon at Platte Valley Medical Center. He specializes in varicose vein removal. To learn more about Dr. Napierkowski, visit the Find a Doctor section of the hospital’s web site: www.pvmc.org or call Rocky Mt. Surgical Associates at 303-659-5165.

The event is free, open to the public, and will be held in the conference center at Platte Valley Medical Center, 1600 Prairie Center Parkway, in Brighton. To R.S.V.P., please call 303-498-1481 or email marketing@pvmc.org.

March 31st
6 P.M. - 7 P.M.
Platte Valley Medical Center

Did you know that Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. today? In honor of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month , Platte Valley Medical Center (PVMC) is teaming up with Gastroenterologist Jennifer Moss, M.D. to present an interactive learning opportunity for area residents. The event will be held in the Conference Center at Platte Valley Medical Center on Wednesday, March 31, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Attend and learn about Colorectal Cancer & Taking Care of your Digestive Health. Dr. Moss will cover the following topics:

-Who should get screened for colon cancer?

-What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

-What do I need to know about the colonoscopy procedure?

-What are some ways to prevent colon cancer?

The evening also includes a Q&A session about taking care of your digestive health, followed by a tour of PVMC’s state-of-the-art Endoscopy Center . Refreshments and snacks will be served.

Seating is limited so RSVP today by calling (303) 498-1481 or via email to marketing@pvmc.org .

About Jennifer Moss, M.D.Dr. Moss is a gastroenterologist at Platte Valley Medical Center . She works in the office of Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates and provides general Gastroenterology and Hepatology care. She believes in providing comprehensive, compassionate care and having respect for all of her patients.
source: American Cancer Society.

Platte Valley Medical Center (PVMC) announced today that its Pediatric vaccine in Pre-Filled Syringes is not on the government recall list. PVMC received its shipment of vaccine directly from the Tri-County Health Department (THCD). In a THCD Health Alert, dated December 16, PVMC received confirmation that ‘any provider who received vaccine directly from TCHD did not receive any of the recalled products.’

If you have a child from six months to nine years of age who has received their first pediatric dose of vaccine, it is strongly recommended that they come back for their booster between three-to-four weeks of their first dose.

The next H1N1 vaccination clinic at Platte Valley Medical Center is tomorrow, December 17, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This is PVMC’s first H1N1 clinic open to the general public.

For Flu Clinic information, Click Here.

To learn more about the recall, visit the CDC website.

Platte Valley Medical Center will host its first H1N1 Vaccination Clinic for the general public on Thursday, December 17, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Center. The hospital is located at 1600 Prairie Center Parkway in Brighton.

Previous H1N1 flu clinics were restricted to individuals in priority groups defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Restrictions have been lifted and this H1N1 flu clinic is open to the general public.

The H1N1 vaccine is available in the FluMist and injectable form. Both vaccines are equally effective, yet the H1N1 FluMist is only for healthy individuals, between the ages of two and 49, with no underlying health conditions, like pregnancy, asthma, and diabetes.

The price for H1N1 vaccines is $15.00. PVMC is not billing insurance companies for this vaccine, but can provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance company.

For a list of other area clinics, visit www.immunizecolorado.com . Please continue to visit this blog www.pvmc.org/blog for updates and announcements. You can also call the hospital’s flu line at 303-498-3595 for details.

Dear Patients and Visitors,

We appreciate your patience as we experience the most unusual flu season in recent history. More people are becoming ill due to the addition of 2009 H1N1 flu, together with seasonal flu, coughs and colds.

To help avoid the spread of these infections, Platte Valley Medical Center is implementing the following visitor restrictions as recommended by the Colorado Department of Public Health*:

1. No ill visitors of any age allowed throughout the hospital, especially in the Medical/Surgical Unit, Women’s and Newborn Center, and Intensive Care Unit.

2. No more than four (4) adult visitors at a time in the Medical/Surgical Unit and Women’s and Newborn Center. Additional restrictions may be enforced in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and Special Care Nursery.

 3.  No visitors less than 12 years of age (healthy or ill), including siblings, for these reasons:

> Children are considered a high risk group for carrying the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.

> Individuals with 2009 H1N1 flu may innocently spread the virus to patients and staff because they can be contagious 24 hours prior to showing any symptoms and potentially infectious for up to seven days.  

4. Please wash your hands every time you enter and leave a patient’s room and the hospital. Use the waterless alcohol based products located throughout the hospital, or wash with soap, water, and friction for 15 seconds.

5. Get your seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines. Visit www.immunizecolorado.com or call the CO HELP line at 1-877-462-2911 for additional information.

As new flu updates are announced, they will be posted to this blog (www.pvmc.org/blog).

We acknowledge the inconvenience this may have for you; however, we ask that you respect this advisory as an important precaution in containing the effects of this potentially dangerous virus.

Sincerely, 

* Policy subject to change and exceptions may occur in certain situations.

H1N1 FLU CLINIC THIS THURSDAY, 4-8 P.M.

Platte Valley Medical Center will host an H1N1 Vaccination Clinic this Thursday, December 3, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Center. The hospital is located at 1600 Prairie Center Parkway in Brighton.

The H1N1 vaccine is available is in the FluMist and injectable form. Both vaccines are equally effective, yet the H1N1 FluMist is only for healthy individuals, between the ages of two and 49, with no underlying health conditions, like pregnancy, asthma, and diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the priority groups currently eligible to receive vaccine include:

1. Pregnant women
2. Parents, caretakers, and/or siblings of children younger than six months, including caregivers in infant rooms.
3. Children and adults six months through 24 years of age; children from six months to nine years of age will receive two doses of the vaccine – the second within 3-4 weeks of the first dose.
4. Healthcare/EMS personnel with direct patient contact.
5. People 25 through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk for influenza-related complications, including: chronic lung disease (like asthma), heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord or muscle illness that causes problems with breathing or swallowing, HIV, kidney disease, liver disease and/or blood disorders, having any disease or taking any medication affecting the immune system.
6. Individual household contacts of children under 6 months of age.

The price for H1N1 vaccines is $15.00.

As Platte Valley Medical Center receives additional vaccines, new community clinic dates will be announced. For a list of other area clinics, visit www.immunizecolorado.com. You can also call the hospital’s flu line at 303-498-3595 for details.

Symptoms

Cold

Flu

Treatment

Prevention

Complications

 (November 10, 2009 – Brighton, CO) – Platte Valley Medical Center will host an H1N1 Vaccination Clinic this Friday, November 13, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in Conference Room A. The hospital is located at 1600 Prairie Center Parkway in Brighton.

The H1N1 vaccine available this week is in the FluMist and injectable form. There are a limited number of injectable vaccines available. The hospital strongly encourages the use of the FluMist. Both vaccines are equally effective, yet the H1N1 FluMist is only for healthy individuals with no underlying health conditions, like pregnancy, asthma, and diabetes.

According to the CDC, the priority groups currently eligible to receive vaccine include:

1. Pregnant women
2. Parents, caretakers, and/or siblings of children younger than six months, including caregivers in infant rooms.
3. Children and adults six months through 24 years of age; children from six months to nine years of age will receive two doses of the vaccine – the second within 3-4 weeks of the first dose.
4. Health care personnel with direct patient contact.
5. People 25 through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk for influenza-related complications, including: chronic lung disease (like asthma), heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord or muscle illness that causes problems with breathing or swallowing, HIV, kidney disease, liver disease and/or blood disorders, having any disease or taking any medication affecting the immune system.

The price for H1N1 FluMist vaccines is $15.00.

As Platte Valley Medical Center receives additional vaccines, new community clinic dates will be announced. For a list of other area clinics, visit www.immunizecolorado.com. Please visit www.pvmc.org/blog for updates and announcements. You can also call the hospital’s flu line at 303-498-3595 for details.

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