Community health workers (CHW) are creating positive health outcomes and relieving workforce pressures across South Dakota. These frontline public health workers are often trusted members of the population or community. This natural and common connection enables CHWs to engage communities and health/social service systems to improve the quality and cultural competence of services. The valueContinueContinue reading “Best Practice for Positive Outcomes and Workforce Relief: Community Health Workers”
Author Archives: sfredenbsdfmc
March 8 Office Hours: Germs Can Live in Dirt
Project Firstline Office HoursGerms Can Live in DirtMarch 8, 2023, at 11:00 AM Central Office Hours Registration South Dakota Project Firstline hosts a monthly Office Hours for all healthcare workers to learn and share infection control best practices. Held on the second Wednesday of each month, SD PFL team members cover a new topic eachContinueContinue reading “March 8 Office Hours: Germs Can Live in Dirt”
Care Connections Best Practice Brief Series
Improving care connections provides a balance of care services and resources that improves overall health. While most individuals work to avoid the emergency department others consider it a source of primary health care. Neglecting routine and preventive care services increases the risk for health complications or crisis situations. Overuse of emergency services places a burdenContinueContinue reading “Care Connections Best Practice Brief Series”
Health Care Conversation Hits Home in Chamberlain
Community members continue to make themselves heard about priority health issues at Community Conversations hosted by the South Dakota Department of Health. Facilitated by the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC), these events provide an opportunity to gather feedback on overall community health, areas of concern, and methods being used to improve health. ContinueContinue reading “Health Care Conversation Hits Home in Chamberlain”
“Chain of Survival” Saves Lives in Cardiac Ready Communities
Some find their hearts beating fasters and others find their hearts broken as they face Valentine’s Day each February. The holiday and corresponding American Heart Month are a consistent reminder of the impact of cardiovascular disease on South Dakotans. As the long-standing leading cause of death in South Dakota, many cardiac events happen in theContinueContinue reading ““Chain of Survival” Saves Lives in Cardiac Ready Communities”
New Certification Enhances SDFMC Infection Prevention Expertise
Focused on creating a culture of universal infection prevention practices, two South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC) team members are among the first in the nation to receive long-term care certification in infection prevention (LTC-CIP). This new certification joins existing offerings from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC), which include certifiedContinueContinue reading “New Certification Enhances SDFMC Infection Prevention Expertise”
Making Room for More Voices in Huron
The meeting room at the Huron Public Library required more tables and chairs for those who came to make themselves heard on improving health care in the community. Hosted by the South Dakota Department of Health, the Community Conversation is the first of four events and a step toward developing a State Health Assessment andContinueContinue reading “Making Room for More Voices in Huron”
Danko Shares Infection Prevention Expertise
SD Project Firstline Office Hours, Wednesday, February 8 Infection prevention practices are needed every day in every healthcare encounter. South Dakota Project Firstline (SD PFL) provides education and training on infection prevention to protect those who enter or work in a healthcare environment. Monthly office hours are hosted the second Wednesday of each month andContinueContinue reading “Danko Shares Infection Prevention Expertise”
Vaccination Provides Safer More Reliable Protection
Vaccination is a proven method for preventing the spread of infectious disease. Staying current on immunizations is important at every age and reduces the risk of becoming infected or experiencing complications. The South Dakota Foundation for Medical (SDFMC), in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Health, is working with community-based and faith-based organizations toContinueContinue reading “Vaccination Provides Safer More Reliable Protection”
Best Practice Briefs: Reducing Health Disparities
Imagine bare cupboards, an empty gas tank, and a pile of past due bills. Pile on a chronic physical or mental health condition that requires time off work or expensive medication. Then add a language or cultural barrier. This is a daily reality for some individuals living in rural communities across the Dakotas. Connecting individualsContinueContinue reading “Best Practice Briefs: Reducing Health Disparities”