More than healthcare...it's lifecare in your home.
Providing comprehensive, cost-effective care for all stages of life through out-patient services such as in-home skilled nursing services, home care supportive services, hospice services and public health services. Our state certified public health nurses work with your physician to continue treatment started in the hospital or nursing home and provide you with Medicare certified in-home nursing care.
In July 1994, Public Health, Home Health and Hospice services merged with the hospital and became Community Health Services which expanded hospital and health services to patient homes and businesses. Due to this merger, additional offering of the hospital included immunization clinics, school nursing services, professional nursing services in the patient’s home including hospice, maternal/child care services, and health and educational classes.
Community Health Services are here to provide you with comprehensive personalized care you deserve, in your own home.
Community Health Services
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Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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Fax
712.852.5513
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Assisted Transportation
Car or wheelchair van available for appointments in Palo Alto County.
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Tobacco Free Campus
Smoking inside and outside on any hospital grounds is not allowed.
Community Health Services
Home Health Services
- Medicare Certified In-Home Nursing Care
- Home Infusion Therapy
- Patient Education
- Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Services
Maternal/Child Health Services
- Immunization Clinics
- Home Visits to New & Expectant Moms
- Prenatal/Childbirth Classes
- Growing Healthy Kids Program, a Partnership with Early Childhood North Central Iowa
- Stork's Closet
- Child Passenger Safety Education & Car Seat Checks
Health Promotions
- Communicable Disease Prevention
- Influenza and COVID Vaccines
- Family & Individual Health Education
Home Care Aide/ Homemaker Services
- Assistance in Personal Care Needs
- Light Housekeeping
- Some Shopping Needs
Hospice
- Care for Terminally Ill Patient & Family
- Respite Care for Caregivers
Community Health Improvement Plan
- Current Priority Issues: Access to Care, Early Childhood Issues and Housing
- Take Our Survey
Palo Alto County Resources Page
Public Health Information
Public Health services are provided in Palo Alto County under the direction of the Palo Alto County Board of Health and Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors.
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Agency Administrator
Sarah Strohman
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Board of Health Chair
Julie Nelson
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Board of Supervisors Chair
Referrals:
Referrals to Community Health Services can be made by anyone who sees a health need.
- Available to Everyone
- Medicare & Medicaid Approved
- Staff Available 24/7
- Accepts Most National and State Health Insurance Plans
For more information contact Sarah Strohman, Director of Community Health, Hospice and Public Health via email at strohmas@mercyhealth.com, or Palo Alto County Community Health Services at 712-852-5419.
Community Health & Hospice Providers
ENd of life care
Hospice of Palo Alto County
Hospice services are provided for terminally ill patients and their families. A team, consisting of a medical director, nurses, social worker, clergy and volunteers, provide comfort and care for the family and patient. The emphasis is to allow terminally ill patients to live their remaining time in the comfort of their own home with their family, while providing support services to both the patient and family member.
Services of Hospice include:
- Care provided in your home, whether that is residential, nursing facility or assisted/independent living
- In-hospital care for symptom management and respite care
- Skilled, compassionate visits from the hospice nurse, home health aides and other members of the hospice team
- Management of physical symptoms of illness
- Training and support for loved ones and caregivers
- Emotional support and counseling for the patient and family
- Physical, occupational, speech and massage therapy
- Specially trained volunteers for companionship and assistance
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Bereavement services following the loss of a loved one
The Hospice Room
Although 90% of hospice care is delivered in the home setting, which can include care in the nursing home, patients sometimes meet criteria for hospital admission for short-term care. Palo Alto County Hospital has a specially designed Hospice room equipped for the comfort of the Hospice patient and their family. A sofa bed for overnight stay by a support person is available in the room as well as other comforts of home.
- Provide the patent and family with the home-like environment during the hospital stay.
- Special accommodations are made for the comfort of the family.
- Hospice staff continue to visit the patient, and work together with the hospital staff to maintain continuity in the plan of care.
- Hospital staff provide the direct care for the patient.
- Use of the Hospice room is subject to the availability of the room at the time of admission.
The Hospice room may be used for:
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Acute Care
Symptom management requiring ongoing assessment and frequent adjustments in the plan of care or for symptoms not responding to interventions attempted in the home care setting.
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Respite
To provide relief for the caregiver by providing care for the patient in an inpatient setting. It is for short-term care only, usually five days or less.
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Final Care
To provide final care for patients who are unable to remain at home during the last days of life.
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Special Circumstances
Other special circumstances are considered on an individual basis.
Payment for Hospice Room
Medicare, Medicaid, and some insurance companies will pay for services provided in the hospital’s hospice room. Deductibles and copayments may apply. Hospice staff will discuss any financial responsibilities you may have before finalizing arrangement with the hospital.
Hospice
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Department Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Saturdays - Hospital Inpatient Treatment
On Call 24/7 -
Fax
712.852.5513