Individuals facing tax penalties for not having health insurance in 2014 still have a chance to sign up for coverage through the healtcare marketplace. Enrolling between now and April 30 will ensure they avoid additional fees when filing their 2015 taxes. Learn more about that process during a “MDwise Health Benefits Connection” event today at IU Health Starke Hospital. Continue reading
IU Health La Porte and Starke Hospitals Announce Exclusive Negotiations With CHS Subsidiary
IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals may partner with Community Health Systems, Inc. to strengthen the health care needs of the area. The IU Health LaPorte Hospital Board has entered into exclusive negotiations with a CHS subsidiary and IU Health, according to a news release sent late Monday afternoon. Final details will be worked out during a due diligence period. The proposed limited liability company will include IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals and all related entities, including physician practices. Continue reading
IU Health LaPorte, Starke Hospitals Name New CNO
IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty has an additional title. He was recently named the chief nursing officer of IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals, effective immediately. Felty has served as interim CNO since November of 2014. A chief nursing officer oversees the entire nursing department and ensures that patient-care, clinical and staffing standards are met. Continue reading
IU Health Respiratory Therapist Discusses COPD Symptoms, Treatment
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is one of the leading health conditions in Starke County. IU Health Starke Hospital Respiratory Therapist Brittany Ward says smoking is the biggest contributing factor, but environmental and occupational triggers can also cause COPD. It has two components — chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Patients can have one or both. Ward says emphysema is more common in smokers. Continue reading
IU Health Starke Hospital Seeks Community Health Needs Input
Officials at IU Health Starke Hospital want input from members of the community as to the health needs that need to be met. Members of the public are invited to complete a brief online survey, which can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/inhealthneedssurvey. This is a first step to developing new programming. Additional information will be gathered through targeted focus groups later this year. Examples of successful programs developed as a result of these sorts of initiatives are the regional Women’s Fair and numerous other free screenings and other events held throughout the year. A link to the survey is also posted on the hospital’s home page at iuhealth.org/starke.
IU Health Surgeon Discusses Colon Health
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. It’s also one of the most treatable if caught early through preventive screenings like colonoscopies. Dr. Mangalore J. Subba Rao is a general surgeon at IU Health Starke Hospital. He says many people avoid the outpatinet procedure because they fear pain. He says patients are given IV sedation and often don’t realize the procedure is going on until it is finished.
The preparation required before the procedure is also a deterrent for some people. Subba Rao admits some of the bowel preps taste bad and are expensive but says he offers his patients a less costly, better tasting option. Continue reading
Enroll Now for Freedom from Smoking Classes
If you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, you will soon have a program to help you stay smoke-free, presented by IU Health Starke Hospital, Moving Starke County Forward and Porter-Starke Services.
Cindy Reister, who is an American Lung Association-trained facilitator, will lead eight small group sessions to help participants get personalized attention to quit smoking. Evaluation studies show that individuals, who participate in small group sessions like this Freedom from Smoking Clinic, are more likely to stay smoke-free one year later than those who try to quit on their own.
IU Health Starke Hospital Opens Warming Shelter
Single digit temperatures pose a threat to health and safety. IU Health Starke Hospital is open as a warming shelter. Anyone needing that service can check in at the registration desk. Food may be purchased in the cafeteria, and patients who take medications will need to bring their own. Continue reading
IU Health Starke Hospital Opens Warming Shelter
Single digit temperatures pose a threat to health and safety. IU Health Starke Hospital is open as a warming shelter. Anyone needing that service can check in at the registration desk. Food may be purchased in the cafeteria, and patients who take medications will need to bring their own. Continue reading
Visitation Restrictions in Place at Local Hospitals
Visitor restrictions are now in place at IU Health Starke Hospital and at IU Health LaPorte Hospital to help prevent the spread of the flu.
An increasing number of flu cases have been reported in the entire state and the policy is in place at many IU-based hospitals statewide.
IU Health Starke and LaPorte hospitals are allowing healthy adults aged 18 and older to visit patients in the hospital. Only two people may visit with a patient at a time. Parents are urged to refrain from bringing children to the hospital as visitors this flu season.
Starke County Council to Discuss Funds for Body Storage
Starke County Coroner-Elect Adam Gray will talk to the Starke County Council about funds for body storage when they meet this evening. Gray is the first non-funeral director to be elected coroner in several years. In the past, the funeral directors have used their facilities to store bodies until they are claimed. Continue reading
Starke County Coroner-Elect Opts to Wait on Morgue Space
Plans to build a morgue in Starke County are on hold. Coroner-Elect Adam Gray advised the county commissioners he will use the facilities at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth as necessary for body identification and storage. Should an autopsy be necessary, Gray says bodies will be taken directly to the site where that examination will be done. Continue reading
Charges Anticipated in Stabbing Incident
A stabbing victim is now in serious condition at an area trauma center after an encounter early Sunday morning.
Knox City Police officers were called to IU Health Starke Hospital where 28-year-old Brandon Davidson was admitted after suffering a single stab wound, according to police. He was initially listed in critical condition.
Police have identified a suspect and formal charges are expected to be filed soon. Officers did not elaborate on the details of the incident as the investigation is ongoing.
Knox Police Investigating Stabbing
Officers from the Knox City Police Department are looking for information regarding an alleged stabbing that occurred early Sunday morning.
IU Health Starke Hospital officials called the police department after a man came into the facility with a single stab wound, according to police. The victim, whose name has not been released, was transferred to an area trauma center in critical condition.
There has not been an arrest in this case, but police are seeking information regarding this incident. Call (574) 772-4122 to report an anonymous tip.
Health Insurance Marketplace Workshops Scheduled at IU Health Starke Hospital
Enrollment in health plans offered through the Affordable Care Act is under way. Informational meetings are scheduled at IU Health Starke Hospital in the coming weeks to help navigate plan options. Participants can find out if insurance rates will be lower based on income and compare different options side-by-side. Several certified navigators will be on hand to answer questions and help prospective enrollees pick plans. On-site enrollment will also be available. Continue reading
IU Health LaPorte Hospital Launches Strategic Partnership Website
IU Health LaPorte Hospital has a new website to share information with the public about the ongoing search for an additional partner. The site will also solicit input from community members on the future of health care in Starke and LaPorte Counties. Hospital officials say the website will provide frequent updates about the process.
Members of the IU Health LaPorte Hospital Board of Directors are seeking an additional partner to help the two Northwest Indiana hospitals thrive with a broader network, improved facilities, and a strong strategy that is more ready to respond to tomorrow’s healthcare challenges in this part of the state.
The website features quite a bit of background information about the process, including a “fact check” page where questions and rumors can be submitted anonymously and addressed. Continue reading
Knox City Police Department Conduct Death Investigation
The death of a Knox man is under investigation.
Knox City Police Department officers were called to a residence on south Main Street in Knox on Thursday where a 23-year-old man was found in cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated on the victim by the officers until paramedics arrived on the scene.
The victim, identified as Nicholas Harmon, was transported to IU Health Starke Hospital in Knox, according to a news release from the Knox City Police Department. He was subsequently airlifted to Memorial Hospital of South Bend where he later died.
IU Health Staff Ready to Protect against Ebola
No patients at IU Health Starke Hospital or at IU Health LaPorte Hospital have been diagnosed or treated for Ebola, but the staff is taking steps to protect patients, visitors, team members and the community at large.
As part of the state’s largest academic medical center, IU Health will network with professionals to help prepare and to protect the community, caregivers and patients.
Three Injured in U.S. 30 Accident
Three people were injured in a traffic accident on U.S. 30 at Knoll Brothers in Starke County this morning.
Starke County deputies conducted an investigation and found that a semi truck pulled out of the truck stop headed west on U.S. 30 when a driver in an SUV traveling in the same direction rear-ended the semi, according to witness accounts released in a news release by the sheriff’s department. The SUV rolled on its side. The SUV was pulling a wood chipper at the time of the accident. The semi was stopped four-tenths of a mile west of the scene on U.S. 30.
IU Health Starke Hospital Named Chamber Business of the Year
IU Health Starke Hospital’s commitment to the community has earned them the honor of being named 2015 Business of the Year by the Starke County Chamber of Commerce. The formal award will be presented on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the chamber’s annual dinner. Continue reading
