Huron Regional Medical Center

Whooping Cough Vaccines Protect Us All Compassion on Wheels The Comfort Care Project began in late 2015 with the support of the HRMC Foundation and several stakeholders, including HRMC Hospice. The central component is a cart stocked with items selected to impart a measure of respite during some of life's most difficult moments. "We have an opportunity to prioritize comfort and connection at the end of life when a patient or family has chosen to allow natural death," says Pat Woolridge, RN, MSN, MHA, emergency department (ED) director at HRMC. "The Comfort Care Project allows us to provide families the tools and supplies they need as they go through a significant transition in their lives." The Comfort Care Project cart includes: • a Bible • volunteer-made quilts and prayer blankets • CD player and soothing music • children's toys • coloring books • flameless candles • information about the natural dying process, grief and support resources • plain notecards, pens, notepads and stamps With pertussis, or whooping cough, cases in South Dakota up from 67 in 2013 to 110 in 2014, vaccinations are more important than ever. "More than 80 percent of non-immunized family members in the house with a child who has pertussis will develop the infection," says Erica Gillette, MD, a family medicine physician at Huron Clinic. "That's why proper immunization and care during the illness are so important." The single most effective control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community. There are two types of pertussis vaccine: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis). Parents, grandparents and caregivers should check with their Pictured with the cart are Karen Springer, MSW, social worker, and Kleinsasser, who introduced the project to HRMC. Project team members not pictured are Woolridge, Amy Goergen, RN, Karen Decker, RN, Valerie Toews, RN, and Mary Jo Gortmaker, food service director. A new initiative at Huron Regional Medical Center brings items of support and solace to hospitalized, terminally ill patients and their families. healthcare provider to ensure the following guidelines are met: • Children should receive DTaP vaccine at 2, 4, 6 and 15 through 18 months of age and between 4 and 6 years of age. • Adolescents 11 to 12 years of age should receive a single dose of Tdap vaccine. • Adults who have not received a Tdap vaccine or for whom vaccine status is unknown should receive a dose of Tdap followed by a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years thereafter. • Women should receive a dose of Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy (preferred during 27 to 36 weeks gestation) regardless of previous vaccination. "Because whooping cough can be life-threatening for infants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and adults who come into contact with kids stay up-to-date on pertussis vaccines," says Dr. Gillette. "I also recommend that everyone who will care for a newborn check their vaccination status and update it before delivery." For more information on contacting Dr. Gillette or other healthcare providers on staff at Huron Regional Medical Center, visit www.huronregional.org/find-a-doc. "Family and friends have been touched to have a special blanket on their loved one's bed," says Jackie Kleinsasser, RN, BSN, staff nurse in the ED, intensive care and supervision at HRMC. "It's a priceless memento for them to keep." Erica Gillette, MD w w w. h u r o n r e g i o n a l . o r g welloneconnection 3

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