T.J. Samson | Destination Health | August 2021

Wellness If you live in Allen County, getting an x-ray or a lab test that your primary care provider orders is now more convenient for you. In May,T.J. Regional Health began offering diag- nostic lab and x-ray imaging services just two doors down from the T.J. Health Scottsville Clinic, located at 1084 Veterans Memorial Highway in Scottsville. The Scottsville primary care clinic opened about a year ago with nurse practitioners Emily Tabor Jessie, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and Lindsey Landers, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, providing pri- mary care for people ages 6 months and older. Because of the demand, adding x-ray and lab services at the clinic made sense too, says Jenny Cerwinske, Executive Vice President of Practice Management at T.J. Regional Health. ONE-STOP CARE The new lab and x-ray services can make your care smoother.They may help your provider at T.J. Health Scottsville make a diagnosis and start your treatment sooner. As a result, you can be on your way to feeling better more quickly. For example, maybe you made an appoint- ment because of a bad sore throat, a minor injury or a worrisome cough and your provider wants some tests to confirm a diagnosis. “You can have your lab or x-ray done right there at the clinic instead of having to drive somewhere else,” Cerwinske says. “You go out the clinic door, walk down two doors and go right in.” You can get your blood drawn at the facil- ity even if you’re not a patient at the Scottsville clinic. Say it’s time for your thyroid function test and you live in Scottsville but see a provider at the T.J. Health Pavilion in Glasgow. Having your blood drawn at the Scottsville facility and your lab test results sent to your provider would save you a drive into Glasgow. Here are a few other highlights about the diagnostic and imaging services in Scottsville: ● Certified, highly qualified technicians perform the services. ● The clinic provides a wide range of lab tests, including rapid strep tests, flu tests, COVID-19 tests, complete blood counts, diabetes A1C and thyroid tests. Virtually any kind of lab test sample can be collected at the site. Some tests are performed at the facility itself; others may be sent out for processing with timely turnarounds. ● Imaging services include chest x-rays and x‑rays used to check for broken bones. BRINGING HEALTH CARE CLOSER TO HOME The new imaging and lab services facility at Scottsville is another way that T.J. Regional Health is working to increase access to care in Glasgow and surrounding rural communities. “Our goal is always to make access to care a primary focus,” Cerwinske says. “It’s what’s best for our patients.” Debra Smith, MAE, RN Population Health Coordinator T.J. Regional Health Life can often take unex- pected turns that can include illnesses or acci- dents that require hospitalization. Treatment in the hospital often requires multiple medical team members for the best outcome. A key member of that medical team is a transitional care manage- ment nurse. WHAT IS TRANSITIONAL CARE MANAGEMENT? Transitional care management promotes optimal patient outcomes by coordinating continuity of care from one health care setting to another and after the patient goes home. During a patient’s hospitalization, a transitional care management nurse will meet with the patient, family, caregiv- ers and medical team members to assist with education or resources a person may need when transitioning to their home or a rehab setting. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? Transitional care management places all the pieces of communication together to promote quality patient outcomes. It begins on the date of discharge and continues for the next 29 days. The purpose of the transitional care management nurse is to support the patient through educa- tion, communication and resources to keep them healthy at home.This reduces unnecessary emer- gency room visits and costly readmissions while promoting chronic care management. Coordinated care allows patients to manage their health care needs with their primary care provider and specialists by collaborating with a transitional care management nurse.The tran- sitional care management nurse communicates with patients to answer questions, with medical providers to clarify discharge instructions, with scheduling staff to arrange appointments and with pharmacists to ensure that medications are received once the patient is discharged. Transi- tional care management nurses are an excellent resource to provide patient support with needs such as transportation, medication assistance, and home health and sitting services that a patient may not be aware are available. EMILY TABOR JESSIE, APRN Family Medicine 1084 Veterans Memorial Hwy. 270.237.3123 Seeing patients age 6 months and older! LINDSEY LANDERS, APRN Family Medicine A more convenient care experience T. J . Hea l th S co t t s v i l l e Cl i n i c adds x- r ay s , l ab f ac i l i t y T.J. Health Scottsville Clinic hours of operation The T.J. Health Scottsville primary care clinic and the new diagnostic and imaging facility are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability, or you can schedule an appoint- ment at tjregionalhealth.org/appointment . Transi tional care management Stay well after hospitalization GOALS OF TRANSITIONAL CARE Promote preventive health. Provide support managing chronic medical conditions. Reduce emergency room visits. Reduce costly readmissions. Promote healthy behaviors. Need a helping hand? The T.J. Samson Home Care Program can help you recover safely at home. Visit tjregionalhealth.org/homehealth . 2 DESTINATION HEALTH