A8
Community
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Community HEALTH BEAT
W HAT’S
HAPPENING
Quality Healthcare Close To Home
170 Ford Road, John Day • 541-575-1311 • www.bluemountainhospital.org
n
d
a
s Co
H
n
u
a
e
n
l
C
Eagle file photo
Santa with an elf and a helper in last year’s Timber
Truckers Light Parade. The event is set for Saturday, Dec.
9, this year.
t
The deadline for What’s Happening items is 5 p.m. Fri-
day. Call the Eagle, 541-575-0710, or email editor@bmea-
gle.com. For meetings this week, see our list in the classi-
fieds.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6
Grant School District input night
• 6 p.m., Seneca School Library
Parents and the community are invited to participate in
an evening of feedback to share what is going well and help
identify areas of improvement for the next year’s budgeting
process.
By: April Gillette, MPH
Director of Infection Control & Quality, Blue Mountain Hospital District
FRIDAY, DEC. 8
What if I told you that in 2011, there were an estimated 722,000 hospital-acquired
infections in U.S. acute care hospitals? And, that 75,000 of these patients died
during their hospitalization? Hand hygiene plays an important role in keeping
patients safe by helping to prevent hospital-acquired infections, which is why we
are diligent about proper hand hygiene protocols at Blue Mountain Hospital.
A classic Christmas concert
• 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 126 NW Canton St.,
John Day
The Youth Arts Program is presenting a free concert, spon-
sored by the Juniper Arts Council. Music will be performed
by three choirs (junior, intermediate and show), a string trio
and two guitar groups. The ensembles include children and
adults, and Christmas songs will be part of the concert.
Here are some facts about hand hygiene:
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DEC. 8-9
• Germs are everywhere. Good germs generally live under deeper layers of the skin
and work to keep you healthy. Bad germs initially live on the surface and can
make you sick.
Christmas in Mt. Vernon
• Bad germs are easily killed/removed by the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Hand sanitizer also kills good germs but they come back quickly.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are more effective at killing bad germs than soap
and water. Soap and water should always be used when your hands are visibly
soiled since it washes away the dirt.
SATURDAY, DEC. 9
Second Saturday gathering
• Wearing gloves does not replace hand hygiene. Hands should always be cleaned
after removing gloves.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not cause Antibiotic Resistance. Because it works
so quickly, organisms do not have a chance to become resistant.
Hand hygiene is everyone’s responsibility. Perform
it yourself. Ask for Safe Care. Ask for Clean Hands.
• 11:20 a.m., Outpost Restaurant, John Day
Ladies of Grant County are invited to a special Christ-
mas gathering, with carols and a video presentation on “The
Whisper of Christmas.” Kathy Rogers will present music,
and coffee and tea are complimentary at the no-host break-
fast.
Timber Truckers Light Parade
One organism in particular is not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This
organism is Clostridium difficile. If you or any family member contracts this
organism, hand hygiene with soap and water is
absolutely necessary to prevent the spread. This is
because Clostridium difficile changes to a spore
when its environment becomes challenging. These
spores are able to withstand adverse conditions
Presents...
such as being heated and when they have no
December
nutrients for food. The mechanical action of
Visiting Specialists
washing and rinsing your hands helps to remove
the spores.
December 6th
Studies show that some healthcare providers
practice hand hygiene less than half the number of
times they should. At Blue Mountain Hospital, we
educate, reinforce and monitor proper hand
hygiene for the safety of our patients. As a patient,
it is your right to request and ensure that your
medical care providers perform hand hygiene
before taking care of you.
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mt. Vernon
Several businesses in Mt. Vernon have teamed up to pres-
ent an annual holiday shopping feast. Participating locations
include Shiny Thimble Quilts, Maudean Brown’s home, Pa-
tricia Ross’s art studio, the Silver Spur and Suds Pub. Watch
for the red and green balloons. For more information, call
Patricia at 541-932-4856.
• 6 p.m., downtown John Day
This year’s theme is “Truckin’ Thru the Snow.” Winners of
the awards and cash drawings will be announced at the Elks
Lodge immediately following the parade. The entry fee is $10.
Registration is from 3-5:30 p.m. at Grant Western Lumber Co.,
where the parade will begin. The route will lead through town
and turns left on the Third Street extension to the Elks Lodge.
For more information, call Brenda at 541-429-0551 or Leslie at
541-620-4032.
TUESDAY, DEC. 12
Dog etiquette class
• 5 p.m., OSU Extension office, 116 NW Bridge St., Suite
1, John Day
As a senior project, Maggie Justice is offering an interactive
class for people interested in learning more about communi-
cation with dogs. The class will include activities and live dog
demonstrations. For more information, call Justice at 541-820-
3329.
Dr. O’Hallaren
Bend Urology
December 13th
Dr. McLellan
Bend Cardio
December 18th
Dr. Rushton
Baker Podiatrist
December 27th
Dr. McLellan
Bend Cardio
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13
Pesticide training class
• 9:45 a.m., OSU Extension office, 116 NW Bridge St., Suite
1, John Day
The statewide videoconference training class includes four
core ODA credits. For more information, call the OSU Exten-
sion office at 541-575-1911.
Grant County Senior Citizens Advisory
Council meeting
For more information visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/campaign/index.html
• 11 a.m, Prairie City Senior Center, 204 N. McHaley St.
The purpose of the semi-annual meeting is to introduce new
members of the council appointed by the Grant County Court
and entertain new business proposed by council members. The
public is welcome to attend.
BLUE MOUNTAIN CARE CENTER
THURSDAY, DEC. 14
Light Up a Life
• 6 p.m., Valley View Assisted Living, 112 Valley View
Drive, John Day
All are welcome to the candlelight remembrance, which
honors loved ones who have died. The service, organized by
Blue Mountain Hospice, includes readings, music and refresh-
ments. Donations are accepted at the door and help provide end
of life care for hospice patients. For more information, call Blue
Mountain Hospice at 541-575-1648 or email sross@bluemoun-
tainhospital.org.
HAPPY 101
BIRTHDAY TO
ELVA & BERNICE!
BOTH
CELEBRATED
NOVEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
ST
FRIDAY, DEC. 15
A snowman Christmas party
21225
• 2:30 p.m., Blue Mountain Care Center, Prairie City
The care center will host an afternoon of festivities for res-
idents, their families, and anyone else who wants to attend.
Snack food, non-alcoholic drinks, Santa and live music will be
provided. RSVP by Dec. 12 by calling the care center at 541-
820-3341.