Health

Meridian and WLBC To Host Virtual Fundraiser For Maternal Treatment Program on Sept 3rd

By Scott Smalstig— Muncie, IN—Join Meridian Health Services and 104.1 HD1 WLBC the evening of Thursday, September 3 for a unique, virtual Rialzo-style fundraiser, celebrating Meridian’s Maternal Treatment Program, which serves addicted mothers and their newborn babies. The program provides specialized care and support for drug-addicted mothers and their babies born suffering from withdrawal. Meridian’s goal is to reduce substance use, abuse and addiction among mothers and pregnant women while keeping these mothers close to their babies as they are…

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Bureau of Water Quality to Start Testing Wastewater for Covid-19

By Rick Conrad— Muncie, IN—The Muncie Sanitary District’s Bureau of Water Quality (BWQ) recently began participating in a project designed to help aid the community’s response to Covid-19. Sampling for the presence of coronavirus in wastewaters has emerged as a powerful tool for the early detection of outbreaks. One of the greatest challenges in controlling the spread of this virus has been the lag time between when an infected person becomes contagious versus when they become aware they are infected. With…


Delaware County Weekly COVID-19 Update: August 25th

Editor’s note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including the Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers. Cases and Deaths Last week (Aug. 14–21), Delaware County reported 81 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 2 new deaths, bringing Delaware County’s total numbers to 862 positive cases and 53 deaths since March 2020. While deaths went up (compared with 0 deaths…


Delaware County Weekly COVID-19 Updates

Editor’s note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including the Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers. Cases and Deaths Delaware County is experiencing a considerably high rate of positive COVID-19 tests. Last week’s tests (August 5–12) resulted in an 8.2% positive testing rate; the CDC suggests that this number should be well under 5%. As of Friday, August 14,…


‘The Future of Medicine’: Local Partnership Enhances Muncie as One of The State’s Leading Medical Hubs 

By: Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, IN — According to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Delaware County has the fourth-highest number of primary care physicians per capita in the state—a ranking that should mean the county is one of the healthiest. But it’s not.  Of Indiana’s 92 counties, Delaware County ranks 85th. So where’s the disconnect?  Even with Indiana’s fourth-highest primary care physicians per capita, the county has just one primary care physician per 1,030 patients. In fact, the United States as a…


IU Health Medical Center Ranked Among Nation’s Top Hospitals for 23rd Consecutive Year

U.S. News rates eight specialties, including ear nose and throat, geriatrics and gynecology, as high performing or among nation’s top 50 INDIANAPOLIS,IN—U.S. News & World Report has released its 2020-2021 ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings that name Indiana University Health Medical Center among the nation’s top adult hospitals for the 23rd consecutive year. According to the U.S. News rankings, IU Health Medical Center is the No. 1 ranked hospital in Indiana and Indianapolis and the only nationally ranked adult hospital in the state. To…


IU Health to Ease Temporary Visitor Restrictions Starting June 15

By: IU Health— INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Starting June 15, Indiana University Health will begin relaxing some of the temporary visitor restrictions put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for all hospitals. The revised guidelines allow for one visitor per patient, per day in inpatient areas. Each visitor will be screened and given a mask, which must be worn at all times inside the facility. Additional visitor guidelines: Visitors must be 18 or older. Visitors will not be…


Meridian Health Services: CEO Perspective on COVID-19

By: Hank Milius, President/CEO, Meridian Health Services— Muncie, IN—I heard a quote over the weekend which I believe is relevant for the COVID-19 challenge: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” —Winston Churchill As this crisis unfolded, we were stunned by the negative outcomes. Today I’m focusing on the progress taking place. In Indiana as of this writing, 42% of all ICU beds and 81% of the ventilators around are available….


Open Door Health Services COVID-19 Updates

By: Suzanne Clem— Muncie, IN—Open Door Health Services is committed to caring for the community safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following changes are in place to protect patients, staff, and the community. Visitor restrictions At this time, only the patient being seen may enter Open Door locations, with the following exceptions: • Minor children of a patient may accompany a patient if no adult is available to remain with them in a vehicle. • One direct caretaker or other…


IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Strives to Keep Patients Connected During COVID-19

By: Liz Yates— Muncie, IN—Even with strict visitor restrictions in place for the safety of the patients and the community, Indiana University Health is continuing to nurture patient’s desire to stay connected with their loved ones during their stay. Though that connectedness may look different right now, it holds the same importance as it always has. “The patient experience has always been important to us,” said Dawn Fluhler, director of experience design, IU Health Ball. “It has only become more so…