Tuesday, July 12, 2016

The Putnam County Hospital wellness team conducted its first community BE WELL wellness screen on Saturday, June 25 at the non-food pantry at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Greencastle.
Forty-seven Putnam County residents participated in the entire screening that focused on “Know your numbers. Know your risk,” while many more took part in specific stations that focused on nutrition and programs and services available at the hospital.

The screening had five stations for participants.

The first station gathered the participant’s vitals, which included height, weight, BMI (body mass index), temperature, pulse oximetry and blood pressure.

Next the participant could elect to have their blood drawn (finger prick) to know their glucose (sugar) score and cholesterol (including HDL, LDL and triglycerides).

The lab testing only took about seven minutes to calculate results. During that time, participates had the opportunity to learn about healthy yet inexpensive ways to eat better with the hospital’s registered dietitian.

Other programs, such as the new Franciscan Health/Putnam County Hospital Aspire Tobacco Cessation Program, available at no cost to Putnam County Hospital residents thanks to the Putnam County Health Department, also had information readily available.

Participants completed their screening with the opportunity to learn more about their insurance options by speaking one-on-one with an insurance navigator. Those that took part in the screening also reviewed their results with a wellness coach.

The wellness coach explained the results, helping the participant understand what they are doing well and how they can be better.

Putnam County Hospital believes that helping the community become proactive in its own wellness will be key to growing a stronger, healthier Putnam County.

For more information about BE WELL and the wellness screenings, persons may call 65-2583.