We offer many different programs and services aimed at improving and maintaining good health. To review any of the services we offer, please select a link on the left side of this page.

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The RIGHT Coughing Technique Prevents Spread of Germs!
Are you still coughing and sneezing the way they did during the plague? Into the air, your hands, tissues and handkerchiefs? Then you need to see this video. You'll learn to cough and sneeze in places that are less likely to spread infections and keep germs alive.

MU Extension’s Community Emergency Management group is promoting good coughing and sneezing techniques to minimize the spread of germs and disease. This five-minute video by Ben Lounsbury, MD, shows you where to cough and sneeze according to the infection control guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Rural Health Clinic
The Rural Health Clinic provides well and sick care by appointment, including childhood immunizat ions and physical exams for children 2 weeks to 18 years. Minor illnesses can be seen at the Clinic, but NO emergency care is given (i.e. broken bones, stitches, etc.).

Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. If you do not have Medicare or Medicaid, fees will apply to your visits. You will need to bring your Medicare or Medicaid Card and social security number with you. The parent or guardian must sign all consent forms and should accompany children on all visits. Please bring the child's Medicaid card, social security number, and immunization record.

Please call (573) 335-2229 for an appointment.

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Immunizations
The Health Center provides childhood and adult immunizations free of charge, with the exception of some adult immunizations which are offered at our cost. There are NO income guidelines. Please call (573) 335-7846 ext. 116 for an appointment. Flu and pneumonia shots are available each year in October.

For information on recommended immunizations visit the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm

Overseas immunizations can be given with a doctor's order. For required overseas immunizations check out the CDC website. Please call (573) 335-7846 for an appointment.

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Flu Immunization Clinics
2008 Flu Immunization Clinics

Flu Immunization Clinics, open to the general public; dates TBA for 2008

Flu shots will also be available at the Health Center, on a walk–in basis, beginning in October, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Health Center will once again bill Medicare and Medicaid for both flu and pneumonia immunizations. If you do not have Medicare or Medicaid, the cost for a Flu shot is $20.00 and Pneumonia immunizations are $30.00.

For additional information about the clinics, please contact the Health Center at 573-335-7846. Additional information on the Flu and immunizations can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

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WIC - Women, Infants and Children
WIC is the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. It is a health and nutrition program for individuals who have special nutrition needs including: Pregnant Women/Teens, Women/Teens who are breastfeeding, Infants, and Children.

Income guidelines and medical/nutritional risk factors must be met for the WIC program.

Please call (573) 335-4330 for more information.

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Asthma Case Management Program Description
In 2000, a local asthma coalition was formed after discussions between Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Southeast Hospital, local school nurses, private physicians, a Professor of Environmental Science from Southeast Missouri State University with expertise and keen interest in Pediatric Environmental Issues and the American Lung Association confirmed what each knew true of their own entity: Many school -age children in Cape Girardeau, about six (6) percent were missing school and frequent return office or ER visits due to Asthma, either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. The group met for over 18 months determining the best approach to this problem. Various programs were evaluated, videos viewed and evaluated, as well as educational material. We all believed that days missed of school as well as office and ER visits can be reduced. A well structured multi agency educational program has been developed by this coalition, and financial assistance from AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline provided printing of excellent teaching materials. The program was introduced and well received at the monthly Pediatric physician meetings, but two bouts of bad weather hampered efforts to discuss it with Family Practice physicians group.

Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center was successful obtaining a small grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and sent several of their Public Health Nurses and one Environmental Public Health Specialist to the Eastern Missouri American Lung Association's Asthma Certification course with the intention of providing follow up of school age children with asthma or asthma related health problems upon referrals from physicians, school nurses and Southeast Hospital, or families themselves.

When a school age child with Asthma is seen in Southeast Hospital ER, Convenient Care, or admitted to the hospital, the Respiratory Therapy Department is contacted, and an in house Asthma assessment is preformed. Education and an Asthma Care Plan is established and initiated in accordance with the physician's orders. Additionally, when appropriate, a simple Asthma knowledge test is done to determine the patient and patient's family level of understanding of the disease, its triggers, and what to do to prevent and treat an Asthma attack. The family of the patient is informed of this program and given a folder with information regarding it upon discharge. Unfortunately, due to HIPPA rules, referrals from the hospital are not permitted.

With a referral from the patient's physician or the family, Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center's Public Health Nurses certified with the American Lung Association Asthma Certification program will provide Asthma Case Management following the protocol the Asthma Coalition established, and the physicians Asthma plan of treatment. This includes the Public Health Nurse and Environmental Public Health Specialist, as well as the Environmental Science Professor from Southeast University providing a home environmental assessment to identify potential triggers of asthma attacks, and ways to mitigate them. Additionally, the Public Health Nurse returns to the home as often as needed according to the patient and family's level of understanding of Asthma. Follow up visits include education and printed information given on (1)clearing the home of asthma triggers,(2) a graph on pediatric medications information, (3)a self assessment form for environmental and other factors that can make asthma worse, (4)definitions of drugs and asthma management apparatus ( so patient and physician are reading off the same page), and (5) printed information about asthma itself. These educational tools are used by the Public Health Nurse and Environmental staff to assure increasing the level of knowledge of Asthma and how to prevent future attacks and complications. Contact is maintained with the treating physician, his/her Asthma plan of treatment followed, and resources include the Respiratory Therapy staff of Southeast Hospital, Southeast Missouri State University Environmental Department (for expertise and equipment) as well as the physicians on the Asthma Coalition. There are no charges involved with the Asthma Case Management program, and it will produce improvement in the health of the school age child affected with Asthma. We( the Asthma Coalition) believe this is the beginning of a needed program. By providing the education in the patients home, and including his family, the many facets of Asthma control will be reinforced and more easily retained.

Referrals can be made by contacting Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center at 573-335-7856 and asking for a Public Health Nurse or Environmental Public Health Specialist providing Asthma Case Management, or Cindy Seyer or Billy Thornton in Respiratory Therapy at Southeast Hospital. Physicians are encouraged to call us and find out more about the program.

Prevent Asthma in the Home
Take medication on schedule!

Remove Triggers

1. Do not allow smoking from the home and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke
2. Use mattress covers and pillow case covers
3. Listen to air quality reports on television or radio. Plan outdoor activities when air pollution is low.
4. Remove cockroaches
   • remove water and food sources
   • vacuum areas where cockroaches might be every 2–3 days
   • can use cockroach traps and gels
5. Pet removal
   • If this is not an option keep pets outside of bedroom
   • Bathe pats weekly
   • Keep pets outside as much as possible
   • Vacuum or mop floors every week
6. Mold Removal
   • Use a dehumidifier
   • Eliminate water leaks

For more information, please visit: (click on the logo to link to the site)

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Quit Smoking
Call 1–800–QUIT–NOW for free coaching, educational materials, or a quit plan!

For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/index.htm

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Communicable Diseases
Diseases like hepatitis, measles, salmonella, tuberculosis, brucellosis, rabies, meningitis and many more are reported to our agency. We provide follow-up on contacts (family or friends) of these patients, and provide some services for the patients themselves.

TUBERCULOSIS
The Health Center provides tuberculosis skin testing and conducts follow-up checkups on active cases of TB. Free anti-TB medications can be obtained through the Missouri Department of Health with a doctor's order.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES/AIDS COUNSELING/SCREENING
The Health Center offers screening for Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Chlamydia. Treatment and education programs are available. HIV (AIDS) screening is done with pre- and post- counseling. Screenings are offered every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on a walk-in basis.

The Health Center works directly with local physicians and the Missouri Department of Health to prevent serious medical problems and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. This program is completely confidential.

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Home Visiting Program
Anyone living in Cape Girardeau County meeting medical guidelines is eligible for this service, at no charge, regardless of age. Anyone can refer patients - friends or family of the patient, the doctor, or a hospital. We work only with a doctor's order and consider our service an extension of his professional arm.

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Daughters Program
This program is a cooperative effort with the senior citizens tax fund and provides personal or custodial care to clients age 60 or older, residing in Cape Girardeau County. The clients will require only intermittent care as the Daughter's Program is not intended to replace institutionalized care, nor to be a housekeeping or sitting service, or respite care. There is no skilled care involved and no charge for this service.

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Office Visits
The Health Center also offers office visits for blood pressure, B12 shots, etc. with a doctor's order. Please call (573) 335-7846 for information.

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Daycare Consultants
The Health Center offers consultant services to child care providers. These services include assessments, training, and other educational services on health and safety related issues.

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Pregnancy Testing & Temporary Medicaid
Free pregnancy testing is offered on Thursday afternoon by appointment. Please call (573) 335-7846 for an appointment. Temporary Medicaid can be issued at the same time if guidelines are met.

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Case Management
Case management is offered for high risk infants, children, and pregnant women who meet risk and income guidelines.

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Communicable Disease Clinic
A Board Certified Infectious Disease physician provides primary care for individuals infected with HIV or diagnosed with AIDS at a clinic held on a regular basis at our Health Center. Until this program began in October 1999, individuals with this medical problem found it necessary to travel either to Arkansas or St. Louis, Missouri to access their primary care and medical management with an infectious disease specialist.

The program is available to anyone living in Missouri. Payment is accepted through Ryan White, Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance, but is available to anyone regardless of financial status. The clinic is provided through Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. No state funding is received.

There is one Public Health Nurse assigned to this clinic on a permanent basis to add continuity to the care individuals receive. By calling the Health Center and asking for this nurse, a client can obtain information on this service. The physician is not on the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center staff, but contract with us to provide the clinic.

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HIV/AIDS Case Management
Once told of having a positive blood test for HIV, individuals find themselves facing life altering decision. With funding from the Missouri Department of Health, an HIV/AIDS case manager is available on staff. Without regard to insurance of financial status, this public health nurse assists individuals through the maze of options and assistance that is available from different resources. This includes all identified client needs such as accessing medical care, housing, mental health services, and many others.

The HIV/AIDS case manager is available for outreach programs, informational presentations, or just questions. If you are interest in a program or have questions about this disease, call (573) 335-7846 the office or contact us through our website and ask for the HIV/AIDS case manager.

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