Author: Kathryn

Congratulating Stacy Dahlstrom, Quality Improvement/Risk Manager-Compliance Officer from Coteau des Prairies Health Care System for demonstrating her dedication to healthcare quality and patient safety by passing the CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) exam. Stacy prepared for this exam by participating in the CPHQ Prep-Course sponsored by SDAHO in August. This two-week, two-hour online course led by two instructors from NAHQ provided resources, tools and techniques to assist Stacy in her preparation for the 125-question test. This opportunity was possible due to a grant through the South Dakota Department of Health. We are proud of Stacy for accomplishing this goal. Congratulations Stacy!

The opioid crisis continues in our area and across the nation. CDP Healthcare’s Compass Care program is working hard to against opioid addiction by focusing on education, prevention, and recovery. Many don’t understand what opioids really are or why people become addicted, so the Compass Care team aims to answer critical questions and help those who need it.

What are opioids?

Opioid is a broad term. It includes medications that are used in medical settings as well as illicit substances. In the medical setting, opioids are most commonly prescribed for pain relief. Some of the common ones are oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl.

Why do people get put on opioids?

It is common for someone to be prescribed an opioid medication after sustaining an injury or having a surgery. Opioids are also sometimes used for chronic pain conditions when other therapies have failed.

How does someone become addicted to opioids?

There are two common ways people find their way to opioid dependence:

One is that an individual is prescribed opioid medications by their doctor for an extended period of time. The body naturally develops a tolerance to the opioid medication requiring higher doses to maintain relief. Eventually the body gets used to the opioid always being present and needs constant levels of the medication to avoid experiencing withdrawals. This extended use of opioids for pain, even when taken as prescribed, can lead to a person becoming dependent on the medication to the point that they would become physically ill if they stopped taking it “cold turkey.” Because of this, sometimes patients continue requesting opioids from their provider even after their window for needing pain relief has passed just to avoid the withdrawal effects.

Another reason for opioid dependence can begin after an individual gets “high” from an opioid and likes the way it makes them feel, often euphoric and relaxed. This can occur through using illicit opioids or by misusing prescribed opioids. Tolerance quickly develops in these cases and again requires bigger doses or more doses, to get a “high.” This leads to risk of overdose and death.

How can someone overcome their opioid dependence?

Whether an individual has become dependent on opioids after taking them as prescribed or as a result of illicit use, Compass Care is able to create an individualized treatment plan for support and recovery.

The first step is creating and executing a plan to stop using the substance. This starts through a person working with the addiction medical care team and being prescribed Medication Assisted Treatment. Medication Assisted Treatment or “MAT” is the use of medications to treat substance use disorders. The medication used opioid dependence is called Suboxone. Suboxone works by easing the opioid withdrawal symptoms and providing long-term relief through reducing and oftentimes eliminating cravings for opioids.

After beginning Medication Assisted Treatment, Compass Care works with the individual to create a person-centered plan by providing them the tools they need for success such as peer support, counseling, primary medical care services and assistance with food, housing, and employment.

How can someone who is dependent on opioids get help?

They can call the Compass Care team at CDP Health at 605-419-1021 or visit cdphealth.com. The Compass Care team continues to see amazing stories of recovery happening right in the community.

You can now register online to be placed on the COVID-19 Vaccine Waitlist where it’s faster and more convenient!

Coteau des Prairies Health Care is teaming up with Sanford Health‚ so now getting on the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list is easier than ever! Simply register at SanfordHealth.org which makes it easier for all of our patients to sign up—regardless of the state or counties they live in. Once you’ve completed the form you’ll be added to our waitlist!

If you have questions about accessing the online site, please call Sisseton Clinic at 605-698-7681.

If you’ve already called the CDP Health Sisseton Clinic to be placed on the waiting list, you don’t need to register again. For all who register, we will contact you when we have a vaccine dose for you.

Please note:

Anyone older than 16-years-old is welcome to sign up online!

We will be vaccinating those age 64 and over, and people older than 16 with one or more underlying health conditions in the upcoming weeks and advancing to vaccinate teachers, college staff and funeral service workers. We appreciate that you are eager to better protect yourself—and others—from the COVID-19 virus.

South Dakota Department of Health is announcing that starting on Monday, January 18, 2021, the Department of Health and its health partners across the state will start vaccinating a prioritized population group, within Group 1D, of the state’s vaccination plan. This first prioritized population group will be those 80 and over, as well as high-risk individuals and will be expanded to other groups within 1D as vaccines become available. The modification comes amidst the federal government’s plan to release vaccines to states to speed up vaccinations nationwide.

South Dakota is leading the nation in COVID-19 vaccination distribution, a proud accomplishment that means faster immunization for the next group of eligible recipients, and eventually the entire state.

Aligned with the nationwide rollout, healthcare workers and long-term care residents are first to receive the vaccine. Because of the rapid implementation to this group, South Dakota can start public vaccinations ahead of schedule, a testament to the responsive actions of state and healthcare officials.

By early next month, we anticipate the next tier of recipients—people over age 65 and those with two or more underlying health conditions—can receive the first dose of the vaccine. This is a large population of our community, which makes the accomplishment even more important as the vaccination will help protect this vulnerable group.

At CDP Health Care System, we are working closely with the South Dakota Department of Health, and will provide updates as they develop. As the health department determines the timing of distribution, find the latest information on their website at https://doh.sd.gov/COVID/Vaccine/Public.aspx.

As we anticipate moving to the next priority group, we are finalizing the logistics of administering the vaccine at CDP Health Care. Qualified recipients will need two doses. After the first shot, recipients receive a vaccination card that tells them which COVID-19 vaccine they’ve received, the date it was administered, and where it was given. Recipients can also ask providers about v-safe, a free, smartphone-based tool that sends informational texts, health updates and reminds recipients when the second dose should be received. Learn more about v-safe at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html

We will continue to provide updates on this exciting advancement to protect our community from COVID-19. While the latest information is available on the South Dakota Health Department website, if you have questions or would like to be placed on COVID-19 waiting list, please direct call to our Sisseton Clinic during regular business hours, Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 605-698-7681.