CHI Health St. Mary's

In partnership with your physician, our diabetes educators provide a variety of outpatient services at most CHI Health locations.

Diabetes Education provides:

• Diabetes Education Individual Appointments
• Medical Nutrition Therapy Appointments
• Continuous Glucose Monitor Training

For more information, call (402) 873-8904.

Our Diabetes Educator

Jenny Kearney, RDN, MS

In an emergency, every moment is critical. Whether a fall or a car crash, chest pain or a stroke, it takes a highly trained team to quickly evaluate, stabilize, and treat each patient. St. Mary’s is a Level IV Trauma Center, providing emergency services around the clock, with an emergency care provider on-site at all times.

ER Nursing Staff Certifications

• Trauma Nurse Core Certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Neo-natal Advanced Life Support

In collaboration with CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute and our local EMS services, we provide optimal care during emergency cardiac events.

Wayfinding

Entrance to the ER for the general public is through the main doors on the north side of the hospital.

Transitional Care

Transitional Care is a specialized approach to recovery that bridges the gap between the traditional hospital inpatient unit and home. Whether you've received acute care at another facility and are looking to be closer to family during recovery time or if you require a long term care team that can support more advanced medical needs - our Transitional Care team is here for you. Here, our complete focus is on your strongest recovery, with every step taking you closer to home.

Transitional Care Results:

• Shorter than average length of stay
• Majority of patients discharge home rather than long-term care
• Low readmission to acute care (fewer returns to the hospital)

Your Recovery is Our Priority

If you’re in the hospital, your top priority is getting better - so you can go home. Transitional Care gets you one step closer with specialized, supportive care in a full-service hospital environment.

Our top priority is helping you recover before you return home. It’s about getting discharged not only sooner but also stronger, so you’ll be less likely to need further care or readmission.

Transitional Care Advantages

• High quality and patient experience scores
• Quiet environment for more restful recovery
• Familiar staff - we know you, and you will know your team

Transitional Care Team

Transitional Care offers increased therapy services geared specifically to your recovery. You will meet with a local hospitalist or a telehospitalist weekly to discuss your progress. With our low patient-to-staff ratio, you will receive more personalized care and support from expert nursing, therapy and medical staff.

Our multidisciplinary approach means care is individualized to your needs. An entire team is focused on best assessing your progress and providing the most complete care.

The transitional care team includes:

• 24/7 RN and hospitalist support
• Pharmacy
• Radiology
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Respiratory Therapy
• Diabetic Education
• Laboratory

Inpatient/Acute Care

CHI Health St. Mary’s is able to provide exceptional acute care to you, your family, and loved ones. 

What to Expect 

• Individualized, safe care based on your reason for admission
• Evidence Based Practice treatment plan
• Excellent nurse to patient ratios 
• Bedside Shift Report
• Hourly Rounding
• Leader Rounding
• Nurse-Patient-Provider Rounding

Your Care Team Includes:

• 24/7 RN and hospitalist support
• Care Management Services
• Pharmacy
• Radiology
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Respiratory Therapy
• Pastoral Care 
• Diabetic Education
• Laboratory
• Discharge planning

For more information please refer to our Guest Information Guide.

Advances in technology are helping to detect breast cancer in its earliest—and most curable—stage. At CHI Health St Mary’s, our digital mammography screenings provide the highest level of accuracy for even the smallest tumors.

With this advanced, low-dose radiation technology, image capture is instant, crystal-clear and can be zoomed in for further review. Such speed and precision means we’ll have your mammogram screening results within 24 hours. More importantly, if anything suspicious is found, we’ll make sure you receive all follow-up testing—including a biopsy, if necessary—within a matter of days, not weeks.

Take charge of your breast health—contact your provider for a referral and then call CHI Health St. Mary’s at (402) 873-8912 to schedule your digital mammography screening.

Why a Digital Mammogram Screening is Performed

A mammography screening is performed to:

• Screen healthy women for signs of breast cancer
• Further evaluate an abnormal finding on a physical exam
• Monitor and follow a woman who has had an abnormal mammogram
• Evaluate a woman who has symptoms of a breast disease, such as a lump, nipple discharge, breast pain, dimpling of the skin on the breast or retraction of the nipple

The American Cancer Society recommends that women begin breast cancer screening at age 40 and have repeat mammograms every year. Women with a mother or sister who had breast cancer should consider yearly mammograms 10 years earlier than the age at which their youngest family member was diagnosed.

What to Expect During Your First Mammogram

The best way to beat breast cancer is early detection. Studies show regular mammograms save lives. A mammogram is used as a screening tool to check for abnormalities in the breast. Your first mammogram should be scheduled at age 40 – sooner in women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors.

A mammogram is an x-ray picture or image of the breast. This allows your doctor to look inside the breast for tumors or calcifications that cannot be felt. The first mammogram is used to establish a baseline for future mammograms.

Here’s what you need to know

When you arrive for a mammogram you will be given a gown and asked to undress from the waist up. If you are wearing deodorant, creams or powder, you will need to wipe it off. Your technologist will place your breast on the plate of the imaging machine– the machine will then compress the breast to take the picture. Several images will be taken – each lasting just a few seconds.

Some women say that mammograms are uncomfortable. You may experience some discomfort but it’s brief.  If you schedule the test when you’re breasts are less sensitive – not right before your period – this will help. You can also take a pain reliever before your appointment. It is important to let your technologist know if you are having any discomfort so adjustments can be made.

Once the screening is over, the results will be reviewed by a radiologist and sent to your doctor.  A call back doesn’t necessarily mean cancer. It does mean that additional images are needed. This is also a good time to schedule your next mammogram – so it’s on the calendar for the following year.

3D Mammography is also available. Learn more about 3D Mammography.

Understanding the Results of Your Mammography Screening

Normal results

Breast tissue that shows no signs of a mass or abnormal calcification is considered normal.

Abnormal results

Most abnormal findings on a mammogram screening turn out to be benign or nothing to worry about. However, any new findings or changes must be further evaluated.

Your CHI Health radiologist may see the following types of findings on a mammogram:

• A well-outlined, round nodule (this is more likely to be a noncancerous condition such as a cyst)
• Masses or lumps
• Dense areas in the breast that could potentially hide breast cancer
• Tiny deposits of calcium in your breast tissue called calcifications, most of what are not a sign of cancer

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has developed a grading system for radiology doctors to use when they report the results of a mammography screening. Terms you may hear your doctor use include:

• Negative
• Benign (noncancerous) finding
• Probably benign
• Suspicious abnormality
• Highly suggestive of malignancy or cancer
• Incomplete (needs additional imaging evaluation)

Often, the following tests are also needed:

• Additional mammogram views, sometimes called magnification or compression views
• Breast MRI exam
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast biopsy
• Ductogram
• Gammagram

Comparing your current mammogram screening to your past mammograms helps your radiologist tell whether you had an abnormal finding in the past, and whether it has changed.

When mammogram or ultrasound results look suspicious, a biopsy is done to test the tissue to see if it is cancerous.

The therapists at St. Mary’s bring a wide range of knowledge and expertise to Nebraska City and the surrounding communities. To find out more about what physical and occupational therapy can do for you or a loved one, call (402) 873-8918, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Therapists help patients overcome disability, adapt material or equipment for ease of use, or recommend changes to an individual’s daily environment. Many also work to help prevent patient injury.

Occupational Therapy

Who can benefit from occupational therapy?

• Individuals recovering from a surgery such as a total joint replacement, carpal tunnel release, fracture repairs, or tendon repairs
• Individuals with work-related injuries such as elbow, wrist, or hand pain as well as repetitive use injuries
• Individuals who require education or environmental modifications after an injury or illness
• Individuals who have experienced cerebral vascular accidents (strokes), traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or any other neurological disease that affects motor control or decreases independence
• Individuals recovering from amputations
• Individuals with impairments related to multiple sclerosis, arthritis, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, or other diseases or disorders
• Individuals who function as caregivers for loved ones with debilitating diseases

Our philosophy

• Individualized therapy sessions and continual modifications to the treatment program
• Team-oriented environment with constant interdepartmental communication
• Evidence-based practices with an emphasis on manual therapy and therapeutic exercise
• Continuation of individualized home exercise program (facilitated with a 30-day pass to the Ambassador Wellness Center upon discharge)

Common Diagnoses Treated by OT

• Upper Extremity Injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon injuries, trigger finger, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
• Geriatric conditions such as weakness, decline in function, wheelchair evaluations, and more.
• Lymphedema conditions
• Pediatric conditions such as developmental delay, autism, birth injuries, and more.
• Neurological conditions such as stroke, MS, spinal cord injuries, and more.
• Pelvic Floor Issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, postpartum care, and more.
• LSVT BIG and parkinson's disease
• Other conditions such as ambutations, low vision, and work related injuries

Physical Therapy

Who can benefit from physical therapy?

• Athletes who have suffered an injury and are working to return to sport
• Athletes who are trying to prevent injury
• Individuals recovering from a surgery such as a total joint replacement, rotator cuff repair, or ACL reconstruction
• Individuals with work-related injuries such as neck pain, back pain, or repetitive use injuries
• Individuals with poor balance who are at risk for falling or have had a fall or other balance-related accident
• Individuals who have experienced cerebral vascular accidents (strokes), traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or any other neurological disease that affects motor control
• Women suffering from incontinence, pelvic pain, pregnancy-related discomfort, or other women’s health issues
• Individuals recovering from amputations
• Individuals with impairments related to multiple sclerosis, arthritis, cerebral palsy, or other diseases or disorders

Our philosophy

• Individualized therapy sessions and continual modifications to the treatment program
• Team-oriented environment with constant interdepartmental communication
• Evidence-based practices with an emphasis on manual therapy and therapeutic exercise
• Continuation of individualized home exercise program (facilitated with a 30-day pass to the Ambassador Wellness Center upon discharge)

CHI Health St. Mary's Clinic Primary Care is a provider-based rural health clinic affiliated with and attached to CHI Health St. Mary’s, a Critical Access Hospital. We offer a full range of family medicine services including care of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and asthma, routine physicals for adults and children, women’s health, prenatal care, and general appointments. The providers and staff strive to provide the care you expect and deserve.

We focus on preventative health and offer counseling to assist you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Annual wellness exams are offered for your entire family. A preventative care appointment specifically addresses diet, exercise, lifestyle, habits, family history, safety and cancer screening. We recommend scheduling a separate appointment for addressing health concerns like blood pressure, cholesterol or other screenings

Our providers are passionate about helping your family stay healthy. From prenatal care to caring for older adults, CHI Health St. Mary's Clinic is here to serve you

To schedule with a primary care provider call (402) 873-4242.

1-on-1 Health Coaching

Our health coach is a registered nurse (RN) who is here to help you develop a healthy lifestyle on your own terms! Established patients can see our health coach to set and reach goals like weight loss, smoking cessation, diabetes care and overall improved health.

Acute Care

Timely appointments are available for serious illnesses, like colds, flu, sinus infections, bronchitis and minor trauma. Please call your provider’s appointment scheduler, and he or she will attempt to schedule your appointment within 24 hours. If you don’t already see one of our providers, call (402) 873-4242 for an appointment.

OB/GYN

Our team members will take great care of you – from well-woman exams through childbirth and beyond. Our “complete family care” combines educational support and compassion from pregnancy through adulthood

On-Site Lab & X-Ray

We offer an on-site radiology department, available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans, our providers prefer to refer you to CHI Health St. Mary’s or CHI Health St. Elizabeth in Lincoln.

Our on-site laboratory is available Monday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Tuesday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for your convenience.

Services and Specialty Clinics

Learn more about all of CHI Health St. Mary's services and specialty clinics.

At St. Mary’s, our team works to provide you and your referring physician with the information needed for fast and effective treatment. We offer the following diagnostic imaging all in one location.

Diagnostic Imaging Offered at CHI Health St. Mary's

• Digital diagnostic X-ray and fluoroscopy
• 3D mammography/tomography
• Full-field digital mammography
• Stereotactic breast biopsy
• CT (CAT Scan) 64-slice and scanners
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) 1.5 Tesla wide-bore 70 cm scanner
• Ultrasound
  • OB
  • Biopsy
  • General
  • Cardiovascular
• Nuclear medicine
• Bone density (DEXA) scan
• PET/CT

For Scheduling and More Information

• For Scheduling needs, call (402) 873-3325 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
• For more information, call (402) 873-8912 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Save on Imaging Procedures

CHI Health has partnered with MD Save to bring you savings on Radiology and Imaging procedures. Search for your needed procedure, purchase your discounted voucher online, and then follow the scheduling instructions for your provider. Present your voucher at time of service as proof of payment. Search Procedures.