Your Blood Matters.

What can be done to make sure your friends, neighbors, and family receive the blood they need? It’s simple – donate blood to the Community Blood Bank.

The Blood Mobile will be parked outside of the Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic - Main location from 8:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, November 11th.  

Update: All donors will receive a $15 Hy-Vee gift card!

Ten reasons why you should give blood:

1. You can save up to 3 lives!
2. Not everyone is eligible to donate blood. Only 38% of the population can donate, so if you're able, you are a selected minority.
3. Your body will make new blood. It takes about 24 hours to replace plasma and about 4-6 weeks to replace red blood cells.
4. Giving blood is not painful. You may feel a slight prick initially but it doesn't last long.
5. Donating blood burns calories! Your body will burn approximately 650 calories just by donating.
6. You get a free well-check. Before you give, the phlebotomist will check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin levels. You may also be screened by HIV, Hepatitis, and other diseases. 
7. It takes only 30 to 40 minutes of your time.
8. You feel a boost in confidence and your emotional well-being knowing that you have done a good deel and are a part of saving lives.
9. There is no substitute for human blood. Blood can not be manufactured in any way and it always in high demand.
10. You may be one of the 25% of people who need blood donation one day. 

Donation times are available from 8:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Check-in is in the Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic registration area. 

To schedule your appointment, click the link below and select an available time. You can also call Community Blood Bank at 605-331-3222.

  Sign Up Here

• Blood donors must be at least 16 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org) weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health.
• Donors exhibiting COVID, cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate. 
• Valid identification is required at the time of registration. 
• It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating blood. Avoid energy drinks.
• Walk-ins will be accepted, if there is room or a cancellation – staff on event day will manage this process

Download Blood Drive Poster

What to Expect When Donating Blood

October 15th was Global Handwashing Day!

This year’s theme, created by Global Handwashing Partnership, was “Why are clean hands still important?” Handwashing with soap and water is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy. Clean hands remain a fundamental defense against the spread of infections, illnesses, and harmful germs. Whether in hospitals, schools, or in everyday interactions, practicing handwashing with soap contributes to better health outcomes and a safer world for everyone.

Why are clean hands still important to you?

While significant progress in hand hygiene awareness has been made, maintaining and improving hand hygiene behaviors remains crucial beyond public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Clean hands remain a fundamental defense against the spread of infections, illnesses, and harmful germs. Whether in hospitals, schools, or in everyday interactions, practicing handwashing with soap contributes to better health outcomes and a safer world for everyone. 

The benefits of clean hands

Hand hygiene, whether through handwashing with soap or alcohol-based handrub, can help reduce the transmission of a range of diseases:

• Handwashing with soap can reduce diarrheal diseases by 30%.
• Handwashing with soap can reduce acute respiratory infections by up to 20%.
• Handwashing with soap plays an important role in reducing the transmission of outbreak-related pathogens such as cholera, Ebola, shigellosis, SARS, hepatitis E, COVID-19, and monkeypox.
• Hand hygiene is protective against healthcare-associated infections and contributes to reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Proper hand hygiene has also been linked to benefits beyond disease reduction, such as reduced rates of school absenteeism and improvements in wellbeing, dignity, and productivity.

WATERTOWN, S.D. – October 16, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) announces a significant step forward in their vision to provide "Exceptional Care Every Day" through an Affiliation Agreement with Sanford Health to implement Epic as the new electronic health record (EHR) at PLHS.

Vince Foley, Chairman of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors, emphasized the benefits of this affiliation, stating, “A collaboration with Sanford Health will help leverage talent and resources, expanding access to services for our 10-county service area.” He added, “This agreement is yet another example of our commitment to ensure patients and families receive the highest quality preventive and medical care.”

The agreement represents an opportunity for Prairie Lakes to adopt and standardize on the industry-leading EHR system. The transition will enhance care coordination across Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and with Sanford Health, the largest healthcare system in South Dakota.

“Our affiliation with Sanford Health to migrate to Epic is pivotal to enhancing our physician practices,” stated Prairie Lakes Chief Medical Officer and family medicine physician, Dr. Dan Reiffenberger. “It will create opportunities to improve quality outcomes and elevate satisfaction among our physicians, staff, and patients. We eagerly anticipate the transition to Epic.”

The Affiliation Agreement strongly supports the Prairie Lakes’ Mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities we serve. The work to positively impact patients and families is ongoing. The Affiliation Agreement with Sanford Health will enhance these efforts, resulting in patients experiencing a higher quality outcome and greater overall satisfaction.

“This agreement strengthens our collective commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to the Prairie Lakes service area as we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our communities,” said Eric Hilmoe, Chief Operating Officer at Sanford Health Network.

While Prairie Lakes already boasts numerous quality accolades, this affiliation creates an even greater opportunity to enhance patient care in the communities served.

“With this agreement and subsequent implementation of Epic, Prairie Lakes reaffirms its commitment to innovation, quality, and patient-centered care, setting the stage for improved healthcare delivery in northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota” said PLHS President and Chief Executive Officer, John Allen.

###

About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

Located in Watertown, S.D., Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is an independent healthcare organization that provides care for 90,000 people in a ten-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. The system is focused on meeting the needs of the region with a mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities they serve. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System offers exceptional care every day in close to 30 medical specialties/services with over 800 physicians, caregivers, and professionals on staff to serve their communities.

Learn more about what this means by clicking the Frequently Asked Questions button below.

 Frequently Asked Questions

WATERTOWN, S.D. – October 11, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will end participation as an in-network provider with Humana Medicare Advantage January 2025. The decision was made in the best interest of patients.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has notified known patients with Humana Medicare Advantage insurance about this change in participation through a mailed letter. The letter contains resources for patients to consider an alternative health insurance plan that is in-network for Prairie Lakes services. Patients can select a new plan during the Medicare open enrollment period of Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2024.

“Our number one goal is to provide exceptional patient care every day,” said Lynn Severson, Chief Financial Officer at Prairie Lakes. “Although this is a difficult decision as it affects many patients, we ultimately feel it is the right thing to do in order to give our patients the care they deserve.”

Prairie Lakes is committed to providing care to all patients, regardless of insurance coverage. However, beginning in January 2025, Patients with Humana insurance may encounter increased out-of-pocket costs associated with care and services received at our facilities as Prairie Lakes will be considered out-of-network for this plan.

Medicare patients who have appointments and/or procedures scheduled in 2025 are encouraged to check their 2025 Medicare plan coverage network to make sure Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is in network and contact their insurance company directly for questions about coverage.

###

About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

Located in Watertown, S.D., Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is an independent healthcare organization that provides care for 90,000 people in a ten-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. The system is focused on meeting the needs of the region with a mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities they serve. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System offers exceptional care every day in close to 30 medical specialties/services with over 800 physicians, caregivers, and professionals on staff to serve their communities.