Community Health Nursing

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Prevention

Prevention is both a concept and a practice. However, in order to turn this concept into practice, we are seeking to forge partnerships with our patients and the El Paso community to develop awareness of the risk factors that cause both acute and chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. This awareness, coupled with health education, practical assistance, and community support can create behavioral changes that will enhance the health of our patient population and encourage them in the development of healthier lifestyles. Toward this end, we have implemented a wide array of preventive services to help our patient population identify their personal health risks, learn more about those risks, support change in their high risk health behaviors, and promote their optimal well-being.

Health Risks

Many factors contribute to our individual health risk. Some of these factors we cannot control. These are, for example, factors such as heredity and the environment. These uncontrollable risk factors may add to or even multiply other factors to increase the risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Fortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 55% of the factors that influence our overall health are under our control. These include exercise, diet, use of tobacco, use of alcohol, the ability to manage everyday stressors, safety practices, the ability to recognize key changes in our body, and the decisions about when and where to seek medical care.

Some of our behaviors in these areas can increase our risk of disability or premature death. However, by taking responsibility for the controllable factors, we can make changes in our lifestyle that will have a positive impact on our health.

If unsure of your health risks, please stop by any of the wellness centers for a Health Enrollment Assessment Risk (H.E.A.R.). The H.E.A.R. will help you identify your health risks and a counselor will advise you on how to realistically and permanently lower these risks.

Location

Soldier Family Care Center (SFCC)

111335 SSG Sims Rd.
Biggs AF Ft. Bliss TX 79918
2nd floor of the Building, Preventive Medicine Section

Hours of Operation

Monday thru Friday 0730 – 1200 and 1300 – 1600.

No appointments necessary

The wellness centers feature videos, on-line searches, CD-ROM software, written materials

Mission

The purpose of the wellness centers is to promote healthy lifestyles by providing health promotion information to all clients to include active duty personnel, dependents, and DOD civilians. The wellness centers provide information on the following topics:

  • High blood pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Weight control
  • Tobacco Cessation
  • Alcohol Awareness
  • Pregnancy
  • Stress Management
  • Contraception
  • Exercise
  • STD prevention
  • Body Composition
  • Back pain
  • Nutrition
  • Self-care and over the counter medication class
  • Mature defensive driving course

Contact

WBAMC
915 569-3311
Fort Bliss
915 568-1869

Our Staff

Chief of CHN
915 742-1360
CHN
915 742-1359
CHN
915 742-1357
CHN
915 742-1355
Medical Clerk
915 742-1343
NCOIC
915 742-1358
Health Promotion Coordinator
915 742-1353
Health Technician
915 742-1471
Health Technician
915 742-1367

Tobacco Cessation Classes

  • Classes are offered every month beginning on the first Wednesday of each month at the Soldier Family Medical Clinic Wellness Center from 1300–1430
  • Classes meet once a week for 4 weeks
  • We provide behavior modification techniques along with either Zyban pill or the Nicotine patch

Pregnancy Physical Fitness

  • Pregnancy fitness is 5 days per week. Every day except for Tuesday, pregnancy PT is held at Logan Gym from 0615–0700. On Tuesdays, it is held at Building 60 on Fort Bliss from 0700–0800 for classes
  • Pregnancy PT consists of aerobic and flexibility training, aquatic workouts, and 1 classroom session covering the basics of pregnancy and several maternal child health topics

Tuberculosis Control

  • Soldiers and family members with a positive tuberculin skin test are required to register with the Army Community Health Nursing Service
  • Active duty are required to complete a 9-month course of medication (medication is optional for family members)
  • Soldiers on medication for latent TB are required to follow up with a Community Health Nurse on a monthly basis

Pregnancy Profiles

  • Initial pregnancy profiles are provided by Community Health Nursing until the soldier attends their first pregnancy appointment at the OB clinic
  • Soldiers cannot participate in pregnancy PT until they are cleared by the OB clinic
  • As long as a soldier is eligible, participation in pregnancy PT is mandatory
  • Soldiers who need clarification on their profiles may see a Community Health Nurse on a walk-in basis

Take Care of Yourself Classes / Over the Counter Medication

  • Class covers use of OTC medications and includes an OTC medication sticker in order to obtain free OTC medications at any of the pharmacies. This class is given at various times. Please call either wellness center for time and location. Groups will be scheduled as needed.

Self-Care Classes

  • Health promotion conducts self-care classes for in-processing soldiers weekly at the welcome center (building 505), for AIT/IET soldiers, Sergeant Major Academy and Family Readiness groups.

Epidemiology and Disease Control (STD Counseling)

  • Our program mission is to offer sexually transmitted disease and STD and HIV prevention classes and/or individual counseling as needed for active duty, family members, retirees, and DOD civilians
  • We provide contact tracing and follow-up of all communicable diseases
  • Provide case reporting as required by the El Paso City/County Health Department and the US Army

Health Promotion Classes

  • Several classes are available on as as needed basis to all Fort Bliss organizations
  • Classes cover materials such as childcare issues, personal and health issues, communicable diseases, healthy lifestyles, exercise, nutrition

Pregnant Soldiers Workshop

  • This is a class for active duty pregnant soldiers and spouses. Class reviews laws, regulations, responsibilities, and privileges of pregnant soldiers and families with children. These classes are held 3 times per year.

Body Composition Testing

  • Body composition is done using the bioanalogics method. This method utilizes electrical impedance. This is a non-invasive method. The test is being provided on a walk-in basis at either wellness center.

The 55 Alive Driving Program

  • The 55 Alive/Mature Driving Course is a classroom refresher especially designed to meet the needs of older drivers. It covers age-related physical changes, declining perceptual skills, rules of the road, local driving problems, and license renewal requirements. The program goal is to help older drivers improve skills and avoid traffic crashes and violations. Insurance discounts are available as well.

Medication Administration / Communicable Disease Classes for Childcare Workers

  • These classes are targeted toward childcare workers in the centers for child development service and family childcare homes
  • These classes qualify the participants to give certain medications to children per AR 608-10

Building Stronger Ready Families

  • Community Health Nursing supports the chaplain led preventive approach to family readiness, helping participants build a strong family-physically, relationally, and spiritually.

Health Fairs

  • We support various health fairs/ health promotion events throughout the year according to the current focus of prevention.