Archives: Services

Fast. Accurate. Reliable.

Your medical team relies on lab tests to help diagnose and treat your health conditions. The GMHC Laboratory is located on the first floor of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital and is committed to providing accurate and timely results, backed by professional and friendly service.

Our laboratory offers a full menu of diagnostic and follow-up testing. All lab testing must have a written physician order.

Lab Hours

The Lab is open for outpatient service Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon. Appointments are required. Please call (563) 252-1121 to make your appointment for lab services. If you need laboratory services outside of these hours, please call and we will work with you to try to accommodate your schedule.

Getting Results

All test results are forwarded to your provider to share with you and explain the results. Please note that laboratory staff are not authorized to give test results directly to patients.

Laboratory Accreditation & Certification

The GMHC Laboratory is certified through CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act) which fulfills the compliance requirements for Centers for Medicare. Eighty-five percent of tests are performed onsite in our Laboratory department. Remaining tests are sent to an accredited reference lab.

When you or your loved one requires hospitalization, you want to keep them close to home. GMHC is prepared to provide high-quality medical care with personal attention to the needs of you and your family.

Your Care Team

We believe in a team approach to healing, with the patient at the center of the team. Your care team works together to help you meet your goals. Your care team may include:

Caring, Comfortable Environment

We know that patients heal better—and feel better—in a private room. Private rooms also help cut down on infection rates while you rest and recover. That’s why all of our spacious patient rooms are private and include a private bathroom and shower.

We also know that loved ones play an important role in the healing process. At GMHC we encourage family and friends to visit and to become involved in the patient’s care. GMHC provides comfortable family support areas and furnishings for family members.

Your loved ones care for you and your wellbeing. During periods of visitation restriction, we offer virtual visitation through phone and video calls. In addition, our thoughtful care team will ensure that frequent updates are provided to your family with your consent.

Learn more about Skilled Care at GMHC.

Protecting the health of area workers and managing healthcare services for employers in Guttenberg and surrounding communities is the mission of GMHC Community Services.

Injury Treatment and Management

If a worker is injured, GMHC will promptly care for your employee. Treatment and management of employee injuries is provided locally by Cornerstone Family Practice.  If an employee is injured after hours, services are available 24/7 through the GMHC Emergency Department. We work closely with the medical staff to give you follow-up communication on treatment administered and the employee’s return-to-work status.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Our comprehensive drug and alcohol testing allows your organization to remain confident that your employees are maintaining the professionalism and safety needed to carry out their job responsibilities. Tests are performed through the GMHC Laboratory on a 24-hour basis and meet a variety of needs, including DOT requirements. Results are usually provided to you within 24 to 48 hours.

Tests include:

• Pre-employment screening
• Random testing
• Testing for reasonable suspicion or cause
• Post-accident
• Return to duty

Other Services

• Flu shots/vaccines

Stay close to home for your Cardiac and Respiratory testing and treatment in the GMHC Cardiopulmonary Department. Our team is staffed 24 hours by licensed Respiratory Therapists that are committed to providing convenient, quality care to patients at risk or suffering from heart and lung conditions. We will work closely with a provider to personalize the care you receive. Services are available in multiple settings, including clinic, ER, inpatient and outpatient. These services include, but are not limited to:

Pulmonary Services (Respiratory Therapy):

• Pulmonary Function Testing (pre/post bronchodilator, FVC, DLCO, PLETH, etc.)
• ABGs
• Oxygen Qualification Testing
• Aerosol Therapy
• BiPAP/CPAP Therapy
• Nebulized Medication Therapy
• Bronchial Hygiene (CPT, Flutter valve, etc.)
• Asthma/COPD Education
• Overnight Oximetry
• Sleep Screens

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services:

Cardiac Rehab:

GMHC’s cardiac rehab is a supervised program to help people to recover from cardiac events and disease including congestive heart failure, heart attack, surgery, and procedures including stenting and angioplasty.  Our program will provide you with education and exercise to reduce the risk of future heart problems, including heart attack.

There are many benefits of cardiac rehabilitation:

• Live longer and decrease the chance of a heart attack
• Improve stamina and help you get back to your usual activities
• Lessen the physical and emotional effects of heart disease
• Improve confidence and well-being

Pulmonary Rehab:

GMHC’s Pulmonary Rehab is a supervised program that is professionally supervised and designed to help patients find relief from the symptoms and limitations of chronic lung diseases such as COPD and asthma. These conditions make it difficult to enjoy life, leading to depression and decreased quality of life.  You may find it difficult to complete simple activities of daily living due to running out of breath.  Our program will provide you with education and counseling to help reduce the risk of future problems, as well as how to cope with your current symptoms.  We will educate you on your current disease, why you are having the symptoms, and how to manage symptoms on a daily basis.

Our team of respiratory therapists provide you with the individualized support and attention you need to personalize your care and reach your goals.  If you suffer from chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, pre and post lung transplant, lung cancer, and post COVID you will benefit from pulmonary rehab.

Stress Testing:

GMHC offers stress testing to learn more information about how your heart is working during physical activity. Test results can help your provider diagnose the cause of chest pain, determine the severity of coronary artery disease and evaluate heart rhythm problems. It can also be used to guide treatment if you’ve already been diagnosed with a heart condition. Your provider may also order the test if you are going to start an exercise program and you have heart disease or certain risk factors such as diabetes.

A physician is present throughout the test to monitor your heart rhythm. In most cases, the test is performed on a treadmill. An injection of medication can be used to stress your heart if you are unable to exercise adequately. Your provider may also order nuclear imaging before and after your heart has been stressed. The images can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and damaged heart muscle.

The Anticoagulation Clinic (ATC) at Guttenberg Municipal Hospital helps patients taking anticoagulation medication, or blood thinners, manage their health for a better quality of life.

Anticoagulation therapy is used for the prevention and treatment of blood clots and related medical conditions such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, total joint replacement and other vascular conditions. These medications, while necessary for the patient’s health, can cause problems if not managed closely. By monitoring PT/INR levels, the ATC clinic helps prevent hospitalizations related to clotting or bleeding.

Our patient-focused approach includes point-of-care testing using finger-stick tests and accurate portable monitors. Because results are available immediately, nurses can review results with the patient and discuss treatment decisions during the same visit. The clinic also assists patients who are required to stop taking their medication prior to surgery or other procedures.

The ATC Clinic is administered by certified registered nurses who have extensive training in pharmacology and hematology. ATC Clinics are offered several days a month, making appointment scheduling convenient.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Deb Preston, Anticoagulation Clinic Coordinator at (563) 252-5580.

Radiology and Imaging in Guttenburg

Our patients have access to high-quality imaging services essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Imaging services are available during routine business hours for outpatients and 24 hours a day for emergency room patients.

3D Mammography

3D Mammography technology combines conventional 2-dimensional mammogram images with additional 3-dimensional views, enhancing the views of breast tissue resulting in several benefits. Patients may self-refer without a physician order if over age 40, no breast symptoms and are established with a GMHC primary care provider.  The GMHC Mammography Department is ACR certified.

Benefits of 3D Mammography include:

• More accurate detection
• Earlier diagnosis
• Better detection in dense breast tissue
• Less anxiety due to fewer callbacks

Bone Density Scanning

Take the first step towards healthier bones! DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a quick and painless way to measure bone mineral density. More sensitive than a standard x-ray, DEXA offers precision accuracy to help providers diagnose osteoporosis. An order is required for this test.

Computed Tomography (CT)

CT—sometimes called a CAT scan—uses computers and a rotating X-ray machine to create cross-sectional images of the body. These images provide more detailed information than normal X-ray images. They can show the soft tissues, blood vessels, and bones in various parts of the body. At GMHC we use a special software to reduce the radiation dose to the patient while acquiring images in a relaxing atmosphere to help providers diagnose illnesses and injuries. 

Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening includes a chest CT scan. Learn more to see if you are a candidate for lung cancer screening.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI uses magnetic fields, radio frequency pulses and computer technology to create detailed images of the inside of your body. The test is safe and painless with no x-ray radiation involved. Our Altea MRI has a wider bore opening and is equipped with Quiet Suite and Turbo Suite to reduce the noise during the scan and enables a reduction in exam times by using advanced accelerated imaging techniques. These features help reduce patient stress, making the exam more comfortable.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It’s a painless, noninvasive test with no x-ray radiation involved. GMHC offers a variety of ultrasound procedures including vascular exams, abdominal, diagnostic breast, and more.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, from cancer to heart disease.  This specialized area of Radiology is often used to examine organ function and structure. The amount of radiation in most nuclear medicine procedures is no more than what you would typically receive during a standard x-ray.  At GMHC, our Nuclear Medicine service is provided by a mobile service twice a month.