Nearly 375,000 people in Minnesota have diabetes. A quarter of those with the disease are unaware that they have it. Diabetes can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, or social status. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often do not appear until it’s too late. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to deadly complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. Over 150,000 Americans die each year from diabetes and its complications. For most people, many of these complications can be prevented or delayed with appropriate monitoring and treatment. However, studies in both fee-for-service and managed care settings indicate that care is sub-optimal.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville promotes best care practices related to diabetes, and eliminate health disparities in diabetes care. Diabetes support and education session topics and speakers cover a wide range of information for those who are interested in improving their health while living with Diabetes.

For more information on Diabetes education contact us at 320-243-3767.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville is proud to offer a Registered Dietitian who works with patients that are referred for one-on-one nutrition education. Patients may be referred for diet therapy to lower their cholesterol, assist with weight management, learn about heart health eating, and/or receive diabetes education.

Our dietitian also provides nutrition education to patients that are staying in our hospital.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville’s Imaging Services offers the latest diagnostic means available for confirming diagnoses and establishing treatment plans.

• Multi-Slice CT Scanner
• 3D and 4D Ultrasound Imaging
• MRI (Mobile)
• Mammography
• Nuclear Medicine (Mobile)
• Bone Density
• PET/CT
• EKG
• X-Ray
• Stress Test
• Back Pain Clinic

Patient Instructions (learn about your procedure)

The central laboratory for CentraCare Health – Paynesville, located on the main campus in Paynesville, is a high complexity testing, CLIA certified laboratory (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988). The central laboratory provides routine and emergency testing for our health care providers 24 hours a day.

All CentraCare Health – Paynesville satellite clinics offer CLIA certified lab services on site for fast, reliable results.

Our lab performs most of its testing in-house, including chemistry testing and blood profiles, blood gases, hematology, blood banking, microbiology, and urinalysis using state-of-the-art instrumentation.

We serve as a transfusion service for individuals needing blood or blood products which are provided by volunteer donors to the American Red Cross.

Cytology, pap smears, and tissue testing is performed at North Central Pathology in St. Cloud, Minn.

The hospital laboratory provides breath alcohols and DOT, pre-employment drug screen collections and consultation services for employers needing assistance with their drug testing programs.

When an individual wants to obtain testing as a wellness monitor or for personal use, Direct Lab Access Testing from a select test menu is a means of receiving testing on a cash payment basis.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville Pharmacists work with your primary physician to help insure medication use is indicated, effective, safe, and convenient.

You may be referred to a pharmacist in the clinic or hospital for education and ongoing management of diabetes, asthma or chronic breathing problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart failure, blood thinner medications, smoking cessation, or a complete medication review. A care plan is developed with you, your primary physician and the pharmacist.

Pharmacists provide daily medications for patients in the hospitals and residents in the senior living facilities. Our pharmacists work with all departments at CentraCare Health – Paynesville to provide drug information for staff and patients.

Medication Therapy Management is a patient service that can help to answer questions about medications or side effects of medications. Pharmacists spend one-on-one time with you to review, prevent and solve drug related problems. MN Medicaid patients who have 4 or more medications prescribed and have 2 or more documented disease conditions are eligible for Medications Therapy Management (MTM). Most Medicare D plans also cover the cost of this service for their clients. Please contact your insurance provider to ask about your MTM benefits under Medicare D.

For more information, please call 320-243-3767 to make an appointment with our friendly pharmacy staff members. We are here to help you!

At CentraCare Health – Paynesville, our rehabilitation team is complied of licensed and certified staff members to assist patients in overcoming their temporary or long-lasting disabilities while offering support and skills to help patients on the road to recovery.

We realize that individuals disabled by an illness or injury face difficult adjustments and major lifestyle changes that often go beyond physical limitation. By providing a supportive, quiet, caring environment, we strive to give patients the confidence needed to achieve their maximum level of functional independence and to regain the lives they treasure.

Our comprehensive department features inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services tailored to each patient based on his or her needs, tolerance for therapy and desired outcomes. We also have outstanding wound care available on site. We are proud to offer personalized, quality care and are currently accepting new patients of all ages.

Our rehabilitation department includes:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy (Adult and Pediatric)
• Speech Therapy (Adult and Pediatric)

For your convenience, rehabilitation services are available at the CentraCare Health – Paynesville Hospital and the CentraCare Health – Paynesville Koronis Manor Care Center and also at the following clinic locations:

Paynesville — Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy (Adult and Pediatric) and Speech Therapy (Adult and Pediatric)

Cold Spring — Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy

Eden Valley — Speech Therapy (Adult and Pediatric)

Richmond — Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy (Adult and Pediatric) and Speech Therapy (Adult and Pediatric)

For more information, call 800-242-3767.

Ruth Schaefer, MA, from Audiology Center and Nancy Pauley, MS, from St. Cloud Hearing Clinic provide specialty hearing services at CentraCare Health – Paynesville.

Pain clinic specialists provide pain injection services at CentraCare Health – Paynesville.

Our specialty services oncology staff is here to help make the cancer journey easier. We work closely with oncologists and primary care physicians to develop and manage a treatment plan that is best for each individual patient.

Supporting you 24/7

Patients are encouraged to call, whenever concerns arise. Specialty Services staff offers 24-hour support by registered nurses who are trained in chemotherapy and the management of side effects associated with treatment or illness.

Oncology Nurses

CentraCare Health – Paynesville offers high tech treatment in a smaller, personal environment. Our competent, caring staff are specially trained in the management of port access, PICC lines and chemotherapy pumps. Several of our oncology nurses have received OCN certification training, assuring that our oncology care meets or exceeds all current standards of technology and best patient practices.

Along with providing chemotherapy treatments, Specialty Services can provide medication infusions such as Remicade, Venofer and Tysabri. Physicians from outside the CentraCare Health network can refer directly to the Specialty Services Department for any of these health care needs.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville, has been offering oncology services for over twenty-five years. We are currently partnering with oncology specialists from CentraCare’s Coborn Cancer Center. Our goal is to provide our patients with high quality care, while being able to stay close to home for their treatment needs. Lymphoma’s, pancreatic, colon, breast cancer and blood disorders are just a few of the cancer treatments available here at CentraCare Health – Paynesville. We are equipped for doing PET scans, MRI, CT, ultrasounds or other imaging your provider may request.

Cancer Support Services

Caring for your physical and emotional needs is part of what makes our oncology services complete. Our Specialty Services staff offers one-on-one chemotherapy classes for patients and their families. These classes provide valuable information on chemotherapy administration, side-effects and home care management.

We will also help guide you through the many local support programs:

• Grief counseling
• Dietary counseling
• Social Services
• Physical Therapy and Lymphedemia treatments
• Mastectomy apparel fittings
• Look Good, Feel Better Program

Dr. Cindy Firkins-Smith, from Affiliated Community Medical Centers, provides outreach dermatology services at CentraCare Health – Paynesville.

Podiatrists from St. Cloud Foot & Ankle Center provide podiatry (foot) services at CentraCare Health – Paynesville.

Cardiologists from CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center provide specialty care at CentraCare Health – Paynesville.

Orthopedic surgeons from St. Cloud Orthopedic Associates and ACMC in Willmar provide orthopedic care at CentraCare Health - Paynesville. 

Their services include: 

• Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery
• Sports medicine and sports-related injuries
• Computer-assisted surgery
• General orthopedics
• Total hip replacements
• Total shoulder replacement
• Carpal tunnel
• Foot and ankle treatments and surgeries

North Central Pathology of St. Cloud offers pathology services for CentraCare Health – Paynesville.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville has contracts with several hospice agencies to provide respite care when caregivers need loving and reliable support. For more information contact CentraCare Health – Paynesville Social Services at 320-243-3767.

Learn more about our surgery services.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville is committed to a goal of helping patients who are recovering from acute hospitalization to resume a normal level of function when they return home. The term swing bed came from the idea that the patient will “swing”, or transition, from inpatient acute care through the program to return home to the same level of independence prior to entering the hospital.

Often the swing bed program is used for patients who have had surgery such as hip or other joint replacement. Individuals who have had these types of procedures can be transferred to the Paynesville Hospital Swing Bed unit. In addition to major surgery, a lengthy illness can also result in the need for swing bed care.

A patient can transfer from a larger facility to swing bed or, if already in the Paynesville Hospital, simply change level of care to receive swing bed care.

The Paynesville Hospital Swing Bed unit’s top priority is to assist patients in recovering their independence and mobility through intensive therapeutic sessions. Our skilled physical therapists, occupational therapists and SLP evaluate each patient’s capacity and develop a program to meet achievable goals. Therapists work with each patient employing techniques to lead to recovering pain-free movement or to teach patients how to handle equipment that allows them to return to some level of self-sufficiency. Our therapists work with you 7-days per week, during your stay.

Referrals to Swing Bed come from the attending physician once it has been determined that the patient no longer requires acute care level of services, however still have a daily skilled need requiring inpatient recovery in a hospital setting. If you have questions regarding your recovery options after surgery call the social work department at 320-243-3767.

CentraCare Health – Paynesville has medical specialists and providers available to consult with you in a series of treatment options in the areas of: Neurology, Oncology, Psychology, Behavioral Health and Weight Management.

A Urology specialist from Adult & Pediatric Urology in Sartell visits CentraCare Health - Paynesville.

CentraCare Weight Management uses individual and telehealth appointments with physicians, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, behavior specialists and exercise experts to work with you to address all aspects of the disease of obesity. We will also work closely with your primary care provider. 

Are you ready to embark on a journey to better health?

Here are the steps you should take:

1. Attend in-person or view our free online Weight Loss Information Seminar. Learn about weight loss options, expected outcomes, complications and insurance requirements.

2. Complete a Health History Questionnaire. You will receive this questionnaire at our information seminar or you can print a copy from our seminar page. Mail in or turn in this questionnaire to initiate appointments at our clinic.

3. Meet your weight management provider in St. Cloud for a consultation. During this visit you will decide which weight loss method best serves your goals and medical needs.

4. After the initial consultation all follow-up visits are offered in Paynesville, making it easy and convenient to participate in this program.

Learn more about our Weight Management program.