Inspire Summer 2015

SUMMER 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 3

A Healthier You

St. Thomas More Hospital

SADDLE UP

Kids are always on the go, until an injury or health condition trys to slow them down. Prepare and prevent with a sports physical.

After a series of small injuries took a toll on Destiny Murray’s right knee, she turned to St. Thomas More Hospital for help. Now she’s got her giddyup back.

Read her story on Page 7.

AVOIDING SUMMER INJURIES Page 4

CHECK YOUR BONE STRENGTH Page 6

FREE YOUTH SPORTS PHYSICALS Page 7

PHOTO BY STEVE BIGLEY

EXTRA

TOUCH

Program gives patients and families additional support IT’S HARD ENOUGH BEING SICK or injured, let alone having to navigate a hospital admission while you’re sick or injured. Knowing this, St. Thomas More Hospital now offers a Care Transitions Team to help patients and their families navigate the ins and outs of a hospital visit.

“We discovered that patients were leaving the hospital unclear about next steps, their medication, and more,” says Marsha Bell, RN, a nurse navigator on the Care Transitions Team.

The Care Transitions Team helps guide patients in getting ready to be admitted Marsha Bell to the hospital, through their hospital stays, and on through recovery. The team includes a director, multiple social workers, case managers, and registered nurse navigators. Together, they help patients and families schedule appointments and tests, explain treatment plans, and provide resources, including everything from insurance guidance to information about support groups.

ur goal is to provide our patients with more O education and understanding of their condition before they leave the hospital,” Bell says.

Learn to manage chronic illnesses If you or a loved one lives with a chronic health condition, join the St. Thomas More Care Transitions Team to learn more about successfully managing your condition and living life to the fullest. Our next class begins on Thursday, Oct. 1, and will run for six consecutive weeks, ending Nov. 5. All classes will be held on Thursdays from 1-3:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the hospital. This program is FREE. For more information and to register, call 719-285-2245.

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Health Tip:

YOGA WHEN YOU CAN

Quiet your mind, boost your energy WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH, YOGA IS SHAPING UP to be a beneficial form of exercise. Yoga has been shown to improve symptoms of depression, sleep disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to research published in the January 2013 edition of Psychiatry.

“Yoga is beneficial both mentally and physically, as it helps quiet the mind and improve strength, flexibility, and balance,” says Mollie Miller, DO, an obstetrician/gynecologist at St. Thomas More Physician Group. Miller, a Cañon City native, has been practicing yoga since 2002, her first year of medical school.

“Yoga is a great stress reliever and something that improves your overall mental and physical health with few, if any, downsides,” Miller says. “Yoga helped me manage medical school stress and continues to be something that helps provide balance in my life.”

Because yoga comes in many forms, just about everyone — from young to old, with and without health problems — can participate.

Check with your doctor first, find the form that’s right for your goals and your body, and then be sure to start slowly — like with any exercise, injuries tend to happen when you push too hard too fast or don’t use proper form, Miller cautions.

With dozens of styles of yoga to choose from, it can be confusing to know which one to pick. Miller Dr. Mollie Miller recommends considering one of these and practicing at least twice a week for maximum benefits.

Vinyasa and Ashtanga (rapid series of poses) for cardio, power, and fitness Restorative (holding simple poses for longer) for relaxation and healing Hatha (a mixture of nearly all types of modern yoga) for people looking to build flexibility, strength, and breath Bikram (yoga in a saunalike setting) for promoting flexibility

Nearly half of Americans want to try yoga, but only 9 percent practice regularly, according to a 2012 study by Sports Marketing Surveys.

Check the strength of your bones with our bone density test.

See Page 6 for details.

PHOTOS TOOTHBRUSH ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/KENISHIROTIE, RUNNING PHOTOS BY STEVE BIGLEY

health notes

health notes

Summer BOUNTY EATING HEALTHY is never easier than in the summer, and St. Thomas More Hospital is here to make it even easier. Every Tuesday from June through mid-October, be sure to stop by the Cañon City Farmers Market at Veterans Park, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

“There is an incredible variety of fruits and vegetables on any given day at the farmers’ market, and they all offer different health benefits,” says Anna Gunsten, a registered dietitian and director of dining services at St. Thomas More Hospital.

“Fruits and vegetables are low in calories while also high in fiber, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, we all fall into a rut of grabbing the same ones, so branching out is a great way to help expand your palette and improve Anna Gunsten your health.”

Get FREE Recipes

Kale

Normally considered a cold-weather vegetable, summer kale makes a great summer salad that stands up to the heat. One-half cup gives you 180 percent of your daily vitamin A, which helps regulate cell growth and division.

Heirloom Tomatoes

The perfect summer food. Not only are they at their peak, but tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene, which prevents skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays and offers protection from skin cancer.

Beets

To learn how to cook with some of summer’s lesser-known vegetables, go online to stmhospital.org/recipes.

SKIN SENSE

Here are just three vegetables you’ll want to be sure to put in your recycled shopping bag:

Beets are a unique source of betalain, the red pigment that has powerful anti-inflammatory and detoxification qualities.

Most common form of cancer

striking hard in Colorado

PHOTOS COFFEE ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/WAVEBREAKMEDIAMICRO, HEART ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/CHAYATHON2000

WHEN IT COMES TO SKIN CANCER IN COLORADO, Michele Streeter, MD, doesn’t beat around the bush: “It’s underfeared and undertreated,” she warns.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers have increased 300 percent in the past decade to 3.4 million cases annually, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. And cases of melanoma — a potentially fatal form of skin cancer — have increased eightfold in the past 40 years. The steepest increase is among women in their 40s, found researchers at the Mayo Clinic.

“Skin cancer rates are exploding, especially here in Colorado,” says Streeter, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at St. Thomas More Physician Group. “People are not afraid enough.”

Left untreated, basal cell cancer — the most common form of skin cancer — can spread and cause large sores and protrusions that are unsightly and can permanently damage the eyes, ears, nose, lips, and bones of the face.

Dr. Michele Streeter Additionally, young nonmelanoma skin cancer patients under age 25 are 94 times more likely to develop melanoma and salivary gland cancer, according to research published last year in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention journal.

“People get lulled into thinking that because most skin cancers are basal cell that they don’t need to worry,” Streeter says. “I tell patients to watch their skin closely and tell their doctor about any changes — no matter how small.”

300%

increase in skin cancers

CHECK YOUR SKIN Everyone should get an annual skin check by a physician starting at age 40, younger if you have risk factors for skin cancer. Learn what to look for online at stmhospital.org/skin-check.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Streeter, call 719-285-2380.

St. Thomas More Hospital is part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado and western Kansas.

STMHOSPITAL.ORG SUMMER 2015

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HOT & Hurting

crash, bing, bang-ready

How to handle the TOP 5 summer injuries

As temperatures rise, so do emergency room visits.

Nearly one in 10 Americans will visit the ER this summer, more than any other season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here’s a look at the top summer injuries in the Cañon City area and when to try home care, visit an urgent care, or head directly to the ER.

1 > Lacerations

2 > Sprains & Fractures

3 > Rash/Skin Issues

Summer activities like zip-lining, hiking, and rafting account for a significant number of injuries, including scrapes and cuts, says Nancy Bartkowiak, RN, BSN, interim director of emergency services at St. Thomas More Hospital.

Regardless of the time of year, sprains and fractures rank top in terms of injuries. In the summer, wearing improper footwear, like flip-flops, to hike and bike can often lead to unintended injuries, Bartkowiak says.

From poison ivy to sunburns, skin issues are commonplace in the summer, Garcia says.

“Zip-lining, for instance, is growing in popularity, but most people don’t know that if you don’t brace yourself, you can end up with lacerations or broken bones,” Bartkowiak says.

“The speed of rivers, like the Arkansas River, can also cause bone injuries if you fall out while rafting,” she adds.

Lacerations are one of the most common summer injuries treated in urgent care, says Joe Garcia, manager of Centura Health Urgent Care Cañon City. While minor cuts and scrapes can be taken care of at home with antiseptics and bandages, more severe cuts require visiting an urgent care or ER.

WHEN TO VISIT AN …

Urgent care: Immediately after sustaining a laceration that won’t stop bleeding without stitches.

ER: If you think the cut requires extensive medical attention, such as deep lacerations that may involve tendons, ligaments, or bones.

Did you know? Lacerations must be sutured within 24 hours. Those not closed within 24 hours are generally left open to minimize infection rates.

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Wrist and ankle injuries spike in the summer from activities like zip-lining, rafting, and softball, Garcia notes.

For minor sprains, both Bartkowiak and Garcia recommend rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) at home for one or two days. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Tylenol®, can also be helpful. If there’s no improvement, then visit your primary care physician or an urgent care.

WHEN TO VISIT AN …

Urgent care: For sprains and suspected fractures that compromise range of motion and/or display significant swelling.

ER: If a break is suspected and/or any substantial trauma is experienced.

Did you know? Nearly 40 percent of ankle sprains are misdiagnosed or poorly treated, which can lead to chronic ankle issues, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

“Honestly, a lot of it comes down to good hygiene and preventive care such as sunscreen, insect repellant, and keeping your body and clothes clean and dry,” Garcia says. “Many people go camping, rafting, or backcountry exploring and don’t have the opportunity to change into clean, dry clothes, especially socks, on a regular basis.”

Home remedies can address minor irritations, but a physician should see issues that don’t resolve in one or two days.

WHEN TO VISIT AN …

Urgent care: When your primary care provider is unavailable for rashes and skin irritations that last more than one to two days, or if skin issues are accompanied by a fever or nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

ER: Upon a referral from the urgent care or your primary care physician.

Did you know? Nearly half of Americans ages 30 or younger report getting sunburned each year, according to the CDC. Falling into a cactus is more common than you think. Apply Elmer’s glue on small spines (prickly part), let dry, and then remove.

“We treat several people in the ER every summer who fall into cacti,” Bartkowiak says.

ST. THOMAS MORE EMERGENCY ROOM

Attend Child Health and Safety Day

1338 Phay Avenue, Cañon City 719-285-2270

The 15th Annual St. Thomas More Child Health and Safety Day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m.-noon on the grounds of the hospital. Bring your children to enjoy the MEGA Brain, horse safety, a tour of the Flight For Life® helicopter, a bounce house, a fitness zone, and more. FREE bike safety giveaways, booster seats, and snacks while supplies last. For more information, go online to stmhospital.org/calendar.

4 > Head Trauma

5 > Eye Injuries

Injuries from falls and motor vehicle, ATV, and bicycle accidents are the leading cause of death among children 0-19, according to the CDC. Equestrian falls also account for a significant number of head injuries in the Cañon City area.

“Unfortunately, not everyone wears a helmet when enjoying their favorite summer activities,” Bartkowiak says. “Whenever a head injury is suspected, it’s important to go to the ER immediately.”

Itchy, swollen eyes and eye injuries are the third most common injury treated at Centura Health Urgent Care Cañon City during the summer months. Allergies and mishaps while camping and hiking are the most common culprits for eye injuries, Garcia says.

Home remedy is never an option for head injuries.

WHEN TO VISIT AN …

Urgent care: For minor bumps, minor lacerations to the head or face, and headaches.

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/YURAKP; /

ER: For any head trauma or a fall that impacts the head. All animal-related trauma, such as falling from a horse or being kicked in the head, should be treated in an ER. Did you know? Cycling accounts for the most sports-related head injuries in the U.S., with football second, baseball and softball third, water sports fourth, and powered recreational vehicles fifth, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

> Level IV Trauma Center > 17,000 patients treated annually > Featuring Flight For Life® Colorado > Partnership with nearby Centura Health hospitals in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver to transport patients requiring higher levels of care > Board-certified emergency room physicians > Not-for-profit designation: treats everyone, regardless of ability to pay > Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program

CENTURA HEALTH URGENT CARE CAÑON CITY

Minor eye itching and swelling can typically be treated with over-thecounter allergy medications.

3245 E. Highway 50, Suite E Cañon City 719-285-2888

WHEN TO VISIT AN …

> Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Urgent care: For eye irritations that last longer than a few days or if an eye scratch or abrasion is suspected.

> On-site lab, diagnostic imaging capabilities (X-ray), suturing, and rapid point-of-care testing — influenza, strep, RSV, glucose, urinalysis, etc.

ER: For traumatic eye injuries or if vision is significantly impaired.

Did you know? Eye injuries peak in July, according to research conducted by the Department of Epidemiology and Ophthalmology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

> Average total visit time: 40 minutes > Accepts all insurances except CICP > Seasoned clinical staff with over 100 years of combined medical experience

GET TIPS

iTriage

Go online to stmhospital.org/ urgent-care for health tips to prevent summer injuries and to download a quick reference card on when to use urgent care or the ER.

St. Thomas More Hospital is part of the Centura Health Trauma System, the region’s largest and most comprehensive network of trauma care and emergency services.

STMHOSPITAL.ORG SUMMER 2015

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St. Thomas More Hospital’s iTriage app offers health tips and search options for pharmacies, clinics, and other medical facilities within a 10- to 50-mile radius of your location. Visit centura.org/itriage-app to learn more and download the app.

bone health

Stronger Longer It’s easy to keep your bones strong, if you know what you’re doing!

But the disease can be prevented or treated if it is diagnosed through imaging tests such as a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), also called a bone densitometry or bone density test.

Calcium Supplements Women over the age of 50 need at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily. If you are not getting this through dairy products, dark green vegetables, and other calciumrich foods, you should be taking a calcium supplement, says Sherrie Limitone, certified bone density operator at St. Thomas More Hospital.

But there are right and wrong ways to take calcium supplements, Limitone says. “If you’re taking calcium supplements, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist or you could be throwing your money away — or worse, harming your health.”

Some things to know: Calcium supplements come in two forms — carbonate and citrate. Carbonate is cheaper of the two and used most frequently.

But it must be taken with food, and it should not be taken with medications for GERD (acid reflux) or peptic ulcer disease. Citrate must be taken on an empty stomach.

Calcium supplements should not be taken with thyroid medications, as the absorption of the thyroid supplement may be impacted. Other medications also can create interactions.

Only 500-600 milligrams of calcium can be absorbed in a single dose. If you need higher doses, break them into morning, noon, and night.

What Else?

Adequate calcium intake — whether through diet or supplements — is not enough to prevent osteoporosis. You also need adequate levels of vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise like walking or lifting weights, Limitone says.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, along with protecting bones. While exposure to sunlight and a few foods, like milk and the skin of fatty fish (wild-caught mackerel, salmon, and tuna), provide vitamin D, most people need a supplement to get enough (1,000-2,000 IU daily). Because need varies by person, you should have a blood test to determine how much you need.

Schedule a bone density test A DEXA scan is an X-ray that measures the density of your bones.

This painless test usually takes 10-20 minutes and X-rays the hip and/or spine. It is generally covered by most insurance plans and Medicare.

A physician’s order is required for this study. To schedule a DEXA scan at the St. Thomas More Women’s Health Center, call 719-285-2512.

St. Thomas More Hospital is developing a dedicated Women’s Health Center on the hospital’s second floor to include the newly renovated birth center, digital mammography, ultrasound, and bone densitometry. Business and community donations to the St. Thomas More Health Foundation have funded completion of the first two stages. The foundation is now completing the final stage of its capital fundraising campaign to complete this beautiful new center.

Help Us Build

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INSPIRE ST. THOMAS MORE HOSPITAL

To learn more about how you can support this effort, contact the St. Thomas More Health Foundation by calling 719-285-2162 or visiting stmhospital.org/donate-now.

PHOTOS ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/TMC_PHOTOS

ABOUT 9 MILLION AMERICANS, mostly women, have osteoporosis. Another 48 million have low bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis. Caused mainly by aging, osteoporosis makes the bones so weak that a minor fall, or sometimes even coughing or bending, results in a broken bone, usually in the hip, wrist, or spine.

FIT FOR SUCCESS Sports physicals get student athletes off on the right foot YOU WOULDN’T SEND YOUR CHILD on the field with an oversized football helmet or without shin guards. Just as important, a pre-participation physical helps make sure student athletes’ intended sports are a good fit for them.

START STRONG “The idea is to identify any medical problems that might cause risks or complications during participation,” says Ananya Lusero, MD, a pediatrician at St. Thomas More Physician Group in Cañon City.

“Schedule a sports physical at least four to six weeks before the season starts,” Lusero recommends. This allows time to rehabilitate old musculoskeletal injuries and to Dr. Ananya Lusero identify and treat conditions that can interfere with performance before the first practice.

In addition to the physical exam, a personal and family health history will help the doctor identify issues that may need further evaluation, such as imaging tests for a nagging injury or blood sugar testing for a child at risk of diabetes. (See sidebar, “Come Prepared.”)

WATCH FOR DETOURS

PHOTO ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/ROMAN GORIELOV; HORSEBACK BY STEVE BIGLEY

Prevention matters, and so does prompt intervention. Throughout the season, “any musculoskeletal issue that affects an athlete’s ability to play should be evaluated,” Lusero says.

COME PREPARED

For horseback rider Destiny Murray, it wasn’t one big injury but a series of small ones that took a toll on her right knee. A high school senior, Murray started horse competitions when she was 5 years old.

“I’ve been thrown off my horse, stepped on, and kicked over the years,” Murray says. “Anytime I fell, it was always on my knee.” Due to this cumulative damage, her kneecap would chronically pop out of place and her knee would suddenly buckle.

When physical therapy wasn’t enough to stabilize the joint, Murray had osteotomy surgery at St. Thomas More Hospital by Keith Minihane, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at St. Thomas More Physician Group, to realign the kneecap and relieve pressure. “I’m happy with the outcome,” she says. “My knee doesn’t pop out of place anymore, and I don’t have to deal with the agonizing pain.” After a couple of months off, Murray is back in the saddle.

Destiny Murray is back to riding her horse, Bay, after knee surgery.

STOP TO GO FORWARD Convincing student athletes to stop long enough to address an injury can be a challenge. But “having a musculoskeletal injury is the biggest risk factor for having another one,” Lusero says.

If athletes ignore an injury, their strength and flexibility can take a hit, leaving them vulnerable to reinjury.

While Murray took time off for surgery and rehabilitation, “it was really hard not to be able to do the activities I wanted,” she says. “But I dealt with it so I would be able to ride a whole lot better again.”

Come to a sports physical ready to answer questions about your child’s health history and family history. For example:

 Does your student athlete have a history of chest pain, difficulty breathing, passing out,

palpitations, or light-headedness during activity?  Does your child take any supplements to enhance athletic performance?  What is your child’s history of injuries, illnesses, or surgeries?  What health conditions have affected your child’s close relatives — parents, siblings, and grandparents?  Does your family have a history of heart problems or unexplained sudden death before age 50?

Get FREE sports physicals Set your student athlete up for success! Come to our FREE youth sports physicals event for middle and high school student athletes on July 29 from 1-6 p.m. at the St. Thomas More Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. For more information and to register, call 719-285-2451.

SUMMER 2015

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INSPIRE INSPIRE is published quarterly

by St. Thomas More Hospital as part of our Mission to nurture the health of the people in our community. The information herein is meant to complement, not replace, advice provided by a licensed health care provider.

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To comment or unsubscribe, email us at inspire@centura.org.

INSPIRE is produced by Clementine Health Marketing.

Executive Editor: Jillian Maes.

S T M H O S P I TA L.O R G St. Thomas More Hospital is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network.

Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2015.

INSPIRATION CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION WEDNESDAYS, JUL 8-29 AND SEP 9-30  6-9 P.M.

Prepare yourself, your partner, and baby for labor and delivery during this four-week program — what to expect in your third trimester, labor techniques, pain management, breastfeeding, and postdelivery care.

Location: St. Thomas More Hospital, Community Room Cost: $25 for you and a support person; scholarships available upon request Registration: stmhospital.org/ childbirth-education or 719-285-2058

Join our health experts to learn how you can make small changes that make a big impact on improving your health! For a complete list of classes and details, visit stmhospital.org/calendar.

SPORTS PHYSICALS

WEDNESDAY, JUL 29  1-6 P.M.

Middle and high school student athletes can receive a FREE sports physical by the St. Thomas More Physician Group and a sports readiness assessment by our rehabilitation and orthopaedic services team; fulfills the sports physical required by the school district. Appointments are limited; call to register today!

Location: St. Thomas More Outpatient Rehabilitation Center Cost: FREE Registration: 719-285-2451

CHILD HEALTH AND SAFETY DAY

St. Thomas More Hospital offers the following ongoing education, support, and resources: Diabetes education classes and monthly support group; to learn more, visit stmhospital.org/diabetes or call 719-285-2712.

Monthly support groups for bariatric weight loss; to learn more, call 719-285-2548.

Women’s Wellness Connection provides FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings to qualifying women; to learn more, visit stmhospital.org/WWC or call 719-285-2473.

PHOTOS BABY ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/PAULHAKIMATA; DRINK /KARANDAEV

SATURDAY, SEP 12  9 A.M.-NOON

FREE hands-on injury prevention education for kids 2-14 years old; car seat checkpoint and giveaway; interactive stations featuring community partners in youth services, nutrition and dental, ATV and horse safety, and more; featuring Flight For Life® Colorado, Cañon City Fire and Police, MEGA Brain, a bounce house, giveaways, and a prize package!

Location: St. Thomas More Parking Lot Cost: FREE Information: 719-285-2345

Save the Date!

4th Annual Margaritas and Mammos Monday, Oct. 19