Maria Parham Medical Center - Healthbeat - May 1, 2012 by The Daily Dispatch

Maria Parham Healthbeat

A publication of Maria Parham Medical Center and The Daily Dispatch

Hospitalist program

The Hospitalist program of fers medical doctors who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of hospitalized patients and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.

Hospitalist FAQs

What is a hospitalist? — A hospitalist is a medical doctor who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. They are trained in general inter nal medicine and other medical specialties. Because they do not maintain outside clinics, they can focus their attention on your medical care inside the hospital. What are the benefits of having a Hospitalist? — Your hospitalist specializes in the kinds of medical conditions that need to be treated in the hospital. Because the hospitalist does not have any outside clinic, he or she has added knowledge of other depar tments and specialties and are ver y accessible to hospital nursing staf f. These specialists can help to speed your recover y and shor ten your hospital stay by following

Pictured is Maria Parham’s new “telehospitalist” service in action. Dana Giarrizzi, MD (in the monitor) has a discussion with the patient while Tina Hope, RN, assists. up on tests and adjusting your treatment plan t h r o u g h o u t t h e d a y. They have systems in place to communicate with your family and your primar y care doctor as needed, especially at the time of admission and discharge. Why might I see several Hospitalists physicians during my hospital stay? —

Hospitalists are a small group of specialists who cover admitted hospital patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Because no one person could do this on their own, they work as a team. This may result in you seeing more than one of them during your stay at Maria Parham. What is the rela-

tionship between the Hospitalists and my primar y care doct o r ? — The hospitalist par tners with your primar y care doctor to administer and oversee your tr eatment while you are in the hospital, ser ving as your regular doctor until you are discharged. The specialist see hospitalists/page 2

May 1, 2012

Maria Parham adds exciting new technology to patient care “A fascinating experience,” was the enthusiastic answer given by Judi Seekins when asked about her encounter with telemedicine at Maria Parham. Telemedicine is a rapidly growing telecommunication tool that allows remote, twoway contact between a physician and a patient. Physicians are able to assess a patient’s health via both video and audio, through face-to face contact and diagnostic monitoring. Telemedicine is not a new concept, but is quickly gaining popularity because of its benefits. Telemedicine began in the form of a ‘telehospitalist’ at Maria Parham Medical Center in the middle of February. It is currently used in the inpatient hospitalist realm, but it has much more far-reaching applications. Hospitalists are physicians that care for patients only while they are in the hospital. Dr. Martin Deal, the medical

director for the Hospitalist Program at Maria Parham says, “When I first star ted considering telemedicine for our patients here, I was ver y skeptical. But, the more I began hearing about how well it worked in other hospitals and actually seeing the technology in action, the more I began to believe that it could work well here. Now that our program is off the ground, we’re seeing first-hand the benefits of this technology to our patients.” He continues, “It’s easy to see how telemedicine could be used to bring other specialties and ser vices to Maria Parham that have been difficult for us to provide to the community before. It’s pretty exciting to consider what’s possible.” InTouch Health provides the telehospitalist equipment used at Maria Parham. The RP-7 Remote Presence see technology/page 2

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HealthBeat

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Technology from page 1

Robotic System, in its simplest terms, is a highly technical mobile computer. It enables interactive healthcare between the doctor, the nurse and the patient by using state of the art technology and telecommunications. The system is transported to a patient’s bedside, where a nurse logs on. The doctor, nurse and patient are then connected over live video and sound. The doctor is able to see and hear the patient on his or her end, and likewise for the patient. The computer also features a multi zoom lens that the doctor can focus on a particular part of the patient’s body, enabling them to examine a patient very closely. There is also a stethoscope attached to the equipment, which the nurse can use to monitor vital signs. The physician is able to hear the patient’s heartbeat, for example, on his end and make determinations on the patient’s health. So far, nearly three dozen patients have been a part of the telemedicine experience at Maria Parham, and nearly every one

her telehospitalist experience ‘fascinating’, also mentioned that she was ver y satisfied with the amount of time the doctor spent with her. She felt she had a very thorough exam with the physician, even though he was actually in South Carolina. “I was very impressed, it was obvious that he had read all my medical history and you could tell that I had his

The RP-7 Remote Presence Robotic System, in its simplest terms, is a highly technical mobile computer. It enables interactive healthcare between the doctor, the nurse and the patient by using state of the art technology and telecommunications of them has received it favorably. Theresa Barnhill, the first patient to be admitted to Maria Parham with the telehospitalist, thought it was ‘unusual’ but had a ‘very positive’ encounter and was proud to be able to say that she was the first to have used it here. She gave the experience ver y high marks when asked to rate it. While the concept is very innovative, it is also a little

daunting. Patients who are used to speaking with a doctor who is physically in the room with them may feel a little apprehensive speaking with someone in another location using the computer. However, there is always a nurse present with the patient during the telemedicine interaction. Telemedicine is not intended to replace healthcare professionals, nor the personal touch they

provide. On the contrary, it is used to enhance and extend their reach, by reducing time and distance barriers for the patient. Telemedicine has many benefits—one of these is increased access to healthcare for patients. Providers or specialists that may not have been available without traveling long distances are instantly ‘closer’, reducing travel time and related stresses to the patient. Telemedicine has also been proven to lower or help contain healthcare costs—through fewer or shorter hospital stays, better management of chronic diseases, and shared health professional staffing. Seekins, while finding

undivided attention,” she explains. When asked if she was apprehensive at all about the experience going into it, she laughed and shrugged her shoulders. “No, I love anything new.” she said. It sounds like the mix of technology, innovation and good quality medical care was ‘just what the doctor ordered’ for Seekins.

Hospitalists From Page 1

will see you daily and manage your conditions, contacting your primar y care doctor as appropriate and at the time of discharge. When you are discharged you will return to your regular doctor to continue the care plan coordinated between your primar y care provider and the hospitalist. Can the Hospitalist become my primar y care provider? — No. Patients retain their primar y care provider and return to their regular caregiver after their release from the hospital. The hospitalists’ time is dedicated to inpatients and they do not have outside clinics. If you do not have a primar y care provider, the hospitalist or other hospital staff can assist you in finding a doctor and the records from your hospital stay can be sent to that provider.

Looking for a simple, routine form of exercise? Let’s take a walk Exercise does help. In a decades-long study of Har vard graduates, it has been shown that people who exercise regularly have less obesity, osteoporosis, hyper tension, and a longer life expectancy. It does not necessarily help to become obsessed with

a cer tain activity, such as r unning, for a few months or years and then quit, or go skiing a couple times each w i n t e r. T o b e m o s t useful, exer cise does not have to be extremely vigorous, but it must be done on a regular basis. Walking is one of the best exercises for this.

Wa l k i n g h a s m a n y advantages. It does not require any special equipment other than good shoes, and it does not require any special buildings or fields. It can be done anywhere and can be incorporated into a person’s daily activities of getting the mail or going to work.

Virtually anyone can do it. Even in the winter it can be a good exercise. When it is too cold or icy outside, a person can walk in shopping malls, up and down stair ways or do volunteer work in hospitals, nursing homes, or in community projects. Walking can

also be a good star ter program for more vigorous sports such as r unning, swimming, or tennis. Injuries are uncommon with walking and the exercise keeps the bones strong by helping prevent the loss of calcium associated with aging.

Wa l k i n g d o e s n o t bur n quite as many calories per mile as r unning, but it is still an excellent way to help reduce your weight. The weight loss and cardiac benefits can be fur ther increased by vigorous arm-swinging or carr ying small hand weights.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Car seats save the lives of infants, children Car seats save infantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives. And the lives of young children too, if they are used correctly. Statistics show that there is a dramatic decrease in deaths from accidents when children use well-designed car seats and proper restraints. Children aged 4-6 have not fared as well as infants because parents are less likely to use proper seat belt restraints at this age. The adult-size seat belts do not protect these young children as effectively as they do adults. Also at this age, children are becoming more independent, but using a proper restraint in the car is not one of the

choices that is negotiable.Â Infants and young childr en suf fer mor e severe injuries from the trauma of car accidents, even when the accidents appear to be minor. Their heads are proportionately heavy compared to their bodies and can be bounced around uncontrollably on their small, weak necks. This results in increased injuries to both the head and neck. Air bags can also contribute to increased risk to infants and young children if the children are not properly restrained. The risk of airbags comes both from the direct impact of the air bag and also from the

head bouncing back and for th on a weak neck after the impact. Children should be placed in the back seat of a car if at all possible, and always in a car seat or wearing a seat belt. The back seat is the safest place in case of an accident. It also avoids the risk of injuries from air bags. Infant car seats should be facing backwards to work properly. This gives

Left: Infants and young children suffer more severe inju-

ries from the trauma of car accidents, even when the accidents appear to be minor. Their heads are proportionately heavy compared to their bodies and can be bounced around uncontrollably on their small, weak necks. This results in increased injuries to both the head and neck.

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the greatest protection against injuries to the head, neck, and chest. Always buy the correct equipment for your children and take the time to learn the proper way to use it. It can save their lives.Â For more information about car seats and if find out when the next safety check is in our area, go to the Safe Kids website at www.hendersonvancesafekids.org.

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Balancing your nutritional intake before, during pregnancy When a woman becomes pregnant she usually decides that it is time to improve her diet. This is impor tant because she tr uly is “eating for two,” but it is even better to begin a nutritious diet long before the baby is conceived. The health of the baby depends on the nutrition he or she r eceives befor e bir th and also on the health o f t h e m o t h e r. G o o d nutrition will help the mother fend of f infections and prevent other illnesses during her pregnancy.

Good nutrition during pregnancy requires eating proper amounts of food from the four food groups — milk and dair y; meats; fruits and vegetables; and grains and cereals. To get the most nutrition out of the extra 300 calories per day a pregnant woman needs, she must eliminate foods with empty calories such as cookies and soft drinks. Alcohol should also be avoided. Incr eased amounts of vitamins and protein are needed during p r e g n a n c y, b u t t h e y can be obtained in a

balanced diet. Calcium must also be increased to about 1500 mg. per day. This can be obtained by drinking five glasses of milk,

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which is also a ver y good source of protein. Only a couple nutrients need to be supplemented during pregnancy. A woman’s

blood volume increases significantly during pregnancy, so extra iron is useful in preventing anemia. The vitamin that is most impor tant to supplement is folic acid. Doctors now know that this vitamin prevents bir th defects of the brain and spinal cord. Almost all other vitamins and minerals are abundant in a balanced diet and do not need to be

supplemented. If you discover that you are pregnant or if you are considering h a v i n g a b a b y, y o u should talk to your physician or visit with a doctor who specializes in obstetrics. For help finding a doctor in this our area, call Maria Parham Medical Center at (252) 436-1800 or visit www.mariaparham.com for a listing of medical providers.

Left: Good nutrition during pregnancy requires eating

proper amounts of food from the four food groups — milk and dairy; meats; fruits and vegetables; and grains and cereals. Salads, depending on the individual ingredients, can potentially contain all of these.

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When to check for diabetes

Many people wonder: When and how often should I have a blood sugar test done to screen for diabetes? How significant is having a relative with diabetes? What if a person is overweight? Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses in adults. It can also be present for many years without causing symptoms. These reasons make it an excellent disease to screen for. Poor control of the blood sugar in the years before diabetes is diagnosed can lead to irreversible damage to the kidneys, eyes, hear t and blood vessels. The incidence of diabetes increases with age; the adult form is uncommon before age 40, but becomes quite common in older age groups. In young people with no symptoms, a test ever y couple years may be appropriate. In older people, it is wise to check the blood sugar at least once a year, especially if a person is overweight or if there is a family history of diabetes. If you have any symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, blur r ed vision, fatigue or a dr y mouth, the blood sugar should be checked promptly. If it is normal, it should be repeated in a few days or weeks; the blood sugar is constantly changing and may have been drawn at a time it was in the normal range. Likewise, a single abnormal test does not prove that you have

A diabetes finger stick diabetes and it too must be evaluated further. The best time to check the blood sugar is in the mor ning after fasting twelve hours. For information regarding diabetes, visit The American Diabetes Association’s website at www.diabetes.org or talk to your doctor. Maria Parham Medical Center is pleased to of fer a comprehensive diabetes program approved by The American Diabetes Association. Physician r efer ral is r equir ed. The program includes both individual and group class education. Components include dietar y information, blood sugar monitoring, high and low blood sugars, sick day care, managing complications of diabetes, dealing with stress, goal setting and problem solving. The program includes one individual dietar y visit

and two 4-hour group classes. The cost of the program is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. For more information, call at (252) 436-1129.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Depression: Does it seem like you’re running on empty? Many people think that depression is having the “blues” because of a death in the family, a failure in one’s life or even just a weakness in a person’s character. Actually, depression is largely determined by chemicals in the brain. When these chemicals that help the brain cells function properly become depleted, a person will develop depression. It is a medical disease and it can happen to any of us. Just as in diabetes where shots can be given to replace the insulin that is lacking, depression can be treated with medicines that help restore the level of the chemicals that the brain requires, such as norepinephrine

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and serotonin. Antidepressant medicines also have side effects which can be put to good use in a person who has depression. One of the most common symptoms with depression is poor sleep. A person often falls asleep fine, but may awaken a few hours later, only to toss and turn until morning. Most of the antidepressant medicines will quickly restore a good night’s sleep, and this alone makes most people feel better even before the medicine has had a chance to correct the underlying chemical imbalance. The newer antidepressants are very effective, but they have a

few side effects including nausea, headache and loss of libido. However, these medicines are very safe. They are the safest choice and carry very little risk of harm from an overdose. The medicines may be needed for only a few months, or they may be needed on a long-term basis. But they should be used when the need arises. Depression can — and should — be treated. If you or someone you care for has signs of depression, you should consult with a physician. For help finding a doctor in this our area, call Maria Parham Medical Center at (252) 436-1800 or visit www.mariaparham.com for a listing of medical providers.

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What exactly causes cataracts?

Cataracts are opacities in the lenses of the eyes that prevent light from passing through. This results in a loss of the brilliancy of colors, a generalized darkening of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision, and eventually loss of vision. Cataracts are so common they can almost be considered a normal sign of aging. Vir tually anyone who lives long enough will develop them. But just what causes cataracts or brings them on at an earlier age, is not known for sure. Presently, ophthalmologists believe that lifelong exposure to ultraviolet light outdoors is

the most significant factor. The ultraviolet light can also come from man-made sources. There are numerous other factors which may play a role for cer tain people. Injuries to the eye are a cause in some people and often result in cataracts at an early age. Cortisones and cancer drugs may contribute to formation of cataracts. Use of these and a few other uncommon medicines may necessitate regular exams by your ophthalmologist.Â Cataracts are also more common in people who have diabetes or a family history of cataracts. Infants

can be born with cataracts caused by r ubella and other viral infections which had occurred before birth. Whatever the cause, the result is basically the same. The crystal clear cells of the lens become cloudy and opaque and vision is lost. The visual impairment may var y from minor difficulty with needlework and reading to complete loss of useful vision. Cataracts are treated by outpatient surger y which takes less than an hour. Only the eye is

anesthetized and unless ther e ar e other eye problems, the vision is restored in 98-99 percent of people. Talk to your family physician about cataracts. You may also consider seeing an ophthalmologist, medical doctor who specializes in eye-related issues. For a list of family physicians or ophthalmologists in the area, check out Physician Finder on www. mariaparham.com or call (252) 436-1800 to request a Physicians Directory.

Left: Virtually anyone who lives long enough will develop cataracts. But just what causes them or brings them on at an earlier age, is not known for sure.

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Gastrointestinal bleeding should never be taking lightly

Bone density is affected by many factors—age, genetics, smoking, low body weight, some medications, and even some other medical conditions like hypothyroidism, cancer, multiple sclerosis or endometriosis.

Osteopenia: a prelude to Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is called a silent disease because many people don’t know they have it until they break a bone after a fall or other injur y. There are really no symptoms or pain associated with the disease itself. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak or porous. Until about age 30, people, for the most par t, gain more bone density than they lose. As the body begins to age, the bone loss surpasses the amount gained. Once you lose a certain amount of bone, you are considered having osteoporosis.

Osteopenia is not a disease, just a condition that describes low bone density. Being diagnosed with it requires keeping a close eye on your bone strength, usually through a test called bone scan. Osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis if not treated. Bone density is af fected by many f a c t o r s — a g e , genetics, smoking, low body weight, some medications, and even some other medical conditions like hypothyroidism, cancer, multiple sclerosis, or endometriosis. Post menopausal

women are especially at risk. Estr ogen is ver y impor tant in maintaining a woman’s bone density—after menopause, estrogen levels drop and bone loss occurs more quickly. There are some things that you can do to prevent osteoporosis or slow the rate of bone loss if you already have it. • Eat a balanced diet, rich in calcium and vitamin D •Engage in weight-bearing exercise • Live a healthy lifestyle with no smoking and only moderate alcohol intake

•Have bone density testing and take medications for increasing bone density, if appropriate. See your medical doctor if you have any questions about these conditions. Maria P a r h a m ’ s Wo m e n ’ s Diagnostic Center provides mammograms, ultrasounds, breast biopsies, bone density scanning and information on women’s health. Talk to your doctor about sending you to the Maria P a r h a m ’ s Wo m e n ’ s Diagnostic Center if you need a bone density screening.

Bleeding from the gut is a frightening experience and rightly so: it can be ver y danger ous. The bleeding can be brisk enough to cause a person to become light-headed or even pass out. Indeed, a person can lose several units of blood before the bleeding becomes apparent. Bleeding fr om the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract can have several different causes. The best known is bleeding ulcers. These occur when an ulcer erodes into a blood vessel in the wall of the stomach or duodenum. Bleeding is often brisk and may need surger y. Fortunately, today’s ulcer medicines have decreased the incidence of this illness significantly. Other bleeding from high in the GI tract can be from stomach cancers or dilated veins in the esophagus. Most other GI bleeds originate in the colon, either from cancers or blood vessels entering diverticula. There can also be abnormal clusters of

blood vessels in the bowel wall which bleed. When the bleeding comes from the colon, it will be bright red, while blood from an ulcer in the stomach will be dark or black due to the action of the acid in the stomach. Any bleeding from the GI tract, whether it’s passing blood in the stool or vomiting blood, needs immediate medical care. Your doctor will need to check your blood count, pulse and blood pressure. Intravenous fluids are used to support the blood pressure until the problem has been corrected. Blood transfusions can be used if necessary. It is important that you treat any suspected GI bleed with the seriousness it deserves. See your doctor immediately if you suspect a problem. If necessar y, you can also go to Maria Parham’s Emergency Depar tment where you can be checked out by physicians specially trained in emergency medicine.

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It’s usually your wife or a friend that suggests it: “You need a hearing aid.” They are the ones who get tired of repeating things for you. It may be okay to repeat things in a conversation, but during a movie or meeting, having to ask what was just said is distracting to both persons, and both miss what happens next. How do you know if you need a hearing aid? The question you perhaps should ask is, “How do I know if I’d benefit from a hearing aid?” In contrast to treating hypertension or diabetes, treating poor

hearing is impor tant more for your own convenience and enjoyment of life than for medical reasons. Social situations are much more fun if you can hear the conversation. Poor hearing usually creeps up on you allowing you to become accustomed to the change. Unless you have occasional hearing tests, you may be surprised at how much hearing loss has occur red. These tests are especially impor tant if you ar e exposed to noise at work or with your hobbies. The appropriate way to evaluate your

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Should you consider a hearing aid? hearing is by for mal hearing tests. This way, you can find out exactly how much hearing you have lost and also find out how many wor ds you have trouble with because some sounds of speech are softer than others, causing similar words to be confused, such as “white” for “wife” or “wise.” Once you know if you have a hearing loss, your doctor can advise you about the improvement you can expect with a hearing aid, and then you can decide if a hearing aid is right for you. You physician may

be able to per for m a hearing teat or r efer you to an audiologist, a doctor who specializes in hearing irregularities. To obtain a list of physicians or audiologists in the area, you can check out the “Find a Physician” section of Maria Parham’s website — www.mariaparham.com.

Right: Poor hearing usually

creeps up on you, allowing you to become accustomed to the change. Unless you have occasional hearing tests, you may be surprised at how much hearing loss has occurred.

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A multitude of problems associated with reflux We like to think of the gut as a one-way street, but all too often it isn’t. One of the most common, but frequently overlooked, causes of a wide variety of symptoms is reflux — the seepage of acid and food from the stomach back into the esophagus. The esophagus is not designed to handle the stomach’s strong acid and many undesireable s y m p t o m s o c c u r. Sometimes they are symptoms that neither you nor your doctor ever suspects are due to reflux. It is well known that a person may have a sour taste in the mouth in the mor ning fr om reflux during sleep. So it should be no surprise that a chronic sore thr oat can be due to reflux. A chronic cough can occur because the ir ritation in the

esophagus stimulates the vagus ner ve which leads to coughing. This pathway can also lead to asthma, either through the vagal ner ve or by tiny droplets of acid getting into the windpipe causing an intense spasm of coughs. Episodes of asthma that occur suddenly at night are par ticularly likely to be due to reflux. In children, the sudden onset of croup-like symptoms is frequently due to reflux, but mis-diagnosed as croup. The vocal cords can also be damaged, resulting in hoarseness and chronic throat clearing. All these symptoms will improve by preventing the reflux. Also using medicines that prevent acid from forming in the stomach or simply neutralizing the acid will make

a major dif ference. Simple things you can do to reduce the reflux include avoiding eating and drinking before going to bed and avoiding alcohol and tobacco completely. If you are having trouble with reflux, you should talk with your physician or per haps go directly to a GI specialist, a physician who specializes in issues such as reflux. For help finding a doctor in this our area, call Maria Parham Medical Center at (252) 436-1800 or visit www. mariapar ham.com for a listing of medical providers. Maria Par ham also of fers a hear tbur n treatment center that specializes in conditions like reflux. Go to www. mariaparham.com/ GERD to lear n mor e about the Hear tbur n Treatment center.

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Carpal tunnel syndrome

Pain, with just a flick of the wrist When your hand goes to sleep and feels “funny” it may mean that a ner ve to the hand is being compressed as it passes through the wrist. Here, the nerve has to go through a narrow “tunnel” which can easily get too tight for the ner ve, thus causing carpal tunnel syndrome. This is more common in women than men and frequently affects both hands. The earliest symptoms often occur at night. The thumb and first two fingers of the hand become painful and numb.

A person often gets relief by rubbing or shaking the hand or hanging it over the side of the bed. The pain is often brought on by repetitive movements of the wrist or fingers. This repetitive trauma or over use of the wrist commonly occurs with certain types of factor y work. Also, having the wrist cocked back, as in driving a car or writing on a blackboard, frequently makes it worse. The pain can radiate up the forearm and even to the shoulder, making the diagnosis more difficult.

In more severe cases, the thumb will become weak, and the muscles can even wither away at the base of the thumb. The diagnosis is confirmed by a ner ve conduction test called an EMG. Occasionally, X-rays are taken since old fractures, ar thritis and other diseases can contribute to the problem. Often, carpal tunnel syndrome will improve with medical treatment including anti-inflammatory medicines, cortisone injections, wrist braces, and a change in work or

activities. If these do not help, it can be treated with surger y that opens the area that is compressing the ner ve and removes some of the thickened tissue. This is a relatively simple procedure and gives almost immediate relief. Speak to your doctor to learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome. If you do not have a doctor or are looking for a specialist, go to www.mariaparham. com and click on Physician Finder to locate the doctor who is right for you.

General & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery

Northern Carolina Surgical Associates is a general surgical

practice that provides consultative and operative services in the areas of General, Advanced Laparoscopic, Breast and Oncology�� advanced training in various specialty areas. Each doctor is dedicated to providing you the very highest level of quality healthcare.

Robert F. Noel, Jr., MD

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(252) 433-0430

Cynthia Robinson, MD

120 Charles Rollins Rd Suite 206 Henderson, NC

HealthBeat

The Daily Dispatch

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Maria Parham Regional Home Health

An excellent choice for home care services Maria Parham Regional Home Health (MPRHH), located within Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson, is a licensed and Medicare Cer tified Home Health Agency. They are accredited by The Joint Commission, which means that their services have met or exceeded set standards of care. The staff of very qualified healthcare professionals realize that the independence of patients who are homebound or not ver y mobile is extremely important. Home Health Ser vices enable one to remain at home, with their loved ones and friends, during an illness and recuperation. Each patient’s home provides them with

c o m f o r t , s a f e t y, a n d familiar surroundings. In addition to this benefit, home care offers a cost savings of 35-50 percent over hospitalization or nursing home confinement and, in most instances, allows patients to be discharged earlier from the hospital setting. In general, clients will recover more quickly at home in familiar surroundings. MPRHH staff realize that this choice to be able to receive care in the home is a ver y important one. Their goal is to knit together a caring relationship between the patient, their family, their other health care providers and the agency. Maria Parham Regional Home Health was begun in May of 1997 as part of

an ongoing effort to better meet the needs of our community. They will have served over 5000 patients i n Va n c e , G r a n v i l l e , Franklin and War ren counties since they were established. The agency offers an array of ser vices to the community. Nursing care is available to those in need of acute care such as IV therapy and wound care, as well as dealing with chronic disease processes and terminal illness by providing end of life care. In-Home Aide services are provided to clients in need of personal care, home management tasks, or assistance with daily living activities. Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy services

Four County Eye Associates DANIEL BERNSTEIN, M.D.

CYNTHIA A. HAMPTON, M.D.

Comprehensive Ophthalmology Routine Adult and Pediatric Exams/Glasses and Contact Lenses

Office Hours By Appointment

(252) 492-8021 800-331-6744

No Stitch Cataract Surgery: Laser Surgery: Medical and Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Eye Diseases: Muscle and Eyelid Surgery.

Henderson Professional Plaza 451 Ruin Creek Road, Suite 204 Henderson, NC 27536 www.fourcountyeyeassociates.medem.com

are offered for individuals who need evaluations or rehabilitative ser vices in their home. Medical Social Ser vices are available to patients and their families to enable them to cope with crisis that often accompany an illness. These services include counseling, assistance with financial aid and referrals to community resources. Other services include nutrition, enterostomal therapy, supplies, and assistance obtaining durable medical equipment. All services are under the management of the patient’s physician. The home health team works

closely with the physician to develop a plan of care that is specific for the needs of the patient. They communicate regularly with the doctor and their office to keep them updated with the progress or issues that the team is monitoring. Services may be billed to Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, or self pay. The staff follows guidelines required by the payor in order to provide care. A person does not have to be a patient at Maria Parham Medical Center in order to receive care as patients may have been seen at other hospitals, or may not have

ever been hospitalized. Ser vices are provided seven days a week, and a 24 hour on call service is available by a registered nurse. The Maria Parham Regional Home Health staff has over 165 years of combined home health experience and over 339 years of experience as professionals. If you would like more information about Maria Par ham Regional Home Health, call them at (252) 431-3708. The staf f will be happy to discuss their ser vices or provide information about care in the home for someone.

Beckford Medical Centers J.E. Kenny, MD F.C. Aniekwensi, MD S.E. Reed, PA-C W.M. Davis, PA-C L.A. Tharrington, MSN, ANP-C Elsa Bagnulo, NP

Henderson, NC 27536 Phone: 252-492-2161 Warrenton, NC 27589 Phone: 252-257-6213 Louisburg, NC 27549 Phone: 919-340-0283