Maria Parham Healthbeat
A publication of Maria Parham Medical Center and The Daily Dispatch
October 17, 2012
Maria Parham Emergency Department decreases wait times significantly
Over the past six months, Maria Parham’s Emergency Department has made great strides in improving the level of service provided. By just typing in “mariaparham.com” and clicking on the red square entitled ‘ED Wait Time,’ a person can quickly see how busy Maria Parham’s Emergency Department is at that time.
Maria Parham to post emergency room wait times on website
Something that ever yone who comes into an emergency department at any hospital has in common is that they want to be seen quickly. However, that wish is often not possible. The truth is that today’s emergency depar tments are busier than ever — due in large part to shortage of primar y care providers and an increasing number of people without
health insurance coverage. Add in the process of triage (prioritizing the severity each patient’s medical condition and seeing them in the order of the most seriously ill or injured first), and unfor tunately, wait times are sometimes inevitable. What can be done to make this process a little easier? How about if an see website/page 8
Hospital Emergency Departments are a vital link to healthcare for a community, offering help for those suf fering from injur y or illness. In today’s healthcare environment, an emergency department is typically a very busy place and most facilities are trying to find ways to improve the time it takes a patient to see the doctor. Maria Parham Medical Center’s Emergency Depar tment hopes that a recent Duke LifePoint ED initiative will help streamline the entire process and help its patients get more timely care. The national statistics for emergency depar tment visits are quite alarming — emergency depar tment wait times are now averaging over 4 hours (according to the Press Ganey Pulse Report 2010), and the percentage of patients who leave without being seen is averaging 2.6 percent (NIH, July 2011). It is important to mention that emergency department statistics can var y greatly according to the time of the year and even the day of the week. Wintertime and the flu season typically make up the busy months, while weekends and Mondays tend to be the busiest days. Maria Parham’s Emergency Depar tment team recently under went a thorough study of all of its practices and procedures in an effort to reduce wait times while improving the level of care received. Through a process known as “Kaizen” and under the leadership of process experts, the hospital was able to take an objective look at itself
The average wait time past the entrance to the Maria Parham Medical Center ER has dropped recently to less than 20 minutes, thanks to selfimposed changes to practices and procedures recently implemented. and implement changes that will have a positive impact on a patient’s visit to the emergency department. What has been the impact of all this work? Maria Parham’s Emergency Depar tment has seen the average wait time drop to less than 20 minutes and the
figures for those left without being seen are under 1 percent. Equally important, the overall level of patient satisfaction has also shown steady improvement throughout the process change. Just ask Lillian Green, who see wait/page 7
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The Daily Dispatch
HealthBeat
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Don’t forget to take your medicine
It is hard to remember to take our medicines ever y day. We all have stresses, commitments, and distractions that keep us from the simple task of taking our pills. But these barriers do not account for the vast majority of failure to take one’s medicines as prescribed. So what does? There are many reasons. Many times a person does not even fill the prescription. This may be due to the cost of the medicine, an inner hope that the medicines will not be need-
ed, or the stigma of being on medicines for depression or other illnesses. Often the person’s illness does not cause symptoms that remind him to take the medicine. It is easy to see why you should take pain pills for a broken bone, but not so easy to see the value of taking a blood pressure pill when you feel fine. Other medicines such as cholesterol lowering statins are prescribed to prevent a problem that will not occur for 10-20 years, or may never
occur. When your doctor prescribes a medicine you should have him explain why it is important for you. Ask questions until it is clear in your mind exactly what it is for and why you will benefit. It may be to reduce your risk of strokes or heart attacks, or in the case of diabetes, to prevent kidney failure and loss of vision. To avoid accidentally forgetting a dose, put your pills some place where you will see them each day.
Acetaminophen: when medicine turns to poison Acetaminophen has strength tablets in a todbecome the main medi- dler can be harmful. cine used for pain and Symptoms do not fever in children, par- occur for nearly a day ticularly since the risk after the ingestion and of Reye’s Syndr ome then they ar e often with aspirin vague, such as h a s b e c o m e Accidental nausea or malknown. aise. W ithin T h o u g h acetaminophen 24-36 hours, normally ver y poisonings are the main toxic s a f e , a c e t - increasing and ef fect is takaminophen ing place — have become should still be liver damage. locked up like one of the most When the all other medi- common overdose is c i n e s u s e d overdoses in discovered in the home. early, it can A c c i d e n t a l children. be treated acetaminoby emptying phen poisonthe stomach ings are increasing and and using an antidote have become one of the called mucomyst. By most common overdos- the time damage to the es in children. liver occurs, the antidote The danger occurs has little ef fect. There when infants and young is ver y little help for children discover the the damaged liver other pleasant tasting tab- than the body’s ability to lets. As few as 20 junior heal itself.
Since early treatment is impor tant, many doctors recommend that parents keep ipecac syrup at home to induce vomiting as soon as an ingestion occurs. Parents should always check with their doctor first since he may recommend activated charcoal and because ipecac should not be used with certain poisonings. You can also get advice from your regional poison control center. Always remember to lock up all medicines, even seemingly mild and safe ones, when there are children around. And always keep your doctor’s phone number and the National Poison Control Center number — (800) 222-1222 — near your phone in case of emergencies.
To avoid accidentally forgetting a dose, put your pills some place where you will see them each day. A pill box has the added benefit of taking into account multiple medications that may need to be taken at different intervals.
Some choices are by your toothbrush, by your eyeglasses, or some other item you use ever y day. A note on the refrigerator or your mirror will help remind you not to miss
any d o s e s when you are taking a short course of a medicine.
Getting a handle on athlete’s foot Heat and moisture are the common factors that allow the fungi that cause athlete’s foot to grow. The infection usually starts between the smaller toes and then spreads across the foot. A person often is exposed to the infection in locker rooms or similar war m and moist areas, but the fungal spores are widespread. When the weather is warm and humid, the moisture between the toes fr om sweating, showers and swimming does not dr y out well. Chronic exposure to moisture causes softening and maceration of the skin which will give the fungal
cells an excellent place used a couple times a to invade and grow. day can ver y ef fective A s t h e i n f e c t i o n and many of these are takes hold, there will available without prebe more skin damage scription. A number of with scaling of the skin prescription medicines and usually an intense are also ef fective and itching, a burning sen- m a y b e n e e d e d f o r sation and more resistant o f t e n a f o u l The first step infections. odor (caused in controlling If the infecb y b a c t e r i a athlete’s foot tion is r esiswhich are then is to keep the t a n t , s o m e able to multipeople will skin dry. ply as well). benefit from The first a course of step in controlling an oral anti-fungal a t h l e t e ’ s f o o t i s t o medicine. When the k e e p t h e s k i n d r y. infection involves the Going barefoot, wear- toe nails, it becomes ing absorbent cotton extremely resistant to socks, and using a hair treatment, even when blower to dr y the skin given for long periods after showers are all of time. Early tr eatver y useful. ment may limit the Topical lotions or chance of nail involvem e d i c a t e d p o w d e r s ment.
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Chronic bronchitis: strict criteria for a prevalent condition Chr onic br onchitis is diagnosed when a person has a bronchial infection and increased lung secretions for three months out of a year for two or more years. Even using these strict criteria for the diagnosis, there are still many people with chronic bronchitis. Up to 20 percent of adult men have this lung problem and it is usually due to damage from cigarette smoking and air pollution. Chronic bronchitis can also be caused by infections, genetic factors and occupational exposure to fumes and particulate matter.
Most people are not There are a number disabled by it since the of things to do when a lungs have a consider- person has chronic bronable reser ve. Lung func- chitis. The most importion must be tant treatment nearly cut in is to stop smokUp to 20 half befor e a ing and limit p e r s o n h a s percent of exposure to s h o r t n e s s o f adult men any pollution or b r e a t h w i t h have this lung chemicals that nor mal activi- problem and it may be making ties. When lung is usually due it worse. function drops A person below a third to damage should also o f n o r m a l , a from cigarette get a flu shot person will be smoking and each year and short of breath air pollution. a pneumonia at rest. If a pershot ever y son waits until six to eight he develops symptoms, years. Regular exercise he has allowed a great is useful, and any bactedeal of lung damage to rial infections should be occur. treated early with anti-
biotics. Finally, asthma medicines can help open the air ways and decrease the amount of bronchial secretions. If you have frequent or prolonged bouts of lung problems, you should see your doctor for an exam and have lab tests, a chest X-ray, and lung function tests performed which can measure exactly how well your lungs are working. For a list of physicians in the area who can help you live a healthier life, check out Maria Parham Medical Center’s website, mariaparham.com or call (252) 436-1800 to request information.
Up to 20 percent of adult men have chronic bronchitis, usually due to damage from cigarette smoking and air pollution. This lung problem can also be caused by infections, genetic factors and occupational exposure to fumes and particulate matter.
Specializing in Diseases of the Kidney & Hypertension
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Tariq Abo-Kamil, MD Internal Medicine
Lucy Wessinger, NP
This Practice is a Department of Maria Parham Medical Center.
J. W. Jenkins Building 568 Ruin Creek Road Suite 006 Henderson, NC
(252) 436-1080
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The Daily Dispatch
HealthBeat
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Flu season is coming … are you prepared? Did you know that … • Each year approximately over 100,000 Americans are hospitalized, and thousands die from influenza and its complications? • Influenza, a vaccine preventable disease, is the sixth leading cause of death among U.S. adults? • The injectable vaccine is made from killed virus, so you cannot get influenza from the influenza shot? • It takes two weeks for your body to develop immunity to influenza after the vaccination? • Approximately 50 percent of infected people have no symptoms but are contagious?
doorknobs, phones, desktops)? • Influenza is a viral infection and cannot be treated with antibiotics? • The vaccine is safe for pregnant women. In fact, a fever caused by influenza or other infections early in pregnancy can lead to birth defects in an unborn child.
Who should get vaccinated Alcohol based foam is a great alternative to traditional The Centers for Dishandwashing. The ability to use it even in the absence of a ease Control and Prevensink is just one of its advantages over soap and water. tion recommends ever y• Influenza is highly physical contact and con- one six months or older contagious and spread by tact with objects that carry should get a flu vaccine coughing sneezing, direct the virus (for example, each flu season. It’s espe-
cially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications: • Pregnant women • Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than two years old • People 50 years of age and older • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities • People who live with or care for those at high
risk for complications from flu, including: • Health care workers • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
When to get vaccinated
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as vaccine becomes available in their community.
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
GERD facts: have you heard? Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a problem that you can’t get away from. Adver tisements bombard us each day and row upon row of boxes, bottles and pills are seen in the drug stores. The reason: GERD is a significant problem that is extremely common and should not be ignored. Approximately 30 percent of the US population suffers from GERD
whose most common symptoms are heartburn, chest pain and regurgitation. GERD can also cause cough, hoarseness, worsening asthma and sore throat. It is caused by a malfunction of the valve located between the stomach and swallowing tube (esophagus) allowing acid that is normally made in the stomach to “reflux” back up into the esophagus. For many, symptoms are mild, but
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused by a malfunction of the valve located between the stomach and swallowing tube (esophagus) allowing acid that is normally made in the stomach to “reflux” back up into the esophagus. For many, symptoms are mild, but in others severe lifestyle-limiting problems can occur.
in others severe lifestylelimiting problems can occur. It is impor tant to understand that GERD is a chronic and progressive disease meaning that it tends to get worse with time and requires lifetime therapy. In addition, GERD causes esophageal cancer. Approximately
20,000 people will die this year from this deadly disease caused by gastroesophageal reflux. The usual treatments of fered are medications and pills, which are effective in most patients in resolving their GERD symptoms. About 90 percent who take the available acid reducing medi-
cations have their symptoms resolve. While this provides relief, most do not realize that the reflux continues. However, feeling better does not mean their reflux is cured. In fact, it always continues. Maintaining relief requires these medicines for life and does not reduce the risk of cancer. There are other therapies available that a GERD suf ferer should be made aware of, including minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery that repairs the faulty valve, reliably stopping the reflux and eliminating the need for medications.
Importantly, stopping the reflux reduces the risk of getting cancer. The most impor tant thing is to understand that GERD is a serious, lifetime disease often causing severe symptoms and carries a cancer risk along with it. Getting a proper evaluation as well as GERD education is essential for obtaining proper treatment. Take GERD seriously! For more information about heartburn, contact the Maria Parham Heartburn Treatment Center at (888) 9No-GERD or by visiting mariaparham. com/GERD.
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6
HealthBeat
The Daily Dispatch
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
What causes urinary tract infections?
Bladder infections are one of the most common infections, especially in women. There is a constant battle between the body’s defenses and the bacteria’s tendency to spread to new areas. And the bacteria often win the battle. Women have many more infections than men because of the short distance from the outside of the body where the bacteria normally live, to the inside of the bladder which should be sterile. The lining of the urethra and bladder protect against infections by producing antibodies which kill or inhibit bacteria. Women
who lack these protective still has mechanisms to antibodies will get infec- clear the infection. The tions much more easily. body secretes pus cells to This antibody protection fight the bacteria, and the is deter mined bladder empties by genetics. A One of the frequently which woman’s immu- main factors limits the number nity may also be causing of bacteria pressuppressed by ent. However, diabetes or other infections is these mechachronic illnesses. intercourse. nisms do not Use of bubble Bacteria can work well if there baths is another be forced up are bladder abnorfactor which malities, such as may contribute the urethra a diver ticulum to infections, but and start an or reflux of urine careless hygiene infection. back up to the kidis not as signifineys. If there is a cant a factor as catheter or bladder stone was once thought. Once the bacteria get present, infections can not into the bladder, the body be totally cured.
One of the main factors causing infections is intercourse. Bacteria can be forced up the urethra and start an infection. It is always wise to empty the bladder after intercourse, and if a woman gets recurrent infections she can see her doctor about taking a prophylactic antibiotic after intercourse. For more information about urinary tract infections, talk to your physician. For help finding a physician in this area, call Maria Parham Medical Center at (252) 436-1800 or visit mariaparham.com for a listing of medical providers.
General & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Researchers from the Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden have evidence that higher vitamin D levels offer especially strong protection against another common health problem -- urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Lending you a helping hand throughout life’s journey.
Northern Carolina Surgical Associates is a general surgical
practice that provides consultative and operative services in the areas of General, Advanced Laparoscopic, Breast and OncologyUHODWHG 6XUJHU\ (DFK RI WKH VXUJHRQV LV %RDUG &HUWLÂżHG ZLWK advanced training in various specialty areas. Each doctor is dedicated to providing you the very highest level of quality healthcare.
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Gary A. Smith, MD
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Cynthia Robinson, MD
Lakshmi Kanth, MD
0HGLFDO 2IÂżFH 3OD]D 120 Charles Rollins Rd Suite 206 Henderson, NC
(252) 433-0430
is committed to providing high quality, compassionate, comprehensive and cost-effective health care to all members of your family, from newborn to seniors. The FCPC team recognizes the importance of open communication, trust and respect between our patients and their physician, and encourage the development of a relationship that promotes your active participation in your health care decisions.
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HealthBeat
Jane Ryan (standing), RN, director of Maria Parham’s Emergency Department, reviews the steps created during the Kaizen exercise to improve patient flow in the emergency department.
wait
ones sick enough to come to the emergency room recently was stressful, but that “The kindness shown From the Front Page to my family and me while has made two trips to the we were there overtook Maria Parham Emergen- all of that.� Jane R yan, director cy Room recently, with different family members. of Emergency Ser vices She and her family were at Maria Parham Mediextremely pleased with cal Center, has been impressed both visits. with the “Ever yone was very “The results, so far, results of the new processprofessional have been es. Always the and went to excellent, and we cautious one, work (on my R yan relucdaughter and will continue to tantly uses my husband) work hard to the statistics right away,� reduce the wait because not said Green. “If they had times for all of our e v e r y o n e , ever y time, to leave the patients.� will be seen in room, they — Jane Ryan under the 20 explained director of Emergency minute averto my family what was Services at Maria Parham age wait time. Ryan said, going to hapMedical Center “Emergency pen next, and depar tments then came back quickly. My daugh- seem to experience periter was a little scared odic waves of people, not a about the whole experi- steady stream of patients, ence, but ever yone was walking thr ough the so nice and friendly that door. However, thanks to she immediately became the new process and the hard work and dedication more comfortable.� G r e e n c o m m e n t e d of our ED staff, we have that having had two loved a majority of our patients
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
7
Sticky notes served as steps in the patient flow process during the Kaizen exercise.
coming to the back to be bution to the overall care Depar tment hopes that emergency care, they seen without ever hav- of the patient is priceless.â€? you will not need any of would like you to know ing to wait in the waiting Maria Parham Medi- its services anytime soon. all their recent hard work room.â€? cal Center’s Emergency However, if you do need was done just for you. She added, “The results, so far, have been excellent, and we will continue to work hard to reduce the wait times for Committed to Your all of our patients.â€? Orthopaedic Needs Dr. Glenn Charlton, the medical director of Emergency Ser vices at Maria Parham Medical Center, is also proud of the work that the emergency depar tment team has accomplished. He is Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care quick to point out that the ‡ 6SRUWV 0HGLFLQH ‡ $UWKURVFRSLF 6XUJHU\ “teamâ€? extends much fur‡ 2UWKRSDHGLF 6XUJHU\ ‡ +LSV .QHHV ther than the walls of the ‡ 6KRXOGHU ,QMXULHV ‡ 1HFN /RZHU %DFN department. ‡ +DQG :ULVW ,QMXULHV ‡ ; 5D\ 5HKDE )DFLOLWLHV RQ 6LWH “Maria Parham and ‡ :RUN ,QMXULHV ‡ :H 7UHDW 3HRSOH RI $OO $JHV Duke LifePoint have com‡ )UDFWXUHV 6SUDLQV 6WUDLQV mitted a lot of time and resources into making Maria Parham’s Emergency Depar tment the Rafael Negron, MD, FAAOS best in the region,â€? states %RDUG &HUWLÂżHG 2UWKRSDHGLF 6XUJHRQ Charlton. He added, “We have added an additional Steven Neunkirchner, OPA-C physician to help with &HUWLÂżHG 2UWKRSDHGLF 3K\VLFLDQÂśV $VVLVWDQW peak times, implemented a better patient tracking system and improved the electronic medical record process. Each of these 120 Charles Rollins Rd 0HGLFDO 2IÂżFH 3OD]D things comes with a signifSuite 205 (252) 436-1314 Henderson, NC icant cost, but the contri-
8
HealthBeat
The Daily Dispatch
website From the Front Page
emergency depar tment could post their approximate wait times so that patients would know how busy the emergency department is before electing to go? The emergency depar tment at Maria Parham Medical Center is giving that idea a tr y with the posting of emergency department wait times on their hospital website. Over the past six months, Maria Parham’s Emergency Department has made great strides in improving the level of ser vice provided; while at the same time
maximizing the ef ficiency of the processes that allow patients to been seen more quickly. (See “Maria Parham Emergency Depar tment decreases wait times significantly” on page 1). The team also understands that there will still be times when a patient will have to wait. Jane Ryan, RN, MSN, MHA, director of the emergency depar tment at Maria Parham Medical Center, understands the dynamics of the ED and has spent a lot of time analyzing patient flow. “Every ED across the nation experiences peak times — be it peak hours of the day, peak days of the week or even peak
months of the year,” said R yan. “During these peak times, patient wait times incr ease.” She added, “We hope that by providing infor mation about things like wait times, the patient can make an educated decision. Of course, we want the patient to come to Maria Parham, and we promise to make the ED experience as painless as possible.” By typing in “mariaparham.com” and clicking on the red square entitled ‘ED Wait Time,’ a person can quickly see how busy Maria Par ham’s Emer gency Depar tment is at that time. Of course, the ED Wait Time is an approximation and things can
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
quickly change in an emergency room. The ED Wait T ime represents a two-hour rolling average updated ever y two hours, and is defined as the time of patient arrival until the time the patient is evaluated by a qualified medical professional — Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Physician Assistant (PA) or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). Posting the ED Wait Time on a hospital website is not a new idea — many hospitals across the nation ar e using this method to keep patients informed. Overall, the concept seems to be effective in provid-
ing a representation of the patient’s expected wait to be seen. Hospitals that use this system demonstrate their commitment to the “Patient First Concept,” knowing that when they post higher ED Wait Times, the informed patient may elect to use a less busy emergency depar tment. However, these hospi-
tals also understand it is about helping the patient make informed decision about where they want to receive their healthcare. Posting ED Wait Time — just another example of how Maria Parham Medical Center is providing the quality, expertise and commitment you deserve.
Parents, Don't Wait Too Late!
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
9
Mammograms: schedule Important mammogram facts one for your annual exam Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers — one in 11 women will get it. Curing this cancer depends largely on finding it at an early stage. When it is found at a very early stage, 97 percent of women will live at least ten years and many will be cured. Yearly breast exams by your doctor and doing self breast exams each month are ver y good ways to detect early changes, but by having mammograms regularly, you can pick up some cancers that are too small to be felt yet. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast, although ver y small amounts of radiation are used. The indications for having a mammogram depend on a woman’s age and her risk factors, such as having close relatives with breast cancer, ovarian cancer or colon cancer. The guidelines are: 1) A baseline exam at age 35-40 which can be used for later comparison; 2) Every 1-2 years between age 40-50;
1. Mammograms can save your life. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they’r e at high risk.
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast, although very small amounts of radiation are used. If a suspicious area is found, your doctor can decide if it needs to be removed or if it can be followed by frequent exams and repeat mammograms. 3) Each year after age 50; 4) Each year after age 40 if there is a family history of breast cancer; 5) Each year after age 35 for any person who has had breast cancer herself (there is a five-fold increase in risk if a person has already had one breast cancer). If a suspicious area is found on the mammogram, your doctor can decide if it needs to be removed or if it can be followed by frequent exams and repeat mammograms.
Some lumps are filled with fluid and can be treated by withdrawing the fluid with a needle and syringe. If it recurs, however, it usually needs to be removed. A woman should discuss her need for a mammogram with her doctor at her annual exam. Maria Parham’s Women’s Diagnostic Center provides digital mammograms, ultrasounds, breast biopsies, bone density scanning and information on women’s health.
2. Don’t be afraid. It’s a fast procedure (about 5-10 minutes), and discomfort is minimal. The procedure is safe: there’s only a ver y tiny amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram. To relieve the anxiety of waiting for results, go to a center that will give you results before you leave. 3. Get the best qual-
ity you can. Ask if your center has Digital Mammography and CAD (computer aided detection — which calls the radiologist’s attention to any possible areas of concern).
4. Make sure the doctor who refer red you for the mammogram includes an explicit note when ordering the study (providing clinical cor r elations — e.g. “palpable mass in the upper outer quadrant, rule out abnormality”). 5. Discuss your family histor y of breast and other cancers —
from both your mother’s and father’s side — with your doctor.
6. Mammograms are our most power ful br east cancer detection tool. However, they can still miss 15-20 percent of br east cancers that are simply not visible using this technique. Other impor tant tools — such as breast self exams, clinical breast examinations, ultrasounds and MRIs — can and should be used as complementar y tools, but there are no substitutes or replacements for a mammogram.
Four County Eye Associates
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www.fourcountyeyeassociates.medem.com www.fourcountyeyeassociates.medem.com
800-331-6744 800-331-6744 www.fourcountyeyeassociates.medem.com
Comprehensive Ophthalmology Comprehensive Ophthalmology Comprehensive Ophthalmology Routine Adult and Pediatric Routine Adult and Pediatric Comprehensive Ophthalmology Routine Adult and Pediatric Exams/Glasses and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Exams/Glasses RoutineExams/Glasses Adult and Pediatric andand Contact Lenses Routine Adult and Pediatric Contact Lenses Exams/Glasses and Contact Lenses Exams/Glasses and No Stitch Cataract Surgery: Contact Lenses No Stitch Cataract Surgery: Contact Lenses No Stitch Cataract Surgery: Laser Surgery: Medical and Laser Surgery: Medical and No Stitch Cataract Surgery: Surgical Treatment of Laser Surgery: Medical Surgical Treatment of No Stitch Cataract Surgery: Laser Surgery: Medical andand Glaucoma and Diabetic Glaucoma and Diabetic Surgical Treatment of Laser Surgery: Medical Surgical Treatment ofand Eye Diseases: Eye Diseases: Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Glaucoma and Diabetic Muscle Eyelid Surgery. Surgery. Muscle and and Eyelid Glaucoma and Diabetic Eye Diseases: Eye Diseases: Henderson Professional Plaza Henderson Professional Plaza Eye Diseases: Muscle and Eyelid Surgery. Muscle andRoad, Eyelid Surgery. 451 Ruin Creek Road, Suite 204 451 Ruin Suite 204 Muscle and Eyelid Surgery. Henderson, NC 27536 27536 Henderson, NC Henderson Professional Plaza
Henderson Professional Plaza Henderson Professional Plaza 451 Ruin Creek Road, Suite 204 451 Ruin Creek Road, Suite 204 451 Ruin Creek Road, Suite 204 125 Charles Rollins Rd. • Henderson, NC 27536 Henderson, NC 27536 www.fourcountyeyeassociates.medem.com Henderson, NC 27536 www.fourcountyeyeassociates.medem.com Henderson, NC 27536 Telephone: (252) 492-5831 Fax: (252) 492-3613
Providing Services To Our Communities For Over 37 Years www.gvdhd.org
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HealthBeat
The Daily Dispatch
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
So, are you an organ donor?
A 17-year-old athlete weakens and becomes shor t of breath with minimal exer tion. He has a viral infection of the heart which weakens it to the point that it has become lifethreatening. Matching studies are done and he is given a pager — he will need to get to the transplant center in an hour or two when an organ becomes available. He waits for the call — day and night — when his life-saving heart becomes available and his pagers
goes of f. For some, the call never comes. Other patients are on waiting lists for kidneys and must face dialysis ever y two or three days. There are also waiting lists for livers, cor neas and other organs. Yet, the sad statistic remains that two thirds of possible donors are not uti-
lized because people had not considered this life-giving opportunity. A kidney can be donated from a relative without har ming the donor, but organs such as eyes and hear ts cannot be. These must be obtained from victims of accidental deaths in which the organs themselves avoid damage and r e m a i n h e a l t h y. Then, careful matching of the or gans to the appropriate r ecipient must be done to lessen the chance of rejection.
Since time is crucial in obtaining and processing donor organs, the decision to donate is best made beforehand — not by your family during a time of great sadness. You should make the decision today to donate organs in case of an accidental death and let your relatives know. Also, make sure to sign the “Anatomical Gift Statement� on the back of your driver’s license. Yo u c o u l d g i v e someone the gift of life or sight.
Giving consideration to a final gift Carolina Donor Services is the federally designated organ procurement organization serving 6.8 million people in 78 counties of North Carolina and Danville, Virginia. The organization’s service area includes 102 hospitals, and four transplant centers that perform heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants. It’s mission is straightforward: Carolina Donor Services maximizes the passing of the heroic gift of life from one human being to another through organ and tissue donation. A team of dedicated professionals work diligently to increase the awareness of the need for organ and tissue donors and to deliver the most sensitive
Caring for Your Heart, Caring for You.
Where the Patient Comes First.
Offering Outpatient & InpatientCare for the Following: ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡
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What is Physical & Rehabilatative Medicine? 3K\VLDWULVWV RU 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ 3K\VLFLDQV DUH VSHFLDOLVWV ZKR WUHDW LQMXULHV RU LOOQHVVHV RI WKH QHUYHV PXVFOHV DQG ERQHV 3K\VLDWULVWV WDNH LQWR DFFRXQW WKH ERG\ DV D ZKROH DQG GHYHORS FDUH SODQV WKDW HQKDQFH PRYHPHQW DQG RYHUDOO TXDOLW\ RI OLIH RIWHQ ZLWKRXW VXUJHU\ 7KHVH WUHDWPHQW SODQV Hernan Jimenez, MD FDQ LQFOXGH VSHFLDOL]HG H[HUFLVH UHJLPHQWV %RDUG &HUWLÂżHG LQ 3K\VLFDO SDLQ FRQWURO DQG DOWHUQDWLYH IRUPV RI WKHUDS\ 0HGLFLQH 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ
This Practice is a Department of Maria Parham Medical Center.
J. W. Jenkins Building 568 Ruin Creek Road Suite 128 Henderson, NC
(252) 436-1380
approach to organ and tissue donation. Team members perform public and professional education, as well as coordinate the entire organ and tissue donation process. Carolina Donor Services has three main offices: Durham/Chapel Hill, Greenville and WinstonSalem. For more information, visit info@carolinadonorservices.org. Give the “Gift of Life� through organ and tissue donation.
Offering Diagnosis & Treatment of Heart Related Illnesses Northern Carolina Cardiology is Maria Parham Medical Center’s newest physician practice, joining a growing list of outstanding hospital-owned practices. Northern Carolina Cardiology offers non-invasive heart care through the talents RI WZR %RDUG &HUWL¿HG SK\VLFLDQV 0HOLVVD 'DXEHUW 0' DQG 5RELQ 0DWKHZV 0' %RWK 'U 'DXEHUW DQG 'U 0DWKHZV DUH DOVR RQ WKH PHGLFDO VWDII DW 'XNH 8QLYHUVLW\ 0HGLFDO &HQWHU The physicians at Northern Carolina Cardiology are accepting new patients and accept referrals from your family physician.
J. W. Jenkins Building
(252) 436-1085
568 Ruin Creek Road Suite 102 Henderson, NC
HealthBeat
The Daily Dispatch
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
11
Quitting smoking: desire is a prerequisite Most smokers do want to quit smoking and have tried to stop at least once. Succeeding is the hard part. The most impor tant thing is having a real desire to quit. Without that, no amount of help from doctors, classes, or medicines will keep you from smoking. E v e n when you decide to stop smoking it may take several attempts, perhaps tr ying dif ferent methods, before you succeed. Besides your own desire to stop, the most ef fective single thing is the encouragement of your physician. Talk to him. He can suggest
helpful hints and perhaps pr escribe medicines. Classes or suppor t groups can help give you much-needed encouragement and incentive, and they will have m a n y helpful e d u c a tional tips. Regardless which method you may choose, classe s a r e w o r t hwhile. Behavioral methods of quitting involve choosing other activities over smoking. A person is taught new habits to r eplace the old. Bio feedback and relaxation techniques can help people who respond to
HENDERSON FAMILY YMCA 380 Ruin Creek Road
stress by reaching for a cigarette. One of the most common ways to quit is by stopping cold turkey, preferably after cutting down to under a pack per day. There will be withdrawal symptoms, but seldom as bad as a person expects, and they last only a matter of days. The urge to smoke, however, lasts much longer than the withdrawal symptoms. R e c e n t l y, n i c o t i n e patches and prescription medicines have become available which appear to help some people break the habit. Consult your doctor about their use. For more information or help to quit smoking, contact the GranvilleVance Health Depar tment at (252) 492-7915.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H your Retirement Dollars!
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Henderson, NC 27536 (252) 438-2144 www.hendersonymca.org
Wellness Center Free Weights – Aerobic Classes Spinning Yoga – Pilates Pool – Swimming Lessons Youth Sports After School/Summer Day Camp
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Call 252-430-1267!
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Walk-in Clinic Pediatrics OB/GYN Adults/Geriatrics Sports Medicine Occupational Medicine
381 Ruin Creek Road • Henderson, NC 27536 252-430-0666 • 252-430-7503 Mon.-Thurs. 8:00am-8:00pm, Fri.-Sun. 8:00am-5:00pm Most Major Insurance Accepted
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The Daily Dispatch
HealthBeat
Wednesday, October 17, 2012