More@Mercy - Nazareth Hospital - Fall 2016

@ OBESITY BY THE NUMBERS 78.6 MILLION The estimated number of obese adults in the U.S.

39.5%

The percentage of adults 40 to 59 years old who ARE OBESE—the highest percentage among all adult age groups in the U.S.

22 The number of states, including Pennsylvania, in which at least 30 PERCENT of the RESIDENTS are OBESE.

FALL 2016

A move in the right direction HOW OUR LIFECHANGING BARIATRIC SURGERY PROGRAM MIGHT HELP YOU

You’ve tried again and again to lose weight.

But the scale barely budges. You’re still severely overweight—and possibly living with a serious health problem because of those extra pounds.

Sound familiar? Then the bariatric surgery program at Nazareth Hospital could help you finally succeed at shedding weight.

Patterned after the award-winning Mercy Bariatrics program at Mercy Fitzgerald and Mercy Philadelphia Hospitals, Nazareth’s bariatric program offers access to a variety of minimally invasive weight-loss surgeries that can help change your life. ­— Continued on page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

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MARY FEELS TERRIFIC! When two successful joint replacements change a life

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SAFE IN THE SNOW How to avoid injury when shoveling the white stuff

LESS IS MORE To learn more about Mercy Bariatrics at Nazareth Hospital, call 1.855.LESS YOU.

A move in the right direction ­— Continued from front page Bariatric surgery can result in a dramatic weight loss. But it does far more than alter your appearance. It can help you lead a healthier, longer life. Consider: •• It can reduce your risk of health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

•• In many cases, it can send those problems into remission if you already have them. For example, “After surgery, blood sugar quickly returns to normal in most people with diabetes,” says Abhiman Cheeyandira, MD, MRCS, a bariatric surgeon at Nazareth Hospital.

Support at every step Still, weight-loss surgery is a big

The team that goes the extra mile with you If you turn to Nazareth Hospital for weight-loss surgery, you can count on a whole team of caring professionals to support you throughout your weight-loss journey.

Now it’s time for introductions.

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More @ Mercy Fall 2016

commitment. “It’s never a quick fix,” stresses Linda Keller-Doyle, PTA, MS, Program Coordinator for Mercy Bariatrics. “To keep pounds from returning, you need to commit to healthy habits.”

That’s why the bariatric program at Nazareth offers: •• Counseling to make sure surgery is the right choice for you •• One-on-one guidance from a dietitian before and after surgery to help prepare you for your new way of eating •• Referrals to nearby exercise programs to help you be active and fit •• Bariatric support groups so you connect with other people opting for weight-loss surgery

We’ll start with our talented surgeons. Each is fellowship-trained in bariatric surgery. And together they have decades of experience helping people succeed at weight loss. They are: Piotr (Pete) Krecioch, MD Besides participating in the Mercy Bariatrics Program, Dr. Krecioch also practices at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and Mercy Philadelphia Hospital.

Prashanth Ramachandra, MD Dr. Ramachandra leads the Mercy Bariatrics Program.

Abhiman Cheeyandira, MD, MRCS Dr. Cheeyandira is the most recent addition to this growing program.

And here are the other members of the Mercy Bariatrics Program: Linda Keller-Doyle, PTA, MS Linda is the program coordinator for Mercy Bariatrics. You’ll have access to her expertise 24/7, from your first visit through your recovery. She’s ready to answer any question and help with any concerns.

Helene Waisbord, RD, LDN As our dietitian, Helene will help you make lasting improvements in your diet.

New neighbors expand access to care HYBRID LAB ALLOWS HEART AND RADIOLOGY SPECIALISTS TO SHARE SPACE AND SKILLS Nazareth Hospital’s Interventional Radiology (IR) Department needed a new home. It had outgrown its space and was looking for an upgrade.

In another wing of the hospital was the cath lab suite. It was built to house two cath labs, but it only had one. There was an empty space waiting to be used.

The solution was simple: Combine the cath lab with IR. No need to build an expansion. It would just require IR to move from one area of the hospital to another.

Combining the two also made sense for patients.

“This combination streamlines processes for patients,” says Geri Moyer, Patient Care Manager, Nazareth Heart and Vascular Lab. “They can go through pre-op and post-op procedures in just one area.”

But the biggest benefit for patients of the new hybrid lab is expanded access to heart, vascular and oncologic (cancer) care. Some new procedures Nazareth heart and IR experts now offer include needle-guided biopsies, oncology procedures, 3-D imaging, venous and arterial angiography, and the insertion of EP pacemakers/ICDs.

Similar procedures, similar goals The specialists in the cath lab focus mainly on procedures where catheters—thin tubes—are threaded through a blood vessel to open up blocked heart arteries.

IR focuses on procedures where catheters are inserted into the body to treat other problems—like to open

DID YOU KNOW?

Our new all-in-one cath and IR department combines high tech with convenience.

Learn about advanced heart and vascular care at Nazareth Hospital. For more information or a physician referral, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738). up blocked blood vessels areas—and we save in the legs or blockages in space, time and money other parts of the body. doing it.”

“We were doing similar Part of that equipment procedures,” explains is a new high-tech x-ray Mrugesh B. Patel, MD, machine—a Philips Allura PhD, an interventional Xper with Clarity IQ. “This Mrugesh Patel, cardiologist and Medical machine allows us to MD, PhD Director of the Heart really control and measure Medical Director and Vascular Center at the amount of radiation of Nazareth’s Nazareth. “But those exposure that patients Heart and being done by heart and staff receive,” Moyer Vascular Lab doctors and those being says. “Plus, the machine done by radiologists were allows the radiologist to in separate portions of the hospital. get a more precise and accurate “The cardiologists and radiologists location when doing procedures.” now use the same equipment, the same staff, the same recovery

Nazareth Hospital is affiliated with St. Mary Heart and Vascular. This relationship offers patients access to advanced heart surgical care and electrophysiology services.

EXPERTS OF THE HEART

Learn about advanced heart care at Nazareth Hospital.

For more information or a physician referral, call 1.866.

NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738). mercyhealth.org

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2× is the charm ONE SUCCESSFUL JOINT REPLACEMENT LEADS TO ANOTHER

“It is so good to have my life back and to not be in excruciating pain 24 hours a day.”

—Mary Lucas

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More @ Mercy Fall 2016

Mary Lucas hasn’t felt this good in years. “Absolutely amazing” is how she describes her life today.

Things were much different just a few years ago. Mary was living with constant knee pain.

“I didn’t even go out of the house, because I couldn’t,” she says.

That was before Mary had knee replacement surgery and outpatient physical rehabilitation therapy at Nazareth Hospital. It went so well that she chose Nazareth again when she needed a painful hip replaced.

A bad accident sets the stage Mary says her knee problem began on a wintry February day in 1986.

She was on her way home from a job interview at the corner of 21st and Market streets when a snowplow slammed into her side. The accident mangled her knee and left Mary in a full-body cast.

Fast forward to about five years ago. By now, Mary had arthritis in that knee.

Eventually, pain and stiffness kept her from cooking, cleaning, even attending church activities. Steroid shots and pain pills stopped bringing relief. Some days she

needed help even getting dressed.

“Just to even turn over in the bed at night woke me up,” Mary says. “I had to use a walker to go anywhere.”

Finally, Mary had had enough.

In 2014, she underwent total knee replacement with surgeon William V. Arnold, MD, PhD, a joint specialist at the Rothman Institute at Nazareth.

“Between him and God, it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she says. Right away she felt free from the bone-on-bone pain.

Next up: A hip goes bad After three months of physical therapy at Nazareth, Mary was getting back to her old self. Until progressive pain struck her left hip. “When I tried to

Kristina Oplinger, PT, DPT Senior Physical Therapist

After joint replacement, rehab is the right move After total joint replacement surgery, your next stop should be the Nazareth Center for Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation and Balance.

Outpatient physical therapy can help you get the best results from your joint surgery, as well as a smoother recovery.

In joint rehabilitation, you will work with a physical therapy team. They will teach you exercises and stretches to improve your motion and strength.

Your treatment will be tailored just for you. This means that your exercises are designed to help you be able to do the specific activities that matter most to you.

For example, maybe your goal is to return to work or walk without a cane.

“It depends on your goals and what you want to get back to doing,” says Senior Physical Therapist Kristina Oplinger, PT, DPT. Your physical therapy team will help guide you on your journey back to being you.

take a step, it was just as bad as the knee pain,” she says.

Follow-up tests revealed a damaged hip that needed to be replaced. In 2016, Mary had hip surgery with Dr. Arnold, followed again by physical therapy.

Having a second surgery at Nazareth was an easy decision. Her first was a complete success. And she was treated with such respect and compassion.

“They made me feel like I was top priority every day,” she says.

A new beginning Mary’s joints no longer hurt all the time.

“I can do my exercises,” she says.

“I can walk up and down the steps without having to hop on one foot. I can go shopping and to the movies.

I’m back to my church activities. I can cook a meal for my family.”

Her weight has come down as a result of being able to walk pain-free, along with a better diet. She sleeps better too now that her sleep apnea has improved.

Mary also credits Kristina Oplinger, PT, DPT, and the rest of her physical therapy team at Nazareth Hospital for giving her “such hope.”

“They would say, ‘You’re going to be all right, Mary; just watch and see,’” she recalls.

Mary also deserves credit for sticking to her rehab program and

her home exercises. “She came to therapy consistently,” Oplinger says.

Today when people bring up the subject of joint replacement surgery, Mary tells them about how it has made such a difference in her world not once—but twice.

“It is so good to have my life back and to not be in excruciating pain 24 hours a day,” she says.

GET THE BEST Nazareth Hospital is accredited

by The Joint Commission for hip and knee replacement.

Learn more by calling 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738). mercyhealth.org

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Shovel safely

Heading home with a new hip The day is almost here when you get to replace that worn-out hip with a new one. But before you pack your bags for the hospital, you need to get your house ready for your return.

“It is important to protect your new hip after surgery,” says Deborah L. Ludwig, PT, Regional Director of Operations, Mercy Home Health. “One way to do that is to make sure it is easy and safe to move around your house so that you do not fall.”

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure a safe, smooth homecoming: •• Install handrails in the bathtub or shower, and place a rubber mat on the tub or shower floor. Consider getting a plastic tub or shower chair.

•• Buy an elevated toilet seat that keeps your hips higher than your knees.

•• Make sure you have a firm chair with a straight back, armrests and a higherthan-average seat.

•• If possible, try to avoid stairs. “That may mean turning your living room into a bedroom for a while,” Ludwig says.

•• Remove tripping hazards, like throw

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rugs or electrical cords that stretch across places you walk through often.

•• Make sure traffic areas are wide enough for you to get through using crutches or a walker.

After you return home While in the hospital or rehab, you’ll learn basic moves—such as getting in and out of a chair or bed, walking, and dressing yourself.

“Still, you will need someone to stay with you for one or two weeks after you get home,” Ludwig says.

Let that person shop, cook and clean for you. After a few days at home, you may be able to help with simple chores.

But don’t overdo it.

Here are a few other important don’ts: •• Don’t cross your legs or ankles when you’re sitting, standing or lying down.

•• Don’t bend more than 90 degrees at the waist.

•• Don’t lean forward as you sit down or while sitting.

•• Don’t try to pick up something from the floor while you’re sitting.

WE CAN HELP Learn about the high-quality care that the Mercy Home Health team provides. Call 1.888.690.2551 or visit mercyhomehealth.org.

Snow: It’s pretty to look at, but it can be a pain— literally—to shovel.

Every year thousands of people get hurt shoveling snow. Don’t be one of them.

Deborah L. Ludwig, PT, Regional Director of Operations, Mercy Home Health, has these tips for safely shoveling snow: •• If you have any health problems—such as heart disease or high blood pressure—talk to your doctor before the first flake falls to see if you’re fit enough to shovel.

•• Remove snow early and often. Freshly fallen snow is easier to clear away. Moving heavy, packed snow can tax your body.

•• Dress right for the job, from head to toe. That includes a hat, gloves or mittens, warm socks, and shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles.

•• Take your time removing snow, and take frequent breaks.

•• Push the snow instead of lifting it.

•• If you must lift, squat with your legs apart.

Bend your knees, not your waist. And lift with your legs.

•• Never throw snow over your shoulder. It twists your back.

•• If you feel out of breath, stop. If you have pain in your chest, call 911.

5 tips for living well with COPD There’s no getting around it.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious illness.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t live well with it,” says Donna Raziano, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Mercy Home Health. “In fact, there are many ways to manage your symptoms and slow the progress of COPD.” Here are five key steps: If you’re still smoking, quit.

Quitting is the best thing you can do to prevent more damage to your lungs. And since quitting isn’t easy, line up support. Talk with your doctor about products and programs that can help you stop your smoking habit. And ask friends and family to encourage your efforts to quit.

Stay away from lung irritants. Try to avoid things that might irritate your lungs, like dust, strong fumes and other people’s cigarette smoke. If possible, stay indoors—with the windows shut—when there’s a lot of pollution outside.

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Conserve your energy. Move slowly to avoid breathlessness, and sit down as much as possible when doing tasks. Also arrange your house so that most things you use are at waist level or within easy reach.

Protect yourself with vaccinations. Be sure to get a yearly flu shot. It’s your best defense against the flu, which can make your COPD symptoms worse. Also ask your doctor if you should get a pneumonia vaccine.

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Speak up about all medicines Here’s something y ou need to do if you take prescription medicine— and it might surprise you: Tell your doctor about every over-the-counter (OTC) drug you take.

No exceptions.

OTC medicines might seem totally safe. After all, you can use them without a doctor’s OK. “But they can interact with your prescription medicine,” says John Truitt, Safety Compliance Officer, Mercy Home Health. “And they can change how your medicine works.”

These drug interactions can be dangerous. They may make your prescription medicine less effective—or keep it from working at all. In some cases, they might even cause severe side effects, such as a lot of bleeding or

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See your doctor regularly.

And be honest about your symptoms, including how well you’re breathing. If any symptoms are getting worse—or if you’re having new ones—let your doctor know right away.

GIVE US A CALL Interested in how Mercy Home Health can help you or a loved one? Call 1.888.690.2551.

a big drop in blood pressure.

So keep your doctor up-to-date on your OTC medicine, especially if he or she is prescribing a new drug.

And follow these tips too: Be complete. Tell your doctor about any vitamins or supplements you take. They can also interact with your prescription medicine, in addition to other OTC drugs.

Check first. Before you take a new OTC drug, ask your doctor if it’s safe to use with any medicine or supplements you take.

Always read labels. That goes for both OTC and prescription drugs. And look specifically for any warnings about drug interactions. mercyhealth.org

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Getting to know you

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Prediabetes: Heed the warning Your test came back, and your doctor says you don’t have diabetes.

However, you do have a condition called prediabetes. And your doctor wants you to make some changes in your life.

Melissa Bertha, DO, of Mercy Primary Care at Roosevelt Boulevard, explains what prediabetes is and why it’s something you shouldn’t ignore.

Q

What is prediabetes?

Answer Prediabetes means

your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough to be considered diabetes. Usually when a doctor says you have prediabetes, it’s after you’ve had a test called a hemoglobin A1C. The test measures your blood sugar over the last three months or so. If your

A1C is over 7.0, you have diabetes.

If it’s between 5.7 and 7.0, you have prediabetes.

Why is it important to know I have prediabetes?

Answer It’s a warning sign that you need to make some changes in your life. If you don’t, there’s a good likelihood you will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. It’s also possible that some of the long-term damages that go with diabetes are already starting to happen.

Q

What can I do to avoid developing diabetes?

Answer Switch to a healthier diet. Focus on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins.

Get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Take a brisk

Name: Melissa Bertha, DO Specialty: Family medicine (board certified) Graduated: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Internship and residency: Mercy Suburban Hospital (now Suburban Community Hospital)

SHOULD YOU BE SCREENED? A primary care doctor can tell you whether you should be screened for prediabetes or other health risks. To find a physician, call 1.866.

NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).

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walk or a bike ride. And lose about 5 to 10 percent of your weight if you’re overweight. If you weigh 200 pounds, that means losing 10 to 20 pounds.

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