@ CANCER: BY THE NUMBERS
1 in 2: An average American man’s lifetime risk of developing cancer
1 in 3: An average American woman’s lifetime risk of developing cancer
14 million
Number of cancer survivors in the U.S. today
SPRING 2015
Making life easier for cancer patients It’s never easy to hear the words “You have cancer.” The diagnosis can trigger emotions (How will this affect my life?) and concerns (Will my insurance pay for this?). These can feel overwhelming— and make coping with the disease difficult. At Nazareth Hospital, we want to
help patients who are struggling with the day-to-day challenges of living with cancer. That’s why we offer something called distress screening to patients newly diagnosed with the disease. It’s designed to pinpoint problems patients may be having and—most —Continued on page 5
IN THIS ISSUE
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IN A HEARTBEAT Angioplasty can save lives
HEART TO HEART Live well with heart failure
THE BEST CARE Find it at Nazareth Hospital. Visit our website at mercyhealth.org/cancercare, or call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
PALLIATIVE CARE
Focusing on comfort Cure is the goal of most medical care, as is comfort. That’s the idea behind Mercy Home Health’s in-home palliative care. It’s an approach that’s all about helping people— and their families—live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Beyond medicine Mercy Home Health’s team provides more than inhome medical care. They also help patients and family members talk about long-term planning and end-of-life issues. And as part of the area’s largest Catholic healthcare
TAKE THE NEXT STEP Palliative care might be the right choice for you and your family. To learn more, call 1.888.690.2551.
system, Mercy’s caregivers also work to meet patients’ emotional and spiritual needs. “The patient’s quality of life comes first,” Dr. Raziano says. “It puts the patient back in control. They choose what they want as the next step of their care.”
Get back to your life MERCY HOME HEALTH CAN HELP To get back on your feet after an injury, illness or surgery, you need more than rest. You need a team. Your Mercy Home Health rehab team stands ready. With their help, you can regain strength and independence. “We want to help people become more self-sufficient with whatever they’re dealing with,” says Larry Yelson, Staff Development Rehabilitation Specialist at Mercy Home Health.
“We help them return to their previous level of function—and hopefully beyond that,” he says.
Comprehensive care The rehab team helps patients recover from a range of health issues. They include (but are not limited to): •• Cancer treatment •• Multiple sclerosis •• Surgery, including joint replacement •• Stroke And the Mercy Home
MAKE ALL THE RIGHT MOVES Learn how Mercy Home Health rehab services can help you recover well. Call 1.888.690.2551 or visit mercyhomehealth.org.
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WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?
A:
Unlike hospice, which provides endof-life care, palliative care is offered to anyone with a serious illness, regardless of life expectancy. It’s commonly recommended for long-term conditions, such as:
•• Cancer •• Chronic obstructive
•• Dementia •• Heart failure
pulmonary disease “Palliative care is centered around—and driven by—the patient,” says Donna Raziano, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Mercy Home Health. “It focuses on the symptoms he or she wants to address.” For instance, patients may want help to ease symptoms such as:
•• Constipation •• Nausea
•• Pain •• Shortness of breath
Health team goes beyond the basics. They also help people deal with other hurdles to health. Those may include: •• Difficulties accessing transportation •• Home safety concerns •• Trouble with tasks like bathing, meal prep and other activities of daily living
A team at your side In all, the home health team includes more than 130 physical, occupational or speech therapists. Nurses, home health aides and social workers are also on hand. “Each patient’s team aims to provide seamless care,” Yelson says. “So everyone is on the same page when we’re working with the
patient.” And the team approach works very well indeed. But it’s the one-onone work that’s often the most rewarding—to both patients and the team. “It’s you and the patient,” Yelson says. “You’re able to bond with them and find out what’s going on, not only with their rehab but also in their life—and help them progress.”
WOUND CARE Let the healing begin CENTER SPECIALIZES IN TREATING HARD-TO-HEAL WOUNDS It’s been said that time heals all wounds. But some wounds need more than time. That’s where the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Nazareth Hospital comes in. The center helps people with chronic wounds get better.
What exactly is a chronic wound? They are wounds that are slow to heal or don’t completely heal after four weeks. And there are many things that can cause or contribute to such wounds—for instance: •• Pressure sores or ulcers •• Soft tissue radiation injuries •• Skin ulcers caused by diabetes, nerve damage or poor blood flow •• Infection “We look for the underlying cause and try to correct that first,” says Bill Nolan, Program Director at Nazareth Hospital. Then attention shifts to treatment. There are many options, including protective dressings, artificial skin grafts and surgical intervention. Some people also benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen while lying down in a transparent, pressurized chamber. “The increased pressure in the chamber helps your red blood cells absorb more oxygen—giving them more power to heal your wound,” Nolan says. HBOT can be particularly helpful for deep, diabetesrelated wounds. It can also be effective for: •• Wounds related to poor blood flow •• Wounds that can follow radiation treatment •• Skin grafts that show signs of failing •• Osteomyelitis—an infection of the bone
We work closely with you and your primary care physician to develop a personalized treatment plan that includes proven healing therapies and results in above-average healing rates. What can I expect? Typically, HBOT patients have two-hour treatments, five days a week for around six weeks. It’s a considerable commitment. But it can help heal wounds that were once considered untreatable. With the knowledge, skill and compassion of our wound center team, we can help you too.
DON’T WAIT ANY LONGER If you have a wound that has not shown signs of healing, we can help. Call us at 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
WOUND CARE: BY THE NUMBERS
96
%
The healing rate at the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Nazareth Hospital* *June 2014
85
%
The average healing rate in the U.S.
Did you know? You can kick back, relax, and watch TV and DVDs—or just sleep—during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. mercyhealth.org
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YOUR HEART
Heartfelt
care for
you
NAZARETH HOSPITAL AND ST. MARY MEDICAL CENTER PARTNER FOR CARDIAC CARE A heart attack can happen at any time— morning, noon or night. But no matter when it strikes, Nazareth Hospital is ready with its fully equipped, cardiac catheterization lab. That heart-saving lab is now staffed with an expanded team of specialists as a result of a partnership between Nazareth and St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. Both hospitals are part of Trinity Health. Through this partnership, patients also will have access to the cardiothoracic surgery and electrophysiology programs at St. Mary.
Growing to meet your needs
Mrugesh Patel, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Nazareth’s Heart and Vascular Lab
“Nazareth has always provided excellent cardiac care,” says Mrugesh Patel, MD, PhD. “This partnership just expands on that care.” “As we became part of a bigger parent organization, it just made sense for the sister hospitals to interact, especially on the services that we provide in common.” explains Dr. Patel, who was named Medical Director of Nazareth’s Heart and Vascular Lab in late 2014. “We’re bringing in a team of physicians with many years of experience to join the
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Our cardiac catheterization lab is fully equipped to receive and care for heart attack patients all day, every day.
cardiologists who are already there and doing a great job,” he says. “We’re very excited.”
Meet the experts The interventional cardiologists joining Dr. Patel and the cardiology team at Nazareth are: •• David W. Drucker, MD •• Ronald H. Fields, MD •• George Patrick Heyrich, MD •• Syed Hussain, MD •• Rakesh R. Shah, MD •• Sunder Venkatesulu, MD
IS YOUR HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE? For outstanding, compassionate cardiac care close to home, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS Not all heart attacks look alike. But most show some or all of these signs:
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1
Chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes.
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Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, jaw or stomach.
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Shortness of breath.
Specialists at work Doctors who treat patients in the cath lab are known as interventional cardiologists. They specialize in diagnosing and treating heart problems—including opening the blocked arteries that trigger heart attacks—using procedures such as angioplasty and stenting instead of surgery. They can also use those procedures to open blocked arteries elsewhere in the body, including the legs and kidneys.
/7/365 DID YOU KNOW? In 2014, Nazareth’s emergency angioplasty received national accreditation from Corazon, Inc. Nazareth Hospital received a 2012 Healthcare Innovations Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal for its emergency angioplasty program. The hospital was honored for bringing emergency angioplasty for heart attack patients to the people of Northeast Philadelphia.
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A sudden cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Making life easier for cancer patients —Continued from front cover
Heart attack care en route You’ve just dialed 911 after noticing symptoms of a heart attack. That was a potentially lifesaving decision. Also, by calling for an ambulance, you’re about to get access to state-of-the-art technology called LIFENET. This heart-smart system is being piloted in Northeast Philadelphia and other areas of the city. LIFENET allows paramedics to swiftly identify whether you’re having a dangerous type of heart attack known as a STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) by performing an electrocardiogram (EKG) in the ambulance. The team can then communicate this information to the hospital care team. Nazareth’s heart attack team reads the EKG remotely and snaps into action to prepare for your arrival. The team can then treat you as quickly as possible once you arrive at the hospital. The time from arrival to treatment is known as door-to-balloon time. It begins when the patient enters the hospital and ends with the balloon catheter inflation within the blocked artery. At Nazareth Hospital, LIFENET is helping to reduce door-to-balloon time so patients have a greater chance of a positive outcome.
If you think you or someone near you may be having a heart attack, call 911.
important—provide them with support and solutions. “Having cancer can be stressful,” says Robert DiDomenico, Administrative Director of the Oncology Program at Nazareth Hospital. “We want to help reduce that stress as much as we can.”
We’re here to help you Within a few days of starting treatment, cancer patients fill out a private questionnaire that measures their level of anxiety or depression. It takes 10 minutes or less to complete. The survey includes questions about how the person is feeling— emotionally, physically and spiritually—and whether he or she is worried about things such as paying the bills, getting to the hospital for treatment, quitting smoking or holding down a job. Immediately after completing the questionnaire, the patient is given a report that lists resources for getting help. A staff member also goes over the report with the patient. The next step is often a referral to a specialist—such as a mental health expert, social worker, tobacco counselor or spiritual advisor—based on the patient’s needs. “Whatever’s going on that’s distressing you, we want to help,” DiDomenico says. “In addition to treating your disease, we’re here to help care for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our patients.”
Source: American Heart Association mercyhealth.org
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Nurses check on you. And they monitor your health daily— with the aid of technology and your involvement.
Living with heart failure? LIVE WELL AT HOME WITH THE TELEHEALTH PROGRAM Plenty of support. The right guidance. And peace of mind knowing that someone is there for you when you need them. That’s what patients living with heart failure often look for. And that’s just what people find when they use Mercy Home Health’s Telehealth program.
Help is at hand Learning how to manage heart failure takes time. There are things you need to do to care for yourself. And there are things you need to watch for that will tell you how well you’re doing. The Telehealth program helps with both. It offers you the chance to stay in your home and live independently. But nurses check on you. And they monitor your health daily—with the aid of technology and your involvement. “It’s comforting for people to know someone is watching out for them,” says Telehealth Nurse Coordinator Joyce Leary, BSN, RN. But it serves another purpose too. “It helps prevent hospitalizations and frequent emergency department visits,” she adds.
Watching for warning signs If you participate in the Telehealth program, you will receive a blood pressure cuff, a digital scale and a
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machine that measures how much oxygen is in your blood. These tools are linked up to your telephone or cell phone. Each morning, you take your blood pressure, weigh yourself and check your blood oxygen level. This information is automatically transmitted to a nurse, who reviews it. The nurse watches for things like weight gain, low oxygen levels or high blood pressure. All of these can indicate that heart failure is getting worse. If there’s reason for concern, the nurse will contact you—and your healthcare providers, if needed. Your doctor may then recommend a change in treatment to get you back on track. It might be something as simple as adding a water pill. “The idea is that if you spot trouble early, you can correct it. That keeps a small problem from becoming a larger one,” Leary says.
Keeping track “We ask patients to keep a log of their readings too,” she adds. “It helps them get a better understanding of their disease process and what to look for with their vital signs.” That way, when you no longer receive home health services, you’re better able to manage your heart failure on their own. And that’s what it’s all about—helping people take charge and live happy, healthy lives.
FIND THE RIGHT CARE Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with heart failure? Learn how the Telehealth program may be able to help you stay independent. Visit mercyhomehealth.org, or call 1.888.690.2551.
AND
When leg pain spells heart trouble While out on a walk, you notice pain in your calf. But after a rest, it goes away. Nothing to worry about, right? Not so fast. It could be peripheral arterial disease (PAD). And that has a surprising connection to your heart health, says David W. Drucker, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Nazareth Hospital. What is PAD? Q Dr. Drucker: PAD often involves reduced blood flow to your legs. It can cause pain, numbness or more serious problems. And it could be a sign that your heart is at risk too. PAD and heart disease share many risk factors. Smoking is the biggest, along with older age, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and inactivity. What’s the main symptom? Q Dr. Drucker: Not everyone has symptoms. But in those who do, it’s usually leg pain that happens whenever you walk or climb stairs. The pain goes away a few minutes after you stop. Why is PAD important? Q Dr. Drucker: If untreated, it can lead to a serious infection in the leg. Plus, around one-fifth of people with PAD have a heart blockage. So catching PAD can give you a chance
David W. Drucker, MD
to prevent problems like a heart attack or stroke. How is PAD diagnosed? Q Dr. Drucker: It’s as simple as taking your blood pressure at the arm and the ankle. If there’s a big difference between the two, there’s a problem. You may need other tests after that. How is PAD treated? Q Dr. Drucker: Quitting smoking is important. And your doctor may suggest a supervised exercise program. Medication and, in severe cases, surgery may also be needed.
Specialty: Interventional cardiology Fellowship: Yale-New Haven Medical Center (Connecticut), cardiovascular and interventional radiology Graduated: Washington University in St. Louis Board certification: •• American Academy of Family Physicians •• American Board of Internal Medicine: interventional cardiology (sub-spec cert) •• American Board of Internal Medicine: cardiovascular disease (sub-spec cert) •• American Board of Internal Medicine: internal medicine (general cert) Find a physician by calling 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
HEART SMARTS Should you talk to your doctor? Go to mercyhealth.org, and click on “Take the Heart Smart Quiz.” mercyhealth.org
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Stroke: Every second counts Call 911 right away if you recognize signs of a stroke, including sudden:
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Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania 1 W. Elm St., Suite 100 Conshohocken, PA 19428-4108
•• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side.
•• Trouble speaking or understanding. •• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. •• Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance.
•• Severe headache with no known cause. Sources: American Stroke Association; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
NAZ
Find more @ mercyhealth.org
FREE EVENTS Adult Healthy Living Series April 21 Physical Health and Wellness
Enjoy a healthy dose of
May 19 Arthritis and Osteoporosis June 13 Health and Wellness Fair (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) July 21 Medications—bring your meds for a free consultation!
Learn more, live better To find out about our latest events and to sign up, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
JOIN US AT OUR NEW ADULT HEALTHY LIVING SERIES Looking to de-stress your life, prevent joint or arthritis pain, or manage a health condition? Nazareth Hospital and Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park have teamed up to bring you a fun series of free events—the Adult Healthy Living Series. Every month, we’ll focus on areas that can help you improve your health. The series features talks and screenings about the health topics that matter to you. You’ll
learn about things like:
•• Coping with stress and depression •• Lowering your cancer risk •• Living well with diabetes “We at Nazareth Hospital are proud to partner with Wesley Enhanced Living on the Adult Healthy Living program,” says Nancy Cherone, FACHE, Executive Director at Nazareth Hospital. “It aligns with our mission to provide peoplecentered care to those we serve. And it gives both organizations an
opportunity to work Sign up together to improve today! the health of our community through education and screening.” Events take place 10:00 a.m. – noon. See above for dates. You’ll find us at: Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park 8401 Roosevelt Blvd. Wesley Hall entrance
MORE @ MERCY is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Mercy Health System. Information in MORE @ MERCY comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Copyright © 2015 Coffey Communications CUN31095