@ EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: BY THE NUMBERS
89
%
The patient satisfaction rate for Emergency Department patients— which has risen more than 20% in the last two years.
4 to 5 minutes. The average time an Emergency Department patient waits before being evaluated.
SUMMER 2015
Leading the way to better health
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OFFERS NURSE NAVIGATOR SUPPORT FOR SENIORS Seniors have always counted on Nazareth Hospital’s Emergency Department for quality emergency care. And just last month, that care got even better. That’s when the hospital welcomed a new team member, Lindsay Lion, BSN, RN, CEN— the first Emergency Department Senior Care Nurse Navigator in Northeast Philadelphia. Her mission is “to make sure patients 65 and older get the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” says Lion. — Continued on page 2
IN THIS ISSUE
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FRACTURES AREN’T HIP Specialist joint repair may help STAY ON YOUR FEET You can prevent falls
‘...AND THE LIVIN’ IS EASY’ Keep summer safe—and fun
FIND US ONLINE Check us out on the web: mercyhealth.org/locations/ nazareth-hospital.
WE CARE Leading the way —Continued from front page
Bridging the gap Lion works with seniors who are being discharged from the Emergency Department and are about to return home. In her role, she helps decide what continuing care each patient needs and makes sure her patients actually receive that care. For example, Lion: • Calls doctors to schedule follow-up appointments • Helps ensure that seniors get their prescriptions filled
• Arranges for equipment, such as walkers • Assists with insurance and benefits issues • Connects patients with resources such as Meals on Wheels and support groups • Links patients to home health services Lion also calls each patient at home within 48 to 72 hours after they leave the hospital. She makes sure they understand their discharge instructions and answers any new questions. “Going to the Emergency Department can be stressful,” says Kristen Gilmore, MSN, RN, CEN, Emergency Department Patient Care Manager. “And patients often miss what the doctor tells them.” Lion helps bridge that communication gap by helping educate patients about their conditions. Having a nurse navigator also helps senior patients avoid having to return to the Emergency Department, Gilmore says. “We’re excited to be the first in our area to offer this service. It’s the start of something great for seniors.”
THERE IS MORE... Learn more about Senior Services at Nazareth Hospital by calling 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
An advocate for you Meet the first Emergency Department Senior Care Nurse Navigator in Northeast Philadelphia Lindsay Lion, BSN, RN, CEN, believes every role in her working life prepared her to become Nazareth Hospital’s Emergency Department Senior Care Nurse Navigator. That includes being an Emergency Department nurse and a mental health counselor—along with working in the customer service industry. “In any situation, each person has unique needs and expectations,” Lion says. “Working in the service industry, I learned quickly to identify people’s wants and needs. And as a mental health counselor, I became really comfortable communicating with people—especially during difficult situations.” Both helped make Lion an outstanding Emergency Department nurse. Now she is something most senior patients have never had before: an advocate who is part of their healthcare team. Lion is excited about her newest role. And she wants seniors to know this: “I’m here for you. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you are as cared-for when you go home as you were in our Emergency Department.”
“In Lindsay, we have a very experienced nurse who is energetic, analytical and driven. She’s a great resource for us and, most important, for our patients.” —George Hobbib, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine, Nazareth Hospital
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Hip help FIND SPECIALIST JOINT REPAIR AT NAZARETH HOSPITAL Any time you break a bone, it’s serious. But you may not know just how serious a broken hip is. Hip fractures can be deadly. They make it hard to move. And that can lead to more problems, such as bedsores, blood clots and pneumonia. In an older person with other health problems, it’s a lot to overcome. There is help, though. And some of the best around can be found at Nazareth Hospital.
On the mend There are two main treatments for hip fractures: repair and hip replacement. “The best treatment really depends on the type of break a person has,” explains William V. Arnold, MD, PhD, Joint Replacement Specialist at the Rothman Institute at Nazareth Hospital and Chairman of Nazareth’s Surgery Department. Fractures that occur on the lower part of the upper femur (thigh bone) can often be repaired with screws and rods or plates. But those that occur closer to the top of the femur usually require hip replacement. In most cases, the sooner surgery is done, the better people do, according to Dr. Arnold and other experts. After surgery, you’ll stay one to two days in the hospital before starting physical therapy. And the key to recovery? “Follow the postsurgery instructions and physical therapy recommendations,” Dr. Arnold says. “Most patients will progress very well if they do that.”
“If you need hip surgery, you want a surgeon and team who perform these procedures all the time. This is what we do.” —William V. Arnold, MD, PhD
KEEP ON MOVING Is a painful joint slowing you down? Learn more about how Nazareth Hospital can return you to an active lifestyle. Call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
HIPS: BY THE NUMBERS
258,000
Annual hospital admissions for hip fractures among people 65 years of age and older.
95
%
Percentage of hip fractures caused by falls.
3 out of 4 hip fractures occur in women. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Find your
balance BE STEADIER ON YOUR FEET WITH THE BALANCE PROGRAM Have you ever dreamed you were falling? Maybe you woke with a start—but no real harm was done. In real life, falling can be a nightmare. You could break your hip. You might hit your head and get a concussion—or even worse. Some injuries require surgery and physical therapy. Some take away people’s independence. But there are ways to prevent trips and tumbles. To help you, Nazareth Hospital created the Balance Program.
How can it help?
If you are over 65, your chance of falling at least once this year is 1 in 3. And getting older isn’t the only risk factor for falling. According to Helen Kozlowski, manager of Nazareth Hospital’s Outpatient Center for Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation and Balance, other risk factors include: • Having an ear infection or wearing bifocals • Health issues, such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease And here’s one that may surprise you: the fear of falling. “Fear is a risk factor TAKE THE QUIZ because it makes people Are you at risk for falling? unsteady on their feet,” Our online quiz can help Kozlowski says. you find out: mercyhealth Reducing that fear is a key .org/services/hearing part of the Balance Program. -balance. Other important factors include building strength and teaching people how to avoid falls. In just three years, the program has helped more than 200 people regain their balance—and their confidence.
What does it involve? To participate in the Balance Program, you will need a prescription. So ask your doctor to screen you if you are over 65 or have other risk factors for falling. If your insurance covers physical therapy, it will cover the Balance Program. “At our clinic, the process starts with a questionnaire,” Kozlowski says. “Then there is an assessment.” A physical therapist uses a machine called the NeuroCom Balance Master to check your balance by evaluating: • How stable you are • How well you control your body movements “Patients move from left to right and backward and forward, at different speeds, on the Balance Master,” Kozlowski says. “We review the results with the patient. Then we create an individualized program.” The balance therapy program takes about
BALANCE: BY THE NUMBERS
84 4
%
The improvement in balance patients experience after completing Nazareth Hospital’s Balance Program.
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75
%
The percentage of Americans over age 70 who have trouble with balance.
MERCY PRIMARY CARE AT GLORIA DEI ESTATES
Doctors right on your home street You wake up feeling sick one morning. Instead of driving across town, wouldn’t it be nice if you could open your front door, step outside and within a minute or two receive expert medical care from a physician? If you’re a resident at Gloria Dei Estates, that type of convenient care is now a possibility. This spring, Mercy Primary Care at Gloria Dei opened to serve residents of the senior community. Located within a renovated apartment on the grounds, family medicine physician Helen Thorpe, MD, sees patients three times a week at Gloria Dei. She also practices across the street at Mercy Primary Care at Rhawn. Her colleague, Joan Addley, DO, sees patients at both locations too.
Same-day service
three months to complete. It includes education and exercises such as stretching and walking to increase strength, stamina and mobility. “We customize each patient’s program based on his or her needs and goals,” Kozlowski says. “We always ask, ‘What is your goal?’ Because if it’s important to the patient, it’s important to us.”
What can I expect? “Patients tell us the Balance Program is a lifechanging experience,” Kozlowski says. “They feel like themselves again. They can enjoy life. They can move and do daily tasks with confidence— instead of with a constant fear of falling.” And Kozlowski’s advice to readers? “Get screened. If your doctor finds risk factors, call us. Our number is 215.335.3954.”
2.5 million
The number of nonfatal falls that sent adults to the emergency room in 2013.
The new location at Gloria Dei means residents no longer have to cross busy Rhawn Street. “Part of taking care of people in the community is making sure we are as accessible to patients as possible,” Dr. Thorpe says. “We opened the office at Gloria Dei to be more convenient for those folks who actually live in The Estates,” she says. “They have a choice of seeing us there or at our office on Rhawn Street.” But even if you’re not a regular patient, they’d be happy to help anytime you need—even the same day you’re taken ill. Say you have a sore throat. You might not even have to step outside to be seen swiftly.* Just take the elevator from your room. “You can come down and see us in your pajamas,” Dr. Thorpe says with a chuckle. “We won’t judge you.” *Check with your insurance company to make sure your visit is covered.
NEED TO SEE A DOC? To make an appointment with Dr. Thorpe or Dr. Addley, please call 215.725.3619.
Everything you need With convenient hours and easy access to appointments and helpful staff, Mercy Primary Care at Gloria Dei provides: • Same-day sick visits • Care for chronic diseases and conditions • Annual physical exams and preventive care • Flu shots and other vaccinations • Blood work • Prescription refills • 24/7 digital access to Mercy’s patient portal
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Team up for better health When you choose Mercy Home Health care, you become the center of a team of experts who have your best interests at heart. Along with nurses or therapists who visit your home, your team may include your primary care provider, pharmacist, family caregivers— and you. “It’s a partnership,” says Donna Raziano, MD, Mercy Home Health’s Chief Medical Officer. “It can lead to healthier results.” These tips from Dr. Raziano can help you: Know who’s on your side. Make a list of your team members’ names and contact details. And know how to reach them if there’s a problem. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a loved one who can talk to your team about your health information. If you’d like that, sign a patient information release form. You can find one at mercyhealth.org/about/privacy. Share the news. Your nurse will assess your health in the comfort of your home and keep your doctor informed. But be sure to mention any changes you’ve noticed. “Let the nurse know what’s different today, compared to before,” Dr. Raziano says. Mention all your meds. Tell your team about all your medicines and if you’re having problems taking them. Talk about it. Whenever you’re seeing a doctor for the first time, remind him or her that you’re a Mercy Home Health patient. You might also share any goals your nurse or physical therapist has set for you.
THE COMFORTS OF HOME Whether you’re recovering from surgery or you want to learn how to manage a chronic condition at home, Mercy Home Health can help. Call 1.888.690.2551 or visit mercyhomehealth.org.
ways to safely manage meds Medicines can make a huge difference in our lives, from clearing up infections to keeping down blood pressure. But they can cause harm if not taken properly. What if you stop taking a prescription medicine? Or accidentally take too much? Mistakes like these often make people ill—so ill they need emergency care. To help you avoid a trip to the emergency department, Mercy Home Health Clinical Manager Linda Gusenko, RN, BS, offers five tips for using medicines safely.
1
Take your medicines exactly as your doctor says. “And don’t change the amount you take without talking to your doctor,” Gusenko says. Are you adjusting doses to save money? Ask about generic drugs. They cost less. But they work just as well.
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Have an annual safety check. Ask your doctor
or pharmacist to review a complete list of your medications at least once a year to look for possible harmful drug interactions.
3
Use a pill organizer. These usually hold a seven day supply, with spaces for four daily doses. They make it easier to keep track of what you take.
4
Always have a week’s worth at home. “This way you don’t have to worry about running out in bad weather,” Gusenko says. If you wait until you’ve used all your medicine and it’s on back order at the pharmacy, you could miss doses.
5
Get help. Ask a loved one to lend a hand with managing your medicines. Or call 1.888.690.2551 to learn how Mercy Home Health professionals can help you stay safe.
Summertime fun 3 WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE THIS SEASON Ah, summer! Now that the weather is warmer, it’s much easier to get outside and start moving again. Take advantage of the sunshine, and try these fun ways to stay active— and healthy—all summer long.* Play like a kid again. Remember what a delight it was to splash in a pool as a child? Or bike around the neighborhood? If it’s been a while since you’ve done either, rediscover those pleasures. Both biking and swimming are easy on joints.
Exercise has many health benefits—when you do it regularly. John Mikus, Mercy LIFE Physical Therapist, recommends these three key tips to help make exercise a safe and lasting habit.
1
Be sure you drink adequate amounts of fluids in order to stay hydrated. Current recommendations suggest daily fluid intake should equal 6 to 8 cups of water.*
Enjoy some family time. Are you an uncle, aunt or grandparent? Head to a nearby park with your favorite little one for fun on the swings and slides. Take a nature hike together, and look for butterflies, flowers and pretty pebbles. Or check out all the attractions at the zoo.
2
If you are 18 or older with no limiting health conditions, the latest research recommends 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic activity each week. One of the simplest forms of aerobic activities is brisk walking.
Beat the heat. Want to escape the sun’s rays? You can keep on moving indoors—at home or away. Turn on your favorite tunes, and dance to the music— making up the steps as you go. Or head to the mall for a power walk—and enjoy some exercise while you window-shop!
3
* Check with your doctor before significantly increasing your activity level. If you have not been active for some time, start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time that you exercise.
HOME HEALTH: BY THE NUMBERS
35,000
Top tips for moving more
Number of people Mercy Home Health helps provide with high-quality healthcare in their own homes each year. To find out how we can help you stay independent at home, call 1.888.690.2551.
Add strength training to your schedule two times a week. Muscle strengthening exercises can include lifting weights or working with resistance bands. *If you’ve been told to limit fluid intake for medical reasons, check with your doctor before increasing the amount you’re drinking. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Illinois Council on Long Term Care
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AND
Your partner in health What’s a primary care physician’s specialty? You. And if you don’t have one of these medical experts, now is the time to get one. Primary care physicians specialize in taking care of all aspects of your health. Joan Addley, DO, family medicine physician, explains how seniors in particular can benefit from primary care—especially when it is easily accessible. What’s one reason older Q adults need quick access to primary care? Answer Compared to younger adults, older adults often don’t have as strong an immune system. They
are easily susceptible to infections and can get very sick quite quickly. Having access to prompt healthcare is very important so that we can detect subtle changes in their health that might have serious consequences. Why do seniors need a Q primary doctor? Answer Primary care physicians are the gatekeepers in healthcare. Our job is not merely to treat disease, but to focus on prevention and to provide education about your risk for certain diseases. Many older adults also see a specialist, such as a cardiologist. A primary care physician helps to coordinate care with their specialists and their families. What services do you provide Q for older adults? Answer One of the most important services we provide is an annual checkup. During that appointment we discuss needed screenings, such as colonoscopies, mammograms, prostate cancer screenings, eye exams, dental visits and more. We talk about how to prevent falls and
Name: Joan Addley, DO Specialty: Family medicine (board-certified) Graduated: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Internship and residency: St. Joseph Hospital in Philadelphia Office locations: Mercy Primary Care–Rhawn Street; Mercy Primary Care–Gloria Dei Personal: Married (to a Mercy Health System cardiologist) and raising three teen boys
injuries and about any services that may be beneficial at home. We make sure you receive needed vaccines that can help you stay healthy. Through compassionate care, we partner with you to help you achieve your optimum health—in mind, body and spirit.
FIND CONVENIENT PRIMARY CARE Mercy Primary Care has locations at Rhawn Street, Frankford Avenue and Holme Avenue. To find a physician who is right for you, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).
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. 2015 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. CUN31336