More@Mercy - Nazareth Hospital - Summer 2017

@ HEART DISEASE

BY THE NUMBERS

47%

The percentage of Americans who have at least ONE OF THREE KEY RISK FACTORS for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking.

790,000 The approximate NUMBER OF PEOPLE in the U.S. who have HEART ATTACKS each year.

WE

HEARTS

Trust your heart with us. Learn why at mercyhealth.org/heart.

SUMMER 2017

How to give your heart some TLC Your heart works hard for you every day. So what can you do in return to help keep it happy and healthy?

“There are many things you can do to keep your heart going strong,” says Oren L. Friedman, MD, FACC, Chief of the Division of Cardiology at Nazareth Hospital. “As a bonus: All of them are good for your overall health too.”

Try these five heart-smart tips: Eat a healthy diet. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. And

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don’t forget whole grains, which are high in fiber.

“Read food labels so you can avoid foods high in saturated fat,” Dr. Friedman says. “Choose foods low in sodium to help control your blood pressure.”

Stay at a healthy weight.

Being overweight raises your risk for heart disease.

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­— Continued on page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

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STUDY UP ON DIABETES Take your diabetes care to the next level

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HOME HEALTH Care at home can help you stay independent.

NEED A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN? We can help you find one.

Call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).

How to give your heart some TLC ­— Continued from front page

IN MEMORIAM

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Get regular exercise.

“Aim for 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week,” Dr. Friedman says.

Don’t smoke. You know that smoking harms your lungs, but did you know it also hurts your heart? If you smoke, work hard to quit. (See page 4 for information about the free stop-smoking classes at Nazareth.)

Get tested. These tests can help pinpoint if you’re at risk for heart disease: •• Blood pressure. Since high blood pressure has no symptoms, you should have your pressure checked regularly.

•• Cholesterol. Have your cholesterol levels measured at least every five years.

•• Blood sugar. Having diabetes raises the risk for heart disease. Ask your doctor how often you should have your blood glucose (sugar) levels tested.

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Together is better GIVE US A CALL To learn more about NewCourtland Senior Services, call 1.888.530.4913.

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More @ Mercy Summer 2017

Angelo DiBello, MD, was a ‘doctors’ doctor’ Angelo M. DiBello, MD , a family practice physician who dedicated 63 years to Nazareth Hospital, passed away in March.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. DiBello earned his medical degree at Hahnemann Medical College in 1954. He started his internship at Nazareth Hospital in July 1954 and began his family practice in Holmesburg, joining the Nazareth Medical Staff in October 1955. He served as treasurer of the Nazareth Hospital Medical Staff for nearly 40 years.

A commitment to care At the age of 89, Dr. DiBello continued to make house calls to his patients’ homes as well as regular rounds at Nazareth Hospital. His patients were his extended family. Dr. DiBello retired from the practice of medicine at the end of 2016.

“Dr. DiBello’s Nazareth Hospital family mourns his passing,” says Nancy Cherone, Nazareth’s Executive Director. “We will always be grateful for his dedication and service to our patients and our community.”

At the annual Nazareth Hospital Medical Staff Dinner Dance in November 2015, Nazareth Hospital honored Dr. DiBello for an amazing and much appreciated 60 years of service.

In 2008, the Nazareth Medical Staff recognized Dr. DiBello with the Dr. Stanley J. Skromak Award, which is presented annually to a physician who exemplifies dedication to and love of the medical profession, fosters medical education, demonstrates exemplary patient/physician interaction, shows courtesy and respect toward everyone, and is a true “doctors’ doctor.”

At Nazareth Hospital, we have a long-standing commitment to helping seniors in our community live better and healthier lives. Part of that commitment now includes a partnership with NewCourtland LIFE, a program that helps many low-income adults 55 and older safely stay in their homes. We’re teaming up with NewCourtland LIFE to offer aging-related workshops for the community. And we’re providing acute care, when needed, for participants in the LIFE program.

A healthy life with diabetes OUR DIABETES CLASSES HELP YOU BETTER MANAGE THE DISEASE Do you —or does someone you love—have diabetes? If the answer is “yes,” then you should know about the Diabetes Self-Management classes at Nazareth Hospital.

Diabetes can be a challenge to control. To stay healthy, people with the disease need to do things like monitor their blood sugar, manage their medications, eat a nutritious diet, and exercise.

It’s not always easy to do those

things without some professional guidance.

Get expert advice The Diabetes Self-Management classes are designed to help people with diabetes better monitor and control their condition, improve their health, and reduce their risk of diabetes-related complications— such as nerve or kidney damage.

The classes are taught by

registered nurses, certified diabetes educators or registered dietitians.

They are held over the course of three or five weeks in the Marian A Conference Room at Nazareth Hospital. You have options for when to attend: •• On Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., for three weeks •• On weeknights from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., for three weeks •• On weeknights from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., for five weeks The Diabetes Self-Management classes are part of the Mercy Diabetes Program at Nazareth Hospital, presented in partnership with ABC Diabetes. To learn more about the classes, call 1.877.533.4222.

Healing stubborn wounds

Beyond wounds

A wound that is slow t o get better is far more than a nuisance. The longer a wound takes to heal, the greater the risk of a serious limb- or even life-threatening infection.

That’s why if you have a wound that isn’t healing on its own, your doctor may recommend Nazareth Hospital’s Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine. Our team of doctors and nurses specializes in treating chronic wounds, such as: •• Pressure sores •• Surgical wounds •• Foot ulcers caused by diabetes, poor blood flow or swollen legs Last year, the center’s healing rate for chronic wounds was nearly 100 percent.

“Patients have come to us with wounds that are two to three years old,” says Steven Wilbraham, MD, Medical Director of the center. “And we’ve completely healed them in a month.”

What’s behind this success? The center provides truly individualized care.

“We treat the whole you—not

Although HBOT is great at treating stubborn wounds, “it helps many other conditions heal as well,” says Jeanette Bernacki, MSN, RN, Program Director of the center.

Those conditions include: Crush injuries. These typically happen when part of the body is squeezed between two heavy objects.

Bone infections that aren’t healing. These can occur when infections don’t respond to antibiotics.

Radiation-related injuries.

Radiation treatments for cancer can sometimes damage healthy tissue.

Rapid, unexplained hearing loss. Doctors call this sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

just the hole in you,” Dr. Wilbraham stresses.

This means our team of specialists looks at the health conditions and other factors that are keeping your wound from healing and devises a treatment plan just for you.

That plan might involve lifestyle changes, as well as medical treatments such as state-of-the-art skin substitutes, specialized dressings and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

During HBOT, patients rest inside a pressurized chamber and breathe in pure oxygen. The extra oxygen helps injured tissue heal.

MAKE THE CALL Patients rest inside a pressurized chamber and breathe in pure oxygen, which helps injured tissue heal.

To find out all the ways our center might help you or a loved one, call 215.335.7606. mercyhealth.org

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Complete care for lung cancer 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE LUNG CANCER PROGRAM AT NAZARETH HOSPITAL Just hearing the words lung cancer can be stressful and frightening.

And it can be confusing when you’re suddenly faced with scheduling tests and making choices about your care.

At Nazareth Hospital, we offer a full-service lung cancer program that includes screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Our highly skilled and compassionate providers help people with lung cancer at every step of their journey with this complex disease.

Here are five key facts to know about the program if you or a loved one is ever diagnosed with lung cancer.

A navigator will guide you. Often the first step in a diagnosis of lung cancer is something suspicious seen on a screening test. (See the sidebar about screening for lung cancer.) When that happens, our cancer nurse navigator will help you understand the next steps, such as whether you need a biopsy or other tests.

“The nurse navigator is there with you from the very beginning and all through your journey,” says Michele Zappile-Lucis, DPT, OCS, Administrative Director of Oncology at Mercy.

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A lung cancer team will discuss your diagnosis. A tumor board made up of cancer experts meets to discuss each person’s case and the best treatment options. And you can meet with these experts too. They include: •• Medical and radiation oncologists •• Radiologists •• Pathologists Once your care plan is in place, the nurse navigator is there again to help set up your treatments. “We hold your hand and walk you through every step,” Michele says. “You’re never alone.”

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Want to stop smoking? We can help It’s no secret: Smoking is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer. If you’re ready to quit, Nazareth Hospital can help. We offer a free seven-session stop-smoking program. Call 215.335.7727 to learn more.

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You have access to the latest lung cancer treatments.

When caught early, lung cancer can often be treated with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), which is minimally invasive, says Alfred Proto, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

During VATS, the surgeon removes the tumor through small chest incisions. “With VATS you spend less time in the hospital and have less post-surgery pain and a quicker recovery,” Dr. Proto says.

VATS and other lung cancer surgeries are offered through a partnership with St. Mary Medical Center, which like Nazareth is part of Trinity Health. Other treatments for lung cancer available at Nazareth Hospital include: •• The most up-to-date chemotherapies and radiation therapies, including targeted radiation that spares healthy tissue •• Access to clinical trials for leading-edge treatments through the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Network at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

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You’re supported all the way. People being treated for cancer can experience many forms of distress—from fear about the future to worries about doctor bills.

“We want you to focus on getting well,” Michele says. “We don’t want you to have to worry about these other issues. Let us worry for you.”

That’s why our lung cancer program includes a full array of support services, such as a dedicated oncology social worker, a nutritionist to help you stay strong through treatment, a cancer rehab physical therapist and support groups.

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A survivorship program can help you stay well. You will continue to receive support even after your treatment ends. Your nurse navigator will complete a full survivorship care plan for you—which will include tips for healthy eating and exercise—and will schedule all necessary follow-up visits with your doctors.

“We’re your trusted health partner for life,” Michele says.

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LUNG CANCER SCREENING

A potentially lifesaving test Are you a current or former longtime smoker?

If so, ask your doctor if you should be screened for lung cancer.

Typically, lung cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage, when it is more difficult to treat. But a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) chest scan can help detect lung cancer before it causes symptoms.

“The earlier you detect lung cancer, the better your chances of survival,” says Michele ZappileLucis, DPT, OCS, Administrative Director of Oncology at Mercy.

Screening may be recommended if you: •• Are between the ages of 55 and 80.

•• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years.

•• Have a smoking history of at least 30 pack years. (A pack year equals smoking 1 pack of cigarettes every day for a year.)

Getting screened could bring you peace of mind. And Medicare and most insurance plans cover screening.

Should your test turn up a suspicious result (such as a nodule in the lung), you may be advised to repeat the test after several months.

Or you may be referred to the lung cancer program at Nazareth Hospital for evaluation and possibly a biopsy.

LEARN MORE Read about all the cancer services available at Nazareth Hospital. Go to mercyhealth.org/cancer.

mercyhealth.org

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Make the most of your medications

HOME HEALTH

When you need a little help at home When you’re ready to leave the hospital but you’re not quite ready to be on your own at home, Mercy Home Health has got your back.

Maybe you’ve had knee surgery and need help learning how to get in and out of the shower. Or you’ve left the hospital with a new list of medicines that you’re not sure how or when to take.

Whatever the reason, you just need a little medical help so you can stay at home.

“That’s our goal—to help patients remain independent in their homes,” says Jayne Green, MSN, RN, Regional Director of Mercy Home Health.

Sometimes that means: •• Sending a nurse to someone’s home several times a week to care for a wound •• Having a nurse teach someone how to use a catheter or check a surgical drain •• Providing home health aides to help someone with personal care

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Family members can also be coached to help care for their loved ones at home.

“For instance, our nurses can teach them about the patient’s incision and how to look for signs of infection,” Jayne says.

Mercy Home Health does a full checkup on each patient referred for services.

“Then we develop a plan of care so we can manage the patient in their home,” Jayne says.

Most people are referred to Mercy Home Health by the hospital, their doctor or a nursing facility. Ask your doctor if you think you need our home health services, or simply give us a call to chat about how our services might benefit you or a family member.

EXPERTS IN HOME CARE Call us at 1.888.690.2551 to learn more about Mercy Home Health.

Sometimes, getting and staying healthy means taking medicine.

But that medicine may do more harm than good if you don’t take it just as your doctor orders.

Keep in mind a few basic rules that can help you get the most out of your medicine, says Catherine Zaccario, RN, a nurse with Mercy Home Health.

“Don’t skip doses,” she says.

“Don’t take more or less than what your doctor prescribes. And don’t stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first.”

That’s for starters. In addition, if it’s hard for you to take your medicine as needed, these tips may help: •• Take your medicine at the same time each day. Make it part of your routine—for example, you might take meds when you brush your teeth in the morning.

•• Use a pill organizer to sort your medicines by day of the week or time of day to take them. Or use a pill chart or calendar to keep track each time you take a dose.

•• Ask your doctor what to do if you accidentally miss a dose.

•• Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble paying for your medications. There may be options to help make them more affordable.

Exercise and rest A PRESCRIPTION FOR LIVING WELL WITH HEART FAILURE When you’re living with heart failure, it’s good for you to move— but sometimes you need to take it easy too.

The right mix of physical activity and rest may help you live better with the condition. It may give you more energy and reduce some of your symptoms. And regular exercise may even help your heart work better.

Make a safe move

WE CAN HELP Interested in how Mercy Home Health can help you or a loved one? Call 1.888.690.2551 or visit mercyhomehealth.org.

“Exercise is safe for most people with heart failure, but you should ask your doctor or nurse what types and amounts are right for you,” says Mindy Hillerman, a physical therapist with Mercy Home Health.

When you are ready to be active, start slowly—even five minutes a day is fine until you can do more. Also try these tips: •• Choose activities you enjoy.

Walking is a heart-healthy exercise, and it’s easy to get started.

You can do it!

when you feel most energetic, such as in the morning.

•• Ask a friend or loved one to join you. You can encourage each other to stick with an activity.

Rest well While it’s important to stay active, it’s also important to rest when you need it.

“Fatigue is a common problem for people with heart failure,” Mindy says.

Here are some suggestions for fighting fatigue: •• Plan your day so that you alternate periods of being active with periods of rest.

•• Put your feet up for a few minutes every few hours.

•• If you struggle to sleep at night, avoid naps and large meals close to bedtime.

Be aware too that the sooner you bring up a concern, often the easier it is to treat. “Why let months go by when you could be getting help right now?” Dr. Raziano asks.

NO TOPIC IS TABOO WHEN TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR It may not be easy to talk to your doctor about a health concern that seems sensitive or even embarrassing—say a sexual problem, a bowel issue or your alcohol use. But it’s crucial that you have the conversation.

That’s because your doctor can’t treat a problem he or she doesn’t know exists. And it’s why no topic— no matter how private—should be off limits.

It might help to know that doctors genuinely care about their patients’ well-being. “If something is bothering you, we sincerely want to help,” says Donna Raziano, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Mercy Home Health.

•• Pick a regular time to exercise

Getting comfortable

And while it’s your role to share information, it’s your doctor’s role to be nonjudgmental. Plus, doctors see many patients with many different problems.

“So while you may feel that your symptom or concern is unique, your doctor has heard it before—and chances are, often,” Dr. Raziano says.

Opening up about a sensitive subject may be easier if you see your doctor for regular checkups—and not just when you’re sick. That way you may feel more relaxed discussing private things.

But if you’re still hesitant, bringing up your concern may be as simple as saying, “Doctor, there’s something that’s bothering me.”

Once those words are out, you may find the rest of the conversation flows naturally. You’ve opened a door, and that’s frequently the hardest step. mercyhealth.org

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Heading off a fall AND

As Humpty Dumpty knows, falling can be dangerous—particularly as you get older. A number of things can raise your risk for falling, such as vision problems, home hazards and poor balance.

But there are steps you can take to reduce your likelihood of taking a tumble.

Kristina Oplinger, PT, DPT, Balance Program Coordinator and Senior Therapist at Nazareth Hospital, answers a few key questions about falling.

Why are falls a serious concern for older adults?

Answer: About 1 in 3 people 65 and older fall in the U.S. every year. Up to 30 percent of those falls result in some sort

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of injury—many of them serious. And the majority of hip fractures are caused by falls.

What can I do to reduce my risk for falling?

Answer: There are a lot of preventive steps you can take: •• Exercise to improve your strength and balance.

•• Wear supportive shoes.

•• Have your vision and hearing checked every year.

•• Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs from your house.

•• Have good lighting in your home, especially in your hallway and bathroom.

•• Install grab bars and nonslip mats in your shower.

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What is the Balance Program at Nazareth Hospital, and how can it help me?

Answer: It’s a program to help adults regain lost balance and protect themselves from falling.

You’ll be screened and evaluated by a physical therapist to help identify your personal risk factors and determine your care.

Then a therapist will put together an exercise program for strength and balance based on your needs.

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STRIKE A BALANCE For more information about the Balance Program at Nazareth Hospital, call 215.335.3954.

Getting to know you

Kristina Oplinger, PT, DPT

Name: Kristina Oplinger, PT, DPT Specialty: Physical therapy Education: Earned her undergraduate degree at University of the Sciences and her doctor of physical therapy degree at Thomas Jefferson University.

Personal: She became interested in a career in physical therapy after experiencing a sports injury in high school.

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