’s
August 8, 2014 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
Healthy Living:
Measles Education
Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. The disease of measles and the virus that causes it share the same name. The disease is also called rubeola. Other rashcausing diseases often confused with measles include roseola (roseola infantum) and rubella (German measles). The measles virus normally grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. Measles causes fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. Measles spreads through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. It is so contagious that any child who is exposed to it and is not immune will probably get the disease. About one out of 20 children with measles also gets pneumonia. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die. Adults can also get measles especially if they are not vaccinated. Children under 5 years of age and adults over 20 are at higher risk for measles complications including pneumonia, and a higher risk of hospitalization and death from measles than school aged children and adolescents. Measles can also make a pregnant woman have a miscarriage or give birth prematurely. Measles is still common in many parts of the world including Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Measles can spread when it reaches a community where groups of people are unvaccinated. There are estimated to be 20 million cases and 164,000 deaths each year. Travelers with measles continue to bring the disease into the U.S. This year the United States is experiencing a record number of measles cases. From January 1 to August 1, 2014, there have been 593 confirmed measles cases reported. This is the highest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000. The majority of the people who got measles are unvaccinated. To prevent measles, children (and some adults) should be vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of this vaccine are needed for complete protection. Children should be given the first dose of MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. The second dose can be given 4 weeks later, but is usually given before the start of kindergarten at 4 to 6 years of age. As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
SCKMC to Host Baby Shower The Breast Feeding Advocates of Cowley County will be sponsoring the second annual “County-wide Baby Shower” this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. The event will be held at SCKMC’s Outpatient Services Building, located adjacent to the hospital at 6403 Patterson Parkway in Ark City. A variety of vendors are scheduled to have booths focused on pregnancy and newborn items, as well as health information for women and children. Several speakers will be presenting throughout the morning, including Dr. Perry Lin, Ark City’s only full-time OB/GYN. Dr. Lin will provide a brief presentation at 11:15 on the topic of pre-conceptual care and will be available directly after for questions. The County-wide Baby Shower is free to attend, open to the general public, and will include drawings for prizes. (Pictured above: Dr. Perry Lin)
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. School is upon us and it is important to stay up to date with vaccinations. Chickenpox is a contagious disease. If you or your child have not had it or are not vaccinated you are at risk. Fortunately, the majority of children who contract the disease make a full recovery. Before a vaccine was available, approximately four million people got chickenpox annually. Vaccinating yourself and your children is the best way to protect yourself. The CDC recommends children receive two vaccinations, the first one between 12 through 15 months and their second between 4 through 6 years old. Also, people 13 years old or older who are not immune should receive a two shot series with the second one at least 28 days later. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but others in the community.
Employee of the Month Congratulations Erica Lathers, RN in Surgical Services, for being named the SCKMC Exceptional Service Award winner for the month of August! Erica was nominated by a patient for her exceptional professionalism, and a warm and friendly attitude. If you would like to nominate someone for next month's award visit us at www.sckmc.org.
We always appreciate hearing from our patients and their family, like what we're sharing below. What gave us greater pride was when we learned what Ms. Adams does for a living. She is Pharmacy Manager- Quality and Safety at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston, a world renowned facility. April 14, 2014 Dear Mr. Perkins, I would like to let you know how grateful I am for the staff caring for my mother during her recent visit. My mother was a patient in your Med/Surg area from April 1 until April 10. I arrived from Houston to support her and my sister, who lives in Arkansas City, on April 3 and stayed until she was discharged. Throughout her stay, I observed many acts of compassion and kindness by your staff. While I cannot name every nurse or nursing assistant who cared for her, I appreciate them all and am omitting names only because I would not want to leave anyone out. The vast majority of them treated my mother and our family members with care and respect, and allowed her to maintain some dignity during some very undignified moments.
Outside of her direct caregivers, the Physical Therapists, Lab techs, Housekeeping staff, the Pharmacist and Food Service personnel were all very considerate. I would like to also mention that Susan in Food Services and Katrina in Nuclear Medicine were exceptionally kind and considerate, even when my mother presented them with some challenges. And Pam, the Case Manager, was especially helpful when it came time to arrange for hospice care for my mother following her stay with you. All in all, I felt that mother was in very capable hands during her stay. Having spent my career in large hospitals, I have seen bedside care at many levels. I want you to know how much it is a comfort to me to know that your hospital is close at hand should she need immediate attention again. Please share my heartfelt expression of thanks with your staff. Sincerely, B. Jane Adams
Reprinted with permission
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