Otsego Health & Life Spring 2011

DON’T IGNORE

SHOULDER PAIN YOUTH SPORTS KEEP KIDS SAFE OH, NUTS!

EAT THEM FOR BETTER HEALTH

GET FIT: TRY KETTLEBELLS

AN ONLINE PORTAL FOR PATIENTS

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Contents the good living magazine from otsego memorial hospital

OTSEGO STAFF

CEO thomas r. lemon

president, board of directors

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mary sanders

marketing coordinator kimberly ruley

health&life

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marketing & foundation director christie perdue

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nuts!

kim biddinger

WAINSCOT STAFF

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editor in chief rita guarna

senior editor

Eat smart

Healthy handful Irresistibly munchable, yet super-healthy? That’s

foundation coordinator

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Clinical update

A special website for patients OMH’s new patient portal makes filling out forms and paying your medical bills easier.

Seasonal health

Protect your young athlete 5 tips to safeguard children who

timothy kelley

play sports associate editor kristin colella

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editorial intern

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Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Don’t give pain the cold shoulder Early intervention for shoulder woes can prevent further damage.

diane szulecki

Otsego Health & Life is published by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645, in association with Otsego Memorial Hospital. This is Volume 3, Issue 1. © 2011 by Otsego Memorial Hospital. All rights reserved.

Prevention

Healthy living

Kettlemania Channel your inner strongman with kettlebells—oldschool weights that yield big-time results.

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Friends of Otsego

Community action Local support helps the OMH Foundation purchase digital mammography units.

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Eat Smart

healthy

handful

IRRESISTIBLY MUNCHABLE, YET SUPER-HEALTHY? THAT’S NUTS!

GO AHEAD—REACH FOR THAT BOWL. A DAILY SERVING OF NUTS—ENOUGH TO FIT in the palm of your hand—packs a much-needed dose of protein and fiber and offers a heart-health boost.

They’re cholesterol-free and low in sodium (as long as you stick to unsalted). And each type of nut shines in its own way.

Walnuts

Cashews

Serving size: 14 halves Calories: 185 Benefit: They’re high in omega-3 fatty acids, which improve brain function and protect against plaque buildup by reducing artery-clogging inflammation.

Chances are, you need the help: An estimated 60 percent of Americans are deficient in omega-3s.

Luckily, one serving of walnuts meets your daily requirement.

Serving size: 18 nuts Calories: 157 Benefit: They’re among the few nuts containing a significant amount of vitamin K, which is mainly found in leafy greens. This multi-functioning vitamin maintains proper blood clotting, helps prevent bone-density loss and works against hardening of the arteries.

Almonds Serving size: 23 nuts Calories: 163 Benefit: They’re an excellent source of a type of vitamin E called alphatocopherol, an antioxidant that helps neutralize damaging free radicals.

Foods containing vitamin E may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease and contribute to healthy aging.

Hazelnuts Serving size: 21 nuts Calories: 178 Benefit: Of all tree nuts, they’re tops in folate content. Folate plays an essential part in the production of cells, making it a critical nutrient for expectant moms. It protects against DNA changes that can lead to cancer, and it may also ward off depression and anemia.

Pistachios

Serving size: 6 nuts Calories: 186 Benefit: Here a little goes a long way: One nut provides more than the recommended daily value of selenium.

This mineral regulates thyroid function, supports the immune system and may help relieve arthritis symptoms. It’s also a possible cancer-fighter. But too much selenium can cause adverse effects (abdominal trouble and hair loss, for example), so it’s best to limit your Brazil-nut intake.

Pecans Serving size: 19 halves Calories: 196 Benefit: When it comes to antioxidants, they’re the number-one nut. The Southern treat is also in the top category of antioxidant-containing foods.

That means pecans may decrease the threat of coronary heart disease, cancer and neurological diseases.

Peanuts Serving size: 28 nuts Calories: 161 Benefit: These popular poppables boast a variety of nutrients, including cancer-fighting beta-sisterol. A 10-year study found that eating peanuts two or more times a week was associated with a 58 percent reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer in women and a 27 percent lowered risk in men.

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SHUTTERSTOCK; ISTOCK

Serving size: 49 nuts Calories: 159 Benefit: They contain more lutein than any other nut.

Recent research suggests that nutrient can help protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration. Pistachios also supply eyesight-boosting beta-carotene.

Brazil nuts

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Clinical Update

A special website for patients OMH’s new patient portal makes filling out forms and paying your medical bills easier

In an effort to improve the services offered by the Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) Medical Group, administrators, providers and information technologists at OMH developed the OMH Medical Group Patient Portal using software designed by Sage Health. This website allows patients direct access to communicate with the OMH Medical Group staff, and view and pay their statements online when it is most convenient.

Services offered through the secure Patient Portal include appointment and prescription refill requests, limited access to your medical information, and the ability to view and pay your bill online and ask specific questions about your account status. To improve customer service and to decrease time spent in the office filling out paperwork, Patient Information Forms are available online in a printable format so that they may be filled out prior to coming to the office.

“It’s easy to use and patients seem to really like that we’re offering this option,” says Robert Mee, D.O., OMH

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Family Practice. “Patients enjoy submitting their requests and receiving response confirmation by email with direction to log on to the Portal to read the status of the request.”

Established patients with the OMH Medical Group, which include Family Practice, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Otolaryngology (ENT) and Pediatrics offices, as well as the OMH Montmorency Medical Clinic, OMH MedCare Walk-In Clinic, and OMH N’Orthopedics, may request, in person, a pin number to register as a user of the portal from any OMH Medical Group reception staff member. To ensure privacy and security, patient identification will be verified before an informational letter that includes the pin number is generated.

“Your information and privacy are extremely important to us,” says Howard Grosser, a Software Systems Educator at OMH. “Secure Personal Health Information is contained on this site, and we’re going to make sure that the only person who has access to your health information is you.”

To register as a user, patients must request, in person, an informational letter containing their unique pin number from one of the OMH Medical Group offices. After a letter is received, patients log on to Otsego Memorial Hospital’s website and click on the “OMH Medical Group Patient Portal” icon.

Once there, patients click “Register” to set up an account using the unique pin. After the account is set up, the patient is now able to view a list of current and past prescriptions, allergies, diagnoses, contact information and a statement of account. The site is easy to navigate and includes specific tabs for each Portal specific service.

“This is the way everything is headed, and it’s really, really cutting-edge electronic access,” says Grosser. “If you need to make an appointment for your child, and just remembered at 10 p.m., you can request an appointment online via the Portal, and

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the staff will receive it and schedule an appointment for you based on criteria you select.”

Patients can also request medication refills, email their provider non-urgent questions or concerns, and pay the balance of a medical bill at anytime, from anywhere.

“Being able to pay your bill online is a new feature, but it’s just like doing anything else online with a credit card,” says Lonny Burns, another Software Systems Educator at OMH. “We’re really hoping that once people know that we have it, they’ll sign up to use it.”

All payment information is secure and is received directly by the billing department of the organization.

“It can be intimidating to some, but if they use email at home, they’ll be able to log on to the Patient Portal,” says Dr. Mee. “It’s really that simple.” ■

How to sign up for the OMH Medical Group Patient Portal  Request the instructions needed to access the site in person at one of our physician offices.

 Upon your request, you will be provided with an informational letter (which includes your PIN number needed for online registration) and an instruction sheet for using the Portal.

 Log on to myOMH.org. Click on the “Patient Portal” button and log in for the first time by clicking “Register” in the top left-hand corner of the Patient Portal homepage.

For more information or to ask questions about the OMH Medical Group Patient Portal, please contact 989-731-7708 or your OMH medical provider, or email portalquestions@otsegomemorialhospital.org.

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SeasonalHealth

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Protect your young athlete

5 tips to safeguard children who play sports

VISIT A PHYSICIAN FIRST. A medical evaluation is legally required in Michigan before students can participate in interscholastic middle and high school or college sports. The OMH Medical Group offers sports physicals in June and August each year at a low cost to local students.

Proceeds from the physicals are donated back to the athletic program at the student’s school.

Several preparticipation evaluation forms exist to help parents and their child’s physician review relevant medical history and physical exam findings. Certain conditions require special consideration—for example, respiratory ailments; preexisting head, bone and soft-tissue injuries; or a family history of early cardiac illness. Ask your physician which form will best suit your child’s needs, the sport he or she will participate in and what is required by the state.

CHECK OUT COACHES. It’s a good idea to attend several practices to get a sense of a coach’s capabilities and training philosophy. “Remember that many coaches are well-intended parents who took a three-hour orientation safety course,” says the doctor. Beware of a coach who uses punitive strategies, such as making kids run long distances in the summer heat and humidity without water.

INSIST ON PROPER EQUIPMENT. Check that your young athlete will have all the necessary gear—shoulder pads and leg and mouth guards, for example—and that protective equip ment is in good condition and is used properly.

ENFORCE A SOUND DIET. It’s important for kids to follow a balanced diet, limiting junk food.

Before a big game, they should consume carbohydrates and a moderate amount of protein, but go easy on fatty foods (which can delay emptying the stomach), salty items (which can promote fluid retention) and the usually healthy high-fiber foods (which can cause abdominal cramping), as well as vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli (which are gas-producing).

“A good, healthy overall common-sense diet is the athlete’s friend, just as it’s anyone else’s friend,” says Dr. Noirot. n

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For more information or to schedule an appointment for your young athlete, please call the OMH Medical Group at 989-731-7708.

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You hear it on the news: young athletes get hurt—a high school quarterback collapses on the field, or a middle school shortstop suffers a concussion. It’s enough to make parents wonder, as warm weather returns, how to keep kids safe when they participate in sports.

Gilbert Noirot, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at OMH, offers five tips: Key activities to age. Until about third grade, an informal approach that stresses basic skills is more appropriate in kids’ team sports than an all-out emphasis on victory, because young children are still developing motor skills. Younger children should be given a chance to explore a variety of sports rather than concentrating heavily on one, because they’re especially vulnerable to injuries caused by overuse of one joint or limb.

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Prevention

Don’t give pain the cold shoulder Early intervention for shoulder woes can prevent further damage

The shoulder is the most flexible and complex joint in the human body. With this flexibility, however, comes the risk of injury, pain and instability. If you feel pain in your shoulder, it is not something to be ignored; even a small pain that seems to only come and go could be the sign of a more serious condition needing a healthcare professional’s advice.

Shoulder pain can afflict anyone, with the pain being the result of sports injuries, arthritis, overuse injuries, instability, tears, fractures or impingement syndrome. No matter the cause of pain or the level of pain, one should err on the side of caution by having the shoulder examined. Early intervention may prevent further injury, and may allow the patient to avoid surgery.

Often, an orthopedic surgeon will prescribe a combination of rest, physical therapy, medication or strengthening exercises to a patient, and the patient’s shoulder pain may subside, or resolve completely. However, if these modalities do not alleviate pain, the patient may be a good candidate for shoulder arthroscopy.

Over the last 10 to 15 years, the technology and use of arthroscopy has become the norm for many shoulder problems. Arthroscopy involves making small incisions and inA physician at OMH performs shoulder arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that involves only small incisions.

serting the arthroscope—a small tube containing lenses and fiber optics—that allows the surgeon to see inside the joint thus allowing the orthopedic surgeon to diagnose/confirm and treat shoulder problems without having to make large incisions. Shoulder arthroscopy is usually done in an outpatient setting, with most patients going home the same day.

The goals of shoulder arthroscopy are to alleviate pain, prevent further damage, repair damaged structures and restore function.

“The arthroscopic technology and equipment at Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) is state-of-the-art,” says Gilbert Noirot, M.D., of OMH N’Orthopedics, who has performed procedures on patients from Mackinaw Island to Roscommon and Alpena to Charlevoix, Michigan. “Patients are referred here by word of mouth from all over.”

At Otsego Memorial Hospital, about 250 to 300 arthroscopic shoulder surgeries are performed each year.

“These range from athletic injuries to problems caused by arthritis. Individuals seek pain relief and I assist them with their need,” says Dr. Noirot. “I perform shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle scopes for overuse injuries, traumatic injuries and sports injury.”

Arthroscopic surgery is performed with the patient asleep, and a nerve block is often given prior to the operation to provide postoperative pain relief. This less invasive procedure is appealing to those who would like to avoid potential scarring and overnight stays in the hospital. It also avoids potential complications that may arise from open techniques and procedures.

Dr. Noirot also stresses the importance of physical therapy for those who may not need surgery, as well as for those postoperative patients. “To be successful, physical therapy of the joint is a must,” he says. “We have a great facility here with the OMH Rehabilitation Services Department to help patients get back to a normal routine.” n

For more information about shoulder arthroscopy, or to schedule an appointment with an OMH orthopedic surgeon,

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contact OMH N’Orthopedics at 989-732-1753.

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Healthy Living

Kettlemania Channel your inner strongman with kettlebells— old-school weights that yield big-time results

What they are

Swinging the kettlebell back through your legs and then up to eye level engages several different muscle groups.

Kettlebells are large hunks of cast iron, each with a thick handle. Perhaps the ultimate retro fitness rage, they were originally used by 18thcentury Russian bodybuilders—and kitsch lovers may recognize them as the quintessential “old-time” weights seen in strongman photos of yore.

Why the resurgence? In a nutshell: They’re effective and efficient. “You can get a great workout in just 20 minutes,” says personal trainer Joe Walker, who holds Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) certification—considered the gold standard among kettlebell certifications. “And since the moves combine cardio with strength training, you kill two birds with one stone.”

Then there’s the fun factor: Many kettlebell exercises involve swinging the weights around your body—moves that are way more enjoyable than simply pounding the treadmill or curling a barbell.

What they work

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Arms, abs, legs, glutes—and everything in between. “Kettlebells really provide a total-body exercise, toes to fingertips,” says Walker. “The exercises help you build a nice, strong core and lower back, which helps if you suffer from low-back pain.”

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Kettlebells can up the intensity of traditional strength-training moves like curls or presses. That’s because, unlike with dumbbells and barbells, the weight is centered a few inches below the handle, making your body work harder to control it.

But it’s not all about the brute force: Because the weights are so compact, you can swing them between your legs, over your head or around your “Kettlebells torso. “You could never swing a barbell give me a between your legs,” notes Walker, “and like overhead presses and bent-over if you tried it with a dumbbell, you’d full-body rows. But the real fun comes from likely smash your legs with it.” The reworkout, and swinging these babies around. Fittingly, sult is a workout that combines strength, a favorite move is the two-handed kettlevelocity, dexterity and concentration. my core is so bell swing: Stand about a foot behind the “Because there’s so much going much stronger kettlebell with your legs shoulder-width on, kettlebells help improve coordination apart. Squat down a bit and grab the bell and enhance flexibility in your hips and now. They’re with both hands. Keeping your weight shoulders,” Walker adds. also not as on your heels, abs tight and back straight, Brian Ravettine, 40, a student swing the weight backward between of Walker’s who takes 1-hour kettlebell taxing on my your legs past your hips, then stand up lessons twice a week, has noticed signifjoints as loading and swing it forward to eye level, driving icant results: “I just don’t have the time your hips forward. Repeat 15 to 20 times. to spend two or three hours in the gym,” weights onto For the tactical lunge, stand up he says. “Kettlebells give me a full-body a bar.” straight holding the kettlebell in your workout, and my core is so much stronright hand. Take a step, placing your left ger now. They’re also not as taxing on leg back into a lunge position, then pass the weight between my joints as loading weights onto a bar.” your legs to your left hand. Return to starting position and Another plus: According to a study conducted by the repeat on the opposite side, aiming for 10 reps.

American Council on Exercise and researchers from the Other moves involve punching your arm overhead, University of Wisconsin, a typical kettlebell workout can letting the bell rotate around your wrist. Because proper form burn a whopping 20 calories per minute. can be a tricky thing with kettlebells, it’s a good idea to seek out professional instruction to avoid injury. And as with any How to use ’em exercise, get your doctor’s OK before starting. n You can start slow with traditional strength-training moves

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Friends of Otsego

Johnson’s Propane of Gaylord’s pink truck helps spread the word about cancer services. The Gaylord St. Mary’s and JohannesburgLewiston high school girls’ basketball teams pose at a special fundraiser game to benefit the OMH Foundation.

Community action Local support helps the OMH Foundation purchase digital mammography units

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An anonymous matching gift of $25,000 was received by the OMH Foundation in early October, and as part of the matching gift opportunity, gifts received by the OMH Foundation during October and November were matched by the anonymous donor up to $25,000. This gift propelled the campaign into its final stage, and helped the OMH Foundation reach its goal of $371,000.

In an effort to continue a campaign for oncology services at OMH, Johnson’s Propane of Gaylord painted one of their trucks pink to send out on the road to fill propane tanks and spread the word about cancer services. Kevin Johnson, President of Johnson’s Propane and fourth generation Gaylord resident, understands how important it is to give back to his local community, especially when it comes to cancer services, because his father passed away as a result of prostate and pancreatic cancer.

“It’s so important to give back and support your community,” Johnson says. “I have a wife and two daughters, and I want them to have the best technology possible.” Proceeds from the pink truck will be donated to the OMH Foundation to continue enhancing oncology services.

In December, the second annual Rivals Rally for a Cure basketball game took place between Gaylord St. Mary’s and Johannesburg-Lewiston high school girls’ basketball teams. The event netted $14,000, which was donated to the OMH Foundation. More than 500 people attended the game, which featured a special half-time presentation honoring those who have fought or are currently fighting cancer. n For more information about any of the OMH Foundation’s fundraising efforts, or to learn how you can support OMH as it celebrates 60 years of service in 2011, please call 989-731-2342 or visit the foundation’s website at myOMH.org.

charles ortiz

The Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) Foundation has been part of the army participating in the fight against breast cancer for some time, but in 2010, they moved to the frontlines with their Digital Mammography & Cancer Prevention Campaign. Throughout the course of the year, the OMH Foundation rallied the support of community members, employees, fellow nonprofit organizations and local businesses to help bring digital mammography technology to patients of Otsego Memorial Hospital. This campaign raised a total of $371,500 to purchase two digital mammography units for the Radiology Department at OMH. This incredible feat was accomplished through networking, and because of the community’s desire to champion high quality, technologically current care for patients seen at OMH. As word spread about the Foundation’s efforts, numerous players stepped up to make sure this dream became a reality. The OMH Foundation’s annual golf outing, held this past June, raised funds solely for digital mammography, netting more than $45,000. Lisa MacFarlan and her organization, the Trailing for Triumph Foundation, Inc. of Boyne City, offered their support by donating funds raised from their trail rides, while Judi Martenson of Gaylord and her dedicated committee organized a summer golf outing from which $15,000 was donated to the OMH Foundation’s campaign. The 45 percent of OMH employees who donate annually to the OMH Foundation also made an impact on this campaign, showing their support for both the hospital and for the community members they serve by collectively donating more than $50,000.

“We are so grateful for the support of all of the employees, community members and organizations who have donated to this effort,” says Christie Perdue, OMH Foundation and Marketing Director. “You are all champions for better health, and what we are doing for OMH would not have been possible without this great community effort.”

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Otsego Memorial Hospital leads the way in orthopedic care. In fact, we’re the most preferred and referred hospital in the region.

Our Our orthopedic orthopedic surgeons surgeons will will be be your your champions champions throughout throughout your your treatment treatment and and recovery. recovery. From From arthroscopic arthroscopic procedures procedures to to hand hand surgery, surgery, joint joint replacement, replacement, hip hip offers offers the the expertise expertise

fracture fracture care care and and sports sports medicine, medicine, OMH OMH N’Orthopedics N’Orthopedics and and comprehensive comprehensive care care that that will will help help shape shape a a better better you. you.

Learn more at myOMH.org, or schedule an appointment by calling 989-732-1753.

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