Managing a New Year's Diet Plan

As we finish up this great holiday season, many individuals look back at their consumption and wonder, "what happened?" While this feeling is a common one, it's important that those individuals considering a New Year's diet resolution have a plan.

Joe Mishlove, dietician at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, gives the following advice on starting and managing your diet plan for the coming year:

1. Be aware of what you're taking in. Often times, individuals aren't monitoring their calories and they're eating freely. Try to utilize a plate every time you eat. This way, you're always seeing exactly what you're taking in.

2. Monitor your calorie intake by writing down everything you eat on a small notepad that can be carried with you.

3. Substitute healthy foods for unhealthy ones. With diets, there is a concept called caloric-density. Choosing foods with a high caloric-density means your eating foods that are high in calories. Substitute these out for those with less caloric-density. For example, instead of drinking a large amount of apple juice that's high in sugar and calories, eat an apple. You'll get the same nutrition and filling without the sugar and calories.

4. Keep it pleasurable with the foods you eat. Eating is a stimulating experience and indulging isn't a bad thing on occassion. The problem is that people indulge too often. Watch how often you're eating heavily and work to limit your intake, especially when large amounts are around.

5. Have friends and family that you can count on for support. Talk to them about your struggles and successes with the diet. Eating healthy and losing weight don't happen overnight, and everyone needs the support of those they care about to accomplish such a large endeavor.



For more information about losing weight and starting a diet, check out our weight loss guide.

FPH President Named a Top Leader in the Hospital and Healthcare Industry

Becker's review recently released the "52 Women Hospital & Healthcare Leaders" list. It comes as no surprise to those who know her that Barbara Greene, Franciscan Physicians Hospital President, was included among the top women leaders in the hospital and healthcare industry.

Members of the list were selected for their accomplishments in leading healthcare and hospital organizations, including improvement of patient care, development of relationships between providers and facilitation of organizational growth.

Each featured woman was lauded by her colleagues for contributing significant value to the healthcare industry.

To create the list, the editorial team at Becker's Hospital Review accepted nominations for the most influential women in healthcare through the Becker's Hospital Review website and weekly online newsletters.

After several months of collecting nominations and researching the background of each nominee, the editorial team narrowed the contenders to a list of 50 top women leaders. Becker's Hospital Review repeats this process annually to ensure an up-to-date compendium.

Leaders do not pay and cannot pay to be included on this list.

Becker's Hospital Review is a Chicago-based publication focusing on hospital and healthcare news and business advice. The primary audience for the publication is hospital executives and healthcare industry leaders.

Congratulations Barb for all the hard work and contributions you make to Franciscan Physicians Hospital. Your recognition is well earned!

Quit Smoking - This is Your Year to Succeed

With the start of a new year, comes a new round of resolutions. We've all made them at one point in our lives, and we all know how hard they are to keep. Surveys suggest quitting smoking consistently ranks in the top 10 resolutions people make each year.

There are a lot of ways to quit smoking and many resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers are supportive or encouraging, but the true desire and commitment to quit must be your own.

Roseann Wetzel, Respiratory Therapy Manager at Francisican Physicians Hospital, understands how difficult it is to stop, but also knows that anyone can do it by setting achievable goals and following some useful recommendations:

Create a Plan

• Set a specific quit date. If it is a New Year's Resolution, deciding on a date after the stressful holidays is a great starting point.
• Make a list of top 10 reasons to quit (health benefits, cost savings, etc.). This can be a useful motivational tool.
• Get your family, friends and co-workers involved in your plan. Let them know of your start date

Change Your Lifestyle and Activities

• During the times in which you smoked, take a walk, play a game, solve a crossword puzzle. Activities that involve your hands and brain can curb your urge and distract you from wanting to smoke.
• Remove ashtrays from your home and car.
• Get more exercise. Not only does physical activity help you quit smoking, it also reduces the risk for weight gain.
• Instead of reaching for a cigarette, choose a piece of fruit, vegetables or a stick of gum.
• Frequent public places where smoking is not allowed.

Classes, Support Groups, Medications

• Enroll in a smoking cessation program.
• Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (800-784-8669), the Indiana stop smoking hot line with one-on-one advice.
• Talk to your doctor about prescription medications and/or over the counter medications (such as nicotine patches and gum) that are safe and appropriate for you.
• Find out about nicotine patches, gum and sprays.

Reward Yourself

• Saving the money you would have spent on cigarettes gives you a great opportunity to buy something you have been wanting for a while, or you can donate the money to your favorite charity.

Remember, in order to stick to your plan, take it one day at time. It is easy to get discouraged. If you find that one strategy isn't working, don't give up completely; try something new. So whether you are a lifelong smoker or have recently picked up the habit, now is a perfect time to quit.

For more tips on how to quit smoking and other health and wellness information, read our In-Depth Report on Smoking online at franciscanphysicianshospital.com.

Holiday Cheer for Those in Need

For the last two years, Franciscan Physicians Hospital employees and physicians have "adopted" children at the Carmelite Home in East Chicago. These people give of themselves this time of year by donating items like clothing, food and money.

The Carmelite Home, which opened in 1913, has evolved from an orphanage to a group home, to a certified residential treatment center for children between the ages of six and 18. They also provide service as an emergency shelter for babies and toddlers in need of immediate assistance. This center is available 24 hours a day.

The Carmelite Home has helped countless children experiencing personal and family problems. Many suffer the trauma of physical and emotional abuse or neglect, needing care and nurturance in a supportive environment.

Many residents of the Carmelite Home are not able to function academically or socially in the public/private school environment, so they've created an accredited home school to meet their individual needs. Now students who were once failing are succeeding with new confidence!

The impact made on these individuals with help from Franciscan Physicians Hospital's is positive. By providing gifts and necessities, these children can experience the Christmas that they deserve in the loving environment of the Carmelite Home.

Thank you to the employees and physicians who made this possible. Christ's love is shown through your grace and generosity during this giving time of year.

Donating to Those In Need This Season

With Christmas just around the corner and Thanksgiving just behind, it's important to think about those who are less fortunate than us. While so many people have suffered hardship and economic loss over the last year, there are so many more with little or nothing to hang on to.

Our organization, under the guidance of the Franciscan Alliance, works in and throughout the community to help provide for those in need. Our charitable donations go to a variety of programs and provide support to the services of our Franciscan values: Respect for Life, Fidelity to our Mission, Compassionate Concern, Joyful Service and Christian Stewardship.

We rely on the generosity of individuals and organizations throughout Northwest Indiana to help us continue to provide exceptional healthcare to the families in our community and for future generations to come. It's your contribution that provides not only services and provisions to those in need, but hope.

The hope that each person knows they're cared for and loved through Christ. It is his love that is truly reflected by the kindness of individuals like you.

So this season, please give. Whether it is money, time or moral support, give all that you can to ensure that those with less know there's a future ahead.

Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to one of our great organizations that work to provide exceptional healthcare services:

-Franciscan Physicians Hospital
-Saint Margaret Mercy (Hammond and Dyer)
-Saint Anthony Memorial
-Saint Anthony Medical Center

For more information on giving, contact Rob Cummings, Regional Director of Philanthropy, at (219)932-2300 ext. 32554.

There's so much to be thankful for this time of year. Share that appreciation with those around you. From the Physicians and staff at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dec. 5-11: National Handwashing Week - Tips and Instructions

December 5-11, 2010, is National Handwashing Awareness Week. ‘Tis the season for colds and the flu, and because they are easily spread, you should always be mindful of when and how you should properly wash your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands. The CDC offers the following recommendations for proper handwashing to prevent illness at home, at school and at work:

When should you wash your hands?

• Before and after preparing food
• Before and after eating food
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

When washing hands with soap and water:

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel (at least 60% alcohol) to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

• Apply product to the palm of one hand, using the amount of product indicated on the label.
• Rub hands together.
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Beat Your Holiday Stress This Year!!

Cars honking, traffic jams, spending money, family running around in the same house. Sound familiar? With another year almost gone we face the holiday stress that comes with every Christmas season.

To help you cope with this month's often overbearing events, take this information and advice from our Hospitalist, Dr. John Szymczak.

What are the health implications of holiday stress?
"Holiday stress generally warrants lots of symptoms including anxiety, depression, overeating, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure and high cortisol levels. Extensive high cortisol levels, which are a steroid hormone released from the adrenal gland, can lead to impaired cognitive performance, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure and many other symptoms."

What are some symptoms of overeating due to stress?
"When you overeat, blood goes to your intestines and your stomache. Because of this, individuals with PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and heart conditions put added stress on their heart. This increases their risk for heart attack, stroke and angina (chest pain)."

What are the best ways to cope?
"Go out of your way to prevent stressful situations, spend time with people you really enjoy and can relax around, eat and drink in moderation and try to save money for things you know you'll need later." Dr. Szymczak also says that volunteering somewhere helps miminize stress. He suggests adopting a pet, noting that people with dogs are three to four times less likely to die of a heart attack, if one were to occur.

For more information about holiday stress, click this link: http://franciscanphysicians.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=1&gid=003211

Holiday Food and Clothing Drive

Please join us in helping those in need this holiday season.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and gently used clothing from November 22, 2010 through December 20, 2010.

Collection bins are located in the hospital lobby, 701 Superior Avenue, Munster. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

Tips on How to Prepare a Safe, Enjoyable Holiday Meal

As we prepare our holiday dinners and get togethers this festive season, remember a few simple steps when prepping your meal to prevent food poisoning and enjoy a safe and happy feast:

• Carefully wash your hands often, and always before cooking or cleaning. Always wash them again after touching raw meat.


• Clean dishes and utensils that have had any contact with raw meat, poultry, fish, or eggs.


• Use a thermometer when cooking. Cook beef to at least 160°F, poultry to at least 180°F, and fish to at least 140°F.


• DO NOT place cooked meat or fish back onto the same plate or container that held the raw meat, unless the container has been completely washed.


• Promptly refrigerate any food you will not be eating. Keep the refrigerator set to around 40°F and your freezer at or below 0°F. DO NOT eat meat, poultry, or fish that has been refrigerated uncooked for longer than 1 to 2 days.


• Cook frozen foods for the full time recommended on the package.


• DO NOT use outdated foods, packaged food with a broken seal, or cans that are bulging or have a dent.


• DO NOT use foods that have an unusual odor or a spoiled taste.

If other people may have eaten the food that made you sick, let them know. If you think the food was contaminated when you bought it from a store or restaurant, tell the store and your local health department.

Read more about food poisoning and prevention on our online Health Library.

Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Changes Corporate Name to Franciscan Alliance

New name to bring broader recognition to organization’s 13-hospital system and multiple centers of health care excellence serving patients in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – After many months of intensive research with consumers in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, and after thorough deliberations at all levels of the organization, members of the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc. approved the Board of Trustees’ new name recommendation to Franciscan Alliance.

Sister M. Jane Marie Klein, O.S.F., chairperson for the Board of Trustees, said, “Franciscan Alliance is the perfect pairing of two words to create a meaningful, memorable name that affirms our promise to continue Christ’s ministry in our Franciscan tradition. Our 13 hospitals are very well known at the community level for their exceptional high-quality medical treatment and compassionate care. With this new name, we expect to broaden awareness of the system’s comprehensive, high-quality health care services and highly regarded compassionate care.”

Kevin Leahy, president and CEO for the newly renamed Franciscan Alliance, said, “With the many dramatic changes taking place across the nation’s health care landscape, a simple, but meaningful, unified name better affirms our standing as a large, multi-state Catholic health care system with nationally recognized centers of excellence and numerous joint ventures and physician relationships. Ultimately, the name change will help us tell our story of mission-centered, quality health care to our growing patient populations in communities in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.”

The process to broaden awareness of the system’s significant health care services began a few years ago with the introduction of the Tau (a sacred symbol to Saint Francis of Assisi and a constant reminder of the Cross of Christ) added to each of the system’s hospital logos. The Tau was complemented by the words, “Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.” Leahy said, “Our final step, and one that we will implement in a cost-conscious manner over many months, is to replace the words, ‘Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.’ with the word, ‘Franciscan’ at all of our hospitals and health care facilities. The work is expected to begin in early 2011.”

Throughout its 135-year existence, Franciscan Alliance has stayed true to its founding mission of caring for everyone who comes through its doors. The system provides care for more than 2.9 million outpatient visits and more than 100,000 inpatient discharges every year with the most effective medical treatments, state-of-the-art medical equipment and an abundance of compassionate care. The system employs 18,200 co-workers including 556 physicians – both primary care and specialists – and expects to grow its physician team to more than 630 physicians next year, serving the system’s service-area population of 3.7 million people.

Leahy said, “We are proud of all the fine, high-quality services that our hospitals offer patients and their families both independently and as a 13-hospital system. Now, we must let more people know of our great work and leverage our reach geographically.”

Franciscan Alliance hospital names and logos, including adding the word “Franciscan” and the Tau, will be:

• Franciscan/St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Anthony Memorial Health Center in Michigan City, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Elizabeth East in Lafayette, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Elizabeth Central in Lafayette, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers in Beech Grove, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers in Indianapolis, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers in Mooresville, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. James Hospital & Health Centers in Chicago Heights, Ill.
• Franciscan/St. James Hospital & Health Centers in Olympia Fields, Ill.
• Franciscan/St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers in Hammond, Ind.
• Franciscan/St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers in Dyer, Ind.
• Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC in Munster, Ind.

###

About Franciscan Alliance

Franciscan Alliance is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 13 growing hospitals and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health care Excellence. Franciscan Alliance includes: St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, Ind.; St. Anthony Memorial Health Center in Michigan City, Ind.; St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville, Ind.; St. Elizabeth East and St. Elizabeth Central in Lafayette, Ind.; St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers in Beech Grove, Indianapolis and Mooresville, Ind.; St. James Hospital & Health Centers in Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields, Ill.; St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers in Hammond and Dyer, Ind.; and Franciscan Physicians Hospital, LLC in Munster, Ind.

About the Tau

The sign of the Tau held a special place in the heart of Saint Francis of Assisi. Since the shape of the Tau indicated a Cross, Francis chose it as the symbol of his penitential life and as a resume’ of all his preaching. For Saint Francis, the Tau became a very sacred symbol, a constant reminder of the Cross of Christ and of his need to be continually transformed through a penitential life into the image of the suffering and crucified Christ.

The Tau became his personal signature. As he sought to live out its deepest meaning in his life, Saint Francis was slowly but surely drawn to its full realization on Mount LaVerna where he was divinely sealed with the signs of Christ’s passion – the Stigmata. Consequently, the sign of the Tau is a very special sign to all who seek to follow Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis.

The logo embodies Saint Francis’ ideal. The upper hand is bent in giving. It is the generous giving that exemplified continuing Christ’s ministry. The lower hand is ready to receive the compassionate and loving care and concern our employees are all called to give to our patients and to each other.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Steps Off Again on Nov. 24

Just in time for the holidays, “Diabetes Facts’’ will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region hospitals and Westfield Southlake Mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 24.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Cindy Mako, RN, a certified diabetes educator with Saint Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point. The presentation will include an overview of diabetes types, symptoms, risks and treatments. Blood glucose screenings also will be offered.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (1-800) 931-3322.

Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region hospitals include Saint Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point; Saint Margaret Mercy, with campuses in Hammond and in Dyer; Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers in Michigan City and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

Watching Winter Weight

Winter is a time for family friends, and of course, food. With considerable time spent indoors and an inability to simply “get out” and exercise, it’s important that you watch your diet to maintain a consistent and healthy eating pattern. Easier said than done, right? Franciscan Physicians Hospital wants to offer some tips for avoiding the winter weight gain:

-Eat slowly and savor the flavor: it takes up to 20 minutes for the stomach to signal the brain that you’re full

-Snack lightly before events: Eating a small portion of fruits or vegetables before attending a party will help you resist indulgence.

-Plan accordingly: try to coordinate the times when you’ll be eating heavily with lighter meals beforehand. Save the calories for special parties and events.

-Pay it forward with food: Anticipate sharing the holiday cookies and party platters you may receive to eliminate the opportunity to binge.

-Limit alcohol consumption: Alcohol stimulates appetite and may reduce your willpower.

Try these healthy, low fat foods to satisfy your family and party needs: raw vegetables with dip, hummus and low-fat pita chips, roasted almonds, sweet potatoes or angel food cake with strawberries.

Award Winning Care - Franciscan Physicians Hospital Earns Top Ratings

HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent health care ratings organization, published a study today finding that the Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services Inc. Northern Indiana Region hospitals are recipients of top national and state rankings, as well as 5-Star ratings, signifying performance above the national average for cardiac, orthopedic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and critical care.

The nation’s nearly 5,000 hospitals were all included in the study, which examined mortality rates and complication rates from government data from 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Top-performing hospitals had dramatically lower mortality rates than other hospitals, according to the study. For the 17 procedures and diagnoses for which HealthGrades analyzed mortality rates, patients at top hospitals had a 72 percent lower chance of dying when compared with the lowest-performing hospitals, and a 53 percent lower chance of dying when compared to the U.S. national average.

Across all procedures in which complications were studied, there was an 80 percent lower chance of experiencing one or more complications in a 5-star rated hospital compared to a 1-star rated hospital.

Saint Margaret Mercy hospitals in Hammond and Dyer, Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers in Michigan City, Saint Anthony Medical Center of Crown Point and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster were recognized by HealthGrades for superior patient outcomes across a broad spectrum of clinical areas.

“The latest ratings confirm that we’re headed in the right direction, thanks to the tireless work of our physicians and employees, who renew their unwavering commitment to high-quality patient care every day. I salute them,’’ said Gene Diamond, Northern Indiana Region CEO.

He added Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services supports all efforts to make quality outcomes available to communities in the Northern Indiana Region and is pleased to announce receipt of the following HealthGrades 2011 awards.

Cardiac Care

Saint Margaret Mercy - Hammond

• Best in Region* and Only Specialty Excellence Award Recipient for Overall Cardiac Services in 2011 (*Gary, IN division as defined by the federal government’s office of Management and Budget).
• Best in Region* and Only Specialty Excellence Award Recipient for Cardiac Surgery for the second consecutive year, 2010-2011 (*Gary, IN division as defined by the federal government’s office of Management and Budget).
• Recipient of the Cardiac Care Excellence Award in 2011.
• Recipient of the Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award for two consecutive years (2010-2011).
• Ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for Overall Cardiac Services in 2011.
• Ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for Cardiac Surgery for two consecutive years.
• Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for Overall Cardiac Services for three years in a row (2009-2011).
• Ranked among the top 5 in Indiana for Cardiac Surgery for two straight years (2010-2011).
• Ranked among the top 5 in Indiana for Cardiology Services in 2011.
• 5-Star rated for Coronary Bypass Surgery for two Years in a row (2010-2011).
• 5-Star rated for Treatment of Heart Attack in 2011.
• 5-Star rated for Treatment of Heart Failure for four straight years (2008-2011).

Saint Margaret Mercy - Dyer

• Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana Overall Cardiac Services in 2011.
• Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for Cardiology Services five years in a row (2007-2011).
• 5-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Failure five years in a Row (2007-2011).

Franciscan Physicians Hospital - Munster

• 5-Star rated for the Treatment of Heart Failure three consecutive years (2009-2011.

Orthopedic Services

Saint Margaret Mercy - Dyer

• Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for Spine Surgery in 2011.
• 5-Star rated for Spine Surgery in 2011.
• 5-Star Rated for Back and Neck Surgery (except Spinal Fusion) in 2011

Saint Anthony Medical Center - Crown Point

• 5-Star rated for Hip Fracture Repair four straight years (2008-2011).
  

Pulmonary Care

Saint Margaret Mercy - Hammond

• Recipient of the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award three straight years (2009-2011).
• Ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for Overall Pulmonary Services three consecutive years (2009-2011).
• Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for Overall Pulmonary Services three consecutive years (2009-2011).
• 5-Star rated for Overall Pulmonary Services three consecutive years (2009-2011).
• 5-Star rated for Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease For 3 Years in a Row (2009-2011).
• 5-Star rated for Treatment of Pneumonia four straight years (2008-2011).
  

Saint Margaret Mercy - Dyer

• 5-Star rated for Treatment of Pneumonia three years in a row (2009-2011).
  

Franciscan Physicians Hospital

• 5-Star rated for treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Critical Care

Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers

• Ranked Among the top 10 in Indiana for Critical Care in 2011.
• 5-Star rated for Treatment of Respiratory Failure in 2011.

Gastrointestinal Services

Saint Anthony Medical Center

• Ranked among the top 10 in Indiana for GI Services three years in a row (2009-2011).
• Ranked among the Top 10 in Indiana for GI Surgery three years in a row (2009-2011).
• 5-Star rated for GI Surgery three straight years (2009-2011).
• 5-Star rated for Treatment of Bowel Obstruction two years in a row (2010-2011).
• 5-Star rated for Cholecystectomy three straight years (2009-2011).

Saint Margaret Mercy - Hammond

• Five-Star rated for Treatment of GI Bleed in 2011.

The Thirteenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America study, the largest annual report of its kind, analyzed patient outcomes from nearly 40 million Medicare hospitalization records over a three-year period.

HealthGrades’ hospital ratings are the leading objective, actionable quality measures based solely on clinical performance made available to the public.

HealthGrades Hospital Quality Ratings
HealthGrades rates hospitals independently based on data that hospitals submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.

For 26 procedures and medical treatments, HealthGrades issues star ratings that reflect the mortality and complication rates for each category of care. Hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have mortality or complication rates that are below the national average, to a statistically significant degree. A 3-star rating means the hospital performs as expected. One-star ratings indicate the hospital’s mortality or complication rates in that procedure or treatment are statistically higher than average. Because the risk profiles of patient populations at hospitals are not alike, HealthGrades risk-adjusts the data to allow for equal comparisons.

More information on today’s HealthGrades study, including the complete methodology, can be found at http://www.healthgrades.com/.

About Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration began its mission in the United States with the founding of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lafayette, Indiana in 1875, and over the course of more than 125 years, Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc., has grown into a leading 13-hospital Midwest healthcare system with 11 hospitals in Indiana and two hospitals in Illinois covering four regions.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital utilizes Hospitalist program for attentive treatment

As Franciscan Physicians Hospital experiences increases in patient volume, it is staffing physicians to cover acute and emergency situations at all times.

The Munster hospital utilizes a Hospitalist program that offers fast and improved emergency care.

The program is operated by keeping an ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) physicians on-site at all times. Led by Sheldon Lewis, MD, its inception has provided patients experiencing emergency situations with immediate care.

Emergencies taking place within traditional hospital staffing encounter problems when physicians engagement with other patients limits time. Hospitalist programs are attentive to limited time situations with immediate availability.

The utilization of the program keeps an on-site physician ready to respond to emergencies. It also provides updates for family physicians and primary care providers outside the hospital, answers nurses' questions, and evaluates patients with unstable conditions.

"Improved quality of care by the ability to respond to an emergency situation in a timely manner is imperative. When we respond, we do it wholeheartedly with the utmost attention and concern," says Lewis.

FPH nurses skilled in stroke assessment and evaluation: It's no stroke of luck

Nurses and staff at Franciscan Physicians Hospital are working to benefit stroke patients in their community.

The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale is an assessment tool that provides quantitative measures of stroke-related neurological deficit.

The scale is a widely used clinical assessment tool to evaluate the acuity of stroke patients. NIHSS training and certification is available online and through mobile devices, says the National Stroke Association.

Denise Doolin, clinical coordinator at FPH, notes that before the certification is given, the nurse must complete the NIHSS evaluation on six patients with 93 percent accuracy.
"Completion of the NIH certification process means that one has successfully accomplished the training to perform all NIHSS evaluations," says Doolin.

She adds that having certified staff benefits patients who exhibit signs of acute stroke by allowing accurate and consistent evaluation and that it is an assessment tool used for patients who are undergoing carotid angiography or carotid stenting procedures.

Training for nurses has already begun at Franciscan Physicians Hospital. Although the hospital generally sees a low volume of stroke patients, NIHSS certification is required from house supervisors, charge nurses, cath lab RN's and intensive care unit RN's, adds Doolin.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Keeps Moving

"Stress Test Importance" will be the topic of the next Franciscanfit - Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The program, sponsored by Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services, Inc. - Northern Indiana Region and Westfield Southlake Mall, will take place from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m, Oct. 27.

The public is invited to attend a presentation at 9 a.m. by John Szymczak, MD, a hospitalist at Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster. He will discuss the importance of cardiovascular health and stress testing. Blood pressure screenings will be offered that day.

The free program, which kicked off in January, offers charter memberships in the new club, formed in conjunction with the Westfield Walkers.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall's lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. - 10 a.m., Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services, Inc. - Northern Indiana Region hospitals include Saint Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point; Saint Margaret Mercy, with campuses in Hammond and Dyer; Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers in Michigan City and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

About Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services, Inc.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration began its mission in the United States with the founding of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lafayette, Ind., in 1875, and during the course of more than 125 years, Sisters of Saint Francis Health Services, Inc., has grown into a leading 13-hospital Midwest health care system with 11 hospitals in Indiana and two hospitals in Illinois that cover four regions.