Making Your Home a Safe Environment

June is Home Safety Month. According to the Home Safety Council, home related injuries result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Fortunately, many accidents -- for both children and adults -- can be avoided if simple safety measures are taken.

Household Safety

• Wear protective footwear and eye wear when mowing the lawn, operating power tools, working with a chisel, or hammering metal on metal.
• Keep tools away from children until they are old enough to use them properly.
• All stairways should have a sturdy hand rail. Don't leave objects on stairways. Make sure that carpet on stairways is securely fastened.
• All entryways should have bright lighting.
• Unplug appliances when they are not in use.
• In the bathroom, use non-slip floor mats. Put non-slip appliques on the bathtub.
• Don't use any electrical appliances when you are wet or in the bathtub, shower, or pool.
• Keep guns locked up and unloaded. Firearms and ammunition should be stored separately.
• Make sure your house number is easily visible from the street.

When You Go on Vacation

• Arrange for friends or neighbors to pick up newspapers and mail.
• Notify a neighbor you'll be gone.
• Arrange to keep your lawn maintained.
• Use timing devices for your lights.

For more home and general safety tips, visit our Health Library at http://www.franciscanphysicians.org/.

All Franciscan Alliance WorkingWell Sites Achieve Worldwide Recognition

WorkingWell, the Occupational Health program of Franciscan Alliance's Northwest Indiana hospitals, reached a milestone recently when the last three of its five sites gained International Organization of Standardization certification.

WorkingWell's Hammond, Munster and Valparaiso locations recently joined their Crown Point and Michigan City counterparts in gaining the ISO 9001:2008 certification.

(Pictured: Rich Shelhamer, far right, national sales manager for Rosemont, Ill.-based Perry Johnson Registrars, displays the latest ISO certification award with Tom Gryzbek, center, president of Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Hammond and Dyer; and Tim Ross, Franciscan Alliance regional director of occupational/employee health.)

WorkingWell, a freestanding occupational health provider, is the only program of its kind to receive the designation.

ISO is the world's largest developer of international standards that have been instituted in 162 nations. For more than 65 years, ISO has been a leader in quality certifications for the steel and manufacturing industries. ISO certification assures a quality management system that provides a foundation of best practices, resulting in highest-quality care, improved outcomes and reduced errors for patients.

ISO certification follows a rigorous audit of an organization's quality management system. Quality goals are set, and when they are met, new goals are determined for a continuously improving quality system.

"Industry recognizes ISO as a global standard," said Tim Ross, Franciscan Alliance regional director of occupational/employee health. "Industry vendors are held to those standards, so why not hold occupational health to those standards? We are aligning ourselves with businesses; what better way to do that than to reach industry standards they understand." 

WorkingWell provides occupational health care services for all types of workers, including professional, industrial, police officers and firefighters.

Tom Gryzbek, president of Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Hammond and Dyer, was pleased to hear of the certification.

"Franciscan St. Margaret Health always strives to meet and exceed quality standards and metrics. The ability of our occupational medicine program to achieve this stellar recognition reflects the commitment to provide top-notch quality to the employees of the industrial clients we are privileged to serve," he said.

For more information on WorkingWell, visit: http://www.workingwellsite.org/.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Set for May 25

Heart health will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. May 25.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Terri McCambridge, a cardiac catheterization nurse at Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Hammond. McCambridge will teach participants about lifesaving heart health numbers. High numbers can indicate a risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and several forms of cancer.

Glucose and blood pressure screenings also will be available.

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 (800) 931-3322.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana include Franciscan Physicians Hospital LLC in Munster, St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond, St. Anthony Health-Michigan City and St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.

FPH Joins Nation’s Top Health Care Providers With New Glaucoma Treatment System

Franciscan Physicians Hospital is the first hospital in Indiana to purchase Trabectome minimally invasive glaucoma treatment, according to NeoMedix, Inc.

Trabectome, developed by NeoMedix, Inc., Tustin, CA, is an FDA-cleared device that removes glaucoma-causing tissue, improves natural drainage pathways of the eye and eliminates pressure safely without the aid of mechanical implants or shunts. Trabectome is featured on the Glaucoma Research Foundation website as breakthrough technology for the treatment of glaucoma: http://www.glaucoma.org/.

As the first area provider of this new treatment in Indiana, Franciscan Physicians Hospital is joining several other nationally recognized health care institutions including Jules Stein, Mayo Clinic, Bascom Palmer, Duke, and Yale Medical.

Trabectome surgery is performed through a small incision and does not leave a permanent hole or pocket in the eye wall, allowing patients to return home the same day. The Trabectome procedure, taking approximately 20 minutes, maintains a remarkably high success rate in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) with minimum side effects.

Trabectome procedures at Franciscan Physicians Hospital will be performed by Karen Briggs, DO, and Aurabind Balagani, MD.

"This system will open up a whole new horizon in treating patients with glaucoma. This is a minimally invasive system, which is the best choice because it minimizes the chance for infection now and even years after a surgery case," Briggs said, adding, "Although anyone can develop glaucoma, some people are at a higher risk than others. For instance, persons over age 60 are at a higher risk for developing glaucoma, as well as Latinos and people with a family history of glaucoma. Glaucoma is also the leading cause of blindness for African Americans. It's important that anyone in these risk groups receives an eye pressure check and dilated pupil eye exam every year."

Barb Greene, president of Franciscan Physicians Hospital, states, "The Trabectome system is a great advancement for the community. It's just one more example of how we're providing minimally invasive care to serve our patients with reduced risk and cost effectiveness. We're looking forward to the expansion of this system as we lead the NWI region with this new method of care."

For more information, visit http://www.franciscanphysicianshospital.com/ or http://www.neomedix.net/.

About Glaucoma
Glaucoma, the second-leading cause of blindness, is a disease that causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve from increasing pressure within the eye. The Glaucoma Research Foundation states that glaucoma loss is not curable, vision lost cannot be regained, and that over 4 million Americans have glaucoma, yet only half know it. The Foundation adds that the most common form of glaucoma, called open angle glaucoma, has virtually no symptoms and generally no pain associated with the increase in eye pressure. The first sign of glaucoma is loss of peripheral vision that is usually not noticed by the patient until it affects the central vision.

Get Ready for Summer - Free Women's Health Event on May 26

Franciscan Alliance will present a free program titled, Women’sWorks – Tools for a Healthier You, from 2 to 6 p.m. May 26 at Westfield Southlake mall.

Offered in conjunction with National Women’s Health Week, the event will include a demonstration of the da Vinci Si (robotic) Surgical System, a discussion by Dr. P. Andrew Waran, MD, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist, who  performs surgeries with the da Vinci system; health information, giveaways and a summer fashion show, which is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Information will be available on critical risk factors for women, symptoms and treatment options to assure better health.

The program will take place outside the JCPenney store on the mall’s first floor. For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Franciscan Alliance Northwest Indiana hospitals include St. Anthony Health-Crown Point, St. Anthony Health-Michigan City, St. Margaret Health Hammond and Dyer, and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster.

Heart Disease in Women: Brighter Thinking for a Brighter Future

Speaking of Women's Health is an annual event dedicated to educating women to make informed decisions about health, well-being and personal safety for themselves and their families. This year's event took place on May 12th at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Merrillville, IN.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital was excited to have Hilton Hudson II, M.D., F.A.C.S., a cardio-thoracic surgeon at FPH, attend the event and give a presentation on heart disease in women. Dr. Hudson, over the course of 40 minutes, covered a range of topics including heart disease symptoms, causes, preventions, and treatments. FPH and Dr. Hudson would like to share some of that information with you.

Dr. Hudson, in his presentation to roughly 30 women, opened with stories of 3 middle-aged women with heart disease. These women, coming from different backgrounds and lifestyles, denied the facts and evidence that was leading to heart failure and eventually encountered critical health issues, and even death in one case. The point of these stories: to explain how even young, healthy women are at risk.

After telling these stories, Dr. Hudson explained several conditions including coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and angina (when the heart is starved for blood). For all conceptual purposes, Dr. Hudson reiterated the notion that coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease were, for the patient's understanding, basically the same.

Dr. Hudson explained that angina is a condition in which the heart is starved for blood, while a heart attack occurs when blood flow to an area of your heart is completely blocked. Angina, the lack of oxygen-rich blood flowing to an area of heart muscle, can be recognized as a pressure of squeezing in your chest. Pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Dr. Hudson's consistent advice: don't risk it. If you're having pain, see a doctor and GET CHECKED OUT!

At this point, Dr. Hudson began speaking about coronary heart disease (CHD) in women. He relayed the following statistics: CHD is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. One in nine women ages 45-65 has coronary artery disease (CAD), and one in three women older than 65 has CAD. Furthermore, CHD in women has more complications than in men, has less successful bypass surgery and angioplasty, and generally has delayed diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Hudson's words were strong yet again: get checked out if you're feeling any abnormal pain or discomfort!

A large indicator of women with CHD is risk factors, which were highlighted as a significant motivator for getting evaluated. These include:
-Family history (strongest risk factor)
-Smoking (disproportionately raises your risk for every type of cancer)
-Cholesterol levels
-Hypertension
-Diabetes
-Obesity and being overweight
-African American ethnicity

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack or CAD, brought forward by Dr. Hudson, include:
-Check pain
-Vague check pressure
-Weight gain
-Vomiting
-Palpitations (abnormal heart beats; too fast or too slow)

Now for the good news! Dr. Hudson covered both prevention and treatment of CAD in women. BE ADVISED: THE BEST TREATMENT IS PREVENTION!! Dr. Hudson made this very clear to all women in the presentation. See your doctor and be aware of YOUR risk factors. Also, don't smoke, keep diabetes controlled, and exercise; those who exercise have a 44% lower risk of CHD!

Women should keep a consistently healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, low saturated fats, and low cholesterol. Also, cholesterol lowering drugs, called statins, can help to reduce strokes and death from CHD. But before considering medications, talk to your doctor. He/she can help you make the best medical decision that takes your risk factors into the picture.

If, and only if, prevention fails, there are treatment options available, says Dr. Hudson. These may include:
-Bypass surgery
-Valve surgery
-Stents
-Angioplasty
-Endovascular stenting

It is Dr. Hudson's belief that before anyone reaches the point of a treatment listed above, she/he should choose prevention. Prevention is easier, cheaper, and less painful than treatment alternatives.

In retrospect, Dr. Hudson covered all of these topics with one recurring theme: avoid denial and get checked out if you're experiencing any abnormal or uncomfortable symptoms. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. Don't let it take you or your loved ones.

For further information on heart disease and wellness information, visit our complete online health library.   

Franciscan Companion Newsletter Receives Bronze in International Design Competition!

Franciscan Physicians Hospital is proud to announce that they are the recipients of a bronze award in the magazine category from Summit International Awards. Moran Design, of Hammond, IN, handles the layout, design, and distribution of the newsletter. They submitted it for the 2011 award competition. Thousands of submittions poured in from 22 countries with the Hammond design firm scoring among the very best with their creative entries.

The "Franciscan Companion" is a quarterly newsletter written and edited by FPH employees Andrew Mullins, PR & Marketing Coordinator, and Janet Rolley, Executive Assistant. The full color, family-oriented magazine features short articles centered around living a healthy, happy life. It also works to highlight healthcare services, community organizations, and fun facts, providing a well-rounded, friendly magazine.

Janis Moran, owner of Moran Design in Hammond, states "Receiving an award from Summit International, a permier arbiter of creative excellence, is truly a coveted honor due to its prestige worldwide. Our entries were creative opportunities for us, with the goal of fostering effective communications for out client-it's what we like to do."

Moran Design, a veteran in the industry, provides state-of-the-art graphic design, advertising, marketing, Web design, copywriting, photography and public relations services.

Summit International Awards, celebrating it's 17th year, is an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in the marketing communications industry. It administers three distinguished advertising and marketing award competitions throughout the year with the goal of raising the awareness of companies and individuals who have the creative and marketing talent to go beyond the ordinary.

"Winning a Summit Creative Award is a significant accomplishment," says Jocelyn Luciano, executive director for Summit International Awards. "The combination of our excellent judges and the tough judging criteria ensures that only deserving entries receive Summit recognition."

Franciscan Physicians Hospital offers a special thanks to Moran Design for their exceptional work in the design industry. Their ability to implement various themes and factors into a concept, while maintaining the goal and directive of the piece, sets them apart from the norm. The hospital truly appreciates all of the work they do.

To view the award, click here!

National Hospital Week: Happening Here, Happening Now!

May 9th through May 15th marks National Hospital Week for hospitals across the country. The week-long event, sponsored by the American Hospital Assocation, was originally conceived by a Chicago magazine editor who believed that more information about hospitals might alleviate public fears about the "shrouded" facilities of the day.

According to the American Hospital Association, National Hospital Week is the nation's largest healthcare event, serving the purpose of highlighting the history, technology, and dedicated professionals that make our facilities operate with confidence and care.

The 2011 official theme for National Hospital Week, "Champions of Care," will provide opportunities for employees, patients, and community members alike to give regard and appreciation to the men and women who keep our community healthy.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital is taking advantage of this opportunity by providing employees with a new theme each day throughout the week. Administration will be serving ice cream, popcorn and salad on their respective days to employees in the facility, finishing the week with a cookout for all employees and physicians.

A "Blessing of the Hands" ceremony will also be taking place at Franciscan Physicians Hospital to bless those assisting throughout the week. It's through their dedication and time that we can make events like these happen.

National Hospital Week is a time to step back and appreciate the work being done in each and every facility, but it's also a time to analyze your healthcare needs. While it's extremely important that healthcare facilities operate at critical standards, it's also important that you maintain your body and lifestlye through regular checkups and needed procedures.

Utilize this hospital week to visit your healthcare provider. Let them know you're thankful for all they do, and continue to work your way toward a healthier lifestyle! For more information, health assessments, and wellness tools, visit our complete Online Health Library. At Franciscan Physicians Hospital, Your Care is Our Passion.    

Nurses Trusted to Care - Nurses Week 2011

As National Nurses Week is noted today through May 12, we at Franciscan Physicians Hospital express our undying gratitude and admiration for the many acts of kindness, bravery, compassion and giving, especially during tough times, which are part of daily life for the nurses who serve our hospital. Their feats often go unheralded and are known only to them and the patients they serve so well.

Nurses are a backbone to our medical staffs; without their services, we could not exist. Their duties are many, their toils are steady. They see our patients through the best and worst times and often shed tears of joy, and sorrow, with them. Our nurses, in a word, are love. Franciscan Physicians Hospital honors them during their week, and appreciates what they do every week.

National Nurses Week celebrates the committment made by nurses to provide the highest quality of care. We honor all nurses who provide superior compassionate and joyful care for our patients. Every day you serve the needs of our community with skilled hands and hearts. Thank you.

Finding Reliable Mental Health Information

A colleague did some research on mental health topics over the internet. The results (the listing of web pages returned in response to a keyword query) posted were as follows:

Topic                         Results
Depression               65,600,000
Anxiety                    62,700,000
ADHD                     2,270,000
Bipolar Disorder      7,330,000
Gambling                 105,000,000
Alcohol Abuse         41,900,000

These numbers change almost daily as new information is posted. How can a person find reliable mental health information when there is so much available to review?

Steps To Follow
From The Mayo Clinic Women's Health Source, April 2008
        
              Begin with an authoritative website created by professionals with the purpose of educating people.  It will describe health conditions, healthy living suggestions, and prevention information. It will also describe all treatment options without promoting a particular one.

Remember, only your healthcare provider should recommend the best treatment for you.

              Sites should also provide information about research as well as what experts are saying. They should come from trusted sources, and some places to start may include:
-Government Sources
-Major teaching hospitals
-National Institutes of Health
-Your healthcare provider
               One purpose of looking up information on the Internet is to help you make good decisions for your mental health. Finding a good information source is a solid base on which you can rely for important information. Franciscan Physicians Hospital provides such a basis through their Total Health Library.
                Use this information to stay informed by utilizing their assessments, videos, and online tools. Start making good decisions for your mental health today, and remember: the best way to do this is to discuss what you have learned with your healtcare provider.

Get Tickets Now for Speaking of Women's Health - May 12

Franciscan Alliance again will be among sponsors of Lakeshore Public Television's annual Speaking of Women's Health program May 12 at the Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

This year's theme is "Destination Wellness: Cruise to a Healthier Life."

Among its offerings, the daylong conference features nationally recognized speakers, breakout sessions led by local and national experts, health screenings provided by Franciscan Alliance hospitals, free samples and products, a catered lunch, and access to a massage therapist. A sampling of session topics includes heart health, financial preparation, menopause, skin care, beauty tips and fitness.

To purchase tickets, visit http://swh2011.eventbrite.com/.

For more information on the program, visit http://www.speakingofwomenshealth.com/.

High Blood Pressure - Educate Yourself

Did you know that about one in every three to four adults in the United States has high blood pressure, and about a quarter of those who have it are unaware that they have it? May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Franciscan Physicians Hospital encourages you to know the facts and arm yourself with helpful information and tips to reduce high blood pressure so that you have a lower risk of other complications.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. High blood pressure, or "hypertension," often has no obvious cause, although many factors can contribute. When you have high blood pressure, your blood vessels are too narrow (constricted) or they may have too much blood volume circulating in them. High blood pressure puts an additional strain on blood vessels throughout your body and increases the workload on the heart.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as two numbers -- for example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg). One or both of these numbers can be too high.

The top number is your systolic pressure.

• It is considered high if it is over 140 most of the time.
• It is considered normal if it is below 120 most of the time.

The bottom number is your diastolic pressure.

• It is considered high if it is over 90 most of the time.
• It is considered normal if it is below 80 most of the time.

Blood Pressure Screening Guidelines

• Current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all adults age 18 years and older have their blood pressure measured.
• People with high blood pressure should be screened for diabetes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all patients with blood readings of 135/80 mm Hg or higher be screened for type 2 diabetes. (The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for patients with blood pressure greater than 140/90.)

Lifestyle Changes and High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle changes are important for preventing and treating high blood pressure. Healthy changes include maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption to no more than one or two drinks a day, reducing salt intake, and increasing potassium intake.

Talk with your doctor. Even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked during your yearly check-up, especially if someone in your family has or had high blood pressure. Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Read more about high blood pressure in our Online Care Guide +