Wellness Words October 2019 Posted on October 14, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Planning For End-Of-Life CareAlthough we may not want to think about it, at some point all of us will face end-of-life experiences. These experiences may occur as a result of chronic diseases, old age or even an unexpected medical crisis. However, in order to ensure your wishes for end-of-life care are met at any age, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared. There are many things to consider when planning ahead, but the main focus should fall on the amount and type of care you’d like to receive.The National Institute on Aging (NIH) discusses several types of emergency treatments used for medical care in times of crisis including:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): If your heart stops beating or your breathing stops, healthcare professionals use CPR to restart the heart and lungs. This requires pushing on the chest with a lot of force, blowing air into the lungs and use of electric shock, also called defibrillation. According to the NIH, CPR can result in broken ribs or collapsed lungs, and is often not successful for fragile, older adults with several chronic conditions. If you decide you do not want CPR as part of your medical care, you must have a DNR or ‘do not resuscitate’ order on your medical file.Ventilator Use (breathing machines): If you are unable to breathe on your own, a ventilator, or breathing machine can be used to push air into your lungs to help you breathe. Breathing machines can be very useful in short-term emergency situations, but may only make the dying process longer for those nearing end-of-life. If you decide you do not want ventilator use as part of your medical care, you must have a DNI or ‘do not intubate’ order on your medical file.Gastric or Nasogastric Tubes (feeding tubes): A feeding tube may be used to provide your body with nutrients if you are unable to eat or drink on your own. A gastric tube is inserted into the stomach while a nasogastric tube is inserted through the nose.Comfort Care: Comfort care, or hospice care, is medical care provided during near-death circumstances in order to relieve pain and suffering.When considering such treatments, it’s important to think about your own personal values. Do you wish to get the most days out of life or would you rather focus on quality of life? It’s also important to take into consideration your overall health. If an emergency was to occur, are you relatively healthy or do you have several physical ailments? If you are getting older, what do you picture as a “good death?” Once you have thought about the type of care you’d like to receive in either emergency or near-death situations, it’s important to write out your wishes in an advanced directive.The National Institute on Aging defines an advanced directive as a legal document that outlines your healthcare preferences and only goes into effect if you are debilitated and unable to speak for yourself. Advanced directives are not set in stone and can be changed at any time.There are two main parts to an advanced directive including a living will and a health care proxy. A living will lets healthcare professionals know your decisions for care and how you wish to be treated in emergency situations. A health care proxy is a legal document that names someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. A healthcare proxy can be anyone, such as a family member or friend, but this person should be aware of your wishes.One way to ensure your family and friends carry out your wishes is to talk to them. Though it may not be an easy topic of discussion, making your wishes known can provide you with peace of mind and take some stress off of your loved ones.If you would like to learn more, attend a special program on ‘Advance Directives’ presented by Rev. Bonnie Orth, Littauer’s Pastoral Care Coordinator on October 23 in Littauer’s Auditorium.You are invited to join us for a buffet-style luncheon at 11:30 for $6 or attend the presentation only at 12 noon at no charge. To attend, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120 or email healthlink@nlh.org. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
NLH Joins HANYS for Excellence Posted on October 10, 2019October 10, 2019 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has signed The Healthcare Association of New York State’s Commitment to Excellence™ Pledge. The pledge expresses Littauer’s continuing effort to advance patient quality of care inside the community.“Nathan Littauer already provides the highest quality of care to members of the community,” says Cheryl McGrattan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “This pledge further demonstrates that we care.”The program is designed to support hospital-specific efforts and an approach that includes education, resources, technical assistance, and overall improvement of healthcare to patients and their health.“We appreciate your willingness to publicly join The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), in this effort to change the dialogue about healthcare quality in New York state,” says Marie B. Grause, RN, JD, and President of HANYS. “HANYS is your committed partner in quality improvement and we look forward to our continued work together.”XXXAbout Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Littauer Security Uses National Rescue Task Force Program Posted on October 9, 2019October 9, 2019 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Recently, Nathan Littauer Hospital has provided Rescue Task Force (RTF) training for its security staff. Our Rescue Task Force program is focused on working with local law enforcement and first responders to reduce casualties during high-risk emergency situations. This new collaborative approach to emergencies enables our security staff to coordinate with local fire and police departments.LaBuff reviews with Littauer security staff about RTF procedures.Patrick LaBuff, Emergency Management Supervisor of Nathan Littauer, held an in-house RTF training Program, September 8, at Littauer. The training aims to reduce casualties when in an emergency, by providing immediate aid to those in need. As a result, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is attempting to assure its patients, staff, and visitors that they will remain safe if a disaster happens.“Thankfully, these situations on a national scale are extremely rare. But, it is important to be prepared,” says LaBuff. “Most importantly, we are keeping everyone as safe as possible by preparing for the worst. Strategic planning for something like this will, without a doubt, mitigate future conflicts and keep our people safe.”The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services asserts that RTF training is imperative to operating on the safest level in the event of an emergency. With the Rescue Task Force program, individuals are properly trained to get to a patient or victim quicker to save lives.“We have outstanding support from the community,” LaBuff states. “The Gloversville Police Department, the Gloversville Fire Department, Fulton County Emergency Management, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office are extremely supportive of the Rescue Task Force program training on hospital grounds. To our knowledge, we’re one of the very first hospitals in the country to incorporate RTF training for security staff. Every staff member we train provides an additional resource to further assist local law enforcement and EMS during an emergency.”“In today’s world, preparation and training lead to a much better outcome when it comes to high-risk situations,” says Sheriff Richard C. Giardino. “Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Emergency Management Team has been leading the hospital and its partners in preparation by training and networking with its local law enforcement partners.”“The Rescue Task Force program helps support the public safety initiative,” says Marc Porter, Chief of Police of the Gloversville Police Department. “Providing Littauer’s security staff with training that is consistent with local law enforcement training will allow us the opportunity to work together and achieve a common goal: safety.”Nathan Littauer security staff will offer Rescue Task Force program training four times a year. For more information about the Rescue Task Force program, please visit: https://www.rsqtaskforce.com/rtf-naemt-programs.XXX About Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
NLH Going Pink Posted on October 7, 2019October 17, 2019 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – This October, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is focused on increasing awareness for breast cancer prevention. According to Breastcancer.org, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. Roughly one in eight women born in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lives. Studies have also shown that women with dense breasts are more likely to have or develop cancer. However, most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Littauer is creating a marketing campaign to move beyond mammogram education and to include conversation about breast density.“With the recent installation of Invenia ABUS 2.0™ at Littauer, it is much easier to detect breast cancer in addition with a regular mammogram,” says Dwayne Eberle, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “The ABUS 2.0™ has improved breast cancer detection by an estimated 36 percent. I am thrilled that we can now offer ABUS, a leading edge technology, to women with dense breasts. This simple 15 minute procedure will save lives in our community.”“ABUS Ultrasound for dense breasts is our newest example of supporting our patients,” says Priscilla. “With the capability to further test women with dense breasts for abnormalities which can hide in regular Mammography, this can and will save lives. Everyone who has their mammogram with Littauer will receive a special gift from our Diagnostic Imaging department, too. We want to show women that we are here for them and let them know that having their mammograms is vitally important.”“Some organizations and hospitals display pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” says Cheryl McGrattan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with Littauer. “We build whole new centers and bring in the best technology to prevent breast cancer. For us at Littauer, we think pink all year long.”Talk to your doctor about breast density, especially if you have a history of breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can provide more information about mammograms. For more information about the new Invenia ABUS 2.0, please call Priscilla Person, Littauer’s Diagnostic Imaging Office Coordinator, at: (518) 773-5215 or visit: https://www.gehealthcare.com/products/ultrasound/abus-breast-imaging/invenia-abusXXX About Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words September 2019 Posted on September 16, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Ovarian CancerSeptember is ovarian cancer awareness month! Did you know that ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer that affects the female reproductive system in the United States?What Is Ovarian Cancer?According to the American Cancer Society, cancer develops when cells in the body start to grow out of control. Ovarian cancer occurs in the cells of the ovaries, which are reproductive glands found only in women.The ovaries are made up of three kinds of cells including epithelial, germ and stromal cells. Each of these cells can develop into cancerous tumors. The most common types of ovarian cancer include epithelial ovarian tumors, germ cell tumors, and ovarian stromal tumors.Know the Risk Factors The American Cancer Society lists several risk factors that can increase a woman’s chance of developing ovarian cancer including:Age – As you age your risk for developing ovarian cancer increases. Ovarian cancer rarely occurs in women under the age of 40 and almost half of all ovarian cancers affect women age 63 or older.Weight – If you are overweight or obese, you have a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer as well as other types of cancer.Age of Pregnancy – If you have children later in life (after age 35) or do not have a full-term pregnancy your risk for ovarian cancer increases.Hormone Replacement – If you take estrogen after menopause, there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer, especially if taken alone for at least five years.Family History – If your mother, sister or daughter has or has previously had ovarian cancer, you have a greater risk of developing it, too.Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian CancerCommon signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pain in your belly, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly and urinary problems such as urgency or frequency. Symptoms are more likely to occur when the cancer has spread, however they can also occur in early-stage ovarian cancer.These symptoms may be present in women who do not have ovarian cancer, so it’s important to pay attention to any symptoms that are out of the ordinary or begin to occur more frequently. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer may include fatigue, upset stomach, back pain, pain during sex, constipation, changes in your period, and swelling in the belly with weight loss.Protection and DetectionThe American Cancer Society recommends that women receive regular health exams including a pelvic exam for early detection of ovarian cancer. Women with ovarian cancer found in the early stages have a greater rate of survival than those found in the later stages.If you experience any signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer, make sure to report them to your healthcare professional. If you’re at high risk for developing cancer, talk with your doctor – they may suggest testing to help find or rule out ovarian cancer.For more information on ovarian cancer, contact your healthcare provide or call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can email us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
