Fulton County’s First Pharmaceutical Collection Slated for August

Fulton County’s First Pharmaceutical Collection Slated for August

Fulton County’s First Pharmaceutical Collection Slated for August

August 14, a day to dispose of these safely

On Saturday, Aug. 14 the Fulton County Department of Solid Waste will present the first ever county-wide Pharmaceutical Drop-Off Day from 7 a.m.-noon.

The pharmaceutical collection is a cooperative effort between several local agencies, including the DSW, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Fulton County Public Health, and the Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility. ASAP’s Promise, a division of the HFM Prevention Council, has also offered to distribute information on the program.

“Most people have heard that flushing medicines can harm the environment. This program gives Fulton County residents a way to dispose of old medicine in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Jeff Bouchard, Solid Waste Director.

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Wellness Words July 2010

HealthLink Littauer’s

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BS

Community Health Educator

A SAFE HOME IS IN YOUR HANDS!

Ask Americans where they feel safest and most will say in their own homes. However, unintentional injuries in the home result in nearly 21 million medical visits each year, according to the Home Safety Council. Many home injuries are preventable. Some of the most serious include slips and falls, poisonings, fires and burns. “Just a few simple steps can dramatically reduce the dangers in most homes and may even make a life saving difference” said Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council.

The following are some steps you can take to minimize your risk of an accident in your home …

To Prevent Falls:

  • Install and use grab bars in the shower and tub area
  • Have bright lights over stairs and on landings
  • Use a small, sturdy ladder for climbing instead of a stool or furniture
  • Keep floors and stairs free from small scatter rugs or other potential tripping hazards

To Prevent Poisonings

  • Keep all cleaning agents in their original containers and do NOT mix them
  • Use medications only as directed and do NOT share or use another person’s medication even if you think it is the same as yours
  • Discard all outdated medications safely. Do NOT leave them in your medicine cabinet. Look for pharmaceutical drop off programs like the one at the Fulton County Solid Waste Department on August 14, 2010 or contact your pharmacist for ways to safely dispose of them.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector near sleeping areas
  • Call the Poison Control Center @ 1-800-222-1222 if someone ingests poison

To Prevent Fires and Burns

  • Have working smoke alarms and hold fire drills
  • Stay near your stove when cooking, especially when frying
  • Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from any combustible surface
  • If you smoke, smoke outside. Use deep ashtrays and put water in them before emptying them.
  • Only light candles if you are going to stay in the room. Blow the candle out if you are going to leave or are going to lay down to rest or sleep
  • Keep your hot water at or below 110 degrees F

To Prevent Choking

  • See your dentist annually and keep teeth in good repair
  • Make sure dentures fit snugly and use a dental adhesive if needed
  • Take small bites and chew slowly
  • Eat away from distractions such as TV whenever possible

REMEMBER…A SAFE HOME IS IN YOUR HANDS!

For more information on home safety, contact your county Office For Aging or Public Health department, or call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.

Nathan Littauer’s own Dr. O’Brien on the news!

Nathan Littauer is a source of information for the news.

When the heat soared to record levels, Littauer’s Dr. McBiles gave recommendations

When the media needs experts, time and time again they turn to Nathan Littauer for our opinion. And when heat indexes reached alarming levels, July 6, 2010 Nathan Littauer’s own Dr. O’Brien was able to give sound heat safety advice to our area. You may have also heard him on WENT, WGY or you may have read his sage advice in the newspaper. Dr. O’Brien, one of our newest members of our physician team, is a family practitioner and as you can see from this video, a wealth of information. If you would like to book an appointment with the best physicians in the Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties, call 773-5690 today.

Baseball and Breast Cancer

Littauer partners with the Amsterdam Mohawks to get the word out about mammograms.

Gloversville, -“It seemed like an unlikely partnership, baseball and breast cancer, but the passion was there and we ran with it.” stated Cheryl McGrattan Nathan Littauer Hospital spokesperson. The Hospital has joined forces with the Amsterdam Mohawks to try and spread the word about the importance of mammogram screenings. Ms. McGrattan added, “We want every woman in our area to know that mammograms can save lives. And we will use the power of the Amsterdam Mohawks to try and spread the word.”

As part of their Radiology Revolution campaign (www.radiologyrevolution.com) Nathan Littauer is hosting a breast cancer awareness night. The baseball game will feature baseball players wearing pink, and breast cancer survivors throwing out the opening pitches. Nathan Littauer is celebrating their new mammogram screening facility in Perth. The team has even ordered pink jerseys to try and get the message out to women in this area to get their mammograms.

Amsertdam Mohawks celebrate our new mammogram machine

“Simply put, we need to improve the utilization rates of mammogram services in this area” stated Patrice McMahon, Vice President of Primary Care Services. And Littauer is using social media to get the word out as well. “On our Face Book page we are starting a 100 reasons program. It is a challenge to our fans to find 100 reasons for women to get their mammograms on our Face Book site.” stated Cheryl McGrattan. The team and Littauer recently made a video as well which can be viewed at the site.

“Each one of these players has important women in their lives, and they are passionate about this cause. I could not be prouder of their commitment to women in this area.” stated Bill Terlecky, Amsterdam Mohawks General Manager. He concluded, “The services are out there. Women just need to take the time to get it done.”

July 9th is “Littauer Night” at the field. The team will be the unveiling their “Pink Jersey Auction” fundraiser. Funds raised that night will benefit education and access programs at Littauer.” Breast cancer survivors will be joining us join us that night to throw out the opening pitch, and run the bases with the team.” said Bill Terlecky.

Date: Friday, July 9, 2010

Time: 7:05 pm

Who: Amsterdam Mohawks in pink jerseys to support breast cancer screening

What: Team meets staff at Littauer, tours mammogram center

Where: Shuttleworth Park Amsterdam, NY 12010

Contact: Cheryl McGrattan 332-2505

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To schedule a mammogram at the new Perth screening center, please call 883-8634. If you are a breast cancer survivor and would like to attend the game, please contact Cheryl McGrattan at 773-5533.

Littauer receives high marks for pressure ulcer prevention

Facility-wide effort yields results

Gloversville, NY…Nathan Littauer Nursing Home earned an award recently for its prevention of pressure ulcers. The facility earned the award from the New York State Department of Health. According to the award, “Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home is recognized for excellence in preventing pressure ulcers in nursing home residents.” The award continued, “Your facility was one of 24 nursing homes across the state to receive an award.” The nursing home is ranked in the top 4% of the “Best Performer” category. As a result of the superior performance Nathan Littauer Nursing Home received an award of $42,645. The award is based on data the nursing home regularly submits to the Department of Health.

Our Nursing Home Earns Award

The program called “Pay for Performance Initiative” PHL 2808 (22) authorizes the payment of rate enhancements to nursing homes which meet or exceed defined quality measures. Pressure ulcer prevention is one of those measures.

“I can not stress enough how important this recognition is for our facility.” stated Leslie Beadle, Nathan Littauer Nursing Home Administrator and Vice President, adding, “This is an area that we have been working on for many years. It is not one person’s success but rather the entire team’s accomplishment.’ Ms. Beadle explains, “Freedom from pressure ulcers can equate to a better quality of life for our residents.” The nursing home will continue in its quest to prevent pressure ulcers. Ms. Beadle concludes, “This is and continues to be a 24-7-365 effort throughout the facility.”

Residents enjoy a game of Wii

This is one of the greatest accolades a nursing home can receive, because it speaks volumes about our preventative and attentive care.” stated Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO. He added, “This type of recognition is extraordinary.” The nursing home will use the award funds to further improve the quality of care to its residents in the facility.

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