Wellness Words August 2013 Posted on August 14, 2013 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health Educator This Healthy Day Is Brought To You By LittauerIt is summertime in the Adirondacks, the “Land of 44 Lakes.” Looking around, you see people enjoying activities like tubing, hiking, biking, sailing, swimming, kayaking, fishing, miniature golfing, enjoying all this region has to offer. They are laughing, faces jovial, frolicking in the sunshine, taking in the picturesque mountains and bright golden sunsets. Wishing you felt up to partaking in all of the fun? Well you can, and we at Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home would like to provide you with some ideas on how you can get there!• It all starts with taking good care of yourself! Be sure you schedule regular preventive health visits with your primary care provider. Don’t forget those annual screenings for both men and women that are so important to our health. Some people avoid them because they feel the screenings are too invasive, but the truth is these procedures could save our lives.• Plenty of exercise is important and that can be easier when the weather is nicer. Take a hike, join a walking club, swim, play a game of tennis, or take the kids in your life for regular walks to the library and get books to read at the beach.• Making healthier choices at the market in addition to encouraging physical activity are two ways we can model and encourage healthy lifestyles for those children in our lives. Take advantage of the local fruits and vegetables at farm stands, co-ops, and farmers markets. Avoid sugary drinks and have plenty of water on hand, especially during these hot summer days!• Slow down! We can get so involved with social media (like Facebook and Twitter) or other computer games and devices, that sometimes we are not fully “present.” We are often times so caught up thinking about the past (or the future) that we forget there is something happening right now, at this very moment. So how do we put down those devices and stay connected to reality rather than the internet? How do we put those pesky thoughts at bay and focus on the present? Here are a few ideas – take a “time out,” lay down on a beach towel either at the beach or right on your lawn and just watch the clouds roll by, take quiet nature walks, plan a fun day trip with loved ones, or spend the day with your family at the beach. You could even make a rule to Turn ‘Em Off or Tune ‘Em Out … the devices, that is!• Take advantage of HealthLink, Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home’s Community Health and WellnessCenter, located inside the Fulton County YMCA. We have free information on health and wellness topics from A-Z, and offer a variety of other free or low cost services to help you achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Stop in to see us Monday through Friday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call us at 736-1120 or e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org with a question, or visit www.nlh.org to see our monthly calendar of events.So in the end, this healthy day really can be yours. We mean it when we say … “it’s your life, live it well!”
Nathan Littauer has Healthcare Proxy available on website Posted on August 5, 2013August 5, 2013 by Dakota PikeFor those looking for information about New York State’s Health Care Proxy, the information is available on our website at the following link: http://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-1430.pdfHard copies are also available at the hospital.
Wellness Words July 2013 Posted on July 19, 2013 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator Tips For Staying Fit On Vacation‘Travel can be broadening’ in more than one way, unfortunately. To help avoid returning home less physically fit with extra pounds around your waistline, here are some important tips to remember from HealthLink’s Community Health Educator, Carol Tomlinson R.N. B.S.1) It’s easier to stay at your current weight and fitness level than it is to try to get back in shape and lose extra weight.2) The temptation to overeat or to eat high-fat foods can be avoided with simple guidelines such as:Ask about portion size…if it’s more than you normally eat, request that a portion of the meal be packaged for takeout before you are served.If your meal comes with a mound of french fries, cheese or other high-fat foods, don’t be afraid to request a healthier substitute.Snack on fruits and vegetables instead of potato chips and candy.Ask that meat dishes be lean and well-trimmed.To save calories, order a cup of soup instead of a bowl.Make the appetizer the main course or split the main course between 2 people.Don’t forget you still need 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. Try ordering vegetable pizza, pasta or try a veggie-wrap. You might even ask that the vegetable portion be doubled and the meat portion be cut in half.Quench your thirst during the day with water.3) Help control your weight and muscle tone with 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Some ideas for including exercise in your trip are:Start your day with a 30 minute walk to see the sights. You will enjoy the health benefits and it will give you time to relax and plan for the day.Walking tours are a good alternative and will let you experience more of the local culture than if you were riding in a bus or car.Plan to take short breaks during the day. Instead of sitting in a rest area, take a brief walk before getting back into the car or bus.REMEMBER…vacations should be fun not work! Don’t push yourself to do more than you can accomplish comfortably in a day. If you become overtired, it will tempt you to eat more and be less physically active.For more information, contact 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 robotic acquisition makes The Wall Street Journal Posted on July 19, 2013 by Dakota PikeAs reported by the Wall Street Journal June 27, 2013Nathan Littauer Hospital Acquires Mazor Robotics’ Renaissance SystemCAESAREA, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 27, 2013–Mazor Robotics Ltd. (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQCM: MZOR), a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced that Nathan Littauer Hospital, located in Gloversville, NY, has purchased its first Renaissance system. Nathan Littauer provides the finest in state-of-the-art technology and a caring, dedicated staff of health care professionals to the residents of Fulton County (NY) and the surrounding communities. Nathan Littauer, as an independent community hospital has a history of being an early adopter of new, therapeutic technologies.“Littauer’s experience in minimally invasive surgery under Dr. Jian Shen just made history by acquiring this new technology for our grateful community.” stated Laurence E. Kelly Nathan Littauer Hospital’s President and CEO. “Dr. Shen has performed many ground-breaking surgeries at Nathan Littauer. This system is a tool in our minimally-invasive arsenal created for patients who suffer from debilitating spine pain. However, it is our team, with Dr. Shen at the helm that makes Littauer unique.”“This is another key endorsement of our Renaissance system and further reflects the continued momentum we are experiencing in the northeastern U.S. market,” commented Ori Hadomi, Chief Executive Officer. “Within just the past few days we have installed our first two systems in New York, so we will be entering the second half of 2013 with momentum and a wider installed footprint in the northeastern U.S. This is an encouraging development, and it clearly demonstrates, both from a clinical and an economic proposition, that surgeons and hospital administrators are seeing the advantages of using our Renaissance systems.”Dr. Jian Shen, who will be performing the surgeries, agreed stating, “I am pleased to bring this minimally invasive surgical approach to Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Upstate New York region. “Ultimately it is the patient who will benefit. Time and time again, that is where my focus lies — to create outstanding outcomes for my patients.”Renaissance, Mazor Robotics’ next generation surgical guidance system for spine procedures, is transforming spine surgery from freehand operations to highly-accurate, state-of-the-art guided procedures that raise the standard of care with better clinical results. Renaissance system has been used to perform thousands of procedures worldwide (with over 35,000 implants placed in those procedures) in a wide variety of spinal procedures, many of which would not have been attempted without this technology.About MazorMazor Robotics (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQCM: MZOR) is dedicated to the development and marketing of innovative surgical robots and complementary products that provide a safer surgical environment for patients, surgeons, and operating room staff. Mazor Robotics’ flagship product, Renaissance(TM), is a state-of-the-art surgical robotic system that enables surgeons to conduct spine surgeries in an accurate and secure manner. Mazor Robotics systems have been successfully used in the placement of over 35,000 implants in the United States and Europe. Numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at leading scientific conferences have validated the accuracy, usability, and clinical advantages of Mazor Robotics technology. For more information, please visit www.mazorrobotics.com.About Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. For 118 years, 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.
Robotic Spine Surgery: The Future Is Here Posted on July 19, 2013July 19, 2013 by Dakota PikeAs reported by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Monday July 15, 2013By Dave Lucas Credit Nathan Littauer HospitalSome of the Littauer Surgical Team, pictured with Dr. Shen and the new technology. ListenA small Fulton County Hospital is on its way to becoming a major destination for patients in need of back surgery.Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville has purchased and received its first Renaissance Robotic System, a groundbreaking technology offering new hope for patients suffering from debilitating spine pain.Renaissance is the only FDA approved surgical guidance system for spine surgeries, which will be performed by Dr. Jian Shen, who is responsible for bringing the technology to Gloversville.One of Dr. Shen’s patients, WAMC President and CEO Alan Chartock,went under the knife on a Monday and back to work early Tuesday morning. Chartock says Dr. Shen is looking to find and train an associate to assist him in performing spine surgery. Read more…
