Wellness Words October 2012 Posted on October 12, 2012January 8, 2013 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator BREAST CANCER … THEN & NOWBreast cancer is an ancient disease. It has been mentioned in every period of recorded history. However, even with its profound significance, any discussion of breast cancer was only found in medical journals before the 1970’s. Early treatments for this disease were rudimentary and often painful. In 1810, Abigail Adams underwent a grueling mastectomy without anesthesia. In the centuries since the first recorded mastectomy in 548 A.D., breast cancer has been treated with everything from castor oil to opium to various homemade salves. Starting in the mid-1800’s, radical mastectomy became the “gold standard.” In 1949, a doctor became known for creating the super-radical mastectomy which removed the breast, lymph nodes, chest muscles and the internal mammary nodes even if the tumor’s size was only ½ an inch, leaving the patient deformed and in pain. This treatment was continued until 1963.As the ability to visualize the internal breast through technology began to develop, the thinking about and treatment of breast cancer changed radically. By 1969 mammograms became available. The development of radiation and chemotherapies also rose rapidly. By 1976, the “gold standard” became a simpler, breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy. In the 21st century, less than 10% of women with breast cancer have a mastectomy according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).Today, this disease is discussed openly and advances are shared worldwide. Activism by such organizations as ACS, the National Cancer Institute and the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure foundation have brought focus and much needed financial support for research and development of the best detection equipment and therapies.There’s been an explosion of new life-saving treatment advances against breast cancer. Instead of only one or two options, today there’s an overwhelming menu of treatment options. Today’s level of radiation with mammography uses less than a dental x-ray, and discomfort during the procedure has been reduced by such things as the soft pad. Additionally, breast cancer can be detected much earlier when the treatment is the most effective.The currently most utilized treatments for breast cancer in theUSAinclude surgery (mastectomy or more commonly lumpectomy), radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy. There are now various types and combinations of chemotherapies that can be used for a specific type of tumor. Also, we now have 5 “targeted therapies” that target the specific characteristics of a cancer cell. Recently, scientists also reported finding 4 types of breast cancer through genetic profiling.The ultimate cure for this disease remains elusive due to its complex nature, but detection advances and treatments have proliferated in the 21st century giving women and men not only hope but also more choices about their treatment and recovery. There are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in theUSA today and the five year survival rate is 99% when the cancer is found early.To learn more, attend a free program on “Advances In Breast Cancer Detection” presented by Littauer’s Chief of Radiology, Dr. Mike McBiles, on Thursday, October 18 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in Littauer’s Auditorium. Participans will enjoy delicious desserts and receive complimentary gift bags! To attend, call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120.For more information, contact your healthcare provider, American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, or 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.
A baby boom at our Birthing Center on 10-11-12 Posted on October 11, 2012October 12, 2012 by Dakota PikeHospital expecting many babies with an interesting birth date“We are expecting a baby boom today!” stated Birthing Center Ward Clerk, Melissa Walker. She continued, “And today is 10/11/12!” The Birthing Center is expecting as many as six births today on the date of October 11, 2012. That is about four more than a typical day at the Birthing Center. “We are ready.” stated Hospital Spokesperson, Cheryl McGrattan.Nathan Littauer expects children with a unique birth date today“And these babies will have a very unique birth date- one that everyone will remember.”
Nathan Littauer receives DNV accreditation Posted on October 10, 2012October 31, 2012 by Dakota PikeNew quality- based system focuses upon quality managementNathan Littauer Hospital announced today that it has achieved national accreditation from DNV Healthcare. DNV Healthcare is the newest hospital accreditation service recognized by Medicare. Littauer decided to partner with DNV (which stands for Det Norske Veritas) to be a part of their prestigious National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) hospital accreditation program. Littauer received a surprise audit from the organization earlier this year and as a result they are now fully accredited.Dr. Goldberg, Cheif Medical Officer at Littauer and Diane Swartz , Director of Performance Improvement review their new DNV standards“The new accreditation program better reflects our long-term commitment to patient safety and is a measurement of our efficiency, services and operations. The system allows for continual system improvements.” explained Laurence E. Kelly Hospital President and CEO. He added, “The accreditation is more strident. Yet, they have a very practical approach to healthcare.”Diane Swartz, Littauer’s Director of Performance Improvement explains, “Accreditation is important because it confirms that Nathan Littauer is meeting Medicare and Medicaid’s standards in providing healthcare services. DNV applies ISO (international Organization for Standardization) 9001 Quality Management System standards which are integrated into the DNV Accreditation.ISO 9001 is recognized by businesses around the world as the benchmark for continual quality improvement. Innovative hospitals have started embracing ISO as a way to identify and focus on the most successful approaches to improve patient care, safety, the patient experience and other critical aspects of running a modern hospital.DNV is a 145 year-old company based in Norway. They recently received deeming authority from CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to start conducting services in the United States. Nathan Littauer, always on the forefront of better patient care secured their services in January.“This change is important to Nathan Littauer because ISO ensures we are taking all the necessary steps to deliver effective, compassionate and safe healthcare to our patients.” said Diane Swartz. She concluded, “At our core is Littauer’s unwavering commitment to patient care. This accreditation process is proof of that commitment and that we are willing to set the bar even higher.”
Nathan Littauer does not use the drug for back pain that has been linked to meningitis Posted on October 5, 2012October 12, 2012 by Dakota PikeThe outbreak of a rare form of meningitis that has sickened patients in other states, has been linked to steroid injections used mostly for back pain, according to health officials. The drug is made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusettsthat issued a recall last week. NathanLittauerHospitalwould like assure people that we do not use the drug made by the manufacturer in question.Nathan Littauer Hospital Chief Pharmacist Robert Stankes who monitors all medications for Littauer stated emphatically, “I want to assure our patients who received Epidural Steroid Injections at Littauer that you did not receive the product that is being recalled.”If you have any additional questions, please call your physician’s office.
Park Terrace School and Nathan Littauer Celebrate International Walk to School Day Posted on October 4, 2012October 12, 2012 by Dakota Pike Hundreds brave the weather for good health while reducing their carbon footprints and local trafficToday, Park Terrace Elementary School joined schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day. The event was also supported and organized by Nathan Littauer Hospital. “ This was a fantastic event for all participants. We didn’t know that walking to school could be so much fun” stated Steve Pavone, Park Terrace principal.Littauer helps students walk to schoolApproximately 140 students walked to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders. Local Police were on hand to help direct traffic and promote safety.The event began at 8am with kids, parents, school staff and community leaders meeting at the park at the intersection of Park & Forrest Streets and walking up the hill to school, with walkers arriving at school in time for a special breakfast prepared by the school food service department. In all, the children walked approximately three quarters of a mile one way. Students carried signs they had made promoting Walk to School Day and demonstrating school spirit. They were asked to sign in and then chose from a selection of incentive items such as reflective tags or pencils provided by the state Safe Routes to School Program. Each student who participated will have their name entered in a drawing for a bicycle. Earlier in the week they had reviewed “walking safety” at an all school assembly.In 2011, International Walk to School Day was celebrated at more than 4,000 events at schools across the United States, along with children and adults in 40 countries around the world.Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.The event was organized by Park Terrace with support from HealthLink, a department of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Fulton County Public Health. Both health agencies look forward to working with other schools in an effort to promote safe walking (and biking) to school as a healthy, fun way to get some activity, enjoy time with friends, reduce traffic congestion and pollution.“Events like the National Walk to school day really bring our message of preventative health to the community, where they can have the most impact. It was great to see so many children and families walking to school, participating in healthy activity and most of all, they had fun doing it”, said Sue Cridland, Director of Community Education from NLH.October 3, 2012 students joined Nathan Littauer for International Walk to School DayFor additional local information, please contact Sue Cridland at 518-736-1120 or Steve Pavone at 775-5750.For additional information, please visit these websites:Walk to School Day in the USA www.walkbiketoschool.orgNational Center for Safe Routes to School www.saferoutesinfo.orgInternational Walk to School Day www.iwalktoschool.org
