Nathan Littauer launches new commercial with a twist

Nathan Littauer launches new commercial with a twist

Nathan Littauer launched a new campaign today using real staff members.  The commercial “Less is Better” touts the hospital’s new ability to reduce radiation exposure by almost 40% during CT Scans.  Moreover, the commercial uses real Diagnostic Imaging staff at Nathan Littauer and their families.  Cheryl McGrattan, Hospital Spokesperson noted, “The feedback has been outstanding- using our own staff and their children just added a nice warm touch to the commercial.”

 

Nathan Littauer offers patients lower radiation doses on CT Scans

 With GE’s ASiR technology the hospital is seeing up to a 40% reduction of radiation exposure with some tests

Nathan Littauer Hospital announced today that they are now using a new technology which lowers radiation exposure during a CT Scan (also known as a Cat Scan). GE’s ASiR technology aims to reduce radiation doses while still maintaining image integrity. “The results have been outstanding” stated Donna Boswell, Senior CT Technologist for Littauer. According to her studies the new technology has been able to reduce radiation doses by as much as 40% on some exams.

Nathan Littauer is using new technology to reduce radiation

Nathan Littauer is using new technology to reduce radiation

CT exams are performed when people are ill or injured, or when a doctor suspects a medical problem that cannot be detected easily with a routine physical examination. CT is also used to rapidly obtain specific diagnostic information that hasn’t been provided by other imaging technologies, such as ultrasound, traditional X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Effective and efficient, a CT exam is one of the most common medical imaging procedures. The pictures are then used for in-depth clinical evaluations.

“This is especially good news for our region- especially families with small children” said Donna Boswell. Research published in the June 7, 2012, issue of the Lancet suggested a possible increased risk of brain cancer and leukemia among patients who received computed tomography scans (Cat Scans or CT scans) of the head while they were children. For many parents, this article caused alarm and concern. Soon after The American Society of Radiology Technologists reminded parents that CT scans are an important medical tool that can provide information critical to the diagnosis and treatment of a child’s condition.  Statistically, more than 70 million CT scans are performed each year in theUnited States, and about 7 million of those exams are on performed on children. TheAmericanCollege of Radiology holds, “The benefits gained through the medical information obtained far outweigh the small risks involved.” (American society of Radiologic Technologists)

“We have made significant investments throughout our entire diagnostic imaging department, not just in our CT Scans” stated Laurence E. Kelly, Littauer’s President and CEO.  He added, “We believe the patients in our area can be assured that we have the best technology coupled with qualified individuals who are properly educated to minimize radiation dose in every possible way.”

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Nathan Littauer announces sponsorship opportunities to local business

Nathan Littauer is pleased to announce sponsorship opportunities for local business to support the Littauer Family of Health Services as they bring in the world’s foremost Psychic Entertainer, Robert Channing. The family show will be Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 4pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $50 for VIP tickets (this includes reserved seating and a meet and greet with Robert at the Eccentric Club following the show).

Robert Channing has been seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and even QVC.  Sue Kiernan Vice President of Development at Littauer stated, “Even the most discriminating audiences and the biggest skeptics love the anticipation and speak of the excitement long after the show is over.” 

Become a sponsor

People wishing to be a sponsor of this event can contact Kelly Colby at 773-5505.

 

Nathan Littauer Holds First of Many Flu Clinics for Employees

Nathan Littauer held the first day of an annual flu clinic for their employees yesterday. In all, 120 employees chose to get vaccinated. The clinic is free to all employees and will be held 7 days between September 13th and October 5th. Leading the charge is Terri Intilli Klausner, MS, FNP-BC, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Infection Control Preventionist and Manager Infection Control and Employee Health for Littauer. She explains “Getting the flu shot is important for everyone, since the disease leads to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year nationwide. It is especially important for health care workers because we are more likely to be exposed to the flu.”  She adds, “We are encouraged by the first day of our clinic. Yesterday we vaccinated over 10% of our work force. That is a good response.”  

Sally Clemente, RN our Employee Health Infection Control Coordinator expertly delivers a flu shot to Nancy Abrams.

Sally Clemente, RN our Employee Health Infection Control Coordinator expertly delivers a flu shot to Nancy Abrams.

 

Wellness Words September 2012

HealthLink Littauer’s

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BS

Community Health Educator

 

Importance Of Activity For Seniors

For many adults, growing older seems to involve an inevitable loss of strength, energy, and feeling fit.  However, it doesn’t necessarily need to be so!

According to the Center for Healthy Aging, the frail health and loss of function we associate with aging such as not being able to walk moderate to long distances, climb stairs or carry groceries, is in large part due to physical inactivity.  When it comes to our muscles the old adage, “use it or lose it” applies.

There is good news!  It is never too late to become more physically active.  No one is too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity.  Even those with chronic medical conditions can benefit from increased physical activity.  Working with their medical provider almost anyone can become more active.  

According to William Evans, author of “Biomarkers,” a book about healthy aging, “There is no single group that can benefit from physical activity more than the elderly.”

Unfortunately, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the following: 

  • 28-34% of adults age 65-74 engage in NO exercise
  • 35-44% of adults age 75 and older engage in NO exercise
  • 30-40% of all older people are only occasionally active
  • At best, 20-35% of seniors regularly achieve the recommended activity levels of at least 20 minutes of exercise 4 or more days a week
  • Older women were found to be more sedentary than older men

If you are like most people, especially if you have been sedentary, you won’t be motivated to suddenly take up aerobic dancing, and you don’t have to join a gym to get the exercise you need.

Walking is one of the best conditioning exercises and can be done by almost anyone, regardless of age!  If the recommendation of 20-30 minutes of walking is unreasonable, you can walk for 10 or even 5 minutes several times a day.

Regular physical activity, even stretching different muscle groups daily, can be helpful to increase flexibility and improve balance.  There are many classes such as gentle yoga, tai chi, water aerobics,  exercise for arthritis, and others offered throughout the area.

With the many substantial rewards involved and the fun you can have just getting involved in new activities … it doesn’t make sense to take the retired life sitting down!

For more information on getting active, contact your healthcare provider, local senior center, YMCA  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.