Littauer celebrates National Hospital Week Posted on May 8, 2012July 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Celebrates Hospital WeekNathan Littauer is more than a place where people go to heal, it is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals like Nathan Littauer are central to a healthy and optimistic community. That’s the message Littauer organizers are touting with the 2012 National Hospital Week theme “Making Miracles Happen.” The event theme is the centerpiece of a promotional campaign aimed at uniting health care facilities across the country during the May 6–12 celebration.Littauer is an important part of our community“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO said.“We’re extremely proud of each member of our Littauer staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to our patients and our communities.”The nation’s largest health care event, National Hospital Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a community wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals. The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust and goodwill among members of the public and eventually spread to facilities across the country.A full slate of community activities is planned for 2012, including:“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Laurence E. Kelly, Hospital President and CEO said.Employees will enjoy Ice Cream Sundaes and can eat lunch while being serenaded by Nate’s Notes led by Pianist Pat Travis-Doull. Employees can Relax with Therapeutic Touch. Employees can enjoy the Annual Hospital Week BBQ served by our management team featuring the sounds of the Gloversville Jazz Band while employees dine. They are offering Massage Therapy and Friday the hospital will host Zumba Demonstration.For more information, call Cheryl McGrattan @ 773-5533.
Nathan Littauer leads a “Tick” Town Hall meeting Posted on April 27, 2012 by Dakota PikeA note from Nathan Littauer: Our region, like many regions, is seeing a tremendous amount of tick activity. Our Emergency Department is seeing tick bites almost on a daily basis and we are bracing for an early and active tick season. We truly want to get the message of Tick Bite Prevention to our community. To do so, we are bringing in the internationally recognized Dr. Thomas Mather, of the University of Rhode Island, Director of the Vector Borne Diseases Department. We will also have a local panel featuring: Fulton County Public Health Director Denise Fredrick, RN, BSN; our Director of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Todd Duthaler and Vetrinarian Dr. Melanie Santspree. Dont miss this FREE and importnat event:Monday, May 14, 20126:30 PM Johnstown Holiday Inn308 North Comrie Avenue, Johnstown, NY 12095RSVP by emailing us at ticks@nlh.org or by calling 518-773-5533.Protect yourself from Ticks- learn how at our Town Hall Meeting May 14, 2012 at 6:30 pm. Free and open to the public. RSVP to Tick@nlh.org or by calling 773-5533
Wellness Words April 2012 Posted on April 10, 2012July 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator SAFE STORAGE & DISPOSAL OF MEDICINEPrescription medicines are an important treatment option that many people depend upon. These medicines help to treat a vast number of diseases and provide a better quality of life for patients. However, if these medicines are abused it could lead to very serious medical problems. According to the Federal Drug Abuse Warning Network, emergency room visits due to abuse of prescription drugs are greater than the number of visits due to abuse of marijuana and heroin combined. It is also reported that 1.5 million American kids have reported they have abused prescription drugs.It is extremely important for these medicines to be safely stored and disposed of! This will prevent accidental abuse by patients and abuse by other individuals who the medicines aren’t prescribed for. Safety Tips For Storing & Using Medications Include:Keep your medicines separate from those of other family members. This will decrease the chances of taking the wrong medication.Take medication in areas with good lighting to make sure that you are taking the right medicine and never take medicines in the dark.Keep the medicines in the bottle that they came in. The amber color of bottle protects medicine from light and all the medication’s information is on the bottle in case you need it.Never mix different medicines in the same bottle.Always keep the lids on your bottles tightly closed.If there is cotton in the pill bottle when you first open it, remove it and throw it away. The cotton can absorb moisture and affect the medicine that is inside.The Federal Guidelines For Prescription Medicine Disposal Encourage Individuals To:Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash.Mixing prescription drugs with undesirable substances will ensure the drugs are not diverted. The substances include coffee grounds, kitty litter, empty cans or sealable bags.Only flush prescription medications down the toilet if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so.Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs or community solid waste programs. These programs are a good way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.There is a Prescription Drug Disposal Day scheduled for Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery Counties on April 28, 2012 from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Below is a list of the disposal sites for each county:Fulton County Johnstown City Police Department – 41 E. Main Street, JohnstownGloversville City Police Department – 3 Frontage Road, GloversvilleHamilton CountyLane Emporium – Corner of Routes 30 & 8, SpeculatorInlet Police Department – 160 Route 28, InletMontgomery CountyMontgomery County Sherriff – 200 Clark Drive, FultonvilleCanajoharie Police Department – 75 Erie Boulevard, CanajoharieSt. Johnsville Police Department – 16 Washington Street, St. JohnsvilleFort Plain Police Department – 168 Canal Street, Fort PlainAmsterdam Police Department – Guy Park Avenue Ext, AmsterdamFor more information, contact your health care provider 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.
Wellness Words March 2012 Posted on March 13, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota Pike HealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator NUTRITION AND AGINGGood nutrition is vital to preventive health and healthy aging! As we age, our nutritional requirements change. We tend to need less caloric intake but need more calcium, vitamin B12, and Vitamin D. This change in nutritional needs can be a difficult adjustment to make and it is important that you gain advice from health care professionals. WebMD has provided 10 Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Nutrition And Healthy Aging.1. How do I know if I’m getting all the nutrition I need?Many Americans, especially older ones, aren’t getting all the nutrition that they need for optimal health. Even people who are overweight fall short on the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need. Many of the calories that people consume have little nutritional value. Talk to your doctor about the signs of vitamin or mineral deficiencies.2. Do any of the medications I use affect my appetite or how food tastes?A range of medications can interfere with good nutrition. It is important to discuss what medications you are taking with your doctor.3. Do any of the medications I’m taking get in the way of absorbing nutrients I need?A variety of prescription drugs can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.4. I’m not very hungry when I know it’s time to eat. Is that normal for someone my age?There are many reasons why older individuals don’t have a powerful appetite. These individuals are usually less active and their bodies require fewer calories. However, sudden loss of appetite can also be a sign of depression or other serious health problems.5. Should I consider taking a multivitamin?Experts disagree on whether older Americans should be routinely counseled to take a multivitamin. Many agree that the best way to get your nutrients is from food, not pills. Talk to your doctor before taking any pills.6. What about other single vitamins or mineral supplements?Some people may need to take an additional supplement of certain nutrients. Such as people who need a vitamin D or calcium supplement. Talk to your doctor before taking any pills.7. Should I cut back on salt in my diet?If you have hypertension, and even if your blood pressure is at the high end of normal, cutting back on salt may be helpful. Recent evidence shows that the less sodium you consume, the lower your risk.8. How much alcohol is safe to drink?Studies have shown that moderate amounts of alcohol reduce the risk of heart disease. However, most doctors are reluctant to encourage people to drink because the risks for some can outweigh the benefits. Talk to your doctor about a safe level for you that maximize benefits and minimize risks.9. Could I cut back on my medication by following a healthier lifestyle?Many older people can cut back on blood pressure, cholesterol or other medication by eating a healthier diet and getting more exercise. Talk to your doctor about whether a healthier lifestyle could mean taking fewer pills.10. Should I make an appointment with a registered dietician?Doctors understand the importance of a healthy diet, but may not have the time to provide complete dietary counseling. If you have more questions than your doctor has time to answer, ask for a referral to a registered dietitian.For more information, contact your health care provider, Littauer’s Outpatient Nutritional Counseling at 773-5413, 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.
Nathan Littauer joins the worldwide IBCLC DAY Celebration Posted on March 6, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeLactation consultant and counselors at Littauer strive to increase breast feeding rates locallyNancy Quinlan, RN, and Lactation Consultant works with a new breast feeding mother, Nicole VanNostrand and her baby Chloe.Nathan Littauer Hospital is joining the International Lactation Consultant Association in celebrating IBCLC Day on March 7, 2012. This year’s theme “IBCLCs Make an Impact” highlights how the expertise of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) can make a difference in the health and well being of children and their mothers. Nathan Littauer has one lactation consultant and 4 lactation counselors, more than any other hospital in the region. Nancy Quinlan, RN and IBCLC has been employed at Nathan Littauer for two years. She explains, “I have chosen to be a lactation consultant because I truly believe it makes a lasting impact, from birth and beyond.”IBCLCs have years of training and continuing study to enable them to inform, assist and support women during pregnancy, early days after birth and as the baby grows including: getting off to a good start with breastfeeding, continuing to breastfeed after returning to work or school, breastfeeding a premature or sick infant, and preventing and managing challenges that might occur. Kelly Hartz, the manager of Nathan Littauer’s Birthing Center explains, “Our Lactation Consultant and counselors are the very definition of supportive. They call patients at home, come in to help struggling mothers on their day off and hold free weigh-ins for nursing moms so that they can monitor their success. It really is a process and our lactation consultants are there every step of the way for our moms.” Nancy agrees noting, “Anything I can do to support a mom, I will.”“The process to become an IBCLC is very rigorous. For example, Nancy must recertify her credentials every five years and take the entire exam over again every ten years. It is a serious process meant for only those who are very committed to breast feeding support.” states Kelly Hartz. Adding “And Nancy’s expertise and passion will intimately benefit our entire region.”Nancy Quinlan, a Board Certified Lactation Consultant left and Laureen Steenburg, a licensed practical nurse and lactation counselor work to promote breastfeeding at Littauer.According to Cathy Carothers, President of the International Lactation Consultant Association, “How an infant is fed can have a lifelong impact on their health. Mother’s milk helps develop a strong immune system that can respond to fight off infections. Nancy Quinlan states, “Breast milk is like liquid gold!” The rising incidence of obesity and diabetes will have a major impact on health, and both these conditions are more likely to develop in children and in mothers when babies are not breastfed. IBCLCs make an impact on the quality of breastfeeding care provided by health services where they are employed and thus an impact for children and mothers.”There are currently more than 25,000 IBCLCs in 90 countries worldwide who are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (www.iblce.org) under the direction of the U.S. National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) is the professional association for IBCLCs and other health care professionals who care for breastfeeding families. ILCA’s mission is to advance the profession of lactation consulting worldwide through leadership, advocacy, professional development, and research. Nancy concludes, “I want mothers to know that this is a unique gift they can give their child.”XXXFor more information about ILCA, visit the website at www.ilca.org For more information about lactation consulting at Nathan Littauer please visit our website at ww.nlh.org
