Wellness Words February 2020 Posted on February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Heart HealthDid you know that your heart and blood vessels change with age? According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) people over 65 years of age are much more likely to have problems with their heart and blood vessels, including heart attack, stroke, heart disease and heart failure.How The Heart Works The heart is a strong muscle in your chest that pumps blood throughout your body. It works like an engine to keep your body running and is controlled by an electrical system that determines how fast and how hard the heart beats. The heart is divided into four different sections, two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. Each chamber is separated by a valve that opens and closes when blood enters or leaves. The right side of the heart receives blood low in oxygen from the body and pumps it to the lungs to receive oxygen. The left side of the heart pumps the blood high in oxygen to the rest of the body.Age–Related ChangesAccording to the NIA, as you age, your heart and blood vessels lose some of their ability to function as efficiently as when you were younger. Over many years, fatty deposits begin to build up in the blood vessels, specifically the arteries, causing them to stiffen and narrow. Stiffening of the arteries is called arteriosclerosis and narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. The muscles of the heart also become weakened and the chambers of the heart can increase in size. A weakened heart may lead to an arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, while an increase in size of the chambers will decrease the amount of blood your heart can hold, causing it to fill more slowly. The valves of the heart can also stiffen with age, limiting the flow of blood into and out of each chamber.Heart DiseaseThe NIA defines heart disease as the buildup of fatty deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries are located outside of the heart and are responsible for delivering blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. Over time, as fatty deposits build up, they can block the flow of blood to your heart muscle or cause a rupture in your arteries. This leads to a lack of oxygen–rich blood to the muscles of the heart, resulting in chest pain or even heart attack (cell death of heart muscle). In order to protect your heart and your body, it’s important to educate yourself on the symptoms of heart disease and the steps you can take to improve heart health.Symptoms Of Heart DiseaseThe NIA lists several signs and symptoms of heart disease including:Chest pain, pressure or discomfortChest pain during physical activity that gets better when you restPain, numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or backShortness of breath at rest or during activityFeeling lightheaded, dizzy or confusedHeadache, feeling tired or fatiguedNausea or vomitingCold sweatsSwelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach or neckDifficulty performing normal activitiesDifficulty exercising or being physically activePeople with heart disease may or may not experience symptoms, so it’s important to regularly visit your healthcare provider.PreventionIn order to protect your heart, the NIA recommends:Following a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairyIncreasing physical activity to get 150 minutes of activity each weekMaintaining a healthy weightQuitting smokingMinimizing alcohol consumptionManaging stressManaging diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterolIf you have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, talk with your healthcare provider about managing your condition. They will be able to give you a plan that best fits your lifestyle and needs.For more information on heart health, talk to your healthcare provider or contact HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can email us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center located at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer Welcomes New Physician Assistant Posted on February 18, 2020February 18, 2020 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is proud to welcome Alison Townsend, Registered/Certified Physician Assistant, or RPA-C, to our medical staff. Townsend brings 18 years of expertise and medical experience to Littauer. She practiced in Saint Johnsville, Little Falls, and Middleburgh prior to joining the medical team at Nathan Littauer Hospital. Townsend recently started her practice with Littauer January 13.Alison Townsend, RPA-C, a provider with Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home‘s Caroga Lake Primary Care Center “All the staff are very welcoming,” Townsend says. “Littauer is a comfortable setting for a medical provider. It feels like you’re part of a family.”Alison Townsend, RPA-C, obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Physics at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She continued her studies at Midwestern University, where she obtained her Masters of Medical Science in Physician Assistant studies. “The best part of my day is helping my patients reach their health goals,” Townsend adds. “I choose to practice at Nathan Littauer Hospital because Littauer is patient-centered and provides me with unending support for myself and my patients.”“I am extremely excited,” says Townsend. “I love the patients I have had the opportunity to work with so far, and I am looking forward to meeting more members of the region.”Townsend is a physician’s assistant focused on family practice. She brings to Littauer clinically astute medical expertise and is a provider to all ages. She is currently accepting new patients at Nathan Littauer’s Caroga Lake Primary Care Center. Her office hours are from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, you may call the Caroga Lake Primary Care Center at (518) 835-2341 ###About Nathan Littauer Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Holy Trinity Church Donates to Littauer’s Birthing Center Posted on February 10, 2020February 10, 2020 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Sunday, February 9, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home received a generous donation from the Holy Trinity Parish, a local Catholic church in Johnstown, NY. The donation was made possible by the church’s Faith Formation Program. “We are so proud of the children for all their efforts,” says Cheryl Walton, member of Holy Trinity Church and Director of the children’s Faith Formation Program. “They were so excited they had the opportunity to make a difference in their community.”The $2,000 of baby care items donated to Littauer’s Birthing Center, given by the Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown, NY.The children’s Faith Formation class is part of the church’s Sunday school program. The Faith Formation is comprised of middle-school children from the area including the: Johnstown, Broadalbin, Gloversville, and Fonda-Fultonville school districts. At the beginning of the school year, the children brainstormed ideas for possible community service projects. The students decided they wanted to help local mothers and newborns by donating child health and baby care items to Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Birthing Center. Once they established their plan, the children distributed a flyer in their communities asking for donations of several needed newborn items. They received donations from fellow church members, school staff, and peers. Some of the children even made their own donations to further the cause.The Holy Trinity Faith Formation children pictured with the baby care items they donated to Littauer’s Birthing Center.“It’s amazing how much of a collaborative effort went into making this happen,” adds Walton. “They worked so hard.” Collecting donations for several weeks, the church managed to obtain over $2,000 in baby care products. The donations were then personally delivered by the children, were they were received by Littauer’s Birthing Center staff. “I am overwhelmed with joy,” says Wendy Bowie, Maternal Child Health, RN with Littauer. “Many mothers don’t have access to these baby care products. With their hard work, they made the impossible – possible. A wonderful thing has been done for our future mothers and future babies.”###About Nathan Littauer Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Valachovic as Fourth Quarter Goodwill Award Recipient Posted on February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is proud to announce Mary Valachovic, as their Fourth Quarter Goodwill Award recipient for 2019! Employees of Nathan Littauer took a short break from their regular work schedule to celebrate their “Employee of the Quarter” during a gathering February 6. President and CEO of Littauer, Laurence E. Kelly, had many positive things to say about Valachovic before surprising her with the award: “This employee is hard-working and organized. Her charming personality and her gracious attitude make her a pleasure to work with. She’s helpful to anyone that asks her for assistance. These qualities and her ‘can-do’ attitude make her the epitomical employee of Nathan Littauer.”President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, Laurence E. Kelly, presents the Fourth Quarter Goodwill Award to Mary Valachovic.Once Valachovic was named the award recipient, she was congratulated and presented with an engraved plaque. Overwhelmed with joy, she found her close friends, colleagues, and family surrounding her for her achievement. Valachovic is an employee of Littauer’s Medical Records, Employee Health, and Performance Improvement Department. She has worked with Littauer for 16 years. After hearing Valachovic’s accomplishments, staff gave her a standing ovation. President and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, Laurence E. Kelly, and the Fourth Quarter Goodwill Award recipient, Mary Valachovic. A peer who nominated Valachovic explained: “Mary has an endless supply of friendliness. We’re so lucky to have her on our team at Littauer. Her values, work ethic, pleasant personality, and her dependability make her a valuable employee of Littauer. Afterwards, Valachovic received many positive comments, commendations, and well-wishes from employees and friends. Along with her plaque, Valachovic receives a monetary gift, as well as a designated parking spot on the hospital’s campus. The mission of The Goodwill Award is to recognize goodwill and promote the “People Caring for People” environment toward co-workers, patients and the community of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home. Nominations for the award are made by Littauer employees, providers or patients, and nominees’ names are submitted to the Goodwill Committee. The winner is selected in blind format.###About Nathan Littauer Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Littauer’s Sepsis Care Initiative Posted on January 30, 2020January 30, 2020 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is raising awareness for sepsis. Sepsis is a complication of an infection. It requires immediate and emergency medical attention. Although many may not have heard of sepsis, it has become one man’s quest to change that.“Sepsis is responsible for more patient deaths than any other hospital condition nationally,” says Wes McFee, Performance Improvement Specialist with Littauer. “In Littauer’s last quarters of 2019, we have out-performed 94 percent of New York State hospitals in regards to compliant sepsis care. We have increased our overall performance for sepsis protocols.”Nathan Littauer’s Performance Improvement Specialist, Wes McFee.Recently, McFee delivered a statewide presentation on “Littauer’s Sepsis Care Initiative” at the request of The New York State Department of Health. The presentation addressed sepsis protocols within the hospital setting, and also discussed corrective action strategies regarding the deadly illness. Using compiled sepsis data, McFee discussed the strategies he implemented for Nathan Littauer Hospital with the Department of Health. The strategies used at Littauer have improved the quality of care, and will serve as a model for other hospitals in New York State to consider adapting. Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home also led the charge in providing more awareness for sepsis with their “sepsis awareness campaign” September 2019. As a result, the campaign brought an immense amount of community awareness of the illness. Many members of the region were discussing the dangers of sepsis on social media. “Sepsis is no laughing matter,” McFee adds. “It has a high mortality rate, so we’re always looking to improve. This is a beginning of our long-term goals for sepsis care at Littauer. We’ll continue these strategies, and reach our goals.”###About Nathan Littauer Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, 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. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
