Wellness Words October 2015 Posted on October 12, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator Fall Risks For Seniors: Myths & RealitiesMany people think falls are a normal part of aging. The truth is they are not! Most falls can be prevented, and YOU have the power to reduce your risk. According to the National Council on Aging, there are a number of myths that prevent many people from being proactive in preventing falls. The following are the most common myths and realities:Myth: “Falling won’t happen to me.”Reality: 1 in 3 older adults fall every yearMyth: Falling is normal as we age.Reality: Falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Taking proactive steps to prevent falls can reduce your risk significantly.Myth: Limiting my activity will prevent a fall.Reality: Physical activity will actually improve your strength and range of motion, and help you remain independent.Myth: Staying at home and on one floor reduces my risk of falling.Reality: Over half of all falls take place at home. Ground level falls are the most common. To reduce your risk you should fix such hazards as clutter, loose throw rugs, and poor lighting. Make simple home modifications such as adding grab bars in the bathroom, a second hand rail on stairs, and non-slip treads in tubs and on stairs.Myth: At my age muscle strength and flexibility can’t be regained.Reality: It’s never too late to start exercising. Even if you have been a “couch potato” most of your life, becoming more active now will benefit you in many ways including reducing your risk of falling.Myth: Medications, including over-the-counter medicines, won’t increase fall risk.Reality: Taking any medication can increase fall risk. We all react to medications differently. Be careful when starting any new medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects or interactions for all your meds.Myth: Using a walker or cane will make me more dependent.Reality: Walking aids will assist you to maintain and even improve your mobility. However, to use these devices safely have a therapist fit the device to you and instruct you in use. Do not use someone else’s device.Myth: I don’t need to have my eyes checked annually.Reality: People with vision problems are twice as likely to fall as those who don’t. For those with extremely low vision there are assistive devices that can help. Ask your ophthalmologist for a referral.Fall prevention is everyone’s responsibility! Talk with your doctor, pharmacist or physical therapist about what you can do to reduce your risk of falling. Try one of the many exercise programs for seniors offered by HealthLink, senior centers, and organizations like the YMCA.For more information, call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our NEW wellness center on 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer earns Nuclear Medicine ACR Accreditation Posted on September 14, 2015 by Dakota PikeLittauer earns Nuclear Medicine ACR AccreditationNathan Littauer Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in nuclear medicine as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material, ingested by the patient, to diagnose and treat a variety of disease, including many types of cancers, heart disease, and certain other abnormalities within the body.The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services. In addition to nuclear medicine, Littauer is also ACR accredited in mammography, MRI, CT and ultrasound. XXXNathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton counties in upstate New York with a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital, nine primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded in 1894, has 1,000 employees and regularly hosts ground-breaking spine surgeries. Nathan Littauer continues to offer the latest in diagnostic imaging, including a new MRI suite. For more information, please visit www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words September 2015 Posted on September 8, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator Do’s & Don’ts Of Medication SafetyAccording to the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices, 40% of adverse drug reactions requiring hospitalization occur in people over age 60. This is, in part, due to the facts that people in this age group use 30% of all prescription drugs and 40% of all over-the-counter (OTC) medication.Don’t gamble with your health! What you don’t know CAN hurt you. Every drug, whether prescribed or OTC, has potential side effects and may interact with other meds or food in a way that may not be safe. For example, antacids can affect blood thinner absorption as well as make some antibiotics ineffective.To keep safe when you are taking medication, you need to follow this simple list of do’s and don’ts to make sure your medication works safely to improve your health.Do’s:Do take each medication exactly as prescribed.Do make sure all of your doctors know about all of your medications.Do tell your doctor(s) about any OTC medications you are taking including vitamins and other supplements.Do use the same pharmacy so they can help you understand how to use all of your drugs safely and identify possible interactions.Do keep medications out of the reach of children and pets.Don’ts:Don’t change your medication dose or schedule unless you talk with your MD.Don’t use medication prescribed for someone else.Don’t crush or break pills unless your doctor or pharmacist advises you to.Don’t store your meds in locations that are humid, too hot or too cold. It is recommended that you don’t store medication in your bathroom, near your stove or in the refrigerator, unless the pharmacist indicates particular temperatures for the drug.Don’t use medication beyond its expiration date.Dispose of Medications SafelyWhen medications have passed their expiration dates, disposing of them safely will protect you and others, including children and pets, and anyone who might find these meds in your trash. Safe disposal of meds also protects the environment from toxic pollutants.The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following disposal guidelines:Remove drugs from their original containers and remove or scratch out identifying information from labels.Do NOT crush pills or capsules.Mix medications with kitty litter, coffee grounds, or another substance that will absorb them or make them undesirable.Put this mixture into a sealable plastic bag or a bottle with screw-on lid and place in trash.Check with your local police department or pharmacy for their drug take back plans.Prescription Drug Disposal DayLocally, the annual drug disposal day will occur at:All County Sheriff Departments & Many Local Police DepartmentsSaturday, September 26, 201510:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.For more information about prescription drug disposal, contact the HFM Prevention Council at 736-8188, check with your local police agency or pharmacy, or call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our NEW wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer’s Frederick Goldberg M.D. is featured nationally in medical publication Posted on August 31, 2015 by Dakota PikeThe findings of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home’s Vice President, Medical Affairs & CMO Frederick Goldberg, MD, were published in Hospitals & Health Networks Daily, on August 25, 2015. The article “The One Tool You Need to Measure Patient Safety and Quality” is in H&HN Daily, a national publication available to subscribers globally via the online digital version and the website. You can share Dr. Goldberg’s findings at:http://www.hhnmag.com/Daily/2015/August/total-harm-rate-patient-saftey-qualityblog-linden-joshi?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HHN&eid=257868649&bid=1160495Frederick Goldberg, MD – NLH Vice President, Medical Affairs & CMO
CDT recognizes three Littauer nurses Posted on August 27, 2015 by Dakota PikeThe Center for Donation & Transplant (CDT) nominated three Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home nurses for the CDT’s 2014-2015 Lyn LaBarre Donate Life Healthcare Champion of the Year Award. Nurses Charmaine Miskinis, RN, Tina Barber, RN, and Sari Stewart, RN, were honored at the 2015 Donate Life Symposium and Celebration Dinner held in April.Among the many health care professionals in the 43 hospitals that CDT serves, these three Nathan Littauer nurses were nominated by CDT in recognition of their outstanding dedication to organ and tissue donation. They are each responsible for over two dozen timely referrals in 2014, bringing the Littauer donation count to 78 in 2014.“On behalf of CDT and the entire donation and transplant community, thank you and your staff for encouraging the gift of life” said Organ Procurement Coordinator, Joey C. Nuqui, Center for Donation.Littauer’s Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Stephanie Fishel, notes, “I am proud of our nurses Charmaine, Tina and Sari for their leadership and teamwork. Their efforts are a direct reflection of Littauer nurses as patient and family advocates.”Charmaine Miskinis, RNSari Stewart, RN Tina Barber, RN
Sue Cridland receives the prestigious Ellen Burns Award Posted on August 27, 2015 by Dakota PikeLittauer’s Sue Cridland, RN, BSN, recently received the Ellen Burns Award by the Nursing Organization from Fulton, Montgomery and Schenectady counties.Sue Cridland was celebrated for her commitment to the community and to the field of nursing. She has led Littauer’s HealthLink since its inception 26 years ago. HealthLink is a regional health education center, delivering healthy programming and classes to our community.Littauer Vice President of Marketing and Communication Cheryl McGrattan said, “Under her guidance, HealthLink has grown to be a trusted resource for preventative health. Literally thousands of people have been touched by her limitless energy and informative classes. Sue is a devotee of prevention, and many have benefited from her special brand of care. Sue is always beyond kind to her patients. Her empathetic counseling leads with clinical excellence and finishes with gentle, but firm guidance.”Sue currently serves on various councils and community groups, and currently serves on the board of Catholic Charities.Sue Cridland’s career includes these milestones: • 32 years of service to Nathan Littauer Hospital • 25 years of service to HealthLink • 179,658 HealthLink attendees from 1989 to 2013 • 7,368 programs offered since its inception 1989 to 2013Littauer’s Sue Cridland, RN, BSN
The Ferguson Fund supports two Littauer nurses Posted on August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 by Dakota PikeRecently, the Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson and Robert A. Ferguson Fund for Education scholarship award was presented at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home. Scholarships of $2,500 each were granted to Jennifer Elmendorf, RN, and Danielle McDuffee, LPN, both employees at Littauer.Jennifer Elmendorf serves Nathan Littauer Hospital as an assistant manager and registered nurse in the Emergency Care Center. With her family present, Elmendorf explained how honored she felt to receive the Ferguson Scholarship. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing.Danielle McDuffee is an LPN who also works in Littauer’s Emergency Care Center. “I am so honored to receive the scholarship this year,” said McDuffee. “I reapplied for the award this year, and I’m so happy I remained persistent. The scholarship is going to be a big help in furthering my health care career.” McDuffee is pursuing her RN through Mohawk Valley Community College.“We are honored by the Fergusons commitment to this scholarship fund,” said Nathan Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck. He added that the Fergusons enjoy the opportunity to personally present the awards. “They meet the scholars, learn about their families, their work and how advancing their education will impact patient care.”Dr. Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson is a Gloversville native and a recently retired Professor of the Department of Sociology at Columbia University. Her husband, Dr. Robert A. Ferguson, is the George Edward Woodberry Professor in Law, Literature and Criticism at Columbia Law School. They own a home in Gloversville and are active in community. The Ferguson Fund continues a family tradition of support to the hospital. Priscilla’s father, Richard B. Parkhurst, served as a longtime member and officer on the Nathan Littauer Hospital Board of Directors.“It was inspiring to meet the two scholarship recipients this year” said Priscilla. “Both of these local young ladies are extremely hardworking, and have chosen to further their careers, all while raising a family.”Inspired by the diligence of the two scholarship recipients, Robert added, “We are great supporters of Gloversville, and of Nathan Littauer as a key institution in Fulton County. We hope that by giving back to this community, others will recognize the importance and do the same.”As educators, Priscilla and Robert appreciate that learning never ends, and they know that the need for incremental learning is especially important and exciting in the medical field where necessary advances in health care take place. They also feel it is a good way to serve the community generally. Just as Littauer employees are the heart and soul of the hospital, so the hospital itself helps sustain Gloversville as a vital and desirable place to live. Priscilla and Robert expect to grow the Ferguson Fund to the point where it can help many employees advance their careers through continuing education while furthering the goals of ever better and safer patient care.“We need the best and brightest minds to enter and remain in the field of healthcare,” said Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly. “The field of healthcare must have our finest and most prepared people. This scholarship ensures that its recipients will have the support to do so. It is hard to anticipate the demands that will be placed on hospitals in the future, but this scholarship helps us prepare our workforce for whatever that future will be.”From left: NL Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck, Jennifer Elmendorf, Dr. Robert A. Ferguson, Dr. Priscilla Parkhurst Ferguson, Danielle McDuffee. and NLH President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly
