My Hospital Is… Posted on June 25, 2015 by Dakota PikeWhat does Nathan Littauer Hospital mean to its employees? We asked our team to describe the hospital and we were so moved by the responses. Watch the magic here…
Wellness Words June 2015 Posted on June 9, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health EducatorSummer Health & SafetyWe all have memories of fun-filled summer days when school was out and we could swim, ride our bikes, camp out and enjoy the beautiful Adirondack weather. Summer in Fulton County is still a beautiful time of year most of us look forward to, but we also need to be prepared for the unique health and safety issues of our warmer months.Every summer, many people end up in the Emergency Department for treatment of any one of a number of summer ailments…burns, cuts, food poisoning, heat exhaustion and of course pesky mosquito and tick ailments, to name a few. Here are some suggestions to make your summer safer and more enjoyable!Drink plenty of cool, not ice-cold (non-alcoholic) fluids, especially on hot days. Many medications can contribute to dehydration. Check with your doctor on the amounts of fluid you should be drinking if you are on medication.Protect yourself from the sun and be sure to wear a hat. Avoid the midday sun, apply sunscreen frequently on all exposed skin and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of the medications you use should restrict your time in the sun.Be careful of the foods you eat, how they are prepared and how they have been stored…BEWARE of undercooked meats and foods left outside or not refrigerated.Restrict your activity on very hot and humid days. As we age our bodies do not adjust as well to extremes in temperature and/or humidity, and some medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.Treat equipment with respect – lawn mowers, weed eaters, saws and ladders, etc. Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes, shut off engines before refueling and clean the work area of debris.Take care to use insect repellents safely. Remember to spray outdoors or in a well ventilated area.Be prepared for summer storms and power outages. Flash lights with working batteries are a must and a battery operated radio will help keep you aware of emergency information. Don’t forget to have a reserve supply of drinking water and food supplies to last from 1-3 days.If you live alone make sure a neighbor, friend or relative knows where you are when a storm approaches. Set up a plan to alert someone if you need assistance should phones not work.Ticks and mosquitoes can cause major health issues. Keep lawns mowed, litter picked up and objects that can hold rain water clean and dry. The ground area under bird feeders should be kept clean so it won’t attract small animals that can carry ticks.Make sure to carry a small emergency first aid kit with you.HealthLink, your community health and wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, wants to wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy summer!For more information, you may call us at 736-1120, e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our NEW wellness center on 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Another grateful patient Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 by Dakota PikeOur Birthing Center Team display just some of the notes, cards and pictures they get from happy families.Every day we get letters from patients who are grateful for their care at Nathan Littauer. Here, Crysti O’Connor, RN who has been an Obstetrics Nurse in our Birthing Center for 15 years, reads a note the team received today…Another grateful patient
Wellness Words May 2015 Posted on May 28, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorDo You Know The Signs Of A Stroke? Think F.A.S.T.!May is American Stroke Month, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s annual campaign to increase awareness of warning signs, and what to do should you or someone you know have a stroke.Stroke is the number four cause of death and leading cause of disability in the U.S. Many Americans do not think of stroke as a major health concern, even though every forty seconds someone in America has a stroke. The damaging effects of a stroke may be prevented if you know how to act upon the warning signs. Thinking F.A.S.T. can mean the difference between recovery and disability, or even death!WARNING SIGNSA stroke happens when a blood vessel is blocked or bursts and blood flow to the brain is stopped. Within just a few minutes of a stroke, brain cells begin to die. The most common sign of stroke is sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, most often on one side of the body.Other warning signs include:Sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.Sudden severe headache with no known cause.THINK F.A.S.T. AND ACT F.A.S.T.F.A.S.T. is an acronym used to help people recognize and remember the common stroke symptoms:F = FACEAsk the person to smile. Does one side of the face or mouth droop?A = ARMAsk the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?S = SPEECHAsk the person to repeat a simple phrase, such as ‘the sky is blue.’Does the speech sound slurred or strange?T = TIMEIf you observe any of these signs, it is time to Call 911!STROKE PREVENTIONKnow your numbers – Check your blood pressure regularly and talk to your doctor about your progress.Maintain a healthy weight – Get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting salt and foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.Keep diabetes under control with a proper diet and medication if necessary.Talk to your doctor before making any diet and/or exercise changes.Quit smoking – Need help? Call the NYS Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS or visit nysmokefree.comKeep your total cholesterol below 200.Limit your alcohol intake.REMEMBER…A stroke is mostly preventable and treatable. Knowing the risks and thinking F.A.S.T are important, but taking steps to prevent a stroke are just as important.For more information, visit strokeassociation.org, contact your healthcare provider or 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 Unveils NEW Center Posted on May 28, 2015June 3, 2015 by Dakota PikeWe have received many wonderful comments about our Grand Opening of the NEW Endoscopy Center of Littauer. If you missed “The Backstage Tour” we captured some of the excitement in this video.
Polly Peck, NP joins the Gastroenterology Specialists of Littauer Posted on May 26, 2015 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital is proud to announce Polly Peck, NP has joined the Gastroenterology Specialists of Littauer. Peck will be assisting Dr. Luz Alvarez and her practice located at Littauer’s Gastroenterology Primary/Specialty Center, 135 County Highway 128, Johnstown, (also known as 434 So. Kingsboro Ave. Extension next to Cataract Care Center and Mohawk Valley Orthopedics). “I am very fortunate to have been chosen to work with such an amazing, compassionate, patient-centered team,” said Peck. “It is great to be a part of Littauer’s growth and the offering of such a vital resources to our community.” Peck is in her tenth year working for Littauer. She is now seeing patients, and assisting with gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures. An entirely new gastroenterology office was developed at Litttauer’s Johnstown Surgery Center on So. Kingsboro Ave. The 1458 square foot office houses three exam rooms, one procedure room, two offices, two restrooms, and a new reception area. The office is adjacent to the completely refurbished Endoscopy Center with a reception area, three operating rooms; sterilization equipment, a multiple patient recovery room, exam rooms, and the most complete state-of-the art technology and equipment for all procedures. “One of the most rewarding aspects of working with Dr. Alvarez is experiencing first-hand her patient-centered philosophy. This career move reinforces the reasons why I went into medicine in the first place,” added Peck. To schedule a consultation or appointment with Polly Peck or the Gastroenterology Specialists of Littauer, please call (518) 752-5275.
Looking for Dr. Alvarez’s new office? Look no further! Posted on May 7, 2015May 7, 2015 by Dakota PikeShe has joined Nathan Littauer!We are getting wonderful feedback from patients who have visited Dr. Alvarez’s in her new office and endoscopy center. But many of you do not know how to find her. You can find her four ways:1. Look for our ads in the Amsterdam Recorder for a map. You can cut it out!2. Enter 135 County Highway 128, Johnstown into your GPS.3. Call the office at 752-5275 for detailed directions.4. WATCH THIS FUN VIDEO WE CREATED! Watch step-by-step how to get to Dr. Alvarez’s office here:
