Health for Life is a publication of Piedmont Henry Hospital June/July 2012 piedmonthenry.org
JUNE / JULY 2012 Health for Life is intended to provide general health information only. It should not be used to self-diagnose or as a substitute for advice by a physician or other healthcare professional. For questions or comments about Health for Life, please write or call the Piedmont Henry Hospital Marketing Department, 1133 Eagle’s Landing Parkway, Stockbridge, GA 30281, 678.604.1026.
Charles Scott President and CEO Jeff Cooper Vice President and COO Donna M. Braddy Director of Marketing, Public Relations, Community Education and Volunteer Services Michelle A. Nunnally Public Relations Specialist Health For Life is a Silver award winner at the 2011 Georgia Hospital Association's Healthcare Marketing & Public Relations Society annual Target Awards. Design and Art Direction by tbg design Terry B. Gardner – Designer Leigh Delozier – Writer Michie Turpin – Photographer Health for Life, June/July 2012. Published bi-monthly by Piedmont Henry Hospital. All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of the publisher’s ability. No responsibility is accepted for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies. No materials contained herein may be reproduced without the exclusive written permission of the publisher. ©2012 Piedmont Henry Hospital. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Jeff Mills hit a bump in the road, but is back on course. His story on page 10.
on the cover: Barb Schultz
is a CrossFit workout enthusiast with no worries. Her story on page 6. Photos taken at CrossFit in Locust Grove.
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In this issue - it's all about Fixing what's broken
...giving you the tools
2
Smoking Cessation - Marc Casabon and Billy Christian
6
Surgical Solutions - Barb Schultz and Anita Stroup
10
Urgent Care - Jeff Mills
12
Piedmont Henry Hospital’s Urgent Care Center
13
Piedmont Henry Hospital News
Marc Casabon no longer feels left out in left field. His story on page 2.
Health for Life June/July 2012 | page 1
A FRESH “My pastor had told me as long as I kept smoking, I was letting people – including my girls – know it’s OK to smoke,” Casabon says. “Obviously, it’s not. Then he said, ‘You have two daughters to walk down the aisle someday. Are you going to do it pulling an oxygen tank, or holding their hands?’ That hit hard.”
"Living with your motivation helps." ~ Marc Casabon
2
START Ellenwood resident Marc Casabon has a cleaning day to thank for cleaning up his health. “My wife works for a doctor, and we clean the office,” Casabon says. “One weekend in January when we were cleaning, I picked up a copy of The Henry County Times. I saw a notice about the hospital’s stop smoking classes, and something just clicked.” Casabon began smoking when he was 17 years old. “I’d been smoking half my life at that point,” he says. “I always wondered if there were classes around here to help you stop, but I hadn’t seen anything. When I saw that article, I knew I’d gain something from it.” He called Piedmont Henry Hospital and registered for the Fresh Start Smoking Class. “Fresh Start is the American Cancer Society’s ‘quit smoking’ program,” says Vicky Ayers, RN, community educator for Piedmont Henry Hospital. “Our goal is to help you prepare for a successful quit attempt.”
SMOKING CESSATION
products that can help ease the transition from smoker to non-smoker. “I went cold turkey,” Casabon says. “I didn’t ease off like some people do, going from 20 cigarettes a day to 10 to 5. I decided my quit day would be the Monday before our next class. I quit on January 23.”
Session 3 teaches participants how to deal with quitting. “We talk about withdrawal symptoms, stress management, and thinking positively,” Ayers says. “Nicotine is just as addictive as cocaine. People need to know how to handle the changes their bodies will be going through.” Session 4 looks into the future and how participants can “stay quit.” “Many times, it’s a mental battle,” Ayers explains. “Everyone is vulnerable to slips, and they need to know how to recover from those slips.” The class also teaches participants to focus on what Ayers calls ripple benefits. “It’s not just the fact that you quit,” she says. “It’s the fact that quitting has longreaching benefits that touch so many areas of your life.” Casabon has seen those benefits in multiple situations. “I don’t breathe heavy anymore or feel like I’m going to pass out when I bend over to tie my shoes. Our daughters play travel softball, and
The Fresh Start Class includes four one-hour group sessions, spread over four weeks. Each class has a specific purpose:
Session 1 shares information that participants need to know as they make the decision to quit. “We talk about why they want to quit, why it’s so hard, why this is the right time,” Ayers says. “Ambivalence is a very common feeling in the program, especially in the beginning. But that doesn’t mean a person can’t successfully quit. We let them know that we’re not here to slap their hands or to judge them. We’re here to support them however we can.”
"So many causes of death are related to tobacco. We’re doing whatever we can to help people and have a big impact on our community." ~ Vicky Ayers, RN
Session 2 focuses on choosing a quit day and the different methods for quitting. Ayers discusses nicotine replacement therapy: FDA-approved Health for Life June/July 2012 | page 3
you can’t smoke in the parks. Now I get to see all of their games instead of going back to the parking lot for a cigarette.” Soon after quitting, Casabon learned that being a non-smoker even affected his job qualifications. He works as a welder, and went into Atlanta to discuss a potential project. “The first thing they asked was whether I was a smoker,” he says. “There’s no smoking on the property because of the type of business, but I didn’t know that. Being able to answer ‘no’ sure made me feel great.” Ayers says when participants like Casabon attend all four Fresh Start sessions, they have a good success rate. “The more classes they attend, the more we can help them. We find that 65-75 percent of those who attend all sessions will achieve success.” •
Convenient Billy Christian is a perfect example of how workplaces can help their employees get healthier. Christian’s supervisor at Bennett Motor Express approached him in January about the possibility of attending a stop-smoking class. “He said if we could get eight people to volunteer for the class, the hospital would have it here at Bennett,” Christian says. “That made it really convenient. I told him I would take the class, but I wasn’t going to quit – I wasn’t ready.” A simple thing on the first night of class changed Christian’s mind.
BREAK THE HABIT
START 4
SMOKING CESSATION
Quitting Community Educator Vicky Ayers, RN, showed the group a “tar jar” – a jar that shows the amount of tar from tobacco smoke that accumulates in a smoker’s lungs. “Seeing that jar was enough for me,” Christian says. “It’ll change your mind about smoking.” Christian dropped his 20-year-old habit that night.
“Those first couple of weeks were tough,” he says. “But I’ve seen some amazing things happen since then. Food tastes better, no stinky smell; I’m getting my breath back.” “You can go to all the classes you want, but you’ve got to make up your mind that you’re going to quit,” he says. “If you’ve got in your mind that you may be ready to quit, this class will help.” Although Christian did the hard work of quitting himself, he credits his employer for helping him get started. “If it wasn’t for Bennett, I probably wouldn’t have gone to a class. I probably wouldn’t have quit.” •
NOW
Fresh Start is an American Cancer Society program that educates smokers and gives them the tools they need to quit.
Programs are held quarterly at Piedmont Henry Hospital (once a week for four weeks). The class is free of charge and includes a certificate of completion that some businesses or insurance companies require as proof of participation. Call 678-604-1040 for information or to register.
Health for Life June/July 2012 | page 5
Just because something is common doesn’t make it normal. That’s the mindset Anita Stroup of McDonough and Barb Schultz of Locust Grove claimed when they decided to deal with their bladder and incontinence issues instead of continuing to be statistics. Barb Schultz, who is now 44, began having problems with urinary incontinence in her early 30s. “It started as a dribble when I would cough or sneeze, but got progressively worse,” she says. I was a very avid runner back then. The turning point for me was when I would get back from running and would have literally wet my pants. It was affecting my exercise routine and my life.” Schultz’s physician, Stephanie Gordon, M.D., agreed the problem had persisted long enough.
“Incontinence issues are much more common than most women think,” Dr. Gordon says. 6
SURGICAL SOLUTIONS
"I'm long-term proof that this procedure works. "
~ Barb Schultz
Health for Life June/July 2012 | page 7
“And they affect women of all ages, even women in their 20s or 30s like Barb was. A lot of women put up with it for years because they think it’s just a normal part of aging. There’s no need to do that when it can be so easy to deal with.” Dr. Gordon performed a procedure on Schultz known as a bladder (or urethral) sling surgery. Stephanie Gordon, M.D. Today’s minimally invasive version of the surgery involves making a 1-cm incision to the patient’s vagina. The surgeon places a thin piece of soft, flexible mesh to support the urethra and help it stay closed when appropriate. “The sling re-supports tissue that’s been weakened over the years because of pregnancy, chronic heavy lifting, being overweight, or other issues,” says Dr. Gordon. “The procedure itself only takes about seven minutes. Once the sling is in place, I fill the bladder and ask the patient to cough. That tests whether it fits correctly and is stopping the leakage as it should.”
Patients are usually able to go home within hours. “I had to take things easy for a couple of weeks to heal, but everything went great,” Schultz says. “I haven’t leaked a bit or had to wear a pantiliner or pad since – and my surgery was in 2007.” Schultz’s work as a medical assistant in a gynecology office gives her the opportunity to talk with other women about her experience. “Women listen to their friends,” she says. “I tell them about my experience and how well it worked. I mountain bike, I hike, I do CrossFit training five times a week.
Surgery changed my life.” •
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“Patients can’t believe how easy the surgery is. We hear so many women say they should’ve done it earlier.” ~ Stephanie Gordon, M.D.
SURGICAL SOLUTIONS
Reversing Prolapse
“We accept things as we get older and think we have to just deal with the problems. We don’t.” ~ Anita Stroup
Anita Stroup faced a different bladder issue, but it was just as uncomfortable. She initially developed a cystocele, a condition that occurs when the wall between the vagina and bladder weakens and allows the bladder to droop into the vagina. The problem slowly developed into bladder prolapse. “My bladder was bulging out,” Stroup says. “I had to be careful when I went to sit down or stand up. It was easy to hide the incontinence because I wore pads all the time. But the prolapse became really bad and was painful. I couldn’t go on like that.” Stroup’s urologist referred her to Shobha Rao, M.D. to discuss potential treatments. “There is a bulge through the vagina and the patient experiences pressure and leaking, and frequent urinary tract infections,” Dr. Rao says. “The prolapse is almost like having a hernia in the vagina. We want to lift the bladder and reduce the bulge.” Several surgical options are available for correcting prolapse, depending on the patient’s situation. The prospect of surgery made Stroup nervous, but Dr. Rao soon put her at ease.
Anita works in Ola High School's media center, and is very proud to be a coach for the Reading Bowl Champions of 2012.
“She was very matter-of-fact about everything,” Stroup says. “She explained the options and what to expect, and assured me I would be fine. She didn’t treat it like a big deal with potential complications, so that made me more comfortable.” Many patients spend a night in the hospital following prolapse surgery, but still go home in less than 24 hours.
“Sometimes they have a catheter for a few days so they don’t feel so tense,” Dr. Rao adds. “They might not feel 100 percent better right away, but the majority of patients feel much better as time goes on. They’re able to move on with their lives.” Stoup agrees with that assessment. “I let my husband take care of me while I recovered. Then I got back to life.” •
“Some people think they have to travel to Atlanta or the north side for these types of surgery, but it’s not true. We do plenty of these surgeries right here.”
~ Shobha Rao, M.D. Health for Life June/July 2012 | page 9
BACK ON TRACK
“I highly recommend the Urgent Care Center to anyone who has minor emergencies. They’ve always taken good care of us.” ~ Jeff Mills 10
URGENT CARE
One morning last fall, Locust Grove resident Jeff Mills went for his usual run to start the day. He didn’t expect to end his day at Piedmont Henry Hospital’s Urgent Care Center. “I like to run in different areas, so I had driven to another neighborhood,” Mills says. “It was early – before light. The neighborhood is partially lighted, but some areas aren’t.” While running through an unlit area, Mills discovered a speed bump and the area around it had recently been repaved. The fresh asphalt was invisible in the darkness.
“The speed bump did its job,” Mills says.
“It reduced my speed tremendously.”
Mills fell, hitting his forehead and sustaining a cut just above his right eye. “I was stunned, but not knocked out,” he says. “I had to go back about a mile to my car, so I actually finished my run.” Once Mills returned home, his wife cleaned the cut. They agreed it needed stitches so Mills went to Piedmont Henry Hospital’s Urgent Care Center in McDonough. “We’ve been there on several occasions when we’ve had minor medical emergencies,” Mills says. “We’d always had quick, courteous service, and this time was no exception.” The physician on duty stitched Mills’s cut and recommended an X-ray to verify Mills didn’t have a minor skull fracture from hitting his head. “I went to the imaging area and they did the X-ray.
Everything I needed was right there.” Mills didn’t have a fracture, so he was able to go home. He returned to the Urgent Care Center a week later to have his stitches removed. “I had a world-class shiner by that point, which the doctor had told me to expect.” Mills’s least favorite part of his urgent care trip was the injection to numb the area before receiving stitches. “I hated the shot, but they had to do it. Other than that, it was a pleasant experience.” Although Mills has been part of Piedmont Henry Hospital’s Board of Directors since 2004, he feels certain that didn’t influence the care he received. “I assure you I didn’t announce that I’m on the Board,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t think anyone realized it. I wasn’t treated any differently than anyone else would’ve been, which made it even better.” “I’ve always wondered why more people don’t use the Urgent Care Center,” he adds. “If you go to the ER, you’re ‘competing’ for attention with people who have real emergencies. Someone with a minor issue justifiably gets moved further down the line.
If more people thought of that and went to the Urgent Care Center instead, they would be seen a lot quicker and it would relieve a lot of pressure on the ER.”
Health for Life June/July 2012 | page 11
Piedmont Henry Hospital’s Urgent Care Center fills the gap for illnesses or injuries that aren’t serious enough for the Emergency Department, but can’t wait until the doctor’s office opens. This may include, but is not limited to, patients, 3 years old and older, suffering with upper respiratory infection, muscle strain, broken bones or cuts requiring stitches. The Urgent Care Center recently began offering lab services. The addition allows caregivers to test for numerous conditions including infection and heat exhaustion. Piedmont Henry Hospital’s Urgent Care Center is part of Piedmont Outpatient Center off I-75’s Exit 218 (Highway 20/81). The physical address is 101 Regency Park Drive, Suite 100, in McDonough.
EXIT 218 81 20
81
Regency Park Dri ve
20
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m. Phone: 678-604-4000
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Janet Teknipp Clinical Manager Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine
PIEDMONT HENRY HOSPITAL News Garden Party 2012 Captivating performances by aerialists, jugglers and stilt walkers enchanted guests. Music by Rupert’s Orchestra kept partygoers dancing well into the night.
Staff from the NICU hosted a “Preemie” party during the March for Babies’ opening festivities for the families of babies born prematurely at PHH.
Take a journey through the Foundation’s 32nd Annual Masquerade-themed Garden Party at video214.com/play/ nd8JoMn7uCmex5X0LGBOKg/s/dark The Foundation grossed approximately $90,000 from this year’s Garden Party thanks to the support of event sponsors and donors as well as all who attended.
PHH raises more than $10,000 for Relay for Life
Piedmont Henry Hospital participated in the annual Henry County Relay for Life event on Friday, April 27. More than 35 employees and family members attended to participate on behalf of PHH. To date, the Piedmont Henry team has raised $10,299.43 for the American Cancer Society. A highlight of the night included Team Captain Teresa Moore (pictured) receiving the 2012 Individual Spirit Award for Relay for Life of Henry County.
Employees march for Babies
Piedmont Henry Hospital employees, who raised nearly $2,500 for March of Dimes this year, took part in the annual March for Babies walk on Friday, May 11.
Among the families attending the “Preemie” party was the Gibson family who is this year’s Henry County March of Dimes Ambassador Family. Andre Gibson, III (pictured) and his twin sister Meagan were born at Piedmont Henry Hospital in November 2010 when their mother was just 22 weeks pregnant. Andre, III spent five months in the NICU. His sister Meagan did not survive.
Hospital Week Celebration
United Way of Henry County honors Hospital Volunteers
Pat Bryant (left) and Millie Faulkner (right) represent the very essence of giving selflessly for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff at Piedmont Henry Hospital. For their dedication to volunteerism, The United way of Henry County recently recognized Bryant and Faulkner during its 12th Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet. Along with Bryant and Faulkner, 23 other volunteers from organizations all across Henry County were honored at the 2012 United Way of Henry County Volunteer Recognition Dinner held at the Locust Grove Event Center. Piedmont Henry Hospital sponsored the dinner.
Staying Safe in the Summer Heat
Piedmont Henry Hospital leaders showed their appreciation for the dedication and hard work of employees and volunteers with an outdoor barbecue. The event was held on Thursday, May 10 in honor of National Hospital Week. For the seventh consecutive year, Shane’s Rib Shack provided a meal to every employee and volunteer.
· Keep cool. · Use sunscreen with a Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. · Wear sunglasses to protect eyes and the sensitive skin around them. · Avoid hot foods and heavy meals—they add heat to your body. · Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body. Do not take salt tablets unless under medical supervision. · Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing and shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella. · Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places of potential severe exposure such as beaches. · Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car. · Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the water in a shady area. Health for Life June/July 2012 | page 13
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 7 STOCKBRIDGE, GA
1133 Eagle's Landing Parkway • Stockbridge, Georgia 30281
Support Groups Al-Anon Meets every Wednesday and Saturday in the Foundation Education Center, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ala Teen Meets every Wednesday in the Foundation Education Center, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Meets every Wednesday and Saturday in the Foundation Education Center, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cancer Education/Support Call 678.604.1040 for more information. Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) Call 678.604.1040 for more information.
Diabetes Support Group Meets third Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center at 6 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 678.604.5106 for more information. Fibromyalgia Support Group Meets Last Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Georgia Losing for Life Weight Loss Surgery Meets second Saturday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 11 a.m. to noon. Grief Recovery Call 678.604.1054 for registration, dates and times.
Hearts of Henry A support group for anyone with Heart Disease. Meets first Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 678.575.7746 for more information.
Narcotics Anonymous Meets every Friday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Foundation Education Center, and every Sunday in the Executive Dining Room, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
LaLeche League Provides education, information, support and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Meets second Thursday each month, 6:30 p.m. in the 4th Floor North Tower Conference Room.
Overeaters Anonymous Meets every Saturday in the Foundation Education Center, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Lupus Support Meets second Saturday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Classes and Services CPR and First Aid Rescue techniques are taught by the American Heart Association guidelines. Call 678.604.1040 to register. Diabetes Self-Management Two-day classes are held each month. Evening Seminar Series Lung Disease Seminar is an annual program that provides patients and families with the most current information on prevention and treatment.
First Steps Offers emotional support, current parenting information, community resources and follow up contacts to parents of newborns. The program also offers telephone follow up for the baby’s first three to six months. Call 770.507.9900 for more information or to volunteer. Get Moving Again For hip and knee surgery patients. Meets the last Saturday of the month.
Post-Partum Support Telephone support provided to new mothers and family members. Call 678.209.4739. Rachel’s Gift Infant Bereavement Support Group For Parents, Families and
Friends who have experienced a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. Meets second Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 770.320.7059 for more information. Sisters By Choice For women diagnosed with breast cancer. Meets second Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center at 7:30 p.m. Southern Crescent Parents of Multiples Meets fourth Thursday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Southside Weight Loss Surgery Group Meets fourth Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stroke Resources Call 678.604.1040 for more information. WomenHeart Meets first Tuesday of each month in the Foundation Education Center, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Call 678.575.7746 for more information. This group is open to men and women.
For more information about classes, please call 678.604.1040.
Health Fairs Free screenings are offered for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, bone density, prostate and many other services. Look Good Feel Better This program is designed to help women undergoing cancer treatment to regain self-confidence and control over their lives. Meets at Henry Radiation Oncology Center monthly from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 770.631.0625 for dates and to register.
Paradise Empowers Teen Parent Program (PETPP) A parent education program for pregnant or parenting teenagers under 20 years old who reside in Henry County. Home visits are held once a month. Classes meet second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the 4th Floor North Tower Conference Room. Call 678.472.2427 for more information.
Planning for your Final Healthcare Learn how you and your family can discuss and plan in advance for health care at the end of life. Call 678.604.1054 for more information. Pregnancy and Infant Care Class for Teen Moms Classes offered twice a year to pregnant teenagers age 12 to 19 years old. Call 678.604.4896 for more information.
Tours for New Parents & Siblings Tours of Piedmont Henry Hospital’s Women’s Center are offered to new parents and siblings throughout the year. Visit piedmonthenry.org/ classes/prevention for more information on dates, times and to register.