SCOPE Magazine April 2007

April 2007

Where caring counts. Feel the difference.

TM

Vol. 23 No. 2

SCOPE

MGH not only Saves Lives, but Helps Add “Quality” to Life

When Dorothy Pasco, Lake Cushman, re-

Dorothy Pasco, holding Tiffany, who is one of her and Jack’s three dogs, loves to travel. “We just bought a fifth wheeler and plan to travel and see the sights,” she said. Dorothy feels back-to-normal after the excellent care she received from her cardiologist and MGH for congestive heart failure.

tired to Mason County in 2005, she expected to enjoy all the good things this area has to offer. She never thought she would be experiencing the “good things” of healthcare.

“We came here to enjoy life,” she said of herself and friend, Jack. Jack has family in the area and they wanted to settle in a quiet, peaceful place far from the rush and commotion of California. “I never thought healthcare would play such a huge role in my getting to fully enjoy life here,” she added.

Dorothy has been a patient at MGH three times, and is grateful for the quality of care throughout the facility, even the food. “The food and service is like having your own private chef,” she said of MGH’s Executive Chef, John Cruse, and his staff. “I have been in other hospitals and the food... well, let’s say I was just glad to get home (to my own cooking).”

Dorothy’s first contact with MGH was the emergency department in 2006. “For a whole week I fought off what I thought was indigestion,” she remembered. “When Jack got home from a trip, he convinced me to Continued on page 3…

More Moles Equal Greater Risk Moles, freckles, brown spots and growths on the skin are nearly always harmless. However, if you have numerous moles – more than 100 – you have a greater risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

Skin cancer often develops out of a new mole or a change in a present one. It’s a good idea to get to know your skin well so you can spot any changes and report them to your doctor or a dermatologist. The danger signs are ABCDE: ◗ Asymmetry – the two halves do not match ◗ Border – an uneven border with scallops or notches ◗ Color – a number of different shades of brown, tan, black, red, white or blue ◗ Diameter – larger than that of a pencil eraser ◗ Evolving – in size, shape, elevation. Bleeding, itching or crusting [SOURCE: The Skin Cancer Foundation, “Melanoma”]

Caffeine – High or Low Octane?

The average American consumes about 200 milligrams of caffeine (the equivalent of about two cups of coffee) a day from various sources – coffee, tea, cocoa, colas, energy drinks, chocolate and over-the-counter medications.

Caffeine concentration varies, even between different strains of coffee bean. Arabica beans, grown mostly in Latin America, have about one percent caffeine; robusta beans, grown mainly in Africa and Indonesia, have about twice that much.

Estimated caf feine content from various sources: ◗ Espresso coffee, brewed, 8 ounce cup: 502 mg ◗ Coffee, brewed, 8 ounce cup: 85 mg ◗ Coffee, instant, 8 ounce cup: 62 mg ◗ Coffee, brewed, decaffeinated, 8 ounce cup: 3 mg ◗ Coffee, instant, decaffeinated, 8 ounce cup: 2 mg ◗ Tea, brewed, 8 ounce cup: 47 mg ◗ Hot chocolate, 8 ounce cup: 5 mg ◗ Cola, 12 ounce can: 37 mg ◗ Energy drink, 12 ounce glass: 80 mg ◗ Milk chocolate bar, 1.55 ounces: 9 mg ◗ Semi-sweet dark chocolate, 1 ounce: 20 mg [Source: Karen Eich Drummond, “How Caffeine Affects the Body in Food and Drugs,” 2006; USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, July 16, 2003]

What’s Inside: 2 4 5 6 7 8

Stroke Identification: S.T.R. Olympic Physicians Receives Grant Antibiotic Do’s & Don’t’s Seeking Nominations for Award News Briefs Need Help with Hospital Bills?

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SCOPE Stroke Identification – as Simple as S.T.R. A True Story

Recognizing A Stroke

During a barbecue, Ingrid stumbled and took a little fall. She assured everyone that she was fine.

When they offered to call paramedics, she reassured her hosts that she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and gave her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid’s husband called later, telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital where she had passed away that night. She had suffered a stroke at the barbecue. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today in good condition. And some don’t die, but they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this article.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can often reverse the effects of a stroke, totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Remember the 3 steps: S.T.R. Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, this lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now, doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

Una Nueva Idea para el Tratamiento de las Alergias a la Comida Se está estudiando un nuevo enfoque para el tratamiento de las alergias a la comida que consiste en introducir gradualmente y en cantidades mínima la comida que causa problemas. En uno de estos estudios pilotos, se les empezó a dar a los niños alérgicos a los cacahuetes 1/3000th de cacahuetes al día. Al término de seis meses la mayoría de ellos pudieron comer un cacahuate al día con una reacción mínima o nula. Se espera el incremento de la tolerancia a la comida que causa problemas pueda ayudar a eliminar emergencias que puedan poner en riesgo la vida de las personas. Los médicos advierten que este enfoque no se debe intentar en casa.

[Source: Salynn Boyles, “Treating Allergies with Allergic Food,” WebMD Medical News, November 28, 2006]

Learn to be a Spanish language medical interpreter at MGH. Call Maria at (360) 427-3679.

S:

Ask the individual to SMILE. If the smile is uneven, crooked or odd looking, it may be a stroke.

T:

Ask the person to TALK, to speak a simple sentence coherently, such as, “It is sunny out today.” If the person speaks unclearly or the words are garbled or difficult to understand, it may be a stroke.

R:

Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS while sitting with eyes closed.

When raising the arms, if one arm “drifts” or the arms are not aligned, it may be a stroke.

NOTE: Another sign of a stroke is this: Ask the person to stick out his/her tongue. If the tongue is crooked, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately, as the treatment for stroke can only be given within the first 3 hours of the ONSET of stroke symptoms!!!

3 Days, 3 Ways – Are You Ready for a Disaster? www.govlink.org/3days3ways/ High Protein Diets Risky Diabetic meal plans, like some popular weight loss diets, frequently call for some degree of carbohydrate counting. Controlling spikes in blood sugar requires limited intake of carbohydrates, particularly sugars and starches.

Low carbohydrate programs, such as the Atkins diet, however, often allow high intake of protein – 25 to 30 percent of daily calories – which could put a diabetes patient at increased risk of kidney disease. {Source: Zachary T. Bloomgarden, “Diabetes and Nutrition,” Diabetes Care, October, 2002}

Un Alto Consumo de Proteína es Arriesgado para los Diabéticos Los planes de comidas para diabéticos al igual que algunas dietas populares para perder peso a menudo requieren un control de la cantidad de carbohidratos. Para controlar las subidas exorbitantes de azúcar en la sangre es necesario limitar la cantidad de carbohidratos, particularmente los que provienen del azúcar y el almidón.

Sin embargo los programas de bajo consumo de carbohidratos a menudo permiten un alto consumo de proteína. Por ejemplo la dieta Atkins permite un consumo de proteínas igual al 25 o 30 por ciento de la cantidad total de calorías consumidas. Esto puede elevar el riesgo de las personas diabéticas a contraer una enfermedad del riñón. {Source: Zachary T. Bloomgarden, “Diabetes and Nutrition,” Diabetes Care, October, 2002}

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SCOPE Truckin’ for Treasures

Thanks to the generous support of Ron Slade of “Trueshine Autobody, Paint & Graphics”, Treasures Thrift Store has new graphics on its collection truck. Sandy Jackson, Treasures’ manager, enjoys the view of the new graphics from the cab of the “new” truck. Ron donated more than $1,500 worth of labor and supplies. Treasures Thrift Store is a part of the Mason General Hospital Foundation. All proceeds go towards the purchase of medical equipment for Public Hospital District No. 1.

What’s happening at Treasures Thrift Stores?

Go to www.treasuresthriftstores.org Remember, Treasures is always in need of quality donations.

Saving Lives

Continued from page 1…

go to the ER. That is when they told me I had had a heart attack.”

Dorothy was treated and stabilized and transported to Olympia’s St. Peter Hospital’s cardiac care unit where she received two stents in her arteries and was sent home.

A few months later, Dorothy started having difficulty breathing. “I just couldn’t catch my breath,” she said. “So Jack took me back to MGH’s ER where I was admitted to the intensive care unit for four days of testing and treatment. It was there they discovered I had congestive heart failure.”

Congestive heart failure is the backup of fluids in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. With CHF medications and self-management skills she learned from MGH staff, Dorothy is now living a quality of life which includes getting ready to travel in their new fifth wheeler.

“I am just thankful this happened here, and not in California (where I used to live),” she added. “In California our hospitals are so big and busy. But the care at Mason General is so wonderful.

They take the time to explain everything to you and your family.

You are treated as a person when you are their patient.”

Every quarter, Mason General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) offers a FREE Community Health Education Forum luncheon to help patients understand “Congestive Heart Failure” (CHF) and teach them about self-management of the disease. The Forum covers: What is congestive heart failure? The causes and treatment, medication, beneficial low-impact exercise, and low-salt/low-fat diet guidelines. In addition, critical care nurses, physical therapists, dietitians, pharmacists and a chef are a part of the educational team.

The Forum ends with a free low-salt/low fat gourmet lunch prepared

by Cruse and staff. A physician attends the luncheon to provide an Open Forum for questions and answers regarding heart disease.

“Heart failure is a manageable condition if you learn and use the right self-care skills and have a good fundamental understanding of your condition. Our mission is to work with the patient to acquire those skills and knowledge so they can lead a healthy, active life,” said Tom DiDonna, R.N., coordinator of the Forum.

For more information on the Forum, call DiDonna at (360) 427-3609 (from Belfair (360) 275-8614 and ask for the Education Department).

Hand washing throughout the day is

paramount to helping control infectious diseases. Everyone at Mason General Hospital is expected to wash their hands routinely – that includes staff and visitors. Visitors are encouraged to wash at all times, i.e. after eating, using the restroom, nose blowing, coughing and helping patients.

So it is okay to ask our staff, “Have you washed your hands?”

Remember, hand washing is the first line of defense against passing germs.

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SCOPE Do you take medications on a daily basis?

Dance Like a Blues Bro Here are three unnamed members of Centennial Hospital Guild who are helping to sell tickets to the Guild’s 2nd annual “New Blues Brothers” dance, set for Friday, June 1, 2007 at the Shelton Civic Center, Cota Street. The dance will be from 8 p.m. to midnight and you must be 21 or older to attend. Identification will be checked at the door. Pre-paid tickets are $12.50 each, or selling for $15 at the door. Tickets may be purchased from any member of the Guild or by calling (360) 426-8374. For more information, call (360) 426-2402. All proceeds benefit Mason General Hospital.

Olympic Physicians Receives Technology Grant Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire recently announced that the Washington Health Information Collaborative selected Olympic Physicians, PLLC, Shelton, to be one of the 49 recipients for awards of up to $20,000 for health information technology. The awards are to be used to implement and upgrade technology in small hospitals, community clinics and private medical practices across Washington.

Olympic Physicians plans to use the award to purchase electronic health records (EHR) and other computerized patient management systems and establish an online connection to Mason General Hospital, local pharmacies and laboratories. This will help to make current patient information immediately available, expand their ability to extract and analyze data from patient files, create secure systems to communicate with employees by email and share patient records with other healthcare providers, and purchase computers for exam rooms.

“The central purpose in these technology awards is to help make the best possible healthcare available to patients throughout the Northwest,” said Ken Hamm, president and CEO of First Choice Health. “Until now, this has been much too expensive for small and rural hospitals and physician practices. Our aim is to bring many more people into the 21st century healthcare treatment room.”

Olympic Physicians’ staff includes local Internal Medicine specialists, Mark L. Schlauderaff, M.D.; Douglas F. Lindahl, D.O.; Diana E. Velikova, M.D.; and Family Practice specialist, Rebecca Hendryx, M.D.

Write them down.

The type of medications you take (this includes all over-the-counter ones, too) and the dosages are important to your medical team at Mason General Hospital. Please remember to bring a list of these medications and dosages whenever you come to the hospital for care.

We do not have access to your records at the local pharmacies or your doctor’s office. Because of this, it is very important to have these medications written on a card placed in your wallet.

Please remember to update the card every time your medications change.

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SCOPE Need a Support Group?

www.masongeneral.com/support_groups.htm

Having a baby?

Want to have it close to home?

Go to www.masongeneral. com/birth.htm to read all about Mason General Hospital’s birthing plans and its physicians.

Moms & Dads…

Five Antibiotic Do’s & Don’ts 1. Antibiotics do not cure – ◗ A cold or the flu ◗ Most coughs and sore throats ◗ The green or yellow mucus from the nose 2. Antibiotics help some, but not most earaches children get. And, antibiotics don’t necessarily take away the pain for an earache 3. When the doctor orders an antibiotic for your children, they need to take it all, even when they start to feel better. And remember, families should not share antibiotics.

4. Antibiotics are strong medicines and can harm children if they are given without an order from their doctor. If your children take antibiotics when they don’t need them, the antibiotic may not work when they do need them in the future.

5. Call your doctor if: ◗ You aren’t sure what is making your child sick ◗ You have questions about how to help your child feel better [Source: AWARE – Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education]

Support Groups available at MGH: • AARP Driver Safety (55 Alive) • Childbirth Classes • Compassionate Friends • Depressed Anonymous • Diabetes Support Group • FIE (Fiercely Independent Elders) • Lap-Band • Narcotics Anonymous • Tai Chi • Alcoholics Anonymous • Alzheimer’s Support Group • Assured Home Health & Hospice Grief Support Groups • Bereavement Support Group • Bereavement Support (ProvidenceSoundHomeCare) • Domestic Violence Support Group • MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers.

In 2006, MGH had how many patient visits in the Emergency Department? a. 10,000 b. 15,000 c. 22,000 See page 6 for the answer.

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SCOPE Foundation Seeking Nominations for County’s American Business Women Award MGH Foundation is seeking nominations for individuals to be honored at its 10th annual American Business Women’s Day Luncheon, to be held Friday, September 14, 2007, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at MGH. Tickets are $25 per person.

Every year MGH’s Foundation honors three outstanding businesswomen who are or were successful in their occupations, work or have worked in Mason County, and are active and volunteer in their community.

Past honorees include: 1998 – Miriam Hall, Janet Thornbrue and Patti Tupper;

1999 – Nita Bariekman, Jean Lee and Norma Taylor; 2000 – Kay Gott, Colleen Hunter and Doris Wilson, M.D.; 2001 – Beth Johnston, Betty Wolfe and Mary Helen Anderson; 2002 – Carol Hunter, Rose Nye and Cherrie Reitsch; 2003 – Janis Byrd, Carolyn Olsen and Gayle Weston; 2004 – Patti Case, Betty Wing and Catherine Ann Wolf; 2005 – Angela Wake Olsen, Michelle Schnitzer and Renee Youngs; and 2006 – Xinh Dwelley, Irene Locke and Virginia J. McCarty.

Entry forms are available at MGH’s development office at Gateway Center, 2505

Olympic Highway North, Suite 460, Shelton, or online at www.masongeneral.com .

Nominations are due Friday, June 29, 2007.

For more information call (360) 427-3623 (from Belfair (360) 275-8614).

Correct answer is C: 22,000 patients, which is nearly double from 1994 totals.

From page 5.

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SCOPE News Briefs …Congratulations to MGH “Employees of the Month”: March Tabatha Fair, sonographer, diagnostic imaging; and April - Susan Rocchi, R.N., medical/surgical/pediatrics unit. …Treasures Thrift Store recognized “Volunteers of the Month” for January - Gail Johnston; and February - Teresa Chamberlain and Morgan Jennings. Congratulations! …The Karen Hilburn Breast and Cervical Cancer Fund is continually seeking to help women with medical expenses for the diagnosis and treatment of breast or cervical cancer at MGH. Local women who may be eligible to receive the assistance should call Women’s Health at MGH at (360) 427-3648 (from Belfair (360) 275-8614, and ask for Women’s Health in Diagnostic Imaging). …The Hospice program of Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice is offering a hospice volunteer training program for community members. Volunteers will have an opportunity to enhance a terminally ill patient’s quality of life, while enriching their own. Volunteers are a part of a hospice team that helps patients at the end of their life maintain their independence and quality of life. Volunteers may provide support to families/caregivers and those who are dying by: offering respite for a caregiver, providing companionship, giving support for a patient who is alone, running errands, being a loving presence, being a compassionate listener, reading to a patient, sharing artistic skills, etc. Opportunities for

EMPLOYEE FOCUS Debi Justice, CNA, Unit Secretary Debi Justice began working at MGH seven years ago in housekeeping and then attended South Puget Sound Community College to receive her Certified Nursing Assistant degree. Since then, she has worked in MGH’s medical/surgical/pediatric unit. “I love it here,” she said. “The people are kind and caring. We are a huge family.” She went on to say she loves her job as a unit secretary and a CNA, as she can “make a difference in someone’s life.

“MGH also has wonderful educational opportunities which make working here so nice. These classes have helped me to realize many of my life goals,” she added. Because of these classes, Debi was able to become a Basic Life Support instructor at MGH, and, as a result, now helps teach CPR classes.

Do a Physician Search at

www.masongeneral.com

assisting in the office and with special events are also available.

The training will take place over the course of three days and two evenings: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, April 27 Wednesday, May 2 Friday, May 4 Wednesday, May 9 Friday, May 11 All sessions will be held at the Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice office in Olympia.

Residents of Mason County are welcome to attend the training.

They will be placed as volunteers in the county they live in after finishing the training in Thurston County.

A year’s commitment to the program is asked. Registration is necessary. To receive an application and to register for the training, call (360) 493-4689 or 1-800-869-7062. …MGH’s Physical Therapy is open Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

On weekends and holidays there are some outpatient appointments available. For an appointment or self-referral call (360) 426-1611 (from Belfair (360) 275-8614, and ask for Physical Therapy). …Cheryl Ann Graf ARNP, MSN, MBA, director of emergency services at MGH, recently received an honorable mention for the Anna May Erickson Award. Erickson was the founder of the Washington Emergency Nurses Association, and was an incredible ER nurse who knew the value of ER nurses banding together to share knowledge and help each other to be Cheryl Ann Graf ARNP, the very best a nurse could be. This award is MSN, MBA given annually to recognize excellence in ER nursing in Washington State. Congratulations, Cheryl. …Board-certified Pediatrician, Robert Sewell, M.D., was recently included in the 2007 edition of “Guide to America’s Top Pediatricians,” published by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. The selection process is based on a point value system that awards points for education, years in practice and affiliations with professional associations. No fees, sponsorships, donations or advertising were accepted Robert Sewell, M.D. from physicians, medical treatment facilities or hospitals, to ensure an unbiased selection.

Dr. Sewell is on staff at MGH and works at Oakland Bay Pediatrics. His specialty is behavioral and forensic pediatrics, and he is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA.

“If you have any concerns about patient care

and safety in the hospital that the hospital has not addressed, we encourage you to contact the hospital’s management.”

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SCOPE “Living Well with Diabetes” Class To register for the next available class on June 26, 27 and 28, call Sue Barwick, R.N., C.D.E. at (360) 426-1611, ext. 3301 (from Belfair (360) 275-8614, ext. 3301).

Need Help with Hospital Bills?

In keeping with our mission statement “…to protect and promote the health of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion…” Mason General Hospital wants to help make healthcare affordable. If you need financial assistance with hospital expenses, please call for more information on: ◗ 25% Discount ◗ Property Tax Adjustment ◗ Uncompensated Care Call MGH Business Office (360) 427-9547 (from Belfair (360) 275-8614) or visit at Gateway Center, 2505 Olympic Highway N., suite 460 (near McDonald’s) in Shelton. Open 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. (Spanish translator available).

Information is also available at www.masongeneral.com/BillingQuestions.htm. Download our Payment Options brochure at www.masongeneral.com/PaymentOptions.pdf.

Our Mission: We take every possible action to protect and promote the health of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion as we serve each individual.

Published by: Public Hospital District No. 1 for Mason General Hospital, Oakland Bay Pediatrics, North Mason Medical Clinic and Mason County Eye Clinic.

Business Office: Office hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Spanish Translator Available. Located at Gateway Center, 2505 Olympic Hwy N., Suite 460, (360) 427-9547 Mason General Hospital: Visiting hours: 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., daily. Located at: 901 Mt. View Drive, Building 1, PO Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584-5001, (360) 426-1611, from Belfair (360) 275-8614. Serving the medical needs of the entire county since 1968. Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

TTY/TTD: (360) 427-9593. Translation Services Provided. Se habla español. Equal Opportunity Provider.

Oakland Bay Pediatrics: 247 Professional Way, Shelton, WA 98584, (360) 426-3102 North Mason Medical Clinic: 140 N.E. S.R. 300, Belfair, WA 98528, (360) 275-4084, from Shelton (360) 426-8405 Mason County Eye Clinic: 2300 Kati Court, Suite C, Shelton, WA 98584, (360) 426-8717 Administration: Bob Appel, chief executive officer; Eric Moll, chief financial officer; Diane Stillman, chief operating officer; Bonnie J. Davis, M.D., chief of staff; Nancy Trucksess, commissioner/president; Scott Hilburn and Don Wilson, commissioners.

Scope: Published six times per year. Editor: McCarty & Associates, Inc. “a marketing firm”

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