Oxford Health & Life: Summer 2021

OXFORD T H E G O O D L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E F R O M M c C U L L O U G H - H Y D E | T R I H E A LT H

SUMMER 2021

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GOOD FOR THE SOLES NURSING EXCELLENCE PAIN YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE

SAFER SUMMER

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Tyler Wash, Executive Director, McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Foundation

CONNECTING HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY THE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION’S NEW LEADER BRINGS ENERGY, ENTHUSIASM AND EXPERIENCE TO THE ROLE. 2

TYLER WASH, the new leader of the McCulloughHyde Memorial Hospital Foundation, has his work cut out for him. He’s charged with raising the hospital’s profile—at a time when many people are keeping their distance and staying home.

This doesn’t faze Wash, who in March became the foundation’s first executive director. He brings 10-plus years of fundraising experience, including eight years as an executive director for national collegiate fraternal organizations.

“Tyler brings many excellent qualities,” says Mary Bennett, the foundation’s Chief Development Officer.

“He has vision, experience and a proven record as a team leader. He has connected quickly with our mission and will help to expand our footprint in the community.”

For Wash and Bennett, an expanded “footprint” means being visible at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital | TriHealth (MHMH) and throughout Oxford.

It means connecting not just with current and potential donors, but also with people throughout the community to find out what they want and need from a hospital.

“The overarching goal is to get out there and explain what the foundation is, what our goals are, what resources we have and what we’re trying to accomplish,” he says.

Through his 13 years in Oxford, Wash has come to know both the town and the hospital. His relationship with MHMH started two years ago, when his son Wyatt was born there. Wash and his wife, Kellsey, were touched by the staff’s professionalism and kindness before, during and after Wyatt’s birth.

“It was the most special day we ever experienced, and it happened right here at the hospital,” Wash says. “That cemented our commitment to this town and this community.”

So, when Wash learned the MHMH Foundation needed an executive director, he applied immediately.

In his first weeks with the foundation, through his dealings with colleagues and the doctors, staff and volunteers who keep MHMH running, Wash has grown more committed to telling the hospital’s story—even at times when face-to-face contact is not possible.

“Relationships can still be started and nurtured,” Wash says. “It’s just done in a different way, whether it’s over the computer, standing 6 feet apart from someone with a mask on or having lunch outside in a socially distant setting.”

Wash’s positive outlook, extensive experience and commitment to both the hospital and the community make him a great choice to lead the Mary Bennett foundation team.

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GOOD FOR

THE SOLES HOW A MIAMI UNIVERSITY STUDENT HELPED BRING COMFORT TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS SPENDING 12 HOURS ON THEIR FEET. SINCE THE START of the pandemic, frontline healthcare workers have been honored in a number of ways— from local residents applauding them nightly and thank-you signs to grateful restaurant workers providing meals.

But an enterprising Miami University student, Christian Carr, age 20, found a unique way of expressing his thanks—by donating new, comfortable shoes to nurses and other healthcare workers at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital | TriHealth (MHMH).

Carr is part of a community of young people who earn income reselling clothing and shoes on the aftermarket. Carr explains: “For example, if Nike were releasing a

limited shoe, I might go in and buy as many as I can. Then, when the shoes are sold out, I resell them on sites such as eBay.” One night while driving, Carr realized he could use this enterprise to assist people in need. He decided to convert his business into a nonprofit charity, Chef Santa, and reached out to the community, requesting other companies to join him.

After raising more than $100,000 and donating to a number of worthy causes, he decided to focus on his local hospital.

“Oxford has been a home away from home for me,” he says. “And I know that smaller towns don’t always receive

Christian Carr presents intensive care unit nurse Susan Denlinger, RN, with the gift of new shoes.

much government help.

I thought a great way to give back would be to provide shoes to nurses who’ve been impacted by COVID-19.”

Chief Patient Services Officer Pamela Collins of MHMH is especially grateful for Carr’s donation.

“This gift will be so meaningful to our care providers, who have been through such a difficult year—on their feet, often for 12-hour shifts,” she says.

The shoes will be earmarked for frontline nurses most involved in pandemic emergency care—those working in emergency, inpatient and intensive care as well as respiratory therapists.

“While the rest of the world has been told to lay low and stay home, these dedicated health professionals have continued to come in daily,” Collins says. “This gift of new shoes won’t just fill the emotional cups of our caregivers, it will be so restorative to their physical well-being.”

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PAIN

YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE THOUGH ACHES AND PAINS OFTEN RESOLVE THEMSELVES, HERE ARE FIVE TYPES OF PAIN TO HAVE CHECKED BY A PHYSICIAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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WHEN YOU FEEL a sudden pain, how do you know when to wait it out and when to seek immediate medical attention? A rule of thumb is that if the pain is bad enough to make you think about going to the hospital, you should go. If you have pain and you’re not sure what’s going on, the experts at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital | TriHealth’s Emergency Department (ED) can evaluate it. Doctors would rather see someone and send them home after determining their problem is indigestion than have them sit at home suffering a heart attack or other serious problem.

The most common signs of pain that could signal a serious health problem include those listed below.

ABDOMINAL PAIN: Common causes

CHEST PAIN: Heart attack pain can feel like pressure in the center of your chest, which may spread to the jaw, neck and arm.

Other possible heart attack signs include pain that gets worse when you exert yourself, shortness of breath, nausea and sweatiness. At the hospital, a person with chest pain will get an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check for problems with the electrical activity of the heart.

HEADACHE: While most headaches are not a sign of a severe medical problem, there’s one exception: pain that comes on suddenly, particularly after exertion, and feels like the worst headache of your life. This could be a sign of an aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain. At the hospital, a person with a sudden, severe headache may have a CT scan or MRI.

LEG PAIN: If you have leg pain along with swelling of the leg, it could be a sign of a blood clot. The pain caused by a blood clot feels like throbbing or aching. A blood clot is diagnosed with an ultrasound. Blood clots should be identified and treated as quickly as possible because an untreated clot could get larger, break off and go to the lungs, where it can cause a life-threatening problem.

of abdominal pain include appendicitis, gallstones (hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder), pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas) and diverticulitis (when pouches in the wall of the colon get inflamed or infected). Appendicitis is associated with pain in the right lower section of the abdomen and is often accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting.

Anyone with these symptoms should go directly to the ED. Gallstones cause pain in the right upper section of the abdomen, often after eating a fatty meal. The pain can be severe and is often associated with nausea.

BACK PAIN: While most cases of back pain are caused by muscle strain, some types of back pain are a sign of a more serious problem. Back pain associated with weakness and numbness in the arms and legs or accompanied by fever should be evaluated immediately. This type of back pain could be a sign of a spinal cord infection, which should be treated right away to reduce the risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord. Severe upper back pain, whether or not it’s accompanied by chest pain, could be a sign of a heart attack or aneurysm.

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NURSING EXCELLENCE IN ACTION

NURSES AT McCULLOUGH-HYDE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | TRIHEALTH ARE STRIVING FOR MAGNET RECOGNITION, THE NATION’S GOLD STANDARD FOR NURSING EXCELLENCE.

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A TEAM OF NURSES at McCulloughHyde Memorial Hospital | TriHealth (MHMH) are working diligently to gain elite status through the Magnet Recognition Program of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. “Magnet is considered the highest recognition for nursing excellence,” says Amy Keller, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Professional Excellence Specialist, TriHealth Nursing Administration. “It’s a very prestigious designation that only about 7 percent of hospitals in the United States have earned.”

Keller, along with MHMH Professional Excellence Champions, a group that includes Jackie Woodruff, BSN, RN, CAPA, have been leading

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“The nursing care and culture at McCullough-Hyde has always been outstanding,” says Woodruff, a staff nurse in same-day surgery and postanesthesia care who has been at MHMH since 2009. “Achieving Magnet will validate our nursing expertise and honor the great care we provide patients every day.”

MHMH is part of the TriHealth System, which earned Magnet status for the first time in 2012 and was redesignated in 2017. TriHealth is one of only two healthcare systems in Ohio— and one of 27 in the nation—to achieve system-level designation. As a hospital within the TriHealth Bethesda North Region, MHMH is able to join TriHealth as it works toward its third designation by applying for a first ANCC Magnet designation.

A RIGOROUS PROCESS

the charge—convening meetings, educating nursing colleagues, implementing ideas and methodically preparing the MHMH submission for Magnet status.

Designation as a Magnet facility signifies that a hospital has superior nursing outcomes including lower mortality rates and fewer patient falls, as well as higher patient satisfaction, higher nurse job satisfaction Amy Keller, MSN, RN, and lower NPD-BC nurse turnover.

To achieve designation, which is valid for four years, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that requires widespread participation from staff nurses and nursing leadership. This process includes an electronic application, written documentation, an on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Since 2019, Woodruff has met monthly with a professional excellence committee comprised of staff nurses from six departments and nurse leaders. This group of Professional Excellence Champions learns about the Magnet Recognition Program and the 2019 Magnet Application Manual— which has 84 different requirements that must be met and supported with data—and relays the information back to nursing colleagues in preparation for the Magnet site visit.

“When the pandemic hit, the Nursing Department was all hands on deck to get the virus under control,” says Woodruff. “My unit closed for all but emergency surgeries. Nurses crosstrained to assess and treat COVID-19.”

Keller, who was responsible for drafting the lengthy Magnet documentation, also found herself pivoting. “As part of the Nursing Administration team, I was

involved in pandemic surge planning, helping to determine nursing teamto-patient ratios and assisting with scheduling.”

Magnet meetings came to a halt until June when they moved to a virtual platform. “This had an unexpected, positive effect as more nurses were able to participate and let their voices be heard,” says Woodruff. Keller noted that “quality patient care and innovations that are required for Magnet status remained present and even increased during the pandemic.”

MAGNET CULTURE The goal of attaining Magnet status has enriched the Nursing Department.

“Magnet is more than a designation; it’s a culture,” says Woodruff. “By empowering and engaging nurses and equipping them to do a good job, the end result is better patient care and outcomes.”

Examples of evidence-based nursing improvements reflected in MHMH’s Magnet application include an increase in breastfeeding mothers on the Obstetrics Unit and reduced catheterassociated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates hospital-wide. Both accomplishments were due to intensive training of staff nurses.

Other improvements include the introduction of peer interviews for prospective hires which helped reduce turnover,” says Keller. When nurses expressed concern about workplace safety, 24-hour security was put in place. “It’s rewarding for our nurses to be involved in decision-making that impacts the entire hospital,” says Woodruff.

The deadline for submitting Magnet documentation is August 1, 2021.

“Appraisers and the Lead Specialist will review the document for three months and give us feedback. A site visit will likely be scheduled for early 2022,” says Keller.

Meanwhile, nurses throughout MHMH are getting ready. “We keep moving ahead, striving to be better as a Nursing Department,” Woodruff affirms.

“Achieving Magnet designation will magnify what we already do so well.”

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When Nature Calls

TOO OFTEN NO MAN SHOULD ACCEPT URINARY PROBLEMS AS A FACT OF LIFE.

ROUTINE BODILY FUNCTIONS shouldn’t require a second thought. But for many men 50 and older, the simple act of urination becomes troublesome. They may have difficulty emptying the bladder or find that they need to go so frequently that it’s a nuisance.

Often, the culprit is an enlarged prostate, known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition affects roughly half of all males in their 50s, and 90 percent of those 80 and older. Fortunately, there are a number of effective treatments.

The prostate is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The prostate’s main function is to produce semen, but if it becomes enlarged, it can squeeze down on the urethra, causing urination difficulties.

BPH runs in families, but simple aging is the primary risk factor. The vast majority of men with this condition have mild

symptoms and live very well without any treatment. Men can also reduce symptoms by making lifestyle changes (see sidebar, next page).

Still, it’s important for men experiencing these symptoms to talk with their doctors because there are other conditions that may need more immediate treatment. Another reason: BPH can lead to complications, so it should be monitored.

Often, BPH can be treated with medications that shrink the prostate. In some cases, minimally invasive or surgical therapy to remove overgrown prostate tissue may be recommended.

The most appropriate treatment depends on several factors, such as the size of the prostate, the patient’s age, overall health and how difficult the symptoms are to live with.

Men who experience symptoms of BPH don’t need to suffer in silence. Doctors have several treatment options that can help make going to the men’s room an occasional necessity, not a life-limiting concern.

SYMPTOMS OF BPH • The need to empty the bladder frequently, sometimes as often as every hour or two, possibly including nighttime • The sensation that the bladder is not empty, even after urination • The inability to postpone urination once the urge to urinate arises • A weak urinary stream, dribbling of urine or the need to stop and start urinating several times • Trouble starting to urinate—a man may need to push or strain in order to start the flow • An inability to urinate at all (an extreme case that would require emergency medical attention)

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SUPPORT PROSTATE HEALTH WITH THESE LIFESTYLE CHANGES • Choose a healthy diet • Exercise regularly • Maintain a healthy weight • Avoid decongestants and antihistamines • Limit caffeine and alcohol

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SAFER SUMMER WORKOUTS THESE SIMPLE STEPS WILL HELP YOU STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY WHILE EXERCISING OUTDOORS.

WITH THE WEATHER warming up and the days getting longer, it’s a great time to bring your workout outside.

“Sunshine helps your body produce vitamin D, which maintains healthy bones and protects against disease, and spending time in nature can help reduce stress,” says Kylene Spalding, Director of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Services at McCulloughHyde Memorial Hospital | TriHealth.

Still, outdoor exercisers can encounter problems—everything from sunburn to slips and falls. To minimize the risks, take these simple steps:

CHOOSE A SAFE WORKOUT. “If you have ankle, knee, hip or spine arthritis, even walking can be hard on the joints,” says Spalding. “You’re better off with a no-impact workout, like bike riding or swimming.” To strengthen arthritic knees, try squats or lunges. Spalding also suggests sitting and rising from a chair without using your hands. “Start with about 10 repetitions,” she says.

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FIND THE RIGHT LOCATION. For many people, a sidewalk or boardwalk is ideal because the surface is usually level, but if you have any pain in your knees, the track at your local high school might be a better option. No matter where you exercise, always be alert for upcoming changes in terrain that might affect your footing, like a variation in sidewalk height due to a driveway.

SLATHER ON SUNSCREEN. You’re at risk for sunburn, even on cloudy days. Opt for a waterresistant, broad spectrum product—one that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays—with an SPF of 30 or higher.

WATCH THE WEATHER. On chilly mornings, wear a moisture-wicking layer first,” advises Spalding. “Otherwise, when you sweat, you’ll get cold.” As summer heats up, avoid vigorous exercise at the hottest time of day and pay attention to the

heat index—it provides a more accurate gauge as to whether it’s safe to exercise.

If you’ll be walking, biking or running in full sun, add another 15 degrees to the heat index. If it’s above 80 degrees, consider exercising indoors instead to avoid the risk of heat sickness.

MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE. Wear reflective gear if you’re planning to exercise at dusk or in the evening. Bring a flashlight or choose an area that’s well lit.

WARM UP TO AVOID INJURIES. “If you plan to exercise vigorously, try marching, walking or jogging for about 10 minutes beforehand,” says Spalding.

ADJUST YOUR EARBUDS. Listening to music or a podcast? Keep the volume low so that you’re tuned into your surroundings and your hearing is protected.

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{ POWER FOOD }

A BETTER NUT BUTTER? THE PEANUT PRODUCT IS A CLASSIC, BUT USE OF THE HEALTHY ALMOND ALTERNATIVE IS SPREADING. OK, WE’LL STIPULATE that the “P” in PB&J may never be supplanted by an “A.” But almond butter—a paste made from grinding the ubiquitous, good-for-you almond—is coming on strong in many households, even though it’s a tad costlier. And in any nut-on-nut nutritional matchup, almond butter beats PB handily, smooth or chunky.

Almonds and their spawn—the oil, the milk, the flavored, the slivered, the chopped—may seem to be a current food fad. But this nut has been in the game for a long, long time. According to Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health, the almond— scientific name Prunus dulcis—is a tree nut native to the Mediterranean region that was first cultivated as early as 3000 B.C.E. The Bible mentions almonds in several places—once, nuttily enough, as “among the best of fruits.”

The almond is a nutritional powerhouse, a quality that doesn’t vanish when it’s made into a tasty spread. And the cognoscenti have caught on. When 48-year-old actress and mother of three Jennifer Garner shared on Instagram the breakfast she favored as she prepared for days filming the 2018 action thriller “Peppermint,” it wasn’t peppermints. It was a recipe she got from holistic nutritionist Kelly LeVeque, and its key ingredients were collagen protein powder, flaxseed, chia seeds—and almond butter.

POWER UP Nut butters are known to contain a healthy amount of good fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and almond leads the nut-butter pack. According to an article in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, almond butter has significantly more fiber, calcium and potassium than peanut butter. What does this mean for you?

For one thing, its high levels of fiber will help you feel full faster, which can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Peanut butter and almond butter pack similar punches when it comes to calories, both coming in at about 100 per

tablespoon. They’re calorie-dense, so munch them strategically, not mindlessly. But the magnesium in almonds can help lower blood-pressure levels, decreasing your risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. And studies have found levels of highdensity lipoprotein, the “good” cholesterol that reduces the risk of heart disease, slightly increased with almond butter even when compared with those of raw or roasted almonds.

In vitamins, score more victories for almond butter. It contains nearly three times as much skin-benefiting vitamin E as peanut butter, twice as much iron and seven times more calcium. Almond butter is also great for a pre-workout snack, providing 6.7 grams of protein, which is more than one large egg.

BUY/SERVE/STORE When it comes to buying nut butters in general, it is best to avoid unnecessary added ingredients. The best and healthiest spread option is to aim for one that contains just two ingredients: the nuts and salt. Hidden in many commercial almond-butter spreads are high levels of sugar, disguising itself as corn syrup or molasses.

Palm oil and other oils containing high levels of saturated fat are also often included in nut butters, so be sure to read labels to find the most natural option.

Like peanut butter, almond butter has a long shelf life and does not need to be placed in the refrigerator until opened. Once opened, almond butter typically lasts a few months before going bad, leaving you lots of time to enjoy its rich flavor. Expiration dates may vary, however, depending on the quantities of salt and preservatives used in the mixture.

One of the beauties of almond butter is its versatility. From adding a spoonful into a morning smoothie to baking sweet treats such as almond-butter brownies, this spread is easy to integrate into your diet. Clearly it’s causing a stir—and not just because, if contents have separated, you may need to stir it.

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Do it for all of us.

To check when it’s your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine based on Governor DeWine’s plan, or for more information, visit vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

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