Health Matters June

HEALTH MATTERS The East County Observer • June 2010

COVER STORY:

Learn how to protect your skin from Florida’s intense summer sunshine / 4

SmoothShapes provides new cellulite treatment / 6 Ranch pharmacist discusses name-brand vs. generics / 7 ISTOCK PHOTO

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JUNE 2010

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health news

Lakewood Ranch hospital earns new accreditations

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s chest pain and heart failure accreditations are the results of the hospital staff’s commitment to patient care.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Since its standardized process like a checklist, so inception, Lakewood Ranch Medical that nothing gets missed.

Center has strived to put processes into “The more you do something the better place to provide the best care you get and it becomes the culpossible to its patients. ture,” she says.

Most recently, a team of After purchasing manuals Lakewood Ranch Medical and working to put the proper Center RNs, physicians, educastandards into place, the hospitors and administrators spent tal applied for its accreditation. eight months working together About two months later, a repto meet the stringent accreditaresentative from the Society for tion criteria established by the Chest Pain Centers conducted Society for Chest Pain Centers. an all-day survey, which included In March, the team was on-site reviews and evaluations Lane Harrington rewarded for its hard work of EMS personnel, nurses, when Lakewood Ranch was physicians and cardiologists, awarded its chest pain and heart failure among others. accreditations, which are good for three “The hospital makes sure processes are years. in place, and then the Society for Chest “These accreditations mean we have Pain Centers comes in, makes sure they excellent patient safety processes in are valid and grants you accreditation,” place by providing the highest qualHarrington says. ity care,” Chief Nursing Officer Lane With the chest pain accreditation, the Harrington says. “It means we have a hospital must follow a specific group

File photo

Lakewood Ranch achieved both accreditations earlier this year. of standards for every patient to ensure consistency. However, although the hospital follows the same procedure, it also recognizes that every patient is a different. Because of this, the hospital follows the standards that have been established while also tailoring them to each individual’s symptoms and body weight to ensure it is providing the best possible care.

The heart failure accreditation is unique because it just started earlier this year.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center one of only two hospitals in the state to receive the accreditation at the time it was obtained.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center started the heart failure accreditation process a couple months after starting its chest pain accreditation process and received accreditation for both on the same day.

“The heart failure accreditation is important because we need to make sure patients know about the disease,” Harrington says. “(We’re) trying to have the patients become more involved and accountable for their own care.”

For more information, visit the hospital’s website at www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com.

— Jen Blanco

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Health Matters

FIRst on tHE WEst CoAst

oF FLoRIdA to RECEIvE

HEARt FAILuRE ACCREdItAtIon

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center has received full Cycle I Heart Failure Accreditation and full Cycle III Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC).

These highly regarded three-year accreditations mean that Lakewood Ranch has demonstrated its expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria, and completing on-site evaluations from the SCPC.

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JUNE 2010

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SKIN CANCER

Skin cancers are the most common types of cancers.

Melanomas, the worst but rarest of the skin cancers, can arise from an existing mole or out-of-the-blue.

The ABCs to look for are: Asymmetry, Border and Color.

Moles also should be smaller in diameter Dr. Emily Arsenault, than a pen- Dermatology at cil eraser. Lakewood Ranch Other skin cancers may be mistaken for scabs or similar injuries, Finkelstein says. If you have a scratch or bite that doesn’t heal for several weeks or a scab that heals but keeps coming back or is scaly and slowly getting bigger, it could be a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma.

“People should be aware of their skin and look every month for spots or bumps that itch, bleed or change in color,” Arsenault says.

cover story

Skin Deep MANATEE COUNTY — As a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, Elana Weinsberg makes sure to spread on a thick layer of sunscreen before she even considers stepping to the edge of a pool.

Her fair skin burns quickly, especially in Florida’s intense summer sunlight.

“I’m out here all day from 10 in the morning to 8:30 at night,” Weinsberg says. “I have so much sunscreen. Every time I hop out, I have to put more on.”

Weinsberg knows well the effect the sun can have on her skin. Having seen friends suffer severe sunburns and even sun poisoning, she takes extra precautions such as wearing clothing with built-in SPF during the more intense times of the day. She also makes sure to get annual checkups with her dermatologist.

“I came down here (to

Pam Eubanks

Lakewood Ranch YMCA lifeguard and swim instructor Elana Weinsberg takes extra skin precautions while performing her job.

Florida), and every year I’ve had to have moles removed,” Weinsberg says. “Thank God they’ve all been benign. I still don’t like it.”

Weinsberg’s battle is in no way uncommon. East County

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dermatologists say skin care is especially important in Florida, where residents are exposed to ultraviolet light for longer periods each day and more throughout the year.

“When it comes to skin care,

especially in Florida, sun protection is on most people’s minds,” says Dr. Robert Finkelstein of the Center for Skin Wellness. “The sun (here) is so intense, and it’s intense for a longer period of time during the day and during the year, but especially during the summertime. The bottom line is everything in moderation.”

Although many people believe getting that first summer sunburn or even going to the tanning salon may help prevent burns and subsequent skin damage, Finkelstein says otherwise. Simply put, any tanning, no matter how you get it, is a sign of skin damage.

“When the skin burns or tans, it’s a reflection of the body trying to protect itself from ultraviolet light,” he says. “It’s actually ultraviolet light that breaks (your) DNA. It’s those breaks that can cause problems down the line in the form of skin cancer and wrinkles. When the skin

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According to dermatologists, the answer is “no.” Although moisturizers give comfort to dry skin, they don’t generally provide any type of long-term results or any anti-aging benefits.

“There are some (lotions) that contain stuff that may help, but just plain moisturizers don’t give you any long-term effects,” Finkelstein says. “There are no real health benefits using it, unless of course, they have real severe forms of dryness.”

If you do choose to moisturize with lotions, Finkelstein recommends using products with fewest number of ingredients to help prevent possible allergic or other reactions. burns, or even when it tans, it is showing us that it is getting damaged.”

Ultimately, the damage of your skin’s DNA is what causes your cells to mutate and become cancerous, Finkelstein says.

Dermatologist Dr. Emily Arsenault, of Dermatology at Lakewood Ranch, agreed, adding that protecting your skin

“

from ultraviolet light is the simplest and most effective way to prevent skin cancer.

If you venture outside into the sunlight, make sure to cover up with a sunscreen or sun block with an SPF of at least 30, Arsenault says. Individuals also should make sure to reapply frequently, particularly if they are swimming.

“You have to be really aware

“

Does moisturizing affect aging?

of what the limitations are with the sunscreen,” she says.

Arsenault says it takes about 24 hours for the sunburn to become fully evident, so you should move into the shade as soon as you notice your skin becoming pink. At that point, you’re skin is already burned and only will get worse.

You should even use sunscreen on cloudy days, she says. And if you are taking any medication, you check how your medicine interacts with sunlight, as many pharmaceuticals make your body more sensitive to sunlight.

Dermatologists also recommend getting checked for skin cancers and other problems at least once a year.

“Prevention is key,” Finkelstein says. “Most people should at least get annual checks at the age of 30, depending on your family history and how much sun exposure you have. Even if you don’t think you have anything, it’s important to get checked from head to toe.”

— Pam Eubanks

Dr. Robert Finkelstein, Center for Skin Wellness: ‘In general, when the skin burns or tans, it’s a reflection of the body trying to protect itself from ultraviolet light. It’s actually ultraviolet light that breaks (your) DNA.’

Health Matters

5

CHOOSING SUNSCREEN

When looking at sunscreens, you should first look for a lotion that blocks both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays.

There has been some controversy that some ingredients in sunscreens can cause cancer, however Finkelstein and Arsenault both say those are unsubstantiated currently. If you are concerned, look for sun blocks that contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which Finkelstein recommends regardless.

Dermatologists also recommend applying sunscreen at about 20 or 30 minutes before heading out into the sunlight or water and reapplying regularly, at least every two hours.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30.

SUNSCREEN MYTH

The difference in protection against ultraviolet light between an SPF of 30 and an SPF of 50 is miniscule, about 1%.

Dermatologists generally recommend using an SPF of 30, which protects you from about 97% of the sun’s harmful rays.

SPF 2 only protects you from about 50% of ultraviolet light, while an SPF of 15 protects you against about 93% of ultraviolet light.

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Sayonara, Cellulite

Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery recently acquired SmoothShapes, a new cellulite treatment, and now has the most powerful FDA-approved laser of this type in Florida.

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LAKEWOOD RANCH — Tina Lipe has always been an avid runner.

But after gradually cutting back on her training, the Sarasota resident began to notice some loose skin and cellulite forming around her knees and anterior thighs.

Unhappy with the way her thighs were beginning to take shape, Lipe, a registered nurse at Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery & Skincare, turned to SmoothShapes, a new and non-invasive cellulite treatment.

“I decided to see if this new technique would be able to help,” Lipe says. “I didn’t know what to expect because there’s never been anything like it before, so I was just kind of open about it.”

Lipe finished her final SmoothShapes treatment two weeks ago and couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

“There’s a definite visual change for the better,” she says. “The cellulite is way smoother, and my skin is tighter, so it was definitely a positive change.”

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about a month ago. The medical office now has the highest-powered FDAapproved laser, roughly 50% more powerful than previous models, of this type in Florida. Since acquiring SmoothShapes, Dr. Joshua Kreithen has been pleased with the results.

“I’ve been a physician for almost 15 years, and this is the first technique that I’ve seen that works for the cellulite condition,” Kreithen says.

SmoothShapes works through a combination of deep-tissue massage and laser and light energy, which helps melt fat and smooth skin. The process consists of eight treatments — one treatment twice a week for four weeks with each treatment lasting about 30 minutes.

“There’s no pain or down time,” Kreithen says.

Kreithen will be conducting a free SmoothShapes seminar and open house at 6 p.m., June 28-29, at his office, 6310 Health Parkway, Suite 110 in Lakewood Ranch. For more, call 907-8174.

— Jen Blanco

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ask the pharmacist

The Name Game Linda Kokowicz, assistant director of the pharmacy at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, discusses name brand versus generic prescription medicines.

The Federal Food and Drug the pharmacy at Lakewood Ranch Medical Administration defines a generic drug as Center, offers insight on the issue.

identical or bioequivalent to a What is the difference between name-brand drug, meaning it generic and name-brand prescripis equal in dosage form, safety, tion drugs? strength, route of administraChemically, they are the same. tion, quality, performance charIt would be the same as using acteristics and use to its brandPublix brand aluminum foil comname counterpart. pared to Reynolds Wrap. They Pharmaceutical companies both cover the food. that research and develop

drugs are given patents for their What are the benefits to using products to help protect their Linda Kokowicz a generic? investment. But, once that patSometimes, it has to do with ent expires, other companies insurance. Companies sometimes can begin to produce it after applying for will pay for a generic, and they won’t pay an Abbreviated New Drug Application to for a brand name. Most pharmacies will market it as a generic product. automatically dispense a generic unless a The FDA website states that seven in doctor specifies it is medically necessary.

10 prescriptions filled in the United States

are for generic drugs. Additionally, the Why are brand names so much more Congressional Budget Office estimates the expensive? use of generic drugs save consumers an It’s (the cost of ) marketing and research (for the brand name). Once their estimated $8 to $10 million at retail pharpatent expires, other companies pick it up macies annually. (and can produce it for a lot less money).

Linda Kokowicz, assistant director of

Pam Eubanks

Generic drugs are the bioequivalent to the name-brand drug.

The FDA requires that generic drugs have the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts but not the same inactive ingredients. Does that matter?

No. Usually the non-active ingredients are the binders that hold a tablet together or the liquid they add to change the flavor.

Sometimes they add alcohol to make it more soluble or sugars to make it more palatable. Usually, it’s just stuff to make the (pill) hold together.

Are their complications that can arise from taking generics versus brand names?

What are they?

(Patients) need to make sure they aren’t taking duplicate medications — generic and the brand name. Suppose a patient is on a brand name, Lasix, from one doctor and he has another doctor who orders the generic, Furosemide. If the patient didn’t

Health Matters

7

know that it was the same thing, he’d be doubling up on his medication. A lot of patients go to different doctors and don’t reveal all their medical history. That’s why they should bring a list of what they take.

A lot of times, people take over-thecounter drugs and think, “No big deal.”

But, it could be. For example, some antibiotics shouldn’t be given with vitamins.

The antibiotic binds with the vitamin and therefore it never gets absorbed. The doctor thinks the antibiotic isn’t effective. It could complicate things.

Is anything being done about this issue to protect consumers?

The Joint Committee is a group that comes out and accredits hospitals in different areas. One of the big pushes now is patient safety, and they recommend this medical reconciliation be done across the continuum of care — from the time the patient comes in to the hospital to the time they are discharged. It’s like a review of medical history each step of the way.

It all starts when they first come in. They have to know what they are taking so the doctor can tell them which medicines to continue and which to stop.

We try at the hospital to provide a list of medicines the patient is on when (he or she) is discharged, but if they don’t keep the list up, when they get admitted the next time, they’re back with the same problem starting all over again.

The patients need to be advocates for themselves.

— Pam Eubanks

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