Eating Solo: Learn to Cook for One

Written by:  Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, March 4, 2011 – With most recipes designed for two or more people, cooking for one can be challenge. Southeastern Med and the Guernsey County Homemakers will offer a cooking for one class on March 14 at 9:30 a.m. at Southeastern Med, located at 1341 Clark St., in Cambridge. Participants will learn tips for preparing tasty, nutritious and affordable meals for one.

The session is free and open to the public. To register, please call Chelsea Dierkes, RD, LD, Community Dietitian at Southeastern Med, by March 10 at 740-439-8941.

Patient Makes Great Stride Thanks to Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Written by:  Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, March 7, 2011 – The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Southeastern Med aspires to improve the health and functional status of patients who live with chronic respiratory disorders. In recognition of National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week March 13-19, Southeastern Med’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation staff encourages those with a chronic lung disease to crossover from inactivity to activity, and become an active participant in life again.

Butler Justice, of Senecaville Lake, began pulmonary rehabilitation at Southeastern Med in February of 2009 with the goal to feel better and become more active. While hospitalized after heart surgery in September of 2008, Butler was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which refers to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed.

“I was constantly out of breath and could barely do 5 minutes on any exercise machine when I first started rehab,” Butler said. “But now, I am able to do between 50-60 minutes on any machine.”

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is for patients with chronic lung disease, such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma. It includes education, emotional support, exercise and breathing retraining, and it’s a safe, rewarding way to help those with a chronic lung disease:

• Reduce shortness of breath;
• Increase exercise tolerance and ability to perform normal daily activities;
• Increase understanding of their particular lung disorder;
• Use proper breathing techniques;
• Reduce the possibility of hospitalizations; and
• Increase self-reliance and independence.

The primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to improve the quality of each patient’s life. “I am very grateful to the pulmonary rehab group at Southeastern Med,” Butler said. “Daily tasks that had become difficult for me to handle on my own are now more manageable. I am able to mow my own lawn again, tend my garden and go fishing everyday. It doesn’t matter how down you may feel one day. The pulmonary group will cheer you right up and keep you motivated.”

Whether you were recently diagnosed with a pulmonary disease, have been living with a condition for years, or are trying to prevent disease, an appropriate program is available for you. Southeastern Med’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation program helps people with moderate to severe breathing problems overcome the physical limitations resulting from their disease.

Upon physician approval, the program begins with a comprehensive evaluation by the medical center’s expert pulmonary rehabilitation team to develop an individualized treatment plan. Typical treatment plans include a combination of supervised physical exercise, disease education, environmental and nutritional counseling and support to overcome the fear, anxiety and frustration which typically accompany breathing conditions.

For more information about Southeastern Med’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, talk to your physician or call the pulmonary rehabilitation staff at Southeastern Med at 740-439-8528.

Be a Safe Patient – Prepare a Personal Medical Information Record

Written by: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, March 2, 2011 – Take a moment to consider what might happen if you were left unconscious in an accident and needed emergency medical treatment. Everyone from the EMTs to emergency room physicians would need immediate access to your accurate medical information.
In recognition of March 6-12 as National Patient Safety Week, Southeastern Med encourages everyone to take a few minutes to prepare an up-to-date medication and allergy list. In an emergency, this one little piece of paper could help save your life.

“Keeping track of your medical history and the medication you take is essential even if you’re healthy,” said Angie Long, Vice President of Clinical Services and Patient Safety Officer at Southeastern Med. “Physicians rely on your medical history to make an accurate diagnosis, and they can’t be completely effective without a list of all your current medication and allergies. An up-to-date and accurate medication list enables emergency medical personnel to quickly locate essential information to provide the appropriate medical treatment in a time of crisis.”

Luckily, you do not need to lug around a suitcase full of all your medical records. The best approach is to keep a wallet-sized card with all your important medical information right behind your driver’s license. Include basic information, such as emergency contacts, health insurance information, physicians’ names and numbers, and any allergies and medications taken regularly. And don’t forget to update the card after any medication change and post a copy on your refrigerator; EMTs are trained to check there in case of an emergency.

Southeastern Med will provide blank medical information cards for anyone to pick up at its information desk during National Patient Safety Week. The cards are provided by the Ohio Patient Safety Institute and can also be downloaded and printed from its Web site at www.ohiopatientsafety.org.

During National Patient Safety Week, take the time to compile your medical information. In the end, it can save your life.

The Seriousness of a Bump on the Head

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, March 4, 2011 – It may be funny when a cartoon character gets bonked on the head, but it’s not so funny when it happens in real life. Feeling confused or dazed for a little while, having poor concentration or being knocked out after getting hit in the head are all symptoms of a very serious head injury called a concussion.

In recognition of March as National Athletic Training Month, Southeastern Med’s Athletic Trainers warn parents, coaches and teen athletes about the seriousness of sports-related head injuries.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Athletes who sustain concussions usually recover without lasting health problems by following certain precautions and taking a breather from sports. But a child with an undiagnosed concussion can be at risk for brain damage, disability and even death.

“Concussions can be complex injuries to assess and treat because symptoms do not always emerge right away and sometimes can persist for weeks or months,” said Amy Zalenski, MAE, ATC, LAT, CES, Certified Athletic Trainer at Southeastern Med’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Services. “Even without a loss of consciousness, it’s important for the athlete to be under close watch for symptoms of a concussion.”

There are many different symptoms reported by athletes who suffer concussions. According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) 2011 protocol, any of the following are an indication of concussion:

• Headache,
• Nausea,
• Balance or dizziness problems,
• Double or fuzzy vision,
• Sensitivity to light,
• Concentration or memory problems,
• Confusion, and
• Personality or behavior changes.

Southeastern Med contracts certified athletic trainers to three local school districts. Michael Marston, ATC, LAT, works with student athletes in the Meadowbrook School District; Angie Nelson, ATC, LAT, delivers services to athletes in the John Glenn School District; and Amy Zalenski, MAE, ATC, LAT, covers student athletes for the Cambridge School District.  Finally, Joshua Knott, MA, ATC, CSCS, is Southeastern Med’s Athletic Training Clinical Supervisor, who delivers full-time services to individuals at the Brick Church Road facility.

The athletic trainers are essential in the discovery and management of a concussion, as well as all other injuries. In the event of a head injury, the athletic trainers begin standard concussion care by removing the athlete from the sport and recognizing symptoms, such as memory loss and headaches, from observation and answers provided by the injured athlete.

Treatment of a concussion is highly individualized, and recovery time can vary greatly. Initial at-home treatment for a concussion is rest, which may include rest from both sports and school to allow the brain time to heal. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious. If a concussion is left untreated or is hit again before healed completely, the athlete is at a much greater risk of second impact syndrome, which can lead to brain swelling and bleeding, and possibly permanent disability or death.

At John Glenn once a concussed athlete is symptom free, Nelson then evaluates him by using the ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing test), which is a computerized exam utilized in many professional, collegiate and high school sports programs across the country to successfully diagnose and manage concussions.

The computerized exam is given to athletes before beginning a contact sport practice or competition to establish a healthy, baseline score. It tracks information such as memory, reaction time, speed and concentration. The athlete must be within a few points of the baseline score to return to play.

“I am more confident in safely returning athletes to activity following a concussion with ImPACT,” said Nelson. “Sometimes kids will minimize or even deny their symptoms because they want to play. They can’t fake or lie on the ImPACT test.  It gives you clear, objective results that are easily explained to athletes, coaches and parents.  It’s a great tool for keeping kids safe.”

For more information about concussion management, call the athletic trainers at Southeastern Med at 740-439-8977.