T.J. Samson opens Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

There are few things that T.J. Samson Community Hospital is more excited to announce than its new

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The level 2 NICU opened its doors in January and provides crucial care for newborns who are premature or ill.

DO THIS FIRSTAlways empty your bladder before having your blood pressure measured. Having a full bladder can add 10 to 15 points to your blood pressure.Source: American Heart Association

GIVE YOUR EARS A BREAKIf you wear noise-canceling headphones or earbuds, don’t wear them for more than an hour without taking a break. Even if the sound is low, your ears need time to recover. Source: American Academy of Audiology

The new NICU is the result of a collaboration between

T.J. Samson and PedForAll, which partners with hospitals to provide pediatric services.

Every year some 1,200 babies arrive at T.J. Samson. And as many as 1 out of 10 of them need special-ized medical treatment before their parents can take them home.

“Previously, these babies were transferred to a hospital miles away in order to receive that care,” says Mark D. Hughes, MD, FAAP, a

Pediatric Hospitalist and member of the highly skilled NICU team at T.J. Samson. “But now the vast major-ity of these babies can be treated close to home. This is so much easier for families, emotionally and practically—and a real gift to our community.”

Still another big benefit of the NICU: Pregnant women who arrive at T.J. Samson in preterm labor will likely be able to deliver here, rather than being trans-ferred to another hospital.

A FOCUS ON FRAGILE BABIES This addition of a Level 2 NICU, also known as a special care nursery, means T.J. Samson can now care for babies who:

●●●●● Arrive as early as 32 weeks. ●●●●● Weigh as little as 3.3 pounds. ●●●●● Need respiratory support or spe-

cialized medicine because their lungs are still developing.

●●●●● Have trouble feeding or staying warm.

●●●●● Have low blood sugar, the main source of fuel for the brain and body.

●●●●● Experience withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to opioids or other drugs in the womb.

Level 2 NICUs typically can safely treat up to 90% of all newborns who need extra medical attention when they’re born, Dr. Hughes says.

Babies who require an even higher level of care will be transferred to an appropriate hospital, such as Mon-roe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville or TriStar

Centennial Children’s Hospital in Nashville.

A PEEK INSIDEThe NICU at T.J. Samson has six beds for tiny patients, and two more will be added if the need arises. It offers newly purchased technology specific for newborns, including equipment to support breathing as babies’ lungs mature.

Should you ever have a baby who needs to stay in the new NICU, you can count on dedi-cated care.

“Either a neonatologist, a pediatric hospitalist or a neona-tal nurse practitioner is on hand 24/7—and ready to respond to any concerning change in a baby’s status,” Dr. Hughes says. And be-cause newborns in NICUs need constant monitoring, the NICU nurses typically only watch over two to three babies at a time.

You’ll find the new NICU in what was once exclusively a nursery for healthy babies. But with most healthy babies now rooming with their moms to encourage breast-feeding and bonding, the extra space was converted into a NICU.

“It couldn’t have a more im-portant use,” Dr. Hughes says. And, chances are, many area par-ents will agree.

Specialized care for

newborns is now

nearby. a

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAIDPlatteville, WIPermit No. 7

T.J. Samson Community Hospital1301 N. Race St.Glasgow, KY 42141

FEBRUARY 2020

Cancer care

A breast cancer diagnosis reveals a family secret

Laura Turner, 60, has lived under the shadow of breast cancer for most of her life. Her mother died of the

disease when Turner was still in her 30s. Breast cancer also took the life of her maternal grandmother.

That history is why Turner never missed a mammogram and why she was so alarmed to discover a lump in her breast just six months after a routine breast x-ray in 2018 found nothing at all suspicious. “I was scared to death,” she recalls.

That lump did turn out to be cancerous. As a result, Turner opted to have a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy, at T.J. Samson Com-munity Hospital.

But that is just the beginning of her story as a breast cancer survi-vor. Genetic testing—advised by T.J. Samson Oncologist Yashpal Modi, MD—revealed that Turner is

one of the estimated 5% to 10% of all breast cancer patients with he-reditary cancer.

FAULTY GENES Abnormalities in two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, cause most hereditary breast cancers. Typically, BRCA genes help to prevent cancer by cre-ating proteins that keep cells from growing abnormally. Women who inherit a mutation in either gene, however, have a significantly raised risk of breast and other cancers, espe-cially ovarian cancer. Cancer in both breasts is also more common. Turner inherited a BRCA2 gene mutation.

Most women with a family his-tory of breast cancer do not have an inherited gene change. But a BRCA mutation is more likely with a strong family history of breast cancer, particularly if certain other cancers—including ovarian,

pancreatic and prostate cancers—are prominent in a family.

Men can inherit BRCA mutations too. Turner’s older brother died of pancreatic cancer—a red flag that a faulty gene might run in her family.

UNSETTLING NEWS Shortly after Turner’s mastectomy, her genetic test results came back. When Dr. Modi broke the news—and explained the choices ahead—Turner was stunned.

“Before all this, I’d never even heard of a BRCA gene,” she says. “This was more painful news I didn’t want.”

Ultimately, Turner decided to undergo two preventive surgeries at T.J. Samson: a mastectomy on her remaining breast and a hysterectomy in which both of her ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed. The surgeries don’t entirely eliminate her

risk of developing ovarian cancer or a second breast cancer. But they reduce her risk considerably.

“I’ve come out on the other side,” Turner says. “There’s such a huge weight off me. I feel I’ve beaten this gene.”

Turner is one of nine siblings. She’s told each surviving one, as well as her adult son, that she’s in-herited a BRCA2 mutation—and they may have too, since the muta-tion is passed on from a parent.

She knows that information can be lifesaving. And she feels her three physicians at T.J. Samson—Dr. Modi; Todd Marion, MD, who performed both mastectomies; and John Craddock, MD, who per-formed the hysterectomy—have added years to her life.

“I can’t thank them enough for their expertise and their compas-sion,” Turner says.

Genet ic tes t ing he lped one woman take charge

of her hea l th

2 DESTINATION HEALTH

Heart care

Your doctor has suggested a coronary cal-cium scan. But what is it exactly? And what are its pros and cons? Here’s some basic infor-mation you should know about the test.

This scan is a type of rapid x-ray that takes cross-sectional pictures of the arteries that feed your heart. It can help measure the amount of cal-cified, or hardened, plaque you have in these blood vessels. The result is called your calcium score.

The calcium in your arteries is different from the type found in your bones. Artery cal-cium is a marker of heart disease, which means your calcium score can give doctors a good idea of how much plaque is in your arteries

Knowledge is power

Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health

Body: breaking out in a cold sweat; fatigue or weakness

Shoulders or arms: pain or discomfort in one or both

Stomach: pain or discomfort; nausea; vomiting

Back: pain or discomfort

Neck or jaw: pain or discomfort

Head: dizziness; light-headedness

Lungs: short-ness of breath

Chest: pain or discomfort

Learn to spot symptoms of a heart attackYou could have one or more of these:

February is Heart Month. To schedule your coronary

calcium scan, please call 270-651-1814.

Call 911 if you’re having

symptoms of a heart

attack.

Coronary calcium scans

An inside view of your heart make lifestyle changes to help protect your heart.

A coronary calcium scan is painless, takes only about 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and doesn’t require contrast dye.

But because it uses x-rays, you’re exposed to radiation—about the amount you’re naturally exposed to in a year.Sources: American College of Radiology; American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health

before it causes problems. It can also predict your risk of a heart attack.

A score of zero is normal. Usually, the higher your score, the more likely you are to have heart disease.

WHY DOCTORS RECOMMEND ITThis test isn’t for everybody. But your doctor may advise it if you have risk factors for heart disease—such as abnormal blood cholesterol levels or a family history of heart attacks—but you don’t have any symptoms of the disease.

Your doctor can use the results of your scan to determine if you need to take medicine or

February 2020 3

Hit pause.When a craving strikes, put off eating for a few minutes—or even one minute to start. Use the time to try to figure out what emotions are behind your urge to eat.

While eating for comfort can make you feel good in the moment, ultimately you may feel worse because of all those calories you just consumed.

emotional

Spot the red flags. Sometimes it’s tricky to tell emotional and physical hunger apart. Here are tipoffs. Emotional hunger:

●●●●Comes on rapidly and can feel over-whelming, while physical hunger happens gradually.

●Isn’t satisfied even if you’re stuffed, while physical hunger goes away when you’re full.

●Involves powerful cravings for specific comfort foods (you want pizza or pie—nothing else), while physical hunger isn’t so particular (you are happy to eat healthy foods, like veggies).

Soothe your feelings without food. Find other ways to comfort yourself emotionally. For example, if you’re feeling:

●●●●● Sad or lonely, call or text a supportive friend or family member who almost always puts a smile on your face. A furry friend—your cat or dog—can cheer you up too.

●●●●● Stressed, get rid of pent-up energy with a brisk walk. Take some deep breaths, squeeze a stress ball or stretch away tension. For exam-ple, roll your head or shoulders in gentle circles.

●●●●● Exhausted, relax with a hot cup of tea or a warm bath. Or wrap yourself in a soft blanket and chill on your couch.

●●●●● Bored, clean out a junk drawer or tackle an-other task on your to-do list. Grab a book

or listen to your favorite podcast. Add items to your scrapbook, shoot

hoops, swim laps—any choice works as long as it distracts you from food.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; HelpGuide.org

eating

2 1 3

HOW TO TAME

Behavioral health

Have you ever cozied up to some mac and cheese after a bad day at work and wolfed down more than you intended? Binged on a bag of chips when you were bored? Consoled yourself with

ice cream straight from the container when you were sad? That’s emotional eating, and a lot of us have been

there. While eating for comfort can make you feel good in

the moment, ultimately you may feel worse because of all those calories you just consumed. That’s especially true if stress eating is sabotaging your attempts at getting to—or staying at—a healthy weight.

REGAIN CONTROL No matter how often you eat to feel better, you’re not powerless to stop. Try these three strategies for putting an end to fixing your feelings with food:

4 DESTINATION HEALTH

Thyroid disorders

Focus on the neckSitting at the base of your neck is a small gland that can cause big trouble if it’s not working right.

The thyroid makes hormones that control how fast your body burns calories and how fast your heart beats. If the gland produces too much—or too little—of these hormones, it can set off a long list of health problems.

THE HIGHS AND LOWSWhen the thyroid is overactive—when it makes too many hormones—it’s called hyperthyroidism.

Someone with an overactive thyroid may have signs or symptoms such as:

●Weight loss. ●Diarrhea. ●Intolerance to heat. ●Increased sweating. ●Anxiety.Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid

is underactive—makes too few hormones. It may trigger, among other things:

●Weight gain. ●Depression. ●Dry skin and hair. ●Constipation. ●Intolerance to cold.Tell your doctor if you think your thyroid is

out of whack. He or she may order tests to check your thyroid hormone level.

Your doctor will likely also feel your neck for nodules (lumps in the gland). Most thyroid

nodules are harmless, but some can be cancerous.

Depending on the results of your tests, your doctor may want you to:

●●●●Take medicine to balance the amount of thyroid hormones in your body.

●●●●Be treated with radioactive iodine, which will damage or destroy the cells that make thyroid hormones.Sources: Hormone Health Network; Office on Women’s Health

Wellness

T.J. Samson Community Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Associa-tion’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Stroke Ready Certification.

T.J. Samson Community Hospital under-went a rigorous on-site review in 2019. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer with extensive clinical experience in acute stroke diagnosis and management evaluated com-pliance with related certification standards—including program design and management, as well as policies and procedures, to facilitate guideline-based assessment and treatment. The reviewer conducted on-site observations and interviews with T.J. Samson physicians, nurses and patient care services staff as part of the evaluation process.

“Acute Stroke Ready Certification recog-nizes health care organizations committed to fostering continual quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, Chief Operating Officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend T.J. Samson for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its pro-gram structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

“We congratulate T.J. Samson for this out-standing achievement,” says Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

As part of the certification process, a multidisciplinary team of physicians; nurses; rehabilitation specialists; EMS providers; patient care services, such as radiology staff; and administrators prepared for more than a year to submit required materials, evaluate processes and ensure that all quality stan-dards were met at the highest level. Program leadership includes Ashley Gallagher, RN, Stroke Coordinator; Sundown Clark, MHCM, BSN, RN, ER Nursing Director; Kara Gilkey, MD, ER Director; and Eric Fisher, MD, Acute Stroke Ready Medical Director.

“This is exciting news for our organiza-tion, and it’s a testament to our mission of providing exceptional health care in our community,” says Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health. “This is the result of an excellent team effort, and it is a spec-tacular accomplishment for our growing health system.”

T.J. Samson Community Hospital awarded Acute Stroke Ready Certification

Are you ready for winter storms?Snow can be beautiful. But a serious winter storm can put everyone in danger. Read these tips to prepare.

Gather suppliesThink of what you and your family might need if you’re with-out power for several days. Does anyone take medications? Do you have pets? Think of what they may need too. And be sure you have extra batteries for things like flashlights.

Keep your home safeWhen considering alternative heat and light sources:

■ ■ Don’t turn on the stove to heat your home. Instead, wrap yourself in extra blankets, a sleeping bag or a warm winter coat. Or use a space heater or a fireplace that is up to code.

■ ■ Keep electric space heaters at least 3 feet away from cur-tains, furniture or bedding. Use a space heater with automatic shut-off switches and nonglowing elements, and don’t cover it.

■ ■ Never leave children alone near a space heater.■ ■ Don’t burn paper in a fireplace.■ ■ If the lights go out, use battery-powered flashlights or lan-

terns. If you must use candles, never leave lit ones unattended.■ ■ If you use a generator, locate it at least 20 feet from any win-

dow, door or vent and where it is protected from rain and snow.

Protect your water supplyWater pipes in a home can freeze and sometimes break. When the weather report calls for freezing temperatures:

■ ■ Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.■ ■ Keep temperatures inside your house warm.■ ■ Open cabinet doors beneath the kitchen and bathroom

sinks so heated air can reach the pipes.■ ■ If your pipes do freeze, thaw them slowly with a hair

dryer—don’t thaw them with a torch.

February 2020 5

When is an ounce of prevention worth more than a pound of cure? When it has the potential to save your child’s life.

Vaccines are like an ounce of prevention. They don’t take long to give. And insurance usually covers them. But they could keep your child from getting certain diseases—and help keep others safe from those diseases too. Here’s how:

1. Vaccines protect against life-threatening illnesses. Thanks to vaccinations, some diseases that

used to injure or kill kids, like polio and smallpox, have been completely or nearly eliminated in the U.S. But other serious illnesses (such as meningitis, measles and whooping cough) are still around. Vaccinat-ing your kids protects them—safely.

Doctors and scientists review vaccines to ensure their safety. Very few children have serious side effects. And because most childhood vaccines are 90% to 99% effective

in preventing disease, the benefits outweigh any possible side effects for most kids.

2. They protect others. Some diseases, like chickenpox and measles, are highly contagious. But

getting your kids vaccinated greatly reduces their risk of catching these diseases—and passing them on to others. That’s especially good news for vulnerable people, including newborns who haven’t had all their shots yet.

3. They save time and money today and tomorrow. Vaccinated kids avoid diseases that could make

them miss school. They’re also protected from illnesses that could lead to long-term disability, lost work time and wages, and high medical costs.

For more about vaccinations, visit cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Have a cold or flu? Antibiotics won’t help When you feel lousy, you want to get better—fast. That’s why you might ask your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic if you’re sick with a cold or the flu.

But taking one for either infection won’t help at all. Antibiotics only work against certain bacterial infections—not viruses, which cause both colds and the flu.

Be aware too: Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them unnecessarily exposes to you to possible side effects like these:

●●●●● Dizziness.●●●●● Nausea.●●●●● Diarrhea.●●●●● Yeast infections.

What’s more, the overuse of antibiotics is responsible for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These germs are difficult—and sometimes impossible—to treat.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3 great reasons to vaccinate your kids

Wellness6 DESTINATION HEALTH

If you don’t have a primary care

provider to discuss the pros and cons of testing for prostate

cancer with, we can help. Call

270-651-1111.

As medical tests go, a PSA test could hardly be more straightforward. A little blood drawn from the arm and it’s over.

It’s deciding whether to get tested for prostate cancer in the first place that can get complicated. There are good arguments on either side.

START WITH THE BASICSPSA is short for prostate-specific antigen, a protein made by the prostate gland. It’s often elevated in men with prostate cancer, so it can be a good way to find cancer before symptoms start.

But there are other reasons your PSA level might be high. To confirm cancer, your doctor will have to do more tests—and that’s where things start getting tricky.

ARE YOU A YES MAN—OR A NO MAN?When you find certain cancers early, they’re easier to treat. And those extra years can mean a lot to some men. For that reason alone, you may decide to get a PSA test.

You may also choose to get tested if you have a family his-tory of prostate cancer or are at higher risk for the disease.

But tests to confirm prostate cancer—and the treatments for it—come with their own risks, ranging from pain and infection to incontinence and erectile dysfunction. That’s why some men decide it’s just not worth it.

Another reason some men skip the test: Some prostate can-cers grow so slowly they never cause symptoms or shorten lives. So treatment may be unnecessary.

With so many variables to consider, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about PSA testing. Together you can discuss the pros and cons and come to the decision that makes sense for you.Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute

Should I be tested for prostate

cancer?

Man-to-man:

Men’s healthFebruary 2020 7

TJSAMSON.orgFind a Doctor Get connected to the right physician for you and your family. Our provider directory makes it easy to search by name or specialty.

Health Library Find reliable, up-to-date health information and learn more about related services and events.

Event Calendar Learn about screenings and health classes and sign up online.

Bookmark itHere’s your 24/7 source for the latest in health care informa-tion. At work or at home, you can connect with the resources you need, including doctors in your area, health education classes, support groups and more.

TJSAMSON.org: the health information you need—at your fingertips.

DESTINATION HEALTH is published as a com mu nity service for the friends and patrons of T.J. SAMSON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL1301 N. Race St. Glasgow, KY 42141270-651-4444

Information in DESTINATION HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider.

Models may be used in photos and illustrations.

2020 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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D E S T I N A T I O N HEALTH

FEBRUARY 2020

Events

EDUCATION

American Heart Association Adult CPR/First AidClasses are offered quarterly. For dates and times, please call the Continuing Education Department at 270-651-4355. Learn heartsaver CPR skills for people 8 years and older (adult) and basic first aid. $65 for each class. Classes are held in the T.J. Samson Community Hospital fourth-floor classroom.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Health Screenings at the PavilionWednesday, Feb. 26, 7 to 9 a.m.

■ ■ Lipid panel: $20■ ■ Blood sugar: $1■ ■ Bone density: $5

Call the Continuing Education Department at 270-651-4355.

Bariatric Surgery SeminarFirst Monday of each month, 6 p.m.Informational seminar on the benefits of bariatric surgery, hosted by Patrick Klapheke, MD. For information, call 270-659-5945.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PARENTING

Childbirth Prep and Newborn Care Four-week session, Wednesdays, March 4 through 25Register in your second trimester. Classes are held in the T.J. Samson Community Hospital fourth-floor classroom. Call Megan Richardson at 270-651-4105 to register.

Introduction into Parenting Class Wednesday, April 1, 6 to 8 p.m. The course will cover newborn care more in-depth: swaddling, burping, bathing and car seat safety. Call Megan Richardson at 270-651-4105 to register.

Saturday Childbirth Class Saturday, April 189 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call Megan Richardson at 270-651-4105 to register.

SUPPORT GROUPSAll support groups are free.

A Stroke AheadFirst Tuesday of each month, 4:30 p.m. A neuro support group for people who have had a stroke or suffered some other type of brain trauma. For more information, please call Emily Grinstead at 270-659-5650.

Bariatric Support GroupThird Monday of each month, 5:30 p.m.For people in the process of having bariatric surgery or who have already had the surgery. For more information, please call Megan Asberry at 270-659-5945.

Bereavement Support GroupThird Monday of each month, 2 to 3:30 p.m.For people who have lost loved ones. Call Emily Boston at 270-651-4430.

Grandparents Support GroupThird Friday of each month,11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Sponsored by Glasgow/Barren Counties Family Resources and Youth Services Center. Call Tammy Lindsey at 270-651-1327.

Oncology Support GroupCall for next day and time.Group sessions are offered quarterly. Open to individuals affected by all types of cancer. The group is formed to give family, caregivers and survivors the support and strength to move forward together. For dates and times, call Amy Stephens at 270-659-5893.

Save the Date!

Women’s ConferenceMarch 19, 2020

Cave City Convention CenterEducational & Inspirational Speakers

Free Health Screenings

Health Information Vendors

Style Show FeaturingSherri Shines Award Winners

Shopping

Make plans to join us for great food and fellowship!More details coming soon!

Our focus at T.J. Samson Community Hospital is on

your family’s health. Check out the many opportunities

below to improve and preserve your health.

Unless otherwise noted, all classes and support groups

take place in the Community Center of the T.J. Health

Pavilion. For more information, please call 270-651-4355.

8 DESTINATION HEALTH