Spring 2012

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3960 New Covington Pike Memphis, TN 38128 • Phone: 901.516.5200 • www.methodisthealth.org

connectionHEALTH & WELLNESS

A Message to the Community from the Hospital CEO

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Newly Renovated Critical Care Family Room Designed with Patient- and Family-Centered Care in Mind

Methodist North Hospital recently opened its newly renovated Critical Care Family Room designed with input from our Family Partners Council. The area provides a comfortable environment for families waiting on their loved ones who are in the Intensive Care Unit.

The room’s seating can be easily converted to sleepers or recliners. In addition, there is a resource center complete with computers, a washer and dryer, snack machines and a shower. The area is separated into one common room with three pod areas for families to rest as needed throughout the day.

“Our family partners were instrumental in the design process,” says Lynne Wilson, MSN, RN, CNOR, administrative director of Perioperative Services, Cath Lab and CV Services at Methodist North Hospital. “We value their ideas, which give us very important perspectives from both patient and family members.”

Patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) is an approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of healthcare that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families and healthcare practitioners. The Family Partners Council is a group of advisors enlisted to provide guidance and input. They help

Dear Friends: One of the most rewarding things about working at a community hospital like Methodist North is having the first-hand opportunity to improve the health of the people within the community. You might be surprised to know that so many of the services we provide are not just about healing the sick, but also about making

sure that they remain healthy.

One of these services is our newly created Diabetes Wellness Classes. The classes meet on the last Tuesday of every month and are designed as a source of information and support for those suffering from diabetes as well as those caring for someone with diabetes. The information discussed addresses issues uniquely affecting diabetes patients and offers ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle in spite of this health challenge.

Another free resource we offer is our Stroke Support Group. This group meets the second Tuesday of each month and provides support and education to stroke survivors and caregivers. It’s a way for those affected by stroke to learn how to overcome the debilitating effects that it can have in their everyday lives. It’s all done in a fun and supportive environment and features a different stroke-related topic each week.

If you or someone you know would benefit by attending these classes, more information can be found within the pages of this newsletter. The great thing about both of these services is that they are designed to prevent future hospital stays. And they are just two of many examples of how Methodist North is extending our care beyond a hospital stay in the hopes of keeping our community healthy for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHECEO/Administrator

The newly opened Critical Care Family Room at Methodist North was designed with input from the hospital’s Family Partners Council and features a resource center, washer and dryer, shower and seating that converts to sleepers and recliners.

Taking Control: Managing Your Diabetes

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, taking proper care of yourself can make the difference between staying healthy or suffering complications of uncontrolled diabetes – a list that can include vision problems, infections and amputations, heart problems and kidney failure. To remain controlled, diabetes must be managed on a daily basis, beginning with maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active. Active people not only burn more calories but also use the glucose in their blood as energy, making their cells more sensitive to insulin, which lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.

Following are some important steps you can take to manage your diabetes:

Test Blood Sugar LevelsMonitoring blood sugar levels is the bedrock of diabetes care. Here’s why: Diabetes is caused by either the body not making enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or not using its own insulin properly (type 2 diabetes), causing sugars to build up in the bloodstream. Ask your doctor for guidelines on how and when to check your blood sugar.

Keep a log of your daily levels and show it to your healthcare provider at each visit. It offers a good idea of how well your diabetes is being managed overall.

Don’t Forget Your FeetDiabetics are more likely to suffer foot problems, since diabetes can damage the nerves and make it harder to feel a foot injury.

Small sores or breaks in the skin can more easily become major infections, increasing the chances for amputation. According to the National Library of Medicine, diabetics should check their feet every day, especially those with nerve or blood vessel damage. You should also:• Wash your feet and toes each day

with lukewarm water and mild soap.• Gently and thoroughly dry your feet,

especially between your toes, since infections can develop in moist areas.

• Soften dry skin with lotion or cream, making sure to avoid rubbing it into any existing sores.

• Tell your doctor right away about any sores on your feet.

• Have a complete foot exam with your doctor once a year.

Keep Your Eyes on the PrizeDiabetes can cause a host of eye problems, all of which can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Among these conditions are retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the retina), cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lenses) and glaucoma (an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye). While all of these

What People are Saying about Methodist NorthHere is a letter we recently received from a patient:can occur in people without diabetes, they

are more likely in diabetics and can develop sooner. For this reason, the National Eye Institute recommends all diabetics undergo a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.

Need Help Staying on Track?Methodist North offers Diabetes Wellness Classes on the last Tuesday of every month to provide support and information you can use to take control of your diabetes. For more information or to register for this free class, call 901.516.5038.

TO REMAIN CONTROLLED, DIABETES MUST BE MANAGED ON A DAILY BASIS, BEGINNING WITH MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT AND BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE.

Thank you so much for the professional, loving care given to my mother by everyone we came in contact with from the moment we arrived in the Emergency Room through the time we were transferred to a room. Every one of the staff, including the phlebotomist and dietary folks, were wonderful.

My mother appreciates your kindness, and I myself as an RN can say you guys are some of the best caregivers I have seen. Thank you, thank you.

What People Are Saying about Methodist NorthHere is a letter we recently received from a patient:

thank you!

Be treated well

Adjusting to Life After a Stroke

A stroke can change everything. As survivors struggle with disability and altered expectations, staying positive is both challenging and essential. Recovery may be a lifelong process. Finding ways to make the most out of what you can do while gently pushing yourself to overcome limitations may help ensure that the journey is both fulfilling and successful.

The Road to RecoveryThe challenge of performing once simple tasks may be one of the most frustrating effects of stroke. But small adaptations can make communicating, eating, dressing and getting out and about doable, and daily practice can have a positive cumulative effect on your abilities.• Communicating. One of the most

effective ways to regain speech and language skills is to practice them by socializing. Begin with one-on-one conversations in a quiet place with few distractions.

• Eating right. A nourishing diet that keeps your energy level high is extremely important to your recovery. If swallowing is difficult, eat nutrient dense soft foods such as whole grain hot cereals, yogurt, soups or bananas. Medical supply stores offer modified table ware to make handling food easier. Try eating your biggest meal of the day in the morning, when your energy level is highest.

• Dressing and grooming. Being well-groomed and dressed for your day can have a positive effect on your self-esteem and daily outlook. Bath bars, a bath bench and a bath mat with suction cups to

prevent slipping can make it easier for you to shower safely. When dressing, choose slip-on shoes and clothes that fasten in front and avoid clothing that is tight-fitting or goes on over your head.

• Running errands. Coping with physical disabilities in public takes courage. To begin, visit stores when they are least busy. A shopping cart can help you with balance and special gloves can make your grip on breakable items more secure.

Positive Thinking Can HelpStroke may affect portions of the brain that control emotional behavior as well as physi-cal ability. Apathy, memory loss, irritability and confusion are common results of stroke, but must be distinguished from emotional reactions to stroke, such as anger, frustration and depression. Although grieving the loss of pre-stroke abilities and lifestyle is natural for both stroke survivors and their loved ones, feeling down because of these changes can inhibit recovery and diminish your quality of life. Counteract these feelings by:• Setting goals. Having a plan for recovery

and a map of the steps required to achieve your goals will give you a sense of purpose and control.

• Doing what you enjoy. Former hobbies can often be adapted to fit your current abilities. They can provide an opportunity for both physical and emotional therapy by pushing you to develop your perception and coordination while allowing you to take your mind off of your situation.

• Being social. Talking with loved ones, joining a support group or taking a class provides stimulation and a sense of camaraderie that can boost self-esteem and morale.

• Trying something new. Meditation, tai chi or water therapy are just a few activities that may be physically therapeutic while helping you regain trust in yourself and realize how adaptable and resilient you can be.

• Seek help. If you think you may be depressed, seek help from a social worker, psychologist or other trained mental health professional.

Additional SupportMethodist North has received The Joint Commission’s Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers because of our exceptional ability to provide the unique care required to help stroke patients make successful recoveries. We invite stroke survivors and caregivers to join our Stroke Support Group, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2 pm. For more information or to register for this free class, please call Connie Holland at 901.516.5646.

Welcome to Our New PhysiciansMethodist North Hospital is proud to announce the following new physicians who practice with us:

www.methodisthealth.orgBe treated well

Hospice & Palliative CareFereshteh Vida Zare, M.D.6400 Shelby View Drive, Suite 101-BMemphis, TN 38134 901.516.1600

NeurologyYaohui Chai, M.D.Wesley Neurology Clinic, PC 1211 Union Ave., Suite 400Memphis, TN 38104901.725.8920

Pulmonary & Critical Care MedicineMichael Munday, D.O.Mid South Pulmonary Specialists, PC5050 Poplar Ave., Suite 800 Memphis, TN 38157901.276.2662

And the following new office practice:Internal MedicineAhmad Altabbaa, M.D.Medical Associates of Memphis3950 New Covington Pike, Suite 290 Memphis, TN 38128901.791.2764

This publication is for general information only and does not replace the advice of your doctor or other healthcare provider. If you have medical questions, please consult your medical professional. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2012 Priority Integrated Marketing | priorityresults.com

In This Issue

Newly Renovated Critical Care Family Room Designed with Patient- and Family- Centered Care in Mind

Taking Control: Managing Your Diabetes

Adjusting to Life After a Stroke

3960 New Covington Pike Memphis, TN 38128 901.516.5200

Methodist North Partners with Craigmont High School for Job Shadowing Project Newly Renovated

Critical Care Family Room Designed with Patient- and Family- Centered Care in Mindview the world of a patient and family member through their unique and important perspectives by participating in work groups on special projects, sitting on a special hospital steering committee and providing input during meetings.

“The Critical Care Family Room is a perfect example of the integration of hospital administration and family partners working together,” says Michelle Collis, vice president of Patient- and Family-Centered Care at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. “The ultimate goal of PFCC is to create partnerships among healthcare practitioners, patients and families that will lead to the best outcomes and enhance the quality and safety for our patients.”

As part of our effort to make a difference in our community, Methodist North recently started an Adopt-a-School partnership with Craigmont High School. This partnership allows the Craigmont students to ask questions and learn from healthcare professionals in a true healthcare setting as they make decisions about their own future careers. One of several programs developed as a result is the job shadowing project, which offers the students an invaluable learning opportunity.

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Hip and Knee Replacement ClassesThe Total Joint Center offers free Hip and Knee Replacement classes on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. If you are considering joint replacement surgery, this is a good opportunity to learn more about the procedure and what to expect during recovery. Space is limited, so please call to reserve your seat at 901.516.5639.