Be treated well - Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

HEALTH & WELLNESS
connection
Be treated well
A Message to the Community
from the Hospital CEO
Dear Neighbors:
I am delighted to announce that Dr. Howard
Scott has joined Methodist South as our new
Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Scott comes to us with a wealth of
experience that includes his previous role
as Chief Medical Officer of West Kendall
Baptist Hospital (WKBH) in Miami. WKBH is a 133-bed
acute-care teaching hospital that is affiliated with the Herbert
Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida State University.
Dr. Scott is very excited about becoming a part of the Methodist
Le Bonheur family and joining the South team. During
his interview visit, he was very impressed with our strong
commitment to quality measures and community involvement.
We are also excited about another program that we welcomed
here at South in May called the Stork’s Nest Program. It is
a prenatal health promotion program for pregnant women
with limited income and is a partnership between Methodist
South, the March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
You can read more about it in this edition of Health &
Wellness Connection.
If you haven’t had a chance to shop at the Whitehaven Farmers
Market, I urge you to make it a weekly trip. It is located across
from the hospital and is open every Monday afternoon from 1
to 6 p.m. through the end of October. When it comes to fresh
fruits and vegetables, the market is the perfect place to locate
some local healthy food finds for everyone in your family.
I hope you and your family have a fun, safe and healthy summer!
Caring for Children Before
They Are Born
Methodist South hosted a grand opening for the Stork’s Nest
prenatal program on Saturday, May 5. The program is designed
to encourage expectant mothers with limited income to begin
their prenatal care in the first trimester and to continue to
receive that care until the baby’s birth.
“The Stork’s Nest Program is a partnership between Methodist
South Hospital, the March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,
Inc.” says Florence Jones, Methodist South Hospital chief
nursing officer. “We are especially proud to provide the space
and class instruction for this worthwhile program.”
Stork’s Nest participants are expected to take seven, twohour sessions in order to receive incentives. Classes will be
taught by Methodist South Associates and March of Dimes
staff. Expectant mothers can earn points toward incentives by
keeping their prenatal appointments and by attending prenatal
education sessions. The incentives include free maternity and
infant clothing, baby supplies, car seats and strollers.
“The March of Dimes Tennessee chapter continually looks for
innovative ways to decrease the number of premature babies
born in our state,” says Valencia Nelson, March of Dimes state
director of program services. “The Stork’s Nest program is an
excellent opportunity to fulfill our mission of improving the health
of mothers and babies.”
For more information and to
register, contact Denise Nugent
at 901.516.3475.
Sincerely,
Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE
CEO/Administrator
Summer 2012
1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116 • Phone: 901.516.3700 • www.methodisthealth.org
FRACTURES IN CHILDREN
When Your Child Breaks a Bone
Children are active, adventurous and
not always careful. That combination,
unfortunately, often leads to broken bones
or fractures – common injuries sustained
by children and a leading reason to see an
orthopedic surgeon.
“In children, broken bones are often the
result of an accidental fall, a sports injury
or a vehicle accident,” says Sharif AbdusSalaam, MD. “Falling off a skateboard or
bike, crashing down from the playground
jungle gym or colliding with another soccer
player are common scenarios leading to
broken bones. Fractures often happen in
summertime when kids spend more
time outdoors.”
How Pediatric Orthopedics
Is Unique
“Bones in children are different from adult
bones in a number of ways,” says Dr.
Abdus-Salaam. “That means that how we
treat broken bones in children may differ
from the way we treat fractures in adults.”
For example, children’s bones have a
remarkable ability to heal quickly and the
younger the child, the more this is true.
“This capacity for healing allows orthopedic
specialists to cast or splint children’s bones
as they heal, rather than requiring a surgical
option, which is more common in adults,”
Dr. Abdus-Salaam says.
Because children are growing, their bones
contain growth plates where new bone
cells divide quickly. “A fracture in or near a
child’s growth plate can have major longterm effects,” says Dr. Abdus-Salaam. “As
it heals, this type of injury requires close
supervision by a pediatric orthopedist to
help avoid permanent growth problems in
the child.”
Children’s bones are also extremely pliable,
which means a bone could bend rather than
break during an injury or accident.
A Closer Look at Fractures
The following are types of fractures that
could occur in children:
•A
single fracture – the bone is broken in
one place only.
• A comminuted fracture – the bone is
broken into two or more pieces or crushed.
•A
complete fracture – the bone is
completely broken into two pieces.
BE SURE YOUR CHILD WEARS A BIKE HELMET AND OTHER
PROTECTIVE GEAR. ALSO EXAMINE PLAY AREAS FOR POTENTIAL
HAZARDS, SUCH AS LOOSE PARTS OR BROKEN EQUIPMENT.
Be treated well
• A greenstick fracture – the bone is
cracked only on one side, not completely
through.
• An open fracture – the bone is sticking
through the skin.
• A bowing fracture – the bone bends
but doesn’t break; this can only happen
in children.
“With most severe breaks, your child will
experience sharp pain and you will most
likely be aware that a bone is broken,” says
Dr. Abdus-Salaam. “However, there are
many cases – especially if the fracture is
small – when your child may not feel pain at
all and you won’t know if a bone is broken.
If an accident or injury has occurred, it’s
best to bring your child in for an examination
and X-rays. Without timely treatment of a
fracture, the bone will begin to heal itself –
often in a compromised position.”
Methodist Healthcare offers the latest
diagnostic tools and casting/splinting
options for bone fractures in adults, as well
as children. Visit www.lebonheur.org/ortho
for more information on pediatric orthopedics.
PATIENTS WHO COME TO THE CLINIC WILL RECEIVE
A HEALTH ASSESSMENT, MEDICATION INFORMATION
AND HEALTHY LIVING TIPS.
Congestive Heart Failure Clinic Opens
A group of Associates in Case Management and Social Work at Methodist South,
through a partnership with the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation’s “Aligning
Forces for Quality,” have been looking for ways to reduce readmissions for
Congestive Heart Failure patients. To help with this, Methodist South now has a
Congestive Heart Failure Clinic located in the Physician Office Building, Suite 209.
It is staffed by Clinical Specialist and MSN, Linda Kelly, and is open every Monday
and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tips for Managing Your
Congestive Heart Failure
Take your medicine as your doctor prescribed.
Weigh yourself every morning and keep a log.
According to Linda, when patients come to the clinic, they will receive a health
assessment. It will include screenings for blood sugar and cholesterol (if a patient
requests it) and also height/weight and oxygen levels. She will educate them on
managing their medication along with diet and exercise to help patients adopt
healthy behaviors. If they are having problems getting their medications or finding
transportation to their doctor, she will refer them to a social worker for assistance.
all your doctor if you have a weight gain of
C
more than three pounds in a week.
“Anyone can refer a patient to the clinic, including patients and families,” says
Kelly. “This is a hospital service and there is no cost to the patient.”
Avoid smoking and being around smoke.
Limit fluids and alcohol.
Maintain a low-salt diet.
For more information about the CHF Clinic, contact Linda Kelly at 901.516.3212.
www.methodisthealth.org
1300 Wesley Drive
Memphis, TN 38116
In This Issue
Caring for Children
Before They Are Born
When Your Child
Breaks a Bone
Congestive Heart
Failure Clinic Opens
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:
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What Our Patients Are Saying about Methodist South
This letter is to let you know about the outstanding service provided
to my grandson and family recently.
My grandson was rushed to Methodist South in very serious condition.
He is a juvenile diabetic and his sugar level had reached an alarming level.
In fact, he had to spend the night in ICU to be monitored closely.
The next day, he was moved to the second floor. This is where we
met Ms. Debbie Pigram. First I would like to commend the entire staff
of nurses who attended to my dear grandson. They were all great. But
somehow the outstanding, homey personality of Debbie was so warm,
friendly and infectious that we anticipated her coming to check on my
grandson. Her professionalism was outstanding. She was reassuring and
concerned about his condition.
Also the patient advocate, Marilyn Albright, was wonderful. She made
us feel like old friends.
I just want to compliment you for demanding the best from your
employees and to give Debbie the compliments she deserves for being
a great care provider. In the words of Mother Theresa, “She has
certainly bloomed where she was planted.”
Thanks to Methodist South and to Debbie Pigram for his successful
recovery. May God bless you all.