Baltimore County hospitals enact disaster plan with state and local agencies

Northwest Hospital and the four other Baltimore County hospitals have signed the Baltimore County Healthcare Facilities Mutual Aid System Memorandum of Understanding (a.k.a., “Healthcare MOU”) with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore County Emergency Management Task Force and the Baltimore County Office of Homeland Security. The Healthcare MOU will help county government agencies and hospitals quickly come together in an event of a disaster and provide coordinated health care for disaster victims.

When a large disaster – such as a terrorist attack – strikes, many people need to use a hospital at once. Specifically, the Healthcare MOU dedicates space outside the Baltimore County hospitals where patients with minor injuries can be treated. These spaces are called “surge sites,” which would be located at campuses of the Community College of Baltimore County, Greater Baltimore Medical Center and/or Stella Maris.

“While we hope that Baltimore County never experiences a disaster large enough to require the use of one of these surge sites, it is comforting to know that Baltimore County’s Health Department, Fire and EMS, hospitals and medical institutions and participating colleges and universities are working together as a team to share resources when lives are on the line,” says Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr.

Planning for emergencies is something that Northwest Hospital does extensively. The hospital routinely holds disaster drills so that its staff can practice their emergency roles. These exercises help the Northwest refine its emergency plans and correct any weaknesses that are exposed during the drill.

“Being prepared is the first step in ensuring success should we need to handle a real-life emergency or disaster,” says Nelson Figueroa, RN, BSN, MBA, Northwest’s director of emergency services and the emergency management coordinator. “We are happy to be part of the Healthcare MOU because it means that in a large-scale disaster, the surge sites will allow us to treat vast numbers of survivors in the most effective and caring way possible.”

Figueroa is pictured above with Smith and Northwest Hospital Vice President of Patient Care Services Sue Jalbert.

To learn more about Northwest Hospital, call 410-601-WELL (9355).

Tips for Cold Weather Activity and Exercise

by Jason Bosley-Smith, CSCS, Live Well @ LifeBridge

The weather has begun to turn cooler and winter is right around the corner. Although this time of the year is usually accompanied by a drop in physical activity, it’s still important to stay active and healthy through the season. One option is to bring your exercise indoors and opt for the gym and other exercise equipment such as recumbent bikes, treadmills and ellipticals for your workouts. If you prefer outdoor options such as jogging and biking, then there are a few key things you want to keep in mind when preparing for a winter workout:

1) It's fine to begin an exercise program in cold weather. Just be sure to dress appropriately in warm clothing such as layered, moisture-wicking, heat-insulating apparel. In addition, be sure to hydrate appropriately—although it may feel cold and you may not think you are sweating, you can still lose vital fluids through outdoor exercise that leave you dehydrated. Aim for half of your body weight in ounces of water each day to stay appropriately hydrated.

2) If you have asthma or any respiratory conditions, be cautious and take your inhaler or other aids with you when you head out. Cold air and wind can restrict bronchial tubes and make breathing more difficult.

3) Warm-up by beginning with a light bout of movement that incorporates various muscle groups. This type of “dynamic warm-up” will prevent you from injury and prime your body for the more intense bout of exercise. Once this is complete, you can begin to increase your intensity, gradually ramping up to your full exertion exercise.

4) After you’ve completed your movement-based warm-up, you can opt to stretch some, but continue to use the more active, dynamic stretches that more closely mimic the type of exercise you are about to perform. When you have completed your routine, then you can head indoors to stretch with more static, “hold” stretches.

5) Stretch the lower back, hamstrings, hip flexors and shoulders—these muscle groups are the most utilized in running/biking activity and are those that tend to tighten up most frequently. Again, stretching these areas will prevent any muscle strains or sprains, and will keep you from being as sore the following day.

Being active and healthy is a year-long pursuit, so follow these simple tips to stay active and on top of your activity goals through the winter.

Last Week to See A Line in the Sand

This is the last week to see the House of Ruth Maryland's A Line in the Sand. This special exhibit features portraits of groups or individuals who have made a large impact in preventing domestic violence. It has been touring for two years, and Sinai Hospital is honored to be the exhibit's last stop. The House of Ruth Maryland helps thousands of battered women every year. Don't miss your chance to see these photographs, on display in the Sinai Hospital Atrium.

If you need more information about the Family Violence Program at Sinai, dedicated to providing counseling and information for victims of domestic violence, call 410-601-WELL (9355).

November Parent's Night Out at LifeBridge Health & Fitness

Do you need an evening of peace and quiet, or perhaps a date night with your spouse?

LifeBridge Health & Fitness has recently reinvigorated its KidZone Parent's Night Out program. The November program is on from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, November 19 at LifeBridge Health & Fitness.

"The idea is to give parents a breather and have the kids participate in fun activities," says Robin Perry, member services team leader at LifeBridge Health & Fitness.

The night's events include a carnival festival, where kids can participate in WiiFit Bowlathan, Face Painting, Bean Bag Toss, Decorate Your Turkey Bag or play Apple on the Spoon. The cost is $15 for the first child and $5 for each additional child for LifeBridge Health & Fitness members; or $20 for the first child and $5 for each additional child for non-members. Parents may provide snacks for their children, and all parents must pick their children up by 9 p.m.

You must register by November 17. Call 410-318-6811 to sign up!

Nursing as a Second Profession: A Success Story

Do you feel stuck in your current job or that you're meant to do something meaningful?

If so, look to Rich Van Rensselaer, R.N., who works in Sinai's ER-7. Van Rensselaer, formerly the owner of a specialty wine and liquor store in Florida, graduated in May from the University of Maryland with a master’s in clinical nurse leadership. Van Rensselaer, 45, was recently profiled in the New York Times. To read more, click here.

Free Flu Shots At Northwest Hospital

Starting tomorrow, Northwest Hospital will be offering free seasonal flu shots to community members. This is a partnership with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

These free shots will be available outside the hospital's Old Court Café (near the main lobby) from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• Wednesday, November 10
• Thursday, November 11
• Monday, November 15
• Tuesday, November 16
• Wednesday, November 17

"This is a great opportunity for anyone who has not yet received a flu shot this year," notes Mary Wallace, the hospital's manager of infection prevention and control. Wallace points out that seasonal flu shots can cost up to $30 at area pharmacies, so getting a free seasonal flu shot can be a big help in today's economy.

The shots are available for anyone 14 years or older who has not yet received the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine. In addition to H1N1, the shots protect against two new strains of the flu.

Northwest Hospital is located at 5401 Old Court Road in Randallstown. Parking is free.

Reduce your chance of getting sick this year - come to Northwest Hospital on one of the above dates and times for your free shot!

Got the Urge? Incontinence and Women

When you “gotta go, gotta go,” all of the time, you probably should go straight to your doctor to determine the reasons why. It’s a problem facing many people. “Over 35 million people in America have bladder problems,” says Dee-Dee Shiller, D.O., the director of the Women’s Wellness Center at Northwest Hospital.

Dr. Shiller, presented a lecture on “urge incontinence” at Sinai Hospital’s Grand Rounds last week, where the focus was on women. “So many women deal with incontinence on a daily basis,” Dr. Shiller says. “The problem is, a lot of women don’t want to talk about it. They think it is part of the normal aging process.”

“Urge incontinence” is when a person leaks urine for no apparent reason after feeling the urge to urinate. It differs from “stress incontinence” which can happen after coughing, sneezing or exercising.

No one should suffer silently with bladder problems because good treatment options are available. Dr. Shiller advises her patients to urinate on a schedule, every two or three hours, instead of waiting until the situation gets dire. Also, her patients find that keeping a “bladder diary” is helpful.

The bladder diary can record the patients’ trips to the bathroom, what they drank, accidental urine leaks and what they were doing at the time. It can enlighten people to which bladder irritants may be causing the urge incontinence.

Bladder irritants can include caffeine, diet sweeteners, alcohol and tobacco. Dr. Shiller said that not everyone agrees with what can irritate the bladder. Also, losing excess weight, not drinking liquids three hours before bedtime, and doing Kegel exercises (contracting the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor for ten seconds and then relaxing) may help.

“Behavioral therapy does work,” Dr. Shiller says. However, there are medications that can also work although some can be costly.

The Women’s Wellness Center offers alternative therapies such as massage, yoga, meditation and acupuncture that can benefit women suffering from urge incontinence. “I would love it if Depends (adult diapers) were off the market,” Dr. Shiller says.

To learn more about the Women’s Wellness Center at Northwest Hospital, call 410-601-9355 (WELL).

Daylight Savings Ends Sunday

If you have trouble sleeping, there's good news - you are getting an extra hour this weekend.

Don't forget to adjust your clocks an hour back at 2 a.m. Sunday due to the end of Daylight Savings. But you may also want to pause this weekend to ask if you are one of the 60 million Americans who has a sleep disorder.

A lack of quality sleep is often responsible for car crashes and mistakes and accidents in the workplace, not to mention that it can make you feel miserable.

Some sleep disorders, like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), exact a heavy toll on one’s health. OSA has been linked to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. OSA, in which the upper airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, is a condition that affects 24 percent of men and 8 percent of women. Symptoms include loud, irregular snoring; restless sleep with frequent (and possibly unnoticed) awakening; and waking up with a headache, dry mouth and/or sore throat.

Other common sleep disorder symptoms include daytime sleepiness; frequent nighttime urination; irritability or moodiness; memory loss; and poor concentration.

If you haven’t been getting a good night’s sleep lately, you owe it to yourself – and to your long-term health – to talk with your doctor about having a sleep study and seeing a sleep specialist.

Sleep studies are covered by most insurance plans. If you have a referral from your physician for a sleep study and consultation, appointments for a sleep study are available seven days a week at the sleep centers at Northwest and Sinai. To schedule a sleep study, call 410-601-9355.

LifeBridge Health Recognizes the Importance of Family Caregivers

When we were young, our parents read us our favorite stories, bandaged our scraped knees and cheered us on at soccer games. As we got older, they were there again for us when we needed a few extra bucks or the keys to the car.

The story, however, doesn’t always end the way we would like. As we grow older, so do our parents. They can slow down, become physically frail, and appear mentally confused. Over the course of time, these strong individuals may need our help with even the simplest tasks of daily living.

According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), more than 65 million Americans take care of elderly loved ones. That’s why November has been designated National Family Caregivers Month, a time to thank, support and educate caregivers. These unsung heroes can be friends, neighbors or family members. The NFCA also provides tips and how-to guides.

When those caregivers need help, adult day care is a great way to keep elderly loved ones at home for as long as possible. It allows the elderly to spend time in a stimulating, safe place during the day while giving caregivers time to run errands or just relax.

Adult Day Services at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore is designed for elders with special medical needs such as diabetes, hypertension and post-stroke disabilities, and/or those with mental health problems such as dementia, confusion and Alzheimer's disease.

At Levindale, we strive to be an extension of your home environment with caring and personalized treatment because your loved one receives needed nursing, medical and social care.

Services for participants include:
-Door to door transportation
-Medical professionals on site for physical and cognitive challenges
-Escort services to doctors’ appointments
-Diverse activity programs and trips
-Delicious, nutritious meals
-Dignified support and assistance

Services for caregivers includes:
-Time to spend with other family members
-The chance to take care of other responsibilities
-Support and education services
-Piece of mind

For more information, call Levindale’s Adult Day Services at 410-601-2360.
-Helene King

When a Big Stomach is More Than a Big Stomach

When is a big stomach more than visible proof of eating way too much fatty food? When it is an accumulation of fluid, and not fat, that is causing the abdominal distension. It is called “ascites,” a medical condition for an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which is the gap between the wall of the abdomen and the organs that are contained within the abdomen.

“Ascites is a symptom of a disease. It is not a disease itself,” said H. Franklin Herlong, M.D. Dr. Herlong presented a talk on “Management of Ascites” at Sinai’s Grand Rounds last week.

Dr. Herlong, a visiting professor from Johns Hopkins, is a gastroenterologist. “Ascites is one of the most frustrating symptoms that can dramatically alter a patient’s life,” Dr. Herlong said. Ascites is usually a symptom when a patient has cirrhosis and severe liver disease. “Fluid leaks out of the liver and that is how ascites is formed,” he said. “Cirrhosis is the most common cause of ascites.” However, ascites may be a symptom of other serious illnesses including congestive heart failure.

Ascites can be managed but it is important to treat the underlying disease itself, he cautioned. Treatments include salt restriction and properly prescribed diuretics. People who can manage their ascites will be able to eat better, move around more easily and probably improve their self-image. “Patients feel better,” Dr. Herlong said. And that is the best reason for managing ascites.

-Sandra Crockett

Choosing the Right Nursing Home

The smell of freshly baked bread drifts from the kitchen. Old friends chat as a dog chases a tennis ball nearby. These are the sights, sounds and smells of what senior living should be.

Your Golden Years aren’t a time to “settle.” After a lifetime of hard work, you should enjoy bright, elegant and friendly surroundings – where you can indulge in hobbies, challenge your mind and commune with nature.

To be happy, you don’t have to live in the house where you raised your family. “In fact, the older we get, the more overwhelming owning a home can become,” says Aric Spitulnik, president of Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital. “That’s when it’s important to research new living options, so you can make life worth living without the headaches.”

His first tip: Start with a checklist of the things most important to you. Examples may include:
-Privacy, both with bedroom suites and bathrooms
-Internet connections
-Pets that live with you
-Beautiful grounds
-Nearness to shopping and museums
-Closeness to family
-Proximity to medical care
-Being treated with respect and compassion

Aric’s second tip: Get recommendations from friends, houses of worship, aging organizations and the Internet, and check each place yourself if possible. “The old institutional feel of nursing homes is not good enough for our elders,” continues Aric. “That’s why Levindale began a $31 million construction project in January – to create a modern, warm home that fits the desires of seniors ‘on the go’ and of seniors seeking dignified care.” It will be located on the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg campus.

Aric’s third tip: Give yourself enough time to figure out what accommodations will guarantee you a lifetime of fulfillment, and then take action. For more information about Levindale, call 410-601-WELL (9355).

-Helene King