Inspire Winter 2015

1STMHOSPITAL.ORG WINTER 2015

When wounds won’t heal, St. Thomas More offers

help and hope.

A TIME FORHEALING

Dave Cipitelli was close to losing his leg when St. Thomas More

wound experts stepped in to help. Read his story on Page 7.

WINTER 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 1

PHOTO BY STEVE BIGLEY

LEARN TO DREAM BIG

Page 3

INSPIREINSPIREA Healthier You

KNOW THE SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

Page 4

TIPS FOR A PERFECT PREGNANCY

Page 6

St. Thomas More Hospital

A TIME FORHEALING

2 INSPIRE ST. THOMAS MORE HOSPITAL

FROM HEAD TO TOEIF YOU’VE GOT A HEART PROBLEM, SKIN CONDITION, or another specialized healthcare need, you may not need to leave Cañon City to find expert care. Over the past two years, St. Thomas More Hospital has recruited doctors in seven specialty fields to see patients in Cañon City on a regular basis. The clinics are held in the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at St. Thomas More Hospital. For information or appointments to any of these clinics, please call the number next to the specialty:

LOST&

2

health notes

Dear Neighbor,

We are so fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful

places in the world. And most of us try to take advantage

of it, whether that’s by hiking up mountains in the

summer or skiing down them in the winter. Personally,

one of my favorite activities is mountain biking on trails

around Cañon City.

Being healthy enough to enjoy a walk with a friend,

dinner with your family, or a Sunday morning at

church is ultimately what brings us the most pleasure.

Understanding that, we are working

to build a culture of wellness in our

community that will help all of us

stay healthier. We have expanded

our specialty clinics so care that

helps prevent or control chronic

conditions is easier to access. We have invested in a wellness

coordinator who works with all of

our associates and the community

to set up health programs. And now

we are launching INSPIRE, a

quarterly publication that we hope

will inspire you with information

and stories to improve your health

so you can live life to its fullest.

Please enjoy this inaugural issue. And if you have

comments or stories that will help inspire the rest of us,

please email us at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Sheri Trahern, CEOSt. Thomas More Hospital

not found

u Neurology (last Friday of each month) 719-473-3272 u Pulmonology (every Monday) 719-564-1542u Nephrology (first Tuesday of each month) 719-561-5264 u Coumadin Clinic (every Tuesday) 719-285-2291u Radiation Oncology (first Thursday of each month) 719-557-5460 u Skin Clinic (second and fourth Thursday) 719-285-2255u Cardiology (second and fourth Wednesday of each month) 719-776-8500

IF YOU’VE LOST WEIGHT and you don’t want to find it again, run! Or walk, or bike.

While cutting calories alone may have been enough to help you lose weight, the key to keeping it off is to continue eating healthy while adding exercise, says Michele Streeter, MD, an ENT and allergy physician at St. Thomas More Physician Group. And she knows firsthand. Streeter successfully lost weight with diet alone but couldn’t keep it off without adding exercise.

“One without the other doesn’t work well,” she says.

Studies back her up. In a 2012 study funded and conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), researchers noted that exercise is particularly important because it helps adults lose fat while preserving muscle.

These days, Streeter uses her lunch break for exercise, hopping on the treadmill three days a week and weight training two days a week. “I’ve been exercising five days a week for six months now — and keeping the weight off,” she says.

Diet Exercise?If you’re trying to lose weight,

cutting calories is the key. While exercise is critical to improving your health and

maintaining weight loss, diet is the

key to losing it in the first place.

Visiting doctors provide care in seven specialties

or

Dr. Michele Streeter

People who successfully maintain their weight loss watch fewer than 16 hours of TV each

week, according to the Framingham Study.

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DREAM BIG AT ANY AGEYOUNG AGE IS NO LONGER A PREREQUISITE FOR DREAMING BIG. Whether the goal is to run a marathon at age 70, start a business at age 50, or be debt-free by 40, dreaming big offers big-time health rewards.

People who dream big are more likely to accomplish their goals. So if you’re setting goals for 2015, here are a few things to keep in mind, according to Emma Glancy, wellness coordinator at St. Thomas More Hospital:

u According to a 2011 study by the University of Michigan, intrinsic goals like improving your compassion or friendships boost self-esteem more than extrinsic goals like losing weight. And increased self-esteem is linked to increased motivation and increased contentment — both of which improve health.

u Dreams focus attention, provide a source of interest, and foster a sense of accomplishment when achieved, all of which promote happiness.

u People who set SMART goals tend to be more successful in reaching their dreams. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. SMART goals create structure for big dreams.

7/10 Americans have a bucket list*

*Ketchum Global Research Network

Your awareness decreases as you’re older, and you don’t realize you need to be cautious.”

— TIM ANDREWS, MANAGER OF REHABILITATION SERVICES

health notes

Tim Andrews

Spring intoFALL PREVENTIONStepping On is a FREE seven-week course offered by St. Thomas More Hospital to help seniors reduce falls by more than 30 percent. You’ll learn exercises to improve your balance and strength, and hear guest lectures by local eye doctors, pharmacists, and police officials regarding personal and home safety. The next program begins in March. Complete details on Page 8.

HEADS UP Seniors can protect their heads by improving their balance

INCREASED MEDIA ATTENTION has made most people aware of concussions, particularly in teens and in football players. But many people don’t realize that seniors are at high risk of head injuries. In fact, one in three adults over age 65 fall every year, says Tim Andrews, an occupational therapist and manager of rehabilitation services.

“We see a lot of adults who fall,” he says. “Your awareness decreases as you’re older, and you don’t realize you need to be cautious.”

Falls cause more than 80 percent of all brain injuries in adults age 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 22,000 older adults die each year from falls, the CDC reports.Falls become more common as we age, Andrews says, because we experience declines in hearing, sight, muscle strength, balance, and reflexes.It’s important, he adds, for caregivers to watch for evidence of falls. For example, some behavioral changes you observe might not be just a sign of aging. If you notice sudden personality changes, vision changes, or a loss of function, take your loved one to the doctor right away. And think about prevention, he notes. “Physical therapy can increase your strength, coordination, and overall body awareness,” Andrews says. “We can also help you adapt your environment to make it safer.”

Plan your dreams and pamper your heart

Your heart is the engine of your body and the keeper of your dreams. Join us for Pamper Your Heart, a FREE women’s event to nurture your heart physically and emotionally. Behavioral health therapist Tobi Steinberg from Penrose-St. Francis Health Services will lead an interactive life-planning session entitled “Follow Your Heart,” where you will identify your dreams and build a plan for achieving them. Also enjoy a smorgasbord of heart health screenings, information booths, and a FREE heart-healthy dinner. All attendees will receive a special gift.

Thursday, Feb. 19 | 4:30-7 p.m. Evangelical Free Church, 3000 E. Main St., Cañon City

Register online at stmhospital.org/pamper-your-heart or by calling 719-285-2179.


heart health

ON A GOOD DAY, it takes about 45 minutes to drive from Cañon City to Colorado Springs or Pueblo. During a heart attack, it takes just three minutes without oxygen for heart cells to begin dying.

These cells cannot be regrown — they are dead forever, and so is the function they performed. Heart cells that die form scar tissue and prevent the heart from beating effectively, which may make it impossible to hike a mountain or even walk around the block without pain.

“When someone starts having a heart attack, they stop having blood flow to a segment of their heart muscle,” explains George Gibson, MD, a Pueblo cardiologist who consults with St. Thomas More Hospital’s emergency team. “If that flow is interrupted for a period of hours, the heart muscle is permanently damaged.”

The most important thing at that point is getting oxygen to the heart. And that means calling 911 and getting to the closest hospital fast.

AND TAKE ACTION FAST

KNOW THE SIGNSof a heart attack

Only one in three Coloradans knows the signs of a heart attack, according to the state health department.

“Without fast treatment, you can have a heart attack that leaves you with so little function that you have congestive heart failure,” a lifelong condition that makes it difficult to breath and can cause extreme fatigue, Gibson adds. “But if blood flow is restored quickly, there may be almost no damage.”

HIGHER RISKS LOCALLYThe rate of being hospitalized for a heart attack is 25 percent higher in Fremont County than the state average, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. For many of those people, St. Thomas More Hospital is a lifesaver. The hospital treats about 24 heart attacks each year that require immediate treatment. The ER team can provide immediate lifesaving treatment and airlift the patient for further care or often can provide all the treatment that is necessary. St. Thomas More Hospital treats dozens more each year for chest pain to either rule out a

Know the Signs

WHEN IT COMES TO A HEART ATTACK,

There are 45 miles between Cañon City and

Colorado Springs, 39 miles to Pueblo. If you or a

loved one is having a heart attack, driving those

miles could be the quickest route to long-term

disability or death.

13

Pain in the chest, shoulders, arms, jaw, neck,

or back

Weakness, light-headedness, feeling faint,

nausea

Shortness of breath,

sweating, feeling of distress


heart attack or observe for follow-up heart care.

“The longer you wait for an intervention, the more of the (heart) tissue that dies,” says April Asbury, RN, BSN, director of emergency

services at St. Thomas More.

If you are the one with symptoms, call 911. “Do not drive if you’re having chest pain,” Asbury says.

If it’s a loved one, you can call 911 or you can drive him or her — whichever is faster as long as it’s safe. “Just go to the closest hospital,” she advises. “It’s important to have an EKG right away and get evaluated.”

Once in the hospital, ER staff members perform blood tests, learn the patient’s health history, and assess the heart with an EKG, Asbury says.

If the EKG shows the heart attack is a STEMI, the most deadly type of heart attack that occurs due to a blockage in the arteries, the St. Thomas More team begins treatment while Centura Health’s Flight For Life® Colorado is called.

RESTORING OXYGEN FLOWWhen an artery is blocked, the goal is to eliminate the blockage. That can be done using a clot-busting drug called a thrombolytic or with emergency angioplasty — a procedure done in a catheterization lab that uses a tiny balloon to open the artery.

The preferred treatment for a STEMI, Gibson says, is angioplasty. At St. Thomas More, ER staff aim to confirm the heart attack and then transfer the patient for angioplasty within the nationally recommended “door-to-balloon” time of 120 minutes. That means two hours from the time a patient arrives in the ER to the time he or she is having the procedure.

3 THINGS hurting the hearts of Fremont CountyNinety percent of Americans have at least one risk factor for heart disease that can be changed, according to the American Heart Association. Here are three things that could be killing your heart and what you can do. We also show how many people in Fremont County have these risk factors.

April Asbury, ER Director

Know the Signs

“In the past couple of years, we’ve been refining our processes,” Gibson says. “And our times are getting very, very good. We are consistently in the 110- to 130-minute range, and there’s reason to believe that it will be driven down more than that.”

For non-STEMIs (heart attacks not caused by a complete blockage), St. Thomas More can administer medications that treat the heart attack, and then refer the patient for follow-up care to treat the underlying problems that caused the heart attack.

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRYThe bottom line, Gibson says, is that the quicker you can get treatment, the better. If you have chest pain, don’t second-guess what else it could be, he says. Just get to the ER.

“It’s not always your heart,” Asbury adds. “But it’s important to get checked — have that EKG so we know for sure.”

Gastrointestinal problems can feel like heart problems, Gibson notes.

“And oftentimes it is, and that’s OK,” he says. “Even if you feel like it’s silly, it’s a better idea to go to the ER and have it checked out.”

PAMPER YOUR HEARTJoin us on Feb. 19 for FREE heart health screenings, information booths, a heart-healthy dinner, and a special interactive session on getting the most out of your life! All attendees receive a special gift. Complete details on Page 3.

READY TO TAKE ACTION?The No. 1 thing you can do to prevent a heart attack is quit smoking. Join us for a 13-week FREE tobacco cessation class. Classes will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays from March 5 through May 28, at St. Thomas More Hospital. Call 719-285-2010 or visit stmhospital.org/tobacco-free to register.

High blood pressure

damages the lining of the arteries and leads to a buildup of plaque that stops blood from flowing to the heart. It also weakens the heart. One thing you can do to lower blood pressure is stop eating salt.

High cholesterol causes blockages in the arteries. One thing you can do to lower your cholesterol is to know your number, starting at age 20. Knowing your cholesterol levels lets you set targets and know whether diet and exercise are enough or whether you need medication to treat the problem.

Smoking harms blood cells and the structure of the arteries, leading to plaque buildup. It also damages the heart’s ability to function. There’s only one thing you can do: quit.

The proportion of Fremont County residents who have these conditions is colored in red.

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women’s health

PerfectlyPREGNANTFive simple tips to inspire a healthy and stress-free pregnancy

IF YOU’RE LIKE MOST WOMEN CONSIDERING PREGNANCY or already expecting, you’re likely reading, researching, and talking with friends and family to learn about this special time. Advice and opinions are great, but expertise is better. John Heavrin, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist at St. Thomas More Physician Group in Cañon City weighs in with his top tips for ensuring a safe, healthy pregnancy.

Prepare your body. The stress from trying to become pregnant or pregnancy cravings might have you skipping workouts or eating

an extra scoop of ice cream, but don’t let them derail your health. “Regular exercise decreases

your chances for complications, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure,” Heavrin says. And eating well and exercising regularly have an added bonus — they help you get back your prepregnancy body much faster.

Be patient. Once you decide you want to become pregnant, you’re

ready for it to happen right away. But studies show only 30 percent of couples conceive in the first month but by the 12th month, 85 percent are successful. If you’ve tried for a few months and feel

frustrated, take heart; it’s likely you just need a little more time, Heavrin says. But if you’ve experienced 12 months or more without success, see your doctor for a basic infertility workup.

Dr. John Heavrin

BOOST YOUR BABYOne of the best ways to boost your confidence is to boost your knowledge about pregnancy, delivery, and caring for an infant. You can do that with a four-week

Childbirth Education class at St. Thomas More Hospital. During this program, you will learn about what to expect in your third trimester of pregnancy, breathing techniques for labor, pain relief options that are available during delivery, breastfeeding tips, post-delivery care for you and your baby, car seat safety, and community resources that are available to you and your family. Spouses/partners and support persons are welcome to attend as well.

Classes are held once a week on Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. in the Community Education Room at St. Thomas More Hospital. Cost is $25 for you and your partner/support person; scholarships are available if you cannot afford this fee. Call 719-285-2058 or visit stmhospital.org/birth for more information

and upcoming dates.

IQ

Don’t believe everything you Google. We live smack dab in the middle of an information highway. With a few clicks,

we’re exposed to all sorts of data; some based in sound research, and some rooted in opinion alone. “As doctors, our patients are often upset or worried about something they’ve found online,” Heavrin says. “I feel horrible they’ve spent time worrying when we can so easily alleviate their concerns.” He urges all patients to ask for clarification when they’ve heard or read anything troubling.

Be open-minded. It’s normal to begin pregnancy with certain ideals in mind and to design your ideal birth plan.

But remember, your birth plan is just that, a plan. During labor and delivery, the unexpected can happen, so be prepared to be flexible.

Have confidence. Pregnancy is the most natural thing in the world, yet it often evokes anxiety in the women experiencing

it. “If I could share just one tip with my patients, it would be to have confidence in the fact that their bodies are designed to go through this process,” Heavrin says. “Your job is to make healthy choices throughout your pregnancy and have confidence that the vast majority of the time, patients have uncomplicated pregnancies and births.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Heavrin, call 719-285-2735.

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FIGHTINGWOUNDSWhen a wound is your opponent, St. Thomas More Wound and Ostomy Care Center is in your corner

KNOCKING WOUNDS

OUTIt’s estimated that chronic wounds affect around 6.5 million patients in the U.S. and cost more than $25 billion annually to treat. Factors that increase a person’s risk for chronic wounds include:

u Obesity, diabetes, and cancer

u Smokingu Poor diet and lack of

exerciseu Certain medications

To treat chronic wounds, the St. Thomas More Wound and Ostomy Care Center offers standard dressing changes, conservative sharp debridement, total contact casting for diabetic/neuropathic foot wounds, negative pressure therapy, and ankle/brachial testing for venous and arterial disease. The center also provides ostomy education.

Getting treatment as soon as possible is critical, says Lisa Shane, RN, CWOCN, a specialized wound care nurse at the center.

“The longer a wound is open, the higher the risk of infection,” she explains. “So, come in and get it properly taken care of.”

Dave Cipitelli is grateful he found help for a wound and infection that threatened to take his leg.

STMHOSPITAL.ORG WINTER 2015 7

DAVE CIPITELLI IS A FIGHTER, a tough guy. But when a surgeon told him he might lose his leg, he didn’t feel so tough.

“I felt scared,” recalls the 42-year-old Cañon City resident.

After surgery on his leg two years ago, an incision became infected and wouldn’t heal.

Cipitelli didn’t have to look far to find help. The St. Thomas More Wound and Ostomy Care Center treats more than 600 patients each year from throughout Fremont County. The center specializes in providing expert care to patients with all types of wounds. The three most common are wounds related to diabetes, poor blood circulation, or accidents, says Jim Watson, RN, WOCN, a wound care nurse at the center.

At the center, Cipitelli was treated by Watson and Lisa Shane, RN, CWOCN, also a wound care nurse. Although the wound began to improve, the infection couldn’t be stopped. Watson and Shane knew he required antibiotics and emergency attention from a vascular surgeon, so they referred him to Penrose-St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs, a sister facility in the Centura Health network.

“I went to the Springs, and the surgeon said I was septic and that he’d have to take my leg,” Cipitelli says. “He said I’d die that night if they didn’t do something.”

Cipitelli survived that night and was even able to keep his leg — something he credits to Watson and Shane.

“If Lisa and Jim hadn’t kept me aware of what was going on, I would’ve died,” he says. “The surgeon in the Springs even raved about the wound care center here.”

Cipitelli returned to St. Thomas More after his surgery to continue treatment and has since fully recovered.

“They’re really awesome people. I love them both,” he says. “I was going there for over a year. … They got me to where I am today.”

Today, he’s grateful to be able to walk and knows God has plans for him, even if he isn’t sure what those are.

“And apparently, I need both my legs to do it,” he banters.

For more information about St. Thomas More Wound and Ostomy Care Center, visit stmhospital.org/wound-care or call 719-285-2147.

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1338 Phay AvenueCañon City, CO 81212

Catholic Health Initiatives Colorado

St. Thomas More Hospital

St. Thomas More Hospital is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading healthcare network.Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2015.

STEPPING ONTUESDAYS, MAR 3-APR 14 9-11 A.M.Prevent falls with this seven-week program that strengthens your balance and has been proven to help seniors reduce falls by more than 30 percent.Location: St. Thomas More Hospital, Community RoomCost: FREERegistration: 719-285-2345

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATIONWEDNESDAYS, MAR 4-25 6-9 P.M.Prepare yourself, your partner, and baby for labor and delivery during this four-week program. Learn what to expect in your third trimester, labor techniques, pain management, breastfeeding, and post-delivery care.Location: St. Thomas More Hospital, Community RoomCost: $25 for you and a support person; scholarships available upon requestRegistration: stmhospital.org/childbirth-education or 719-285-2058

TOBACCO CESSATIONTHURSDAYS, MAR 5-MAY 28 7 P.M.This 13-week program provides education and support to help you live tobacco-free with weekly meetings, tools to maintain success, respiratory testing, and more! Location: St. Thomas More Hospital, Community RoomCost: FREERegistration: stmhospital.org/tobacco-free or 719-285-2010

INSPIRE is published quarterly by St. Thomas More Hospital as part of our mission to nurture the health of the people in our community. The information

herein is meant to complement, not replace, advice provided by a

licensed healthcare provider.

To comment or unsubscribe, email us at [email protected].

INSPIRE is produced by Clementine Words LLC. Executive

Editor: Jillian Maes.

ST M H O S P I TA L.O RG

SAVE THE DATE!KOAA 5 Health Fair of Southern Colorado (9Health Fair)Saturday, Apr 25 7 a.m.-noonLocation: Evangelical Free Church, 3000 E. Main St.Info: 9healthfair.org or 719-285-2630

INSPIRE

INSPIRATION

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDColorado Springs, CO

Permit No. 14

Join our health experts to learn how you can make small changes that make a big impact on improving your health! For a complete list of classes and details, visit stmhospital.org/calendar.

PAMPER YOUR HEARTTHURSDAY, FEB 19 4:30-7 P.M. Enjoy heart health screenings, information booths, a heart-healthy dinner, a special gift, and an interactive session on getting the most out of your life! Don’t forget to wear red in support of National Heart Month. Location: Evangelical Free Church, 3000 E. Main St.Cost: FREERegistration: stmhospital.org/pamper-your-heart or 719-285-2179

St. Thomas More offers the following ongoing

education and support:

Diabetes education classes and monthly support group; to learn

more, visit stmhospital.org/diabetes or call 719-285-2712.

Monthly support groups for gluten-free and bariatric weight

loss; to learn more, call 719-285-2548.

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Inspire Winter 2015