Notable nursing - SRMC · Notable nursing Southeastern Health is nationally recognized for nursing care Get relief ... Richard Johnson, MD, Chairman, Department of Medicine David

F A L L 2 0 14

p. 4

Notable nursing

Southeastern Health is nationally recognized

for nursing care

Get reliefCHRONIC PAIN CAN

BE A PUZZLE—WE CAN HELP YOU SOLVE IT

p. 8

Fall 2014, Issue 3

HEALTHWISE is published quarterly as a community service for the friends of SOUTHEASTERN HEALTH.

300 W. 27th St.Lumberton, NC 28358

910-671-5000

www.southeasternhealth.org

SOUTHEASTERN HEALTHPresident and Chief Executive Offi cerJoann Anderson, MSN, FACHE

Coordinator of Public RelationsAmanda L. Crabtree

2014 Southeastern Health Board of Trustees

Offi cersMichael T. “Bo” Stone, ChairJerry L. Johnson, Vice Chair/Secretary

TrusteesKenny Biggs • Chancellor Kyle Carter • Faye C. Caton • Larry Chavis • Danny Cook • Dennis Hempstead • Randall Jones • Wayland Lennon • Alphonzo McRae Jr. • John C. Rozier Jr., MD • Jan Spell • Joseph R. Thompson • Michael P. Walters • W.C. Washington

Ex offi cioJoann Anderson, MSN, FACHE,

ex offi cio, President and CEODr. Joseph Roberts, ex offi cio, Immediate Past President, Medical StaffDr. Dennis Stuart, ex offi cio, Chair,

Network Operating CouncilCoble D. Wilson Jr., ex offi cio, Chair,

Southeastern Health Foundation

Medical Staff Offi cersBarry E. Williamson, MD, PresidentTerry S. Lowry, MD, President-ElectJoseph E. Roberts, MD, Immediate Past

President Richard Johnson, MD, Chairman,

Department of Medicine David Allen Jr., MD, Chairman,

Department of Surgery

MemberAmerican Hospital Association; NCHA; Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance; Premier, Inc.; The Advisory Board Company

Accredited byThe Joint Commission

Please address all letters to: Southeastern HealthP.O. Box 1408Lumberton, NC 28359

Information in HEALTHWISE comes from a

wide range of medical experts. If you have any

concerns or questions about specifi c content

that may affect your health, please contact

your health care pro vider. Models may be used

in photos and illustrations.

Copyright © 2014

Coffey Communications

HSM30483

Southeastern Health’s Fitness Service department now offers a comprehensive medical referral program for anyone ages 13 and over. A physician referral is required. For more information, call 910-738-5433.

Hip, hip away!People can usually resume driving a car with an automatic

transmission four to eight weeks after having hip replacement

surgery. Putting a plastic bag on the seat makes sliding in and

out easier.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Sized rightWhen shopping for athletic shoes, try

shoes on after a workout or at day’s end,

when feet are largest. Also, wear the type

of socks you’ll use for your activity.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

IT MAY BE tempting to try

something exotic and short-

term for fast weight loss—an

all-kumquat diet, perhaps,

or a one-weekend exercise

marathon.

But it wouldn’t be healthy,

and any weight you lost would

probably be back in a heartbeat.

If you want to lose weight, a

long-term program of healthy

eating and exercise is still the

best method around. It’s not

new, and it may not be the fad

of the moment. For most peo-

ple, however, it works.

What’s on your plate?

A healthy eating plan for weight

loss combines fewer calories

with more nutrition, according

to the National Institutes of

Health (NIH).

You can achieve both with a

diet that:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables,

whole grains, and low-fat or fat-

free dairy products.

• Includes lean meats, poultry,

fi sh, beans, eggs and nuts.

• Limits saturated fats, trans

fat, cholesterol, salt and added

sugars.

• Controls portion sizes.

You should aim to lose

between 1 and 2 pounds per

week, experts at the NIH rec-

ommend. It’s both a healthy and

realistic goal. For many peo-

ple, that requires eating 500 to

1,000 fewer calories daily.

One trick that works for many

people: Keep a record of every-

thing you eat. It may help you

spot problem areas in your diet.

Time to get active

Exercise is good for you in so

many ways.

Of course, it helps you man-

age your weight by burning

calories. It also:

• Lowers your risk for heart

disease, diabetes and other

chronic conditions.

• Strengthens your lungs and

muscles.

• Improves your sleep.

Most adults should aim for

150 minutes of moderately

intense physical activity spread

out over the week to meet

weight-loss goals, according to

the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention. However, to

maintain weight loss, you may

need to do more than 300 min-

utes per week. The more you

exercise—and the more vigor-

ous it is—the better you may be

able to reach your goals.

Make sure to talk with your

doctor before beginning a new

exercise program.

Are medications an option?

If you have tried to lose weight

without success, ask your doctor

about weight-loss medication.

Medication isn’t a compre-

hensive solution for weight loss,

but it can be effective when

paired with diet and exercise

plans.

Many weight-loss medications

do have side effects, though. So

ask your doctor to review the

risks and benefi ts of taking any

of these drugs.

Additional source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Manage your weight the healthy way

2 SOUTHEASTERN HEALTH

TOP-NOTCH CARE At Southeastern Health, great nurses mean great care.

THRIVE WITH ARTHRITISFollow these four steps to quality of life.

TAKE YOUR LIFE BACKTreatment is available for chronic pain.

14Real men get

checkups. Make taking care

of your health a

priority.

PATIENTS ON THE MOVE Staying active in the hospital can help you heal faster.

HOMEWARD BOUND? Discharge planning can help you stay healthy when it’s time to go home.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CHOLESTEROL This basic information could prevent a heart attack or stroke.

MEDICATION SAFETY Steps you can take to reduce your risk of drug interactions.

DON’T FEAR FORGETFULNESS Learn what’s normal—and what’s not—for aging brains.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?A healthy, hearty recipe the whole family will love.

4

12

8

6

7101113

15

Share your success storyDo you have a success story you’d like to share? We’re collecting success stories to share on Facebook and within the pages of Healthwise. If you have an inspirational story about your healing process, send us a direct message via Facebook at www.facebook.com/sehealth or send us an email at [email protected].

SOUTHEASTERNHEALTH.ORG • FALL 2014 3

WHAT MAKES a hospital’s patient care

excellent? It’s not just the state-of-the-art

technology. Or the advanced medical proce-

dures. It is, in no small measure, the quality

of its nursing staff.

Southeastern Health (SeHealth) and its

regional hub, Southeastern Regional Medical

Center, have outstanding nurses. And that’s

not speculation. Our nurses have earned

that distinction by helping SeHealth become

a Magnet facility—the highest honor for

nursing excellence.

“Magnet is the gold seal of nursing,” says

Teresa Barnes, vice president of Acute Care

Services for SeHealth. For patients, that

means better outcomes and greater satisfac-

tion with their care.

So how did SeHealth attain this level of

quality care? The story actually began more

than six years ago.

Becoming a Magnet hospital

The American Nurses Credentialing Center

(ANCC) awards the prestigious Magnet

distinction to organizations that meet high

standards of nursing excellence. And that’s

no easy feat. In fact, just 401 health systems

in the nation have made the grade.

SEHEALTH’S NURSES PROVIDE YOU WITH EXCEPTIONAL CARE

Best of the

best

“The Magnet journey takes years in it-

self,” says SeHealth’s Chief Nursing Officer

Renae Taylor.

SeHealth earned the Magnet designation

for the first time in 2008. The requirements

were numerous and rigorous. The hospital

had to excel in more than a dozen areas,

such as:

• High-quality care.

• Strong nurse leadership.

• High levels of job satisfaction.

But first there was the application—a

Excellence personifiedMeet Lib Moore, Southeastern Health’s top nurse Every day, nurses at Southeastern Health (SeHealth)

make a difference in patients’ lives. Meet one of those

difference-makers: Elizabeth “Lib” Moore, RN.

In May, during National Nurses Week, Moore was

named SeHealth’s 2014 Baker Nurse of Excellence.

In addition to her daily nursing duties, Moore works closely with nursing students. And

she was instrumental in helping SeHealth become a Magnet facility.

“Lib is an outstanding nurse,” says Teresa Barnes, vice president of Acute Care Services

at SeHealth. “But first of all, she is a patient advocate. She’s going to do whatever’s right

for the patient.”

Moore has worked at SeHealth since 1987. In fact, she started her career here. These

days, she’s shift supervisor of 4-Tower at Southeastern Regional Medical Center.

For Moore, it’s about putting patients first: “When I am in patient rooms face to face

with a patient, they are the most important person to me,” she says. “It is their time. They

are my focus; nothing else.”


document that grew to be 15 inches thick.

And then a site evaluation. “Once your

application is submitted, they decide if you

even warrant a visit,” Taylor says. “Then

they come down and go through everything

with a fine-tooth comb.”

All of this is to say that becoming a

Magnet facility isn’t easy.

“When a hospital is designated as a

Magnet facility, you know they have demon-

strated quality patient care and excellent

nursing practices,” says Donna Kinlaw, di-

rector of Quality and Performance Review.

The best nurses, the best care

Magnet hospitals have to outperform the na-

tional benchmarks in nursing-sensitive in-

dicators. These include falls, pressure ulcers,

restraint use, infections, patient satisfaction

scores and more, Kinlaw notes.

To achieve these scores, SeHealth nurses

aren’t just providing the best possible medi-

cal and nursing care—they’re also providing

that hometown touch, Taylor says.

It’s when nurses go above and beyond to

ensure patients’ and families’ needs are met.

Sometimes it’s just being there to listen, to

hold a hand gently, to help with the heal-

ing. “That’s the compassion that you can’t

teach,” Taylor says. And that’s what SeHealth

nurses provide on a daily basis.

Happy, educated advocates

Magnet organizations support the profes-

sional growth of the nurses by promoting

higher educational degrees, national certifi-

cations and participation in national nursing

organizations. Hospitals with a higher num-

ber of nationally certified nurses have been

proven to have better patient outcomes,

Kinlaw says.

High levels of nurse satisfaction are also

evident at Magnet facilities—Magnet nurses

are happier nurses. And that helps SeHealth

attract and retain the best of the best. What’s

more, because of the high-quality nursing

staff, doctors and other providers are often

attracted to working at Magnet facilities like

SeHealth.

And each day, SeHealth nurses are making

a difference in patients’ lives. Whether they

are working with a hospital inpatient with a

heart problem, someone receiving discharge

instructions or an outpatient learning about

diabetes care, they’re being an advocate for

that patient first. “Regardless of

what setting they’re working in,

they’re always working on behalf of

that patient,” Barnes says.

Award-winning care

Magnet recognition has made

SeHealth a better health system,

Barnes says. SeHealth has seen

reduced mortality rates, lower

hospital-associated infection

rates, better overall patient satisfaction

and patient safety, and more, according to

Barnes.

On top of that, the hospital has received

numerous awards, to which nursing quality

has contributed. Just one example: the

Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award

for Clinical Excellence in 2012 and 2013.

It comes down to this: The very best

nurses and excellent quality of care are

available right here in the community.

“But it’s still a journey for us,” Barnes

says. “Just because we achieved Magnet

doesn’t mean we’ve stopped. We always

push ourselves. It’s a culture of continuous

improvement, excellence and improvements

in clinical outcomes.”

And to retain Magnet status? Every four

years, a facility must apply for Magnet re-

designation and repeat the entire process—

including document submission to show

compliance with the standards and a site

visit to confirm that the standards are being

maintained. In 2013, SeHealth again earned

the prestigious title. As Kinlaw says, each

time the bar gets higher. “You have to keep

showing you are getting better and better,”

she says.

‘It’s our culture’

Excellence. Pride. Passion. These are words

you’ll hear often from those familiar with

SeHealth nurses. Kinlaw, for instance,

recalls how the Magnet program reviewers

visited the site in 2013 and spoke with the

nurses. “I wish you could have seen the

passion they displayed and how proud they

were in what they had accomplished,” she

says. “It was amazing.”

To Kinlaw and others, being a Magnet

facility is more than just an award. Much

more. It’s about excellence—and it’s prac-

ticed here every day. “It’s our culture,”

Kinlaw says.

“Just because we achieved Magnet doesn’t mean we’ve stopped. We always push ourselves. It’s a culture of continuous improvement [and] excellence.” —Teresa Barnes, vice president of Acute Care Services for Southeastern Health

Teresa Barnes, Vice President of Acute Care Services

Donna Kinlaw, Director of Quality and PerformanceManagement

Renae Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer


PATIENTS at Southeastern

Regional Medical Center

(SRMC) are now asked to be

more physically active during

their hospital stay.

Patients are assessed on the

first day of their hospitalization

on their ability to move during

their stay.

“Most of the time when peo-

ple are hospitalized they expect

to lie in bed and rest during the

majority of their time here,”

says Family Nurse Practitioner

Anita Thurman, who serves

as the organization’s wound

care coordinator. “Research

shows that lying in bed and

not moving actually causes the

muscles to weaken and can be

harmful to the patients’ healing

process.”

Once the patient is assessed,

they are rated based on five

mobility levels: breathe, tilt,

sit, stand and move. Once their

abilities are rated, they begin a

plan which could include one

to four sessions of movement

per day.

“When patients are in the

hospital, they expect to rest

and be assisted with most

functions, from dressing to

bathing,” says Inpatient Rehab

Coordinator Jyutika Zope.

“Through this new program,

patients are encouraged to per-

form more functions for them-

selves, not because we don’t

want to, but because activity

and movement will help them

get back to better health much

quicker.”

Progressive mobility actions

may include tilting the patient’s

bed in a cer-

tain position

for a defined

amount of

time, sitting

on the side of

the bed or in a

chair, or stand-

ing or march-

ing in place.

“As our

slogan states,

‘Better Health–

Starting with

You;’ once

our patients

begin to take

ownership for

their mobility

and their progress, their health

will improve faster than if they

remain inactive in their hospital

bed with increased risk for

complications such as pressure

ulcers and pneumonia,” adds

Thurman.

According to Thurman, the

program, titled “From Bed Rest

to At Your Best,” includes many

benefits for the patient, such

as positive mood changes, less

fatigue and a greater ability

to resume activities of daily

living.

“While staff remain sensitive

to the aches and pains of the

patients, we have to change our

approach and our mindset about

what it means to be a patient

in the hospital,” says Thurman.

“We are a place of healing, and

evidence has shown that the

healing process is jump-started

when the patient participates in

a plan to keep them active while

they are here.”

Southeastern Regional Medical Center is a part of Southeastern Health. To learn more, log on to www.southeasternhealth.org.

Mobility equalsbetter health

Anita Thurman, FNP-C, Wound Care Coordinator

Jyutika Zope, Inpatient Rehabilitation Coordinator


YOU MAY BE eager to leave

the hospital as soon as your

doctor says you’re good to go.

But before you pass through

the hospital’s doors, there’s one

more thing to do. It can help

ensure you don’t have to return

anytime soon.

Review the discharge plan

that has been made for you. And

get answers to questions you

may have.

Why a discharge plan?

It may seem odd to plan for

when you get out of the hospi-

tal. But research shows that a

good discharge plan plays a key

role in your getting and staying

well. Good planning can help

you:

• Recover better.

• Understand your health

condition.

• Lower the risk of making

mistakes with your medicine.

Answers to your questions

Ask the discharge planner or

your nurse any questions you

have, such as these:

• What medicines will I need to

take? When will I need to take

them? Make sure this includes

all of the medicines you take.

• Is it OK to bathe? Cook?

Drive? What will I need help

with?

• Will I need to eat a special

diet?

• Do I need to see my doctor

or have any tests? Be sure any

appointments are written down.

• What symptoms do I need to

watch for? Whom do I call if

they occur?

Try to have your caregiver

with you when you ask your

questions. This may be a friend

or family member.

Let the discharge planner

know if you have questions

about insurance. Also speak up

if you think you need help at

home. The discharge planner

can ask a social worker to meet

with you to talk about your

needs and local resources. And

one more thing: Write down a

phone number you can call at

any time with any questions.

Sources: Family Caregiver Alliance; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Getting ready to go homeA good recovery requires good

planning, which is why we start

looking ahead to the time you

can leave the hospital as soon as

we can.

You might be headed home or

to another place. Either way, we

want you to keep getting better

after you leave the hospital. That

means giving you the information

you need to help heal.

Before you leave, you and your

family will know:

• What your diagnosis is.

• How you’re doing now.

• The types of medicines you

need to take.

• The kind of care and services

you may need.

• Where you can get help.

• Any doctor’s visits or tests that

have been scheduled.

• What symptoms to watch for.

• Whom to call if you have

questions.

Will someone take care of you

at home? Let us know so we can

include that person in plans for

your discharge.

We want you to leave with your

questions answered. If they aren’t,

let us know. We’re here to help.

Southeastern Regional Medical Center can help you stay healthy. To learn about our discharge planning process, call Care Management at 910-671-5842.

DISCHARGE PLANNING

Here’s to a healthy recovery


The pain that lingers

CHRONIC PAIN IS TOUGH TO TREAT, BUT IT CAN BE MANAGED

WE’RE HUMANS, and sometimes we

hurt.

Pain is a natural, healthy part of being

alive. Without it, we might not notice a

very serious injury. With it, we instinctively

back away from a fi re after a burn or rest

our aching backs after lifting something too

heavy.

Most of us experience pain only fl eet-

ingly or for a limited period of time. This is

known as acute pain. It can feel intense, but

the pain does go away with treatment.

Many people, though, must cope with an-

other kind of pain—a type that continues,

sometimes for months or even years, and is

not easy to treat.

It’s called chronic pain, and at least

100 million Americans—about 1 in 3—

have it. That’s more than the number of

people with diabetes, heart disease, stroke

and cancer combined.

A portrait of pain

Chronic pain is a stubborn condition:

• It’s hard to diagnose. There are no specifi c

tests to measure how bad the pain is or

exactly where it’s coming from. Even people

with the same injury or condition can expe-

rience enormous differences in pain.

• It’s hard to treat. One hallmark of chronic

pain is that it is resistant to most medical

treatments.


• It’s hard to handle. Perhaps it’s no sur-

prise that long-term, unrelenting pain can

also take a toll on a person’s mental and

emotional well-being. It’s not unusual for

someone with chronic pain to feel anxious

or depressed. That can make treatment more

complicated.

Why someone hurts

Chronic pain may result from an injury,

such as a back sprain. Or it may be triggered

by one or more conditions or diseases,

such as:

• Arthritis.

• Cancer.

• Endometriosis.

• Fibromyalgia.

• Infections.

• Infl ammatory bowel disease.

• Migraines.

• Nerve damage.

Sometimes, however, the cause of some-

one’s pain can’t be found.

What makes it better?

Chronic pain can be challenging, but it can

be managed. It often takes time and patience

to fi nd the right treatment or combination

of treatments that are most effective at

reducing how bad the pain feels and how

often it happens.

Those treatments may include:

Medication. Prescription or over-

the-counter drugs are common pain

relievers.

One powerful class of prescription

drugs—opioids—can be very effective.

But drugs like oxycodone (OxyContin)

and hydrocodone (Vicodin) can also be

habit-forming, so their use needs to be

closely monitored by a doctor.

Physical therapy. A physical therapist can

devise an individualized program that can

help ease pain. Among other things, the

program may include exercise, massage and

heat treatments.

Complementary and alternative med-

icine (CAM). This describes a range of

treatments, such as acupuncture, spinal

manipulation and dietary supplements.

A lot of people with chronic pain fi nd

some relief with CAM, though the effec-

tiveness of many of these approaches hasn’t

been scientifi cally proved. Also, some

may not be safe for people with certain

pain-related conditions. That’s why it’s

recommended that anyone with chronic

pain talk to his or her doctor before trying a

CAM treatment.

Life goes on

Chronic pain usually can’t be cured. But

with the right treatment plan, it can be

controlled and the person living with it can

function and enjoy life.

You can read more about chronic

pain by visiting the website of the

American Academy of Pain Medicine at

www.painmed.org. Click on Patient Center.

Additional sources: American Academy of Pain Management; American Society of Anesthesiologists; National Institutes of Health

Are you living with chronic pain? Specialists at our Southeastern Spine and Pain affi liate on Farmbrook Drive in Lumberton can help. Call 910-671-9298.

Wh

at

aPAIN

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Arthritis Foundation; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

Answers: ACROSS: 1, gain; 3, RICE; 5, exercise; 8, legs; 12, lumbar; 13, chronic; 15, migraine; 16, palliative; 18, aspirin DOWN: 2, nerve; 4, arthritis; 6, xray; 7, acute; 9; sprains; 10; backpack; 11, serotonin; 14, NSAIDs; 17, disk

ACROSS DOWN1 “No pain, no ”

(Discredited advice

for athletes)

3 “Grainy” treat-

ment for acute joint

pain (abbr.)

5 Helps build stron-

ger, less-painful

joints

8 To avoid back

pain, lift with your

12 Low-back area

where most back

pain occurs

13 Ongoing pain

15 Headache type

16 Type of care

given for pain near

life’s end

18 Widely used

pain pill

2 Pain pathway

4 Common cause of

joint pain

6 One tool to

diagnose back pain

7 Sudden,

short-term pain

9 Athletes often

get them

10 Can cause

schoolchild’s back

strain

11 The body’s

natural painkiller

14 Class of pain-

relieving drugs

(abbr.)

17 Back pain may

start here

PAIN1 2

3

7

12

17

18

16

151413

1110

4

5

8 9

6


The language of cholesterolWHAT IS the difference be-

tween your LDL and your HDL?

If you don’t know, read on.

The following is some basic

information about cholesterol

that’s important to know.

Controlling your cholesterol is

one of the best things you can

do to help prevent a heart attack

or stroke.

Atherosclerosis. This is the

most common form of arte-

riosclerosis, a general term

for thickening or hardening

of the arteries. Plaque—made

up of cholesterol and other

substances—can build up in

the inner lining of an artery,

damaging the artery and im-

peding the f low of blood and

its oxygen to your heart, brain

and other organs. Plaque can

break apart and cause blood

clots, resulting in a heart attack

or stroke.

Cholesterol. This is a fatty

material that travels through

the blood in particles called

lipoproteins—fat wrapped

in protein. The body needs

some cholesterol, and the liver

produces what it needs natu-

rally. But we can get too much

in our blood from the foods

we eat, namely those high in

saturated fat, trans fat or dietary

cholesterol.

Your cholesterol levels are

measured in milligrams per

deciliter of blood, or mg/dL.

High-density lipoprotein

(HDL). This type of cholesterol

is called the good one. It can

act as a cleanser, sweeping ex-

cess cholesterol out of arteries.

A high HDL number of

60 mg/dL and above is consid-

ered protective against heart

disease. A low HDL level—less

than 40 mg/dL in men and less

than 50 mg/dL in women—is a

risk factor for heart disease.

Being obese, smoking and

having a sedentary lifestyle can

all contribute to low HDL, so

lifestyle changes can often help

raise it.

Low-density lipoprotein

(LDL). LDL is known as the bad

cholesterol. It is a driving force

behind atherosclerosis. It’s best

to have an LDL level of less than

100 mg/dL.

Making diet changes, getting

regular exercise and controlling

your weight can help lower LDL

cholesterol.

If those lifestyle changes

aren’t enough, your doctor

may recommend that you

take a cholesterol-lowering

medication.

Total cholesterol. This

accounts for all types of choles-

terol in your blood. A desirable

level is less than 200 mg/dL.

Triglycerides. This is another

type of fat found in your blood.

Aim for less than 150 mg/dL.

Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Taming triglyceridesSpecific recommendations for

improving triglyceride levels

will depend on your readings. If

they’re very high, for instance,

your doctor may prescribe

medication.

In general, though, if you need

to bring triglyceride levels down—

or keep them at a healthy level—

lifestyle choices can help.

The American Heart

Association offers these tips:

• If you’re overweight, try to

reach a healthy weight.

• Reduce saturated fat, trans fat

and cholesterol in your diet.

• Cut down on added sugars,

which are often found in regular

soda, desserts, syrups, candy and

other foods.

• Eat nonfat or low-fat dairy

products, vegetables, and fruits

most often. But be aware—it

may be best to limit how much

high-fructose fruit, such as cher-

ries and grapes, you eat. Fructose

is a type of sugar.

• Know the risks of drinking

alcohol.

• Get at least 30 minutes of

moderate-intensity exercise five

or more days each week.

• Work more omega-3 fatty

acids into your eating plan. Good

sources include oily fish, such as

salmon and albacore tuna.

Controlling your cholesterol is one of the best things you can do to help prevent a heart attack or stroke.


AMERICANS are taking

more medicines than ever—

in the 65-and-older group,

67 percent use at least three med-

ications and 40 percent use five or

more, according to the National

Center for Health Statistics.

These drugs improve and

save lives. But they can have

a dangerous side too. They

can interact with each other,

which can lead to serious, even

life-threatening, problems.

What is an interaction?

Basically, drug interactions fall

into three categories:

1 Drug-drug interactions.

These occur when two or more

drugs interact with each other.

2 Drug-food/beverage interac-

tions. These happen when drugs

interact with something you eat

or drink.

3 Drug-condition interactions.

These occur when medicines

have a bad effect on a medical

condition—affecting blood

sugar in people with diabetes or

blood pressure in people with

hypertension, for example.

Why are these interactions a

concern? Because they can affect

the body in many potentially

dangerous ways.

First, they can make drugs

less effective—drugs either

don’t work well or they don’t

work at all. For example,

antacids can limit the body’s

absorption of heart medicines,

antibiotics and blood thinners.

Second, they can cause unex-

pected side effects. These might

include dizziness, irregular

heartbeats, heartburn, fatigue or

nausea.

Finally, they can increase the

action of drugs in the body. This

can cause an overdose or toxic

effect.

What you can do

Thankfully, there are steps you

can take to reduce your risk of

drug interactions:

• Keep an up-to-date list of all

medications you use, and share it

with your doctor and pharmacist.

Include prescription drugs, herbal

products, vitamins and supple-

ments. Remember to include all

medicines, including those you

take sometimes (like antacids) or

for a short time (like antibiotics).

• Use one pharmacy. Pharmacists

are specially trained to spot

potential interactions, but they

need a complete picture of your

medical conditions and the

drugs you take.

• Read labels and patient guides

each time you use a drug. Pay

special attention to sections that

detail warnings and possible

side effects.

• Ask questions, such as, Can

I take this drug with the other

medicines I use? Should I avoid

certain foods, beverages or other

medicines? What signs of drug

interaction should I watch for?

• If you experience something

that doesn’t seem right, tell

your doctor. Ask if it could be

a side effect or bad reaction to

medicine.

• And finally, work with your

doctor to try to reduce the num-

ber of medicines you take. You

are more likely to have a drug

interaction if you take more

than three a day.

Additional sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Council on Patient Information and Education; U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Keep an up-to-date list of all medications you use, and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Southeastern Pharmacy Health Mall, in Biggs Park Mall, is a convenient way to get your prescriptions filled while saving on everyday items such as vitamins and over-the-counter medications. To transfer your prescription, call 910-735-8858. Pharmacists are on hand to assist with medication interaction information.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

Medication interactions


Living well with osteoarthritis YOU CAN DO IT

IT’S NEVER EASY to hear that you’ll

live the rest of your life with a chronic

medical condition. And that’s certainly

the case when you’re diagnosed with

osteoarthritis.

But here’s something worth remember-

ing: Proper treatment and self-care will

enable you to lead a full and productive

life. You can live with osteoarthritis—and

live well. Here’s a four-step blueprint for

doing so:

1 Team up. A number of medications and

treatments may relieve arthritis pain and

help you function better. Work closely with

your doctor to help find the ones that are

safest and most effective for you.

Your doctor may bring in other medical

professionals who can teach you about your

condition and make your life easier as well.

Among them: physical and occupational

therapists, health educators, social work-

ers, and psychologists. Be sure you bring

any concerns about your condition to their

attention.

2 Educate yourself. The more you know

about osteoarthritis, the better able you’ll be

to cope with the disease and develop strate-

gies for dealing with its challenges.

Your doctor is a good source of informa-

tion. Other places to turn include:

• The Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org.

• The National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS),

www.niams.nih.gov.

3 Take charge. Your doctor will direct

your care, but you’ll have overall respon-

sibility for managing your arthritis—and

it’s particularly beneficial to stay engaged.

According to the NIAMS, people who par-

ticipate in active self-care report less pain

and better overall quality of life than those

who aren’t active participants in their own

care.

Key aspects of self-care include:

• Exercise that focuses on building

strength, aerobic conditioning, range of

motion, and balance and agility.

• Time for rest, relaxation and activities you

enjoy. That might include watching a funny

movie or gardening with arthritis-friendly

garden tools.

• Stress management.

• Joint protection in the form of canes,

braces, splints or other devices that make

everyday activities more comfortable.

• A healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious

diet, adequate sleep and weight loss if you’re

overweight.

4 Stay positive. Life may change with

osteoarthritis, but a good attitude can help

you cope. Try to focus on your strengths

rather than your weaknesses and on what

you can do rather than what you can’t.

Mindset matters!

Support groups may help you deal with

the many aspects of the disease and provide

inspiration. The help and support of those

close to you can be valuable as well.

Our physical and occupational therapists, who are located throughout the region, can teach you ways to better manage osteoarthritis. Call Southeastern Rehabilitation Services at 910-738-4554 and ask for information about a therapist in a location near you.


Your primary care physician can help determine if your memory problems are a concern. If you need a doctor, go to www.southeasternhealth.org/

primarycare. If you are interested in social opportunities, go to www.southeasternhealth.org/

pplus or call 910-671-5018 to learn more about our membership program for people ages 50 and over.

AGING BRAINS

What is normal? “I’M HAVING a senior moment!”

It’s something we may blurt out when we

mislay the morning paper or forget why we

stopped at the supermarket.

For some, it’s a laugh-it-away moment.

For others, it sets off a quiet internal alarm:

“Am I starting to lose my memory?”

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are

fears, of course. But many momentary men-

tal slips are common and normal.

Subtle vs. serious

Everyday forgetfulness is annoying, but not

a cause for major concern. This includes

occasional mental fogginess about:

• Where you left your keys.

• Where you parked in the mega-store lot.

• The appointment time for a doctor’s visit.

• The name of someone who used to be

your neighbor.

Many of these are examples of episodic

memory, which can decline as years march

on. But they’re manageable.

More problematic—and worthy of medi-

cal attention—are memory problems that in-

terfere with daily life. These might include:

• Forgetting how to do familiar tasks, like

unlocking a door, writing a check or finding

the bank.

• Forgetting the name of someone near and

dear.

• Not being able to learn new things.

• Asking the same questions over and over

again.

• Getting lost in places you know well.

• Not being able to follow directions.

If you’re concerned about your memory,

talk with your doctor. Brain diseases like

dementia aren’t the only conditions that can

affect how you think, learn and remember.

Memory problems can also be caused by

things such as depression, medication side

effects, thyroid problems, too few vitamins

and minerals, stress, and lack of sleep.

Protect what you have

Research is uncovering hints about what

might help keep memory sharp or help

people handle the small deficits that they do

notice. You can’t go wrong by making these

ideas priorities for the rest of your years:

Socialize. This can help improve your

mood and memory.

Move your body. Exercise can help keep

your blood circulating, which nourishes

your brain.

Eat well. Eating more vegetables and

less saturated fat may benefit brain health.

Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such

as tuna and salmon, also may help.

Challenge your mind. Some experts

believe that intellectual pursuits—such as

reading, learning a new skill, taking a class

or playing games—can stimulate brain cells

and the connections between cells.

Organize your space. Get rid of clut-

ter and giving everything—such as keys,

glasses, purse and cellphone—its own place.

Embrace memory aids. These include

keeping a to-do list and a calendar. Review

both several times a day and you’ll be more

confident about your state of mind.

Sources: American Psychological Association; National Institute on Aging

The annual PrivilegesPlus dance, which includes a meal, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Southeastern Lifestyle Center for Fitness in Lumberton. For ticket information, call 910-671-5018.



Need a doctor? We have primary care physicians and urologists who are taking new patients. Call 910-735-8818 to make an appointment.

Men: Stand up for your healthIF YOU’RE A MAN, you’ve

heard the stereotypes about how

men take care of their health.

And you may have gotten a

chuckle. You can get a guy to

change the car’s oil, but good

luck getting him to see a doctor,

right?

Unfortunately, beyond the

humor lies a little truth—

and it’s nothing to laugh

about.

Take medical checkups.

Men are nearly 25 percent

less likely than women to

have seen a doctor in the

past year, the Agency for

Healthcare Research and

Quality (AHRQ) reports.

At the same time, men are

more likely to be hospi-

talized for serious health

problems, such as diabetes

complications and pneumonia.

It’s about a good, long life

If taking care of your health

hasn’t been a priority, why not

make a new start now? You

deserve good health—and those

who love and depend on you

need you to be well too.

Checking in with a doctor

is a good first step. Chances

are, you’re healthy. But only

a doctor can say for sure.

For example, you could have

high blood pressure or ab-

normal cholesterol levels and

not know it—both of which

can have some serious conse-

quences, like heart disease, if

not treated.

You can also learn which

medical screening tests you may

need. Certain tests—based on

your age, health history and

other factors—can help fi nd

problems early, when they’re

often easier to treat.

According to the AHRQ and

other experts, men may need to

be screened for:

• Colorectal cancer. Start get-

ting tested at age 50—sooner if

the disease runs in your family.

• High blood pressure. Have

your blood pressure checked at

least every two years.

• Diabetes. If your blood

pressure is higher than

135/80 mm Hg or you take

blood pressure medicine, your

doctor may test for diabetes.

• High blood cholesterol. Have

your cholesterol tested regularly

if you’re 35 or older. Start at

age 20 if you have risk factors

for heart disease.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

This is a weakened blood vessel

that can burst without warning.

If you’re between ages 65 and

75 and have ever smoked, get

checked.

• Sexually transmitted infec-

tions (STIs). Ask your doctor if

you should be tested for STIs,

such as gonorrhea, syphilis or

HIV.

You may also want to talk to

your doctor about the pros and

cons of prostate cancer screen-

ing and whether you should be

screened for depression.

Additional source: American Heart Association

INGREDIENTSSweet potato oven fries

4 large sweet potatoes (yams)

1½ tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning blend

Salmon burgers

1 can (14.75 ounces) pink or red salmon

2 green onions, chopped

½ cup red bell pepper, chopped

8 crackers, unsalted tops (saltinelike), crushed

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Egg whites from 2 eggs, whisked

2 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Cooking spray

4 whole-wheat buns

8 leaves Bibb lettuce

2 medium tomatoes, sliced

Salmon burgers and sweet potato oven friesMAKES 4 SERVINGS.

DIRECTIONS• Place oven rack in center, and heat oven to 425 degrees.

• Wash and scrub sweet potatoes, and slice into wedges, lengthwise.

• In a large bowl, toss potato wedges with canola oil and seasoning blend.

• Spread potato wedges on cookie sheet. Roast in the oven, turning occasionally, until

tender and golden brown, about 30 to 40 minutes.

• While sweet potatoes are roasting, prepare salmon burgers. Drain salmon. Place in a

medium mixing bowl and flake.

• Fold in green onions, red pepper, crushed crackers, lemon juice, egg whites, yogurt

and ground black pepper.

• Shape into 4 patties.

• Coat large nonstick skillet lightly with cooking spray, and heat.

• Cook salmon burgers until golden brown; turn and continue cooking until other

side is golden brown.

• Serve burgers on whole-wheat buns with sliced tomatoes and lettuce and sweet

potato oven fries.

NUTRITION INFORMATIONAmount per serving: 490 calories, 14g total fat (2g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol,

590mg sodium, 69g carbohydrates, 11g dietary fiber, 25g protein.

Source: Produce for Better Health Foundation


Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSenatobia, MS

Permit #368

Southeastern Regional Medical Center 300 W. 27th St. Lumberton, NC 28358

Main number 910-671-5000

Phone registration 910-671-5096

Billing and insurance 910-671-5047

Financial assistance 910-671-5038

Information desk 910-735-8110

Human Resources 910-671-5562

Gift shop 910-735-8164

Home health 910-671-5600

Medical equipment 910-738-3560

Check out our website

www.southeasternhealth.org

Core exercise Core muscles help stabilize the spine, pelvis, ribs and

hips. Because of this, they play a key role in balance.

Front plankLie on your stomach, elbows under your shoulders, forearms and palms down.

Tuck in your toes toward your shins. Hold five seconds (or more).

Gently lower back to the floor and rest 30 to 45 seconds. Repeat for two or three sets.

Source: American Council on Exercise

1 2 3

Documents

Notable nursing - SRMC · Notable nursing Southeastern Health is nationally recognized for nursing care Get relief ... Richard Johnson, MD, Chairman, Department of Medicine David