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5 POP REMEDIES WHICH ONES REALLY WORK? TAKE THE HINT! YOUR BODY’S CLUES TO ILLNESS NPS AND PAS PROs YOU CAN TRUST LIFE AFTER HEART SURGERY THE GOOD LIVING MAGAZINE from OTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WAYS TO BEAT HOLIDAY STRESS

Otsego Health & Life Winter 2011 issue

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Page 1: Otsego Health & Life Winter 2011 issue

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5 POP REMEDIES WHICH ONES REALLY WORK?

TAKE THE HINT!YOUR BODY’S CLUES TO ILLNESS

NPS AND PASPROs YOU CAN TRUST LIFE AFTER HEART SURGERY

T H E G O O D L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E f r o m O T S E G O M E M O R I A L H O S P I T A L

WAYSTO BEAT

HOLIDAY STRESS

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Contents

Better careFad or fact? These 5 ballyhooed remedies are all the rage, but dothey really live up to their claims?

Your bodyTake the hint Small signs can indicate possible future disease.Here’s what to do.

Clinical updateHealthcare pros you can trust Nurse practitioners andphysician assistants administer quality healthcare to patients of all ages.

Healthy livingA heart’s comeback Cardiac rehabilitation helps patients makea safe return to an active life.

PreventionQuick tips for a stress-free season Put more pep in yourstep with these 6 surprising solutions.

Health OnlineWinning plaudits for quality Otsego Memorial named a“most wired” hospital for 2010

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WINTER 2011 health&life

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health&life

OTSEGO STAFF

CEO THOMAS R. LEMON

president, board of directorsMARY SANDERS

marketing coordinator KIMBERLY RULEY

marketing & foundation director CHRISTIE PERDUE

foundation coordinatorKIM BIDDINGER

WAINSCOT STAFF

editor in chief

RITA GUARNA

senior editor TIMOTHY KELLEY

assistant editorKRISTIN COLELLA

editorial internDIANE SZULECKI

Otsego Health & Life is published by WainscotMedia, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ07645, in association with Otsego MemorialHospital. This is Volume 2, Issue 4. © 2010 byOtsego Memorial Hospital. All rights reserved.

Material contained herein is intended forinformational purposes only. If you havemedical concerns, seek the guidance ofa healthcare professional.

THE GOOD LIVING MAGAZINE fromOTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

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3. Neti potsWhat they are: Lookinglike a cross between a teapotand Aladdin’s lamp, a neti pot sup-posedly works magic in relieving conges-tion, facial pain and pressure. To use, fill the potwith lukewarm water and 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt, then tilt yourhead and pour the solution into one nostril at a time, lettingthe fluid flow through the nasal cavity into the other nostril. Do they work? Yes. Says Alexander Chiu, M.D., associ-ate professor of otorhinolaryngology at the Hospital ofthe University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia: “Thesaline solution helps thin out mucus and cleanse thenasal passages, relieving congestion and helping withoverall sinus health.”

4. Ear candlingWhat it is: A long cone made of waxed cloth is insertedinto a person’s ear, then lit at the opposite end. Proponentssay the heat creates a vacuum effect that removes excessdebris and earwax. Does it work? No. “There’s no scientific evidence show-ing that it’s effective,” says otolaryngologist TomAbelson, M.D., medical director of the Cleveland ClinicBeachwood Family Health Center in Beachwood, Ohio.“And there have been reports of ear candling causinginjuries, since the melted wax can scar the eardrum.”

5. Antibacterial hand gelsWhat they are: These absorbable gels, such as Purell’sInstant Hand Sanitizer, are marketed as an effective way todisinfect your hands when soap and water are not available.Do they work? Yes. As long as alcohol is an active ingre-dient, antibacterial hand gels are just as effective inkilling germs as soap and water, says William Schaffner,M.D., chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine atVanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. “They’re an

excellent option if you don’t have access toa sink,” he says. ■

1. Probiotic yogurtsWhat they are: While all yogurts are made

with active cultures, those labeledprobiotic contain additional strains

of “good” bacteria. Some varieties, such asDannon’s Activia, claim to regulate thedigestive system; others, such as StonyfieldFarms’ yogurt, also claim to boost theimmune system. Do they work? Maybe. Research resultshave been mixed. “Most studies haven’t

shown strong benefits, though some havesuggested that the yogurts help prevent antibiotic-

associated diarrhea and may relieve constipation,” saysgastroenterologist Josh Korzenik, M.D., co-director of theCrohn’s and Colitis Center at Massachusetts GeneralHospital in Boston. “We still have a lot to learn.”

2. Colon cleansesWhat they are: Centered on the theory that toxic wastecan build up in the colon, these cleanses are intended toempty the colon of its contents to promote wellness.They’re available in a variety of forms, including laxatives,teas, enemas and colonic irrigation, a procedure in whichwater is injected into the rectum through a tube to flushout fluids and waste. Do they work? No. “There’s no good scientific researchshowing that colon cleanses bring therapeutic benefit,”says gastroenterologist Gerald Friedman, M.D., clinicalprofessor of medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicinein New York. That’s likely because the colon naturallycleans itself of impurities.

Fador fact?

THESE 5 BALLYHOOED REMEDIES

ARE ALL THE RAGE, BUT DO THEY REALLY

LIVE UP TO THEIR CLAIMS?

Better CareA

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Take the

HINT

Clue: EARLOBE CREASES It could mean: Heart disease

Back in 1991, a study in The American Journal of Medicine found that participantswith a diagonal crease in at least one earlobe were more likely to die from heartdisease than those whose earlobes did not bear creases. The report caught nationalattention at the time, but studies reported since then have produced mixed results.

One possible explanation for the link is a lack of elastin, which con-tributes to hardening of the arteries, but the connection may simply be due to thefact that earlobe creases are more common later in life, says Andres Mesa, M.D.,a cardiologist at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in

Houston. “Whenever you age you’re prone to have more hypertension,hyperlipidemia and other complications,” he adds.

What to do: Get regular checkups. “Earlobe creases can serve

as a reminder that you’re getting older and you should pay

more attention to heart-disease risk factors,” says Dr. Mesa.

Clue: DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLESIt could mean: Allergies

“When you have significant hay fever you experience a changein blood flow to the nose and sinuses,” says James Li, M.D.,allergist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “As theblood expands in some of the veins in the face, it can appear as a

dark or bluish tint under the eyes.” What to do: If your dark circles are accompanied by otherhay-fever symptoms (sneezing, coughing, congestion),consider purchasing an over-the-counter antihistamine or

seeing your doctor for an allergy test.

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YOUR BODY MAY BE WARNING YOU

OF ILLNESS. HERE’S WHAT TO DO

Give yourself a good once-over—notice any

quirks? Doctors say small imperfections could

signal an underlying issue. But which oddities call

for professional attention? Experts offer guidance

on becoming your own diagnostic sleuth.

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Clue: THIN THIGHS or A THICK NECK It could mean: Heart disease

A study in the British Medical Journal found that subjectswith a thigh circumference of less than 60 centimeters hada greatly increased risk of developing heart disease anddying prematurely. “The link may be due to these patientshaving low muscle mass,” says Dr. Mesa, which may leadto insulin sensitivity and a risk of metabolic syndrome.

Meanwhile, research from the National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute’s Framingham Heart Studyfound that a wider neck—a circumference of more than34.2 centimeters in women or 40.5 centimeters in men—increased heart-disease risk factors. “The theory is thatwide necks have more deposits of fat,” says Dr. Mesa.What to do: Data are still too preliminary toprompt a response, says Dr. Mesa. “More research isneeded, but I think measuring waist circumferencehas really proven itself.” A waist circumfer-ence greater than 88 centimeters in women and102 centimeters in men has been linked to a higherrisk of heart disease. If you exceed these limits,see your doctor about healthy ways to slim down.

Clue: DISCOLORED NAILSIt could mean: DiabetesYellow nails can be a symptom of this disease, says der-matologist Michel McDonald, M.D., assistant professorof medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center inNashville, though the reason for this is not yet confirmed.

What to do: “If you see a marked color change in all

of your nails, it’s a good idea to get checked out by

a physician,” says Dr. McDonald. But don’t panic—

this discoloration may be due to fungus or aging.

Clue: PALE NAILSIt could mean: Anemia

Press on your nails and take note of their color: Whilemost people’s nails will turn immediately back to pink, ananemic’s may remain white for a moment or two. “Whenyou are anemic you don’t have the blood rushing back asquickly into the capillaries,” says Rebecca Kazin, M.D.,head of the Johns Hopkins Dermatology and CosmeticCenter at Green Spring Station in Lutherville, Maryland.“But if you are this anemic you would likely have othersymptoms, such as fatigue and a tendency to bruise easily.” What to do: Speak to your doctor, says Dr. Kazin.

Clue: MALE BALDNESSIt could mean: Heart disease

In a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine,researchers found a link between male baldness and anincreased risk of this condition. Risk was greatest in menwith extensive vertex baldness (on the crown of the head). What to do: “If you have baldness, it doesn’t

mean you’ll have heart disease,” says Dr. Mesa.

“But it might be a good idea to get your blood

pressure and cholesterol checked.” ■

Your Bodyb y K r i s t i n C o l e l l a

4 well-known body warnings: TRUTH OR HYPE?PHYSICIANS ASSESS THE VALIDITY OF THESE “TROUBLE SIGNS”

Apple-shaped bod-ies are linked with

greater heart-disease risksthan pear-shaped bodies.“Excess fat around the waistis a different kind of fat thanthat around the hips, and isassociated with greater heart-disease risk factors,” saysAndy Kates, M.D., director ofthe Heart Disease Preven-tion Program at WashingtonUniversity School of Medicinein St. Louis.

Skin tags can signalcolon polyps.

“There’s been insufficientevidence to extrapolate alink,” says gastroenterolo-gist Eric Esrailian, M.D.,assistant clinical professorof medicine at the DavidGeffen School of Medicineat UCLA in Los Angeles.

Too much vitaminA can cause exces-

sively dry lips. “An excess of vitamin A canshut down your oil glands,so monitor your intake anddon’t have more than 5,000IUs a day,” says dermatolo-gist Michel McDonald, M.D.,assistant professor of medi-cine at Vanderbilt UniversityMedical Center in Nashville.

White mouth corners can

indicate a yeast infection. Yeast infections don’t justoccur in your intimateregions; your mouth can beinfected by a pesky yeastcalled Candida, says Dr.McDonald. Because this sortof infection will not likelyaffect other areas of thebody, you can treat it with atopical medication fromyour dermatologist.

HYPE TRUE TRUETRUE

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Clinical Update

Mid-level providers, suCh as physiCian assistants (pas) and nurse practitioners (nps), are licensed practitioners who provide high-quality, cost-effective care. They’re key members of the otsego Memorial hospital (oMh) healthcare team who can work in all medical and surgical specialties. Mid-levels work as a team with the physi-cian and can offer patients services that will not only expedite their care, but also enhance their experience. oMh Medical Group and MedCare Walk-in Clinic mid-level providers of-fer a wide range of services, including conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and counseling on preventative care.

Mid-level providers all go through rigorous school-ing, training and certification programs before they are able to practice, and must pursue continuing education credits in order to maintain their certifications. oMh Medical Group and emergency department mid-level providers are among more than 175,000 physician assistants and nurse practi-tioners currently in practice in the united states, according to 2008 estimates from the american academy of physician assistants and the american College of nurse practitioners.

“We are highly competent healthcare professionals who provide top-notch patient care in an attentive fashion,” says alicia Williams, pa-C, oMh MedCare Walk-in Clinic. “We work closely with the physicians on staff and can see pa-tients who may not be able to get an appointment with their

primary care physician right away.”physician assistants, a type of mid-level provider, are

able to choose specialties or practice in primary care settings. They work collaboratively with physicians and not only per-form physical exams and diagnose and treat illnesses, but also can assist with surgery, write prescriptions and counsel on preventative care.

nurse practitioners, another type of mid-level provider, can also choose to focus their training in a variety of specialty areas, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediat-rics and geriatrics. Working in collaboration with the physi-cians builds trust and mutual respect between the providers, allowing the mid-level providers to feel comfortable asking for a second opinion when it is needed, and to know they will get the answers they require to provide appropriate care for their patients.

“Family nurse practitioners look at the big picture when it comes to their patients’ healthcare by evaluating the whole system, and bring a holistic approach to care,” said Kathleen pawlanta, Fnp, oMh Family practice. “We work very closely with our patients to assess the entire situation and create a plan of action.”

Though they work together to facilitate care, physi-cians and mid-level providers look at patients through slightly different lenses, which means that patient care is being pro-vided from two perspectives.

“i believe that collaboratively, my nursing perspective can be just as beneficial to the physician in the office as the physician perspective is to me,” said pam lynch, anp, oMh internal Medicine. “This results in a truly comprehensive approach to patient care, and in my opinion offers one of the best approaches to primary healthcare.”

Because mid-level providers can work in a variety of specialties, patients may have an appointment with a mid-level provider at the Family practice or internal Medi-cine office, or somewhere more specialized like oMh n’orthopedics. in an orthopedic setting, physician assistants like Kellie Mumford, pa-C, of oMh n’orthopedics assist with surgery in the operating room and help patients with their pre- and postoperative care appointments.

“i chose orthopedics as my specialty because i felt i stood a good chance of making people feel better right away,” says Mumford. “you can see great results almost immediately in this field.”

Mid-level providers such as Williams, pawlanta, lynch and Munford help busy oMh physicians and offices run smoothly by alleviating patient load and providing high- quality healthcare services to every patient they see. n

Healthcare pros

NuRsE pRacTITIoNERs aNd physIcIaN

assIsTaNTs admINIsTER qualITy caRE

To paTIENTs of all agEs

you can trust

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GAYLORD RESIDENT LUDWIG PUTZ DOESN’T look like a heart patient. A former runner, he appears to be in better shape than many people decades younger. But he recently underwent a quadruple bypass operation to bypass blocked arteries in his heart. After the procedure, his cardiac surgeon recommended cardiac rehabilitation.

The American Heart Association defines cardiac re-habilitation, or rehab, as a professionally supervised program to help people recover from heart attacks, heart surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures such as stenting and angioplasty. These programs provide educa-tion and counseling services to help heart patients increase physical fitness, address cardiac symptoms, improve health and reduce the risk of future heart problems.

At Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) in Gaylord, cardiac rehab includes specialized one-on-one exercise ther-apy following a cardiac episode, and education to address all aspects of rehabilitation. These services are offered to patients in a tiered structure—they’re required after a proce-dure, then they’re offered on a pay-as-you go system for pa-tients who have completed the required phase. It’s a flexible schedule that works for the patient. All aspects of a patient’s health are taken into account by Advanced Cardiac Life Sup-port (ACLS) certified registered nurses and exercise special-ists. Diet, exercise and mental health are all monitored and discussed to help return a patient to his or her daily routine.

“Any cardiac event is traumatic to the patient’s body,” says Denise Schmidlin, Director of OMH Cardiac Rehab. “Cardiac events can affect mood and appetite and interrupt sleep. We help the patient—and his or her family—adapt and adjust to these changes. At the end of rehab, we hope to see an improvement in all three of these areas.”

OMH’s Cardiac Rehab program has helped Putz make great strides to get back to his normal routine, and he says he owes his success to the high-quality care given by the OMH Cardiac Rehab staff.

“The staff is very attentive,” says Putz. “They’re con-stantly monitoring to make certain that I stay within my ap-propriate maximum heart rate.”

cArdIAc rEHAbILITATIOn HELpS pATIEnTS

mAkE A SAFE rETurn TO An AcTIvE LIFE

A heArt’sCOMEBACK

Introducing—or re-introducing—physical activity is a key aspect of cardiac rehabilitation. When Putz was able to climb the 60 steps leading up to his house from the lake without having to stop to take a breath, he realized his hard work, though at times frustrating, had been worth it.

“Cardiac rehabilitation is a continuum of care,” says Schmidlin. “We work closely with our patients’ physicians, and we’re often the people who catch problems, symptoms or changes that need to be addressed by their doctor.”

Of course, exercise is a main focus of patients in car-diac rehab, but nutrition and mental health are important too. After a heart attack or heart surgery, many patients have to revamp their diet completely—a daunting task when un-dertaken alone. But the staff at OMH Cardiac Rehab offers support, making sure their patients leave well equipped with information to help them make the right dietary choices.

“We’ve definitely changed our diet at home, with less red meat, less fat, more greens,” says Putz. “The educational part of the program is top-notch—it opens your eyes to what you’ve been doing wrong and need to change.”

On graduating from the OMH program, Putz plans to resume his exercise routine at a local gym. But he says he highly recommends the OMH Cardiac Rehab program to anyone who has had a cardiac event or intervention. n

the oMh cardiac rehabilitation Program is open

8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and

Fridays, and 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., tuesdays and

thursdays. Denise schmidlin, Director of cardiac

rehabilitiaton, may be reached at 989-731-7866.

to learn more about the program or other services

offered in the oMh rehabilitation services Depart-

ment, please visit myoMh.org, or call the oMh

information hotline at 989-731-oMh1.

Cardiac rehab is

helping heart

patient Ludwig

Putz get back to

his routine.

Healthy Living

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PREVENTION

PUT MORE PEP IN YOUR STEP WITH THESE 6 SURPRISING SOLUTIONS

QUICK TIPSfor a stress-free season

The aggravation of traveling, the holiday to-do list, the

parties, the shopping, the mall traffic, plus our own per-

fectionist expectations—no wonder so many of us secretly dread

this “jubilant” season. But instead of dipping into the eggnog

for a little tension relief, try these 6 good-for-you tricks—they’ll

help you keep up the holidays’ hectic pace with a smile.

1Chew gum to perk up. Sounds silly,doesn’t it? But popping a piece of chewinggum can actually help you stay alert. In a

study published in the International Journal ofBehavioral Medicine, subjects performed four dif-ferent tasks at once, including math and memoryproblems, and investigators found that the partici-pants had a 67 percent uptick in performance and theiralertness increased significantly when they chewedgum. “The repetitive, rhythmic action of chewing gumhelps your mind to focus on the task at hand,” says

Kate Hanley, author of The Anywhere, AnytimeChill Guide: 77 Simple Strategies forSerenity (Skirt!, 2008). Bonus tip: Choosepeppermint- or cinnamon-flavored gum—

in a study done at West Virginia’s WheelingJesuit University, those scents helped sub-

jects stay morealert and lessfrustrated dur-ing their morn-ing commute.

2Buy flowersto brightenyour spirits.

Sentimental? No, it’sscientific. Harvard re-

searchers asked partici-pants to keep a mood

journal, then sent them abundle of fresh-cut flowers. After

only a few days of living with the bouquets,subjects reported feeling less negative, less anx-ious and less depressed. This floral effect car-ried over in other places as well—participantssaid they experienced a surprising boost atwork, feeling happier, more enthusiastic andmore energetic. “Some people think that welearn to love flowers because we associate themwith Valentine’s Day, celebrations and so on,”says lead researcher Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., a clin-ical instructor in psychology at HarvardMedical School. “But we think it’s actually evolutionary—humans are predisposed torespond pleasurably to things in nature that sig-nal safety and security. Flowering plants repre-sent potential sources of food and the futureavailability of fruits and honey.”

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4Eat oatmeal to tame tension. Inwhich basement box is that holiday wreath—and where, by the way, did you misplace your

wits? Maybe it’s time to calm those frazzled nerveswith an old-fashioned bowl of hot oatmeal. Oatmealis high in complex carbohydrates, which—accordingto a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study—help raise serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is aneurotransmitter, a chemical that helps transmitimpulses between the nerve cells, and its effectsinclude improving your mood and relaxing your brain.

6Have a turkey-and-cheese sandwich onwhole wheat to fall

asleep faster. The holiday to-dolist is endless and you can’t turn yourmind off to catch some Zs—but the lastthing you need is to be sleepy tomor-

row. This snack may help youskip some of that toss-

ing and turning.Turkey contains

the amino acidt r y p t o p h a n ,which the bodyuses to make

serotonin andmelatonin, neuro-

transmitters that slowdown the brain and relax

the system. Whole-wheat bread helpsyour body absorb the tryptophan, whilethe calcium in the cheese helps thebrain use and process it. “Try a smallsnack at least one hour before bedtimeto help quiet your nervous system soyou can drift off,” says author Hanley. ■

5Have a clementine to keep your cool. It turnsout vitamin C does a lot more than boost the body’simmune system and ward off scurvy. In a study published

in the journal Psychopharmacology, subjects were exposed to asurefire stressor—speaking in public while doing complex mathproblems. Researchers found that subjects who got a mega doseof C had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone produced inresponse to stress, as well as lower blood pressure than thosewho didn’t get the vitamin. Those given the vitamin alsodescribed feeling less stressed than those who didn’t. The fat-

free, easy-to-peel clementine gives you 300 percentof your daily C—at just 40 calories. (Other C-

rich foods include red peppers, papaya,kiwi and broccoli.)

3Sip java to ease muscle pain. Youspent all day going from store to store hunt-ing down the perfect gift for Uncle Ed—no

wonder your calves are killing you. To shush thesoreness, try a simple cup of coffee. In a study pub-lished in The Journal of Pain, volunteers took eithercaffeine or a placebo and performed two differentthigh exercises. The caffeine users had almost a 50percent reduction in pain after exercise comparedwith the placebo group—that’s almost double therelief you’d get from most pain relievers (includingaspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen). Study authorPatrick J. O’Connor, Ph.D., professor of kinesiologyat the University of Georgia, sayscaffeine appears to block thebody’s receptors for adenosine, achemical that carries informationfrom the pain nerves to the brain.(Remember, we said “a” cup, notnine; too much coffee can triggerinsomnia, nervousness, muscletremors and a fast or irregular heart-beat, warns the Mayo Clinic.)

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Health Online

OTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (OMH) HAS BEEN recognized as one of the nation’s “most wired’ hospitals, ac-cording to the results of the 2010 Most Wired Survey released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

“OMH is dedicated to providing the best patient care possible by increasing quality and patient safety through the use of technology,” says Tim Hella, Chief Information Of-fi cer at OMH. “With ongoing upgrades and enhancements to our leading-edge technology, we have made high-quality advances in not only our clinical areas, but our fi nancial and administrative areas as well.”

In 2008 and 2009, OMH was listed among MostWired–Small & Rural Hospitals; however, for 2010, OMH has been ranked among the Most Wired, a category that in-cludes hospitals of all sizes that have made great strides in improving and enhancing healthcare information technol-ogy to better serve patients. OMH was the only hospital in northern Michigan to be named to the Most Wired list for 2010, and one of only four in Michigan.

“It is a great honor for Otsego Memorial Hospital to be named to a Most Wired list for the third year in a row,” says Hella.

The Most Wired Survey was redesigned this year to refl ect two years of work with an advisory group aimed at continual improvement. This year’s survey refl ects a new structure and methodology with an increased use of analytics and reporting.

The new analytic structure is being used to stratify hospitals based on progress in adoption, implementation and use of information technology in four areas: Infrastructure, Business and Administrative Management, Clinical Quality and Safety (Inpatient/Outpatient Hospital), and Care Con-tinuum (Ambulatory/Physician/Community). Participating organizations will be identifi ed as Foundational, Core, Ad-vanced, Expert or Leader in each of four focus areas for use of IT. The Most Wired designation refl ects organizations whose responses refl ect “Core” development.

This year’s survey reveals continued progress for hos-pitals in patient safety initiatives:• Fifty-one percent of medication orders were done electron-

ically by physicians at Most Wired hospitals, up from 49 percent last year.

• More than half (55 percent) of Most Wired hospitals match

medication orders at the bedside through bar coding or radio-frequency identifi cation, up from 49 percent in 2009 and from 23 percent fi ve years ago.

• Additionally, Most Wired hospitals have made improve-ments when it comes to sharing information during care transitions. For example, new medication lists are elec-tronically delivered to caregivers and patients 94 percent of the time when a patient is transferred within the hospital, 98 percent at discharge and 86 percent when transferred to another care setting.

“The survey results highlight that continued prog-ress is being made but the full potential of health IT has not been met,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “Hospitals embrace health IT and recognize the many benefi ts it can provide to patients, but even Most Wired hospitals face barriers to adoption. We have asked that the federal gov-ernment stimulate greater adoption by making Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments more widely availableto hospitals and physicians so more hospitals can move in this direction.”

Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2010 sur-vey in cooperation with McKesson Corporation and CHIME (the College of Healthcare Information Management Exec-utives). The July H&HN cover story detailing results is avail-able at www.hhnmag.com. �

For more information about Otsego Memorial Hos-

pital, please visit myOMH.org.

Winning plaudits for quality

OTSEGO MEMORIAL NAMED A ‘MOST WIRED’ HOSPITAL FOR 2010

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Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation Quarterly Gift RegistryAll names listed have generously supported the Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation in the third quarter of 2010 (7/1/2010 - 9/30/2010).

The OMH Foundation is grateful for their support and dedication to quality local healthcare.

Staff and EmployeeCircle of Friends

Shirlee AndrewsAnonymousSarah AuthierMr. and Mrs. Richard BartlettSusan BennettMr. and Mrs. Lloyd “Skip”

BerryEsther BessetteMrs. Brittany BeyersAmy BilyeaConnie BissonDennis and Laurie BlackMr. and Mrs. Ken BlustGeri BoadwayPatty BonnerMr. Dennis Borowiak and

Mrs. Maureen BorowiakMr. and Mrs. Rodney BraggFaith BrinkmanRomeo and Carolyn Buclay Lonny G. BurnsNichole ButcherDonna ChandlerDonna ClarkSheryl CodyMatt and Maria CogerDon and Mary Beth CookMrs. Twilla L. CoonRuth A. CoonsMr. and Mrs. Brett CrandellJessica CraneNicole CrydermanMr. and Mrs. R. DaleMr. and Mrs. Jon DemingMr. and Mrs. Carl DennisMrs. Marguerite DuncanMarlene DzwikLinda D. EastwoodGregory EhleAmy EllisonMrs. Julie EllisonStephanie FahlerMr. and Mrs. Kevin R. FogleCatherine FoustCynthia FrancisVicki L. GarlitzMr. and Mrs. Dan GlomskiMs. Lori GonzalezElizabeth GoodrichCindy GordonJustine GormanAllison GougeonMr. and Mrs. Danny Griffith

(Cindy)Suzanne GriswoldHoward and Chris GrosserMr. and Mrs. Todd Harding Suzanne HardyAmelia HarmonMr. Timothy HellaJennifer HendersonMarlene HinchliffeSteven HolmanMs. Christine A. HoogerhydeMs. Rhonda HowardMs. Sharon JannMs. Beverly JohnsonKelly JolesGreg and Dawn JonesMrs. Kathleen JonesLinda KaufmannBeatriz F. KellyJeanie C. KelseyMs. Kristina KlepadloJohn and Linda KremkowPeg KretchmarMs. Kathy KucharekKevin and Amanda LaBargeTiffanie LaHaieDella LambertJill LaMotteAndrew Lanway

Ms. Pamela LynchMrs. Lisa MackowiakAnn MahanAshley MannsCynthia MarcenaroLisa MasonMonica McClure Mrs. Gloria McDonaldMrs. Melissa MeadowsKathleen MecomberDonna MeredithLinda T. MeslerAmy MonarchCharlene M. MorrisLinda and Pete MorrisMr. Steven A. MouldingShelley MousseauMr. and Mrs. Douglas F.

MoweryKellie MumfordMs. Danielle MundtMrs. Pamela R. NemethSharon A. OliversonMr. and Mrs. Brian Olsen

(Heather)Sandra and Robert

OltersdorfMichael O’NeillNicole OwensAndrea and Mike Parke and

FamilyMr. Kenneth and Mrs.

Kathleen Pawlanta, FNPJohn and Mollie PetersonRobert and Marlene

PetersonMr. and Mrs. Michael PiperMr. and Mrs. Joseph

PrebendaJessica PriceTamyra PurgielMrs. Teresa RaithelJohn and Marilyn RecordJoanne ReichertMargaaret RempeBobbie Jo ReparBetsy Rich-CzarnikAllison RobbinsMr. and Mrs. Tyler RobertsKelly Roberts-ZielinskiMr. and Mrs. RosenburgJay RuddyKimberly Taylor RuleyJuanita SarzynskiMs. Catherine SchalauMac ScribnerRick ShawMs. Mary R. ShelsonJulie and Lucas ShepherdMike and Trista SitzMr. and Mrs. Gordon SmithMr. and Mrs. Joseph

Spyhalski (Eileen)Ms. Mary Steele Darlene StroyanMr. Donald SuddonDiane SuttlesAmy SzymanskiMs. Sharon TaylorBrian and Tami TechelTamula TechelLisa ThackerayNicholas ThaxtonMrs. Kalynn ThayerMr. and Mrs. Wayne Thomas

(DiAnne)Maryann ThurstonNeil TomesMr. David B. TrimbathKaarina M. VeihlMs. Jennifer VogelJulia VultaggioKevin WahrMr. and Mrs. Jack WarrenMr. and Mrs. LeRoy WatsonTheresa M. Weber

Amy WellsKathy WilcoxBeth WilsonMrs. Theresa Wood Deborah WormMr. and Mrs. Dan Yale

(Karen)

Staff and EmployeeGood Samaritan Society

Bonnie J. ByramMr. and Mrs. Thomas Corby

(Cindy)Tad and Kay De LucaPaul HaganDavid KrampDoug and Nancy KussrowMike and Barb MillerMr. and Mrs. Ralph D. PardoMr. and Mrs. Thomas PudvanKenneth and Nancy RaganRonald and Kathy RespeckiBrad, Laura and Ryan

SincockFrank StroyanCynthia A. Tallent

Staff and EmployeeCornerstone Society

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Burke (Nancy)

Dave and Diane FisherBob and Skip KasprzakTom and Jean LemonMichael and Christie Perdue

Hippocrates SocietyThis society recognizes all gifts from physicians and those made in their honor.

AnonymousDr. and Mrs. CollazoJohn and Wendy FryeDr. Peter and Mrs. Amy

HandleyJanelle Hendrian, DOChangxin LiDr. Robert and Mrs. Dawn

MeeJohn and Mitch MoffatKasey and Wendi NelsonDr. Medina H. ShaltryDr. and Mrs. Steven J.

Wisniewski

HonorariumsIn Honor Of Dr. Steven

WisniewskiJames C. Forbes

Cornerstone SocietyThis Giving Society recognizes all donors who give or pledge an annual gift of $1,000 or more to the OMH Foundation.

Mr. and Mrs. R. David BrineyMr. and Mrs. Glen A. CattCosmetic Skin and Laser

CenterJim and Jan CotantThe Easton Ville GangEugene and Barbara

FlemingGaylord Eye Care Center -Dr. Ronald Mead -Dr. Peter Opperman -Dr. Robert SlezakKeith H. Gornick FamilyChester and Cynthia

Janssens

Edward and Barbara Kakenmaster

Scott and Janice LampertMr. and Mrs. William J. MuzylOtsego Memorial Hospital

AuxiliaryRally For A Cure Golf OutingMary MacGregor SandersKarl and Laverne

ScheiterleinCharles and Sheila SimpsonSklarczyk Seed FarmJeffrey and Lynne SmetzerDale J. and Marlene A.

SmithCarolyn and Jon StudyThe Hees Family FoundationThomas and Mary TomaskiTrailing For TriumphVan Elslander Family

Foundation/Art Van Furniture

Marcus and Sharon Wegmeyer

Mr. and Mrs. Athel E. Williams

Good Samaritan SocietyThis Giving Society recognizes all donors who give or pledge an annual gift of $500-$999 to the OMH Foundation.

Jean AppletonGale and Belva ParkerEugene and Betsy SandersDoug and Carol SchubertLeo and Sylvia R. SchusterFred and Shirley Smith

Circle of FriendsThis Giving Society recognizes all donors who give or pledge an annual gift of $50-$499 to the OMH Foundation.

Ryan AllenJack and Ginny AndersonMichele A. AndrewsJ.T. AudeHarry and Shirley BeckerGregg and Rhonda BehnkeSandra BlakeMary Darlene BorowiakPamela M. BroomallMr. Michel A. CameronSharon CarlsonCatt DevelopmentTricia and Jerry CogerJean CorpeDarrell D. DarlingFlowers By EvelynCynthia FormanSara and Jimmy FreemanDr. David M. Gast and Dr.

Patricia A. DuleyTodd and Anne GregoryDr. David and Mrs. Laura

HansmannPaul and Betty HartmannDianna HlywaDoris HoffmanJDB Energy, LLCMarvin and Nancy KelsoDr. William and Mrs. Nicole

KoenigEllen KozlowskiMr. and Mrs. Tom KrzemienLadies of the Country ClubConstance LynchJohn and Judy MartensonmBankPamela McClinticPauline McCoyHerman L. Miller

Betsy MullenJudy R. NizzolaNorthern Energy, Inc.Robert and Barbara OlsonRosemary ParadowskiM.L. PetoskeyAlbert and Diane QuaalRoger M. RasmussenMr. and Mrs. James J.

ReinhardtCarol RossJames RothDiane SchafferElsie Schrader CawleyTom and Jan SeidelPatricia J. SidesJudy SmithSmith Realty GroupValarie SnellGeorge and Dee StasevichJudy StelmasRichard and Susan StraithDonna J. TheisenAmber D. TheriaultTreetops ResortStacy ViziniaTom and Ann WagarAnita Ware

Honorariums / Memorials 2010Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation proudly lists the gifts made in honor or memory of others. May they each be honored through the Hospital’s healing mission.

HonorariumsIn Honor of Eugene FlemingGregg and Rhonda Behnke

In Honor of Linda JohnsonAmber D. Theriault

MemorialsIn Memory of Michael

MurphyJack and Ginny Anderson

In Memory of Eugene Sanders

Mr. and Mrs. R. David BrineyMary MacGregor SandersDale J. and Marlene A. Smith

In Memory of Scott Martin Ekonen

Martin and Elizabeth Ekonen

In Memory of Victoria S. Mattmiller

Betty and Dale Mattmiller

In Memory of Karen CindyAnonymous

In Memory of Neal BeattyDale J. and Marlene A. Smith

In Memory of Vicky Switalski Vallmer

Susie Switalski

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