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VAN WERT, Ohio – The Family Caring Clinic and Van Wert County Hospital are pleased to announce a collaboration allowing the Clinic the opportunity to expand in both staff and service areas. On Monday, August 4, 2008, the Family Caring Clinic will open its doors at the Van Wert Health Center, 140 Fox Road, Van Wert. At the same time, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Tom Lautzenheiser has joined Van Wert Medical Services, a subsidiary of Van Wert County Hospital, and will be contracted with the Family Caring Clinic, allowing for complete primary care physician services. Launched by Community Health Professionals in February of 2004, the Family Caring Clinic is a low-cost, sliding-fee scale (based on household income) practice that accepts almost all types of insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and self-pay. The Clinic provides a means for families with limited resources to obtain basic health care. The Family Caring Clinic is a Federal Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with look-alike status serving Van Wert, Mercer and Paulding counties and is currently staffed by Mary Coplin, CNP. The collaboration’s enhanced services will significantly increase the Clinic’s chances of becoming a fully funded FQHC. Shawn Frick, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers points out, “This agreement is one of the very first in Ohio and around the country where a hospital and an FQHC have joined forces on behalf of the local community. It is a win-win because it will allow both the FQHC and the hospital to do what they do best individually while supporting each other by sharing services and assets. I think you will find that this arrangement will not only meet the needs of Van Wert but will also allow Family Caring Clinic to quickly expand access to primary care to the underserved areas of Paulding and Mercer Counties.” Mark J. Minick, President and CEO of Van Wert County Hospital stated, “The Clinic wouldn’t exist today without Donna Grimm and Community Health Professionals support and hard work. We are thrilled to be able to work with the Clinic to take them to the next level.” Minick also noted, “We are excited to expand the availability and access to excellent health care for the residents of our area. As anyone who has visited our Emergency Services Department knows, our community has a significant number of under-insured who rely heavily on our ER for their basic health needs. This collaboration allows us to continue to fulfill the mission of Van Wert County Hospital.” Family Caring Clinic Executive Director and CFO, Nancy Sink noted, “We are grateful to the staff at Van Wert County Hospital for everything they have done to make it possible for Dr. Lautzenheiser to become a practitioner at the Family Caring Clinic. Mary Coplin has been an excellent provider for our patients and we are confident Dr. Lautzenheiser will provide the same quality, compassionate care. This is a very good thing not only for the clinic; it is also beneficial to our community and the hospital. Sadly, individuals who are without a primary care provider many times use the emergency room for their basic health care. This is a waste of valuable resources and we want to avoid this as much as possible.” Dr. Lautzenhesier stated, “Many people from the Family Caring Clinic and the Van Wert County Hospital have worked together to create the opportunity for the Clinic to expand its services. I’m glad to be a part of this expansion and I look forward to working with everyone at the clinic as well as the staff and providers at the hospital.” Dr. Tom Lautzenheiser currently oversees the Van Wert Health Department. A former family practitioner and Vietnam veteran, Dr. Lautzenheiser has recently volunteered in the military for deployments, including two in Iraq. Currently in Van Wert County, more than 3,400 individuals receive assistance from Medicaid, this includes 1,517 adults and 1,914 children. “Our clinic opened to help meet the need for basic health care for families in our community. Our patient population has rapidly grown. The addition of Dr. Lautzenheiser will greatly enhance our services. As a medical provider and well-respected member of the community, his becoming a member of the team will allow us to continue to provide quality health care to an even more significant number of patients. I’m looking forward to working with him as part of our health care team,” stated Mary Coplin, CNP. Additional support to the Clinic may be provided by the physicians of Van Wert Medical Services (VWMS). Dr. Jeffrey Easley from VWMS said, “I have great respect for Mary Coplin, Nancy Sink and the work they’ve done with the underserved of our area. We appreciate the opportunity to help them expand their services. Dr. Lautzenheiser is a fine addition and we’ll be able to add further pediatric services once Dr. Jennifer Hohman joins our staff this fall.” The Family Caring Clinic is accepting new patients and can be contacted at (419) 238-6747. The Family Caring Clinic has been supported by Community Health Professionals, the Van Wert County Foundation and is also a United Way Agency. Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.” |
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Van Wert County Hospital Appreciates Long-time T.W.I.G.’s Service What is T.W.I.G.’s? First organized in 1953, T.W.I.G. stands for Terrific Women in Giving. The objectives and purposes of this Association is to contribute financially to the local hospital facilities, provide service gratis for the benefit of the local hospital facilities and to promote better community health standards. There are now five TWIG groups in the Association, each responsible for different service projects in the community. Since their formation, TWIG’s have donated almost $2 million dollars to the Van Wert County Hospital. TWIG’s I & II run the Hospital Thrift Shop located at 131 East Central Avenue. TWIG III’s primary focus is the operation of the Hospital Gift Shop. They also present the Tree of Lights each Christmas. TWIG has several projects over the year including cookbooks, poinsettia sale in November, Boutique Sales at the Hospital and a host of other projects. TWIG V has also been involved in many projects from style shows to raffles. The Christmas tree in the hospital lobby is decorated each year by TWIG V. Anyone interested in the TWIG Association or joining one of the groups can contact Patient & Community Relations at the Van Wert County Hospital at (419) 238-2390.
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You are invited to attend a party to discuss the changes to come—the great journey to womanhood! Many topics will be discussed, like physical and emotional changes, developing healthy habits and attitudes and understanding it all.
Fun!
Prizes! Pizza! Good info!
The class is
designed for girls ages 10-14, and is taught by a Nurse Practitioner and
two RN’s Please
call Van Wert OB-GYN at 419-238-0363 or 800-447-3047
Seating is limited—register early!
Support for
this program is provided by the Violence and Injury Prevention Program,
Bureau of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction, Office of Healthy Ohio,
Ohio Department of Health and the University of Toledo AHEC Program,
LAHEC, Van Wert County Hospital, Friends and local contributors. Date:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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The Answer Was Yes!
Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.” |
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TWIG III HOSTS 13TH ANNUAL TREE OF LIGHTS More than 40 Stars Placed on Tree VAN WERT, Ohio – TWIG III volunteers from the Van Wert County Hospital hosted their 13th Annual Tree of Lights ceremony on Tuesday, November 27th at 7:00pm. Hospital President and CEO Mark J. Minick was pleased to accept a donation from TWIG III President Eileen Lucier in the amount of $3,000.00. Since its inception, this annual event has raised more than $57,000.00 in contributions for the hospital. More than 40 stars were placed on the tree honoring or in memory of loved ones. The evening started with a musical selection of Christmas songs from the Van Wert Community Concert Band while family members placed stars on the tree. Following the check presentation, Lisa Dunn, TWIG III member, read the names on the stars. As the event concluded, attendees sang Silent Night as the band played. The evening finished with a reception in the hospital cafeteria.
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Dear Editor: Over the holiday season, many area residents may have had time to head to one of the local theatres to catch a movie. I would like an opportunity to pass along a few facts about one of these movies, “Awake.” The movie storyline is about a man who undergoes surgery to find he is awake, but paralyzed, during the procedure and unable to communicate this awareness to the doctors. The term for this occurrence is “anesthesia awareness.” Although anesthesia awareness is a true phenomenon, it is extremely rare and is less dramatic than the event portrayed in the movie. According to the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), only 0.1% of all patients undergoing general anesthesia have some degree of anesthesia awareness. Typically, patients who experience some degree of anesthesia awareness have it for a short time only and do not feel any pain. This phenomenon can occur because all patients metabolize anesthetic differently. Other factors contribute as well, such as home medications and the patients’ history of drug or alcohol use can also affect a patients’ response to anesthesia. This is why it is so important for patients to be sure to disclose all answers to any preoperative health history questions. This is also a great time to remind everyone to complete and carry with them a Universal Medication Form. At Van Wert County Hospital, the Surgical Department works hard to ensure patients experience a safe, calm and as comfortable as possible surgical experience. Each of the main surgery rooms is equipped with state of the art monitors, that in the case of anesthesia awareness, the anesthetist would be alerted to this and would work to correct it. So, not meaning to ruin the ending of another great Hollywood production, it’s important to make sure the facts are available. Sincerely, Dr. Thomas E. Conte, M.D. 140 Fox Road, Suite 401 |
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VAN WERT COUNTY HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED Miller and Joseph recognized as members of “20 Under 40” VAN WERT, Ohio – Dr. Matthew Miller and Samantha Jo Joseph, R.N., were recognized at a luncheon in Lima, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, by the Business Journal of West Central Ohio. The first annual “20 Under 40” Awards recognized 20 influential individuals, under the age of 40, who are extraordinary entrepreneurs, business executives, scholars, civic or cultural leaders that make a notable impact on their business or industry and their community. The competition area included the counties of: Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Paulding Putnam, Shelby and Van Wert.
Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.” |
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VAN WERT COUNTY HOSPITAL NURSES RECEIVE SPECIAL TRAINING 60 Members of Nursing Staff participate in IV In-Service Training VAN WERT, Ohio – Between Wednesday,
November 14th and Friday, November 16th, more than
60 members of the
Intravenous therapy, more commonly known as IV therapy, is the procedure of transmitting liquid substances directly into a vein. The intravenous route is one of the fastest ways to deliver fluids and medications throughout the body.
The program coordinators and trainers were Cindy Cook, R.N., Carolyn Kesler, R.N., Suzanne Kloepper, R.N., Brenda Adams, R.N., Kristy Mueller, R.N. and Carolyn Wells, R.N.
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Van
Wert County Hospital Goes Tobacco Free |
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In order to promote and encourage healthy lifestyles for employees, patients, volunteers, physicians, students and visitors, Van Wert County Hospital will go tobacco free November 15, 2007, coinciding with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout®. Each year on the third Thursday in November, smokers across the country take part in the Great American Smokeout® by smoking less or quitting for the day. The event challenges people to stop using tobacco and raises awareness of the many effective ways to quit for good. According to Mark J. Minick, President and CEO of Van Wert County Hospital, “Our hospital is dedicated to promoting the health, well-being and safety of our patients, employees and visitors. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in this country, we must set a clear example of good health practices.” In addition to protecting the health of our patients, employees and visitors, the policy has resulted in encouraging both employees and patients to quit tobacco use. This policy is an initiative of an employee committee made up of smokers and non-smokers. The Board of Trustees, Medical Executive Committee, Administrative staff and Hospital staff support the policy and realize the need to be a role model in the community. The policy prohibits smoking or the use of other tobacco products on the Van Wert County Hospital campus, which includes the hospital and Van Wert Health Center buildings and grounds. The buildings have been smoke-free for many years, but smoking has been permitted in designated areas outside the facility. In line with Ohio law, ash cans have already been removed from the facility and it is asked that tobacco products be disposed of in vehicles before stepping onto the grounds. Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.” |
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Van
Wert County Hospital Recognizes COPD Day
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VAN WERT, Ohio: Wednesday, is the sixth annual World COPD Day, an event held each November to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worldwide. On World COPD Day, dozens of activities for health care professionals, COPD patients, the general public and the media will take place around the theme “Breathless Not Helpless!” Van Wert County Hospital Department of Cardio Pulmonary Services will be sponsoring free spirometry testing on Wednesday, November 14, from 10am-Noon, in the Cafeteria Conference Room. This simple breathing test is free and open to the public and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. COPD is a devastating lung disease that progressively robs sufferers of breath. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, on par with HIV/AIDS. More than 3 million people die from the disease each year, and up to 10 percent of adults over age 40 worldwide may have it. In Van Wert County alone, COPD patients include: 624 cases of youth asthma, 1,744 cases of adult asthma, 933 cases of chronic bronchitis and 441 cases of emphysema. In addition, Van Wert County has 22 cases of lung cancer - 1 person out of 1,325 is afflicted with the disease. Early symptoms of COPD include coughing, bringing up sputum, and getting out of breath during exercise or exertion. Without treatment, COPD is generally a progressive disease, and as the disease gets worse patients become breathless during everyday activities such as climbing a flight of stairs, walking the dog, or even getting washed and dressed in the morning. Patients may be able to slow or even stop the progress of COPD by reducing their exposure to risk factors for the disease. Worldwide, the most commonly encountered risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. World COPD Day was first held in 2002, and has grown each year to become one of the most important COPD events globally. Further information World COPD Day can be found at www.goldcopd.org. Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.”
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Flu Shot Clinic Van Wert County Hospital~Specialty Clinic~1250 S. Washington Street~Van Wert, Ohio is sponsoring a Flu Shot Clinic on Tuesday, NOVEMBER 13, 2007 from 9:00AM—3:00PM The fee is
$25 and
pre-registration is required. Monday, November 5, 8:00am—1:00pm Wednesday, November 7, 8:00am—1:00pm
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Senior Health Fair
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VAN WERT, Ohio – Van Wert County Hospital Outpatient Therapy Department will be hosting a Senior Health Fair and Open House this Saturday, October 27th from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Gaylord E. Leslie Wellness Center. The Wellness Center is located at 140 Fox Road, Van Wert. This event is free and open to the public. Members of the public age 50 and older are encouraged to visit and see first hand how the Center can assist with sports and work-related injuries, balance disorders, pain management, cardiac recovery, and generalized strengthening and functional mobility. n addition to tours of the therapy department, staff members will be on hand to explain and perform balance assessments, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The Health Fair will also feature sessions on home safety. At 10:00 a.m. there will be a special presentation from Dr. Jocelyn Wray on Wellness & Aging. For more information, please call (419) 238-8626. |
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“Test Your Lungs – Know Your Numbers” |
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VAN WERT, Ohio – Van Wert County Hospital Cardiopulmonary Services Department will recognize National Lung Health Day on Wednesday, October 24 with free Spirometry testing, as a part of National Respiratory Care Week. Spirometry is a powerful predictor of patients at risk of premature death due to a number of conditions. Persons who should have the test fall into the following criteria: smokers or former smokers over 40 years old or those with a 20 pack history (pack years + packs per day multiplied by number of years smoked); people with unexplained respiratory symptoms including: cough, wheezing and shortness of breath; people with long-term exposure to respiratory irritants (e.g., dust, smoke, fumes); people with frequent ‘colds’ or allergic rhinitis; people with a family history of lung disease; patients suspected of having COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis or asthma; and patients with known lung disease (retest every 1-2 years to track changes in the disease.) The 26th Annual National Respiratory Care Week recognizes and thanks respiratory care professionals for their contributions, demonstrates the value of respiratory care professionals in all healthcare settings, and promotes respiratory health in the workplace and the community. National Lung Health Day’s purpose is to promote the importance of lung health and build awareness about diseases and conditions that adversely affect healthy lungs. Additional information about healthy lungs and breathing can be found at the National Lung Health Education Program’s website. http://www.nlhep.org/spirom1.html Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.” |
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Van Wert County Hospital Promotes Use of Advanced Directives “Living Today, Planning for Tomorrow” VAN WERT, Ohio – Nobody likes to think about his or her own death, but conversations about death and dying can ensure that your choices are carried out if you become unconscious, terminally ill or unable to communicate. Gov. Ted Strickland declared Oct. 14-20 Living Wills and Advance Directives Week 2007, Living Today, Planning for Tomorrow, which provides an opportunity to put in writing the care you would want to receive. The Van Wert County Hospital is one of many Ohio organizations recognizing Living Wills and Advance Directives Week with an educational seminar on Thursday, October 18, 2007, at 3:00p.m., in the Wellness Center located at 140 Fox Road, Van Wert. Director of Social Services Julia Gauvey will explain advance directives and help participants to fill out living wills and health care power of attorneys. This session is open to the public with no registration required. The most common advance directive – a living will – is a legal document that dictates how much life-sustaining treatment an individual wishes to have administered once he or she has been deemed by physicians to be terminally ill or permanently unconscious, and unable to communicate his or her wishes. A health care power of attorney is another common advance directive in which the individual designates another person to make medical decisions when he or she is unable to communicate wishes but may not be terminally ill or permanently unconscious. Advance directives are gaining popularity. According to a Harris Interactive survey conducted in March, two in five U.S. adults have living wills – an increase of 10 percent since 2004, the year when Terri Shiavo made headlines as her husband and her parents battled in court over removing her feeding tube. Schiavo had been in a prolonged vegetative state when her husband requested the tube be removed in 1998. The case took seven years to resolve. A living will would have made her wishes clear, and a health care power of attorney would have dictated who she wanted to make her health care decisions for her. In the absence of an advance directive, family members who disagree about end-of-life care can file an objection, leaving care decisions in the hands of a judge. Living Wills and Advance Directives Week, Living Today, Planning for Tomorrow, seeks to ensure adults’ decision-making power over their own lives. Discussing wishes with family members and filling out advance directives relieves families from guess work and potential family disagreement later. More information, advance directives forms and a list of sponsors of Living Wills and Advance Directives Week are available online at: www.ohanet.org/advocacy/state/issues/advance_directives.htm. The Ohio Hospital Association, Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the Ohio State Bar Foundation and several other Ohio organizations joined efforts to educate Ohioans regarding the importance of advance directives by designating Oct. 14-20 Living Wills and Advance Directives Week 2007. Living Wills and Advance Directives Week began as an Ohio State Bar Foundation 2002 Fellows initiative to help Ohioans complete living wills and health care power of attorneys. Nearly 20 cosponsors statewide have joined forces to support the cause, and hospitals across the state were asked to provide educational seminars. Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.”
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VAN WERT COUNTY HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES EARN CERTIFICATION |
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According to the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (AATUD), a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) “…is a professional who possesses the skills, knowledge and training to provide effective, evidence-based interventions for tobacco dependence across a range of intensities.” In order to promote and encourage healthy lifestyles for employees, patients, volunteers, physicians, students and visitors, Van Wert County Hospital will go tobacco free November 15, 2007, coinciding with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout®. Each year on the third Thursday in November, smokers across the country take part in the Great American Smokeout® by smoking less or quitting for the day. To earn the certification, Hammons and Jones were each required to complete an intensive 5-day TTS Training Program, complete 480 service hours focused on tobacco dependence treatment and pass the certification examination. The certification is valid for 2 years and requires continuing education. Alison Hammons graduated from Defiance College with a Bachelors degree in Wellness and Corporate Fitness. She has been with the Van Wert County Hospital since 2004. Trisha Jones graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science and has been with the Hospital since 2002. In an effort to support employees who wish to quit smoking, the hospital will work in collaboration with the Tri-County Tobacco Free Coalition. Patients are asked to discuss nicotine replacement options with their physician prior to admission. Non-compliant patients risk being discharged against the medical advice of the hospital. For more information regarding Van Wert County Hospital’s Tobacco Free Policy call 419-238-2390. Van Wert County Hospital is an independent community health system proudly providing more than a “Century of Caring.”
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Van Wert County Hospital to go Tobacco Free |
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Mark Minick, President and CEO of Van Wert County Hospital, announced, “In order to promote and encourage healthy lifestyles for employees, patients, volunteers, physicians, students, and visitors Van Wert County Hospital will go tobacco free November 15, 2007, coinciding with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout®.” Each year on the third Thursday in November, smokers across the country take part in the Great American Smokeout® by smoking less or quitting for the day. The event challenges people to stop using tobacco and raises awareness of the many effective ways to quit for good. According to Minick, “This new policy is an initiative of an employee committee made up of smokers and non-smokers. The Board of Trustees, the Medical Executive Committee, Administrative staff, and Hospital staff support the policy and realize the need to be a role model in our community.” The policy prohibits smoking or the use of other tobacco products on the Van Wert County Hospital campus, which includes the hospital and Van Wert Health Center buildings and grounds. The buildings have been smoke-free for many years, but smoking has been permitted in designated areas outside the facility. In line with Ohio law, ash cans have already been removed from the facility and it is asked that tobacco products be disposed of in vehicles before stepping onto the grounds. A look at the statistics that Van Wert County Hospital hopes to move in a positive direction with its new policy:
(Cancer Facts and Figures 2007) Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also causes increased risk for cancer of the mouth, nasal cavities, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine cervix, and myeloid leukemia. (Source: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2005) The Tri County Tobacco Free Coalition of Mercer, Paulding and Van Wert County estimates that almost 20,000 people die from tobacco use in Ohio each year, around 52 people a day. The economic costs of smoking in Ohio include $4.02 billion in annual health care expenditures directly related to tobacco use, $2.6 billion annual state and federal taxpayers’ burden from smoking, and $1.3 billion annual smoke related Medicaid costs. Ever wonder what is in tobacco smoke? In all, there are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, with 43 proven to cause cancer. A few include: Ammonia, Arsenic, Cyanide, Nicotine, Battery Acid, Carbon Monoxide, and Lighter Fluid. Tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure are also related to the five leading causes of death in Ohio: Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Emphysema. Symptoms of emphysema include cough, shortness of breath and a limited exercise tolerance. Diagnosis is made by pulmonary function tests, along with the patient's history, examination and other tests. COPD, the fourth leading cause of death in America, claimed the lives of 122,283 Americans in 2003 and the number of women dying from the disease has surpassed the number seen in men. Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking. Female smokers are nearly 13 times as likely to die from COPD as women who have never smoked. Male smokers are nearly 12 times as likely to die from COPD as men who have never smoked. Van Wert County Hospital maintains an American Lung Association, Better Breather’s Club for people afflicted with COPD and other lung disorders. In an effort to support employees who wish to quit smoking, the hospital will work in collaboration with The Tri County Tobacco Free Coalition. Patients are asked to discuss nicotine replacement options with their physician prior to admission. Non-compliant patients risk being discharged against the medical advice of the hospital. For more information regarding Van Wert County Hospital’s Tobacco Free Policy call 419-238-2390. |
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| Van Wert County Hospital Mathew Miller M.D., Awarded Volunteer Appointment | ||||
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Gratis Medical Procedure Performed at Van Wert County
Hospital
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| Vantage Students Visit Van Wert County Hospital | ||||
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Pictured above from left to right: Dan Myers, Laboratory Manager at Van Wert County Hospital, explains laboratory procedures to Vantage students Timna Klopfenstein, Natalie Zuber, Kevin Hale, Aaron Nuest, Casey Roop, and Samantha Blair.
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"Active Parenting" Classes Scheduled |
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| Active Parenting, an education class for parents of children ages 5 to 12, has been scheduled for Tuesday evenings, beginning May 1st and ending June 5th. This free educational series is sponsored by Van Wert County Hospital, Crisis Care, and Ohio's Children's Trust Fund. Classes will be held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in Conference Room B & C behind the cafeteria at Van Wert County Hospital. Interested parties are asked to register by calling VWCH at (419) 238-8672. Questions can be directed to Julie Gauvey, VWCH's Social Worker, by calling (419) 238-8654.More information is also available online at www.activeparenting.com. Happy families aren't born...they're made one day at a time. Join us to make your family a happy family. | ||||
| Van Wert County Hospital Honors Volunteers | ||||
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| Van Wert County Hospital Introduces Neurologist, Now Scheduling Patients | ||||
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Dr. Al-Khatib’s main office is Lima Neurocare, Inc. located on High Street in Lima. He will see patients at the Specialty Clinic at Van Wert County Hospital on Tuesday’s and as needed on Thursday’s. To make an appointment via physician referral, please contact the Specialty Clinic at 419-238-8621.
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| Casillo, Mueller complete PICC Insertion Class | ||||
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Pictured: Laura Casillo, RN and Kristy Mueller, RN. |
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| Van Wert County Hospital Donates Fetal Monitor | ||||
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Datex Ohmeda S5 ADU
Anesthesia Machine in operation at Van Wert County Hospital New Machine Enhances Ability to Assess Patient Level of Consciousness
For more information regarding anesthesia safety, visit the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation at www.apsf.org. Pictured: The Datex Ohmeda S5 ADU Anesthesia Machine in an operating room suite at Van Wert County Hosptial and Tom Lyons, CRNA. Editor's note: Tom Lyons is a Parkway Graduate. |
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| Local Executive Earns Top Healthcare Management Credential | ||||
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Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development and leadership. Only 5,400 healthcare executives hold this distinction. To obtain Fellow status candidates must fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits and demonstrating profession/community involvement. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years. For more information regarding the FACHE credential, please contact the ACHE Division of Membership at (312) 424-9400 or visit the Credentialing area of ache.org. |
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Health Matters: Inflammatory Genes Linked to Salt-Sensitive Hypertension |
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If sodium handling goes awry, study says blood pressure spike persists long after it should Genes related to inflammation may be a key to high blood pressure, according to researchers. High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects almost one in three Americans. And more than half of those who are hypertensive have salt-sensitive hypertension, which means changing the amount of sodium in the diet affects blood pressure. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia's (MCG's) Georgia Prevention Institute are looking at how inflammation, which is an immune response, may help translate stress into high blood pressure. "There is a concept that hypertension is an inflammatory condition," Haidong Zhu, a molecular geneticist at MCG, said in a prepared statement. She believes that stress, inflammation and hypertension are connected by the kidneys' ability to release sodium. When stress activates the body's fight-or-flight mechanism, the body produces interleukin 6, a pro-inflammatory factor. In addition, stress prompts the body to hold onto sodium to temporarily raise blood pressure so you can deal with the situation, according to George Harshfield, the director of the institute. Zhu and her colleagues are conducting research to see if mutations in four sets of stress-activated inflammatory genes -- interleukin 6, interleukin 6 receptor, cytokine signal transducer and C-reactive protein -- may cause sodium handling to go awry, causing the stress-induced high blood pressure to persist after the stressful situation has passed. In their study, the MCG researchers are investigating genetic variations of the four genes in 500 teenagers aged 15 to 19 with normal blood pressure. The teens were put on a four-day diet to regulate their sodium intake, and then they were monitored for a few hours in the laboratory. Pilot data indicate that black teens with normal blood pressure and a certain variation of the interleukin 6 gene have reduced sodium excretion in their urine following stress. In addition, following stress, circulating levels of interleukin 6 rise and are still up an hour after the stressor is gone. "Our long-term goal is to be able to identify a subgroup of individuals with a certain genetic profile that has an increased risk of developing high blood pressure in a stressful environment," Zhu said. The researchers hope that their work may lead to the identification of people who could benefit from targeted therapy, including a low-salt diet, physical activity and possibly anti-inflammatory drugs, Zhu said. More information The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more about high blood pressure |
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| Health Matters: Exercising the Body Keeps the Mind Fit | ||||
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Physical activity fights a host of mental woes, experts say What if one therapy could help ward off addiction, depression, stress and even Alzheimer's, all the while keeping you slim and feeling great? That mental-health "treatment" is as close as your own two feet -- exercise. "Exercise improves blood flow to the brain, it helps the body detoxify, it puts you on a better cycle of physical behavior, and it leads to decreased stress. It also improves thinking and mental function and decreases your tendency toward addiction," said Dr. Marc Siegel, an internist at New York University Medical Center and an associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine in New York City. With each new study, experts are getting a better understanding of the intimate connection between the health of the body and that of the mind. And exercise -- the body's key method of staying healthy -- appears to be crucial to mental health, too. For example, "there's evidence that exercise is maybe the best non-pharmacological antidepressant we have -- studies have shown that it works better than some drugs. It's also a great anti-anxiety intervention," said James Maddux, a professor of psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and an expert on the mind-body health connection. Aerobic exercise such as running or swimming can lead to a healthy release of the body's natural opiates, neurochemicals called endorphins. These are natural stress-busters, Siegel said, but exercise's impact on stress goes "way beyond endorphins." "Exercise is a ritualistic activity that redirects your energy," said Siegel, who is also the author of a book on worry and stress called False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear. "Stress is a build-up of inactivity, of over-thinking without release," he said. "But exercise gives you a physical release that diminishes that psychic frustration." For many people, exercise also provides a valuable sense of control over their physical health. "It's that sense of a loss of control that can lead to stress," Siegel said. And physical activity -- especially when individuals join sports clubs, teams or have workout partners -- also increases socialization, which has been proven to boost mental and physical health and increase lifespan. Regular workouts may even help smokers beat their addiction, researchers say. For example, one study from Brown University found that women looking to quit smoking who engaged in a vigorous exercise program were more than twice as likely to have stayed away from cigarettes for at least one year, compared to women who simply took part in a smoking-cessation program without exercise. The Brown team believes that exercise may have helped smokers deal with the stress of quitting. As an added bonus, the study also found that exercising ex-smokers were able to stave off much of the weight gain typically associated with quitting smoking. A fit, active body may even help reduce risks for Alzheimer's disease by improving cerebrovascular blood flow, experts say. "There's no question that exercise improves blood flow to the brain," Siegel explained. One recent U.S. study found that seniors who engaged in some form of minimal exercise at least three days a week cut their risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia by as much as 30 percent to 40 percent. So, the advice from experts: Get out there, and get active. "Exercise is clearly a discipline or ritualistic activity that you can use to break your cycle of worry and get on a path toward better health," Siegel said. More information There's more on healthy physical activity at the American Council on Exercise |
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Health Matters: Stressed Out? Grab Hubby's Hand If you're a woman stressed out from work, holiday shopping, the kids or even too much traffic, grab your husband's hand for instant relief. And if you're spouse-less? Holding any male's hand is better than none. That's the conclusion of a study published in the December issue of the journal Psychological Science. "Hand-holding is second nature for kids" when they're under stress, said James A. Coan, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Virginia, who led the study. "This can also work for adults." The happier the marriage, the greater the stress-reducing benefit, Coan found. But even a stranger's hand can help reduce stress, he said. For the study, Coan recruited 16 married women who scored high on his marriage satisfaction quiz and gave them magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brain when confronted with stress. He subjected them to a very mild electric shock in three situations: by themselves not holding anyone's hand; holding their husband's hand; and holding the hand of a male stranger. "First, we wanted to know what the brain is doing when the women were completely alone," he said. "We got a baseline of how the brain responds to stress." Then, the researchers looked at the MRI images of the brain when the women held their husband's hand or the stranger's hand. "When your brain is under stress, it has to work hard, it has all these different problems to solve," Coan said. "We found when you are holding a hand, any hand, the parts of your brain responsible for mobilizing your body into action calm down," Coan said. "It doesn't matter whose hand it is." But a husband's hand provided the greatest benefits. "Both hands calmed the bodily reaction to stress," Coan said, "but only the spousal hand can calm the mind, only a husband's hand calmed down the region of the brain that keeps your emotions in check." And the happier the marriage, the greater the benefits. Among couples in the study who scored the highest on marital satisfaction -- pairs that Coan termed "super couples" -- the women got even more benefit from spousal hand-holding than did the other women. Coan found that the region of the brain thought to be associated with experience of pain quieted down even more in those women. "If you are in a 'super couple,' hand-holding serves as a kind of analgesic," he said. Whatever the amount of benefit, Coan said he believes "the brain works a lot less hard when there is someone else helping us cope. One of my students said, 'It's like the brain is contracting out some of the work,' keeping our brain less stressed." Dr. Charles Goodstein, a psychoanalyst at New York University Medical Center and a clinical professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, said the study gives scientific credence to long-time observations. "Interaction between members of a species can have a momentous impact on emotion, and emotion can have a profound impact on bodily functioning," he said. Often, Goodstein noted, medications are used to provide relief from anxiety and anticipated anxiety. "This study shows that there is a better way." More information To learn more about social support and its health effects, visit the American Psychological Association.
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HealthMatters:
Joint Decisions
Q. Can lifestyle changes reduce my arthritis symptoms? A. If you already have arthritis, the following lifestyle changes may help decrease the severity of your symptoms. (And for those who haven’t yet developed osteoarthritis, these steps also may help you to delay the onset of the disease.) Lose a few. Excess weight can wear on all of your joints, especially your knees. “Losing 10 pounds is like taking 30 pounds off of your knees,” Wilson says. Work it out. Think arthritis means you can skip the gym? You’re wrong. Exercise is good for your joints. It builds strength and flexibility. Just choose activities that don’t put too much stress on your joints. “Swimming is a great exercise for arthritis sufferers; so are tai chi and yoga,” Wilson says. Choose wisely. “Avoid engaging in activities that put you at risk for injury or wear on your joints,” Wilson says. Ask for help when doing strenuous activities. Use assistive devices, such as a rolling computer case rather than a shoulder bag, when possible. Eat right. Certain foods may have healing powers. Vitamin C, for example, may reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis; and fish high in omega-3 oils have anti-inflammatory qualities. Q. Is arthritis treatable? A. Nearly half of all people who suffer from arthritis don’t believe treatment is available. Not true. “Arthritis absolutely is treatable,” Wilson says. “If you experience any symptoms, go to the doctor right away and get a diagnosis.” While years ago a patient’s only relief came in the form of over-the-counter painkillers, prescription medications are now available. But be sure to stick with them—arthritis medications can take weeks or even months to work to their full potential. Physical therapy can help improve range of motion in diseased joints. Looser joints produce less pain. If lifestyle changes and treatment options have been exhausted, your doctor may recommend joint surgery. “When pain control cannot be achieved otherwise, or a patient cannot function properly, surgery is definitely an option,” Wilson says. Your doctor can help you find a treatment that works best for you. “Treating arthritis is as much an art as it is a science,” Wilson says. “The best medicine is the one that works for you.”
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Van Wert County Hospital Cookbooks Available Van Wert County Hospital has a limited number of “100 Years of Carry-Ins, 100 Years of Caring” cookbooks available for sale. The cookbooks can be purchased for $20 at the Van Wert County Hospital Switchboard or Van Wert Federal Savings Bank. Proceeds benefit the Van Wert County Hospital Employee Assistance Fund. Pick one up today for the perfect Christmas gift!
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| TWIG IV Sponsoring Book Fair | ||||
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Van Wert
County Hospital’s “Backpacks for Kids” a Success |
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Van
Wert County Hospital, American Red Cross, Van Wert Rotary to Sponsor
The annual Health Aware
Fair promises to be an even greater success in providing quality and
affordable healthcare. The event, again taking place at the Van Wert
County Hospital, will be held Saturday, September 16th from 6:00 a.m. to
10:00 a.m., with breakfast served until 10:30 a.m. We
are once again offering CT scans of the chest, abdomen, pelvis and lungs
($125 each), Cardiac Scoring ($145), and carotid and arterial Doppler
screens ($45 each). A physician order is needed. All screenings will be available by appointment. Call 419/238-9977 for appointment times. A 12-hour fast is required for blood draws. The discounted price for the blood and chemistry profiles is $40 pre-registered and $45 walk-in, space permitted after 8:30 a.m. The final day for pre-registration is Wednesday, September 13th by noon. As in years past, additional health information will also be available. The American Red Cross Pancake Sausage breakfast will be provided until 10:30 am at a cost of $5. |
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| Van Wert Health Center Announces Meeting Date for New Stroke Support Group | ||||
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Health Matters: The
Retirement Revolution
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Forget
the days of old ladies in rocking chairs and old men playing chess all
day—retirement is experiencing a revolution. Seniors
are trading in the notion of retirement as a time to slow down, and
instead are seizing the time to explore new hobbies, learn exciting
subjects, volunteer, travel and even embark on entirely new careers.
“Retirement is basically an outdated term,” says Richard Ambrosius, vice
president of PRAXEIS, a marketing and development company that
specializes in senior living communities. “Where once it was a time of
disengagement lasting a few years following an active work life, it now
represents 20 percent to 30 percent of one’s adult life.” Most
retirees are staying active after retirement, and an increasing number
are making the choice to continue working part-time hours, while others
branch out to embark on new careers. For
retirees who leave their jobs behind, the possibilities are endless.
“Where people once sought out a golf course, they are now interested in
lifelong personal growth and enrichment,” Ambrosius says. Take a
Class: You can register at your local community center for an academic
course in a subject you’ve always found interesting, or take a class
that offers fun and rewarding homework, such as cooking or mosaics.
Exercise: If you want to work out on your own, you can walk around your
neighborhood or try other low-impact exercises. And there’s no need to
be intimidated by the idea of joining a gym or enrolling in a yoga
class—the right trainer or instructor will guide you toward a workout
that suits you.
Volunteer: Share your gifts with others by becoming a volunteer. You
can volunteer in the office at a nearby school, or record books on tape
for the visually impaired. Volunteering is not only good for the
community, it’s good for the soul.
Travel: Don’t forget to make time to get away. Traveling to another
country, state or town can be quite an adventure. And you don’t have to
visit all the tourist traps to have a good time—you can have just as
much fun hitting up the locals’ hotspots. Whistle
While You… Don’t
think the working world is ready to part with your wisdom? Here are some
jobs that are great complements to retirement:
Teacher assistant: This
position is increasing in demand as classroom sizes grow.
Tour guide: Museums, parks
and art galleries are great places to work and learn about your
community.
Consultant: Businesses are
always looking for advice. Why not share with them what you’ve already
learned? |
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Health Matters:
Under Wraps By now, many Americans have become intimately familiar
with it. You've seen it when you visit a doctor's office, a hospital or
your local pharmacy. It's the landmark federal privacy law behind those
fine-print forms handed out to new patients and tucked in your medical
file for safekeeping.
Access: Individuals have the right
to see their records to ensure that they are accurate, complete and
timely.
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Our Community Health Focus in August
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Left:
TWIG
III President Nancy Farmer presents van Wert County Hospital President
and CEO Mark Minick a check for the Scholarship Fund. The donation
honors Pat Mohr and Ruth Raelene Tomkins. Originally from Van Wert
County and a Lincolnview graduate, Tomkins was a RN Supervisor at
Metropolitan General Hospital in Cleveland for more than 30 years.
Dr.
Matthew Miller was recognized for being a compassionate and caring
physician not only for his patients and their families, but for his
staff and their families as well. Dr. Miller serves as President of the
Medical Staff at the Van Wert County Hospital. His work on behalf of
more than 100 physicians helps to guarantee that the Van Wert community
has the best medical care possible. As a committed member of the Van
Wert community, and possessing a strong belief in the importance of
education, Dr. Miller spends his free time as an OhioReads volunteer
reading tutor, he helps to coordinate the Annual Kid’s Health Fair and
serves as a preceptor for medical students. Dr. Miller also serves as
the Board Secretary for the First Church of United Brethren in Christ.
Samantha
Jo Joseph, R.N., is the Nursing Director for Medical and Surgical
Services and Pediatrics at the Van Wert County Hospital. She was
recognized for exemplifying the highest ideals and standards of nursing
as a career. Modest, painstaking, thorough and devoted to her patients
and staff, her abilities and fairness extend far beyond the walls of the
Van Wert County Hospital. She is an active member of her community and
the mother to three young very active children. In addition to serving
on the United Way Board, this year she was recruited to serve as the
2007 United Way of Van Wert County Campaign Chairman. She is a
volunteer at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio,
teaches Sunday School at First United Methodist, and is a member of the
Van Wert Area Alumni Marching Band. 
n
celebration of National Volunteer’s Week, Van Wert County Hospital
hosted its annual volunteer luncheon on Monday, April 23. The
festivities were held at JEHMMS Banquet and Convention Center with
entertainment by Eric Miglin. “
Van
Wert County Hospital recently donated an electronic fetal monitor to a
facility in Honduras, with shipping sponsored by Dr. Jerry Sell, Family
Medicine Doctor of Rockford. Dr.
Sell is involved with missionary work in Honduras and believes the fetal
monitor will be a valuable tool for the medical staff that is accustomed
to using equipment that is antiquated. Fetal monitoring is done during
pregnancy, labor, and delivery to monitor the baby's heart rate for
indicators of stress. The electronic monitor captures the data and
prints the results for review. 
Van
Wert, Ohio (February 6, 2007) – In meeting the mission of Van Wert
County Hospital to provide quality healthcare services to the community,
the hospital is proud to announce the purchase and implementation of the
Datex Ohmeda S5 ADU Anesthesia Machine in each of its’ three operating
room suites. Anesthesia is the general or local insensibility, as to
pain and other sensation, induced by certain drugs for the purpose of a
procedure. The S5 ADU machine addresses the patient’s concern regarding
awareness under anesthesia by allowing the anesthesia provider to
monitor the patient’s brain wave activity resulting in a better
assessment of the patient’s level of consciousness. According to Brenda
Wobler, Director of Surgical Services at Van Wert County Hospital,
“Patients often ask how we know they are really asleep. The S5 ADU
machine truly integrates the anesthesia delivery and patient monitoring
by collecting complete data of the procedure and patient responses
related to any changes. The anesthetic agent is controlled
electronically, which allows the gas usage to be monitored more closely
with less utilization.”
Chicago,
January 29, 2007 – John S. Albanese, FACHE, Vice President of Physician
and Community Relations, Van Wert County Hospital, recently became a
Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s
leading professional society for healthcare leaders. The ACHE is a 74
year old organization with almost 35,000 affiliates. 
“Van
Wert County Hospital thanks Walmart, Big Lots and
Dollar General for their support during our
campaign,” said Amy Schroeder, Team Leader for
Backpacks for Kids. Bill Kelly, Lincolnview
Elementary Principal, noted “This is a great
project!”.