Summer 2012 1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116 • Phone: 901.516.3700 • www.methodisthealth.org

connectionHEALTH & WELLNESS

Dear Neighbors:I am delighted to announce that Dr. Howard Scott has joined Methodist South as our new Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Scott comes to us with a wealth of experience that includes his previous role as Chief Medical Officer of West Kendall

Baptist Hospital (WKBH) in Miami. WKBH is a 133-bed acute-care teaching hospital that is affiliated with the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida State University.

Dr. Scott is very excited about becoming a part of the Methodist Le Bonheur family and joining the South team. During his interview visit, he was very impressed with our strong commitment to quality measures and community involvement.

We are also excited about another program that we welcomed here at South in May called the Stork’s Nest Program. It is a prenatal health promotion program for pregnant women with limited income and is a partnership between Methodist South, the March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. You can read more about it in this edition of Health & Wellness Connection.

If you haven’t had a chance to shop at the Whitehaven Farmers Market, I urge you to make it a weekly trip. It is located across from the hospital and is open every Monday afternoon from 1 to 6 p.m. through the end of October. When it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, the market is the perfect place to locate some local healthy food finds for everyone in your family.

I hope you and your family have a fun, safe and healthy summer!

Sincerely,

Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHECEO/Administrator

Be treated well

A Message to the Community from the Hospital CEO

Caring for Children Before They Are Born

Methodist South hosted a grand opening for the Stork’s Nest prenatal program on Saturday, May 5. The program is designed to encourage expectant mothers with limited income to begin their prenatal care in the first trimester and to continue to receive that care until the baby’s birth.

“The Stork’s Nest Program is a partnership between Methodist South Hospital, the March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.” says Florence Jones, Methodist South Hospital chief nursing officer. “We are especially proud to provide the space and class instruction for this worthwhile program.”

Stork’s Nest participants are expected to take seven, two-hour sessions in order to receive incentives. Classes will be taught by Methodist South Associates and March of Dimes staff. Expectant mothers can earn points toward incentives by keeping their prenatal appointments and by attending prenatal education sessions. The incentives include free maternity and infant clothing, baby supplies, car seats and strollers.

“The March of Dimes Tennessee chapter continually looks for innovative ways to decrease the number of premature babies born in our state,” says Valencia Nelson, March of Dimes state director of program services. “The Stork’s Nest program is an excellent opportunity to fulfill our mission of improving the health of mothers and babies.”

For more information and to register, contact Denise Nugent at 901.516.3475.

FRACTURES IN CHILDREN

When Your Child Breaks a Bone

Children are active, adventurous and not always careful. That combination, unfortunately, often leads to broken bones or fractures – common injuries sustained by children and a leading reason to see an orthopedic surgeon.

“In children, broken bones are often the result of an accidental fall, a sports injury or a vehicle accident,” says Sharif Abdus-Salaam, MD. “Falling off a skateboard or bike, crashing down from the playground jungle gym or colliding with another soccer player are common scenarios leading to broken bones. Fractures often happen in summertime when kids spend more time outdoors.”

How Pediatric Orthopedics Is Unique“Bones in children are different from adult bones in a number of ways,” says Dr. Abdus-Salaam. “That means that how we treat broken bones in children may differ from the way we treat fractures in adults.”

For example, children’s bones have a remarkable ability to heal quickly and the younger the child, the more this is true. “This capacity for healing allows orthopedic

specialists to cast or splint children’s bones as they heal, rather than requiring a surgical option, which is more common in adults,” Dr. Abdus-Salaam says.

Because children are growing, their bones contain growth plates where new bone cells divide quickly. “A fracture in or near a child’s growth plate can have major long-term effects,” says Dr. Abdus-Salaam. “As it heals, this type of injury requires close supervision by a pediatric orthopedist to help avoid permanent growth problems in the child.”

Children’s bones are also extremely pliable, which means a bone could bend rather than break during an injury or accident.

A Closer Look at Fractures The following are types of fractures that could occur in children:

• A single fracture – the bone is broken in one place only.

• A comminuted fracture – the bone is broken into two or more pieces or crushed.

• A complete fracture – the bone is completely broken into two pieces.

• A greenstick fracture – the bone is cracked only on one side, not completely through.

• An open fracture – the bone is sticking through the skin.

• A bowing fracture – the bone bends but doesn’t break; this can only happen in children.

“With most severe breaks, your child will experience sharp pain and you will most likely be aware that a bone is broken,” says Dr. Abdus-Salaam. “However, there are many cases – especially if the fracture is small – when your child may not feel pain at all and you won’t know if a bone is broken. If an accident or injury has occurred, it’s best to bring your child in for an examination and X-rays. Without timely treatment of a fracture, the bone will begin to heal itself – often in a compromised position.”

Methodist Healthcare offers the latest diagnostic tools and casting/splinting options for bone fractures in adults, as well as children. Visit www.lebonheur.org/ortho for more information on pediatric orthopedics.

BE SURE YOUR CHILD WEARS A BIKE HELMET AND OTHER PROTECTIVE GEAR. ALSO EXAMINE PLAY AREAS FOR POTENTIAL HAZARDS, SUCH AS LOOSE PARTS OR BROKEN EQUIPMENT.

Be treated well

Congestive Heart Failure Clinic Opens

www.methodisthealth.org

A group of Associates in Case Management and Social Work at Methodist South, through a partnership with the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation’s “Aligning Forces for Quality,” have been looking for ways to reduce readmissions for Congestive Heart Failure patients. To help with this, Methodist South now has a Congestive Heart Failure Clinic located in the Physician Office Building, Suite 209. It is staffed by Clinical Specialist and MSN, Linda Kelly, and is open every Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to Linda, when patients come to the clinic, they will receive a health assessment. It will include screenings for blood sugar and cholesterol (if a patient requests it) and also height/weight and oxygen levels. She will educate them on managing their medication along with diet and exercise to help patients adopt healthy behaviors. If they are having problems getting their medications or finding transportation to their doctor, she will refer them to a social worker for assistance.

“Anyone can refer a patient to the clinic, including patients and families,” says Kelly. “This is a hospital service and there is no cost to the patient.”

For more information about the CHF Clinic, contact Linda Kelly at 901.516.3212.

Tips for Managing Your Congestive Heart Failure

PATIENTS WHO COME TO THE CLINIC WILL RECEIVE A HEALTH ASSESSMENT, MEDICATION INFORMATION

AND HEALTHY LIVING TIPS.

Take your medicine as your doctor prescribed.

Weigh yourself every morning and keep a log.

Call your doctor if you have a weight gain of more than three pounds in a week.

Limit fluids and alcohol.

Maintain a low-salt diet.

Avoid smoking and being around smoke.

This publication is for general information only and does not replace the advice of your doctor or other healthcare provider. If you have medical questions, please consult your medical professional. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2012 BlueSpire Strategic Marketing | bluespiremarketing.com

In This Issue

Caring for Children Before They Are Born

When Your Child Breaks a Bone

Congestive Heart Failure Clinic Opens

What Our Patients Are Saying about Methodist South

1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116

This letter is to let you know about the outstanding service provided to my grandson and family recently.

My grandson was rushed to Methodist South in very serious condition. He is a juvenile diabetic and his sugar level had reached an alarming level. In fact, he had to spend the night in ICU to be monitored closely.

The next day, he was moved to the second floor. This is where we met Ms. Debbie Pigram. First I would like to commend the entire staff of nurses who attended to my dear grandson. They were all great. But somehow the outstanding, homey personality of Debbie was so warm, friendly and infectious that we anticipated her coming to check on my grandson. Her professionalism was outstanding. She was reassuring and concerned about his condition.

Also the patient advocate, Marilyn Albright, was wonderful. She made us feel like old friends.

I just want to compliment you for demanding the best from your employees and to give Debbie the compliments she deserves for being a great care provider. In the words of Mother Theresa, “She has certainly bloomed where she was planted.”

Thanks to Methodist South and to Debbie Pigram for his successful recovery. May God bless you all.