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Carson City Hospital Newsletter

In This Issue
"Like" us on Facebook!
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Annual Fund Drive
Do 1 Thing
Patient Safety Award
Lights of Love
Health & Nutrition Tips
Happy Retirement, Bruce!
Decorated Christmas Trees
December Brown Bag Lunch Series
Brown Baggin' It All Year 'Round

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Carson City

Hospital Mission  

  

Upcoming Classes

CPR Pro Class

Monday, January 9

Conference Room B 

Registration is required. Contact the Cardiopulmonary Department at (989) 584-3971, ext. 292.

 

Prenatal Class

Saturday, January 21

Conference Rooms 

Registration is required. 

Contact the OB Department at (989) 584-3971, ext. 155.

"Like" us on Facebook!

Like us on Facebook to keep up with hospital and community news! New posts almost every day including new physician hires, hospital news, community news, questions for fans, patient comments and more! Encourage your friends to "like" us. Type in 'Carson City Hospital' in the search box to find us!

Check out our website!

Carson City Hospital has a new, user-friendly website. There are quick links located at the top of the page: Find a Doctor, Pay Bill Online, Donate/ Volunteer, Careers, Share and Patient Registration. Be sure to view the calendar for hospital and community events, classes and our ever-loved Brown Bag Lunch Series. Also check out the News & Media link for press releases and photos!

Cell Phones

for Soldiers

Help soldiers overseas communicate with their families back home! You can help by donating your old cell phones to the Cell Phones for Soldiers program! Last year more than 550 cell phones were collected. These phones were redeemed for a total of 33,240 minutes of phone-time that was contributed to U.S. soldiers deployed overseas so they could talk with their families over the holidays and throughout the year. You may donate your phones by taking them to the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca or Stanton, or by bringing them to the Marketing Department at the hospital.

Annual Fund Drive

Over the years through our Annual Fund Drive we have been able to purchase many items to help us with the ever changing needs in health care. This year with the donations received, we were able to purchase three fetal monitors and renovate three labor and delivery rooms.

 

With your help, we are looking to purchase the following items:

* $4,000 for an EKG machine

* $10,125 for a Neonatal Pediatric Ventilator

* $32,478 for six patient stretchers for pain management

 

These items will help us continue our efforts to offer our patients the professional, personalized care they have grown to know and expect. To donate, or if you have questions, contact Shelly Weaver in Fund Development at (989) 584-3971, ext. 551.

Caregiver Support Group

Carson City Hospital provides a meeting place for the Alzheimer's Association's Caregiver Support Group on the second Monday of each month. This group encourages caregivers to maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health while caring for those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The meetings take place in Conference Room C in the Carson Professional Building from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact Julie Wagner at (989)584-3971, ext. 172.

M.S. Group

The Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Clinton County Senior Center at 201 E. Walker St. in St. Johns. If you have any questions contact Kathy at (989) 235-1088.

National Patient Safety Goals

The Patient Safety Advisory Group is comprised of a panel of widely recognized patient safety experts including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, risk managers, clinical engineers and other professionals with hands-on experience in addressing patient safety issues in a wide variety of health care settings. This advisory group advises The Joint Commission on how to address emerging patient safety issues in National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG), Sentinel Event Alerts, standards and survey processes, performance measures, educational materials, and Center for Transforming Healthcare projects. The NPSG focuses on catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). CAUTI is the most frequent type of health-care associated infection (HAI) and represents as much as 80% of HAIs in hospitals. All policies related to the NPSGs will be reviewed, revised as necessary, and education provided. Patient safety must be everyone's goal!

 
Do 1 Thing Logo
The mission of www.do1thing.us is to move individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities to prepare for all hazards and become disaster resilient. 
      

Disasters can happen at any time. If you are away from home do you know where to find safe shelter locations? Do you know what the emergency procedures are for your child's school or for your workplace? Will people who count on you know what to do if you can't reach them? Know how to make sure you and your loved ones are safe in a disaster, no matter where you are.

 

January Fact Sheet: Make a Plan

 
THE GOAL

Understand what puts you at risk from disasters and take steps to lower your risk.

 

THINGS TO DO

Below is a list of thing that you can do to achieve your goal this month. Choose at least one, and complete it. 

   

- Plan what to do if you have to evacuate.

 

- Take steps now to prevent damage to your home in a disaster.

 

- Learn what disasters can happen in your area and decide what you will do in a disaster.

 

For more information, please visit

 

Issue #22              

January 2012

CCH Welcomes New President and CEO

 

 

 

Carson City Hospital is pleased to announce our new president and CEO, Matthew J. Thompson! Since joining CCH in 2008, Matt has served on the Board of Finance and Quality committees, implemented a new Service Excellence program, and has initiated several programs and strategies to place CCH in a position to fulfill the governmental health-care reform measures and respond to reduce financial reimbursement. Matt grew up in Indiana and is a graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, IN, earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Health Education. He earned a Master of Health and Hospital Administration degree at Indiana University. He is board certified in Healthcare Administration, earning fellow status in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has been a member of the Great Lakes Healthcare Executive Chapter since 1994, serving on its Board of Directors from 2006 to 2009. Congratulations, Matt!

 

Patient Safety Award

 

Carson City Hospital has received the Michigan Center for Rural Health's 2011 Michigan Rural Health Quality Improvement Award for outstanding performance in patient safety. The Patient Safety Award recognizes the initiative that best exemplified effective applications and efforts designed to improve patient care delivered within rural access hospitals.

 

This is the first year the Michigan Center for Rural Health has offered this award. Carson City Hospital implemented innovative ideas and achieved measurable outcomes in patient safety by instituting the "Hello Yellow" process. Great job, CCH!

Lights of Love

 

 


"Thank you so much to all of those who made this yet another successful Lights of Love campaign. This fund-raiser takes the work and support of many and I truly appreciate it all." - Marie Lynn Watts, CCHA President and Lights of Love Chairperson

 

Pictured above: Carson City Hospital Auxiliary members and retired president and CEO, Bruce Traverse.

Health & Nutrition Tips

 

Is Cinnamon Good For You?

Is it true that cinnamon can lower blood sugar in people who have diabetes? The cinnamon purchased in grocery stores generally contains a combination of the many different kinds available worldwide. Early studies suggested that cinnamon might be effective for lowering blood sugar (glucose) levels, but more recent studies show conflicting results. More evidence-based research is needed to rate the effectiveness. There is also some concern that large amounts of cinnamon may result in liver damage. Using cinnamon in amounts commonly found in foods is generally considered safe, but be sure to consult a medical professional prior to starting any type of dietary supplement.

 

Should I Eat Before Working Out? 

Eating before exercise, as opposed to exercising on an empty stomach, has been shown to improve performance. A snack eaten before a workout provides fuel for your body to function at its best. Choose a low-fat snack with carbohydrates and some protein such as low-fat yogurt with fruit, crackers and low-fat cheese or a granola bar. Also include fluids to help keep you hydrated. Try eating a light snack about two hours before you plan to workout. Timing is individual, so make adjustments to find what works best for you.

 

Munch Without the Crunch(es)

We all struggle with ways to add more fruits and vegetables into our lifestyle. One of the main ways we can do this is by snacking on produce instead of potato chips. Here are some examples of healthy options in place of chips:

* Carrot sticks in low-fat dressing

* Whole-grain crackers, hummus and vegetables

* Frozen grapes or bananas

* Greek yogurt with strawberries or blueberries

* Spinach wraps filled with tuna or lean-turkey

 

Add More Calcium to Your Diet

Unfortunately, women are prone for bone density loss as they age. It is important for women to eat foods high in calcium or that are calcium-fortified. Here are some foods that will help you increase your calcium intake:

* Milk, yogurt, cheeses

* Sesame seeds, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, kale

* Non-dairy milks and soy products

* Fortified cereals

* Almonds

* Tofu

 

Happy Retirement, Bruce!

 

Bruce Traverse was honored for his 32 years of dedicated and compassionate service to Carson City Hospital and the community at his retirement party at the hospital on Friday, December 16. "It is a bittersweet time for me," said Bruce. "This hospital is a part of me, and I will miss the people, the patients, the physicians, and the day-to-day experieces of working at a job I love. Although I look forward to pursuing new projects in my life, Carson City Hospital will always hold a place in my heart."

 

Pictured above: Representative Rick Outman, Senator Judy Emmons and Bruce L. Traverse.

CCH Decorated Christmas Trees

 

 

You may have noticed the decorated Christmas trees in front of the hospital in December and wondered who decorated them. These trees were decorated as part of the hospital's annual Departmental Christmas Tree Decorating Contest! The winning Christmas tree, pictured above, was decorated by the Emergency Department! "Sometimes Less is More ..." Congratulations, Emergency Department!

Wednesday, January 18, 11:30 a.m.: 

Brown Bag Lunch Series at CCH

"The Importance of the Influenza Vaccine"

with Robert Graham, D.O.

 

Just because you don't get sick very often doesn't mean you shouldn't get an influenza vaccine, more commonly known as the flu shot. The influenza virus is a contagious respiratory disease that may hit you suddenly. A lot of illness and death caused by the influenza virus can be prevented by a yearly flu shot! Join Dr. Robert Graham on Wednesday, January 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Conference Room A in the hospital as he answers some common questions about this vaccine: Who should get vaccinated? I rarely catch colds, why is this important to me? What are the symptoms of the flu?

Brown Baggin' It All Year 'Round

Stop by the hospital the third Wednesday of each month for an exciting presentation!

 

Each month, CCH will host a new, exciting speaker with topics ranging from inspirational and educational to important health-care advice. Each Brown Bag Lunch Series presentation takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Conference Room A in the hospital. Bring a lunch or enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and treats! No registration is necessary and everyone is welcome. Visit the hospital's website for full details on each of the topics listed below:

February 15: "Colorectal Cancer" with Dr. Robert Boorstein, D.O.

March 21: "Rotator Cuff Tears" with Dr. Adam Cote, D.O.

April 18: "Role of Anesthesiologists" with Dr. Michael Mullins, D.O.

May 16: "Laurels of Carson" with Valerie Rush

June 20: "Diet and Nutrition" with Kelli Steffen

July 18: "Pain Relief Begins here!" with Dr. Parut Bhimalli, M.D

August 15: "Medication Safety" with Nicole McCrumb, PharmD.

September 19: "It's Never Too Early, or Late to File for Social Security!" with Vonda VanTil

October 17: "Breast Health Awareness" with Andrea Russell, R.N.

November 21: "How to Choose Your In-Home Help" with Sue Kelley, R.N.

December 19: "Health of the Mind, Body and Spirit" with Dr. Donna Moyer, D.O.

Carson City Hospital provides the latest in health-care technology, from Electronic Medical Records to its state-of-the-art 64-slice CT scanner and new Front Lobby, Emergency Department, and Radiology Department. Affiliated physician offices are located in Ashley, Carson City, Greenville, Fowler, Ithaca, Lyons, Maple Rapids and Stanton. Visit online at www.CarsonCityHospital.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carson-City-Hospital/107124412646714?ref=tn_tnmn.

 

Sincerely,
Marketing & Public Relations
Carson City Hospital

 

What would you like to see at Carson City Hospital? 

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