Smart Winter 2017
How to fight off the flu Protect yourself—and your loved ones P. 7 Kick butts Quit smoking—for good!—and enjoy the bountiful benefits P. 6
Life is a highway
Living Well classes keep you in the driver’s seat P. 4
SKY LAKES NEWS
Making a difference Oregon Business & Industry selected Sky Lakes Chief Executive Officer Paul Stewart as the 2017 recipient of the Statesman of the Year Award. The award was in recognition of his years-long efforts, working with other community leaders and forging partnerships, to improve the overall health of the community. Those efforts often focus on ways to encourage people to be more active—for example, by using the new play area at Kit Carson Park.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Mexistrone soup Makes 6 servings.
Read more about the award and the renovated park at skylakes.org/news.
Ingredients
DAISY Award Recognition for a job well done is always appreciated. When that recognition comes from a patient or their family member or an outside organization, it’s even better. Sky Lakes Medical Center awarded its first-ever DAISY Award to Megan Brodbeck, RN. A patient’s family member nominated Brodbeck for the award by recognizing her excellence and expressing heartfelt gratitude for the care she provided. “Megan was always patient, professional, caring and compassionate. She made sure Gloria’s needs were met. Most important to me, Megan made sure Gloria was safe,” the nomination reads. The award is Smart part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses perform every day. Winter 2017
1 tablespoon canola oil 1 medium onion, diced 1 carrot, sliced 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped 1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 cup yellow corn (no salt added), frozen or canned 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1 can (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes with jalapeños* 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 1½ cups spicy tomato juice ½ cup water Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup corn chips, lightly crushed, optional, for garnish *As a substitute for stewed tomatoes with jalapeños, sauté a finely chopped fresh jalapeño pepper with the vegetables.
Directions ww
How to fight off the flu Protect yourself—and your loved ones P. 7 Kick butts Quit smoking—for good!—and enjoy the bountiful benefits P. 6
Life is a highway
ww
Living Well classes keep you in the driver’s seat P. 4
NOMINATE YOUR NURSE!
LIVE smart
Information in Live Smart comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2017 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Visit skylakes.org/ daisyaward.
ww
Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and carrot 3 minutes. Add garlic and zucchini. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add corn, black and pinto beans, stewed tomatoes with their liquid, oregano and basil. Pour in juice and 1⁄2 cup water. Bring mixture to a boil and simmer 5 minutes. Season to taste with pepper, and serve with corn chips, if using. Soup can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Nutrition information Amount per serving: 167 calories, 3g total fat (less than 1g saturated fat), 29g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 8g dietary fiber, 610mg sodium. Source: American Institute for Cancer Research
We made the honor roll High-quality stroke care at Sky Lakes means better outcomes for patients
FF.F.A.S.T. A.S.T. AN EASY WAY TO REMEMBER THE SUDDEN SIGNS OF STROKE
FACE
UNDER PRESSURE?
Does one side of the face droop? Is it numb? Can they smile? Is the smile uneven?
Learn more about hypertension and what it means to your health at skylakes.org/ER.
The American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association this 100 percent fall announced adherence in most that Sky Lakes of the categories. Medical Center earned the Get To qualify for the Target: With The Guidelines–Stroke Stroke Honor Roll–Elite, Gold Plus Quality Achievement hospitals must meet quality Award and also qualified for measures developed to reduce recognition on the Target: Stroke the time between the patient’s Honor Roll–Elite. arrival at the hospital and This award recognizes the treatment with the clot-buster medical center’s commitment to drug tissue plasminogen and success in implementing “This recognition further demonstrates our a high standard of stroke care commitment to delivering advanced stroke by ensuring treatments to patients quickly and safely, and that stroke patients at Sky further reinforces our team’s hard work.” Lakes receive —Ron Woita, RN treatment that meets nationally accepted, evidence-based standards and recommendations. activator, known as tPA. It is the only drug federally Above and beyond approved to treat ischemic Hospitals must achieve stroke, which occurs as a 85 percent or higher adherence result of an obstruction within to all Get With The Guidelines– a blood vessel supplying Stroke achievement indicators blood to the brain. Ischemic for two or more consecutive strokes account for almost 9 of 12-month periods and achieve 10 stroke cases. 75 percent or higher compliance “For stroke patients, the with five of eight Get With more time that passes before The Guidelines–Stroke quality treatment, the more brain cells measures to receive the Gold they lose,” says Ron Woita, Plus Quality Achievement RN, Director of the Sky Lakes Award. Sky Lakes achieved Emergency Department.
ARM Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH Can they correctly repeat a simple sentence? Is it slurred or hard to understand?
TIME Call 911 immediately, even if the signs go away. Note the time when the first signs appeared. It will help with treatment options.
OTHER STROKE SIGNS Sudden numbness or weakness of a leg. Sudden confusion or trouble understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
IF SOMEONE SHOWS ANY OF THESE SIGNS, CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY. Source: American Stroke Association
SAVE YOUR BRAIN
Visit skylakes.org/healthlibrary to learn about how you can help avoid stroke, dementia or memory loss. skylakes.org |
LIVE smart 3
How a
Chevy saved a Ford By Valerie Franklin, Program Coordinator for the Living Well programs, Freedom From Smoking facilitator, and adjunct professor for Health and Wellness at Klamath Community College
Tony Ford
4
LIVE smart | Winter 2017
The joy of working on his car motivated Tony Ford to learn about Living Well
Finding joy in each day and
continuing to learn more about living a healthier life motivates Tony Ford. The Klamath Falls man is among the participants of the Living Well programs that are offered locally to help participants improve their health and add vitality to their lives. Having joy and feeling healthy was not always Ford’s life story. Since getting clean and sober 22 years ago, he says he has learned to value each day and to try to spread joy wherever he can. “I love people, and I want to bring positivity to every situation. I also want to live the healthiest life possible so I can stick around for a while.” One of Ford’s biggest joys in life is working on his red 1975 Camaro. “I’ve had this car for 20 years, and it is one of my most prized possessions. When I’m driving my ‘75, I feel alive. I love my car because it represents my success over drugs and alcohol, and it provides a way for me to meet people and share the joy and love I have for hot-rod cars. “I know that if I don’t stay both physically and mentally healthy, I won’t be able to do what I love: driving my ‘75.”
Time for a tune-up During a recent doctor visit, Ford’s primary care physician, Chin Hee Jun, MD, at the Sky Lakes Adult Medicine Clinic, suggested he take a Living Well With Chronic Conditions class. Living Well is a workshop series delivered in six 2½-hour weekly sessions at different settings in the community. Sessions are highly participative—mutual support and success build confidence in participants’ ability to manage their health and maintain active, fulfilling lives. “Dr. Jun thought I might learn something from the Living Well class and that I might make some strides to improve my health, as I suffer from type 2 diabetes and neuropathy,” Ford says. “I had never heard of the classes but thought, ‘Sure, why not? I might be able to learn something new and the class is free,’ so I enrolled.”
Ford took the first six-week course, Living Well With Chronic Disease. He enjoyed the group discussions and learned from the experiences of others living with chronic illnesses. “I liked the class so much, I decided to register for the Living Well with Diabetes class the next month!”
Shifting gears Enrolling in that class was lifechanging for Ford. “I was so glad I decided to take the second class because some of the things I learned in that program changed my eating habits forever.” Participants in the Living Well With Diabetes class learn how to read food labels and the importance
SHARE YOUR STORY!
Please feel free to offer your ideas for future Live Smart stories. Just email
[email protected]. carbohydrates play in managing blood sugar levels. “Since completing the class, I’ve lost 62 pounds, I feel more energized, and I have consistently balanced blood sugar levels. If I hadn’t taken the class, I might be on a course to increased medications and more significant health problems.” Ford says he continually uses the lessons he learned in the Living Well classes to improve his health and increase his vitality. “I want to stay healthy as long as possible so that I can continue to enjoy my ‘75 Camaro and to share my message about the joys of a clean and sober life with others.”
th
R
ev u
l a e p your h
Living Well is an evidencebased chronic disease selfmanagement program taught by trained volunteer leaders who have experience living with chronic conditions. The Living Well program covers: ww Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and depression. ww Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance. ww Appropriate use of medications. ww Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals ww Nutrition. ww How to evaluate new treatments.
You’re invited Anyone with an ongoing health condition, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety or depression, would find the classes useful. Family members and friends of people living with an ongoing health problem are also invited.
LIVE BETTER—START NOW
Call Valerie Franklin at 541-274-7252 or email
[email protected]. skylakes.org |
LIVE smart 5
STOP SMOKING
The anatomy of smoking How tobacco affects your body
If you’re a smoker, you probably know you should stop. That’s a good start toward quitting, but you need a powerful motivator to follow through. Knowing the truth about how smoking harms your health may be what it takes. An alarming fact is that smoking affects nearly every part of your body, including your: ww Airways. Delicate tissues in your lungs become inflamed because of smoking. This can lead to serious disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking can also cause cancer to develop in your lungs, throat and mouth. ww Heart. Smoking harms the cells lining the blood vessels and heart and can increase the risk of clots that cause heart attacks. Smoking can also contribute to an abdominal aortic aneurysm—the weakening of the major artery near the stomach. ww Other blood vessels. Damage to vessel linings can cause them to narrow, restricting blood flow to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet. This can lead to a range of problems, including pain and gangrene. ww Brain. Blood clots that form in damaged arteries can travel to
Benefits of quitting 6
your brain and cause potentially fatal strokes. ww Bones and tendons. Smoking increases the risk for osteoporosis—weak bones— and fractures in both men and women. Overuse injuries, such as tendinitis, and traumatic injuries, such as sprains, are also more likely among smokers, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. ww Immune system. Smokers have smaller amounts than nonsmokers of some types of cells that destroy germs. That leaves you more vulnerable to infections. In addition, smoking can cause cancer of the pancreas, kidneys, cervix and stomach. It also can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood. And smoking increases your risk for eye diseases and dental problems. Women who smoke tend to have more complications with pregnancy, including premature births, lowbirth-weight babies and stillbirths. And their babies are more likely to die of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) than babies whose mothers don’t smoke. By quitting, your health risks WE’LL HELP YOU KICK BUTT decrease immediately and continue Sign up today for Freedom From Smoking, a sevento diminish over time, no matter week small-group series with daytime and evening how long you’ve smoked. classes available. Go to skylakes.org/quitnow.
After 1 year
After 2 years
After 5 years
After 10 years
After 15 years
Excess risk of heart disease decreases to half that of a current smoker.
Risk of stroke goes down.
Risk of stroke can fall to about the same level as a nonsmoker.
The risk of dying from lung cancer declines to about 50 percent of that of a current smoker.
The risk of heart disease is similar to that of a nonsmoker.
LIVE smart | Winter 2017
PREVENTION
Don’t let the flu get you down The flu sends as many as 710,000 Americans a year to the hospital. Your best protection against the flu: a yearly flu vaccine. Who needs it? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older be vaccinated against the flu. And it’s especially important that people at high risk for getting complications from the flu—such as pneumonia—get the vaccine. That high-risk group includes kids younger than 5 years old; adults 65 and older; pregnant women; and people who have chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Anyone who lives with or is in close contact with someone on that list should also Sky Lakes Outpatient make getting the vaccine a priority. Pharmacy offers flu shots There’s good news for people weekdays 10 a.m.–noon who previously could not get a and 2–4 p.m. flu shot because they’re allergic to No appointment eggs, which are used to manufacture vaccines. A flu vaccine called Flublok, needed. which is made without using eggs, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults 18 and older. It takes several weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect. Since flu season can continue until May, the sooner you get your shot the better.
Walk right in!
What else can you do? Even if you’ve had your flu shot, you should take these steps to avoid the flu virus: ww Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. ww Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. ww Stay away from sick people. It’s also important to minimize the spread of germs to others. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away. If you get sick with a flu-like illness, stay home until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without taking a fever-reducing medicine.
FLU SEASON ALERT
Influenza can be MISERABLE & DEADLY. Nearly EVERYONE 6 months or older should get a yearly flu vaccine.
Vaccinate! Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. It takes 2 WEEKS for the flu vaccine to be fully effective.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
skylakes.org |
LIVE smart 7
Standard U.S. Postage
PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44
2865 Dagget Avenue Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Read all about it Find breaking news, health tips and tools, articles and more in our health library. Check it out at skylakes.org/ healthlibrary.
Open enrollment is closing soon! Don’t miss your window to choose your 2018 Medicare coverage
It’s that time of the year when you are likely being bombarded with information about Medicare. That’s because the Medicare annual election period— when you make a choice regarding your Medicare coverage for 2018—runs until Thursday, Dec. 7. There is a tremendous amount of information to be considered in a relatively short amount of time. Here are a few tips to help you protect your income and assets from high, unanticipated health care expenditures:
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
For more information about local assistance or the plan offered in your area, visit AtrioHP.com or call Atrio Health Plans toll-free at 877-672-8620.
1. Watch out for your wallet. Original Medicare has no maximum out-ofpocket expense protection for you as a beneficiary. If you have not done so already, be sure to evaluate all of your options for more comprehensive coverage, such as a supplement policy or a Medicare Advantage health insurance plan.
2. Do your due diligence. There are only specific times each year when you can shop or switch insurance plans, and it is important to understand your options. Depending on your lifestyle, you may benefit from the potential savings on available extra benefits with some plans, such as routine vision, preventive dental and fitness club dues.
3. Go pro. One of the most valuable resources you have available during this important time is an independent insurance agent who specializes in Medicare coverage. These professionals are available to you at no cost, and their expertise can help you make the coverage choice that is financially right for you. They can also act as your advocate when working with your health insurance company.
