Thursday, July 10, 2014
Managing Breast Cancer Side Effects
Side effects of breast cancer can be hard to manage, both during and after treatment. While our “Look Good...Feel Better” class at Prairie Lakes will discuss some methods of coping with physical changes, here are a few useful tips to help you get started.
Breast Changes: Treating breast cancer may mean removing the entire breast or part of it. Before rushing to breast reconstructive surgery, consider breast prosthesis. There are many varieties of prostheses that you can try. This will make you feel more comfortable and confident.
Hair Loss: Chemotherapy kills hair follicles leading to loss of hair. This can be a difficult side effect to manage, especially for women. Shop for wips and pick a few of your favorites. Take them to your hair stylist to see which best suits you.
Weight Management: Loss of weight during radiation or eating more and being less active a common in cancer patients. This is not the time to start dieting, but rather the time for you to eat a well-balanced diet, with nutritious foods to maintain energy and help you heal.
The emotional effects of breast cancer are enough, don’t let the physical side-effects bring you down. Join us on Monday, July 14th at 4:30 pm for the “Look Good...Feel Better” class.
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Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Prairie Lakes Names Home Health and Hospice Director
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has named Julie Sampson director of Home Health, Hospice and Home Connections. Sampson brings with her over 24 years of experience working in long-term healthcare to Prairie Lakes.
“I am excited to join the Prairie Lakes team and to become involved in the communities we serve,” said Sampson. “Home health and hospice are not far from my experience, and I have a passion for hospice. I look forward to helping patients and families understand the role hospice plays in helping a patient live the fullest life possible when facing a terminal illness.”
For the past 15 years, Sampson served as executive director at Golden Living Nursing Home in Arlington. While in that position, she also served as an interim executive director for Golden Living Centers in Lake Norden, Sioux Falls and Madison. Prior to joining Golden Living, Sampson was the medical records director at Kingsbury Memorial Manor/Home Health Agency and a medical records/computer specialist for Tealwood Care Centers.
Sampson has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Health Information Management from Dakota State University. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator. Sampson lives in Arlington, S.D. where she is president of the Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Brian, have three children.
Prairie Lakes Home Health/Hospice provides professional nursing and personal care services to residents in a six-county area including Codington, Clark, Hamlin, Deuel, Day and Roberts counties. The main office is located in Watertown, S.D., and a branch office is located in Sisseton, S.D.
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Tuesday, July 01, 2014
All You Need Is Kale
We are always being told to eat more vegetables, and that adding greens to our diet is a great way to be healthier and live longer. Not sure which veggies to add into your diet? Start with Kale.
Kale is one of the the best greens and has an array of health benefits. In just one cup of chopped kale, there is 206 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin A, 680 percent of vitamin K, 134 percent of vitamin C and only 33 calories. Vitamin A keeps you looking younger and vitamin K helps fight inflammation and helps keep healthy bone density.
Kale is also packed full of fiber and potassium. As if all of this wasn’t enough, kale also plays a role in lowering your risk of several cancers like bladder, colon, breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.
Get the most out of kale by pairing it with foods that bring its best properties forward. Eating it with healthy fats like avocado or sprinkling it with lemon juice will help the body absorb more of what kale can give to you.
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Thursday, June 26, 2014
Music For Your Heart
Everyone knows that in order to boost your heart health you need to eat healthier, increase physical activity and possibly take medications to help with blood pressure.But did you know that listening to music could help your heart?
Sure listening to music can improve your mood, but it can also help reduce blood pressure. While music will never be able to take the place of your hypertension medication, it can help reduce your high and low blood pressure and even your heart rate.
Make sure and choose your tunes wisely thought. According to Dr. Halit Yerebekan, research has shown “the tempo of the music being listened to affects the heart. A faster tempo increases blood pressure, while a more relaxed and slower tempo reduces it”.
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Friday, June 20, 2014
Prairie Lakes Awarded for Patient Engagement Efforts
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has been recognized for its patient engagement efforts in the first National Patient Engagement Ranking by Becker’s Hospital Review and Axial Exchange, Inc. Prairie Lakes ranked in the top 100 hospitals of the 3,077 hospitals evaluated. Hospital’s patient engagement efforts were evaluated based on an analysis of publicly available data collected by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and use of online tools to engage patients in their own health.
“We strive to meet patient needs across the continuum of care. This means continuously looking at how we can provide the information and tools to support patients in taking control of their own health,” said Jill Fuller, CEO of Prairie Lakes. “We couldn’t achieve these great outcomes without the efforts all of the healthcare providers in Watertown and the surrounding communities who are engaging patients in managing their health outside the hospital setting. The entire healthcare community working together to engage patients is key to ensuring good clinical outcomes.”
Patient engagement is the process by which patients become invested in their own health. Health systems with effective patient engagement programs provide patients with the information and tools needed to take control of their care. Patient engagement is a key feature of healthcare reform.
“We’re excited to recognize providers, such as Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, for their patient engagement efforts,” said Lindsey Dunn, editor in chief of Becker’s Hospital Review. “In reviewing the results, it’s clear that hospitals and health systems are working toward providing more patient-centered care, and we hope this ranking encourages more provider organizations to continue to take a proactive stance on patient engagement initiatives in forthcoming years.”
To determine scores, Axial Exchange and Becker’s Hospital Review evaluated provider organizations on readmissions, patient satisfaction, and the extent to which they offered information and tools that helped engage patients in self care. The full methodology can be found at http://axialexchange.com/engagement/methodology.
“The prior success of our regional rankings laid a foundation for taking the program to a national level,” said Joanne Rohde, CEO of Axial Exchange. “As hospitals adopt health IT to monitor patient data to meet goals and objectives for Meaningful Use and other regulatory requirements, providers, like Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, have found ways to connect and engage patients between encounters to improve patient health and clinical outcomes, while decreasing readmission rates. With the support of Becker’s Hospital Review, the national results gauge the reach and commitment of organizations that do just that.”
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Wednesday, June 18, 2014
2014 Hospital Hill Run Results
The 18th annual Hospital Hill Run took place Saturday, June 14. Over 150 runners and walkers participated in the 5K run, 5K walk and a one-mile walk. The top overall male finisher was Gabriel Syhre with a time of 18:07. The top overall female finisher was Shannon Huber with a time of 21:48.
Proceeds from the Hospital Hill Run benefit the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House. The Caring Club House offers a home away from home for patients, outpatients and family members with loved ones being treated at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.
The sponsors of the Hospital Hill Run were: Brown Clinic; Prairie Lakes Healthcare System; Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics; Consulting Radiology Ltd.; Dr. Dan, Dr. Sarah, Molly, Megan and Nick Reiffenberger; Sanford Clinic – Watertown; Community Blood Bank; The Public Opinion; and Innovative Pain Clinic/Lexli Skin Care.
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Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Heart Health and Brain Function
Sharp minds and healthy hearts go hand in hand. According to Dr. Evan Thacker from Brigham Young University , poor heart fitness may be linked to memory impairment. He also suggests that people with healthy hearts also have healthy minds.
After studying around 18,000 Americans, the study found links between the mind and heart:
Changes in cognitive ability were linked to cardiovascular health.
Lack of learning and memory development in 4.6% of the participants were those with the weakest heart health.
Healthier hearts were found among men who had higher education backgrounds and higher incomes.
Memory impairment was common with people who had pre-existing heart disease.
Although there this is strong evidence that there is a connection between heart health and mental function, it does not prove that better brain function is a result of heart health.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Heart Benefits of 'Tomato Pill'
Research has found that powerful antioxidants in tomatoes can contribute to heart health in patients that suffer from heart disease. Participants who were given the supplement, Ateronon, saw that after two months their blood vessels widened by 53%.
The supplement contains 7 milligrams of the ingredient in tomatoes called lycopene. According to lead scientist Joseph Cheriyan from Addenbrooke’s Hospital “we’ve shown quite clearly that lycopene improves the function of blood vessels in cardiovascular disease patients. It reinforces the need for a healthy diet in people at risk of heart disease and stroke”.
While this research is encouraging, Cheriyan wants patients to understand “a daily ‘tomato pill’ is not a substitute for other treatments, but may provide added benefits when taken alongside other medication”.
The next step in researching lycopene is showing it’s anti-cancer properties, especially in relation to prostate cancer.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Free Educational Session on Joint Replacement Surgery
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System’s Rehabilitation Services department is offering a free educational session for people considering or scheduled for joint replacement surgery on Tuesday, June 17 from noon to 1 p.m. The class, titled “Your Total Joint Journey” is recommended for patients considering or scheduled for total joint replacement surgery and their caregiver or coach.
Your Total Joint Journey is designed to give attendees and their caregiver or coach the necessary tools and understanding of a total joint replacement. It will cover what to expect before a surgery, during a stay at the hospital, and when the patient leaves the hospital. The session will include an optional tour of the hospital, including where you will register, the waiting area, an inpatient room, and the rehabilitation services department. Each attendee will receive an informational booklet to take home.
For additional information or to pre-register to attend a session, please call 605-882-7700 or go to www.prairielakes.com. The session meets at Prairie Lakes Hospital at 401 9th Avenue Northwest in Watertown in the Medical Office Building Conference Center. Attendees should enter through the main hospital entrance.
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Friday, June 06, 2014
Heart Health
Your heart health is very important to us at Prairie Lakes, which is why we have come up with the top 10 foods for a healthy heart.
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Fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids (eat twice a week)
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Beeries
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Soy Foods
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Nuts
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Whole Grains
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Olive Oil
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Fruits and Vegetables
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Margariries
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Teas
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Beans
So get to the store and load your cart up with these foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals and fibers. Live smart and have a happy heart!
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Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Celebrate Today with Prairie Lakes
In celebration of those who have survived, as inspiration for those diagnosed, a gathering of support, an outreach to the community and to commemorate the Cancer Center’s 15th anniversary the staff at Prairie Lakes Cancer Center invites the community to “Celebrate Today!”
On Tuesday, June 10th from 5 to 7 p.m. all are invited to a free family-friendly event that will include food, door prizes, tours and resource booths. The event will take place at the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center located on the campus of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System at 401 9th Ave NW in Watertown, S.D. Food will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
“The community is at the heart of the work we do every day at the Cancer Center,” said Jennifer Pletan, director. “We are excited to invite the community—current patients, past patients, family members, friends and community members—to celebrate the battles and triumphs we all face in our lives.”
Register to attend this free event now.
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Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Every Month Should be Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Even though October is named breast cancer awareness month, we at Prairie Lakes think it is a topic that needs to be brought up more than a month a year. By taking these steps, early detection is possible when the cancer is the most treatable.
1. Mammogram
Screening should begin by age 40, unless there is a family history. In that case screenings should be earlier.
2. Self-Exams
Look for swelling, warmth, redness, darkening of breast tissue, change in breast shape or size, itching, sores, inverting nipples and new or acute breast pain.
3. Genetic Testing
If patients have family history, undergoing these tests that search for “cancer gene” is a good idea.
4. Healthy Weight
People who are overweight produce more estrogen which is associated with increased risk for breast cancer.
5. Wholesome Diet
Here is a breast cancer-fighting diet to go by:
-Vitamin D
-Folate (orange juice, spinach, asparagus, etc.)
-Vegetables
-Omega-3 Fatty Acids (salmon, walnuts, etc.)
-Antioxidants (blueberries and green tea)
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Tuesday, May 20, 2014
BASH Took Our Breath Away
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation hosted BASH (Building A Superior Hospital) on Saturday, April 12 at the Watertown Event Center. This annual gala event is a friend and fund raiser for the Foundation. What a night! Three hundred sixty five guests were in attendance, an increase from last year.
Dollars raised at the event and donations gathered through solicitation equated to $94,000, with the event netting $60,000—an increase from last year. Proceeds from the annual gala will be used to enhance pulmonology services at Prairie Lakes. Full-time pulmonology services were introduced to the region the fall of 2013 with the opening of the Prairie Lakes Pulmonology Clinic in Watertown and the addition of Dr. Jeffrey Kowitz, pulmonologist, to the medical staff.
Corporate sponsorships were introduced this year to raise more funds. Brown Clinic, CPSI, Glacial Lakes Energy, Redlinger Bros. P&H and ReliaBank were $3,000 corporate sponsors. There were 18- $1,000 cash sponsors in addition to smaller cash donors. Those providing monetary donations, items for the auction/ raffle and winning bids are greatly commended for their generosity. Special thanks to the BASH committee for their time and talents. There is no success without the donors, volunteers and attendees.
The mission of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation is: Healthcare is a vital component of a community’s quality of life. Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation exists to raise funds with which to support and advance the health services available to the Watertown area through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.
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Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Eat Fiber, Live Longer
Being a victim of a heart attack is scary enough. What is even scarier is the risk of having another heart attack or eventually dying from heart disease. So what steps can patients take to prevent this from happening?
According to a study from the British Medical Journal, people who have suffered from a heart attack have a better possibility of living longer if they increase their consumption of fiber. After conducting a study, scientist discovered patients who ate the most fiber had a 25% reduced chance of dying in the 9 years after their heart attack than those we did not increase their fiber intake.
Fiber can be found in many foods such as:
Vegetables
Beans
Fruits
Nuts and seeds
Breads (especially rye and wheat)
Cereals
While there are many other lifestyle changes patients will have to make after suffering from a heart attack, scientist believe that increasing your fiber intake will help your overall health and recovery.
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