Download Healthy Connections Newsletter - Summer 2013

Hospital Happenings...
Healthy Connections
The Loreto Hospital Foundation Annual Golf Outing
July 31, 2013
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
11am - 8pm
A Publication for Friends of Loretto Hospital • 645 S. Central Ave. • Chicago, IL 60644 • Summer 2013 • 773-626-4300 • www.lorettohospital.org
Back-to-School Fitness Fun Fest and Birth-Day Celebration
August 3, 2013
Taste of Austin/Back-to-School Parade
We want to hear from you.
Loretto Receives B Grade from Leapfrog
Send us your questions
Loretto Hospital received a
grade of ‘B’ in a recent national
hospital survey released May
8, 2013 by Leapfrog Group, a
Washington-based nonprofit
company that assess hospital
performance. While hospitals
are striving for quality of care,
the primary component of the
type of care administered at a
facility is patient safety. Of the
2,514 general hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score, 780 earned an “A,” 638 earned
a “B,” 932 earned a “C,” 148 earned a “D” and 16 earned an “F.” A total of 1.9 percent
of hospitals showed dramatic change in their Hospital Safety Score, moving two or more
grades up or down.
or comments to:
August 17, 2013
[email protected]
Healthy Connections is a publication of Loretto Hospital. For more information about Loretto Hospital call 773-626-4300.
Photo credits: 123RF and Microsoft.com Free Images. Newsletter design by Business Image Development, Inc.. Copyright © 2013, Loretto Hospital, All Rights Reserved.
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645 S. Central Avenue
Chicago, IL 60644
“The dramatic increase in our scores is proof that we are building the right internal
infrastructure – both structurally and human capital – to ensure that we are moving in the
right direction in 2013 and beyond. Although there is still work to be done, I am excited about
the new things on the horizon for Loretto,” said Dr. Sonia Mehta, chief executive officer at
Loretto Hospital.
Loretto Hospital was one of the only safety-net hospitals on Chicago’s west side to receive
a grade of B or better.
Women and Menopause
Mailing Label Here
Menopause can be a frustrating and scary experience
for women. During menopause, women may confuse or
self-diagnose their symptoms with some type of disease
or disorder. What is important to understand about
menopause is that it is an unavoidable and natural
biological process that every woman must endure. While
menopause is most commonly associated with aging,
many women of menopausal age may not fully understand what is happening to them. For
starters, menopause is not an illness and does not require medical treatment. However, the
symptoms of menopause are usually what becomes uncomfortable for many women that may
require medical attention.
Menopause (also known as the change of life) is the permanent end of a woman’s fertility and
monthly menstrual cycle. During this process, there is a gradual drop in a woman’s hormone
levels, which in turn creates a domino effect of symptomatic stress within the body. Usually
women around the age of 50 will hit menopause – although women in their 30’s may experience
early signs of it (perimenopause). In addition to age, the start of menopause can be affected
by personal traits and/or lifestyles such as cigarette smoking, body mass index, race or
ethnicity, illnesses, chemotherapy, radiation, and obviously procedures such as hysterectomies.
Approximately 40 million women in the United States are of menopausal age. But with
menopause, no two people are alike. So there is no firm rule or method (Continued on Page 3)
Menopause Facts
• Perimenopause can begin as early as
your 30’s.
• The average woman hits menopause
around the age of 51.
• Some women experience post
menopause until around the age of 60.
• Smoking increases your odds of early
menopause.
• 80% of menopausal women suffer
from hot flashes.
• 40% of menopausal women suffer
from mood swings caused by
hormonal dips.
• By the year 2030, it is expected that
there will be 1.2 billion women who
are 50 years of age or older. That
means there will be roughly 1.2 billion
women suffering from menopause.
• Before menopause, women are three
times less likely to have a heart
attack than men. After menopause,
they have an equal chance of
having a heart attack as their male
counterparts.
• 1 in 4 women are affected by
osteoporosis after menopause.
• Even though fertility decreases
as you approach menopause, you
can still get pregnant with irregular
periods. In fact, the second highest
unintended pregnancy rate is for
women between 40-44 years old.
• A 1998 Gallup survey states that more
than half (51 percent) of American
women between the ages 50 and 65
who had reached menopause said
they are happiest and most fulfilled
now more than ever.
Sources: menopauseawareness.org, WebMD,
Mayo Clinic
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Healthy Connections
Mentally Ill or Substance Abuser
Not Necessarily a Criminal!
Letter from the
CEO
Summer is finally here and I
have exciting news to share
with the Austin Community
about Loretto Hospital’s
continued progress. In
my last letter, I addressed
the importance of Loretto
Dr. Sonia Mehta, CEO/CMO
maintaining its integrity to
our mantra “Loretto Cares” because it is the heartbeat of our
organization and truly displays how much we value our patients
and our commitment to providing quality healthcare.
With this said, I am so proud to announce Loretto Hospital was
among several Illinois hospitals that had dramatically improved
its scores in the areas of hospital safety and quality according
to a recent report issued by the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit
organization based in Washington, D.C., that rates hospitals
nationwide to help steer organizations towards higher quality
health care. Loretto Hospital was one of the few safety-net
hospitals on Chicago’s west side to receive a grade of ‘B’ or
better. Receiving a grade of ‘B’ is proof that Loretto is striving to
be the hospital of choice for this community, as well as makes us
stakeholders in promoting service excellence and outstanding
care to all of our patients and the communities we serve.
Pilot intergovernmental task force reviews
possible link of homeless, mentally ill and drug
addicts to inner city violence.
“I don’t want the mentally ill to be criminalized. The majority of the mentally ill
do not commit crime,” Addie Anderson, director of outpatient mental health at
Loretto Hospital, affirmed at a June 18 intergovernmental taskforce public hearing
COMING SOON:
Loretto Hospital Youth Council
For more information contact Thrishka McKinnor at
773-854-5337.
organized by Cook County Commissioner Earlean Collins (1st District).
The hearing gathered leaders from various professional and governmental sectors
to solicit their input and to review the crime reduction initiatives proposed by the
Criminal Justice Committee of Cook County. The proposed intergovernmental
taskforce would focus on the broad issue of inner city crime and examine the
role the mentally ill, substance abusers and the homeless may play in violence
throughout the City.
According to the proposed resolution issued by the Cook County Commissioner’s
office, recent closings of Illinois State Mental Institutions, along with the decrease
in resources at local facilities to treat people with mental illnesses, has influenced
the growth in the City’s homeless population, an upwelling in crime, and the
overcrowding at Cook County Jail. Additionally, the latest law enforcement data
Additionally, we have added a new chief experience officer
(CXO) to our roster. The CXO will play a crucial role in improving
the hospital culture and interactions between our patients, their
families and visitors within all levels of the organization. Our
promise is to continue to build the right internal infrastructure to
ensure that “Loretto Cares” remains the very essence of what
we truly believe and stand for as healthcare professionals.
reports that approximately 65% of homicides are committed by individuals with a
This issue of Healthy Connections provides a recap of the recent
survey findings as well as provides a wealth of educational
information and articles for your enjoyment. We highlight: our
new pilot Diabetes Educational Seminar and Luncheon, a new
program offered to our patients that focuses on diabetes health;
coupled with a detailed article on the ins and outs of diabetes;
detailed information about menopause help for women; Loretto
Hospital Foundation’s 13th Annual Golf Outing, which will be
held at the world renown Cog Hill Golf Course and Country
Club in Lemont, Illinois; and much, much more.
The plan set forth by Commissioner Earlean Collins and the Criminal Justice
As always, as we strive to provide our patients with Better
Standards, Better Care and Better Outcomes, remember that
Loretto truly cares! We hope you enjoy our newsletter.
Sincerely,
mental illness or substance addiction.
“A lot of the violence that we see may have a lot to do with social issues rather
than mental illnesses. “A great percentage of police officers need to be trained to
understand when it is a mental health and addictions issue versus a social issue,”
Anderson said.
Committee recommends special services for homeless veterans, expansion
of crisis intervention teams throughout the city, a re-visitation of mandatory
Addie Anderson, director of outpatient mental health at Loretto
Hospital, spoke about the low percentage of mentally ill who
commit crimes.
sentencing laws, crime prevention and intervention, and
funding for education programs for students who live in
high crime areas.
Attendees included representatives from:
the Cook
County Board; the Department of Health and Human
Services; the Office of Veteran Affairs; Cook County
Circuit Court System; the Coalition of the Homeless;
law enforcement; and, community mental health care
providers.
“Majority of these issues are so overwhelming that it
has to be a collaborative effort from hospitals, social
services, the government and police. Everyone has a
role to play,” Anderson said.
New CXO Continued from Page 14
“Having a CXO in place will bring our patients to the forefront even more now than ever,” Dr. Mehta said.
For more than 10 years, Daniels has fostered high quality customer service and safety throughout the hospital by managing various support
services departments including: public safety, patient transportation, environmental services, telephone operators and nutritional services.
Each department has a direct and indirect impact on patients and the quality of care they receive while at Loretto.
In April of this year, Loretto Hospital was among several Illinois hospitals that had dramatically improved its scores in the areas of hospital safety
and quality according to a recent report issued by the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that rates hospitals
nationwide to help steer organizations towards higher quality health care. Loretto Hospital was one of the few safety-net hospitals on Chicago’s
Dr. Sonia Mehta
Chief Executive Officer/Chief Medical Officer
Loretto Hospital
west side to receive a grade of ‘B’ or better.
“Our goal is to be an A-rated hospital. By taking a multidisciplinary approach in how Loretto serves its patients, we will strengthen our overall
hospital programs to deliver holistic care to patients,” Dr. Mehta said.
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Loretto Adds Chief Experience Officer (CXO) to Roster
Committed to Raising the Bar of Service Excellence
Loretto Hospital is pleased to announce
The CXO will play a crucial role in improving the hospital culture and
the appointment of Tanesha M. Daniels
interactions between our patients, their families and visitors within
as its Chief Experience Officer (CXO).
all levels of the organization. In addition to the new role, the hospital
As the CXO, Daniel’s primary role is to
has already begun operationalizing quality improvement initiatives
help advance Loretto’s core values and
including systems for better coordination of care; orienting and
mission of providing quality patient-
coaching employees and medical staff on customer service; and,
centered care while promoting wellness
increasing employee satisfaction and engagement through a shared
and education to the community.
governance model.
Understanding the importance of offering
Hospitals across the country are looking for ways to improve
patients the “carte blanche” experience
quality of care and to implement processes that would effectively
they deserve, Loretto Hospital added the
address patient concerns and feedback. For the most part, every
new position, and promoted one of its own star employees. Daniels,
organization has a line-up of C-level executives in place from the
formerly the operations director for support services, will systematically
Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Information Officer to the Chief
address patient feedback and develop processes that hold Loretto
Financial Officer. Each of these positions are clearly defined
accountable for ensuring that patients are its first priority from the
and specialized to ensure that the organization runs efficiently.
moment they enter the parking lot until the time they leave the hospital.
However, when it comes honing in on the patient’s real experience,
“With all of the new changes in healthcare, people will have more choices
the position requires a high level of customer relations, one that
Tanesha Daniels, CXO
in selecting who they want to be their primary care providers. Loretto
Hospital wants to be known as a leader in patient care and customer
service,” said Dr. Mehta, Loretto Hospital’s CEO.
holds the patient’s experience at the apex of an equation, “Quality
of Care” equals “Patients First.”
(Continued on Page 16)
Loretto and Renaissance Management Partner with ABC Bank to
Award $12,000 in Scholarships to Austin High School Graduates
In a continued effort to support the Austin community, Loretto Hospital and Renaissance Management teamed up with Austin Bank of
Chicago (ABC) for its 23rd Annual Scholarship Program to award 11 area community high school students with $12,000 in scholarships.
The event was held on June 15, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at the Austin Bank, 5645 W. Lake Street. Loretto gave six $1,000 scholarships while
ABC Bank granted five $1,200 scholarships.
Women and Menopause
Continued from Page 1
telling individuals how
and when they will be
affected by the change
of life. Therefore, it is
advised that women
who are of menopausal
age or perimenopausal
who are noticing sudden
changes in their body
should schedule regular
visits with their doctor
for preventive care and
any medical concerns. Preventive health care may include a
colonoscopy, mammography, lipid screening, thyroid tests and
breast and pelvic exams.
Aside from the most common symptoms associated with menopause
such as hot flashes, irritability, headaches, night sweats, weight gain,
and mood swings, symptoms can be very broad in spectrum and can
range from physiological, psychological to physical. Symptoms may
include:
1. Vascular Instability is the #1 complaint for most women. In
fact, 80% of women facing menopause battle with vascular
instability. Symptoms involve hormonal imbalances which
mean your body struggles to regulate its own internal
temperature. The end result is irritating and uncomfortable
hot flashes and night sweats.
2. Urogenital Atrophy is a common issue for women during
menopause as well. Women who complain about this
symptom experience vaginal dryness, which can lead to
bleeding, itchiness and incontinence (the accidental release
of urine).
3. Skeletal Pain is one of those symptoms that might require
immediate medical attention since menopause can lead to
osteoporosis. Many women suffering from menopause claim
to have back or joint problems. Your doctor may recommend
that you take high doses of calcium – up to 1,500 grams per
day to assist with bone density.
4. Soft Tissue Issues are no fun. Symptoms include dry, itchy
skin. Using medicated skin cream for dry, itchy skin usually
offers some relief.
5. Psychological Damage is arguably the worst side effect of
menopause which symptoms include depression, mental
fatigue, memory loss, insomnia, etc. that can debilitate
one’s personal and professional life. It is recommended that
menopausal women with these symptoms seek medical
attention right away.
6. Sexual Stagnation results in loss of libido or one’s sexual
drive. According to medical experts, natural remedies such as
Ginseng and Black Cohosh are good alternatives to increase
one’s libido. It is a good idea to consult with a doctor before
using vitamins and herbs as a medical alternative.
Kyle Thomas and Aaliyah Boyles, from Austin Business
and Entrepreneurship Academy, are presented with
their $1,000 scholarships by Loretto Hospital’s CEO Dr.
Sonia Mehta.
The 2013 ABC Bank and Loretto Hospital Scholarship recipients.
For more information about menopause contact Loretto Hospital’s
Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
Sources: menopauseawareness.org, WebMD, Mayo Clinic
Loretto Welcomes New Ob/Gyn
Dr. Jean C. Alexandre, Jr., has joined
the Loretto Hospital staff to head up
its Women’s Health Clinic. Dr.
Alexandre is a board certified
obstetrician-gynecologist with 14
years of experience. In 2007, he
received the “Best Doctor of the
Year” award as a physician at West
Lake Hospital. In addition to working
at Loretto, he is the head of Obstetrics
and Gynecology at The Center for
Women in Melrose Park, as well as a
member of the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Jean C. Alexandre, Jr.
Dr. Alexandre will be holding the
Obstetrics and Gynecolory
women’s health clinic and consulting
patients every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the 6th floor
Ambulatory Care Clinic at Loretto. He is also accepting emergency
calls. For more information about women’s health or to schedule an
appointment call 773-854-5475.
More Women Beating
93% Survival Rate with Early Detection
Ovarian Cancer is one of
the most deadly of women’s
cancers. Among women in the
United States, ovarian cancer is
the eighth most common cancer
and the fifth leading cause
of cancer death. Each year,
approximately 20,000 women
will be diagnosed with ovarian
cancer. All women are at risk
for ovarian cancer; and older
women are more likely to get the
disease than younger women.
About 90 percent of women who
get ovarian cancer are over the
age of 40, with the greatest number of ovarian cancers occurring
in women aged 60 years or older. As with other forms of cancer,
early detection is the best way to treat and beat ovarian cancer.
However, many women do not seek help until the disease has
begun to spread, but if detected early there is a 93% survival rate.
For more information about ovarian cancer, contact the Ambulatory
Care Clinic at 773-854-5475 or visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian.
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Healthy Connections
Diabetes 101
Millions of Americans affected – increasingly in today’s youth population
More than 20 million people in the United States are affected by diabetes. Diabetes is a
chronic disease caused by high levels of sugar in your blood. There are two types of diabetes:
type 1, formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent, which is caused when the body
completely stops producing any insulin; and type 2, which is known as adult-onset or noninsulin dependent. Of the two, the most common diabetes is type 2 diabetes. Early symptoms
of type 2 diabetes are usually subtle and can seem harmless. This form of diabetes usually
occurs in people who are over 40, overweight, and have a family history of diabetes – although
today it is increasingly occurring in younger people, particularly adolescents.
To better understand diabetes, one needs to be aware of what
happens when we eat. For example, when we eat an apple, the body
breaks it down into various components that can easily travel through
our bloodstream to reach the blood cells to be used as energy. One
of the components is glucose, a type of sugar that your body actually
needs for fuel. But, here is the tricky part. Glucose works in concert
with insulin – a hormone that is made in the pancreas. In order for
glucose to be properly distributed throughout the body’s blood cells,
it has to be escorted by insulin. When your body is working as it
should and glucose levels rise—which usually happens after a meal—
the insulin in your body will help to equalize the glucose to distribute
just the right amounts to your blood cells and dispose of the rest.
With diabetes, the body cannot make enough insulin so the glucose
stays in the bloodstream rather than getting into the cells where it
belongs, and the glucose level builds up in the blood. This condition
is known as hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. When there is
too much sugar in your blood, your body tries to compensate for
it by pulling fluids from the tissues to dilute all the sugar. Well, this
immediate loss of fluid can cause dehydration and mild-to-serious
bouts of thirstiness—one of the key symptoms of diabetes.
Problems magnify when the glucose-rich blood reaches your
kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste
products and producing urine. With a higher volume of blood and
increased amounts of glucose to process, the kidneys become
overwhelmed and the excess glucose “spills out” into your urine.
This series of events explains why diabetes sufferers urinate more
often and why the urine will contain excess amounts of sugar.
In addition to frequent urination and mild-to-serious bouts of thirst,
other common signs that might be present in people with diabetes
include: fatigue; sudden weight loss; blurred vision; slow-healing
sores or frequent infections; tingling hands and feet; and red,
swollen, tender gums.
There is good news for people with diabetes. Diabetes can be
greatly controlled and often times prevented with a lifestyle that
includes healthy eating, weight loss and regular daily exercise.
For individuals who have already been diagnosed with diabetes, a
healthy lifestyle along with the proper medication prescribed by a
physician will assist with managing the disease.
(Continued on Page 10)
Loretto Sponsors Diabetes Educational Luncheon
Sally O’Brien, nurse educator, is part of Loretto’s Diabetes
Task Force team that sponsored the May 22 luncheon.
Loretto Hospital held its first Diabetes Educational Luncheon Wednesday, May 22, 2013
for its patients. The program was led by an external certified diabetes nurse educator,
and was sponsored by the Loretto Hospital’s Diabetes Task Force which includes:
Clinical Dietitian Keisha Gaskin; Teawana Cole-Chambers, assistant vice president of the
Ambulatory Care Clinic and Ancillary Services; Sally O’Brien, nurse educator; Mirna
Allen, Ambulatory Care Clinic nurse; and Tanesha Daniels, director of support services.
The 90-minute program focused on educating patients about Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes,
and how to manage and prevent diabetes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle comprised
of eating healthful foods and daily exercise. The diabetes educational luncheons are
limited to patients only. For more information about the next diabetes event contact the
Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
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Healthy Connections
August is National Immunization
Awareness Month
Vaccinate
For your and your family’s sake.
Immunizations aren’t just for babies and kids. Immunizations are for everyone. Everyone needs shots to help protect them from serious
diseases and illnesses. Vaccines protect both the people who receive the vaccination shot and the people around them. Review the
following charts to learn more about the immunization schedule for infants through adulthood. For more information about how you can
receive an immunization shot, contact the Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773854-5475.
Volunteer at Loretto Hospital !
Volunteering can bring out the hidden potential in you. Whether
your motivation is personal, educational or social, Loretto Hospital
is honored to contribute to your life in a positive manner. For more
information about Loretto Hospital’s Volunteer Program, visit our
website at www.lorettohospital.org, or call 773-854-4200.
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Healthy Connections
Immunize on Time - Benefits Outweigh the Risks
People are no longer dying of polio or measles due to FDA-tested and-approved vaccines.
Prevention and Effective
Treatment Lead to Recovery
Back-to-school season can be a busy time of year for parents. With the number of
overwhelming tasks such as: shopping for the best deals on supplies; arranging
for before and/or after school care plus transportation; and, maintaining a career,
adding more responsibility seems next to impossible. But, there is always one
more thing on your to-do list you forgot to handle, for example, making sure your
child’s immunizations are current.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends every child is vaccinated
prior to enrolling in school. In support of the CDC’s effort, the U.S. Department
of Education has gone as far as making it a requirement for all school-aged
children. Also, some administrators will not allow students to return to school
unless their boosters are current – primarily because of the health risks it poses
for their fellow classmates.
“Parents should make immunizations a priority because they are
essential to the health and safety of the child and the community in
which they live,” according to Dr. Deen Gaddam president of Loretto
Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center.
Furthermore, children who have not been fully vaccinated are extremely
vulnerable because their bodies are not equipped to ward off germs that
can cause them to become very ill and ultimately spread to others in
their schools. On a much broader scale, the CDC has organized yearly
immunization campaigns targeting schools and universities to support
its effort to control an epidemic of terminal diseases throughout this
country. For this reason, vaccines are administered to millions of children
(as well as young adults) to safeguard them from fatal outcomes.
Millions of lives have been transformed by access to good
behavioral health care providers. Throughout the month of
September, millions of Americans will celebrate National
Recovery Month. Recovery Month promotes: the societal
benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental
and substance use disorders; celebrates people in recovery;
“They [immunizations] are important because they not only stop
the spread of communicable diseases; but vaccines are very
necessary for children because they act as an enemy against
bacteria and deadly virus infections and can save their lives,”
Dr. Gaddam said.
Conceivably the greatest accomplishment in the history of
public health is the decline of infectious diseases resulting from
the continued use of FDA-tested and-approved vaccines. Prior
to its development, people died of polio, smallpox, whooping
cough, measles and even the common flu. Now, since these
booster shots are more accessible to everyone, routine
immunization has practically (Continued on Page 7)
honors the contributions of treatment and service providers;
and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms
is possible. It is a month set aside to spread the positive
message that behavioral health is essential to overall health,
that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can
and do recover.
For the more than 40 years, Loretto Hospital has offered access to alcohol and drug addiction recovery
assistance to people in Austin and the surrounding communities. For more information about Loretto
Hospital’s Addiction Center, contact us 773-854-5445 or visit us on the web at www.lorettohospital.org.
Suicide Awareness. Your Life Counts.
CDC ranks teen suicide rate in Chicago highest compared to other urban cities.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24, and is the
10th leading cause of death overall. Statistics show that more than 38,000 Americans
kill themselves every year. A recent Youth Risk Behavior report published by the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) reports that Chicago has the highest suicide rate of the 21
large urban school districts surveyed in the United States. According to the 2012
study, one in six Chicago high school students indicated they had either attempted or
contemplated suicide in the past year leading up to the study. The number of non-fatal
suicide attempts is considerably higher, often resulting in serious injuries, trauma to
families and friends, and economic loss to our society.
Suicide is never the answer. Your life is worth living. Your life counts. To get help, call Loretto Hospital’s Behavioral Health professionals
at 773-854-5290. We take a team approach to comprehensive behavioral healthcare. For more information about suicide go to:
www.suicidology.org or www.suicide.org.
For more information, call toll free 100-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens
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Healthy Connections
Eye Health and Safety Awareness
Eye Health and Safety Tips
Sports Safety
At the Computer
Wear goggles and shields to protect your eyes when
you play sports. Many goggles or safety glasses
come with tints to reduce sun glare and light filtering
capabilities that make it easier to see certain colors, as
well as polycarbonate lenses that stand up against the
sudden, sharp impact of some sports.
Sunglasses
Keep your computer
screen within 20”24” of your eyes.
Keep the top of your
computer screen
slightly below eye
level. Minimize the
distance between
your comp ut er
screen and any documents you need to reference while
working. It is also recommended that you use eye drops to
lubricate your eyes to keep them from getting dry and irritated.
Finally, take breaks often every 15 minutes by either walking
away from your workstation or focusing on other objects to
relieve your eyes.
Sunglasses are not just for fashion. They also protect
your eye against harmful UV rays. Choose sunglasses
with both UVA and UVB protection. You can also wear a
hat to block indirect sunlight from getting into your eyes.
If your eye is injured, contact or visit the emergency department
at the nearest hospital to receive immediate professional
medical help. If you are not able to drive, call 911.
Work and Home Safety
Most eye injuries occur at home or at work. If you are
working with cleaning chemicals at home, were safety
goggles to protect your eyes. Also, if you have a job
that requires you to handle industrial equipment, it is
wise to wear protective eyewear to prevent objects
from flying into your eye.
First Aid
Immunize on Time
Continued from Page 6
eradicated smallpox from the globe and nearly eliminated the polio virus.
Additionally, vaccines are responsible for reducing a host of other
preventable infectious diseases to an all-time low. As a result, fewer
people experience the devastating effects of measles, whooping cough,
and other illnesses, and are living much healthier and longer.
Despite the high success rate of routine immunizations, there is still
growing uncertainty about how vaccines work, possible side effects, their
safety and if they are actually necessary during a child’s most formative
years. As a result, many parents delay or decline inoculating their child
altogether.
If you are concerned about whether childhood vaccines are harmful, Dr.
Gaddam offers the following advice: “Parents should not worry about
getting their child vaccinated. They should worry about not getting all the
recommended shots,” Gaddam said.
Dispelling Myths
In addition to concerns about the safety of vaccines, there is the circulating
myth that children develop enough of their own immunities to ward off
potential viruses. Therefore, multiple immunizations are unnecessary.
However, according to the CDC, immunizations are most effective when
they are administered during infancy and are continued on the specified
schedule through early adulthood. What is actually true is when babies
are born they develop a small amount of antibodies (protein produced by
the body’s own immune system to help fight harmful substances) received
from the mother during the last few weeks of pregnancy – but only for the
diseases against which the mother is immune. However, antibodies that
newborns have are temporary, and once they are gone, the infant is
vulnerable to a host of germs and illnesses. Other studies indicate
that a child’s body—even infants—can handle many shots at once,
and that they are quite safe.
Parents should also understand that “combination vaccines protect
your child against more than one disease with a single shot and the
benefits of immunizations definitely outweighs the risks,” Gaddam
said.
The Benefits of Vaccines and How They Work
Before deciding against vaccines, every parent should understand
how they work and then weigh all the benefits versus their
disadvantages. There is no reason to suffer from a disease if there
is a safe and effective way to prevent it. Vaccines are among the
safest tools of modern medicine. Childhood immunization helps the
immune system build up resistance to disease. It works by giving
children vaccines containing tiny amounts of viruses or bacteria
that are dead, weakened, or purified components. The vaccines
prompt the child’s immune system to produce antibodies that will
attack the virus or bacteria to prevent disease. The child’s immune
system stores the information about how to produce those particular
antibodies, and responds if the child is exposed to that same virus
or bacteria in the future.
On the other hand, diseases such as polio, diphtheria, measles, and
whooping cough can lead to paralysis, pneumonia, choking, brain
damage, heart problems, and even death in children who are not
protected. (Continued on Page 9)
8
Healthy Connections
Affordable Care Act
promotes NO COST Health Insurance
to Cook County Residents
9
Love Your Body Love Yourself!
September 25, 2013
is National Women’s
Health & Fitness Day.
Women’s
Cook County residents who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible
to receive no cost health insurance through a program called CountyCare
under the new Affordable Care Act. CountyCare program members will
receive primary care service, hospitalization, prescription drugs, labs,
X-rays, mammograms, mental health and substance abuse programs plus
many more healthcare services. Quality services will be available at all
Cook County Health and Hospital sites plus local participating hospitals
and Federally Qualified Health Care Centers.
Health
&
Fitness Day is the
nation’s largest annual
health
promotion
event for women of
all ages.
Women all
across the country
will
host
at
fitness
Individuals who want to apply must live in Cook County, be 19 years old up to age 64, have a Social Security number and be a legal immigrant
for five years of more. In addition, an applicant’s yearly income must be below $15,282 for an individual or $20,628 per couple, and may not
be receiving or eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or CHIP.
events
senior
To enroll or learn more information go to www.countycare.com or call 312-864-8200.
parks and recreation
centers, hospitals,
health clubs, schools,
districts, and churches
Stay Alive and Be Well
Beat Prostate Cancer with Early Detection
Continued from Page 4
September is Prostate
Here are a few tips on how to manage and prevent type 2
diabetes:
cancer
• If you have diabetes, monitor your own blood sugar
levels daily by using a glucose meter. Self-tests
should be done before and after meals, and before
you go to bed. Be sure to keep a record of your
readings to share with your doctor.
Health Month. Prostate
is
the
most
common type of cancer
in men.
It is also the
second leading cause
of cancer deaths among
men – affecting more
• If medication is required, make sure you take it as
prescribed by your doctor.
in the United States.
• Avoid foods with too much sugar, salt and fat. Eat
plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and
whole grains. Fruits have natural sugar that could
also raise your blood sugar levels, so eat small
servings of fruits.
than two million men
According to the American Cancer Society, this year approximately 217,730
men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer – about one in six men. More
than 32,050 will die from it. Some men are at a higher risk of developing
prostate cancer because of family history, race, environment and even their
personal lifestyles. In the United States, African American men have higher
rates of prostate cancer diagnosis than men of all other racial and ethnic
groups.
By getting routine screenings and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, men can
decrease their chances of developing prostate cancer. Also, there is a
greater chance of surviving this disease with early detection and advances
in medical treatment during the earliest stages of diagnosis. Learn how you
or a loved one can be tested for prostate cancer by calling your physician or
call Loretto Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
Source: www.cancer.org
Diabetes 101
• Consistent exercise on a daily basis can help you to
lose weight, control your diabetes, and even reduce
long-term complications associated with being
diabetic.
• You should also visit your doctor regularly to monitor
your health.
For more information about diabetes contact Loretto
Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
to raise awareness
about the importance of staying fit. To learn more about
National Women’s Health & Fitness Day go to www.fitnessday.
com/women, or to find out an about local fitness day events
call 800-828-8225.
Immunize on Time
Continued from Page 7
Side Effects
Studies by the CDC indicate that most infants, for example, who
receive the Hib vaccine (prevents childhood Haemophilus influenza
B infections, which can cause severe and potentially deadly illnesses
that can affect the brain, lungs, and bones or joints) will have no side
effects. Other patients can expect minor problems such as soreness
and redness where the shot was given or a mild fever. However,
serious problems associated with receiving immunizations are rare
and mainly due to allergic reactions to parts of the vaccine. There is no
evidence linking the Hib or any of the other recommended vaccines to
autism or multiple sclerosis.
“All vaccines have some side effects, but they are mostly mild to
sometimes none at all. Doctors will inform the parent to use ibuprofen
or Tylenol if the patient develops a fever, or will instruct them to apply
ice around the sore area. [However], serious side effects are very
rare,” Dr. Gaddam said.
To find out more about child immunizations, contact Loretto Hospital’s
Ambulatory Care Center at 773-854-5475. You may also find detailed
information by visiting the following government-sponsored websites:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - www.cdc.gov/
vaccines or 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
• American Academy of Pediatrics - www.aap.org
• Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) - www.immunize.org
• Every Child By Two - www.ecbt.org
(Sources: Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. National Library of
Medicine: National Institute of Health)
Too much summer fun in the sun can burn!
Summer is finally here! While the sun provides a natural source of vitamin D and can put
you in a great mood, too much fun in the sun can also cause serious health and safety
issues. About 90 percent of skin cancer cases are caused by overexposure to sunlight.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer comprises one to two percent of all
cancers among African Americans. However, with less than half of the diagnosed cases
at an early stage, the survival rate for blacks is about 77 percent versus 91 percent for
Caucasians. Just 15 minutes in the sun without protection can harm the skin. Skin turning
pink, red or brown are obvious signs that damage has occurred and puts you at risk for
skin cancer in the future. Additionally, the same rays released from UV light can also harm
your eyes and hurt your vision. July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a month set aside to
highlight the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) light. Here are a few tips to help protect you from
the sun’s harmful rays:
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater at least 20 minutes prior to being exposed to the sun and reapplied every two hours.
• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, pants and a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays to protect the eyes. Exposure to bright sunlight may increase the
risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and growths on the eye, including cancer.
For more information about how to protect your skin and your vision from the sun, visit www.preventblindness.org/protect-your-eyes-sun
or www.skincancer.org
8
Healthy Connections
Affordable Care Act
promotes NO COST Health Insurance
to Cook County Residents
9
Love Your Body Love Yourself!
September 25, 2013
is National Women’s
Health & Fitness Day.
Women’s
Cook County residents who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible
to receive no cost health insurance through a program called CountyCare
under the new Affordable Care Act. CountyCare program members will
receive primary care service, hospitalization, prescription drugs, labs,
X-rays, mammograms, mental health and substance abuse programs plus
many more healthcare services. Quality services will be available at all
Cook County Health and Hospital sites plus local participating hospitals
and Federally Qualified Health Care Centers.
Health
&
Fitness Day is the
nation’s largest annual
health
promotion
event for women of
all ages.
Women all
across the country
will
host
at
fitness
Individuals who want to apply must live in Cook County, be 19 years old up to age 64, have a Social Security number and be a legal immigrant
for five years of more. In addition, an applicant’s yearly income must be below $15,282 for an individual or $20,628 per couple, and may not
be receiving or eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or CHIP.
events
senior
To enroll or learn more information go to www.countycare.com or call 312-864-8200.
parks and recreation
centers, hospitals,
health clubs, schools,
districts, and churches
Stay Alive and Be Well
Beat Prostate Cancer with Early Detection
Continued from Page 4
September is Prostate
Here are a few tips on how to manage and prevent type 2
diabetes:
cancer
• If you have diabetes, monitor your own blood sugar
levels daily by using a glucose meter. Self-tests
should be done before and after meals, and before
you go to bed. Be sure to keep a record of your
readings to share with your doctor.
Health Month. Prostate
is
the
most
common type of cancer
in men.
It is also the
second leading cause
of cancer deaths among
men – affecting more
• If medication is required, make sure you take it as
prescribed by your doctor.
in the United States.
• Avoid foods with too much sugar, salt and fat. Eat
plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and
whole grains. Fruits have natural sugar that could
also raise your blood sugar levels, so eat small
servings of fruits.
than two million men
According to the American Cancer Society, this year approximately 217,730
men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer – about one in six men. More
than 32,050 will die from it. Some men are at a higher risk of developing
prostate cancer because of family history, race, environment and even their
personal lifestyles. In the United States, African American men have higher
rates of prostate cancer diagnosis than men of all other racial and ethnic
groups.
By getting routine screenings and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, men can
decrease their chances of developing prostate cancer. Also, there is a
greater chance of surviving this disease with early detection and advances
in medical treatment during the earliest stages of diagnosis. Learn how you
or a loved one can be tested for prostate cancer by calling your physician or
call Loretto Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
Source: www.cancer.org
Diabetes 101
• Consistent exercise on a daily basis can help you to
lose weight, control your diabetes, and even reduce
long-term complications associated with being
diabetic.
• You should also visit your doctor regularly to monitor
your health.
For more information about diabetes contact Loretto
Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
to raise awareness
about the importance of staying fit. To learn more about
National Women’s Health & Fitness Day go to www.fitnessday.
com/women, or to find out an about local fitness day events
call 800-828-8225.
Immunize on Time
Continued from Page 7
Side Effects
Studies by the CDC indicate that most infants, for example, who
receive the Hib vaccine (prevents childhood Haemophilus influenza
B infections, which can cause severe and potentially deadly illnesses
that can affect the brain, lungs, and bones or joints) will have no side
effects. Other patients can expect minor problems such as soreness
and redness where the shot was given or a mild fever. However,
serious problems associated with receiving immunizations are rare
and mainly due to allergic reactions to parts of the vaccine. There is no
evidence linking the Hib or any of the other recommended vaccines to
autism or multiple sclerosis.
“All vaccines have some side effects, but they are mostly mild to
sometimes none at all. Doctors will inform the parent to use ibuprofen
or Tylenol if the patient develops a fever, or will instruct them to apply
ice around the sore area. [However], serious side effects are very
rare,” Dr. Gaddam said.
To find out more about child immunizations, contact Loretto Hospital’s
Ambulatory Care Center at 773-854-5475. You may also find detailed
information by visiting the following government-sponsored websites:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - www.cdc.gov/
vaccines or 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
• American Academy of Pediatrics - www.aap.org
• Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) - www.immunize.org
• Every Child By Two - www.ecbt.org
(Sources: Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. National Library of
Medicine: National Institute of Health)
Too much summer fun in the sun can burn!
Summer is finally here! While the sun provides a natural source of vitamin D and can put
you in a great mood, too much fun in the sun can also cause serious health and safety
issues. About 90 percent of skin cancer cases are caused by overexposure to sunlight.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer comprises one to two percent of all
cancers among African Americans. However, with less than half of the diagnosed cases
at an early stage, the survival rate for blacks is about 77 percent versus 91 percent for
Caucasians. Just 15 minutes in the sun without protection can harm the skin. Skin turning
pink, red or brown are obvious signs that damage has occurred and puts you at risk for
skin cancer in the future. Additionally, the same rays released from UV light can also harm
your eyes and hurt your vision. July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a month set aside to
highlight the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) light. Here are a few tips to help protect you from
the sun’s harmful rays:
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater at least 20 minutes prior to being exposed to the sun and reapplied every two hours.
• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, pants and a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays to protect the eyes. Exposure to bright sunlight may increase the
risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and growths on the eye, including cancer.
For more information about how to protect your skin and your vision from the sun, visit www.preventblindness.org/protect-your-eyes-sun
or www.skincancer.org
10
7
Healthy Connections
Eye Health and Safety Awareness
Eye Health and Safety Tips
Sports Safety
At the Computer
Wear goggles and shields to protect your eyes when
you play sports. Many goggles or safety glasses
come with tints to reduce sun glare and light filtering
capabilities that make it easier to see certain colors, as
well as polycarbonate lenses that stand up against the
sudden, sharp impact of some sports.
Sunglasses
Keep your computer
screen within 20”24” of your eyes.
Keep the top of your
computer screen
slightly below eye
level. Minimize the
distance between
your comp ut er
screen and any documents you need to reference while
working. It is also recommended that you use eye drops to
lubricate your eyes to keep them from getting dry and irritated.
Finally, take breaks often every 15 minutes by either walking
away from your workstation or focusing on other objects to
relieve your eyes.
Sunglasses are not just for fashion. They also protect
your eye against harmful UV rays. Choose sunglasses
with both UVA and UVB protection. You can also wear a
hat to block indirect sunlight from getting into your eyes.
If your eye is injured, contact or visit the emergency department
at the nearest hospital to receive immediate professional
medical help. If you are not able to drive, call 911.
Work and Home Safety
Most eye injuries occur at home or at work. If you are
working with cleaning chemicals at home, were safety
goggles to protect your eyes. Also, if you have a job
that requires you to handle industrial equipment, it is
wise to wear protective eyewear to prevent objects
from flying into your eye.
First Aid
Immunize on Time
Continued from Page 6
eradicated smallpox from the globe and nearly eliminated the polio virus.
Additionally, vaccines are responsible for reducing a host of other
preventable infectious diseases to an all-time low. As a result, fewer
people experience the devastating effects of measles, whooping cough,
and other illnesses, and are living much healthier and longer.
Despite the high success rate of routine immunizations, there is still
growing uncertainty about how vaccines work, possible side effects, their
safety and if they are actually necessary during a child’s most formative
years. As a result, many parents delay or decline inoculating their child
altogether.
If you are concerned about whether childhood vaccines are harmful, Dr.
Gaddam offers the following advice: “Parents should not worry about
getting their child vaccinated. They should worry about not getting all the
recommended shots,” Gaddam said.
Dispelling Myths
In addition to concerns about the safety of vaccines, there is the circulating
myth that children develop enough of their own immunities to ward off
potential viruses. Therefore, multiple immunizations are unnecessary.
However, according to the CDC, immunizations are most effective when
they are administered during infancy and are continued on the specified
schedule through early adulthood. What is actually true is when babies
are born they develop a small amount of antibodies (protein produced by
the body’s own immune system to help fight harmful substances) received
from the mother during the last few weeks of pregnancy – but only for the
diseases against which the mother is immune. However, antibodies that
newborns have are temporary, and once they are gone, the infant is
vulnerable to a host of germs and illnesses. Other studies indicate
that a child’s body—even infants—can handle many shots at once,
and that they are quite safe.
Parents should also understand that “combination vaccines protect
your child against more than one disease with a single shot and the
benefits of immunizations definitely outweighs the risks,” Gaddam
said.
The Benefits of Vaccines and How They Work
Before deciding against vaccines, every parent should understand
how they work and then weigh all the benefits versus their
disadvantages. There is no reason to suffer from a disease if there
is a safe and effective way to prevent it. Vaccines are among the
safest tools of modern medicine. Childhood immunization helps the
immune system build up resistance to disease. It works by giving
children vaccines containing tiny amounts of viruses or bacteria
that are dead, weakened, or purified components. The vaccines
prompt the child’s immune system to produce antibodies that will
attack the virus or bacteria to prevent disease. The child’s immune
system stores the information about how to produce those particular
antibodies, and responds if the child is exposed to that same virus
or bacteria in the future.
On the other hand, diseases such as polio, diphtheria, measles, and
whooping cough can lead to paralysis, pneumonia, choking, brain
damage, heart problems, and even death in children who are not
protected. (Continued on Page 9)
6
11
Healthy Connections
Immunize on Time - Benefits Outweigh the Risks
People are no longer dying of polio or measles due to FDA-tested and-approved vaccines.
Prevention and Effective
Treatment Lead to Recovery
Back-to-school season can be a busy time of year for parents. With the number of
overwhelming tasks such as: shopping for the best deals on supplies; arranging
for before and/or after school care plus transportation; and, maintaining a career,
adding more responsibility seems next to impossible. But, there is always one
more thing on your to-do list you forgot to handle, for example, making sure your
child’s immunizations are current.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends every child is vaccinated
prior to enrolling in school. In support of the CDC’s effort, the U.S. Department
of Education has gone as far as making it a requirement for all school-aged
children. Also, some administrators will not allow students to return to school
unless their boosters are current – primarily because of the health risks it poses
for their fellow classmates.
“Parents should make immunizations a priority because they are
essential to the health and safety of the child and the community in
which they live,” according to Dr. Deen Gaddam president of Loretto
Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center.
Furthermore, children who have not been fully vaccinated are extremely
vulnerable because their bodies are not equipped to ward off germs that
can cause them to become very ill and ultimately spread to others in
their schools. On a much broader scale, the CDC has organized yearly
immunization campaigns targeting schools and universities to support
its effort to control an epidemic of terminal diseases throughout this
country. For this reason, vaccines are administered to millions of children
(as well as young adults) to safeguard them from fatal outcomes.
Millions of lives have been transformed by access to good
behavioral health care providers. Throughout the month of
September, millions of Americans will celebrate National
Recovery Month. Recovery Month promotes: the societal
benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental
and substance use disorders; celebrates people in recovery;
“They [immunizations] are important because they not only stop
the spread of communicable diseases; but vaccines are very
necessary for children because they act as an enemy against
bacteria and deadly virus infections and can save their lives,”
Dr. Gaddam said.
Conceivably the greatest accomplishment in the history of
public health is the decline of infectious diseases resulting from
the continued use of FDA-tested and-approved vaccines. Prior
to its development, people died of polio, smallpox, whooping
cough, measles and even the common flu. Now, since these
booster shots are more accessible to everyone, routine
immunization has practically (Continued on Page 7)
honors the contributions of treatment and service providers;
and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms
is possible. It is a month set aside to spread the positive
message that behavioral health is essential to overall health,
that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can
and do recover.
For the more than 40 years, Loretto Hospital has offered access to alcohol and drug addiction recovery
assistance to people in Austin and the surrounding communities. For more information about Loretto
Hospital’s Addiction Center, contact us 773-854-5445 or visit us on the web at www.lorettohospital.org.
Suicide Awareness. Your Life Counts.
CDC ranks teen suicide rate in Chicago highest compared to other urban cities.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24, and is the
10th leading cause of death overall. Statistics show that more than 38,000 Americans
kill themselves every year. A recent Youth Risk Behavior report published by the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) reports that Chicago has the highest suicide rate of the 21
large urban school districts surveyed in the United States. According to the 2012
study, one in six Chicago high school students indicated they had either attempted or
contemplated suicide in the past year leading up to the study. The number of non-fatal
suicide attempts is considerably higher, often resulting in serious injuries, trauma to
families and friends, and economic loss to our society.
Suicide is never the answer. Your life is worth living. Your life counts. To get help, call Loretto Hospital’s Behavioral Health professionals
at 773-854-5290. We take a team approach to comprehensive behavioral healthcare. For more information about suicide go to:
www.suicidology.org or www.suicide.org.
For more information, call toll free 100-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens
12
5
Healthy Connections
August is National Immunization
Awareness Month
Vaccinate
For your and your family’s sake.
Immunizations aren’t just for babies and kids. Immunizations are for everyone. Everyone needs shots to help protect them from serious
diseases and illnesses. Vaccines protect both the people who receive the vaccination shot and the people around them. Review the
following charts to learn more about the immunization schedule for infants through adulthood. For more information about how you can
receive an immunization shot, contact the Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773854-5475.
Volunteer at Loretto Hospital !
Volunteering can bring out the hidden potential in you. Whether
your motivation is personal, educational or social, Loretto Hospital
is honored to contribute to your life in a positive manner. For more
information about Loretto Hospital’s Volunteer Program, visit our
website at www.lorettohospital.org, or call 773-854-4200.
9
4
Healthy Connections
Diabetes 101
Millions of Americans affected – increasingly in today’s youth population
More than 20 million people in the United States are affected by diabetes. Diabetes is a
chronic disease caused by high levels of sugar in your blood. There are two types of diabetes:
type 1, formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent, which is caused when the body
completely stops producing any insulin; and type 2, which is known as adult-onset or noninsulin dependent. Of the two, the most common diabetes is type 2 diabetes. Early symptoms
of type 2 diabetes are usually subtle and can seem harmless. This form of diabetes usually
occurs in people who are over 40, overweight, and have a family history of diabetes – although
today it is increasingly occurring in younger people, particularly adolescents.
To better understand diabetes, one needs to be aware of what
happens when we eat. For example, when we eat an apple, the body
breaks it down into various components that can easily travel through
our bloodstream to reach the blood cells to be used as energy. One
of the components is glucose, a type of sugar that your body actually
needs for fuel. But, here is the tricky part. Glucose works in concert
with insulin – a hormone that is made in the pancreas. In order for
glucose to be properly distributed throughout the body’s blood cells,
it has to be escorted by insulin. When your body is working as it
should and glucose levels rise—which usually happens after a meal—
the insulin in your body will help to equalize the glucose to distribute
just the right amounts to your blood cells and dispose of the rest.
With diabetes, the body cannot make enough insulin so the glucose
stays in the bloodstream rather than getting into the cells where it
belongs, and the glucose level builds up in the blood. This condition
is known as hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. When there is
too much sugar in your blood, your body tries to compensate for
it by pulling fluids from the tissues to dilute all the sugar. Well, this
immediate loss of fluid can cause dehydration and mild-to-serious
bouts of thirstiness—one of the key symptoms of diabetes.
Problems magnify when the glucose-rich blood reaches your
kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste
products and producing urine. With a higher volume of blood and
increased amounts of glucose to process, the kidneys become
overwhelmed and the excess glucose “spills out” into your urine.
This series of events explains why diabetes sufferers urinate more
often and why the urine will contain excess amounts of sugar.
In addition to frequent urination and mild-to-serious bouts of thirst,
other common signs that might be present in people with diabetes
include: fatigue; sudden weight loss; blurred vision; slow-healing
sores or frequent infections; tingling hands and feet; and red,
swollen, tender gums.
There is good news for people with diabetes. Diabetes can be
greatly controlled and often times prevented with a lifestyle that
includes healthy eating, weight loss and regular daily exercise.
For individuals who have already been diagnosed with diabetes, a
healthy lifestyle along with the proper medication prescribed by a
physician will assist with managing the disease.
(Continued on Page 10)
Loretto Sponsors Diabetes Educational Luncheon
Sally O’Brien, nurse educator, is part of Loretto’s Diabetes
Task Force team that sponsored the May 22 luncheon.
Loretto Hospital held its first Diabetes Educational Luncheon Wednesday, May 22, 2013
for its patients. The program was led by an external certified diabetes nurse educator,
and was sponsored by the Loretto Hospital’s Diabetes Task Force which includes:
Clinical Dietitian Keisha Gaskin; Teawana Cole-Chambers, assistant vice president of the
Ambulatory Care Clinic and Ancillary Services; Sally O’Brien, nurse educator; Mirna
Allen, Ambulatory Care Clinic nurse; and Tanesha Daniels, director of support services.
The 90-minute program focused on educating patients about Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes,
and how to manage and prevent diabetes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle comprised
of eating healthful foods and daily exercise. The diabetes educational luncheons are
limited to patients only. For more information about the next diabetes event contact the
Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
13
14
3
Healthy Connections
Loretto Adds Chief Experience Officer (CXO) to Roster
Committed to Raising the Bar of Service Excellence
Loretto Hospital is pleased to announce
The CXO will play a crucial role in improving the hospital culture and
the appointment of Tanesha M. Daniels
interactions between our patients, their families and visitors within
as its Chief Experience Officer (CXO).
all levels of the organization. In addition to the new role, the hospital
As the CXO, Daniel’s primary role is to
has already begun operationalizing quality improvement initiatives
help advance Loretto’s core values and
including systems for better coordination of care; orienting and
mission of providing quality patient-
coaching employees and medical staff on customer service; and,
centered care while promoting wellness
increasing employee satisfaction and engagement through a shared
and education to the community.
governance model.
Understanding the importance of offering
Hospitals across the country are looking for ways to improve
patients the “carte blanche” experience
quality of care and to implement processes that would effectively
they deserve, Loretto Hospital added the
address patient concerns and feedback. For the most part, every
new position, and promoted one of its own star employees. Daniels,
organization has a line-up of C-level executives in place from the
formerly the operations director for support services, will systematically
Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Information Officer to the Chief
address patient feedback and develop processes that hold Loretto
Financial Officer. Each of these positions are clearly defined
accountable for ensuring that patients are its first priority from the
and specialized to ensure that the organization runs efficiently.
moment they enter the parking lot until the time they leave the hospital.
However, when it comes honing in on the patient’s real experience,
“With all of the new changes in healthcare, people will have more choices
the position requires a high level of customer relations, one that
Tanesha Daniels, CXO
in selecting who they want to be their primary care providers. Loretto
Hospital wants to be known as a leader in patient care and customer
service,” said Dr. Mehta, Loretto Hospital’s CEO.
holds the patient’s experience at the apex of an equation, “Quality
of Care” equals “Patients First.”
(Continued on Page 16)
Loretto and Renaissance Management Partner with ABC Bank to
Award $12,000 in Scholarships to Austin High School Graduates
In a continued effort to support the Austin community, Loretto Hospital and Renaissance Management teamed up with Austin Bank of
Chicago (ABC) for its 23rd Annual Scholarship Program to award 11 area community high school students with $12,000 in scholarships.
The event was held on June 15, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at the Austin Bank, 5645 W. Lake Street. Loretto gave six $1,000 scholarships while
ABC Bank granted five $1,200 scholarships.
Women and Menopause
Continued from Page 1
telling individuals how
and when they will be
affected by the change
of life. Therefore, it is
advised that women
who are of menopausal
age or perimenopausal
who are noticing sudden
changes in their body
should schedule regular
visits with their doctor
for preventive care and
any medical concerns. Preventive health care may include a
colonoscopy, mammography, lipid screening, thyroid tests and
breast and pelvic exams.
Aside from the most common symptoms associated with menopause
such as hot flashes, irritability, headaches, night sweats, weight gain,
and mood swings, symptoms can be very broad in spectrum and can
range from physiological, psychological to physical. Symptoms may
include:
1. Vascular Instability is the #1 complaint for most women. In
fact, 80% of women facing menopause battle with vascular
instability. Symptoms involve hormonal imbalances which
mean your body struggles to regulate its own internal
temperature. The end result is irritating and uncomfortable
hot flashes and night sweats.
2. Urogenital Atrophy is a common issue for women during
menopause as well. Women who complain about this
symptom experience vaginal dryness, which can lead to
bleeding, itchiness and incontinence (the accidental release
of urine).
3. Skeletal Pain is one of those symptoms that might require
immediate medical attention since menopause can lead to
osteoporosis. Many women suffering from menopause claim
to have back or joint problems. Your doctor may recommend
that you take high doses of calcium – up to 1,500 grams per
day to assist with bone density.
4. Soft Tissue Issues are no fun. Symptoms include dry, itchy
skin. Using medicated skin cream for dry, itchy skin usually
offers some relief.
5. Psychological Damage is arguably the worst side effect of
menopause which symptoms include depression, mental
fatigue, memory loss, insomnia, etc. that can debilitate
one’s personal and professional life. It is recommended that
menopausal women with these symptoms seek medical
attention right away.
6. Sexual Stagnation results in loss of libido or one’s sexual
drive. According to medical experts, natural remedies such as
Ginseng and Black Cohosh are good alternatives to increase
one’s libido. It is a good idea to consult with a doctor before
using vitamins and herbs as a medical alternative.
Kyle Thomas and Aaliyah Boyles, from Austin Business
and Entrepreneurship Academy, are presented with
their $1,000 scholarships by Loretto Hospital’s CEO Dr.
Sonia Mehta.
The 2013 ABC Bank and Loretto Hospital Scholarship recipients.
For more information about menopause contact Loretto Hospital’s
Ambulatory Care Clinic at 773-854-5475.
Sources: menopauseawareness.org, WebMD, Mayo Clinic
Loretto Welcomes New Ob/Gyn
Dr. Jean C. Alexandre, Jr., has joined
the Loretto Hospital staff to head up
its Women’s Health Clinic. Dr.
Alexandre is a board certified
obstetrician-gynecologist with 14
years of experience. In 2007, he
received the “Best Doctor of the
Year” award as a physician at West
Lake Hospital. In addition to working
at Loretto, he is the head of Obstetrics
and Gynecology at The Center for
Women in Melrose Park, as well as a
member of the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Jean C. Alexandre, Jr.
Dr. Alexandre will be holding the
Obstetrics and Gynecolory
women’s health clinic and consulting
patients every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the 6th floor
Ambulatory Care Clinic at Loretto. He is also accepting emergency
calls. For more information about women’s health or to schedule an
appointment call 773-854-5475.
More Women Beating
93% Survival Rate with Early Detection
Ovarian Cancer is one of
the most deadly of women’s
cancers. Among women in the
United States, ovarian cancer is
the eighth most common cancer
and the fifth leading cause
of cancer death. Each year,
approximately 20,000 women
will be diagnosed with ovarian
cancer. All women are at risk
for ovarian cancer; and older
women are more likely to get the
disease than younger women.
About 90 percent of women who
get ovarian cancer are over the
age of 40, with the greatest number of ovarian cancers occurring
in women aged 60 years or older. As with other forms of cancer,
early detection is the best way to treat and beat ovarian cancer.
However, many women do not seek help until the disease has
begun to spread, but if detected early there is a 93% survival rate.
For more information about ovarian cancer, contact the Ambulatory
Care Clinic at 773-854-5475 or visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian.
9
2
15
Healthy Connections
Mentally Ill or Substance Abuser
Not Necessarily a Criminal!
Letter from the
CEO
Summer is finally here and I
have exciting news to share
with the Austin Community
about Loretto Hospital’s
continued progress. In
my last letter, I addressed
the importance of Loretto
Dr. Sonia Mehta, CEO/CMO
maintaining its integrity to
our mantra “Loretto Cares” because it is the heartbeat of our
organization and truly displays how much we value our patients
and our commitment to providing quality healthcare.
With this said, I am so proud to announce Loretto Hospital was
among several Illinois hospitals that had dramatically improved
its scores in the areas of hospital safety and quality according
to a recent report issued by the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit
organization based in Washington, D.C., that rates hospitals
nationwide to help steer organizations towards higher quality
health care. Loretto Hospital was one of the few safety-net
hospitals on Chicago’s west side to receive a grade of ‘B’ or
better. Receiving a grade of ‘B’ is proof that Loretto is striving to
be the hospital of choice for this community, as well as makes us
stakeholders in promoting service excellence and outstanding
care to all of our patients and the communities we serve.
Pilot intergovernmental task force reviews
possible link of homeless, mentally ill and drug
addicts to inner city violence.
“I don’t want the mentally ill to be criminalized. The majority of the mentally ill
do not commit crime,” Addie Anderson, director of outpatient mental health at
Loretto Hospital, affirmed at a June 18 intergovernmental taskforce public hearing
COMING SOON:
Loretto Hospital Youth Council
For more information contact Thrishka McKinnor at
773-854-5337.
organized by Cook County Commissioner Earlean Collins (1st District).
The hearing gathered leaders from various professional and governmental sectors
to solicit their input and to review the crime reduction initiatives proposed by the
Criminal Justice Committee of Cook County. The proposed intergovernmental
taskforce would focus on the broad issue of inner city crime and examine the
role the mentally ill, substance abusers and the homeless may play in violence
throughout the City.
According to the proposed resolution issued by the Cook County Commissioner’s
office, recent closings of Illinois State Mental Institutions, along with the decrease
in resources at local facilities to treat people with mental illnesses, has influenced
the growth in the City’s homeless population, an upwelling in crime, and the
overcrowding at Cook County Jail. Additionally, the latest law enforcement data
Additionally, we have added a new chief experience officer
(CXO) to our roster. The CXO will play a crucial role in improving
the hospital culture and interactions between our patients, their
families and visitors within all levels of the organization. Our
promise is to continue to build the right internal infrastructure to
ensure that “Loretto Cares” remains the very essence of what
we truly believe and stand for as healthcare professionals.
reports that approximately 65% of homicides are committed by individuals with a
This issue of Healthy Connections provides a recap of the recent
survey findings as well as provides a wealth of educational
information and articles for your enjoyment. We highlight: our
new pilot Diabetes Educational Seminar and Luncheon, a new
program offered to our patients that focuses on diabetes health;
coupled with a detailed article on the ins and outs of diabetes;
detailed information about menopause help for women; Loretto
Hospital Foundation’s 13th Annual Golf Outing, which will be
held at the world renown Cog Hill Golf Course and Country
Club in Lemont, Illinois; and much, much more.
The plan set forth by Commissioner Earlean Collins and the Criminal Justice
As always, as we strive to provide our patients with Better
Standards, Better Care and Better Outcomes, remember that
Loretto truly cares! We hope you enjoy our newsletter.
Sincerely,
mental illness or substance addiction.
“A lot of the violence that we see may have a lot to do with social issues rather
than mental illnesses. “A great percentage of police officers need to be trained to
understand when it is a mental health and addictions issue versus a social issue,”
Anderson said.
Committee recommends special services for homeless veterans, expansion
of crisis intervention teams throughout the city, a re-visitation of mandatory
Addie Anderson, director of outpatient mental health at Loretto
Hospital, spoke about the low percentage of mentally ill who
commit crimes.
sentencing laws, crime prevention and intervention, and
funding for education programs for students who live in
high crime areas.
Attendees included representatives from:
the Cook
County Board; the Department of Health and Human
Services; the Office of Veteran Affairs; Cook County
Circuit Court System; the Coalition of the Homeless;
law enforcement; and, community mental health care
providers.
“Majority of these issues are so overwhelming that it
has to be a collaborative effort from hospitals, social
services, the government and police. Everyone has a
role to play,” Anderson said.
New CXO Continued from Page 14
“Having a CXO in place will bring our patients to the forefront even more now than ever,” Dr. Mehta said.
For more than 10 years, Daniels has fostered high quality customer service and safety throughout the hospital by managing various support
services departments including: public safety, patient transportation, environmental services, telephone operators and nutritional services.
Each department has a direct and indirect impact on patients and the quality of care they receive while at Loretto.
In April of this year, Loretto Hospital was among several Illinois hospitals that had dramatically improved its scores in the areas of hospital safety
and quality according to a recent report issued by the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that rates hospitals
nationwide to help steer organizations towards higher quality health care. Loretto Hospital was one of the few safety-net hospitals on Chicago’s
Dr. Sonia Mehta
Chief Executive Officer/Chief Medical Officer
Loretto Hospital
west side to receive a grade of ‘B’ or better.
“Our goal is to be an A-rated hospital. By taking a multidisciplinary approach in how Loretto serves its patients, we will strengthen our overall
hospital programs to deliver holistic care to patients,” Dr. Mehta said.
Hospital Happenings...
Healthy Connections
The Loreto Hospital Foundation Annual Golf Outing
July 31, 2013
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
11am - 8pm
A Publication for Friends of Loretto Hospital • 645 S. Central Ave. • Chicago, IL 60644 • Summer 2013 • 773-626-4300 • www.lorettohospital.org
Back-to-School Fitness Fun Fest and Birth-Day Celebration
August 3, 2013
Taste of Austin/Back-to-School Parade
We want to hear from you.
Loretto Receives B Grade from Leapfrog
Send us your questions
Loretto Hospital received a
grade of ‘B’ in a recent national
hospital survey released May
8, 2013 by Leapfrog Group, a
Washington-based nonprofit
company that assess hospital
performance. While hospitals
are striving for quality of care,
the primary component of the
type of care administered at a
facility is patient safety. Of the
2,514 general hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score, 780 earned an “A,” 638 earned
a “B,” 932 earned a “C,” 148 earned a “D” and 16 earned an “F.” A total of 1.9 percent
of hospitals showed dramatic change in their Hospital Safety Score, moving two or more
grades up or down.
or comments to:
August 17, 2013
[email protected]
Healthy Connections is a publication of Loretto Hospital. For more information about Loretto Hospital call 773-626-4300.
Photo credits: 123RF and Microsoft.com Free Images. Newsletter design by Business Image Development, Inc.. Copyright © 2013, Loretto Hospital, All Rights Reserved.
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645 S. Central Avenue
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“The dramatic increase in our scores is proof that we are building the right internal
infrastructure – both structurally and human capital – to ensure that we are moving in the
right direction in 2013 and beyond. Although there is still work to be done, I am excited about
the new things on the horizon for Loretto,” said Dr. Sonia Mehta, chief executive officer at
Loretto Hospital.
Loretto Hospital was one of the only safety-net hospitals on Chicago’s west side to receive
a grade of B or better.
Women and Menopause
Mailing Label Here
Menopause can be a frustrating and scary experience
for women. During menopause, women may confuse or
self-diagnose their symptoms with some type of disease
or disorder. What is important to understand about
menopause is that it is an unavoidable and natural
biological process that every woman must endure. While
menopause is most commonly associated with aging,
many women of menopausal age may not fully understand what is happening to them. For
starters, menopause is not an illness and does not require medical treatment. However, the
symptoms of menopause are usually what becomes uncomfortable for many women that may
require medical attention.
Menopause (also known as the change of life) is the permanent end of a woman’s fertility and
monthly menstrual cycle. During this process, there is a gradual drop in a woman’s hormone
levels, which in turn creates a domino effect of symptomatic stress within the body. Usually
women around the age of 50 will hit menopause – although women in their 30’s may experience
early signs of it (perimenopause). In addition to age, the start of menopause can be affected
by personal traits and/or lifestyles such as cigarette smoking, body mass index, race or
ethnicity, illnesses, chemotherapy, radiation, and obviously procedures such as hysterectomies.
Approximately 40 million women in the United States are of menopausal age. But with
menopause, no two people are alike. So there is no firm rule or method (Continued on Page 3)
Menopause Facts
• Perimenopause can begin as early as
your 30’s.
• The average woman hits menopause
around the age of 51.
• Some women experience post
menopause until around the age of 60.
• Smoking increases your odds of early
menopause.
• 80% of menopausal women suffer
from hot flashes.
• 40% of menopausal women suffer
from mood swings caused by
hormonal dips.
• By the year 2030, it is expected that
there will be 1.2 billion women who
are 50 years of age or older. That
means there will be roughly 1.2 billion
women suffering from menopause.
• Before menopause, women are three
times less likely to have a heart
attack than men. After menopause,
they have an equal chance of
having a heart attack as their male
counterparts.
• 1 in 4 women are affected by
osteoporosis after menopause.
• Even though fertility decreases
as you approach menopause, you
can still get pregnant with irregular
periods. In fact, the second highest
unintended pregnancy rate is for
women between 40-44 years old.
• A 1998 Gallup survey states that more
than half (51 percent) of American
women between the ages 50 and 65
who had reached menopause said
they are happiest and most fulfilled
now more than ever.
Sources: menopauseawareness.org, WebMD,
Mayo Clinic