Summer 2014 1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116 • Phone: 901.516.3700 • www.methodisthealth.org

Dear Neighbors:

I am delighted to announce several changes at Methodist South Hospital. Last month we consecrated our newly renovated Lobby and first floor, and we are now preparing to have a celebration for the updates in our Labor and Delivery unit. Next, we will focus on

our Emergency Department and Same-Day Surgery unit. When these areas are renovated, the entire hospital will have a new, modern feel.

Every Friday morning at 10 a.m., we are offering tours of the hospital. If you’re interested in seeing all the changes and learning more about our services, plan to be in the lobby at 10 a.m. any Friday for a 30-minute tour.

Our Farmers Market has had a slow start due to the cool, wet weather this year. Look for the market to be up and running on June 23. This is the fourth year we have had the market to provide another opportunity for you to buy fresh-picked, nutrient-rich produce from local vendors. It is open every Monday afternoon through October.

In June, we also opened the Diabetes Prevention and Wellness Center located across the street from the hospital in the Medical Office Complex. Patients will receive one-on-one coaching, counseling and support to improve their health or the health of their loved ones. (To read more about the clinic, see the article on this page.)

We are committed to providing the best care possible while making you, our patient, feel comfortable. I want to thank you again for choosing Methodist South for all your healthcare needs.

Sincerely,

James L. Robinson III, PsyD.

Be treated well

A Message to the Community from the Hospital CEO

connectionHEALTH & WELLNESS

New Clinic Opens at Methodist South

Managing a chronic disease can be challenging. And most patients who come to the hospital can have multiple comorbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and congestive heart failure. These patients require support and encouragement to take their medications, follow their diets and get to their doctor appointments.

In June, Methodist South opened the Diabetes Wellness and Prevention Center to support patients and families in successfully managing and comprehending their chronic conditions.

“Patients need help understanding their illnesses to prevent hospital readmissions,” said Helen Mitchell, nurse practitioner. “The clinic will provide the tools and resources to empower our patients to take responsibility for their well-being.”

The focus of the clinic is to serve as a hub, providing resources and bridging the gap between the regimens that doctors have prescribed during their hospital stay and primary follow-up care. The staff will help patients stay connected to their physician while identifying any barriers to medical care, such as transportation, medication management or referrals to specialists. Staff will also assist patients without primary physicians to locate a medical home.

The full-time staff consists of an advanced practice nurse, a transitions nurse, an internal medicine doctor, endocrinologist and medical director. The team will provide comprehensive exams, weekly self-management education classes and follow-up phone calls between visits.

“We want to help patients transition between the hospital and home by assisting them in setting goals, providing specific education and addressing any barriers that may prevent optimal disease management,” said Mitchell. “Ultimately, we will become a one-stop shop for all our patients’ needs thereby reducing the risk of long-term medical problems.”

The Center is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 1 – 5 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is located in the Medical Office Complex across from the hospital.

Be treated well

New Guidelines Aim to Combat Heart Disease and Stroke

In November 2013, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology issued new guidelines for doctors to help them reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes among their patients. The four guidelines shed new light on what doctors are watching for in areas that are important to heart health — risk assessments, obesity, cholesterol and lifestyle — and how you can do your part in keeping your heart healthy.

1. Assess risk

An assessment of personal risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases sets the stage for discussions with your healthcare provider. Information that goes into assessing your risk includes your age, sex, race, total cholesterol, HDL (“good” cholesterol), systolic blood pressure (the top number, or pressure when the heart pumps blood to the body), and whether you use medication to lower blood pressure, have diabetes or smoke. A calculator created by the experts who wrote the guidelines can be used to determine your 10-year and lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease.

2. Treat obesity as a disease

The new guidelines say doctors should consider obesity a disease and more actively treat it. Suggested treatments include prescribing a diet that cuts out 500 or more calories a day, an exercise plan that gets patients moving at least two-and-a-half hours a week and behavioral counseling to help patients stick with the plan. The guidelines also suggest that weight-loss surgery be considered for severely obese patients who have one or more obesity-related health problems, such as diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure. You should have a calculation at least yearly of your body

mass index (BMI), an indicator of obesity based on height and weight. The American Heart Association offers a BMI calculator at www.heart.org (search for “BMI calculator”).

3. Lower cholesterol and consider medications called statins

The cholesterol guidelines change the approach to treating high cholesterol for the first time in almost a decade. Where the previous strategy sought to lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels to a target number (100, or 70 for people at high risk), the new focus is on ensuring that people who can benefit from a class of medications called statins are treated with them. LDL levels are only one factor considered when statins are recommended. Other factors include age, history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes and overall risk for having a heart attack or stroke. Above all, the guidelines make clear that any decision about treatment should be an individualized result of patients talking to their doctors.

4. Live a heart-healthy lifestyle

Lifestyle choices are at the core of heart health. The new guidelines emphasize that it’s OK to indulge a sweet tooth every now and then as long as you maintain an overall heart-healthy eating pattern. Dietary patterns emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts are recommended. Red meat and sugary foods and beverages should be limited. Most people should decrease their sodium (salt) intake. Just 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise three to four times a week is another important lifestyle element. Even brisk walking will do.

Methodist South offers compassionate care with the experience and expertise you need to help you tackle even the toughest health problems. Turn to us as your advocate for better health!

HEART DISEASE IS THE NO. 1 CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE U.S. AND STROKE IS THE NO. 4 CAUSE.

www.methodisthealth.org

Diabetes: Your Eyes’ Worst Enemy

Could that blurry vision you’ve been experiencing lately be due to your diabetes? High blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar levels — the hallmark of unchecked diabetes — wreaks havoc on your body, including your vision.

What’s Going On With My Eyes?Several eye conditions have been linked to people with diabetes, including retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. These can lead to severe vision loss and blindness.

• Diabetic retinopathy affects almost half of people with diabetes, making it the most common of the diabetic eye diseases and a leading cause of blindness in American adults, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ranging in severity from mild to proliferative (or advanced), diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the eye, which later become blocked or swell and leak fluid.

• Glaucoma is the result of increased fluid pressure inside the eye, leading to optic nerve damage and vision loss. People with diabetes face almost twice the risk of glaucoma compared to the general population.

• Cataracts occur as the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred vision. Cataracts occur in people with diabetes at younger ages than people without diabetes.

Unfortunately, eye damage caused by diabetes doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stages. That’s why it’s crucial to have a comprehensive eye exam, including dilation of the eye, at least once a year. According to the National Eye Institute, even people with advanced diabetic retinopathy may be able to reduce their risk of blindness by 95 percent if they receive timely and appropriate care.

When people do experience symptoms, they usually notice changes to their vision. Maybe they have trouble reading, their vision is blurred or they experience disturbances such as rings around lights, dark spots or flashing lights. If you have any of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor to discuss your concerns.

Eye damage such as diabetic retinopathy isn’t curable, but treatments do exist to help preserve your vision and stop the damage from progressing, including laser surgery; your doctor may be able to recommend glasses or other low-vision aids to help you make the most of your eyesight.

You can also do your part to help put the brakes on vision loss by getting your annual eye exam and following your doctor’s orders by keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

UNFORTUNATELY, EYE DAMAGE CAUSED BY DIABETES DOESN’T CAUSE SYMPTOMS IN THE EARLY STAGES. THAT’S WHY IT’S CRUCIAL TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM, INCLUDING DILATION OF THE EYE, AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.

This publication is for general information only and does not replace the advice of your doctor or other healthcare provider. If you have medical questions, please consult your medical professional. Websites not belonging to this organization are provided for information only. No endorsement is implied. Images may be from one or more of these sources: ©Thinkstock, ©iStock, ©Fotolia. ©2014 BlueSpire Strategic Marketing | bluespiremarketing.com

In This Issue

New Clinic Opens at Methodist South

New Guidelines Aim to Combat Heart Disease and Stroke

Diabetes: Your Eyes’ Worst Enemy

1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116

Reducing the Rate of Early Elective Newborn Deliveries

Improving the health of mothers and newborns and reducing complications of childbirth is a high priority for organizations such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the Labor and Delivery Department at Methodist South.

Physicians across the U.S. are concerned about early elective deliveries between 37 and 39 weeks being scheduled without a medical reason. These births are associated with longer hospital stays for both mothers and newborns as compared to deliveries occurring between 39 and 40 weeks.

“Our department has been working on implementing quality improvement strategies to address this issue, and we have been doing a great job addressing it at Methodist South,” said Michelle Harrison, Labor and Delivery director. “The Tennessee Hospital Association has recognized us for our commitment to reducing early elective deliveries and helping more babies get a healthy start in life.”