nation,” says Timothy Gardner, M.D.,medical director and past president ofthe American Heart Association. “Thethree-star rating from STS is widelyregarded by clinicians as the goldstandard by which to evaluate cardiacsurgery programs.”

“Achieving the best outcomes for car-diac surgery patients requires realcoordination among team members sothat patients can move seamlesslythrough the care process," saysMichael Banbury, M.D., the W. SamuelCarpenter III Distinguished Chair ofCardiovascular Surgery at ChristianaCare. “It is evident by this great awardthat everyone here is focused on clini-cal quality and outcomes.”

STS developed this comprehensive

F O C U SOpen heart surgery program receives highest quality ranking

Christiana Care’s Center for Heart& Vascular Health has been

awarded three stars—the highestnational ranking—from The Society ofThoracic Surgeons (STS) for 2009.

The STS comprehensive rating systemcompares the quality of cardiac sur-gery among hospitals across the coun-try. Only 11.7 percent of hospitalsnationwide received this year’s STSthree-star rating. Christiana Care isone of 1,007 participants in the STScardiac surgery database.

“Our patients and community deservethe best, and STS’s highest nationalranking clearly places ChristianaCare’s Center for Heart & VascularHealth among the top programs in the

S E E T H R E E S T A R R A T I N G , P. 3

Our three-star ranking by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons means that ChristianaCare is among the top 11.7 percent in the Society’s 1,007-hospital cardiac surgerydatabase.

Inside

Mended Hearts volunteers 2

June’s Jeff Award winner 3

Employee diabetes program 4

Formal Magnet recognition 5

Sydnor’s volunter workrecognized by Alzheimer’sAssociation 6

Look Good, Feel Better 8

Avoiding heat-related illness 11

Kersey Vakharia, currentMended Hearts president,says the volunteers havereceived tremendous sup-port from TimothyGardner, M.D., medicaldirector of the Center forHeart & Vascular Health,and Michael Banbury,M.D., FACS, W. SamuelCarpenter IIIDistinguished Chair ofCardiovascular Surgery.

Vakharia had quadruplebypass and valve replace-ment surgery 15 yearsago. He began volunteer-ing in 2008 after he

retired.

“We speak from personalexperience,” he says. “Ifsomeone asks about lifestylechanges, I tell them I startedreading food labels and Imake certain no more than30 percent of my caloriescome from fat.”

Currently, there are more than 250local Mended Hearts chapters in med-ical facilities in the U.S.

Volunteers receive thorough trainingbefore they begin working withpatients and families.

To learn more, call 302-733-1284 or goto www.christianacare.org/volunteer.

how helpful the volunteers can be topatients and to people who have aloved one facing surgery. “When myfather had open-heart surgery a fewyears ago, I got to see them in actionand it was very comforting,” she says.

Helen Mills first volunteered withMended Hearts after a quintuplebypass 17 years ago, and resumedafter a valve replacement a year ago.The group has been active atChristiana Care for 24 years.

“I’m there to tell them ‘you can befixed,’ and to be reassuring,” she says.“It’s a wonderfully nourishing experi-ence to be able to help others.”

2 ● F O C U S J u l y 6 , 2 0 1 0

For nearly a quarter century,dedicated volunteers at

Christiana Care have giventheir whole hearts to helpingpatients undergoing cardiacsurgery and their families.

“We are not medical peoplebut we can address real lifeafter surgery,” says DianeMargolin, past president ofthe local chapter of theMended Hearts Inc., a nation-al nonprofit organization affil-iated with the American HeartAssociation.

All Mended Hearts volunteershave undergone open-heartsurgery themselves. Margolinhad a double-bypass 10 yearsago.

Telling patients what to expectVolunteers talk with the fami-lies of open-heart surgerypatients, telling them what theycan expect after their loved onehas surgery, before and afterdischarge from the hospital.

Volunteer & Student AdministrationManager Margarita Rodriguez-Duffy,MSW, CAVS, calls Mended Hearts “asmall but mighty group.” BetweenJanuary and April, 15 volunteers madea total of 491 visits to 222 patients inthe cardiac step-down unit, often fol-lowing up with an encouraging noteor phone call to the patient at home.

The volunteers staff a desk at theCenter for Heart & Vascular Healthfive days a week, and when they’reneeded on weekends or holidays.The group also brings in monthlyspeakers on various health care topics.

Rodriguez-Duffy knows firsthand

Mended Hearts volunteers share open heart experience

Helen M. Mills (left) and Kersey G. Vakharia, are two amongmany Mended Hearts volunteers who have shared their per-sonal experience and kindness with patients about to haveopen heart surgery at Christiana Hospital.

A Christiana Care social worker,Carmela “Mel” Longobardi, nominat-ed Sam. She describes him as a giving,gentle, soul—traits that define volun-teering.

Any employee, manager or co-workercan nominate someone for a JeffersonAward using the online nominationform.

Eligibility requirements: n All Christiana Care employees, vol-unteers and Junior Board members areeligible.

n Groups of employees or volunteersare not eligible.

n Volunteer activities/services shouldnot be part of every day work duties.

A Christiana Care Jefferson Awardcommittee reviews and researches all

rating system to allow for nationwidecomparisons regarding the quality ofcardiac surgery among hospitals. Thesystem analyzes many differentnational cardiac surgical data cate-gories on a yearly basis to determinewhich hospitals meet its stringentqualifications for the three-star rating.Christiana Care’s rating is for the peri-od January 2009-December 2009.

This data includes:

n Avoidance of mortality.

n Avoidance of major complications.

n Use of arteries as bypass grafts.

n Ensuring that all patients receiveappropriate (evidence-based) medica-tions pre and post operatively.

A non-profit organization, the STS rep-resents nearly 6,000 surgeons,researchers and allied health profes-sionals worldwide who are dedicated toensuring the best possible heart, lung,esophageal and other surgical proce-dures for the chest. Founded in 1964,the mission of STS is to enhance theability of cardiothoracic surgeons toprovide the highest quality patient carethrough education, research and advocacy.

Three-star rating

Christiana Care’s Jefferson Awardswinner for the month of June is

Sam Lewis from Volunteer Services.

Each month the Jefferson Awards pro-gram spotlights an outstandingemployee or volunteer who providescommunity services beyond the workthey do each day for Christiana Care.

Our second-ever winner of the awardepitomizes the concept of servicebefore self. Sam Lewis serves inVolunteer Services at Christiana Care,but his additional volunteer workbeyond our campus earns him thismonth’s honor.

Together with his wife Jean, Sam helpsprovide transportation and arrangesfor temporary housing services—onhis own time and at his ownexpense—to hundreds of ChristianaCare patients, families and friends. Hisefforts alleviate worries over where tolive while loved ones receive care atour hospitals.

C O N T ’ D F R O M P. 1Sam Lewis wins June Jefferson Award

Michael Banbury, M.D., the W. SamuelCarpenter III Distinguished Chair ofCardiovascular Surgery Sam Lewis' daughter, Linda Lewis, RN, of

4E, accepted the Jefferson Award, pre-sented by COO Gary Ferguson.

How to nominate someone for a Jeff Awardnominations before deciding on win-ners.

The Jefferson Awards is a nationalprogram started in 1972 as a presti-gious prize for public service. Co-founders Jacqueline KennedyOnassis, U.S. Sen. Robert Taft Jr. andSam Beard urged a "Call to Action forVolunteers" in local communities.Monthly winners are eligible fornational consideration by the JeffersonAwards for Public Service.

For more information, call MargaritaRodriguez-Duffy, manager of VolunteerServices, at 733-1284.

pocket expenses up to an additional$2,500 for diabetes management equip-ment and supplies after they havemaxed out their $5,000 benefit.

Managing chronic conditions so theydon’t get worse is an impor-tant initiative in helping peo-ple to lead healthier, moreproductive lives while keep-ing health care costs in check.Soon, Christiana Care will rollout a program for employeeswith respiratory conditions,such as asthma and COPD(chronic obstructive pul-monary disease).

Are you one of the 7-8 percent?Currently, 7-8 percent of ChristianaCare employees have diabetes, accord-ing to their Health Risk Assessments.That is in keeping with the rate inDelaware, which is slightly higher thanthe national rate.

Overall, the incidence of diabetes hasincreased dramatically in the last threedecades. From 1980 to 2007, the per-centage of Americans with the diseasehas risen 136 percent, from 2.5 percentto 5.7 percent, according to the Centersfor Disease Control.

Christiana Care employees and theirdependents over age 18 who havebeen diagnosed with diabetes andhave primary insurance coveragethrough Christiana Care’s Blue CrossBlue Shield of Delaware (BCBSD)health benefits plan are eligible for theprogram.

To register, call the Preventive Healthervices Department at 302-661-3050.

As part of Christiana Care’s com-mitment to improving employee

health, employees with diabetes canreceive free, confidential diabetesmanagement services, including nutri-tion counseling and medicationsat no charge.

Starting July 1, individuals whocomplete the requirements of theprogram can receive medicationsfor diabetes, hypertension andcholesterol at zero co-pay.

Employees must meet with a casemanager twice a year to establishgoals to help keep their diabetesin check. They also must have labwork done twice a year to monitor thedisease.

Diabetes PassportAt the first meeting, employees whocommit to the program will receive aDiabetes Passport in which they willrecord their test results and chart theirprogress. The program also offers dia-betes education, including free face-to-face or group counseling with a nutri-tionist or nurse on ways to maintain ahealthy diet, as well as other informa-tion on diabetes management.

Donna Diorio, a hostess on 6-E atChristiana Hospital, is a participant inthe original program and is lookingforward to committing to the newenhanced plan. The single mother ofthree says the program eliminates theburden and worry associated withpaying for medications, needles andother medical equipment and alsohelps her to better control her dia-betes.

“It is a godsend,” she says. “The pro-

Diabetes program for employees can lead to zero co-paygram allows me to focus on stayinghealthy rather than thinking about thecost of my drugs.”

When diabetes is under control, peo-ple feel better and need to take fewer

sick days, says Karen Anthony, MS,CHES, Program Manager, PreventiveHealth Services and DelawareCollaborative. The program also hasthe potential to benefit the entirehealth care system by reducing med-ical costs.

Preventive Health Services is a part-nership between The Eugene DuPontPreventive Medicine & RehabilitationInstitute (PMRI) and Employee HealthServices created to improve and pro-mote employee health and wellness.The Delaware Collaborative is a part-nership between various individualsand organizations within the State ofDelaware and led by Christiana CareHealth Services, focusing on diabetesmanagement and preventing obesityin children and teens.

Employees can expect significant sav-ings, too. Currently, the DurableMedical Expense benefits covers up to$5,000 for devices such as insulinpumps. In this program, employeescan receive reimbursement for out-of-

4 ● F O C U S J u l y 6 , 2 0 1 0

“The program a l lows me tofocus on s tay ing hea l thyrather than th ink ing about thecost o f my drugs .”

Donna Dioriohostess on 6-E

T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

On June 24, Christiana Care HealthSystem formally received Magnet

Nursing recognition from theAmerican Nursing CredentialingCenter (ANCC).

Karen Drenkard, RN, Ph.D., directorof ANCC's Magnet RecognitionProgram, presented the obelisk-shaped award at a celebration in theJohn H. Ammon Medical EducationCenter attended by several hundredemployees, including Christiana Carepresident and CEO Bob Laskowski,M.D., and Christiana Care BoardChair Carol Ammon.

Magnet is the highest level of nationalrecognition for health care organiza-tions demonstrating sustainedexcellence in nursing care. ChristianaCare is the first hospital in Delawareto receive Magnet recognition. Thedesignation is achieved by only 6 per-cent of the nation’s hospitals.

See more Magnet event photos onFlickr.

Award recognizes Magnet Nursing designation

From left, Associate Chief Nursing Officer Janet Cunningham, ANCC’SKaren Drenkard, RN, Ph.D., Clare Shumate, RN, Chief Nursing OfficerDiane Talarek, RN, MSN, Michelle Zechman, RN, Michelle Jonkiert,RN, and Faith Cooper, RN.

MagnetNursing

(Above, from left), Don Kirtley, Christiana Care Board ofDirectors, Christiana Care Board Chair Carol Ammon,Karen Drenkard, RN, Ph.D., of ANCC, Senior VicePresident, Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing OfficerDiane Talarek, RN, MSN, and Christiana Care Presidentand CEO Bob Laskowski, M.D.

Linda Sydnor,APRN, a

geriatric clinicalnurse specialistat ChristianaHospital,received a vol-unteer of theyear awardfrom theAlzheimer’sAssociationDelaware ValleyChapter.

Sydnor, a mem-ber of the AcuteCare for theElderly (ACE) team on 6A, began vol-unteering for the chapter as a teamcaptain in the annual WilmingtonMemory Walk. She later increased heractivity with committee work andfund raising. To date, Sydnor hasraised more than $12,000 for programsand services offered by theAlzheimer’s Association.

“This a big honor, and recognizes allthe work that Linda has done for theAlzheimer’s Association and on behalfof our Alzheimer's patients,” says ACEunit Medical Director Patricia Curtin,M.D., FACP, CMD.

“Volunteer efforts are crucial to main-taining programs and services forthose living with Alzheimer’s andother dementias and their families,”says Alzheimer’s AssociationDelaware Valley Chapter spokesper-son Marilyn Dyson. “Our volunteersgive tirelessly of themselves and wecouldn’t manage as well withoutthem.”

Alzheimer’s Associationrecognizes volunteerLinda Sydnor

Diane Talarek, RN, MSN

Diane Talarek traces nursing historyfor UD Academy of Lifelong Learning

Senior Vice President, PatientCare Services, and Chief

Nursing Officer Diane Talarek,RN, MSN, was the featured speak-er at an Academy of LifelongLearning lecture series event June18 at Arsht Hall, the University ofDelaware’s Wilmington Campus.

Talarek took her audience on ajourney through the history ofmodern nursing, from FlorenceNightingale’s seminal career in bothwar and peace time to the widerange of careers available to nursesnow and the challenges thosenurses face at work each day.

During her hour-long lectureshe gave concise explanationsof such topical nursing subjectsas:

n Various educational require-ments and tests for nursingeducation leading to a regis-tered nurse license.

n The increasing interest ofproviders in promoting nursingspecialty certification.

n How a healthy economyaffects the nursing job market.

n Recent media coverage con-cerning hospital-acquired infec-tions.

Talarek received a master ofarts degree in nursing educa-tion from New York Universityin 1976 and holds a certificationin nursing administration. Shealso completed The Johnson &Johnson Wharton FellowsProgram for Nurse Executives.

She received her bachelor'sdegree in nursing fromFairleigh Dickinson University,N.J., in 1972. She is an adjunctfaculty member at theUniversity of Delaware and hasmore than 30 years of profes-sional nursing leadership expe-rience.

Linda Sydnor, APRN

It’s Magnetic!“Forces of Magnetism”No. 12: Image of Nursing

6 ● F O C U S J u l y 6 , 2 0 1 0

Christiana Care hasbeen named by TheAmerican AssociationFor Respiratory Care asa "Quality RespiratoryCare RecognitionProgram" (QRCR) for2010. About 700 hospi-tals out of the 5,000 inthe U.S. have beennamed QualityRespiratory Care institu-tions. Christiana Carehas been a part of thislist and will continue tobe for 2010.

Christiana Care named a Quality Respiratory Care program

Consistent with our strategies for engaging staff in continuous improvement and best practices, we regularly review important top-ics in Focus to help reinforce safe-practice behaviors. These tips reinforce information and enable staff to better articulate our safe-ty practices during an unannounced survey.

Medication Reconciliation

Q. What is Medication Reconciliation?

A. Medication Reconciliation is an interdisciplinary process that compares the patient’s list of home medicationsagainst the physician’s orders upon admission, transfer, and discharge, thereby decreasing potential adverse drugevents.

Q. How is the patient’s accurate Medication Reconciliation communicated to the next provider of care? A. The Medication Reconciliation is communicated by the discharging physician to facilities and community physi-cians at discharge, or at the end of an outpatient visit by one of the following methods:

n Interagency Discharge Order Form.

n Faxing the Discharge Medication Reconciliation Form (includes Inpatient & Outpatient) and Discharge Instructions.

n Sending a copy of the Discharge Medication Reconciliation Form and Discharge Instructions.

n Access ANYware/Centricity.

Focus on Excellence - Medication Reconciliation - Best Practice Review

how to care for their skin during treat-ment, apply cosmetics to diminishskin changes and care for their nails.The women practice tying scarves,wearing wigs and other beauty initia-tives. At the end of the session, partici-pants receive a tote bag of full-sizeskin care products and cosmetics.“This program is about helpingwomen with cancer feel special,” saysAcero. “When they see themselves inthe mirror with hair and makeupagain, it’s like they’ve rediscovered along-lost friend. They leave invigorat-ed with a renewed sense of self-confi-dence.”

Many make friends at the makeoverIn addition to looking and feeling bet-ter, the women find an excellentopportunity to interact with otherwomen in treatment. Women mayinvite a female friend to attend theprogram with them.

Many make new friends and keep intouch via the phone, e-mail and socialnetworking.

Program is free to patientsLook Good, Feel Better is a freemonthly program sponsored byChristiana Care, the American CancerSociety, the Personal Care ProductsCouncil Foundation and the NationalCosmetology Association. Staffing theprogram are volunteers from all the

partner organizations, includingAcero and other volunteers from theHelen F. Graham Cancer Center.

If you or someone you knowwould like more information or to regis-ter for Look Good, Feel Better, call 302-623-4500.

For many women the diagnosis ofcancer can be overwhelming, but

dealing with hair loss can be devastat-ing to their self image. Women under-going cancer treat-ment at the HelenF. Graham CancerCenter are findinghope and self-

Look Good, Feel Better program starts with a mini makeover

8 ● F O C U S J u l y 6 , 2 0 1 0

confidence as a result of the proactiveprogram.“The program supports treatment and

recovery,” says Claudia Acero,patient/physi-

cian accesscoordinatorat theGrahamCenter.

“Itempowerswomenwith cancerand helpsrestore theirself-esteem.”A cosmetol-

ogist guidesparticipants through a

mini-makeover,teaching

them

When cancer care causes hair loss andother side effects that change awoman’s appearance, the free LookGood, Feel Better program is a friendin need.

Denise Legates remembers caringfor her mother, a heavy smoker

dying of emphysema.

“I was her primary caregiver and Isaw how she suffered,” says Denise, aclerk in the sixth-floor Center forRehabilitation at Wilmington Hospital,who has been a Christiana Careemployee for 24 years.

Her father, also a smoker, died of aheart attack at 48.

Denise smoked, too, typically threepacks of cigarettes a day. She had achronic cough and was often out ofbreath.

“But after my mom died, somethinginside me changed,” she recalls. “Iwas determined to quit.”

Started smoking at 15Denise started smoking at age 15.

“Peer pressure. All the kids weredoing it,” she says.

Over the next 25 years, she tried toquit several times. Denise would stopsmoking for a week or two, then pickup the habit.

In the crystal clear light of hindsight,she realizes that certain triggers madeher vulnerable to smoking.

“I was a stress smoker,” she says.“Whenever I would feel stressed, Iwould light up.”

Determined to kick the habit for good,she visited Employee Health, whereshe obtained the patch, which deliversa low dose of nicotine through theskin to satisfy craving. She also got aprescription for Wellbutrin, an antide-pressant that reduces the craving fornicotine and lessens the severity ofwithdrawal symptoms.

Denise received personal support onmany fronts, beginning with her adultdaughter, who had been urging her to

quit since shewas a littlegirl. To thisday, friendswho smokerefrain fromlighting uparound her outof respect forher commit-ment to stop smoking.

“Employee Health was a huge help,”she recalls. “I also had a lot of goodsupport from my friends, family andthe nurses I work with.”

Smoke free for six yearsIt wasn’t easy, but Denise gave up cig-arettes, this time for good. She haslived smoke-free for six years. Hercough has subsided and she has moreenergy. Her daughter is proud ofher—and happy that she need not beconcerned about Denise smokingaround her granddaughter.

Looking back, Denise thinks abouthow smoking restricted her independ-

ence. It dictated where she could goand how she would spend her freetime. It impacted her budget.

She appreciates the freedom she hasgained by conquering tobacco.

“I don’t have to go outside to smoke,”she says. “No running out for ciga-rettes; no scrounging around for themoney to buy cigarettes.”

Because she knows firsthand how dif-ficult it is to quit, Denise is dedicatedto encouraging other people to kickthe habit.

“I will do all I can to help other peoplewho are trying to quit because I am sograteful to the people who helpedme,” she says.

In 2005, all Christiana Care facilitieswent smoke free, inside and out. As

leaders in the health care community,we are committed to setting an exam-ple to inspire and uplift our neighbors.

That’s why Christiana Cares offers anextensive support program foremployees who want to kick the habit.Employees will receive prescriptionmedication and face-to-face counsel-ing, both at no cost.

You don’t have to go it alone.EmployeeHealth is here to help smokers quit,every step of the way.

To learn more, call the TobaccoCessation hotline at 302-733-1878. Orcontact the toll-free Delaware Quitline at866-409-1858.

From three packs a day to none: It can be done

D O N ’ T S M O K E !

“Employee Heal th was a huge he lp.I a l so had a lo t o f good suppor tf rom my f r iends , fami ly and thenurses I work wi th .”

Denise LegatesEx-smoker, Wilmington Hospital

Denise Legates

FORMULARY ADDITION Medication – Generic/Brand Name Strength/Size Use/Indication Comments Ibuprofen lysine injection / NeoProfen

10 mg/mL 2-mL single use

vial

Closure of patent ductus arteriosus in neonates.

REVISED CHRISTIANA CARE MEDICATION POLICY Christiana Care-approved indications for fondaparinux

The Christiana Care-approved indications for fondaparinux are (1) prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have undergone surgery to replace a hip or knee joint, or repair a hip fracture, and (2) use by hematologists to treat patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Propofol bolus dose administration policy

Bolus doses of propofol can be administered to a patient when the patient is (1) in an intensive care unit; (2) hemodynamically stable; (2) on a mode of ventilation that provides a minimum rate and tidal volume; and (3) when a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant is available to respond to the ICU or monitor the patient via eCare.

Recommended maximum bolus dose is 0.4 mg/kg or 400 mcg/kg. Dose cannot exceed 0.6 mg/kg or 600mcg/kg.

Vital signs are monitored following the bolus dose. Only orders for single bolus doses are permitted. Standing orders for bolus

doses are unacceptable. An alternative sedative should be considered when the patient is receiving

a continuous intravenous propofol infusion at a rate close to 80 mcg/kg/minute.

Level of HVIS Preparation and Holding Unit for medication administration

The HVIS Preparation and Holding Unit has been designated a level C unit for medication administration.

FORMULARY DELETIONS Codeine phosphate injection This product is no longer manufactured. Indocyanine green injection This product was deleted from the Christiana Care formulary because of lack of

use. Indomethacin injection Replaced with ibuprofen lysine injection (see addition above). Magnesium hydroxide tablets This magnesium hydroxide dosage form is no longer manufactured. The

suspension remains available. Prazosin capsules This medication was deleted from the Christiana Care formulary because of

lack of use. Ribavirin This medication was deleted from the Christiana Care formulary because of

lack of use.

Upcoming events

Formulary update

1 0 ● F O C U S J u l y 6 , 2 0 1 0

Symptoms include pale skin that iscool and moist. People who are suffer-ing from heat exhaustion also likelywill have a headache and feel weak,depleted and nauseous.

In case of heat stroke, call 911 Heat stroke is life threatening. At thatpoint the body’s natural mechanism tocool itself has broken down. Peoplestop sweating and develop a highfever. They are confused, have a rapid,weak pulse and shallow breathing.They might lose consciousness.

If someone you know shows thesesymptoms, call 911 immediately andtry to cool them down by spongingthem with cold water or getting theminto a cold shower as quickly as possi-ble.

While it is smart tostay indoors in an

air-conditioned environ-ment during a realscorcher, most of us enjoyspending time outdoorsduring the summer.

But too much exposure tohigh temperatures canmake us sick. Extremecases, known as heatstroke, can be fatal.

Dress properlyThe first line of defense isdressing for the weather.In summer, it makessense to wear clothingthat is light-weight.There’s a good reasonwhy people who live intropical climates tend towear white. Clothes thatare light in color are cool-er because they reflectheat, while dark colorsabsorb heat and make us

feel warmer. And don’t forget yourhat, preferably one with a wide brimthat will shade your face.

You don’t have to work up a sweat toget dehydrated in summer. So, keepthe water flowing, drinking at leasttwo eight-ounce servings of waterevery hour you are outdoors. The keyis to drink water before you feelthirsty. In fact, you should not head tothe tennis court, hop on your bike orembark on a long walk without yourtrusty water bottle.

Avoid alcohol and caffeineDo not quench your thirst with an icecold beer or a frosty cola, as alcoholand caffeine actually contribute todehydration. Also avoid hot, heavymeals. Eat dishes that are cool andlight. Put the spaghetti and meatballs

on hold and toss a big salad withgrilled chicken or shrimp.

Work with Mother Nature to choosethe best time for strenuous exercise.Plan your run for the early hours ofthe morning, before the sun is out infull force. When the sun is sizzling,stay in the shade or inside an air-con-ditioned building.

Know the warning signsKnow the warning signs of heat-relat-ed illnesses. Elderly people, infantsand children are most vulnerable tothese conditions.

The first signal is muscle cramps,caused by the loss of salt and fluidsduring perspiration. The second andmore serious stage is heat exhaustion.

Use common sense to avoid heat-related illness

When feeling the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, it’s best to find aplace to quickly cool down.

The Wilmington Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU)June 15 celebrated its commitment to patient and

family centered care by removing the restrictive visitinghours sign from the door.

“This is a great opportunity for us to embrace increasinginvolvement of families in patient care,” says ChristianaCare Senior Vice President and Executive Director,Wilmington, Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH.

“Donna Casey and the Wilmington ICU staff haveplayed a leadership role in including patients and fami-lies as members of the care team.”

“The nation is focused on patient safety,” says Casey.“Evidence proves that patient and family centered careimproves safety. Wilmington ICU embraces this oppor-tunity to improve patient safety and satisfaction andimprove the quality of care we provide as well, by part-nering with our families.”

From left, Lew Messick-Klensch, RN, Karen Ellis-Brisbon, RN,CCRN, Nurse Manager Donna Casey, BSN, MA, RN, FABC, NE-BC, and Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, replace the visiting hourssign at Wilmington ICU with a simple welcome sign.

Wilmington ICU visiting hours reflect family centered care