Winter 2012-13 1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116 • Phone: 901.516.3700 • www.methodisthealth.org

connectionHEALTH & WELLNESS

Dear Neighbors:

Since joining Methodist South as the CEO, I have enjoyed meeting many of you at several of our health events and I will continue to reach out to you for your ideas and support. It is a privilege to lead this hospital particularly in a time of tremendous possibilities and incredible change in healthcare.

I am proud to announce that Methodist South recently received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. The hospital staff went through a rigorous reevaluation of our cardiac care process to make sure that we are giving the highest quality of care to patients who come here with symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Heart attack is the leading cause of death in the United States so it is imperative that Methodist South have the skills and knowledge necessary to reduce the time it takes to provide treatment and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. As an accredited Chest Pain Center, you can be confi-dent that you or your loved one will receive the best in acute cardiac medicine.

In addition to patients who come to us with symptoms of stroke and heart attack, we also see patients who have diabetes. We will focus on diabetes in 2013 and have planned a number of Lunch and Learn sessions, as well as other strategies to help our community improve their health and avoid serious health complications from this debilitating disease.

We also are looking forward to more renovations in the coming year. Our Labor and Delivery area will undergo a major facelift. The delivery and recovery suites will be equipped with the most advanced medical and comfort features to take care of our new moms and our smallest patients. And we are working on plans to update our first floor, including a spacious new lobby.

As we continue our journey of excellence to be the best community hospital in the area, I want to thank you for your continued support. And I wish the best to you and your family in the New Year.

Sincerely,

James L. Robinson III, PsyD.

Be treated well

A Message to the Community from the Hospital CEO Let’s Dance!

Heart disease is not just a man’s disease. In fact it is the single leading cause of death for women in America regardless of race or ethnicity.

To help educate women about this health risk, and in honor of American Heart Month, Methodist South will host its third annual Day to Dance event at the Southland Mall on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Women can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease if they have the information they need, know the questions to ask their health providers and learn to make heart-smart changes in their lives.

This event offers fun for the entire family. There will be several dance groups displaying different types of dance and exercise. There will also be free health screenings and staff who can answer any questions you may have. So bring your friends and family to dance, enjoy music and learn simple ways to stay heart healthy.

Be treated well

Why Women Must Listen to (and Protect) Their Hearts

When Louise felt a burning sensation in her chest, she chalked it up to the spicy burrito she’d had for lunch and took an antacid. When Helen felt anxious and exhausted, she assumed she’d spent too much time with her grandchildren and decided to take a nap. When Maria felt cold and clammy, with an unusual pain in her back, she wondered if she’d overdone it while gardening. Unfortunately, all of these women were having heart attacks, but none of them recognized the symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing more deaths than all kinds of cancer combined.* Many women mistakenly think the only symptom of a heart attack is crushing chest pain. Women may experience the “classic” symptoms of a heart attack, just as many men do. But females may also experience more varied symptoms, with no accompanying chest pain. This means that a woman who is having a heart attack might blame stomach issues, arthritis or other minor conditions – and not get the immediate help she needs.

Know the Symptoms and Act ImmediatelyIf you or a loved one experience any of the following symptoms, it’s important to call 911 right away. You may be given instructions from an operator or EMS technician to crush or chew an aspirin (unless there is a medical reason for you not to take one).

• Pain, pressure or a squeezing sensation in the chest.

• Aching in upper back, neck, jaw and/or shoulders.

• Pain in both arms or left arm.• Pounding heart or change in heart rhythm.• Trouble breathing.• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.• Cold sweats or clammy skin.• Dizziness.• Feeling of anxiety, panic or doom.• Unusual pain, shortness of breath

or fatigue that occurs during your regular activities.

• Sudden onset of weakness, body aches or overall feeling of illness.

• Burning sensation in the chest, often mistaken as heartburn.

• An “unusual” feeling or mild discomfort in the chest or back.

• Overwhelming fatigue.

Work to memorize this list so you can call within five minutes if symptoms occur. Don’t worry about risking embarrassment if you’re wrong. It is always better to be safe than sorry. If your symptoms are downplayed, insist on an electrocardiogram (EKG) or enzyme blood test; these tests are the only way to know for sure whether a heart attack is to blame.

Be PreparedKnowing your risk factors can help you make smart health choices that may prevent a heart attack, and may help you be more prepared in the event that an attack occurs. Some risk factors are uncontrollable: a family history of heart

disease, being 45 years old or older (men) or 55 years old or older (women) or having preeclampsia.** Other risk factors can be controlled by adopting smart health habits and, when necessary, the use of medication or medical procedures. Controllable factors are smoking (or exposure to secondhand smoke), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight/obese, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, diabetes, stress and drinking too much alcohol.**

Your doctor and Methodist South can help you protect and improve your heart health. To learn more, call 901.516.3700 or visit www.methodisthealth.org.

* Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/women/lcod/index.htm.

** Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

KNOWING YOUR RISK FACTORS CAN HELP YOU

MAKE SMART HEALTH CHOICES THAT MAY PREVENT

A HEART ATTACK

www.methodisthealth.org

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Most people aren’t comfortable discussing issues relating to their colon or rectum. That’s OK.

What isn’t OK is letting that discomfort prevent you from getting screened for colorectal cancer. A little embarrassment is trivial when you compare it to the possibility of having colorectal cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can not only be detected in its early stages by screening, but can actually be prevented. These cancers almost always develop from polyps in the colon or rectum. With many of the screening tests, polyps can be found and removed before they become cancerous. (See “Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests.”) Unfortunately, almost half (47%) of adults age 50 and older do not get recommended screenings.

The ACS and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend colorectal cancer screening for men and women beginning at age 50. Certain people should begin screening earlier, and may need more frequent tests. Talk to your doctor about a screening schedule that is right for you.

Risk FactorsThe exact causes of colorectal cancer are not known. However, certain factors increase the risk of developing the disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, they include:

• Age. Most people who develop colorectal cancer are over age 50.

• Polyps (abnormal growths that protrude from the inner wall of the colon or rectum). Most polyps are noncancerous, but the majority of colorectal cancers develop in polyps.

• Personal history of colorectal cancer. Women who have had ovarian, uterine or breast cancer also have a higher risk.

• Family history of colorectal cancer.• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.• Diet. Eating a lot of red and processed

meats and not many whole grains, fruits and vegetables may increase risk.

• Sedentary lifestyle.• Smoking.

Get ScreenedAlthough you hear people say they’re “dying of embarrassment,” in reality, it simply doesn’t happen. So if you’re embarrassed to talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screening, do it anyway; you’ll get over it. The same may not be true of cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Screening TestsSome colorectal cancer screenings can help prevent as well as detect cancer by finding polyps so they can be removed before they become cancerous.

Tests That Find Polyps and CancerFlexible sigmoidoscopy – A doctor inserts a thin, flexible lighted tube into the rectum and lower colon for a visual inspection. Polyps can be found and either removed or biopsied. How often? Every five years.

Colonoscopy – Similar to sigmoidoscopy, but the rectum and entire colon are examined using a lighted instrument. How often? Every 10 years.

Double-contrast barium enema – X-rays of the entire colon and rectum are taken after the patient is given an enema with a barium solution that helps outline the colon and rectum. How often? Every five years.

CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) – X-rays and computers produce images of the entire colon, which are displayed on a computer screen. How often? Every five years.

Tests That Mainly Find CancerFOBT (stool test) – A stool sample is tested for blood using either a chemical or antibodies. How often? Once a year.

Stool DNA test – An entire bowel movement is checked for cancer cells in a lab. How often? Ask your doctor.

COLORECTAL CANCER IS ONE OF THE FEW

CANCERS THAT CAN NOT ONLY BE DETECTED

IN ITS EARLY STAGES BY SCREENING, BUT

CAN ACTUALLY BE PREVENTED.

Methodist Healthcare is proud to offer community health information. However, if you do not wish to receive future information from Methodist, please contact us at 888.777.5959. 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. ©2012 BlueSpire Strategic Marketing | bluespiremarketing.com

In This Issue

Let’s Dance!

Why Women Must Listen to (and Protect) Their Hearts

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

What Our Patients Are Saying about Methodist South

1300 Wesley Drive Memphis, TN 38116

To the Very Supportive Staff of Methodist South Hospital,

Because of the nature of your professional choices of medical care, we want to acknowledge the evident attention to detail, small and large, that we witnessed. Because you all chose healthcare as your professional field, you may not feel it is anything out of the ordinary to serve each individual so attentively and thoroughly. However please rest assured this “extra mile” attitude does not go unnoticed by the many you serve.

We witnessed many daily kindnesses, along with quality healthcare. Each and every nurse on our shifts is thorough, caring and always responsive. Every housekeeper, nutrition personnel, doctor, social worker, case manager, MRI staff and ER personnel were very helpful. Each person made it their mission to help us.

This is particularly appreciated since we had our vacation plans interrupted so far from our home in Southern California to be hospitalized so suddenly. Janet Ingram in Admissions coordinated your hospital’s records department staff with our insurance department and for that we are also thankful.

May God continue to bless your work at Methodist.