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Safe Sitter class for children ages 11 to 14

Car seat inspections

FLETCH club

AUG.

SEP.

OCT.

JUL.

NOW

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building (Meschendorf Conference Room)Class costs $25.Call 865-541-8165 to register. Learn correct babysitting techniques, emergency responses and how to use babysitting as a business.

5 p.m. to 8 p.m.Clinton Fire Department (Station No. 1)It is free.You do not have to register to attend. We will teach you everything you need to know to make sure your car seat is used and installed correctly.

Membership is $18 a month.Visit www.etch.com/FLETCH to join. Your monthly donation provides much-needed funds for state-of-the-art equipment that makes diagnoses quicker and treatments less painful for children. You will receive one of these bears with your membership.

Mark Your Calendar

2 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

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13 Getting smarter about patient safety

Never slowing down

Breathing easier

We recently started using a new type of equipment to improve safety for patients who receive I.V. medicine.

From a 3.8 GPA in microbiology to learning how to rock climb, Sarah Holloway is ready for any challenge.

Thanks to pediatric experts, Blake Shelor is able to be a “crazy, wild, active little boy.”

It’s About Children is a publication of the Marketing Department at

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.Editor: Paul Parson

Designer: Deborah HostermanCover photo by Michael Dayah

Connect with us:www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

Spotlight

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CPR class for parents and teens age 14 and older

Shoney’s KidCare Photo ID program

Golf for the Kids

FLETCH club

SEP.

AUG.

JUL.

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building (Meschendorf Conference Room)Class costs $25.Call 865-541-8165 to register. Learn CPR so you can respond to emergencies in your home.

2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Safety City [Aug. 22]11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cedar Bluff Elementary [Aug. 23]Noon to 6 p.m. at Foothills Mall [Aug. 24]It is free.You do not have to register to attend. Provides photo IDs of children, so parents have information readily available for authorities if their child is reported missing. Visit www.shoneysknox.com/kids for more information.

8 a.m. tee timeThree Ridges Golf CourseCost is $70 a person or $280 for a four-man team.Call 865-591-8214 for more information or to register for the event. Proceeds go toward the purchase of medical equipment at the hospital.

3Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

4 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

Story by E. AndersonPhotos by Michael Dayah

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Chest rising. Chest falling.

When her son, Blake, is sick, these are the sights and sounds that mark Natalie Shelor’s nights.

Watching … listening … waiting …

Holding her own breath while she worriedly listens for her son’s breathing to change into a dangerous pattern.

For Natalie and many parents like her, having a child with asthma is a constant worry—a continuous fear.

continued on page 6

5Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

“Itwasareallyscaryyear,butwefeltfortunatethatwe

hadagreatpediatricianandthesupportofthestafffrom

Children’sHospital,”Nataliesaid.

Knoxvillewasthe10thmostchallengingplaceinthe

nationtolivewithasthmain2013,accordingtotheAsthma

andAllergyFoundationofAmerica(AAFA).Allergensand

otherpollutants,includingpollen,mold,dustmitesandpets,

areamongthetopasthmatriggers.Asthmacanalsostem

fromreactionstoscarysituations,exercise,or,inBlake’scase,

canbetriggeredbycoldandflu.

Itispossibleforchildrenwhosufferfromasthmatolead

healthy,activeliveswiththehelpofdailymedicationsand

otherformsoftreatment.Everyday,Blake,now6,takesthree

puffsfromaninhalerprescribedtotreatinflammationofthe

lungs.Healsotakesanothermedicineusedtoprevent

asthmaattacks.

“BylookingatBlake,you’dneverseeachildwithasthma—

you’djustseethiscrazy,wild,activelittleboy,”Nataliesaid.

Nataliefeelsfortunatethatsomeofthenormaltriggers,

Butthankstoherson’spediatrician—DennisSolomon,

M.D.,KnoxvillePediatricAssociates—andthepediatric

specialistsatEastTennesseeChildren’sHospital,Natalieand

Blakearebreathingalittleeasier.

Blakewasjust13monthsoldwhenhehadhisfirst

asthmaattack.TheShelorswereonatriptoVirginiawhen

Blakedevelopedseverechestcongestionandbeganhaving

troublebreathing.Aftertakinghimtoanadulthospitalin

Virginia,Natalieandherhusband,Drew,broughttheirson

backtoKnoxvilleviaambulance,wherehewasadmittedto

Children’sHospitalforpneumonia.

Forthenextyear,anytimeBlakedevelopedacoldhe

wouldalsosufferfromsevererespiratorydistress.Pediatric

pulmonologyspecialistsatChildren’sHospitaldiagnosed

thetoddlerwithasthmaandreactiveairwaydisease,which

occurswhencoughing,wheezingorshortnessofbreath

istriggeredbyinfection.

continued from page 5

6 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

likeexerciseandallergens,don’taffectBlakeasmuch.

“Hisasthmaismainlyjustbroughtonbyillness.Ifhehas

anythingrespiratory-wise,hegetsthisnonstopcoughthat

won’tquit,”Nataliesaid.“Butwiththehelpofhisdailymeds,

hehasgreatlyimproved.”

Still,Natalie,aformerpediatricnurse,knowstotakeher

son’sasthmaseriously.

“Whenitcomestobreathing,it’sscary.Whenhewas

younger,I’doftenjustsitbyhisbedsideandwatchhim

Asthmaisalong-termlungproblem.Itwillgetbetterwithgoodcare,butitnevergoesaway. Asthmacauseslungstoreactinanextremewaywhenirritated.Irritantsofthelungsarecalledtriggers.Commontriggerscanbesecond-handsmoke,pollenormolds.Whenexposedtoatrigger,theairwayopeningsgetverysmall.Oxygencanhavetroublegettingthroughthelungsandintotheblood.Breathingbecomesveryhardwork.

breathe,”shesaid.“Youfeelhelplessbecauseit’snotlike

youcanbreatheforhim.”

NataliesaidifBlakeseemstobecomingdownwith

acold,sheandherfamily,whichincludesBlake’syounger

sister,JuliaMae,donotleavetown.

“It’sstillaworry,butit’ssomuchmoreundercontrol

thankstoourpediatricianandChildren’sHospital,”shesaid.

“WefeelveryfortunatetolivesoclosetoChildren’sHospital.

We’resogratefulforthecarewereceive.”

Ifnottreated,asthmacanseriouslyaffectachild’shealth.About100childrenintheU.S.dieeachyearfromanasthmaattack.Somechildrenwhodiehavehadonlymildasthma. Infiscalyear2013,therewere374admissionstoChildren’sHospitalforasthma-relatedconditions.Andtherewereanadditional1,425visitstoourEmergencyDepartmentbypatientsexperiencingasthmasymptoms.

Key points: Asthma

continued on page 8

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8

Making a community impact

ThroughtheBreatheEasyasthmascreeningprogram,Children’sHospitalreachesoutintothecommunitytoensureundiagnosedpatientsreceivetheeducationandtreatmenttheyneed. MembersoftheBreatheEasyteamofferfreecommunityscreeningsandalsoworkwithschoolstoscreenchildrenandadultswhomaybeatriskforasthma.In2013,theteamscreenedmorethan500childrenandparents—30percentofwhomhadabnormalresults. Alongwithvolunteers,KellyEarnestandErinHermann,bothnursepractitionersatChildren’sHospital,conductthescreeningswhentheyarenotseeingpatientsatthehospital.Theteamalsoincludesdoctors,nurses,respiratorytherapists,respiratorynursespecialistsandrepresentativesfrompastoralcare. Everypersonscreenedreceiveshisresultsinwrittenform.Iftestresultssuggestthatfollow-upisneeded,informationaboutsymptomsandrecommendationsfornextstepsarealsoincluded. “Ifwehavepermission,wealsofaxthescreeningresultstotheparticipant’sprimarycarephysician,”Earnestsaid.“Iffamiliesdonothaveprimarycarephysicians,wehelpthemfindprovidersintheirarea.” Thefamiliesalsoreceiveseveralfollow-upphonecallsthroughouttheyearafteranabnormalscreening.Thishelpsensurecaregiversunderstandtheirchild’srespiratorysymptomsandknowwheretoseektreatment,ifnecessary. BreatheEasyoriginallybeganthroughthecollaborationwithNotOneMoreLife,anasthmaorganizationforfaith-basedcommunities.Becauseofthatpartnership,screeningswerefirsthostedatlocalchurchesandthenmovedintotheschoolsystems.TheBreatheEasyteamcurrentlyscreensinKnox,CockeandAndersoncounties,andhopestoexpandintonewcountiesinthefuture. “Thisisimportanttoallofusbecausechildrendieeveryyearfromasthma,”Earnestsaid.“Asthmaisatreatabledisease,andwefeelnochildshoulddiefromit.Ourgoalistoscreenandeducateasmanypeopleaspossible.”

It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

Helpingparentsbreatheasighofreliefisallinaday’sworkforConnieMeredithandBobYost. Meredith,acardiopulmonarytherapist,andYost,therespiratorycareeducationcoordinator,talkwithfourtosixpatientfamilieseverydayatChildren’sHospital,wheretheyprovideeducationandconsultationsaboutasthma. “Whenwegettowork,wereviewthelistofadmittedpatientstoseeifanyofthemhaveanasthmadiagnosis,”Meredithsaid.“Welookateachpatient’shistory,andthenwetalktothepatientandhisparentsorguardians.Ourgoalistoeducateeveryonewhomaycareforthechild.Someparentsdon’tknowtheirchildren’ssymptomsarebecauseofasthmabecausetheydon’tactuallyknowwhatsignstolookfor.” Signs,Meredithsaid,couldincludeachildcomplainingthathischesthurtswhenheruns,notfeelinglikeplayingoutsideornotsleepingwell. Duringtheirvisits,MeredithandYostgiveparentsahandbooktoguidethemthroughallaspectsofasthmacare.Itevenbenefitsparentswhoknowtheirchildhasasthmabecausetheymaynotbeawareofsomeoftherarertriggersorthedifferencesintheirchild’smedications. “Ifthey’renotaware,theycan’tkeeptheirchildhealthy,”Meredithsaid.“Wewanttokeepthesechildrenoutofthehospital.”

Graphic by Neil Crosby

TheRespiratoryCareDepartmentaverages400asthmaeducationsessionsayear—withpatientsranginginagefromtoddlerstoyoungadults.AdditionaleducationalopportunitieshappeninourEmergencyDepartment.Theresponsefromparentsisrewarding,accordingtoYost. “Wehaveparentswhosay,‘Thankyou.Ifinallyunderstandwhat’sgoingoninmychild’slungs.IfinallyknowwhyIhavetokeepbringinghimtotheEmergencyDepartment,’”hesaid. Yostspokeoftheimportanceoftheentiremedicalcommunitybeinginvolvedinasthmaeducation—apushthatbecamestrongerinthelate1990s. “We’restillseeingsickkidswhoareundiagnosed.Butwe’realsoseeingsomanymorewhohavebeendiagnosedandtreatedaccordingtonationalasthmaguidelines,”hesaid.“Whenthey’reinthehospital,wecanreallytakeadvantageofthetimetotalktoparentsandmakesurethey’reaswell-educatedaspossiblebythetimetheyleave.” Children’sHospitalhasrespiratorytherapistsavailable24hoursaday.

Educating our patients and their families

Graphic by Sally Sommerville 9Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren to read our asthma handbook.

10 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

11Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

by Cassidy Duckett • Photos by Michael Dayah

  On paper, Sarah Holloway appears to be an average recent college graduate: 23 years old, 3.8 GPA in microbiology, loves to read and tandem bike. She’s beginning to learn how to rock climb at a local gym. Except that Sarah isn’t average at all.

continued on page 12

12 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren to see how Sarah Holloway was honored for her volunteer work.

Born14weeksearly,theKarnsnativewasdiagnosedwithretinopathyofprematurityasababyintheNeonatalIntensiveCareUnit(NICU)atEastTennesseeChildren’sHospitalandhasbeenlegallyblindeversince.Herleftlegbelowthekneewasamputatedatage1.At15,shehadherrighthipreplaced.ShehashadthreeothersurgeriesatChildren’sHospital,includinganissenfundoplicationduringwhichpartofherstomachwaswrappedaroundheresophagustoaddressgastrointestinalissues. ForSarah,alonglistofmedicalroadblockshasneverbeenareasontoslowdown. “I’mworkingongettingintomedschoolnow,”shesaid.“Iwanttobecomeanorthopedicsurgeon.” UntilshebecomesDr.Holloway,SarahisembracingherexperienceasachildatChildren’sHospitalasmeanstoconnectwithcurrentpatientsthroughvolunteering. “Iamabletorelatetothepatientsandunderstandwhatthey’regoingthrough,evenifmysituationwasdifferentinsomeways.Iknowwhatit’sliketoconstantlybeinthemedicalatmospherebeingpokedandproddedallthetime,”Sarahsaid. Herdedicationtothehospitalisclear—shehasbeenvolunteeringonandoffsince2004. “ThedoctorsandnursesatChildren’sHospitalsavedmylife,”shesaid.“Ijustwanttogivebacktothehospitalandshowmyappreciationforthem.” WhenSarahwasbornandspentfourmonthsintheChildren’sHospitalNICU,herparentsdidnotknowanyoneintown.TheyhadonlyrecentlymovedfromChattanoogaforanewjob. “Thestaffbecameourfamilyandsupportsystematthattime.That’swhatitcomesdownto,”Sarahsaid. Inadditiontovolunteering,SarahservesasanambassadorforChildren’sHospital.Sheworkswithotherpatientsandfamiliestospreadthewordabouttheirexperiencehereandencourageotherstobecomeinvestedinthehospital’sconstantgrowthandimprovement. Assheplansforherownfuture,SarahcitesherChildren’sHospitalorthopedicsurgeon,RobertMadigan,M.D.,asinspiration. “Hewastheonewhomademeanactiveparticipantinmyownhealthcare.WhenIwas4yearsold,heshowedmetheinstrumentshewasusingandtaughtmewhattheywerecalledanddid.EachtimeIcamebackforanotherappointment,hewouldquizmeonthem,”Sarahsaid.“Igrewupwithhim,andhemadeahugedifferenceinmylife.” WhenSarahtoldDr.Madiganaboutherdreamtofollowinhisfootsteps,hegavehisfullsupport.Sheexplained,“Hetoldme,‘Youcandoit.Youwillnotonlysympathizewiththepatients,youwillempathizewiththem.Youhavebeenthere.’”

continued from page 11

Getting smarter about patient safety

  Children’sHospitalrecentlystartedusinganewtypeofequipmenttoimprovesafetyforpatientswhoreceiveI.V.medicine. It’scalledtheAlarisSystem.It’sbasicallyasmartI.V.pumpthatnotifiesstaffwhenadoseisoutsidethenormalrange,whichhelpspreventmedicationerrors.Thisisimportantbecause61percentofthemostcostlyandseriousmedicationerrorsnationallyarerelatedtoI.V.use. “Keepingourpatientssafeisofutmostimportancetous,”saidJimCathey,pharmacydirectoratChildren’s

Hospital.“Partofkeepingourpatientssafeisensuringtheyreceivetheappropriatemedicinethroughouttheirstayinthehospital—therightmedication,therightdoseandattherighttime.” Thesystemwilltrackrelateddatathroughoutthehospitaltohelpusfurtherimprovesafetyandefficiencyinhowwedelivercaretoourpatients.Informationcollectedfromotherhospitalsusingthissystemsuggeststhatatleastoneharmfulmedicationerrorispreventedevery1.8days.

News

13Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

Only we can provide your children with dedicated pediatric health care in East Tennessee.

Only you can make that happen.

Help expand those services to include a new surgery center, a new 44-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and more space to treat children with chronic conditions.

14 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

Visit www.etch.com/expansion or call 865-525-GIVE to donate or learn more about the $75 million expansion.

15Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

They danced the foxtrot, cha-cha and tango—all to the tune of $133,179 for Children’s Hospital. It was a record-breaking total for the sixth annual Star 102.1’s Dancing with the Knoxville Stars, which featured 11 Knoxville-based celebrities partnered with professional dancers from Dance Tonight. Winning the top dancer trophy was Davis Tarwater, a U.S. Olympian and 2012 gold medalist in swimming. Tarwater and his partner, Rachel Henriquez, received perfect scores from all three judges: actor Cylk Cozart, Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin and professional dance instructor Debora Zaglul. Telephone by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé provided the soundtrack to their cha-cha. The top fundraiser was Courtney Fulmer Peace, with $20,723. Her father, former University of Tennessee football coach Phil Fulmer, cheered her on from the crowd as she danced the samba with partner Hayden Escobar. Proceeds from the event benefit our Home Health Care program, which allows children like 8-month-old Rachel Donovan of Knoxville to heal at home with their families while continuing to receive expert medical care. Rachel was born prematurely and has been receiving care at home since October 2013. “Gifts both large and small, from donors like you, make this happen. We appreciate everything the community does to support the hospital. It is truly inspiring,” said Keith Goodwin, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital. The event was sponsored by Wells Fargo and hosted by the Grande Event Center.

Your Dollars at WorkOlympic swimmer wins gold for our patients

16 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

Free pancakes hit the spot Thousands of people just like you flipped out over free flapjacks at local IHOPs this year. It was part of a national fundraiser called National Pancake Day, which supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals like ours. In exchange for the free short stacks, customers were encouraged to leave a donation. IHOPs in East Tennessee raised $21,591 for Children’s Hospital. Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase medical equipment for our hospital.

Healing at home For William Hall of Blount County, the annual Star 102.1 Radiothon was the difference between staying in the hospital and going home to his own room and toys. The 4-year-old was battling bacterial pneumonia as a patient in Children’s Hospital for several days last year when he was discharged to our Home Health Care program. Through the support given during previous Radiothon events, Home Health Care was able to equip William with a portable I.V. pump for antibiotics to continue his care at home. Without it, he would have remained in the hospital for 14 more days.

The $131,000 raised at this year’s Radiothon will benefit children across our region like William. Approximately 21,810 patients were treated by Home Health Care in fiscal year 2013. These children often require advanced medical equipment that can be costly and out-of-reach for families. But thanks to Radiothon listeners like you, we have purchased more than 900 pieces of equipment for patients, including extra small wheelchairs for mobility and independence and ventilators to make children’s breathing easier.

17Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

Hundreds of children will learn easy ways to be physically active and make healthy food choices—thanks to a $200,537 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Tennessee Health Foundation. This will happen as part of the Early Childhood Nutrition and Fitness Education Program through the Knoxville Area Coalition on Childhood Obesity, which is led by Children’s Hospital. The Early Childhood Nutrition and Fitness Education Program is currently used in five preschools in Knox and Sevier counties. The grant will enable us to launch the program in 10 additional preschools, which have been determined to have a population at high risk for childhood obesity. That should happen this summer. “This is a potentially lifesaving program, considering that 28 percent of 5-year-olds in Knox County are either overweight or obese,” said Kindall Aaron, coordinator for the Knoxville Area Coalition on Childhood Obesity.

“The best time to begin changing habits and behaviors is before a child begins kindergarten.” Through the program, preschoolers attend 12 weekly classes that provide physical activity and nutritional education, including opportunities to sample healthier foods. Educational sessions are also offered to parents and preschool staff. Partners involved in the Early Childhood Nutrition and Fitness Education Program include:

• Knox County Health Department• Let’s Move! Child Care • Tennessee Department of Health Gold Sneaker Initiative• Tennessee Department of Human Services• University of Tennessee Public Health Nutrition• We Can!

Your Dollars at Work

Getting children healthier

18 It’s About Children, Issue 2 • 2014

All for the kids More than 300 University of Tennessee students danced the night away recently to support the Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Children’s Hospital. It was part of an event called For the Kids at UTK, formerly known as Dance Marathon, which raised $28,659. Though a large part of the event involves the students’ pledge to dance all night for the cause, the early evening is spent celebrating patients and their families. This year, these special guests participated in a heroes walk, enjoyed the Super Hero Sugar Rush ice cream social and got a chance to pie their favorite hematology/oncology team members in the face with whipped cream. “The event is a wonderful celebration of the students’ hard work and effort toward this cause, but it really is meant to honor the patients who have gone through so much,” said Macy Brooke, Children’s Miracle Network coordinator at Children’s Hospital. “More than anything, we wanted to celebrate and recognize the journey of the patients and make it their night.” During the past 19 years, UT students have raised more than $1 million for Children’s Hospital.

19Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

Nothing puts a smile on aNothing puts a smile on a child’s face quicker than getting a gift— child’s face quicker than getting a gift

Get useful news and information about your child’s health.

2018 Clinch Ave. • P.O. Box 15010Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-5010RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

For questions about the magazine, email pparson@etch.com. If you receive a duplicate issue or need to update your address, call 865-541-8723 or email LAMadigan@etch.com. Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren to sign up to receive this magazine electronically.

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