News Center: Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point

Blessing Marks Opening of Franciscan Point Surgery Center

2012-05-24T13:25:00.000-05:00

A blessing and dedication program May 23 marked the opening of Franciscan Point Surgery Center, an addition to Franciscan Point, which, since 2008, has offered a wide variety of health-related services.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point president David Ruskowski, who hosted the program, thanked physicians, who have partnered with the hospital in the venture, as well as hospital staff and the city of Crown Point, for making "the dream become reality."

The 27,000-square-foot center, built at a cost of about $12 million, includes four surgical suites and two endoscopy/procedure rooms. It is under the auspices of Franciscan St. Anthony Health.

"Thank you for investing in this invaluable endeavor, this great expansion of services, which will benefit our increasingly growing community for years to come," Ruskowski told a large group of invited guests and staff members.

Other speakers, who echoed Ruskowski's sentiments, included Sister Jane Marie Klein, OSF, chairperson of the Franciscan Alliance Board of Trustees; Gene Diamond, CEO of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals; Dr. Tom Galouzis, who helped spearhead efforts for the project; Judy DeMario, surgery center nurse manager; and Andrew Kyres, City Council president.

Following the remarks, Klein presided at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a blessing of each of the facility's rooms by the Rev. Anthony Janik, director of spiritual services for Franciscan St. Anthony Health.

The center's outpatient surgical services include:

Gastrointestinal
Orthopedic
Hand and plastic surgery
General surgery
Ear, nose and throat care
Colorectal services
Urology
Ophthalmology
Pain management

The new services supplement those already offered at Franciscan Point, including the Sports Medicine Institute, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, which soon will include a new, open MRI unit; outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy, ExpressCare, which offers immediate assistance for patients who have non-life-threatening conditions, and Franciscan Physician Network offices.

"Those services, combined with the offerings of this venture, will offer patients the utmost in one-stop, quality care and convenience," Ruskowski said.

Franciscan Point is located at 12800 Mississippi Parkway.

Video: Pool and Water Safety

2012-05-23T13:45:00.001-05:00

Memorial Day weekend traditionally signals the start of summer and the opening of many pools around the area. Always remember it's important to have fun, but play it safe!

Pediatrician Dr. Lisa Gold offers up some tips for parents and children when they in and around the pool this summer.

Free Seminar - "The Knee in Sport"

2012-05-18T15:39:00.001-05:00

Join us for a free seminar "The Knee in Sport: Training, Care and Treatment of the Athletic Knee" on Thursday, May 24, 2012, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., at the Sports Medicine Institute (SMI), Franciscan Point, 12800 Mississippi Parkway in Crown Point.

The seminar will focus on a variety of topics including:

Common types of athletic injury
Structural and functional evaluation
Non-surgical and surgical treatment options
Injury rehabilitation
Return-to-play training
Training to reduce injuries and improve performance

Presenters include:

Ryan Plank, MD, Orthopedic Surgery
Timothy Mullaly, DO, Sports Medicine
Frank Eksten, Director, Athletic Development at SMI
Jennifer Bradsky, Physical Therapy, SMI
Tracy Hall, Certified Athletic Trainer, SMI

A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Refreshments will be served.

Registration is required. Please call (800) 931-3322 to reserve your place today!

WorkingWell on Journey to Baldrige Quality Award

2012-05-14T08:24:00.000-05:00

WorkingWell, Franciscan Alliance's Northern Indiana Region network of occupational health care providers, recently received a High Level Bronze-Indiana State Malcolm Baldrige Award, which is a step toward qualifying to achieve the highly coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

The Bronze award recently was announced by The Partnership for Excellence, the Baldrige-based awards program for Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. The group partners with organizations using the internationally based Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.

Applicants are evaluated by an independent board of examiners in areas of work force focus, operations focus, leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, and results.

Tim Ross, WorkingWell regional administrative director, said the honor resulted from a team effort.

"I was humbled by how Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region leaders pulled together to support WorkingWell staff to achieve this prestige award. This was a team effort by all."

He added, "The journey started with WorkingWell's National Association of Healthcare Providers certification, which laid the foundation to achieve our International Organization for Standardization certification for all five WorkingWell clinics. The Baldrige award is the latest in achievements that WorkingWell has accomplished in our quest for high quality standards."

Ross said the next step in the journey for the ultimate Baldrige award will be earning the tri-state-level honor, which is the next goal.

"We will utilize Baldrige criteria to continuously improve quality objectives to become the best occupational health clinics."

Ross also credited Moulay Alaoui, regional business transformation specialist, for providing information that matched WorkingWell processes to Baldrige criteria.

WorkingWell clinics are located in Crown Point, Hammond, Michigan City, Munster and Valparaiso. To learn more, visit workingwell.org.

About the Award
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recognizes U.S. organizations in the business, health care, education, and nonprofit sectors for performance excellence. The Baldrige Award is the only formal recognition of the performance excellence of both public and private U.S. organizations given by the U.S. president. It is administered by the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which is based at and managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Up to 18 awards may be given annually across six eligibility categories -- manufacturing, service, small business, education, health care, and nonprofit. As of 2010, 91 organizations had received the award.

The Baldrige National Quality Program and the associated award were established by the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987. The program and award were named for Malcolm Baldrige, who served as United States Secretary of Commerce during the Reagan administration, from 1981 until Baldrige’s 1987 death in a rodeo accident.

Cancer Programs Receive National Accreditation, Excellence Recognition

2012-05-11T08:44:00.000-05:00

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point's cancer treatment program has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, while the American College of Radiology has designated the hospital a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

The American College of Surgeons three-year accreditation followed on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor, during which the hospital demonstrated a commendation level of compliance with eight of eight standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program.

Karin Kolisz, Franciscan St. Anthony Health vice president of clinical services, praised the commitment of the hospital staff for earning the designation.

"The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Accreditation requires the commitment of considerable resources to the care of cancer patients. We are proud of our staff and physicians for this achievement. Together, they coordinate a full spectrum of cancer care, including prevention, early detection, staging, treatment, rehabilitation, psychosocial support and long-term follow-up."

According to the commission, an accredited cancer program assures a patient will have access to:

Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate best treatment options.
Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.
Access to cancer-related information, education and support.
A cancer registry.
Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
Quality care, close to home.

The American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation is presented when a health care facility becomes accredited in mammography, breast ultrasound and breast biopsy.

The following areas are evaluated:

Mammography
Ultrasound
Radiology
Physicist
Equipment, imaging and processes

According to the American College of Radiology, "The Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that achieve excellence by seeking and earning accreditation in all of ACR's voluntary breast-imaging accreditation programs and modules, in addition to the mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program."

Kolisz of Franciscan St. Anthony Health also lauded the effort. "While we have always been very proud of the care provided in our Breast Care Center, obtaining this recognition demonstrates the dedication of our staff and physicians, as well as our commitment to quality breast care."

Stroke Awareness Month: Remember to Act FAST

2012-05-09T12:57:00.001-05:00

The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember signs of stroke and what to do if you think a stroke has occurred. However, it is important to always keep in mind that the most important thing to do is to immediately call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.

FAST stands for:

(F)ACE. Ask the person to smile. Check to see if one side of the face droops.
(A)RMS. Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward.
(S)PEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Check to see if words are slurred and if the sentence is repeated correctly.
(T)IME. If a person shows any of these symptoms, time is essential. It is important to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1. Act FAST.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health, offers up an award-winning video to build awareness about the signs of stroke and the need to call 911 to receive immediate medical treatment. The video includes information on stroke symptoms, treatment, and risk factors, and features medical experts, stroke patients and their families. Take a look:

Happy Nurses and Hospital Week!

2012-05-07T08:45:00.002-05:00

In today's specialized world, we are often tempted to compartmentalize our lives, putting our professional interests in one corner and our spiritual concerns in another.

To Florence Nightingale - the founder of Nursing - fragmenting one's life in this way would have been unthinkable. Nightingale's life work of social action was her way of honoring God. As she put it, "My work is my must." She was and still is an icon of wholeness, an emblem of a united, integrated life. In fact, the integrity of her nursing practice depended on this holistic approach.

In 1875, Mother Maria Theresia - the founder of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration - accepted an invitation to send Sisters to America. Religious persecution in Germany did not stop her from following the One who led her. Like Florence Nightingale, Mother Maria Theresia was determined to keep nursing and hospital ministry as a mission.

As we celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week, may their examples inspire us!

New Therapeutic Hypothermia Treatment

2012-05-04T06:52:00.002-05:00

Dr. Daniel Netluch, chief of emergency services,
examines one of two Innercool devices used in
therapeutic hypothermia treatment at Franciscan
St. Anthony Health - Crown Point.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point recently began performing therapeutic hypothermia, a brain-saving, life-saving treatment for heart attack patients that is rare in Northwest Indiana.

Although the procedure may be new, the idea's origins can be traced to Hippocrates and to Napoleon's army during the French revolution of the 1800s.

"They found that officers in the French war who were stricken in the field, brought to the camp and warmed up by the fire, would not have as good of outcomes as infantry members who were left out in the field, in the snow," said Dr. Daniel Netluch, chief of emergency services, who was instrumental in bringing the program to the Franciscan St. Anthony.

"The infantry were cooled down and actually had better recovery rates than the officers who had better care by the fire," he added.

Fast-forward to modern times, when following years of studies worldwide, the idea saw a breakthrough in 2002, when independent studies in Australia and in Europe, in which cardiac arrest patients were resuscitated, then rapidly cooled to 32 degrees Centigrade, saw what Netluch described as remarkable outcomes.

“Neurological recovery rates went from about 2 percent to 55 to 60 percent, with this procedure. The cooling, provided by jell-wrapped pads used with the cooling machine, decreases the body’s metabolic rate and so protects the brain from neurotoxins that usually attack 24 to 48 hours after cardiac arrest. We cool the patient down for 24 hours, aggressively manage the body’s metabolic changes, and then slowly bring the body back to its normal temperature."

Netluch said the process to bring the technology to Franciscan St. Anthony began in 2010, when he attended the therapeutic hypothermia program at Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

"The new procedure was brought back and was enthusiastically supported by the Franciscan Alliance executive team. The program officially started April 25. Plans are to provide it to all Franciscan Alliance hospitals. Communities across the country only began using this in the last year of two," he added.

All vital Franciscan St. Anthony medical staff members have been trained in the procedure and in use of the hospital's two Philips-brand InnerCool devices. Area paramedics also have been trained in preparation processes, so cooling can begin as the patient is transported to the hospital.

"This is a great, new concept and technology that is proven to save lives," Netluch said.

Hospital president David Ruskowski agreed.

"This technology allows us to cool the body and prevent damage that normally would occur in the brain and to other vital organs. Whether a patient is brought here in cardiac arrest or suffers it in the hospital, we offer yet another tool to help assure the best outcomes."

Manometry: Diagnostic Tool Called Unique for Northwest Indiana

2012-05-03T12:09:00.000-05:00

Nurse Bernie Puplava, who performs manometry testing at
Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point, demonstrates the use
of an esophageal motility probe. The probe helps diagnose conditions,
with the results aiding doctors in deciding treatment courses.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point offers manometry motility testing, a diagnostic tool that helps physicians better evaluate treatment options for patients who experience such conditions as hiatal hernia, or bowel-related issues.

Bernie Puplava, a registered nurse, who for 24 of her 43 years in the profession has administered the tests at Franciscan St. Anthony Health's endoscopy unit, believes the area needs to know more about their worth.

"This diagnostic tool is an excellent and valuable service we offer that is pretty unique in Northwest Indiana. We get patients from throughout Indiana, as well as from Illinois and Michigan," she said, adding, "We should be known as the manometry center for Northwest Indiana."

Physicians refer patients for the exams, which measure muscular activity, pressure and amplitude of the esophagus and rectum, using probes containing sensors that relay measurements to a monitor. Based on the results, physicians can prescribe treatment options.

"With esophageal motility, patients' symptoms normally include difficulty swallowing, heartburn, chest pain not cardiac-related, asthma-like problems, belching, acid in the back of the throat, coughing, hoarseness -- things that may indicate a hiatal hernia," Puplava said, adding, "Rectal motility is mostly for patients who have fecal incontinence, or experience constipation or pain."

Dr. John Mirro Jr., a gastroenterology specialist, applauds the use of manometry in helping him treat patients.

"Esophageal manometry is useful as a prelude to any surgical treatment of refractory reflux and also helpful prior to use of newer procedures ...

"The pH (acid-measuring) studies can provide help in patients with atypical symptoms, in order to see if their symptoms are indeed related to gastroesophageal reflux disease."

Vyra Smith, Franciscan St. Anthony Health nurse manager of surgery, endoscopy and sterile processing-decontamination, agreed the public needs to be made more aware of the service.

"We have well-trained endoscopy nurses, who perform a breadth of services, with the collaboration of our endoscopy physicians. We offer a unique diagnostic tool to evaluate patients for further treatment of heartburn, hiatal hernia, difficulty swallowing and multiple other medical reasons. This service has been used by many physicians in the area for many years at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point."

Spirit of Women May Seminar: "Don't Have a Stroke"

2012-05-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region's Spirit of Women program presents "Don't Have a Stroke."

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is “the third largest cause of death, ranking behind ‘diseases of the heart’ and all forms of cancer. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.”

Please join us to learn about your risk factors, and the lifestyle changes that can help prevent a stroke:

May 23, 2012
6 p.m.
Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point
Marian Education Center
1201 South Main Street
Crown Point, Indiana

To register for this seminar, call the Franciscan Alliance Health Resource Center at (800) 931-3322.

To more information about Spirit of Women, visit franciscanalliance.org/SpiritofWomen.

The Puzzle of Autism

2012-04-30T10:53:00.000-05:00

The Centers of Disease Control recently stated one of every 88 children is now diagnosed with autism. Is this an epidemic? In the eyes of Mark Roithmayr, the president of Autism Speaks, the reply is a resounding yes.

April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day. All over the world buildings such as the Sydney Opera house and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro shined in blue lights to show support in the research and treatment of autism. The epidemic is a worldwide issue.

At Crown Point Pediatric Health Center, we start screening for autism at nine months of age. We continue screening at every well child check and focus questionnaires for parents at eighteen and twenty- four months of age. Research shows that early detection is better for the patient.

So why are the numbers increasing? Yes – diagnosis is made now more often. In the past autistic children were misdiagnosed other developmental diagnoses. But what are the other reasons? Is there any environmental exposure? Can genetics play a part? Too many questions and not enough answers. Even more questions arise after the diagnosis is made. What do we do now? What kinds of therapy will help? Will medical insurance cover the large costs of therapy? I wish I could be the full resource physician for parents of these children. It is my responsibility to see the possible symptoms and get the child evaluated as early in age as possible. But the diagnosis is made by other medical specialists- and they typically have waiting lists.

My advice to all parents is to speak up. Tell your child's health care provider if you have concerns of your child's development. If your child has autism you must be the advocate for your child. Make an appeal if your health insurance denies coverage of a therapy you believe can help your child. School systems have only so many resources and less funds. You need to state your thoughts and wishes for the best health of your child and work as a team to get the help he/she needs.

Dr. Lisa Gold is a pediatrician practicing in Crown Point, Indiana, at the Crown Point Pediatric Health Center. The views and opinions expressed on this blog entry are Dr. Gold's. They do not necessarily reflect those of Franciscan Alliance or its affiliated hospitals and health centers.

Donate Life Month: Giving So Others May Keep Living

2012-04-27T13:56:00.000-05:00

Heartfelt and heartwarming stories of organ donors and recipients were told during the fourth annual National Donate Life Month observance at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point April 27.

A donor registration drive also took place in the hospital lobby.

"It's My Time" to Get an Annual Mammogram

2012-04-26T10:08:00.000-05:00

A MAMMOthon program, consisting of digital mammogram screenings, free chair massages and giveaways, including watches, will take place May 11 at these Franciscan Alliance health locations:

EVENT IS NOW FULL!! - Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point, 1201 S. Main St., from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call (219) 757-6250 to schedule an appointment.
Franciscan Hammond Clinic, 7905 Calumet Ave., Munster, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call (219) 836-3600 to schedule. Here, a physician referral is required.

The program will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 18 at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave. Call (219) 933-2635 to schedule.

Chair massages will be available from 3 to 7 p.m. at all locations. Participants also may enter a drawing to win an Apple iPad.

MAMMOthon is sponsored by Franciscan Alliance’s Spirit of Women program, which offers information and activities to encourage and enhance women’s health. Early detection is said to be key in beating breast cancer.

Packed House Attends St. Clare Health Clinic Baby Shower Program

2012-04-25T15:56:00.000-05:00

A packed house consisting mostly of clients of Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point's Prenatal Assistance Program attended a "baby shower" April 25, where they received information on health, nutrition, vision and dental and mental health programs, and enjoyed lunch and door prizes.

The second-annual event was sponsored by MDwise Hoosier Alliance, a health care network that since 1994 has provided assistance for members of the Hoosier Healthwise program, Indiana’s health coverage program for low-income families and children.

The program was hosted Kim Eldridge, MDWise Northwest outreach consultant, and Kathryn Copak, prenatal program manager, and took place at St. Clare Health Clinic, 1121 S. Indiana Ave.

Free pregnancy testing was available, as was assistance with Indiana Medicaid.

Besides representatives of the Prenatal Assistance Program were others from Kool Smiles of East Chicago, Mental Health America of Lake County, HealthVisions Midwest- Promoters of Maternal and Infant Health, of East Chicago, and the Purdue Extension Food and Nutrition Program.

St. Clare Health Clinic and the Prenatal Assistance Program provide free services for underprivileged Northwest Indiana residents.

Ball of Strength Helps Participants Get in Shape

2012-04-25T14:47:00.001-05:00

Participants in Franciscan Alliance's monthly Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program at Westfield Southlake Mall on April 25 received a lesson in how use of a mini-ball can help boost core body strength.

Jane Bogordos, fitness supervisor for Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness centers, demonstrated numerous techniques to participants.

Blood pressure screenings also were offered by Barbara Neely, a cardiac rehabilitation technician at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, and by Christy Cleveland, a registered nurse in that unit.

The program takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month on the mall's lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

For more photos of this event, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/FranciscanNWI.

Paramedic Program Receives National Accreditation

2012-04-24T11:16:00.000-05:00

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point's Emergency Medical Services Academy paramedic program recently received five-year national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

The designation followed a more than year-long evaluation process that resulted in a recommendation by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession. The National Registry of Paramedics requires such programs receive accreditation by 2013.

"That means that prospective paramedics are receiving top-quality training at our academy that has been approved by national standards," said Rob Dowling, academy director, who has taught there for more than five years.

The academy, which has been in place since 1992 and has 20 instructors, trains a large percentage of the emergency medical technicians and paramedics in south Lake County.

"The purpose of accreditation is to continuously evaluate and improve the program, based on guidelines set forth by the Allied health programs," Dowling said, adding, "One of these guidelines calls for student-led evaluations of the program after each class session. This provides instructors feedback on how the students view the curriculum. Instructors then can modify their styles to fit students' needs.

“Our program no longer is just about the hospital, the academy or instructors, it is about the students and what the hospital, academy and instructors can do to make them successful," Dowling said.

Dowling added the program also is affiliated with Purdue University, which allows paramedic students to receive credit toward an associate’s degree in paramedic medicine.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health Marks Donate Life Month

2012-04-24T08:27:00.000-05:00

Real-life stories of people who have given of themselves so that others might live will be told April 27 during a Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point observance of National Donate Life Month.

The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the hospital main lobby with a prayer, a procession of flowers, and remarks from hospital officials and representatives of organ donor agencies.

Donor witnesses will present testimonies of how their lives and those of loved ones have been affected. An 11 a.m. Mass will follow in the Corpus Christi Chapel.

A donor registration drive will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside of the cafeteria, near the main lobby.

Donations Sought to Replenish Dwindling Supplies

2012-04-19T11:38:00.001-05:00

St. Clare Health Clinic is seeking donations of nonperishable food items, paper goods, including toilet paper; laundry detergent and personal care products, such as deodorant, shampoo and soap; for its food pantry, which is nearly depleted due to increased demand.

The clinic, which is under the auspices of Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point, provides free primary health care for residents of Northwest Indiana who fall within established income guidelines, are uninsured and are not eligible for government assistance.

Donations may be brought to the clinic, 1121 S. Indiana Ave., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Franciscan St. Anthony Health’s Prenatal Assistance Program, which is located at St. Clare, is in need of diapers, formula, baby items and new or gently used clothing, sizes newborn through 3T. The program likewise provides free assistance to needy area residents.

For more information, call Diane Jansen at (219) 663-2160, ext. 263.

National Volunteer Week: April 15 - 21

2012-04-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Love cannot remain by itself -- it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service. - Mother Teresa.

Please help celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 15 - 21. Acknowledge and thank our volunteers throughout this week as you pass them in the corridors, in the cafeteria, or anywhere else throughout the hospital.

Two hundred sixty-two volunteers worked with a glad heart for a total of 52,094 hours performing as Escorts, Office Workers, Information Clerks, Floor Hosts, Fund Raiser Clerks, Gift Shop Clerks and several other roles as needed to support the staff at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point.

They are a great group of people and we are really blessed by their presence.

Our Volunteers are Exceptional People with Extraordinary Hearts!

St. Clare Health Clinic "Baby Shower" Set for April 25

2012-04-18T13:24:00.000-05:00

A "baby shower" to benefit pregnant women who don't have insurance will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. April 25 at St. Clare Health Clinic, 1121 S. Indiana Ave., Crown Point.

The program is sponsored by MDwise Hoosier Alliance, a health care network that since 1994 has provided care for members in the Hoosier Healthwise program, Indiana's health coverage program for low-income families and children.

Free pregnancy testing will be made available, as well as assistance with Indiana Medicaid. Representatives from the Prenatal Assistance Program at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point, the hospital's birthing education program that operates at St. Clare Health Clinic, will be on hand, as will others from a local Parents As Teachers program and the Purdue Extension Food and Nutrition Program.

St. Clare Health Clinic and the Prenatal Assistance Program provide free services for underprivileged Northwest Indiana residents. Space for the baby shower program is limited. Attendees are asked to RSVP to (219) 663-5413. Door prizes will be awarded.

National Healthcare Decisions Day - Understanding Advance Directives

2012-04-16T13:30:00.000-05:00

There may come a time when you or a family member is seriously injured or gravely ill. In the midst of shock and grief, you may be asked to make hard medical decisions. It is important for you to learn about Advance Directives, types and intensity of medical care, and to discuss the kind of treatment you feel comfortable with before you make those difficult decisions.

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day…a time to bring awareness to the importance of advance care planning and communicating and documenting your healthcare decisions.

Understanding Advance Directives

Advance care directives allow patients to provide instructions about their preferences regarding the care they would like to receive if they develop an illness or a life-threatening injury and are unable to express their preferences. Advance care directives can also designate someone the patient trusts to make decisions about medical care if the patient becomes unable to make (or communicate) these decisions. This is called designating "power of attorney (for health care)."

Advance care directives can reduce:

Personal worry
Feelings of helplessness and guilt by family members
Futile, costly, specialized interventions that a patient may not want
Overall health care costs
Legal concerns for everyone involved

Example of Advance Directives

Verbal instructions. These are any decisions regarding care that are communicated verbally by an individual to health care providers or family members.
Organ donation. This may be accomplished by completing an organ donation card and carrying it in your wallet. A second card may be placed with important papers (such as a living will, insurance papers, and so on).
Living will. This is a written, legal document that conveys the wishes of a person in the event of serious illness. This document can speak for a patient who is unable to communicate. A living will may indicate specific care or treatment the person does or does not want performed under specific circumstances. A living will is not to be confused with a last will and testament that distributes assets after a person's death.
Special medical power of attorney. A legal document that allows an individual to appoint someone else (proxy) to make medical or health care decisions, in the event the individual becomes unable to make or communicate such decisions personally.
DNR (do not resuscitate) order. This states that CPR is not to be performed if your breathing stops or your heart stops beating. The order may be written by the person's doctor after discussing the issue with the person (if possible), the proxy, or family.

Recommendations

In the event you choose to create a living will or special medical power of attorney, know specific state laws that may apply. Write the document to be consistent with your state's laws.
If you have a living will or special medical power of attorney, provide copies for your family members and health care providers. Carry a copy with you in a wallet, glove compartment of a car, or similar location. If you have a planned admission to a hospital, take copies for the hospital to include in your medical chart and tell all medical personnel involved with your case about the documents.
Consider the possibilities of the future, and plan ahead. Studies have shown that although the majority of people believe having some form of advance directive is a good idea, most people have not actually developed advance directives for themselves. Many people state that they want their families to make health care decisions. However, less than half of these people have ever discussed the issue and their specific desires with family members.
These decisions can be changed at any time. However, if a living will is changed, everyone involved -- including family or proxies and all healthcare providers -- must be informed and new copies of instructions made and distributed.

The process of creating advance care directives may be difficult. It requires you to think about your priorities regarding quality of life and your death. Treatment options, and their possible influence on your quality of life, need to be fully understood and considered. Know the potential implications of choosing or refusing specific forms of care.

Discuss your wishes regarding advance care directives with your health care providers, family members, and friends. Review your wishes from time to time to remind everyone.

Source: A.D.A.M. Interactive Health

"It's My Time" to Get an Annual Mammogram

2012-04-12T08:20:00.000-05:00

Take the time to have your annual screening mammogram!

An inaugural MAMMOthon program, consisting of digital mammogram screenings, free chair massages and giveaways, including watches, will take place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 27 at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Michigan City, 301 W. Homer St.

The program will take place in the hospital’s Breast Imaging Center, on the first floor.

The event is sponsored by Franciscan Alliance’s Spirit of Women program, which offers information and activities to encourage and enhance women’s health. Early detection is key to beating breast cancer.

Chair massages will be available from 3 to 7 p.m. Participants also may enter a drawing for an Apple iPad.

Mammogram appointments are required. Screening cost is covered by most insurance companies. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (219) 877-1980.

Other programs will be offered on May 11 at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Dyer, Franciscan Hammond Clinic in Munster and at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point, and on May 18 at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond.

Exercising at Work: Tips to Keep You Moving

2012-04-09T14:54:00.002-05:00

Let's face it, many of us spend most of the time that we are awake at work. Couple that with the fact that many people sit all day at their jobs ... it may seem that our work environments aren't great places to focus on weight-loss goals. Well, don't get discouraged. Did you know you can easily add activity to your schedule before work, during work, at lunch, and after work? Here are some tips to get you started:

Before work:

If you drive, park around the corner or a few blocks from your work place so you get a 5- to 10-minute walk before you get to work.
If you take the bus, get off one stop before your usual stop to get in a few extra minutes of walking.
Try walking or biking to work. These are excellent forms of exercise that will save you parking, gas, and bus money.

During work:

Set a timer to remind you to do a one-minute stretching or strengthening exercises every half hour. These one-minute workouts help keep you focused, and they add 16 minutes of exercise to an 8-hour workday. Some one-minute exercises are:
- Stand up straight, then bend forward and reach for your toes. Reach for a count of 20, and repeat two more times.
- Reach both hands up toward the ceiling. Then, reach higher with your right hand for 2 seconds, then higher with your left hand for 2 seconds. Reach each hand higher 15 times.
- While sitting in your chair, place your hands on the arm rests and lift your bottom off the seat. Hold your bottom up for 10 seconds. Do this up to 6 times. Be careful not to lock your elbows.
- Stand with your feet shoulder length apart and your hands on your hips. Reach down across your body with your right hand toward your left foot, and then back up to your hip. Repeat this with your left hand reaching to your right foot. Take a deep breath and repeat. This is a good exercise to do while you make copies.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator to add some exercise to your workday. Or walk down the hall to talk with a coworker instead of sending an e-mail.

At lunch:

If you get an hour lunch break, eat for 30 minutes and then take a 30-minute walk.
If you get a 30-minute lunch, try to fit in a 10-minute power walk.
Invite a co-worker to walk with you. Having an exercise buddy will help keep you motivated. You are also more likely to exercise if someone is counting on you to join them.

After work:

If you parked a short distance away, you’ll get a short walk in before you have to sit again on your way home.
If you take the bus, walk one stop farther from the one closest to your workplace, or do something similar close to your destination.

For more information and tips on how to focus on weight-loss at work, visit FranciscanStMargaret.org/weightloss.

Happy Easter!

2012-04-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

- Matthew 28:1-10

Franciscan Senior Promise Meeting - April 12

2012-04-04T15:28:00.001-05:00

The public is invited to attend the April meeting of the newly formed Franciscan Senior Promise group.

Peter Gregory will conduct a demonstration of “Tai Chi Chih” during the meeting, which will take place at 10 a.m. at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave.

Franciscan Senior Promise is a newly club offers people aged 55 and older information on health issues and advice on lifestyles choices, along with the opportunity to socialize and make new acquaintances.

Meetings take place monthly, with game days, movie and popcorn days, defensive driving courses, a yearly flu shot clinic and daytime and overnight trips among scheduled activities.

Annual membership fee is $15.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322 or visit FranciscanStMargaret.org.