Health Advisor WINTER 2007 this issue New Year, New You P A G E 3 Emergency Care in Germantown P A G E 4 Delivering Even Better Care 5 P A G E Don t miss our upcoming classes and events, pages 8-15. See Sunny on pg.7! Helping Kids Grow Dr. Cong Ning, endocrinologist, and her young patient; Abigail. P A G E 6
The Countdown Begins New Patient Tower to Open in Fall of 2007 Dear Neighbor, There is a great deal of excitement at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Before the end of 2007, we ll open our new four-story tower. This will add more than 200,000 square feet of space and 144 new private patient rooms including 48 postpartum rooms bringing our total number of private patient rooms to 218. The tower will also house units for our oncology, orthopedics, and surgical services departments. Along with these exciting changes, we ve kept in mind that helping patients heal goes beyond the physical space of our hospital. That is why we are bringing in more features of home to create a healing and nurturing environment. Loved ones are an important part of care and healing. as well as space for reading and wireless Internet access. Decentralized nursing stations will allow support staff to remain close to the patient s bedside while documenting medical and care information. And because of its open access design, this space can also be used for discussions between nurses, physicians and families. These are just a few of the comforts of home you will find in our new tower at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. We thank you for allowing us to serve you and look forward to welcoming you and your family to our new space opening Fall 2007. Warm regards, Our additional private rooms will make patients, family and friends feel more comfortable and more at home. The new tower will have common areas with small kitchens and eating areas Deborah A. Yancer President Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Our Thanks and Recognition to Dr. Kalpana Helmbrecht. She always strives to meet patients desires for their plans of care and is very family centered in her approach to patient care. Her clinical judgment is beyond compare. These are just a few of the compliments received by Dr. Kalpana Helmbrecht, our Physician RISES Award winner for Winter 2007. Dr. Helmbrecht was recognized by Shady Grove s leadership along with members of the labor and delivery staff. The RISES Award recognizes physicians who live and work in a manner that reflects the five values of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship (RISES). Thank you, Dr. Helmbrecht, for your contributions, and congratulations. To find other awardwinning physicians associated with Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, please call 800-642-0101. Congratulations to Dr. Kalpana Helmbrecht, winner of the RISES award for Winter 2007. 2
Fresh Starts in Winter: Do you want to make a change in your health or how you feel about yourself? Try a Community Class through Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. See pages 8 through 15 for classes on wellness, controlling weight, support groups and living healthier. Here s one example: New Year, New You Do you get the winter blues? This is your year to leave them behind. Sometimes it seems like the whole world is celebrating around the holidays, and rejuvenating in the new year. But for a surprising number of people, the holidays and the winter season can mean additional stress and a bad case of the blues. What are the causes? They can be varied. This may be the first holiday without a loved one, the anniversary of a sad event, the stress of having too much to do, or even a time of feeling out of tune with the world. What to do? First, thank those winter blues. (Yes, thank them!) They may be providing you with a valuable insight about your needs. Second, listen to your feelings. Third, care for your physical health, including letting your doctor know how you re feeling. Finally, evaluate if you would benefit from emotional or spiritual support from a counselor or minister of your choice. Say No, I won t be able to do that this year but thank you for thinking of me (without a need for further explanations) when invited to participate in more than you can handle. Plan ahead. Include meaningful times with others, intervals of solitude, rest and spiritual refreshment, enjoy regular mealtimes and healthy physical exercise (as advised by your physician). Include a precious old tradition, embellish it with new dimensions, or start a new tradition. If you are grieving a death, choose a simple, meaningful way to honor him/her during the season. Living in Your Heart: Learn to Love Life Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Weinschel Education Center, Maple Room When was the last time you were satisfied with yourself and what was happening in your life? In this dynamic 2-week workshop, focus on the emotional relationship you have with yourself and the changes you say you want to make. Led by Diane Friedberg, Quality Life & Wellness Coach. Fee: $50. Thursday, Jan. 25, 7-9 p.m. What s the cure? Don t try to ignore the season or lie about your feelings. Keep things simple within your healthy physical, emotional and financial limits. Treat yourself, or participate in an activity that you truly enjoy. Talk with someone you trust, pray, enjoy physical exercise, laugh at the ridiculous, reflect quietly, journal, and let tears flow naturally. For a free physician referral, call 800-642-0101. If you experience the blues, listen to your feelings, pay attention and make even a simple change. You may soon find a few rays of sunshine brightening up your wintertime blues. n Winter 2007 3
Shady Grove Adventist Emergency Center at Germantown: Faster Care in Any Emergency John Herbert, Respiratory Therapist 4 Dr. Tamara Kile, D.O., sees a patient in one of the 21 emergency treatment rooms at our Center. Built from the ground up to take advantage of the latest medical technology, the new Shady Grove Adventist Emergency Center at Germantown, the first freestanding emergency department in Montgomery County, has treated thousands of patients since its grand opening in July of 2006. Thanks to streamlined procedures, patients with medical emergencies can now have faster access to care. We ve re-examined the whole process of triage, which was originally designed to register, sort and prioritize patients, says Rebecca K. Vasse, Director of Emergency Services. The goal of the new design is to move patients quickly from registration directly to one of the 21 patient rooms, avoiding the stop of triage before care begins. Once a patient is in a room, a nurse can begin collecting information and start providing care. Each room is set up to have the equipment they need so that nurses don t have to leave for special monitoring or imaging equipment. And by the time the tests are completed, the physician can be assessing the patient. We can take X-rays in the room if we have to, and because of our advanced imaging system, we can compare them to earlier X-rays that might have been taken at another location. It s really amazing technology, explains Vasse. The Center is open 24/7 to treat accidents, injuries and medical emergencies; walk-ins as well as those who arrive by ambulance. Here s another convenience: Shady Grove Radiology, our full-service medical imaging facility, is right next door. We hope you ll familiarize yourself with the location before your next emergency arises! n Start the New Year with a resolution to work in a great enviroment. For three consecutive years, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital has been recognized for its excellent workplace environment from the National Work-life Alliance organization. This could be your year to join us and enjoy an award-winning, healthy work environment. For employment opportunities in allied health fields, call 301-279-6363 or visit ShadyGroveAdventistHospital.com
New Moms, New Babies and New Private Rooms Delivering Even Better Care Our hospital expansion means 48 new private postpartum rooms. Our area is growing quickly and so is our community s need for obstetric services. That s why we re expanding our labor, delivery and postpartum care by adding 48 new private rooms. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital s new four-story tower will open Fall 2007. You can help to make this vision a reality and also help us provide great Every year, more than 4,500 beautiful bundles of joy are born at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Our area is growing quickly and so is our community s need for obstetric services. That s why we re expanding our labor, delivery and postpartum care by adding 48 new private rooms. Rose France, a postpartum RN at the hospital, is looking forward to new arrangements coming soon for new babies and moms. I know how important it is for mothers and babies to start off in the right surroundings, and having access to the latest technology is a major advantage. At the same time, care is about listening and doing all that we can to make sure we have what you need when you need it, says France. Shady Grove is one of the few hospitals in the Washington, D.C., area to offer a Level III-B Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and has some of the most highly trained and experienced neonatal and obstetric teams in the region. So it s no wonder that an important part of our hospital expansion includes state-of-the-art maternity facilities. What makes a facility state-of-the-art? Having the latest advances in technology, of course. But in addition, we also understand the importance of providing new parents and babies with a welcoming, intimate setting for bonding and starting out their new lives together. If a new bundle of joy is in your future, we hope you ll consider Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and our maternity services. You can also find out more, and view our maternity tour video online, at www.shadygroveadventisthospital.com. Need a physician? Call 800-642-0101. Your donation will make a difference in the life of our Shady Grove patients. care to the community by making a contribution to the Campaign. An envelope is enclosed in this newsletter for your contribution, or send to: The Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Foundation, Hospital Expansion 1801 Research Boulevard, Suite 100 Rockville, MD 20850 Winter 2007 5
A Growing Problem? New Endocrinologist Assists Families with Youth Growing Patterns Join Shady Grove Adventist Hospital at the My daughter has complained lately that she is shorter than most of her classmates. For some reason, she seems to be lagging behind in height. This is a commonly heard statement in the office of Cong Ning, M.D. Dr. Ning is a pediatric endocrinologist, a physician specialized in caring for children with hormonal disorders. Some children grow at a slower rate for their age. However, this could be a sign of a growth disorder, says Dr. Ning. If your child has an inconsistent growth pattern, delayed puberty, disproportionately short stature or is overweight for height, this could indicate an endocrine or Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD). How do you know if your child is growing on average? A child with GHD does not produce enough growth hormone, and growth begins to slow after a while. GHD can be caused by damage in the pituitary gland or a specialized part of the brain that controls the pituitary. Although GHD is uncommon, it may occur at any time from infancy through childhood. A common sign of GHD is a marked slowing of growth (usually less than 2 inches a year). Without treatment, your child may be very short for his or her age. Other characteristics of GHD? Your child may be overweight for height, or have problems with low sugars or low energy. They may also have delayed dentition. Tests to detect a growth disorder vary depending on the findings at each stage of evaluation. A child who s healthy and growing at a normal rate may just require observation throughout childhood, but a child who has stopped growing or is growing slower than expected may often need additional testing. Growth Hormone Deficiency can be treated with hormone replacement, which has proven to be effective. If diagnosed and treated early, children with GHD are able to grow to a genetically appropriate height. To contact Dr. Ning, please call 301-279-6448. n Woman s Heart Day Health Fair Many women are unaware that heart disease is the number one killer of women in America. Please join us as we partner with the Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation for Woman s Heart Day. We will be screening women FREE of charge and helping to assess their risk for heart disease. There is good news: heart disease is often times preventable. Come learn about your personal risks and how to prevent and/ or manage heart disease. And bring all the ladies that are important in your life! When: February 16, 2007 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Verizon Center, 601 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 2004 FREE heart health screenings (including total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, glucose blood pressure and more), seminars, speakers, exhibits, fitness events and cooking demonstrations. BRING THIS PAGE TO THE SHADY GROVE ADVENTIST HOSPITAL BOOTH. IF YOU RE ONE OF THE FIRST 200 WOMEN TO DO SO, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL GIFT. 6 Dr. Cong Ning & Patient Ellie
Ask Hi Sunny: Why do we need to sleep? And why does my baby sister sleep?sunny all the time? Addison, age 7 A. All people and animals need to sleep. (Me, too!) Sleep helps us get ready for the next day and allows our brain to function properly. How much sleep someone needs depends on their age. Babies need a lot of rest they sleep between 14 and 15 hours a day! Kids between 5 and 12 years old need 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night. And it s important to get plenty of rest! When you don t get enough sleep you can feel groggy and clumsy the next day. And it s harder to do your homework or have fun at recess. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your parents. They can help you find the right routine for falling asleep so you can feel (and play!) your best the next day. If you have any questions for Sunny, you can email him at Sunny@adventisthealthcare.com. Make sure you get permission from your mom or dad first. n Sunny s Corner Hey, kids Your body is an amazing place. How much do you know about it? Let s see how good you are at your body facts! 1. If you weighed a hundred pounds, how many pounds would be muscle? A Fifteen B Twelve C Forty D Eighty 2. Your heart beats faster when you exercise. How many times does it beat in a year? A More than 2,000 times B More than 80,000 times C More than 3 million times D More than 30 million times 3. Where is the smallest joint in the body? A In your pinkie B In your big toe C In your elbow D In your ear TM 4. Your nose is a detective. It can sniff out lots of smells. How many? A 458 B A thousand C As many as four thousand D A gazillion Sunny Around the Hospital Have you had your picture taken with Sunny at one of our events? Maybe your photo can be in our next Health Advisor! Email your photo to: Sunny@AdventistHealthCare.com Pictured above: Sunny makes a visit to our pediatric unit and some of our youngest patients. 5. Grown-ups have 206 bones in their bodies (maybe one or two more). How many do babies have? A 100 B 200 C 206 (maybe two more) D 300 1. C. Forty. Did you know muscles can make your eyelid blink 5 times a second? 2. D. 30 million times! Yikes! That s about 70 times every minute. 3. D. Inside your ear are very small bones that are linked together by tiny joints. 4. C. And your nose gets used to smells fast. Good thing when there s a skunk around. 5. D. 300! As a baby s bones grow, some grow together into a single bone. The Sunny character is protected by US copyright and trademark laws and is the exclusive property of Adventist HealthCare and its affiliate Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Winter 2007 7
1. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, valet parking available. M A P K E Y 2. Weinschel Health Education Center 3. Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland 4. Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Center 5. Shady Grove Nursing & Rehab Center 6. Support Services 7. Outpatient Laboratory P. Visitor Parking New freestanding Emergency Center Important Numbers Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Looking for a Doctor? Call our free 24-hour referral service to help you find the physician or specialist who best suits your needs. We offer information about physicians such as their medical training, office locations and more. Call 800-642-0101 or click on Find a Physician at our Web site. Main Number.............................. 301-279-6000 Admitting................................. 301-279-6007 Emergency Department..................... 301-279-6053 Employment Center......................... 301-279-6135 Foundation Office.......................... 301-279-6570 Health and Wellness........................ 800-542-5096 Volunteer Services......................... 301-279-6111 Medical Center Way www.shadygroveadventisthospital.com Hey, Kids! Get your free storybook. Can you help Sunny find his bone? He left it SOMEWHERE in our hospital. But where? Visit www.meetsunny.com and we ll send you a FREE book! Copyright 2006, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Sign up to receive our free monthly email newsletter. Each ehealth Advisor is full of health tips, news and information on upcoming events at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Visit www.shadygroveadventisthospital.com and sign up today. 9901 Medical Center Drive Rockville, MD 20850 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID RMS, INC.