Tag Archive - Round Rock

Occupational Therapy – Living Life to the Fullest

May 6, 2013 in Exercise with 0 Comments

“To be healthy, one needs to be occupied, doing the daily activities to fulfill the roles they have chosen”

photoWhat do Occupational Therapists do for their patients?

  • Find ways to help clients improve their abilities
  • Help people do the things they want or need to do
  • Restructure environments for optimal success to participate in daily life tasks
  • Re-educate movement patterns, improve cognitive skills and educate to modify task requirements
  • Specialize in creating customized splints to minimize deformity and improve functionality
  • Teach the use of adaptive equipment to simplify task performance and maintain independence with life skills
  • Use a holistic and individualized approach with all clients
  • Provide education and guidance to clients, family members and caregivers
  • Promote maximizing independence in all areas of life

The Occupational Therapists at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center help patients participate more actively in life!

  • Work in the acute, inpatient, outpatient and Day Program settings
  • Treat a range of diagnoses and illnesses
    • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
    • Upper extremity fractures and injuries
    • Total hip, knee or shoulder replacements
    • Stroke
    • Rotator cuff injuries
    • Traumas
      • Car or bicycle accidents
      • Falls
  • Help people across the lifespan – from neonates to the elderly
    • Work with children with special needs to help them participate in school and social situations
    • Work with people recovering from injury or illness to regain skills
    • Work with elderly adults who experience physical and cognitive changes

Help us celebrate our Occupational Therapists this month during National Occupational Therapy month!

Successful Green Initiatives and Celebrating Earth Day

April 22, 2013 in Community, Lifestyle Tips with 0 Comments

Monday, April 22, 2013, is Earth Day—a national program that aims to educate the community on the environmental and economic benefits of waste reduction and recycling.

St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center has continued its dedication to green practices for five years after adopting its recycling program, which has helped manage and reduce waste produced at its campus. Over the past five years, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center has recycled 610 tons of recyclable materials and saved 4,285,925 gallons of water. Annually, our recycling efforts save about 2,081 trees and divert over 400 cubic yards of materials from being placed in the landfills.

Further awareness and motivational tactics that have helped recycling efforts at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center include:

  • Pharmacy Waste Recycling – In 2012, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center implemented a pharmacy waste program. This program helps divert hazardous waste from being sent to landfills and establishes proper disposal practices to meet EPA regulations.
  • Condensation Collection – An average daily collection of 1,800 gallons of condensation run-off that is used to water 3 courtyards on the campus. This helps reduce the impact on the community’s water supply.
  • Utility 4 CP program – This program is vital in providing emergency relief to the electrical power grid as demands in our state continue to stress the electrical grid during severe weather events. Our participation in this program will net a savings of $15,000 in 2013.
  • Filta Kitchen Grease Recycling Program – This program resulted in the recycling of 500 pounds of grease last year. This program converts the grease into biodiesel fuel.

Past projects include:

  • Implementing the use of electronic pay stubs instead of paper versions.
  • Donating over 100,000 pounds of products and supplies to Project C.U.R.E. —a nonprofit organization that takes expired and used medical supplies and products (such as surgery kits, dressings, radiology equipment and defibrillators) and delivers them to third-world countries in need of medical equipment and supplies.
  • Working towards a mercury-free environment over the last 10 years in various ways, including:
    • Retrofitting lighting to remove light bulbs that contain mercury
    • Changing laboratory procedures to eliminate testing equipment that contains mercury
    • Creating a policy that monitors product selection to curtail the use of any new products being brought into the facility that contain mercury
  • Retrofitting over 500 light fixtures throughout the facility, saving 16 watts of power per light fixture (over 8,000 watts per day).
  • Xeriscaping the hospital property by using plants that require little to no water.
  • Using HEPA filter bags in all of the hospital’s vacuum cleaners.
  • Using microfiber mops that use less water to clean the floors.

The 8 Most Common Cardiac Symptoms Reported by Women

February 8, 2013 in Community, Heart, Women with 0 Comments

(by Dr. Joseph Szczytowski)

via Flickr

via Flickr

February 1st was National Wear Red Day. The Red Dress Campaign started in 2002 to raise heart attack awareness in women. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and women may experience different cardiac symptoms than men. The focus of the Red Dress campaign is to share the specific symptoms women report.  A study completed by the National Institute of Health titled “Women’s Early Warning Symptoms of AMI” reported the following information from women who experienced Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI):

Out of 515 women, 95% reported new or different symptoms a month or more before their cardiac incident.

The symptoms reported before having a heart attack include:

  • Unusual Fatigue – 70%
  • Sleep Disturbance – 48%
  • Shortness of Breath – 42%
  • Indigestion – 39%
  • Anxiety – 35%

The symptoms reported during a heart attack include:

  • Shortness of Breath – 58%
  • Weakness – 55%
  • Unusual Fatigue – 43%
  • Cold Sweat – 39%
  • Dizziness – 39%

Less than 30% of the women in this study reported chest pain prior, and 43% never had chest pain.

Be aware of your body and seek immediate medical assistance for all medical emergencies including AMI. Time matters.

Healthy Holiday Party Foods

December 19, 2012 in Diet with 0 Comments

Between finding the time to cook and not wanting to create a dish that will sabotage your waistline, creating the perfect Holiday food item, whether you are a guest or a host, can often times be a daunting task. Tarie Beldin, R.D., L.D, addressed this common problem in our last cooking class of the year, Healthy Holiday Party Foods. Tarie made several different appetizers and desserts that are healthy and quick. Here are several different options that we hope you can enjoy over the Holidays. Here at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center we wish you a safe and Happy Holiday and wonderful New Year.

Cucumber-Shrimp Bites

  • 2-3 cucumbers
  • Guacamole
  • 
Boiled shrimp (medium)
  • 
Fresh Dill

Wash cucumbers and cut into ¼ inch thick slices. Spoon or pipe guacamole onto each cucumber slice. Top with a boiled shrimp. 
(*Can squeeze lemon juice over each piece to prevent browning
 * Top with snipped fresh dill.)

Toasted Ravioli with Marinara Sauce



  • Pre-made, frozen cheese ravioli
  • Italian style bread crumbs
  • 
Parmesan cheese
  • 
Non-stick cooking spray
  • 
Marinara sauce – for dipping

Cook ravioli according to package directions. Drain and place on a wire rack, plat or baking sheet. In a shallow bowl mix together bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Spray ravioli with non-stick cooking spray and press into bread crumb/cheese mixture coating both sides. Place on a foil lined baking sheet that has also been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for ~20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Low Fat Red Velvet Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting

  • 

1 box Red Velvet cake mix
  • 
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 
1 container of Fat Free Cool Whip
  • 
1 small box of Fat Free/Sugar Free Instant White Chocolate Pudding
  • Rum extract to taste
  • 
Nutmeg to taste

For cupcakes: Place pumpkin in a bowl and add cake mix. Mix with electric mixer until smooth. Batter will be thick. Spoon into 12 muffin tins that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Let cool completely.

For frosting: In the tub of Cool Whip, add the pudding mix, rum extract and nutmeg and stir until well combined. Frost cupcakes right before serving.

Holly Krivokapich
Health and Wellness Coordinator
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center

Breast Cancer Awareness Month – St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center

October 12, 2012 in Breast Health, Cancer Care, Women with 0 Comments

The ABC’s of Diabetes

August 2, 2012 in Community, Diet with 1 Comment

Today we have a special guest blogger to introduce the important topic of Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Program Coordinator Karen Perkins. Diabetes is our most requested topic and we hope you join us on August 9th for our Diabetes Seminar at the St. David’s Round Rock Health and Wellness Center. Click here for more details and register today.

A is for A1C, a test that measures an individual’s average glucose over the past two to three months. By keeping this number at 7% or less, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of diabetic complications.

B is for Blood Pressure, and for most people with diabetes, blood pressure should be less than 130/80.

C is for Cholesterol. Cholesterol is a form of fat that can build up in your blood, putting you at an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. It has three parts that can be measured: LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, that are too high can led to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. HDL, or “good” cholesterol, helps remove cholesterol from your blood. High triglycerides (a form of fat that floats in the blood along with cholesterol) may increase your risks as well. It is important that all parts of your cholesterol are within healthy levels.

For most people with diabetes, cholesterol goals are:

  • LDL – less than 100 mg/dL
  • HDL – greater than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women
  • Triglycerides – less than 150 mg/dL

So now you know, the ABC’s of diabetes are A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol!

Karen Perkins
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center
Diabetes Program Coordinator

Dietary Guidelines for Fueling the Athlete Within

June 29, 2012 in Community Outreach, Diet, Exercise, Recipes, Sports with 0 Comments

Tarie addresses the class on fueling your body for athletic performance.

Tarie Beldin spoke to the topic of Fueling the Athlete Within yesterday evening at the St. David’s Round Rock Health and Wellness Center, lecturing on the dietary needs of athletic performance levels, dispelling myths and demonstrating several cooking recipes. Along with some tasty samples and recipes, attendees left with some of the following dietary guidelines.

Carbohydrates

  • 55%-70% of total calories
  • Best sources: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products
  • 2-3 g per pound for light to moderate activity

Protein

  • Repairs but does not BUILD muscle!
  • 1.2-1.4 g per kg needed for daily activity
  • Need adequate protein but excess is unnecessary

Fluid

  • Body is 60-65% water
  • 75% of population is chronically dehydrated
  • Needs depend on weather, activity, intensity, medical conditions
    • 2-3 cups prior to activity
    • ¼-1 cup every 15-20 minutes
    • 2-3 cups post activity (*each pound lost with ~2 cups water)

Vitamins/Minerals

  • Do not provide energy but help your body to function better.
  • Taking more than daily recommended value does not equal better. It won’t make you healthier.
  • Eat food first before taking your vitamin so it settles better on your stomach.

Join us July 26th for the next cooking class with Tarie, Healthy Grilling where Tarie will demonstrate unique ways to grill and how to do it in a healthy and safe manner. The next seminar at the St. David’s Round Rock Health and Wellness Center will be July 12th where members of the Trauma Team will address all the ways you and your family can stay safe this summer during the Summer Safety seminar. You can register for both of these events by calling 512-487-3627.

Holly Krivokapich
Health and Wellness Coordinator

5 Surprising Foods That Hydrate

June 20, 2012 in Heat Safety, Lifestyle Tips, Outdoors with 0 Comments

It is summer in Texas!!! We all know how important it is to our health to stay hydrated. Water would be the best option, however most liquids (with the exception of alcohol) will count toward your fluid intake. While it can sometimes be hard to drink the recommended amount of water a day, did you know that there are also some foods that have a high water content and can help meet your fluid needs as well? As an added bonus, these foods also provide vitamins/minerals and carbohydrates to help the fluid be better absorbed. Here are five foods that serve a double purpose in hydrating and fueling your body.

  1. Tomato Sauce
  2. Broth Based Soups
  3. Natural Applesauce
  4. Yogurt
  5. Sugar-Free Jello

I hope to see you for class on Thursday, June 28th at the St. David’s Round Rock Health and Wellness Center where we will cover the topic Fueling the Athlete Within (click here for class information.) We will be discussing nutrition and exercise and specifically cover: protein, carbohydrates, fluids, sodium, pre & post work out meals and snacks and lastly discuss ‘myth vs. fact’ on powders, pills, shakes and bars! Registration is required and space is limited so sign up today by calling 512.478.3627.

Tarie Beldin, RD, LD
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center

Don’t Let your Child be the ONE

June 5, 2012 in Children, Community, Community Outreach, Exercise, Heart, Outdoors, Sports with 0 Comments

June officially kicks off the summer months and for thousands of young athletes, an intense schedule of practice, games and tournaments. While often times the health and vigor of young athletes is taken for granted, each year a number of adolescents suffer from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). The leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, HCM affects approximately 1 in 500 student athletes. While it’s often hard to diagnose HCM without proper screening, some of the symptoms include:

  1. Shortness of breath)
  2. Chest Pain
  3. Heart palpitations
  4. Light-headedness
  5. Fatigue

As daunting as the possibility of HCM can be St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center is here to help. On June 14, we will be hosting a seminar discussing The Importance of Adolescent Heart Screening at the St. David’s Round Health and Wellness Center at the CHASCO YMCA. Come learn the symptoms, risks and what you can do to protect your child through screening. As an added benefit, St. David’s Round Rock is hosting a FREE Adolescent Heart Screening on July 14th for children between the ages of 14-18. Sign up for both of these by calling 512-478-3627. We hope to see you there!

Holly Krivokapich
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center
Health and Wellness Coordinator

4 Telling Signs That You are Not Getting Enough Sleep

April 16, 2012 in Community, Lifestyle Tips, Sleep Apnea with 0 Comments

We are thrilled to bring you the first St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center seminar of the year regarding Sleep Disorders.

  1. Do you snore loudly while sleeping?
  2. Do you feel excessively tired during the day?
  3. Have you been told you stop breathing or choke loudly while you are asleep?
  4. Do you have a history of hypertension or Type 2 Diabetes?

If so you may not be getting the amount of sleep you need. Lack of sleep is a more serious condition than just feeling sluggish. It can lead to more serious health risks.

Join St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center and Dr. Terry Peery, Neurologist and Board Certified Sleep Physician, on Thursday, April 26th from 6-7:30 pm to learn more and determine your risk and treatment options. Our free Sleep Disorders Seminar will be held at the St. David’s Health and Wellness Center at the Chasco Family YMCA. Please join us by registering at 512.478.3627 or 1.888.868.2104.

Download the Event Flyer

Holly Krivokapic
Health and Wellness Coordinator
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center