Tag Archive - st. david’s medical center

St. David’s Medical Center First in Central Texas To Earn Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

April 18, 2013 in Stroke with 0 Comments

DNV_certified_comprehensive_strokeWhat does it mean to be a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center?

  • Recognition by one of the leading accrediting agencies in the United States.
  • Comprehensive Stroke Centers offer the most advanced stroke treatment available in a given geographic region.
  • The hospital has met the nation’s highest standards in stroke care, an accomplishment that is a genuine team effort.
  • The hospital can provide services such as neurosurgery, neurocritical care and endovascular therapies for cerebrovascular diseases.
  • The level of certification determines where EMS providers will transport patients for the most appropriate medical care within state health department guidelines.
  • DNV Healthcare is the only hospital accreditation program approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that integrates the ISO 9001 Quality Management System with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. DNV’s National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) accreditation program requires hospitals to evaluate the continuum of patient care and take measured steps to improve, if warranted.
  • The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification incorporates elements from its NIAHO hospital accreditation standards, as well as requirements from the Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and Recommendations of the American Stroke Association.
  • In order to earn and maintain a Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, the hospital must participate in the Medicare program and be in compliance with the conditions of participation, which may be demonstrated by maintaining accreditation with DNV or another CMS-approved accreditation organization.
  • The hospital will be visited annually to monitor the hospital’s adherence to patient safety criteria established by CMS and to evaluate processes that impact patient care across various departments and facilities of the hospital.

Congratulations to St. David’s Medical Center and NeuroTexas Institute on this outstanding accomplishment!

DNV Healthcare Inc. is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a part of Det Norske Veritas, a global independent foundation dedicated to safeguarding life, property and the environment. For more information about DNV Healthcare and its NIAHO hospital accreditation program, visit DNVAccreditation.com.

Incidentally Discovered Thyroid Nodules:  Do Not Panic!

April 10, 2013 in Cancer Care with 0 Comments

The yearly incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing, in part due to detection of non-palpable nodules on ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging performed for unrelated issues.   Incidental thyroid nodules are commonly found by radiological studies done for other indications.   On ultrasound done for suspected parathyroid disease, 46% of patients were found to have incidental thyroid nodules.  Similarly, thyroid incidentalomas have been identified in patients with an incidence of 16% for cross-sectional imaging (CT and MRI), 9–13% for carotid ultrasound (US), and 2–3% for PET scans.  The prevalence of incidental thyroid nodules on ultrasound in the general population ranges between 42–67%.

You probably have a friend, mother, sister or a friend of a friend who has had a thyroid nodule discovered on imaging for an unrelated issue, or a health provider who discovered a thyroid nodule on their physical exam for an unrelated visit.  But do not panic!  Thyroid nodules are actually quite common, discovered in 4–7% of the population by palpation and in up to 60% of patients on postmortem examination.

Do not panic!  Although thyroid nodules are very common, thyroid cancer is still fairly rare.  Palpable thyroid nodules have a reported malignancy rate of around 5%.  Malignancy rates of incidentally-discovered thyroid nodules vary, ranging from 8% to 29%.

The key is to have these thyroid nodules appropriately worked-up according to the American Thyroid Association Guidelines.  This entails:

  • getting a lab test
  • a thyroid ultrasound
  • and possibly an ultrasound-guided biopsy of the nodule, if indicated.

This is a simple procedure that can be done in the office and takes about 10 minutes.  There is a good chance that you will never require thyroid surgery, but you will need to have the thyroid nodule(s) followed with yearly ultrasounds.

Teresa Kroeker, M.D., Fellowship-Trained Head & Neck Surgeon
St. David’s Medical Center

3 Things to Know about Cord Blood Donation

February 20, 2013 in Children, Community, Women, Women: Ages & Stages with 2 Comments

TCBBAnniversaryValentine’s Day is a day to express your love. Valentine’s Day was extremely special for the labor and delivery unit at St. David’s Medical Center since it marks the first anniversary of our partnership with Texas Cord Blood Bank. Over the past 365 days, due to the generosity of our patients, we have collected 1, 161 units of cord blood that can potentially be used to save someone’s life!

Top 3 Things to Know about Cord Blood Donation:

  1. Cord blood donation is free and does not interrupt the normal birth process. Privately banking your cord blood can cost thousands of dollars, which many families don’t have at the time of birth.
  2. By donating your baby’s cord blood, you can help treat life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia or genetic blood disorders. Blood is drawn from the umbilical cord and placenta after the baby is delivered and does not cause any discomfort to mom or baby.
  3. Cord blood is found to be a rich source of stems sells and is currently being used as an alternative to bone marrow in treating the life-threatening diseases listed above.

Celebrate with us today as the work of St. David’s Medical Center and our amazing patients goes on to positively affect the lives of others!

-Meghan Frazier

February is HEART MONTH!

February 4, 2013 in Community, Exercise, Heart, Lifestyle Tips with 0 Comments

via flickr

via flickr

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. Start by taking care of yourself and reducing YOUR own risk by living heart healthy.

A great way to start is by learning the symptoms of a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, the following can serve as common symptoms of a heart attack:

  • Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
  • Pain in the chest that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms
  • Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath

Women often experience less common symptoms, such as:

  • Atypical chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
  • Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
  • Heart palpitations, cold sweat or paleness

***If you experience any of these symptoms, please call 9-1-1.

In the United States, it is estimated that close to 550,000 people die each year from coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of death in the United States. St. David’s Medical Center is spreading awareness about heart disease prevention and maintenance. Please join us this month and throughout the year at the following free offerings:

  • Heart Disease Management Class “Living Well with Heart Disease” – February 21, 9:00am–noon at St. David’s Medical Center, Medical Office Building (3000 North IH-35, 5th floor, classroom D). Validated parking in Garage #2. This class is held monthly on the third Thursday of every month. To reserve a space, please call 512-544-2663.
  • Monthly Cardiac Support Group Meetings – February 18, 6:00pm–7:00pm at St. David’s Medical Center, Medical Office Building (3000 N. IH-35, 5th floor, classrooms). Validated parking in Garage #2. This class is held monthly on the third Tuesday of every month. To reserve a space, please call 512-544-4263.

St. David’s Medical Center is also proud to offer a Fit Heart Consultation for $130.00. This is a comprehensive screening and consultation designed to educate individuals on heart disease prevention. The consultation is intended for those with positive cardiac risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. The consultation provides personalized guidance for lifestyle modifications, and participants will receive an individualized, goal-oriented exercise program. For more information, please call 512-544-4263.

Take care of your heart in February and throughout 2013!

-Laura Raymond, RN, BS, FAACVPR

Resolution #2 – EXERCISE to Reduce Your Risk of BREAST CANCER

January 30, 2013 in Breast Health, Cancer Care, Exercise, Weight Loss, Women with 0 Comments

via flickr

via flickr

Losing weight and exercising more are very popular New Year`s resolutions. It is commonly known that exercise has cardiovascular benefits, but there is another great reason to hop on that treadmill in 2013. Research has shown that women who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight can decrease their risk of breast cancer. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that women who exercised 30 minutes per day (10-19 hours per week) experienced greater health benefits, with a 30% reduced risk of developing breast cancer, than inactive women who gained a significant amount of weight, particularly after menopause.

Regular exercise is crucial to reap these health benefits, but staying on track all year can be daunting. There are many ways you can become more active.

  • Try to incorporate simple changes such as taking the stairs or selecting a parking spot requiring you to walk further.
  • Other exercise options include: team sports, classes, joining a gym, investing in home exercise equipment, or aerobic activities, like walking, running and dancing. Before exercising, always begin with a warm-up that includes adequate stretching.

Follow this with 20-30 minutes of aerobic activity, and end your session with a cool down combined with more stretching. If you have a medical condition, you should speak with your healthcare provider prior to participating in any vigorous activity.

Stay healthy in 2013! Get moving and reduce your risk of developing breast cancer!

-Brenda Baumann, RN

(Resource: Cancer, online edition, June 21, 2012)

Exercise in Pregnancy Can Improve Fitness and Obstetric Outcomes

January 10, 2013 in Baby/Infant, Exercise, Lifestyle Tips, Women with 0 Comments

(Bradley Price, MD, and OB-GYN at St. David’s Medical Center, recently co-authored an article on a recent study, “Exercise in Pregnancy: Effect on Fitness and Obstetric Outcomes— A Randomized Trial” in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, The Official Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.)

The article highlighted a recent study to assess the benefits and risks of aerobic exercise during pregnancy, using a fitness regimen based on the 2002 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines. Inactive women were randomized at 12-14 weeks gestation to a group which remained sedentary, or to a group which performed moderate aerobic exercise for 45-60 minutes, 4 days per week, for 36 weeks.

The results were that active women displayed improved aerobic fitness and muscular strength, experienced less premature labor, less incidence of gestational diabetes, delivered comparable size infants with significantly fewer Caesarean deliveries and recovered faster postpartum. Active women did not display gestational hypertension or experience injuries related to the exercise regimen. It was also determined that previously sedentary women who began exercising at 12-14 weeks showed improved fitness and delivery outcomes.

Dr. Price will be speaking further about this subject at an upcoming free community seminar:
Get Fit Pregnancy!
Wednesday, January 23
6:00-8:00 p.m.
St. David’s Medical Center, Medical Office Building, Fifth floor

A free pregnancy fitness consult will be offered to attendees as well. To register or learn more about this seminar please call 512.478.3627 or download the event flyer.

Celery: Merrily Waging a War on Breast Cancer

November 28, 2012 in Breast Health, Cancer Care, Diet, Holiday, Recipes with 1 Comment

As you make your way from one holiday celebration to another, you can rejoice in the fact that there may be at least one party food option that it’s alright to indulge in, celery. Apigenin, a natural substance found in celery, parsley, and other fruits and vegetables has been found to slow the progression of cancer cells. Researchers at the University of Missouri reported their findings in the May 2012 online journal, Hormones and Cancer. Apigenin was tested specifically against breast cancer cells that are found to be progesterone – receptor positive and this chemical was found to have a shrinking effect on tumor cells.

Unfortunately, Apigenin is not a wonder drug or a substitute for treatment. Currently, more research is underway to determine the way Apigenin works, its effectiveness and future uses.

This is good food for thought for the seasonal party attendee or planner!

So remember, if you find yourself surveying the buffet, pondering an appetizer tray, or planning your own holiday get-together, consider celery, and the little war it may be waging on breast cancer one stick at a time.

Holiday recipe – Stuffed Celery

Apigenin is also found in other foods (source):

  • Apples
  • Chamomile
  • Basil
  • Oregano
  • Tarragon
  • Cilantro
  • Endive
  • Broccoli
  • Cherries
  • Leeks
  • Onions
  • Tomatoes
  • Grapes
  • Tea
  • Beans and barley

Happy Holidays,
Brenda

(source: http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2012/0515-breast-cancer-effectively-treated-with-chemical-found-in-celery-parsley-and-spice-by-mu-researchers/)

8 Steps to Manage Breast Pain

November 13, 2012 in Breast Health, Women with 0 Comments

  1. Wear a properly fitted supportive bra, even while sleeping. Be sure to wear a sports bra during exercise.

    via flickr

  2. Limit your salt intake to reduce fluid retention and swelling.
  3. Eliminate, or at least limit, caffeine. Remember that caffeine can also be found in chocolate and some over-the-counter medications.
  4. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin and follow dosage instructions and labels.
  5. Get enough key nutrients through your diet, especially calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, B, C and E.
  6. Drink water to help flush excess fluid from your body.
  7. Experiment with relaxation therapy, which can control anxiety associated with more severe breast pain.
  8. Consider evening primrose oil, a supplement that appears to alter fatty acid balance.

Most breast discomfort is not cancer, but please report unrelieved and/or focal pain to your physician. Pain confined to one very specific area is considered focal pain.

- Brenda

September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

September 7, 2012 in AFIB with 0 Comments

It’s September—back to school, cooler temperatures, and, of course, time for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Awareness Month! Atrial Fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder characterized by disorganization of electrical signals that coordinate beating of the upper chambers of the heart,  affects more than 2 million people in the United States.  While AF in itself it not life threatening, it can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke up to 5%, and its potential symptoms—palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, sweating, weakness, exercise intolerance, and fainting—can significantly impact quality of life.

During an episode of AF, the atria, or upper chambers of the heart, beat rapidly, causing them to contract less forcefully.   As a result, blood can pool—and therefore clot—in the atria, increasing the risk of stroke and possibly reducing blood flow to the body.  Clots formed in the atria can clog the arteries that supply blood to the brain (causing a stroke) or other vital organs.  According to the Heart Rhythm Society, the professional society for the study of heart rhythm disorders, AF “is estimated to be responsible for 88,000 deaths and $16 billion in additional costs to the U.S. healthcare system,” and accounts for about a third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm problems.

Thankfully, there is a wide variety of treatment options for the condition, ranging from “watch and wait,” to a variety of anti-arrhythmia medications, to invasive catheter ablation. Electrophysiologists, doctors who specialize in heart rhythm disturbances, will work with the patient to come up with the course of treatment that best suits his or her needs.

As the U.S. population ages, the number of people affected by AF is expected to almost double—to 5.6 million—over the next 40 years.  In fact, about 160,000 new cases of AF are diagnosed each year.  In an effort to spread the word about this dangerous condition, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the professional society for electrophysiology, launched a great Public Service Announcement (PSA) during AF Awareness month last year.  Click the link to watch the PSA and help distribute it to others.

Visit www.MyAFib.org and the TCAI website for more information about Atrial Fibrillation.

 

Do You Know Your BMI?

July 10, 2012 in Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle Tips, Weight Loss with 0 Comments

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a tool that helps you measure the amount of body fat you have based on your weight and height.  Health care providers have been tasked with making sure you know your BMI, and are aware of lifestyle changes that you can make to ensure your BMI is at a healthy category.  If your BMI is over 30, you are considered obese and may be at risk for certain health conditions that are associated with excess body fat.

BMI Categories:

  • Underweight = <18.5
  • Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
  • Overweight = 25–29.9
  • Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

While the BMI calculation is an important tool, it does have limitations.  It cannot distinguish between muscle and fat mass.  A particularly athletic person whose weight is higher due to muscle may have a BMI that indicates that they are overweight, when their weight is simply higher due to muscle mass.

Click here to find your BMI calculation

For more information about BMI, obesity, and steps you can take to ensure a healthy weight, please contact St. David’s Bariatric Center at 512-544-LIFE (5433).

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