Health Archives - Woodlawn Hospital (Rochester, Indiana

What are the benefits of an Electronic Medical Record?

Electronic Medical Records, Health / Sarah Shultz

Editor’s Note: Sarah is the Project Manager, Epic Implementation for Woodlawn Health An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a digital record of an individual patient’s healthcare information. The record may include provider notes from clinic visits, hospital visits, medication lists, lab and radiology results, scheduling information, and more. Developing and implementing a comprehensive EMR is expensive […]

What are the benefits of an Electronic Medical Record? Read More »

National Healthcare Decisions Day

Health, Uncategorized / Brooke Nice

Editor’s Note: Brooke is the Health Information Management Director for Woodlawn Health Did you know there is a day dedicated each year to remind healthcare providers and you about planning in advance for your care and making your healthcare wishes known? National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16th each year, and this is a friendly

National Healthcare Decisions Day Read More »

Nurturing the Soul: The Vital Link Between Spiritual Health and Physical Well-Being

Health / Jason See

In today’s fast-paced world, where the demands of work, family, and daily life can often take a toll, it’s easy to overlook one crucial aspect of well-being: spiritual health. While physical health and mental health often take center stage, the connection between spiritual health and overall well-being is both profound and essential. Research increasingly shows

Nurturing the Soul: The Vital Link Between Spiritual Health and Physical Well-Being Read More »

RISKS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS

Health / Stephanie Weigt ,MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Families spend over $143 billion (about $440 per household in the US) annually on over-the-counter (OTC) medications that you can purchase at stores. OTC products treat or manage a wide variety of conditions related to colds, allergies, itching, constipation, fever, aches, and pains. Generally, people consider OTC medications to be safe and effective when taken

RISKS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS Read More »

Protecting Your Largest Organ

Dermatology, Health / Kelly Friar (Orze)

Our skin, the largest organ of the body, plays an essential role in our overall health. It acts as a barrier against infections, regulates temperature, and enables the sensation of touch, pain, and pressure. Despite its vital functions, skin health often takes a backseat in our wellness routines! One of the most effective ways to

Protecting Your Largest Organ Read More »

Heart Disease in Women

Heart Health / Ranae Bickel, BSN, RN

By: Renae Bickle, BSN, RN Editor’s Note: Renae works as a nurse in the Cardiopulmonary Department at Woodlawn Health This year on February 7th, it is “National Wear Red Day.” This day is dedicated to spreading awareness about heart disease and how you can help to both lower your risk and recognize early signs

Heart Disease in Women Read More »

Woman working out at home during winter months.

If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It…Keeping Active During Winter Months.

Exercise, Health / Amy Rupley

Indiana winters seem to drag on forever during the early months of the year, and those few warm days send everyone outside to get some much-needed Vitamin D and fresh air. These brief periods of high activity during an otherwise sedentary time of the year can put you at increased risk of injury. Staying active during the colder months will allow you to safely jump right back into those spring activities, like golfing, hiking, pickleball, or gardening.

If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It…Keeping Active During Winter Months. Read More »

What Does Having a Finger or Thumb That Locks Up on You Mean?

Health / Teresa Perkins

Two to three percent of the general population and 10% of diabetics experience locking, clicking, snapping, or catching of a finger or thumb, known as Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb, also known as stenosis tenosynovitis. It is more common in diabetics and females older than 50. The ring and long fingers are most involved. The mechanism includes the tendon of the finger getting “caught up” on the pulley of the finger. Occasionally, there may be a nodule on the tendon as well.

Other conditions that may be associated with trigger fingers, besides diabetes, are rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, gout, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Greater than 60% of people with trigger fingers also have clinical evidence and positive nerve tests for carpal tunnel syndrome. Both hands and multiple fingers can be involved with those diagnosed with diabetes.

Once the triggering starts, it generally progresses. It becomes more frequent and more painful. Some people may find that the finger locks in a flexed position and must be manually manipulated to extend it. The tenderness is generally over the A1 pulley at the base of the finger on the palm side of the hand. Trigger finger is diagnosed by physical examination.

Conservative treatment with splinting, modification of activity, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, like Ibuprofen, may relieve symptoms in 40-97% of cases. The best initial treatment recommended is a steroid injection, which can offer relief in 60-90% of cases. The effectiveness of the injection decreases the longer the symptoms have been present. There may also be less effectiveness in diabetics. It is important to know that blood glucose levels and blood pressure readings may be elevated for a few days to a week, after receiving a steroid injection.

Surgical release of the trigger finger is an option for failed non-operative treatments, as described above. The success rate is greater than 90%. This procedure is done in surgery as an outpatient. A small incision is made and closed with sutures. Light duty with the hand is recommended until the sutures are removed in seven to ten days. A gradual return to activity is recommended after that, as tolerated. Returning to heavy lifting, gripping, and pulling may take up to four to six weeks. An Orthopedic surgeon does surgical release.
If you are experiencing a trigger finger, it is best to talk with your primary care provider. They can refer you to an Orthopedic Specialist.

What Does Having a Finger or Thumb That Locks Up on You Mean? Read More »

Woodlawn Health: A Chest Pain and Stroke Ready Center

Heart Health / Paula McKinney

Woodlawn Health is a designated Chest Pain Center and has received certification in 2021, through the American College of Cardiology. The certification is a quality improvement program designed for hospital emergency departments to focus on efficient and effective care of acute cardiac conditions such as heart attacks. Having this certification drives the hospital to establish consistent, high-quality processes across the continuum of care. While Woodlawn Health may not be able to treat all the identified cardiac conditions, our emergency department is able to quickly diagnosis and transfer patients to an appropriate level of care to receive cardiac intervention and treatment. Because of the requirements for this certification, our emergency department nurses are highly educated and skilled in cardiac care. Signs and symptoms of heart conditions could include (but not limited to):

– Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching.
– Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or the upper belly.
– Cold sweat.
– Heartburn or indigestion. Nausea.
– Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness. Fatigue.
– Shortness of breath

We partnered with Concord Medical Group on May 1st to ensure we have the highest trained doctors for emergency care. These doctors have advanced knowledge regarding cardiac care. If you would like to know more about this certification please contact Woodlawn Health’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khrista Boster, who will connect you with the appropriate individual to answer your specific question.

STROKE READY CENTER
Woodlawn Health’s Emergency Department is a designated Stroke Ready Center and has received certification in 2020, through the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare (ACHC). The certification is a quality improvement program designed for hospital emergency departments to focus on efficient and effective care of patients experiencing signs and symptoms of a stroke. Having this certification drives the hospital to establish consistent, high-quality processes such as rapid CT scans of the head. While Woodlawn Health may not be able to treat all the identified strokes, our emergency department is able to quickly diagnosis and transfer patients to an appropriate level of care to receive intervention and treatment such as a thrombectomy (removal of a blood clot in an artery). Because of the requirements for this certification, our emergency department nurses are highly educated and skilled in early identification and care of strokes such as administration of Thrombolytics (clot-busting medication). BEFAST (Balance, Eyes – Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is the nationally-known acronym used to teach about signs of stroke. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention because identifying when the symptoms start is critical to providing care.
We recently partnered with Concord Medical Group on May 1st to ensure we have the highest trained doctors for emergency care. These doctors have advanced knowledge regarding stroke care. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency help. If you would like to know more about this certification please contact Woodlawn Health’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khrista Boster, who will connect you with the appropriate individual to answer your specific question.

Woodlawn Health: A Chest Pain and Stroke Ready Center Read More »

Depression – You are Not Alone

Mental Health / Ginger Richard

Depression is a common emotion that, at one time or another, we have all felt. Sometimes the stigma of admitting one’s concerns or feelings keeps us from speaking up. Rest assured that depression is the most common mood disorder causing disability in the United States and throughout the world. When depression is left untreated, an individual is at risk of developing other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, thyroid disease, and diabetes. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of despair and sadness, and it can lead to a loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities as well as a loss of interest in relationships.
The following are some signs and symptoms of depression:

Feeling sad or anxious frequently or all of the time
Not wanting to do activities that used to be fun
Feeling irritable, easily frustrated, or restless
Having difficulty falling or staying asleep?
Waking up too early or sleeping too much
Eating more or less than usual or having no appetite
Experiencing aches, pains, headaches, or stomach problems that do not improve with treatment
Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
feeling tired, even after sleeping well.
Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
Thinking about suicide or hurting yourself

When any of these symptoms last over a period of time, one needs to seek help from a medical provider as they can interfere with one’s quality of life. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors, including a life stressor, trauma, the death of a loved one, suffering relatives, or financial stress. While no one person handles depression alike, there are different therapies to help cope with it. The first step is to seek help in dealing with the issue at hand. Therapy or counseling can often help sort through the thoughts and feelings one is experiencing in their life. Counseling helps with behavioral change and finding solutions to the issues at hand.
To help improve coping skills and mood, antidepressants and other medications can be started. There are many different drug classes available for your provider to try in treatment. While taking these medications, it’s important for the patient to know they may not feel the benefit in a few days and that it takes up to four weeks for the full effects.
The most important thing is to realize you are not alone, and resources are available to help. Contact your primary care provider, as they can perform a depression screening to determine if you fit the diagnosis of depression.

Depression – You are Not Alone Read More »

Health