May 17, 2012

This week’s BINGO wellness tip from Dr. James Madison, Cardiologist at Minneapolis Heart Institute-Brainerd Lakes:

 Not all fats in your diet are equal.

There are many cooking oils and fats on the market.  Choosing one may be difficult with choices of saturated, nonsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids.

• Choose liquid oils that are high in monosaturated fat such as canola oil, olive oil and peanut oil.
• Trans fats can raise levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and decrease levels of HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood.  Avoid foods that list partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients.
• Trans fatty acids are often found in foods with processed oils such as margarine, snack foods and baked goods.

According to the American Heart Association, no more than 30 percent of your total calories should come from fat.  For more information, see http://www.yalemedicalgroup.org/stw/Page.asp?PageID=STW037661

 How are you Winning with Wellness?

Riverwood Healthcare Center is hosting a seminar on “Diabetes and Wellness” on Thurs., May 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the 40 Club Convention Center in Aitkin.

Certified Diabetes Educator Melissa Magnuson and Registered Dietitian Lisa Kuklis will present information on how to take steps to increase your physical activity and control your diet for a healthier you.

“Many people don’t realize that exercising and losing weight can help prevent type 2 diabetes,” Magnuson explains. “If you already have diabetes, staying active and making healthy food choices can help you manage the disease much more effectively.”

In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin, which is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

Diabetes vendor displays will offer information on managing diabetes. Participating vendors include Expressions Shoe Center, Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

There is no cost for the seminar and a light meal is included.

Registration is required. Call Riverwood’s Diabetes Center at (218) 927-8281.

“Kent brings to Riverwood a great deal of expertise in financial management and rural healthcare practices and procedures that is a terrific asset to our management team,” says Michael Hagen, Riverwood CEO.  “His past experience auditing Riverwood’s financial statements and communication with our management and finance staff has given him a thorough knowledge of the financial issues affecting our health system.”

Dumonseau is joining Riverwood Healthcare Center after a 15-plus year career as a CPA with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.  Previously, he was a Director with McGladrey, specializing in providing assurance and consulting services to many critical access hospitals throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, including Riverwood.  Kent has worked with the accounting, finance and management staff at Riverwood for approximately 15 years.

Dumonseau holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin, Superior. He is a member of the Minnesota Society of Public Accountants and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

“I believe my long-standing relationship with the accounting, finance, and administrative staff at Riverwood, as well as the in-depth knowledge of Riverwood’s finances will serve me well in my new role as CFO,” Dumonseau says. “I will bring the best practices I have observed and helped develop while working with many other critical access hospitals in the region. The network of healthcare finance individuals I have the pleasure of being part of will also serve as an additional source of new ideas and innovations in this ever-changing healthcare environment.  I look forward to becoming an integral part of this great organization.”

A native of Superior, Wisconsin, Dumonseau enjoys family activities with his 12-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son and golf and fishing.

That’s the message for the 2012 National Hospital Week theme “Making Miracles Happen.” The event theme is the centerpiece of a promotional campaign aimed at uniting health care facilities across the country during the May 6–12 celebration.

“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” says Michael Hagen, Riverwood CEO. “We’re extremely proud of each member of our staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust and caring to our patients and our communities.”

National Hospital Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a community-wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals. The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust and goodwill among members of the public and eventually spread to facilities across the country.

Riverwood is recognizing the caring dedication and contributions of its healthcare professionals with a free lunch grilled by the management team this week.

Hospital care enhancements

The patient experience at Riverwood just got better. With the completion of the first phase of Riverwood’s hospital expansion project, 14 new single patient rooms and a larger birthing suites area and intensive care unit opened April 23. Additional renovations to enhance patient care will continue until May 2013.  Donations to support the hospital expansion project are still being sought through Riverwood Foundation’s Better Together Capital Campaign. If you would like to make a donation in honor of a Riverwood employee, contact Katie Nelson, Foundation manager, at (218) 927-5158.

Caring staff environment

Several employees comment on how long they’ve worked at Riverwood’s hospital and clinics and what they most enjoy about their jobs. A common theme is that they all like the friendly environment where people care about the patients and each other. 

 Chris Barnaby, licensed practical nurse
7 years
There is a great team atmosphere at the McGregor clinic. Everyone works well together to give the best patient care possible.

Mary Belz, registered nurse
8 years
In my position as nursing supervisor at the hospital, I get to experience a variety of patients with multiple needs and my days are always exciting. I really appreciate my coworkers as they make my job so worthwhile.  

Lou Ann Carlson, Food Services manager
28 years
I enjoy working with all the friendly and supportive employees.

 Dr. Don Hughes, family physician
20 years
I most enjoy being part of the large team of friendly, caring employees who together provide the best care possible for our patients, and having a positive impact on our patients’ lives and health.      

 Shawn McCusker, pharmacist
13 years
The best part of my job here at Riverwood is the personal interaction I receive, from the people we take care of to the various providers for our patients, in hopes that their medication outcomes are positive.

Asthma is a serious, chronic condition characterized by attacks of breathlessness, wheezing and cough.  If you, or your child, are experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. See your healthcare practitioner right away as asthma can often be controlled with good medical care.

Riverwood Healthcare Center and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology are offering a free asthma screening program on Wed., May 16, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., in the Cardiopulmonary department at Riverwood’s hospital in Aitkin. It’s designed for those individuals, age 5 or older, who may be suffering from undiagnosed or uncontrolled asthma.

The asthma screening includes filling out a short questionnaire and meeting with Dr. Hannelore Brucker, an allergist physician on staff at Riverwood’s Specialty Clinic, to discuss signs and symptoms. A respiratory therapist will perform a lung function test, and Dr. Brucker will review screening results with you. This screening program is designed to help with breathing problems and determine if asthma is present, especially among children and young adults. As needed, Dr. Brucker will recommend follow-up medical care with your own doctor or healthcare practitioner.

“Young children between the ages of 4 and 10 are susceptible to infection-induced asthma that is often diagnosed as bronchitis,” Dr. Brucker explains. “If you notice asthma symptoms like wheezing and coughing in your child, he or she may be a good candidate for asthma screening.”

Appointments are required. To register, call Riverwood Education at (218) 927-5552 or email education@riverwoodhealthcare.org

The Aitkin-Crosby Us TOO Prostate Cancer Support Group is part of the international Us TOO organization that helps men and their families with free information, materials and peer-to-peer support so they can make informed choices on detection, treatment options and coping with ongoing survivorship. 

Cindy Hauser, local APU nurse practitioner who cares for urology patients in Aitkin and Crosby, is facilitating the support group. An educational presentation will be led by Dr. Shawn McGee, APU urologist who also cares for patients in Aitkin and Crosby. In addition to the presentation, there will be time for voluntary individual introductions, sharing and a question-and-answer period. Spouses and partners of prostate cancer patients are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration is not required to attend the May 10 Us TOO Prostate Cancer Support Group meeting. Contact Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s Education Department at 218-546-2342 or education@cuyunamed.org for more information.   

The next support group meeting will be held in July in Aitkin at Riverwood Healthcare Center.

 Riverwood Foundation has received an $80,000 grant from the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The award supports breast health education and awareness, community and patient education, screening and advanced diagnostics and individualized care through the Cuyuna Riverwood Breast Health Alliance (BHA) partnership between Riverwood Healthcare Center and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Mission Manager, Denise Blumberg-Tendle shared her enthusiasm for the project: “We are very excited about this grant and the work that can be achieved in our continued efforts to move ever closer to fulfilling the promise of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.”

BHA will use the grant monies for breast health awareness, community and patient education, and one-on-one consultation for breast cancer patients. The impact of this program is significant in that it will improve the delivery of breast health care services both in terms of quality and the availability of care from screening to diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

Jodie Johnson, interim executive director for Riverwood Foundation, says: “Susan G. Komen has been a key partner in promoting innovative programs to address breast health. We are pleased that they are once again investing in breast health services to ensure quality care for women in this region of Minnesota.”

The Cuyuna Riverwood Breast Health Alliance is an innovative partnership between neighboring healthcare organizations Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. In addition to one-on-one support from breast health care coordinators, the alliance offers expert screening and diagnostic care and expanded treatment options through its collaboration with the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute.

Riverwood Foundation was one of just 19 organizations statewide to receive funding from the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information on the local Breast Health Alliance, go to www.BreastHealthAlliance.org

The Riverwood appointment line message will give callers two options. Press “1” if you want to schedule an appointment, or “2” if you want to speak with a nurse. A registered nurse will talk with patients about the purpose of their call and determine the action needed. The nurse can answer questions as appropriate and take care of getting a doctor’s approval for an order for standard lab tests. In some cases, the nurse may simply gather information for the patient’s primary care practitioner to return the call. However, in many cases, the need for a patient’s doctor or nurse practitioner to return a patient’s call will be eliminated.

“The goal of this new service is to improve the response time to our patients and give our healthcare practitioners more face-to-face time with patients,” explains Dr. Mark Heggem, Chief Medical Officer for Riverwood. “Our goal continues to be to offer the same personalized care and attention that our patients have come to expect from Riverwood.”

The new telephone nurse service, staffed by registered nurses who are knowledgeable of medical care issues, will be available through all three clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Even though the Garrison clinic has Saturday hours, the nurse service will not be available at this time.

“In addition, we expect that the new nurse service will free up time for our clinic receptionists to schedule appointments so there should be shorter hold times for callers,” adds Barb Fulton, manager of Riverwood clinics and outpatient services. “Other health systems are tapping nurses to assist healthcare practitioners with patient communication with good success and we are confident that the new service will work very well here too.”

Do not call to use the new nurse telephone service for emergency or urgent care. If you have urgent or emergency medical needs, continue to use Riverwood’s urgent care clinic or emergency room.  Riverwood patients who have medical questions and who want to know whether to seek medical care should continue to call the Nurseline at (800) 630-2200, where specially trained nurses can offer information.

 These are new patient-centered features available at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin with the completion of the first phase of its hospital expansion and renovation project. The public is invited to help mark this milestone at an Open House on Wed., April 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

 Stop in any time during the 3-hour period for a guided tour of the new areas, including the inpatient area with a larger intensive care unit and more private labor and delivery suites, a renovated rehabilitation/physical therapy department, and relocated respiratory therapy and cardiac rehabilitation department, and a new addition for chemotherapy and other infusion therapies.  Enjoy light refreshments and a chance to meet and greet several Riverwood physicians and other healthcare professionals.

 An added attraction for both children and adults will be a helicopter and an ambulance on site for tours, provided courtesy of North Air Care and North Ambulance.  

 “We are thrilled with the greatly enhanced healing environment that offers more privacy for patients and added space for family members,” says Riverwood CEO Michael Hagen. “This is a great chance to see what the patient-centered improvements look like and learn about the next phase of our renovations, which will reach completion in May 2013.”

 Riverwood Foundation has raised more than $1.5 million of its $2.2 million goal for the Better Together capital campaign it launched last May to support the hospital expansion project.

 “The caring response to our campaign from both individuals and organizations in Aitkin County and outlying areas has been simply outstanding,” says Jodie Johnson, interim director of Riverwood Foundation. “We are very grateful for every one of these gifts that are supporting high quality healthcare close to home.”

RSVPs for the open house are not needed.  To request information about the hospital expansion project or giving opportunities through the Better Together capital campaign, call Riverwood Foundation at (218) 927-5158.