Volunteer Chaplains Provide Spiritual CareIn July 1992, Pastor Lyle Kath from Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Eyota, MN, approached Olmsted Medical Center with an idea: Starting a volunteer chaplain program to offer spiritual care to patients who desired it. The new program continued on an informal basis until 2001, when OMC’s Social Services department established an official hospital-based volunteer chaplaincy.

What started out more than 10 years ago as a simple program is now served by 15 representatives from Rochester’s diverse faith community. Still, the volunteers’ mission remains the same: To provide spiritual care services to OMC patients, families, and staff. Volunteer chaplains work on an “on call” basis and are available around the clock, which means they’re available whenever someone requests them.

HealthNotesA Health and Wellness Publication from Olmsted Medical Center • www.olmstedmedicalcenter.org

Knee Replacement Surgery | Breast Cancer, by the Numbers | Spotting Dementia INSIDE: FALL 2012

D o you sometimes feel like your healthcare provider is talking to you in a different language? If so, you

are not alone. Healthcare providers often use words and medical terms patients don’t know. This can leave you feeling confused about how best to care for your health.

That’s why Olmsted Medical Center started a health literacy awareness program. “Health literacy is an individual’s ability to read, understand, and use healthcare information to make decisions and follow instructions for treatment,” says Kelly

Owens, health education and literacy coordinator at OMC. “The goal of the program is to improve communication between our patients and staff.” A Two-Way Street With the program, our goal is to train all staff on how to communicate more effectively. “Not only does the program cover spoken language, but also written materials. We are reviewing and, if necessary, rewriting hand-outs that patients receive to make sure they are easy to understand,” says Linda Williams, MD, chief medical information officer at OMC.

Of course, improving health literacy isn’t just up to the people who take care of you. Part of the program’s goal is to educate patients about the importance of taking part in their own healthcare, too. “We want to empower patients to be their own advocate, to be a partner on the healthcare team, and to feel comfortable asking questions,” Owens says. “Every time you ask a question or repeat information back to your healthcare provider you raise your own level of health literacy.” Know More, Feel BetterThe more you understand what steps you need to take, the better your chance will be of staying well. “As health literacy improves, patients are more likely to take their medications, undergo recommended medical screenings, prevent health complications, reduce visits to the emergency department, and decrease hospital stays,” Dr. Williams adds. In short, the more you know, the healthier you’ll be.

Health Literacy – A Prescription to End Confusion

For more information on our volunteer chaplain services, contact OMC’s Social Services department at 507.529.6806.

More Americans Need New Knees: Are You One of Them?

S ports injuries to the knee joint can lead to arthritis, the most common cause of knee pain.

And the desire to stay active has led more people to seek surgery for pain relief. New research shows more than 4.5 million Americans are now living with an artificial knee joint, and getting new knees is becoming more common among women and among patients ages 45 to 64.

Knee replacement is one of medicine’s biggest success stories. Results are promising after knee replacement surgery, with nine out of 10 people being able to walk and do other normal activities without pain.

Understanding the Treatment During knee replacement surgery, a surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone, and replaces them with metal, ceramic, or plastic parts. After a short hospital stay, the patient continues recovering at home.

Recovery time may be reduced if a surgeon uses a minimally invasive approach. Other advantages to this type of surgery include:◾ a smaller incision◾ less postoperative pain◾ stronger muscles around the knee.

Knee replacements last anywhere from 10 to 20 years or more. Your healthcare provider might advise that you avoid high-impact activities, such as jogging and jumping, to protect your new knee from increased wear and tear. But you can usually safely return to sports like swimming, walking, golfing, and hiking. Making the CallIf knee pain is limiting your life, talk with your healthcare provider about whether minimally invasive knee replacement is right for you. It may be recommended if:◾ your pain wakes you up at night◾ your knee still hurts when you’re

resting

◾ your knee bows in or out◾ you haven’t gotten better despite other

treatment, including medications.The decision about when and whether

to have surgery is up to you. In most cases, you can wait until you decide you can no longer endure the ache. But if your pain is so severe that it limits your activities, your muscles and bones may weaken. This can make surgery and recovery more difficult later on.

Discuss any joint pain problems you have with your healthcare provider. They can help you with the initial evaluation, and give good direction on the next steps to take.

2 FALL 2012 Healthnotes

Olmsted Medical Center welcomes your feedback and takes your satisfaction seriously! That’s why OMC partners with the vendor Quality Data Management (QDM) to invite and analyze patients’ opinions of their clinical care experience. To that end, from time to time representatives from QDM may call you (unless you have requested not to be contacted) regarding your recent OMC appointment. The QDM caller will introduce him/herself as working on behalf of OMC and invite you to take a 15 to 20 minute automated phone survey. As OMC’s business partner, QDM is required to safeguard your personal information, and your survey responses are kept anonymous and confidential. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call our Patient Relations line at 507.292.7091.

Patient Satisfaction Surveys

If you’re contemplating knee replacement, keep in mind that OMC’s joint replacement center has a proven track record of reducing post-op hospital stays by nearly one full day and safely speeding up recovery. For more information, visit us online at www.olmmed.org/ortho/ joint-replacement/ or call our joint replacement patient navigator at 507.529.6735.

MyOMC Patient Portal Goes Mobile!Our patient portal’s clinical section is now optimized for easier use on mobile devices, including smartphones and tablet computers. Visit www.intuithealth.com/smartphone or scan this QR code to begin requesting appointments, receiving secure portal e-mail, and more on your mobile device(s)!

Additionally, e-mail messages sent to secure patient portal inboxes now originate from the address MyOMC@olmmed.org. Please make sure your e-mail junk/spam filters are set accordingly!

www.olmstedmedicalcenter.org 3

Know Before You GoHave an upcoming appointment with Olmsted Medical Center’s rehabilitation services, occupational therapy, sports medicine/performance enhancement, or industrial rehabilitation? Please make sure you note the location of your next appointment: Rochester Northwest (5067 55th St. NW, lower level): physical therapy, sports therapy/performance enhancement, and industrial rehabilitation

Rochester Southeast (210 9th St. SE): occupational therapy Rehabilitation Services (102 Elton Hills Dr.): physical therapy and occupational therapy Contact us at 507.292.7222 to set up an appointment for any of these locations.

Breast Cancer, by the Numbers

Y ou may have heard this key breast-cancer stat: About one in eight women will develop the disease in her lifetime. But there’s another number that’s more encouraging: About 2.5 million women living

now have survived the disease.In fact, fewer U.S. women develop and die from breast cancer as each

year goes by. The improvement is likely due to increased screenings and advances in treatment.

Let’s take a look at the basics of breast cancer and some other notable numbers.

Calculating Your RiskWe don’t always know why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn’t. But we do know certain factors increase your risk of developing the disease. Some, such as drinking alcohol, can be changed. Other numbers that raise your risk aren’t as easily altered, including:◾ being age 55 or older◾ having changes in the cancer-related genes BRCA1 or BRCA2◾ getting your first period before age 12◾ having one or more family members with breast cancer◾ not having children by age 30.

Adding Up Your Screening and Treatment Options Cancer stages are numbered from zero to four, with higher numbers indicating more advanced disease. Finding cancer early, at stage zero or one, improves the chances that treatment will work.

Some expert groups recommend getting yearly mammograms beginning at age 40, whereas others advise starting at age 50. It’s best to talk with your healthcare provider about your personal risk factors. Together, you can choose a screening schedule that’s right for you.

If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, treatment depends on the site and stage of your cancer. Your options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Your healthcare provider may recommend combining two or more types of treatment.

Improving Your OddsDespite recent gains, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women besides skin cancer. And, it’s the second-leading cause of cancer death. Sticking to these numbers may reduce your risk:◾ limit your drinking to less than one alcoholic beverage per day◾ exercise four or more hours a week◾ maintain a healthy weight for your height,

especially after menopause.

You Can Live Well With Chronic ConditionsFREE Autumn Workshop Series 5:30 – 7:30 PM Wednesdays from October 3 – November 7 in the Chatfield Public Library Basement Six sessions of OMC’s “Living Well With Chronic Conditions” workshop will be open, free of charge, to anyone seeking help living with health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Developed at Stanford University, the workshops will cover a new topic each week and offer attendees practical advice in a supportive setting. Call 507.288.3443, extension 2593, for more information and to register.

Olmsted Medical Center offers preventive, diagnostic, and surgical care supporting breast health. Visit www.olmmed.org/womens-services/ for more information, or contact our breast care coordinator at 507.287.2751.

Save the Date! Fall Solutions SeminarTuesday, October 16Somerby Golf Club, Byron, MNJoin Srdan Babovic, MD, and his staff from Olmsted Medical Center’s Plastic Surgery department for an introduction to novel noninvasive and minimally invasive methods for the revival of a youthful facial appearance. RSVP by calling 507.529.6740 by October 8.

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HealthNotes is published four times a year by Olmsted Medical Center and OMC Regional Foundation. HealthNotes is a service to educate people about subjects pertinent to their health, not a substitute for consultation with a healthcare provider. Please call OMC Regional Foundation at 507.292.7202 or e-mail foundation@olmmed.org with any questions or comments. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list that receives HealthNotes, please write to OMC Regional Foundation, 210 Ninth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

HealthNotes

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S ome conditions—such as high blood pressure and diabetes—can be detected only by an exam or a lab test.

When it comes to dementia, it’s often family members who notice the first warning signs.

A new study shows problems with thinking, learning, and memory can begin as young as age 45. Knowing what’s normal and what’s not can help you spot red flags in your relatives’ behavior.

Mind the Warning SignsJust like the rest of your body, the brain changes as we age. Around age 20, brain cells begin to die and to produce fewer of the chemicals they need to work. Later on, these changes can contribute to minor forgetfulness, such as misplacing the car keys.

These normal lapses are different from dementia, which occurs when remaining brain cells are damaged by an injury or disease. Thinking and memory problems that aren’t a normal part of aging include:◾ repeating things in the same conversation◾ forgetting how to do regular tasks, such

as driving to a familiar location◾ confusion around time or place◾ trouble making choices or handling money

Family Plays a Key Role in Spotting Dementia

nonprofit orgU.S. POSTAgE

pAiDOMC REgiONAL FOUNDATiON

Recipe:

David E. Westgard, MDChief Medical Officer

Stacey M. Vanden Heuvel Vice President, Marketing & Philanthropy

FRESh SALSA

◾ withdrawing from work or social activities

◾ shifts in mood and personality.

Smart Guide to Getting helpThe first step is talking to your loved one’s primary healthcare provider. He or she may perform tests to determine the root cause of the problem. In some cases, such as when medications are to blame for a foggy memory, the fix may be as simple as changing a prescription.

Some types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, have no cure. However, treatment can slow their progress and make a person’s daily life easier. The earlier dementia is detected, the better treatments such as medications and memory aids can help to preserve brain function. And, the more time loved ones have to plan.

If you care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, remember to take care of yourself, too. Eating right, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight not only helps you cope with stress, they can also reduce your own risk of developing dementia later on.

Fresh herbs add flavor—so you can use less salt! Ingredients6 tomatoes—preferably Roma

(or 3 large tomatoes), chopped½ medium onion, finely chopped1 clove garlic, finely minced2 serrano or jalapeño peppers, finely chopped

(recommend using gloves when handling peppers to prevent burns)

3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro½ tsp. finely crushed oregano½ tsp. salt½ tsp. pepper½ avocado, diced Juice of 1 lime

Directions 1. Combine all the ingredients in a glass bowl.2. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve

within 4 or 5 hours. Makes 8 ½-cup servings. Per Serving: Calories 42, Total fat 2 g (Saturated fat less than 1 g), Carbohydrates 6.5 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 44 mg, Calcium 12 mg, Iron 1 mg

If you or a loved one is concerned about dementia, Olmsted Medical Center’s neurology services might be able to help. Talk to your primary healthcare provider, or call 507.292.7185 for more information.