heealth alth beeatat€¦ · smh employees wear green as part of the kick-off for the new...

HHealth ealth BBeateatSpring 2008

SMH employees wear green as part of the kick-off for the new hospital-wide recycling program.

SMH Takes the Leap into Recycling

Leap Year Day, February 29, was the kick off for Speare Memorial Hospital’s new hospital-wide recy-cling program. By taking the leap into recycling SMH is helping to reduce the waste stream, reduce its environmental footprint and protect the earth for generations to come.

Initiatives include recycling of mixed paper, plastic bottles and making the cafeteria a “No Foam Zone.” Recycling containers are lo-cated in the Emergency Department waiting room and the Cafeteria and are for plastic bottles marked with a #1 or #2, which covers water, soda, fruit juice and energy drink bottles.

Mixed paper recycling containers are centrally located next to staff copiers and in the hospital mail room to make it easy for staff to

“pitch in.” The hospital cafeteria stopped using foam products and made the switch to biodegradable, compostable paper products.

John

Hes

sion

Healthcare ranks among the top three

campaign issues guiding the 2008 presidential race according to a recent CNN poll. Cost, access and insurance, or lack thereof, make up the bulk of the discussion with spe-cial focus on the continually rising cost.

Our nation has the most expensive healthcare system of any other country in the world, yet 46 million American are uninsured. In 1980 the average annual per person cost of healthcare was $1,066. In 2001, the average had jumped to $5,035 per person. It represents a rate of increase that cannot be sustained by our federal government, employers, or all of us as individuals who ulti-mately pay for it both literally and figuratively.

Further compounding the problem is the assumption made by most Americans that at age 65 they qualify for Medicare and their out-of-pocket healthcare costs will be minimal. According to a report by the American Hospital Association, a couple age 65 and living to the average life expectancy will need $295,000 to cover out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare, as well as the related plan premiums. By way of example, a hospital deductable in 1967 was $40 and

the estimate for 2016 is more than $1,500. These dollar amounts don’t even take into consideration ongo-ing vision and dental care, let alone long-term care needs and expenses.

It is important to note, how-ever, that even though healthcare costs are increasing, 75 percent of the costs can be attributed to chronic disease. These include diabetes, heart disease, cancer and arthritis, all of which can be prevented or effectively treated with early detection. Living a healthy lifestyle—don’t smoke, eat right and exercise— participating in wellness and prevention programs and having routine screenings recommended by physicians are all steps that can be taken to minimize health problems. It is up to us as individuals to comply.

While affordable healthcare is a key platform issue in this presiden-tial election, a solution is not likely in the near term. Being personally accountable for your own health and wellbeing is the best way to minimize your long-term healthcare costs. Speare Memorial Hospital offers a number of programs and support groups to help you live a healthy lifestyle. Let us be your resource for health and wellness.

Healthcare: Offsetting Affordability With AccountabilityMichelle McEwen, FACHE, President/CEO

SM-050-NL Spring Newsletter.indd 1SM-050-NL Spring Newsletter.indd 1 4/22/08 9:42:30 AM4/22/08 9:42:30 AM

HHealth ealth BBeateat

16 Hospital RoadPlymouth, NH 03264Phone 603-536-1120

www.spearehospital.com

The intent of theHHealth ealth BBeateat

newsletter is to provide useful health-related news in a timely, accurate manner.

It is not intended to provide medical advice on personal health matters. Such

advice should be obtained directly from a qualifi ed health care provider.

Published by Speare Memorial Hospital

Offi ce of Community Relations16 Hospital Road

Plymouth NH 03264603-238-6468

Health Beat22

Abby the therapy dog pauses for a picture after her shift at SMH.

Volunteers in ActionMatthew Hall, Community Relations Intern

If you visited Speare Memorial Hospital lately, you may have noticed our newest, four-legged volunteer. Her name is Abby and I recently had a chance to “speak” with her.

MH: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Abby: My name is Abby and I’m a certified therapy dog. I’m a Golden Retriever, and I just turned three in February.

MH: Did you have to go to any training to be a therapy dog?

Abby: My owner, Jean Bolstridge, and I attended Therapy Dogs International (TDI), Inc. TDI is a school that qualifies Bolstridge and me for visitations to hospitals, nursing homes, various institutions

and wherever I feel I’m needed to provide patients with comfort and companionship.

MH: How old were you when you went to Therapy Dogs International?

Abby: I was 16 months old when I graduated from TDI—the youngest in my class. Therapy dog training is very rigorous to ensure that we are highly qualified to act appro-priately in public places.

MH: Now that you’ve graduated, how long will you remain certified?

Abby: I get recertified once a year. Bolstridge has the vet fill out forms for my shots and immuniza-tions, and confirms that I’ve been working hard visiting various places.

MH: How often do you work?

Abby: I work twice a week. On Tuesdays Bolstridge and I visit Speare, and I visit with anyone who would like to see me. We usually start by visiting in-patients, then end my day in Oncology.

MH: Is it all work and no play?

Abby: While I’m working at Speare there are certain rules every-one should be aware of. If anyone would like to pet me, I must be sitting. Do not try to whistle or engage me in any kind of frisky play, otherwise I’ll be in trouble. I only work mornings because when the afternoon comes I’m exhausted from being on my best behavior and performing tricks. Bolstridge volunteers her afternoons at SMH working for medical records while I catch up on much needed rest.

MH: Do you work anywhere else?

Abby: On Wednesday afternoons I work at Paul A. Smith Elementary School in Franklin. I sit down with kids while they read their books to me. I’m very good with children and love to perform tricks for them.

MH: What kind of tricks do you perform?

Abby: I don’t like to brag, but I can: play dead, role over, spin in a circle, give high fives and high tens, bow when I leave a room, crawl on my belly, run a figure eight around my owners legs’, and balance a biscuit on my nose then eat it (this is my fa-vorite trick because I get a treat). I’m always trying to learn new tricks so that I can impress the people I visit.

MH: Do you always have to be on your best behavior?

Abby: No, when I’m not working I re-side in Belmont. I do normal dog stuff like chase the cat around the house. My favorite things to do are play with my tennis ball and Frisbee, and in the winter time I love to go sledding.


Health Beat HHealth ealth BBeateat 33

New Director of Quality Management

Speare Memorial Hospital is pleased to wel-come Kofi A. Cash, M.S., as its new director of qual-ity management. Cash brings diverse healthcare experience to the position relative to continuous process improvement and outcome-based performance enhance-ment. Most recently he was a clinical performance

improvement consultant for Sutter Health in California serving six metro-area hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland.

“Having worked for a larger corporate organization, the position at Speare is an opportunity for me to help facilitate progress toward exceptional performance and enable Speare Memorial Hospital to become ‘best in class’ among critical access hospitals,” states Cash.

SMH President and CEO Michelle McEwen, FACHE, agrees Cash’s experience is a good match for helping the hospital achieve its strategic goals. “Kofi’s background in healthcare quality management will help our leader-ship team take performance improvement to the next level,” notes McEwen. “He promotes a very proactive approach to quality within our operational culture, that strives to be more visible, focused and responsive to patient feedback.”

Among his initial goals, Cash is looking to revamp and refocus Speare Memorial Hospital’s quality pro-gram, giving special attention to nationally monitored evidence-based core measures—heart attack, conges-tive heart failure, surgical infections and community acquired pneumonia. He is also looking to develop a more consistent, transparent process for processing patient feedback that results in timely, consistent and thorough response.

Cash received his bachelor’s from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and earned his Master of Science degree from the Dartmouth Institute of Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Medical School. Director of Quality Management Kofi Cash can be reached at (603) 238-6481 or via email at [email protected].

Brian Keenan, a Plymouth State University football player, plays tennis on the Wii to promote range of motion in his shoulder following surgery for a torn ligament.

Introducing“WiiHabilitation”

Gillian Cavezzali, Director of Rehabilitation Services

The popularity of Nintendo’s Wii gaming system has already extended beyond teen gamers into the family living room, and is a surprise hit among the 60+ set. Now occupational and physical therapists at Speare Memorial Hospital are using the Wii for rehabilita-tion patients recovering from strokes, broken bones,

“sprains and strains” and surgery.

The Wii utilizes hand-held motion sensitive controllers to relay the users’ position in space and allow functional movements to engage in sports or activities depicted on a television screen. Says SMH Occupational Therapist H. Dan Dougherty, “The Wii seems to get the patient engrossed in the sport and they forget they are exercising.”

As an adjunct to exercise, the Wii can be used to help improve strength, range of motion, endurance, eye-hand coordination and balance. “Playing may involve side-stepping or lunging, moving the whole arm and/or stabilizing with the trunk of the body to toss a bowling ball or hit the golf ball teed up on the screen,” reports Gillian Cavezzali, physical therapist and director of rehabilitation. “Athletes of any age are able to reproduce the movements required in their sport without necessarily having the strain on the body of doing the ‘real thing’.”

Most insurance providers cover physical and occupational therapy, but a physician referral is required. For more information contact SMH Rehabilitation Services at 603-238-2228.


HHealth ealth BBeateat 44

Friends of Speare Memorial Hospital It is with great appreciation that Speare Memorial Hospital recognizes the generous support of our friends, patients and family for gifts received between January 1, and March 15, 2008. $24,574.26 was given to support healthcare services and programs. This list does not include gifts or pledge payments to the Capital Campaign, which will be acknowledged in a final campaign report.9th State Movement ComplexAir Industries, Inc.Eunice AllenEighteen Anonymous GiftsMr. & Mrs. Allan E. AmesMr. & Mrs. Anbarth N. AndersenAnderson’s BakeryApria HealthcareAshland Woman’s ClubBea Baxter-FordhamPaul R. BelyeaFrancis J. & Helen L. BouleFlora & Richard BraleyJeanne BurfordWarren BurroughsCADYGary R. ChapmanMrs. Florence A. ChaseA. John P. ChiversEdward CoteCurves of Plymouth/ MeredithD’AcresDartmouth Hitchcock -

Plymouth PediatricsDartmouth Hitchcock Medical

Center/ Injury Prevention Center

Anne & Glenn DorrBertha L. DunckleeRobin G. DustinEmma M. Kelly Charitable TrustAntoinette M. FallonMrs. Mary FarmarHarriet Forkey & Jere LundholmJeanette FournierBob & Diane GallagherRobert & Suzan GannettGeorge V. Durgin Charitable

TrustMr. & Mrs. William F. Grant IIIJohn & Valerie GrayAlan GreeneDodie GreenwoodNathan S. GrifkinRita E. Grote“Mil” HainesHannaford Brothers Grocery

StoreDonald & Mary Lou HinmanHoyt Management GroupJazzerciseCheryl JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Howard KelloggFrank & Sylvia Kinne

David W. KnowlesPatricia L’AbbeRobert & Helen LindstromMarcam AssociatesDick & Annie MartinJeff & Missy MasonMs. Dorothy McNeilDr. Scott Meyer & Ms. Nancy

DyerMommy’s Muffi nsNH Electric Cooperative, Inc.NH EndodonticsBarbara NicholsonNortheast Delta DentalAndrew & Marjorie NortonMr. & Mrs. Stephen OsmerLouise OsmerHenry W. ParkerBarbara & Arthur PaulaPlymouth Chiropractic &

Massage TherapyMilt A. RadimerPrudence H. ReadDonna RobitailleErnest H. SaulnierCam SinclairStoneyfi eld FarmsSubway of PlymouthHugh & Nancy SycamoreWalter T. TataraEdward C. TouheyTown of Waterville ValleyDrs. Elizabeth A. & William S.

TroughtMr. & Mrs. Louis VelazquezDr. Henry E. VittumVolpe Charitable TrustWal-MartPatricia M. WilsonMr. Paul R. WintersScot WoolfendenWyeth VaccinesJudy Yeaton

Tribute DonationsIn Honor of Dr. Diane Arsenault

by Dr. Scott Meyer & Ms. Nancy Dyer by Anonymous

by Hugh & Nancy Sycamore

In Honor of Dr. John Bentwood by Mrs. Florence A. Chase

by Nathan S. Grifkin

In Honor of Dr. Joseph Caseyby Francis J. & Helen L. Boule

In Honor of Dr. Gary D. Diederich by Anne & Glenn Dorr

In Honor of ER Doctors & ARNPs by Anonymous

In Honor of Dr. Victor Gennaro

by Andrew & Marjorie Norton

In Honor of Dr. John Jehl by Mrs. Mary Farmar

by Anonymous by Milt A. Radimer

In Honor of Charles “Chip” Joslin, RN

by Gary R. Chapman

In Honor of Dr. Frederick Kelsey by Bertha L. Duncklee by Mrs. Mary Farmar

by Donald & Mary Lou Hinman by David W. Knowles

by Ms. Dorothy McNeil

In Honor of Dr. John Lloyd by Harriet Forkey &

Jere Lundholm by Donald & Mary Lou Hinman

by Anonymous

In Honor of Brittania McDonald, PA-C by Mr. & Mrs. William F.

Grant III

In Honor of Dr. Douglas McVicarby Anonymous

In Honor of The Medical Staffby Anonymous by Louise Osmer

In Honor of Dr. Alex Medlicottby Anonymous

In Honor of Dr. Jeffrey T. Reisertby Flora & Richard Braley

by A. John P. Chiversby Alan Greene

by Dick & Annie Martin

In Honor of Dr. Alan E. Rosenby Mrs. Florence A. Chase

by Robert & Suzan Gannettby Frank & Sylvia Kinne

by Dr. Scott Meyer & Ms. Nancy Dyer

by Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Osmer

by Barbara & Arthur Paulaby Dr. Henry E. Vittum

In Honor of Dr. James Scalesby Anonymous

In Honor of Speare Memorial Hospital

Cardiac Rehabilitationby Donald & Mary Lou Hinman

In Honor of Speare Memorial Hospital Staff

by Anonymousby Edward C. Touhey

In Honor of Dr. Vidvud Valdmanis

by Robert & Helen Lindstrom

In Honor of Dr. Kevin Youngby Anonymous

Memorial DonationsIn Memory of Rowe Ashley

by Drs. Elizabeth A. & William S. Trought

In Memory of Lyman Boyceby Mr. & Mrs. Louis Velazquez

In Memory of Arthur Farmarby Mrs. Mary Farmar

In Memory of Grace Jewellby Wyeth Vaccines

In Memory of Carla Ann Saulnier

by Ernest H. Saulnier

In Memory of Persis Stoverby Prudence H. Read

In Memory of Paul Valarby Antoinette M. Fallon

In Memory of Albert Wilsonby Patricia M. Wilson

Recognition of every gift is very important to us. If an error has occurred, please accept

our apology, but please let us know so that so can correct the

mistake. Thank you!

Susan Durgy, Director of Development(603)238-2211

GGiving Matt ers iving Matt ers The School Dental Health Program Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

During the 2007 – 2008 school year, the School Dental Health Program will screen over 2,000 students in pre-school through high school from 13 local schools. Oral health education will have been pre-sented in over 120 classrooms, and for qualifying students, dental clean-ings and sealants will have been applied at school. Case management and financial assistance will have been provided for those in need. There’s a lot to celebrate!

All participating area schools have made time in their busy schedules for a “Weekly Fluoride Rinse Program.” Local dentists volunteer their time to come to the schools to examine student’s teeth before sealants are placed by School Dental Health Program registered hygien-ist, Barbara Laverack. Many other dentists help restore untreated decay for students who need urgent care to alleviate severe pain and infection.

About one-third of the program is funded by a grant from the State of New Hampshire, while the rest is supported by the community and the hospital. Speare Memorial Hospital is very proud of this wonderful program and the enormous benefit it has provided to our area children for the past 10 years. We thank Barbara Laverack for her commitment to the program and for her determination in making childrens’ dental health care a priority. We thank the com-munity for its continued support of this great service.

You Can Put A Healthy Smile On A Child’s Face & Have Fun

Sign up for the 2008 School Dental Health Program Golf Classic today!

Owl’s Nest Golf Club, Campton • Thursday, June 12th

Call Susan Durgy at 238-2211 for details or go to www.spearehospital.com and download a brochure and registration form.


HHealth ealth BBeateat55

Summer is coming, and with it comes fresh, local fruits and vegeta-bles. What a great time to increase your intake of colorful foods, and we’re not talking M&M’s.

The color of a fruit or vegetable dic-tates the health benefit provided. In addition to Vitamins A and C, some are also good sources of folate, potas-sium, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Blueberries. These beautiful berries are rich in anthocyanin, the substance that gives them their color. Studies show that anthocya-nin may help prevent blood clots that cause strokes and heart attacks, may improve night vision, and

The Color of HealthMarie Veselsky, MAOE, RD, LD, CDE

may improve cognitive and motor functions.

Broccoli. This vegetable may help the body to defend itself against cancer. Other vegetables providing similar benefits include cabbage, kale, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and bok choy.

Cranberries. Both the juice and the berries have been found to decrease the frequency of bladder infections.

Garlic. Substances in garlic may slow the development of certain types of cancer and are also associated with lower blood cholesterol levels.

“When a door closes…look for an open window…but it may take a while to feel the breeze.” Anonymous

I found this quote in a “Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul” book. For me, it speaks to the experience of many people who attend support groups. When a person is faced with an event in their life that is mentally and emotionally challenging, such as the onset of dementia in their spouse or the loss of a loved one, they often feel alone and overwhelmed. They feel as if a door has closed.

There are many ways to find an “open window”. People reach out to friends and family, they seek

When a Door ClosesKathy Wieliczko, Director of Social Services

help from a counselor or look for a support group.

At Speare Memorial Hospital we offer several support groups to the residents in our community. Support groups are unique forums to share experiences and information. Participants benefit from feelings of validation and not feeling alone, as well as learning new coping skills. People come to find help and stay to help others, sharing what they have learned from their own experiences.

If you have experienced a loss in your life, or you are caring for a loved one stricken with dementia or Alzheimers, consider a support group. The following is a list of current support groups offered at Speare. Please contact Social Services

Grapes. In many forms – raisins,

grape juice, wine – grapes are full of

a substance that researchers say may

lessen the risk of heart disease and

cancer.

Raspberries & Strawberries. Red foods are a source of carotenoids,

antioxidants that protect against

damages to DNA.

Tomatoes. Substances in this fruit

may reduce the risks of prostate,

pancreatic, bladder, cervical, and

digestive tract cancers.

So enjoy your fruits and veggies,

and eat a rainbow of color.

at SMH if you need support or more information. 238-2216.

Alzheimer Caregivers Support Group: Meets 3rd Thursday of each month at 1 p.m.

Bereavement Support Group: Meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. and the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The Compassionate Friends (sup-port group for those grieving the loss of a child): Meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group ( Support group for those grieving the loss of someone to suicide): Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.


ECR • WSSNon-Profi t Organization

US POSTAGE

P A I DPERMIT #27

Plymouth NH

POSTALCUSTOMER

The WELLNESS NEWSLETTER for the Community We Serve

1 6 H o s p i t a l R o a d • P l y m o u t h N H 0 3 2 6 4

HHealth ealth BBeateat

Coping with Low VisionPlymouth Senior CenterMay 14 at 10:30 a.m.

Interlakes Senior CenterMay 21 at 10:30 a.m.

Newfound Senior CenterMay 28 at 10:30 a.m.

Vestibular Disorders and Balance Diffi cultyPlymouth Senior CenterJune 11 at 10:30 a.m.

Interlakes Senior CenterJune 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Newfound Senior CenterJune 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Rehab Services Presents Senior Health and Wellness Series

Beginning in April, SMH Rehabilitation Services began a free, monthly, interactive lecture series presented by rehabilitation professionals at local senior centers. The goal of series is to bring education to individuals who may not otherwise have access to this type of programming, and in turn, improve the independence and wellbeing of seniors in our communities. For more detailed program information visit www.spearehospital.com or contact Speare Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Services at (603) 238-2225.

Dealing with Shortness of BreathPlymouth Senior CenterJuly 9 at 10:30 a.m.

Interlakes Senior CenterJuly 16 at 10:30 a.m.

Newfound Senior CenterJuly 23 at 10:30 a.m.

Coping with DementiaPlymouth Senior CenterAugust 13 at 10:30 a.m.

Interlakes Senior CenterAugust 20 at 10:30 a.m.

Newfound Senior CenterAugust 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Join Us!

Presents its

1st Annual Chili ChallengeSaturday, May 1011 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Meredith Harley-Davidson/Buell

Donations to benefit the Speare Memorial Hospital Digital Mammography Campaign

Come and check out the new bikes, try some chili and get a

free blood pressure check.


heealth alth beeatat€¦ · smh employees wear green as part of the kick-off for the new...

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