Surgery Relieves Painful Sinusitis

January • February 2009
New Medical Staff
| page 4
Community
Health Education &
Simulation Center
| page 5
Foundation Report
| page 6
Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy
| page 7
In the Community
| page 8
Time to
See the Doctor
| page 12
Surgery
Relieves
Painful
Sinusitis
Breathing
Easy Finding Relief from Sinusitis
A perfect human nose is much more complex on the inside than it is on
the outside. The nose and sinuses are designed to humidify the air we
breathe as it moves through the bone and cartilage that hold the airways
open. When it works well, the nose and its attendant sinuses improve our
lives by filtering the air, enhancing the flavors of the foods we eat, fending
off germs and making our voices resonant.
For two years Julie Legeros, a staff
nurse in Day Surgery at Northwest
Hospital & Medical Center, wasn’t
able to enjoy any of these benefits. She suffered from a series of
painful sinus blockages, known as
sinusitis, which made it difficult to
breathe even on a good day.
Sinusitis is the inflammation or
swelling of the tissue lining the
sinuses. It is caused when the sinuses become blocked and filled with
fluid. Bacteria, viruses and fungi
may subsequently develop, leading
to infection. Sinus blockages can be
triggered by many things, including
the common cold, nasal polyps or a
deviated septum. Sinusitis can also
be associated with diabetes and can
be triggered by allergies.
“Most mornings I woke up with a
lot of pain right behind my face,
and my face was tender and swollen,” Julie recalls. Julie was getting
an average of four sinus infections
each year. Even with antibiotics,
| Medinfo | www.nwhospital.org
it would take about 30 days to get
over the infections and they always
recurred.
Additionally, Julie had a deviated
septum, a condition in which the
thin wall of bone and cartilage
between the nostrils is crooked,
making it difficult to breathe. In
Julie’s case, her deviated septum all
but blocked one airway. Because of
the sinus infections and the deviated septum, Julie snored in her
sleep and suffered constantly from
a dry mouth, since she was forced
to breathe through her mouth.
In Julie’s case, her immune system
had been impaired by a medication, leading to the development of
her chronic sinus infections.
Julie’s primary care physician
referred her to Dr. Karen Lin, a
specialist at Seattle Ear, Nose &
Throat. Dr. Lin says Julie’s symptoms are fairly typical for a patient
with chronic sinusitis.
Although Dr. Lin would eventually operate on Julie’s sinuses and
correct the deviated septum, the
first priority was to try a course of
broad-spectrum antibiotics, plus
the use of a steroid. “Surgery is typically not the first step in treating
chronic sinusitis,” Dr. Lin explains.
Julie received instructions on
nasal irrigation, to help flush the
chronic infection from her sinuses.
She was also scheduled for a CT
scan. The detailed imaging gave
Dr. Lin information on the level of
inflammation in Julie’s sinuses, and
provided landmarks for possible
later surgery.
After several weeks of medication
and irrigation, Julie had a second
CT scan, which showed no changes. “That’s when we started talking seriously about surgery,”
Dr. Lin says. “Julie was
still feeling a
“I breathe a lot better at night,
but it’s important for me to
continue to have check-ups
and take care of myself.”
- Julie Legeros
lot of facial pressure and tenderness,
especially when she leaned forward.
Her symptoms were not significantly
improved so the procedure was
medically necessary. In addition
to removing some diseased tissue,
we straightened Julie’s septum and
surgically reduced her inferior turbinates, to make it easier for her to
breathe through her nose.”
Turbinates are three small, sausageshaped structures inside each nostril
that help filter and humidify the air
we breathe. Each turbinate swells
and shrinks in the course of the day,
but they can be too large for the
narrow airway, as Julie’s were.
During Julie’s outpatient surgery, Dr.
Lin used an endoscope, a viewing
tube equipped with a small camera.
The tube also allows the surgeon
to insert small surgical tools. Endoscopic surgery is less invasive than
traditional open surgery on the nose
and sinuses and requires a shorter
recovery time. Julie was able to go
home the same afternoon as the
surgery. “I had some pain during
the recovery, but no dizziness or
anything. I had the surgery on a
Tuesday and was back at work the
following Monday,” Julie says.
Since the surgery, Julie feels a lot
better. She still irrigates her nose
daily and uses nasal sprays to maintain the health of her sinuses, but
the symptoms she had before are
gone. “I breathe a lot better at night,
but it’s important for me to contin-
ue to have check-ups and take care
of myself,” she says.
Julie adds that she really appreciates
the care she got from Dr. Lin. “She’s
very attentive and tries to make sure
you understand everything that’s
going on,” Julie says. “She makes
time for her patients, too. If you call
up with a problem, she wants to see
you as soon as possible.”
For more information about Seattle
Ear, Nose & Throat, and the treatment of sinusitis and other nose
disorders, call (206) 389-7100.
Seniors and Sinuses The nose actually changes as the body ages.
The tip of the nose begins to droop, as cartilage becomes weaker, and this can narrow
the nasal passages. A cold or other viral infection can turn into something called geriatric
rhinitis and lead to a chronic sinus infection. The symptoms can include: thick, foul-tasting and -smelling drainage, nasal obstruction, dental pain, headaches and facial pressure.
Seniors with this condition may also notice diminished sense of smell and taste, and a dry
and irritated nose. It’s important for people of all ages who think they have sinus infections
or other nasal conditions to see their doctors to help determine causes and treatment.
January • February 2009 | Medinfo | new faces
MedInfo newsletter is published
bi-monthly as a community service
by the Marketing & Public Relations
Department. To contact us about
the newsletter, e-mail newsletters@
nwhsea.org or call (206) 368-1645.
Managing Editor
Pam Sowers
Graphic Designer
Erin Dekker
Northwest Hospital &
Medical Center is proud
to welcome the following
physicians to the medical
staff. To learn more about
our medical staff, visit the
“Physician Search” section at
www.nwhospital.org.
Jerry Chu, MD
Anesthesiologist
Seattle
Anesthesiologists
Maria D’Souza, MD
Hospitalist
Inpatient Services
Susan Hoki, MD
Ophthalmologist
Northwest Eye
Surgeons
Alison Kneisl, MD
Family Practitioner
Wellness Associates
George Ko, MD
Ophthalmologist
Retinal Consultants
of Seattle
Cara Williams, MD
Anesthesiologist
Seattle
Anesthesiologists
Amie Macnab, MD
Hospitalist
Inpatient Services
George Min, MD
Plastic Surgeon
Wound Care Center
Layron Long, MD
Urologist
Urology Northwest
Darius Zoroufy
Sleep Medicine
Northwest Somnologists
Cover Photography
©Gary Benson Photography
Contact Information
1550 N 115th St | Seattle, WA
(206) 364-0500, or toll-free at
(800) NWH-HOSP (697-4677)
For a free physician referral, call
(206) 633-4636 or toll-free at
(800) 633-4636.
Services
Bariatric Surgery
Cancer Care
Cardiac Care
Center for Medical Rehabilitation
Childbirth Center
Diagnostic Imaging
Emergency Department
Geropsychiatric Center
Inpatient & Outpatient
Surgical Services
Neurosciences
Northwest Clinical Lab
Northwest Gamma Knife Center
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Preventative Health & Wellness
Rheumatology & Arthritis Care
Seattle Breast Center
Sleep Center
Sports Medicine
Stroke Program
Wound Care Center
For a complete list of services, visit
us online at www.nwhospital.org.
| Medinfo | www.nwhospital.org
2009 National Patient Safety Goals for Hospitals
The purpose of these goals is to
improve the security and wellbeing of hospitalized patients. The
objectives focus on problems in
healthcare safety and how to solve
them. They are designed by the Joint
Commission, an organization that
inspects and accredits hospitals.
This version of the standards set by
the Joint Commission is in an easyto-read format. The exact language
of the goals can be found online at
www.jointcommission.org.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Identify patients correctly
Improve staff communication
Use medicines safely
Prevent infection
Check patient medicines
Prevent patients from falling
Help patients to be involved
in their care
8. Identify patient safety risks
9. Watch patients closely for
changes in their health and
respond quickly if they need help
10. Prevent errors in surgery
quality of care
High-Tech
Health Education
at Northwest
Hospital.
This March, Northwest Hospital &
Medical Center will inaugurate a
new Community Health Education
and Simulation Center (CHESC)
on its main campus. The facility
will provide a centralized, handson education and training venue
for patients, community members
and healthcare professionals. It
will be the first center of its kind in
the nation available to both health
practitioners and the general public.
The project was funded in part
by nearly one million dollars in
government grants secured by
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, as
well as grants from The Norcliffe
Foundation and the Norman
Archibald Charitable Foundation.
“We believe the CHESC will play an
important role in helping Northwest Hospital achieve its mission of
raising the long term health status
of the community, by educating the
public about health and wellness,
and by further equipping healthcare
professionals to provide quality,
patient-focused care,” says Bill Schneider, Northwest Hospital CEO.
The CHESC will offer a wide variety
of community classes and seminars.
In addition, it will provide clinical
professionals, healthcare students
and caregivers opportunities to
use high-tech simulation mannequins and other equipment to
advance their ability to perform
complex medical procedures
and life-saving techniques.
The adult, baby and birthing
mannequins, driven by specialized, interactive software, will allow
students to participate in real-life
patient scenarios and to test their
clinical and decision-making skills
while “treating” a wide variety of
simulated health conditions.
In addition to experienced healthcare professionals, the CHESC
also will be an important learning resource for area colleges and
other educational institutions.
Dr. Ron LaFayette, president of
North Seattle Community College
(NSCC), which is located near
the Northwest Hospital campus,
notes that clinical training sites for
nursing and other health/medical students are difficult to find.
“We’re very grateful to have access
to the new simulation center at
Northwest Hospital. It will help
us ensure that our students get
both the hours and variety of
clinical experiences they need to
be effective healthcare providers,” he says. Additionally, as part
Photo courtesy of Laerdal Medical Corporation
of a new partnership with hospital
labor and management, NSCC
will use the center as part of a
curriculum for entry-level Northwest Hospital employees studying for careers in nursing.
The Community Health
Education & Simulation
Center will meet several
needs:
• To train and retain nurses
and other healthcare workers
to help reduce the current
critical shortage of health
practitioners
• To improve the ability of
community emergency
medical services personnel
to respond with life-saving
procedures
• To help the hospital provide
continuing education for
ongoing staff certification
• To provide greater health
education opportunities for
the community
• To ensure patient safety and
reduce medical errors among
health workers
January • February 2009 | Medinfo | foundation report
A Special Acknowledgement
It is with sadness that we remember the passing of Carl A. Hagen,
and it is with sincere gratitude that
we acknowledge his major gift of
$1,021,101 to the Northwest Hospital Foundation.
Born on May 24, 1911, in Malangen, Tromsø, Norway, Mr. Hagen
moved to Canada in 1930 to help
build a gold mining facility at Lake
Athabasca. After many years in Canada, he married his wife Marjorie
in 1942, and they settled in Seattle.
Following World War II, Mr. Hagen
served on board a wide variety of
fishing vessels and tow boats as a
fisherman and engineer. He spent
16 years as chief engineer on the
m/v Yukon which transported fuel
and supplies for the U.S. Air Force
and Alaskan villages along the
Avoiding
Winter
Falls
As the old song says, the weather
outside is frightful this time of year.
Some of the most common winter
injuries come from slipping and
falling on icy or slick sidewalks and
streets. “Falls are a serious matter, particularly for older adults,”
says Hunter Hodge, MD, director
of Emergency Services at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center.
“Common injuries can include
| Medinfo | www.nwhospital.org
Yukon River. Mr. Hagen ended his
career with a 13 year stint as chief
engineer for the Washington State
Ferry System, running ferries out of
Seattle and through the San Juan
Islands. He passed away on November 13, 2006.
Mr. Hagen became familiar with
Northwest Hospital & Medical
Center in 2002 when we cared for
his wife, Marjorie. After she passed
away, he expressed tremendous
enthusiasm for the care and support she received and was a strong
supporter of the hospital among
his peers. To express his gratitude
tangibly, Mr. Hagen made a bequest of the majority of his estate to
Northwest Hospital Foundation, in
the form of an unrestricted gift. At
a time when economic challenges
abound, Mr. Hagen’s generosity
provides much-needed support for
a wide variety of Northwest Hospital
initiatives including: the development of the Sleep Medicine Center,
the expansion of the Wound Care
Center and the implementation
of all-digital mammography at the
Seattle Breast Center.
Through his gift, Mr. Hagen has
established a lasting legacy that will
benefit the community for years
to come and set an example for
others who would like to express
appreciation for an organization
that has meant so much to them. If
you have any questions about donations or a planned gift to Northwest
Hospital, please call us at (206)
368-1647.
concussion, hip or pelvic fractures,
spine fractures and ankle and wrist
sprains, even in younger people.”
not only help you see, but will also
make you more visible to passing
drivers.
The best way to prevent falls is to
do a little homework. Clear newspapers, leaves and debris from
walkways and sidewalks in advance
of severe temperatures, and do what
you can to improve lighting around
your property. Be aware of broken
sidewalks or uneven paving in your
neighborhood, and avoid rushing
on icy or rainy days, even though
you may want to get back indoors as
quickly as possible. Wear low-heeled,
comfortable shoes with good tread
and carry a flashlight. The light will
If you find someone who has fallen
outdoors and can’t get back on their
feet, call 911. Don’t try to move the
victim, but do cover him or her with
a warm blanket or jacket, to reduce
the danger of hypothermia and
shock. Stay with the person until
qualified help arrives.
For more information on fall prevention, particularly for older adults,
visit the Centers for Disease Control
website at www.cdc.gov/NCIPC/
duip/preventadultfalls.
service line
Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy Helps Heal
Stubborn Wounds
This March, Northwest Hospital &
Medical Center will install two new
hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers in its Wound Care Center, a
significant enhancement in the
center’s ability to help treat patients
with wounds that will not heal.
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers, which
deliver 100% oxygen to patients,
were first developed to help divers
recover from “the bends,” or
decompression sickness caused by
surfacing too quickly. In recent
years, this same technology also
has been found to help accelerate the healing of many types of
wounds and soft tissue injuries.
“When a patient breathes pure oxygen, the blood becomes saturated
and carries up to 20 times the normal amount of oxygen to the body’s
tissues,” explains Dr. Terence Quigley, chief of surgery at Northwest
Hospital and attending physician
at the Northwest Hospital Wound
Care Center. “This hyper-oxygenation can speed up the healing of
stubborn wounds that have resisted
healing.” According to Dr. Quigley,
the increased levels of oxygen allow
the body’s natural, oxygen-dependent healing process to work more
efficiently. “Breathing 100 percent
oxygen also helps the body form
new blood vessels, to serve areas
that have been injured or may
be affected by circulation disorders
such as peripheral arterial insufficiency or diabetes,” he says.
The hyperbaric chambers at the
Wound Care Center are clear,
see-through, single-person chambers, about the size of a hospital
bed. The hyperbaric therapy team
includes a physician specializing
in hyperbaric therapy, as well as
nurses and technicians who have
specialized hyperbaric training.
“Hyperbaric oxygen treatments usually last from one-and-a-half to two
hours, and are administered once or
twice a day, five or six days a week.
“The therapy doesn’t provide an
instant cure, of course,” explains Dr.
Quigley. “The number of treatments
depends on your body’s response.
Some people may need up to 40
treatments.” Treatments require a
referral from the patient’s physician
and are covered by private insurance
or Medicare for most conditions.
Hyperbaric therapy is only one in
a wide range of treatment options
and programs offered at the Northwest Hospital Wound Care Center,
including medication, direct wound
debridement (the surgical removal
of dead tissue from a wound),
dressings and support services to
Photo courtesy of Sechrist Industries
treat problem wounds that have
resisted healing. Wounds treated
may include diabetic and other skin
ulcers, injuries that don’t receive
enough blood flow, burns, traumatic wounds and other chronic
injuries that have not started
to heal in two weeks, or are not
completely healed in six weeks.
For more information about the
Wound Care Center, call (206)
368-1244, or visit our web site at
www.nwhospital.org/woundcare.
“When a patient
breathes pure oxygen,
the blood becomes
saturated and carries
up to 20 times the
normal amount
of oxygen to the body’s
tissues.”
- Dr. Terence Quigley
January • February 2009 | Medinfo | in the community
•
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center provided first aid to the enthusiastic runners and
walkers in the PACE Race 5K Run and Walk in Kirkland November 2. Participants also had an opportunity to ask Northwest Hospital’s Dr. Layron Long questions about prostate health. Proceeds from the event,
hosted by the Prostate Cancer Education Council, benefit local efforts to fund free or low-cost prostate cancer
screenings.
•
The 2008 People’s Picks Awards named Northwest Hospital & Medical Center the
Favorite Healthcare Company in the Puget Sound area. The awards, sponsored by NWJobs.com
and the Seattle Times, are given to organizations based on votes from the general public for their favorite Northwest employers. Northwest Hospital was chosen over nine other finalists in the healthcare category.
•
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center also received a Business Excellence Award from
the Northgate Chamber of Commerce. Gayle Ward, vice president of clinical services, accepted the
award on behalf of the hospital at a special dinner in November.
•
Each month, the Northwest Hospital Community Outreach Team provides blood pressure, blood sugar and other free health screenings at several locations. This past November,
these included the Northgate Mall, where Community Outreach nurses provided screening and health counseling to more than 150 people on November 7. These screenings are an important service to the community,
and provide people with an early warning about potentially serious health issues. The screenings are also an
opportunity to ask the Community Outreach nurses questions about staying healthy. For more information on
Community Outreach activities, call (206) 368-1686.
save the date
January 24: Girls’ Day Out, at Northgate Mall, from
10am – 6pm Saturday. Spend the day with your girlfriends,
discovering the latest products, healthy lifestyle advice,
beauty and makeup tips, fashion and home ideas, cooking
hints, luxurious spa treatments and much more. Stop by
the Northwest Hospital & Medical Center booth for free
health screenings and information on a wide variety of
women’s health issues.
March 27–29: 21st Annual Northwest Women’s Show
presented by Northwest Hospital. Qwest Field Events
Center, Seattle, 10am – 6pm Friday and Saturday; 10am
– 5pm Sunday. Northwest Hospital will be the title sponsor
| Medinfo | www.nwhospital.org
of this popular event, dedicated to women’s health, beauty,
fashion, finances and lifestyle. Stop by the Northwest Hospital booth for free screenings, valuable seminars, health
information and much more! Admission: $15.
April 18–19: KING 5 Healthy Living Expo, Qwest Field
Events Center, Seattle, 10am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Join us for the region’s biggest health and fitness event.
Learn how to live a healthier lifestyle and have some fun!
Stop by the Northwest Hospital & Medical Center Pavilion
for a full schedule of free seminars, screenings, demonstrations and activities. Admission to the Expo is free.
community classes and wellness programs
CHILDBIRTH,
PARENTING, AND
NEW BABY CLASSES
All childbirth, parenting
and new baby classes at
Northwest Hospital are offered in conjunction with
Parent Trust for Washington
Children through its Great
Starts Program. All classes
are held on the hospital
campus. To register, e-mail
[email protected].
For any questions, call Great
Starts at (206) 789-0883.
Childbirth Prep Classes
The 6-week series includes:
• A 4-week childbirth
prep class that prepares
expectant parents for
labor and birth. Topics
include the physiological
and emotional changes
in labor, natural coping
techniques, positioning
and massage for labor,
medication options,
variation of labor and
the post-partum period.
• Newborn care class
• Essentials of breastfeeding
Cost: $170 per couple,
or Medicaid coupon.
If you are interested in taking only the 4-week childbirth prep portion of this series, but do not wish to take
breastfeeding and newborn
care, please call (206)
789-0883 to arrange for
this option. Cost $120 per
couple or Medicaid coupon.
Childbirth Prep Saturday Series
Perfect for the parents who
need a class to fit their
busy schedule. The same
material that is covered
in the 4-week childbirth
class, consolidated into one
Saturday. This class meets
on one Saturday per month
from 9am - 5pm. Preregistration required. Full
payment is due at registration. Cost: $120 per couple,
or Medicaid coupon.
Newborn Care Class
An important class for
first-time parents, this
class focuses on newborn
behavior. Topics include
diapering, cord care, sleep
and feeding habits, colic
relief and changes that
occur in newborn babies.
This is a part of the 6-week
Childbirth Prep series OR it
can be purchased á la carte.
Cost: $30 per couple.
Breastfeeding Basics
This class is designed to
educate parents on proper
feeding techniques and
positioning, body mechanics to alleviate sore muscles,
troubleshooting tips to
deal with issues that can
arise during breastfeeding.
Discussions about pumping,
types of breast pumps and
introducing bottle feeding
are included. This is part of
the 6-week Childbirth series
OR can be purchased à la
carte. Cost: $30 per couple.
Babysafe
A 2-hour course taught
by a certified CPR instructor. Topics include infant
safety issues, basic first aid,
techniques for relieving an
obstructed airway as well as
American Red Cross Infant
CPR basics. Parents leave
with the basic knowledge of
infant CPR. This class does
not include a certification
card. Cost: $40 per couple.
Conscious Fathering
This class offers men insight
into preparing for those
precious first few months
of baby’s life. It covers
how to meet baby’s basic
needs, how to develop
your own definition of the
kind of father you want
to be and how you want
to interact with your child.
Cost: $30 per couple.
Fathers can bring along
the child’s grandpa-to-be
or uncle-to-be for free.
PRENATAL SERVICES
Baby Your Back
Back pain is a frequent complaint of pregnant women
and has many causes.
Baby Your Back is a 2-hour
class for expectant mothers taught by a licensed
physical therapist. Second
Wednesday of every month.
Cost: $10. Call (206) 3686032 to register. Healthcare
provider referral required.
EMERGENCY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
CPR Training
Learn life-saving skills from
Medic II personnel. Third
Tuesday of each month,
7pm -10pm. Registration
required. To register, visit
www.nwhospital.org or call
(206) 368-1564 for more
information. Cost: Donations are greatly appreciated. Checks should be
made out to Medic II CPR.
.
support groups
Better Breathers Club
Join the club to learn tips
and techniques to better manage lung disease.
Second Monday of each
month at 10:30am. Rehab Patient Dining Room.
Call (206) 368-1853.
continued on page 10 . .
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center offers a variety of classes, support group, and other programs for the members of our
community. Whether you are planning a pregnancy, working to maintain good health, learning to live with a chronic disease
or are newly diagnosed with cancer or other serious condition, our trained experts have up-to-date information to share.
For more information about our programs, or to register for a class, please see the contact information and phone number
under each program, or e-mail us at [email protected]. For more classes and events, visit us at www.nwhospital.org.
www.nwhospital.org | Medinfo | community classes and wellness programs
Breast Cancer A Healing Place
This support group is an
opportunity for sharing and
receiving support while coping with advanced breast
disease. Offered second
and fourth Wednesdays of
each month, 9:30 - 11am.
Call the facilitator at (206)
920-5462 for a brief
interview prior to joining.
Grief Support Group
Offered as a 6-week series
on Tuesdays, Jan 20 and 27,
and Feb 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Pre-registration is required,
call (206) 368-1891.
Diabetes Support
Group
Learn about and discuss
topics such as: meal planning, blood glucose monitoring devices, weight loss,
treatment for high and low
blood sugars, medication
management, dietary supplements, diabetes myth
busters, monitoring for
complications and what’s
new in diabetes research
and technology. Second
Tuesday of each month,
1 - 2:30pm; and third
Thursday of each month, 7
- 8:30pm. To register visit
www.nwhospital.org or
call (206) 368-15 64.
Mended Hearts
For cardiac patients, family members and health
professionals. This group
provides help in coping
with the emotional aspects
of recovering from heart
disease and an opportunity
to offer personal insights to
help others in the coping
process. Third Thursday of
10 | Medinfo | www.nwhospital.org
each month, 7pm – 9pm.
Call (206) 368-1564.
Young Adult Stroke
Support Group
This group for adults, their
families and caregivers
meets on the third Saturday
of the month in the Northwest Hospital Easy Street
section of the Rehabilitation
Center, from 12:30 - 2:30
pm. For more information, call (206) 361-2696.
Weight Loss Surgery
Support Groups
Our monthly support groups
provide an opportunity to
interact with other post-operative weight loss surgery
patients and discuss the
physical and emotional
changes following bariatric surgery. Our support
groups are open to patients from other practices
and individuals researching bariatric surgery. Call
(206) 368-1350 for more
information. No registration necessary. For dates,
visit: www.nwhospital.org.
Groups are held in the TCU
auditorium from 6:30-8pm.
WELLNESS CLASSES
AARP Driver
Safety Program
AARP offers the popular
Driver Safety Program for
drivers 50 years old and older. Graduates may be eligible for multi-year discounts
on their auto insurance. The
class is offered on two consecutive Saturdays, Jan 24
and 31, from 9am - 1pm.
The classes will be held on
the hospital campus. A $10
fee is payable to AARP on
the first day of class. Participants must attend both
days of class to complete
the course. To register, call
(206) 368-1564 or call
AARP at (888) 227-7669.
AARP We Need To Talk
For older adults, limiting or
ending driving represents a
loss of independence; adult
children worry about their
parents’ safety as abilities
decline. This free seminar
provides guidance for families and physicians on how
to approach this difficult
conversation, using information from the MIT Age Lab
and other sources. Saturday,
Feb 7, 10am - Noon, TCU
classroom. Call (206) 3681564 to reserve your seat.
Brain Health: Simple
Tools for Clear
Thinking
This 90-min workshop led
by Dr. Jane Tornatore, a nationally known speaker on
brain health and memory
problems, will explain why
everyone experiences “senior moments,” and what
to do about them. Learn
easy ways to improve the
memory and keep minds
active to reduce the risk of
Alzheimer’s. Much of the
workshop will involve participation in brain-strengthening activities. Thurs, Feb
19, and Thurs, March 19,
1pm - 2:30pm; Tues, March
31, 6:30pm – 8pm. Cost:
$20. Call (206) 368-1564
to reserve your seat.
Living Well with
Diabetes
This program has been
formally recognized for
excellence by the ADA.
Participants will gain
information and skills to
manage diabetes in this
four session series offered
monthly. Physician referral is
required for class. For more
information contact your
physician, or call (206) 3681564 to receive a brochure.
Weight Loss
Surgery Education
Join us for a free informational seminar to learn
more about: weight loss
surgery options and risks;
patient selection criteria;
nutritional requirements;
and insurance coverage.
Question and answer session follows each talk. All
seminars are held 6:30-8:30
p.m. Visit www.nwhospital.
org for dates. Call (206)
368-1350 to reserve your
space for seminars. Seminars are held in the TCU
auditorium from 6:30-8pm.
Yoga For People
With Parkinson’s
Call (206) 368-5935
for more information and to register.
Nutrition Clinic
Food & Nutrition Services
offers outpatient nutrition
education to help you plan
healthy, nutritious meals to
suit your dietary needs. Registered dietitians help you
design a meal plan to meet
your individualized needs.
Many insurance carriers
cover nutrition consultations
if it is ordered by a physician. Call (206) 368-1919
for more information or
visit www.nwhospital.org.
For more classes and events, visit us online at www.nwhospital.org.
Let the Games Begin!
A conversational support
group that provides people with acquired brain
injury the opportunity to
participate in group card
and board games in a
supportive, encouraging
environment. This group
is facilitated by a licensed
speech language pathologist who provides suggestions and encouragement,
helping people build
confidence while having fun. Thursdays, 11am
- Noon. Call (206) 368-1848
for more information.
CLASSES & SUPPORT
GROUPS
Cancer Lifeline at Northwest Hospital & Medical
Center classes and groups
are free and open to the
public. Call (800) 255-5505
or (206) 297-2500 for more
information or to register.
You can also register online
at www.cancerlifeline.org.
To confirm specific support group meeting dates,
call (206) 832-1297.
Brain Cancer
Support Group
For people with a diagnosis
of brain cancer or brain
metastases and their family
and friends. No registration necessary. Second
Tuesdays, 6-7pm. Professional Building, Suite 3.
Breast Cancer
Support Group
For breast cancer pa-
tients and survivors. No
registration necessary.
First and third Wednesdays, 4:30-6pm. Professional Building, Suite 3.
Colorectal Cancer
Support Group
For people with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer and their family and
friends. No registration
necessary. First Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm. Professional Building, Suite 3.
Gynecologic Cancer
Support Group
For patients diagnosed with
ovarian, uterine, cervical
or any other type of gynecologic cancer, their family
and friends. Fourth Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm. Professional Building, Suite 3.
Lung Cancer Support
Group
For people with a diagnosis of lung cancer, their
family and friends. No
registration necessary.
Second and fourth Thursdays, 7-8:30pm. Professional Building, Suite 3.
Talk with a
Lymphedema Therapist
Learn about resources
for lymphedema treatment and management.
This presentation is held
prior to the Breast Cancer
Support Group, Wednesdays, Jan 21, Feb 18, April
1, 3:30–4pm. Professional Building, Suite 3.
Gentle Yoga
*New day. Combines easy
stretches, postures, guided
meditation and breathing
exercises. Please register.
Fine to start any time during
the series. Mondays, Jan 12
through April 20, 6:30-8
pm (no class Jan 19 & Feb
16). McMurray Building,
Cardiac Fitness Center.
Energize & Exercise
with the Lebed
Method
*New day, time & instructor.
This gentle exercise program
combines easy stretches,
strengthening and aerobic movement with great
music! Appropriate during
or after cancer treatment
and for anyone with, or at
risk for, lymphedema. Please
register. Wednesdays, Jan
14 through April 22, 6:30–
7:30pm. McMurray Building, Cardiac Fitness Center.
Belly Dancing
Stretch and tone your
entire body while having
fun with the ancient art of
belly dance. No experience
necessary. Please register.
Tuesdays Jan 13 through
March 31, 6-7:30pm.
McMurray Building, Cardiac Fitness Center.
Focus on Prostate
Cancer: What to Eat
Now!
Learn what foods and
nutrients can help slow
the progression of prostate
cancer and reduce risk of recurrence. Kimberly Mathai,
MS, RD, CDE, will explore
how foods can protect
healthy cells, and how to include these cancer-fighting
foods in everyday eating.
Tuesday, Jan 13, 6:30-8pm.
Lindsay Gould Auditorium.
BRCA 1 & 2: Can Your
Genes Influence Your
Risk for Cancer?
Gain a better understanding of how your genes
influence your risk for
several common cancers
including breast, ovarian,
endometrial and colon.
Women who have had
one of these cancers, or
anyone with a worrisome
family history, are encouraged to attend. Wednesday,
Feb 11, 6:30-8pm. Lindsay Gould Auditorium.
Meal Planning for
Cancer Survivors
Are you confused about
how to plan meals that
include cancer-fighting ‘superfoods?’ In this
hands-on class, brainstorm
a week of meals using
quick, healthy recipes that
require minimal preparation. Facilitated by Kimberly Mathai, MS, RD, CDE.
Tuesday, Feb 19, 6:30-8pm.
Lindsay Gould Auditorium.
Look Good, Feel Better
This hands-on workshop
includes a skin care lesson, makeup application,
nail care and a demonstration of options for dealing
with hair loss and thinning. Participants in various
stages of cancer treatment
receive personal attention
from a professional with
special training to meet
their needs. Register by
calling 1-800-ACS-2345.
Monday, April 27, 6-8pm.
The Seattle Breast Center.
www.nwhospital.org | Medinfo | 11
extra, extra!
Time To See The Doctor
Sometimes it’s just no fun to be a grownup. It was easier to be sick when you were a kid, because there
was always an adult who determined when you needed to go see the doctor. You didn’t have much
of a choice. Now that you’re the adult you may not be as good at telling when it’s time to see a
doctor. Take a cough for example. When is it just a nuisance and when can it be serious?
Coughs caused by a flu virus are often accompanied by a fever, as well as severe aches and pains,
moderate to severe fatigue and chest discomfort that can be severe. You need to see a doctor if:
•
•
•
•
•
•
You’ve been coughing for more than a week.
Your cough is painful.
You are coughing up blood.
You are short of breath or wheezing.
You are spitting up yellow, green or tan mucus.
You are suffering from night sweats or fevers during the night.
Unlike a serious cough, the common cold doesn’t usually require a trip to the doctor, even though it may
make you feel miserable. The common cold causes a wide variety of symptoms, including congestion, sneezing,
coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, watery eyes, fatigue, slight body aches and, occasionally, a fever.
Unfortunately, there still isn’t a cure for the common cold, because a wide number of viruses can cause it, and
because they change so often. The best strategy is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Symptoms of the common
cold usually last from seven to ten days. If they last longer, that’s when it may be time to see your physician.
Go Greener
Everyone is trying to be just a little more careful with the environment by saving paper,
energy and other resources. If you would like to receive your next copy of Medinfo by
email, please fill out the online form at www.nwhospital.org/newsletters.
1550 N 115th Street
Seattle, WA 98133
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Seattle, WA
Permit No. 1549
Northwest Hospital &
Medical Center has
been awarded the
2008 HealthGrades
Distinguished Hospital Award
for Patient Safety and 2008
Awards for Excellence in Stroke
Care and Back and Neck Care.
Need a physician?
Call our free physician referral
line at (206) 633-4636 or
toll free at (800) 633-4636
24-hours a day.