Breathe Easier - Tift Regional Medical Center
Transcription
Breathe Easier - Tift Regional Medical Center
TI F T R EGIONAL M EDIC AL CENTER Making Healthy Choices at the Drive-Thru Breathe Easier Controlling Childhood Asthma FALL 2008 The Facts Behind Autism Contents All About Autism Children with autism can make vast improvements with early diagnosis and treatment. F E AT U R E S 10 8 Controlling a Child’s Asthma Learn the basics behind asthma and the symptoms to look for in your child. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE… On the Cover Children of Tift Regional Medical Center employees are featured throughout this edition of On Health. 4 7 13 • TRMC’s Summer in Review • Putting Security First • Tops in Patient Satisfaction • Mom, I Can’t Sleep—My Head Hurts • Growing Up is Hard to Do • Exercise Tricks for Kids 9 15 • Is This Normal for a Newborn? • Six Ways to Healthier Fast Food • New Waiting Rooms Comfort Families • Advanced ICU Now Open 6 • New Spine Therapy Center Opens • Eat Your Way to Straight A’s? • Open MRI Now Available at West Campus Oh ! Nuts ON HEALTH FALL 2008 14 • What’s Happening at TRMC 12 • Dealing with Attention Disorders • Avoid the Flu In the Summer 2008 edition of On Health, a photo of pecans was inadvertently included with an article suggesting readers eat walnuts (“Lower Cholesterol with Heart-Healthy Foods” on page 4). Pecans also have many health benefits, and we apologize for any confusion this error may have resulted in. 3 End of Summer Wrap Up Tift Regional Medical Center had a busy and exciting summer. From the annual men’s and women’s events to a golf tournament and a road race, there were events for everyone. Here are the highlights with some familiar local faces. Look closely and you might see someone you know! The Ninth Annual Nanci Bowen Charity Golf Tournament was held last May at the Spring Hill Country Club. Funds from the tournament benefited patients at the Oncology Center, Hospice of Tift Area, and Transitions at Tift Regional Medical Center. Approximately 200 men gathered at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center for the Second Annual Tift Regional Medical Center’s Men’s Event. Attendees were treated to a barbecue lunch, health screenings, and lectures. Various vendors exhibited displays ranging from lawn equipment to home sound systems. After lunch, there were fantastic giveaways including prizes from all the vendors, emergency car kits, and a HDTV. 4 ON HEALTH FALL 2008 Loop the Lake, a 5K run and one-mile walk, cosponsored by Tift Regional Medical Center, was held at Lake Blackshear on July 19. The event included more than 300 participants and raised more than $20,000 for Ruth’s Cottage and GraceWay Recovery Residence. The Tenth Annual Tift Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Event was recently held at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. More than 1,000 women attended and were treated to free health screenings, brunch, information booths, giveaways, and keynote speaker Diana Jordan. Dr. Joe Turner was one of the featured speakers at the Fourth Annual Tift Regional Medical Center Senior Seminar, discussing how to take care of yourself. Other guest speakers, including Dr. David Banks, covered healthy eating and how to know when joint replacement is necessary. This year’s event was the largest yet, drawing a crowd of more than 200 people. ON HEALTH FALL 2008 5 New Spine Therapy Center Open Tift Regional Medical Center recently opened a new outpatient Spine Therapy Center in Tifton that complements the hospital’s growing spine program. In addition to two orthopedic spine surgeons on the hospital’s medical staff, TRMC now offers a service with a specific focus on spinal physical therapy. The director of the new TRMC Spine Therapy Center is Melanie Peavy, MPT, RN, BSN, a licensed physical therapist with Eat Your Way to Straight A’s ? Want your third-grader to do well on her math test? The answer may be as easy as changing what’s on her plate. A recent survey of 5,000 fifth graders found that kids who ate a low-fat diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, were more likely to pass a standardized test than kids who ate junk food. The survey, however, did not take into account family education level or income. Regardless of whether or not eating well can improve grades, the other health benefits of a good diet—weight loss, more energy, lower cholesterol— make encouraging healthy snacks over french fries an easy choice. advanced training in spinal care. Peavy offers a variety of techniques ranging from myofascial release to spinal mobilization and manipulation, as well as the latest approaches to spinal mechanical traction and pain-relieving modalities. The center will provide an intense, hands-on approach to spine therapy. For more information about the Spine Therapy Center, call (229) 353-3047. Open MRI Now Available at West Campus Tift Regional Medical Center recently began a new open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) service at the TRMC West Campus, located in Tifton at the crossroads of Interstate 75 and U.S. 41. This new unit gives TRMC a total of three MRI options, including a high-field strength MRI and open bore MRI located at the hospital’s main campus. Traditional MRI units are closed and tunnel-shaped, while an open MRI is open on three sides. According to Jerry Flannery, director of Radiology at TRMC, open MRI is ideal for small children, larger patients, and those suffering from claustrophobia or anxiety problems. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Wil Wynn (10 ½), Ross Wynn (10 ½), Reese Wynn (4), children of Lori Wynn, MRI, 7 years with TRMC Wil says his Mama “looks at other people’s x-rays and stuff like that.” He enjoys going to Wild Adventures, the bowling alley, and playing board games with his Mama. Ross says his Mama checks people’s brains to make sure they don’t have diseases. He likes it when she takes them to the movies. Reese says her Mama works beside the drawing room in the hospital and works to help people get better. Lori says her favorite thing about her job is “helping patients, taking care of them, and hopefully, making their experience here even better!” 6 ON HEALTH FALL 2008 Tops in Putting Security First Tift Regional Medical Center’s security was recently recognized for its innovative services and customer satisfaction by Security Sales & Integration magazine. TRMC’s security team has installed a stateof-the-art security system throughout TRMC that allows them to lock down facilities instantly and monitor 120 cameras. TRMC also has door access control allowing only members of each department to have access. For example, only authorized employees who need to be in Pediatrics are allowed to have door access. Patient Satisfaction Tift Regional Medical Center was recently cited in an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of the top 10 Georgia hospitals in patient satisfaction. Using data from a new hospital ratings web site sponsored by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the newspaper ranked Georgia hospitals in order of the percentage of patients who gave the hospital an overall rating of nine or higher (out of 10). TRMC tied for eighth place out of the 72 Georgia hospitals included in the CMS survey, with 75 percent of patients giving TRMC an overall rating of nine or higher. The Georgia average is 65 percent and the national average is 63 percent. Mom, IMyCan’t Sleep— Head Hurts Children who suffer from migraines are almost twice as likely to experience sleep apnea—a blockage in the airway that causes the child to wake repeatedly throughout the night. A recent study looked at 90 children who had reported experiencing both sleep and headache problems. Almost two-thirds of the children suffered from migraines, while the other third experienced chronic headaches, tension headaches, or nonspecific headaches on a daily basis. The results revealed that 56 percent of the children with migraines suffered from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, while only 30 percent of the children without migraines experienced sleep problems. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Blake Davis (4), Sadie Davis (1), children of Joy Davis, Outreach and Development, 5 years with TRMC Blake says, “Mama works to get money to buy me candy.” He likes it when she plays with his guns and draws with him. “I like to lay down with her at night time and I like for her to hold me,” Blake says. Joy chose her career in marketing because she likes working with people and enjoys being creative. ON HEALTH FALL 2008 7 Controlling a Child’s Asthma When healthy kids get out of breath, they’re usually able to recover quickly just by relaxing and breathing deeply. When children suffer asthma attacks, they feel like they’re out of breath and breathing through a coffee stirrer. Asthma symptoms include: • coughing, whistling sounds, or wheezing when exhaling • constant respiratory infections or frequent coughing • coughing after exercising or coughing at night while sleeping • complaints about chest pain or tightness According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than 9 million American children suffer from asthma, a condition that causes the lung’s airways—known as the bronchioles and bronchial tubes—to become inflamed and swollen. As a result, kids might experience an asthma attack, a “perfect storm” event that occurs when mucus buildup clogs the bronchial tubes and increases inflammation, resulting in the constriction of the muscles around the airway. “When a child experiences an asthma attack, he or she might start coughing, wheezing, and having breathing problems,” says Donna Robison, MEd, RRT, AE-C, asthma educator on staff at Tift Regional Medical Center. “Asthma attacks can be life-threatening, so it’s critical that children with asthma get diagnosed and then use their control medications every day and quick-relief medications as needed.” Getting Help Physicians aren’t sure what causes asthma, but they believe it has to do with the developing immune system. Symptoms may develop during infancy and most asthmatic children can be diagnosed by age two or three. After the diagnosis is made, the child will use daily control medications to prevent symptoms. The physician also will prescribe a quick-relief medication to use when he or she experiences an asthma attack. By taking the medications—and attending asthma education classes with the parents to learn about controlling the symptoms—your child can be healthier and reduce the risk of being hospitalized because of asthma. “Asthma is a condition that can’t be cured, but it can be controlled with the use of medications,” says Lyn Parson, C-PNP, certified pediatric nurse practitioner on the medical staff at TRMC. “It’s critical that parents—and children—follow the recommendations of their provider for asthma treatment on a daily basis.” To schedule an appointment with an asthma educator, call (229) 353-7526. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Kennon Snipes (4), child of Tiffany Snipes, Nursing-Surgical Floor, 3 years with TRMC Kennon says, “Mama works way up top at the hospital and takes shots to sick people.” Tiffany says her department is a family—they celebrate birthdays, weddings, and new babies. “We really love each other like part of our own family,” she says. 8 ON HEALTH FALL 2008 Six Ways to Healthier Fast Food Is This Normal for a Newborn? New parents are often filled with questions about what is or is not normal regarding their newborn’s health. Read on for information about common newborn conditions. “Maternal instincts are usually very good at detecting problems or illness in a newborn,” says Tony Addington, MD, board-certified pediatrician on the medical staff at Tift Regional Medical Center. “Parents should be encouraged to bring any concerns to their pediatrician’s attention, especially if the child has a high (100.4 degrees or higher) or low (less than 97 degrees) rectal temperature, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or extreme irritability.” Common newborn ailments include: • blocked tear ducts • constipation • cradle cap, including redness and heavy flaking on the scalp • diarrhea • jaundice • problems nursing • rash, often present at birth • reflux • thrush All of these conditions are treatable. If you think your child is ill, contact your pediatrician. Dr. Addington practices at Children’s Medical Center and is on the medical staff at TRMC. He can be reached at (229) 391-3640. Fast food and healthy food seem like opposite ends of the spectrum, but they don’t have to be. Linda Moore, PhD, RD, LD, CDE, manager of the Diabetes Learning Center at Tift Regional Medical Center, gives these pointers on how to pick healthier choices at the drive-thru. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Make your portion size small. Choose the smallest sandwich, which often has around 300 calories. Hit the greens. Choose a salad with grilled chicken and steer clear of fried meats, croutons, bacon bits, heavy cheese, and full-fat dressing. Turn on the grill. Opt for grilled or roasted meats instead of fried or breaded ones. Don’t drink your calories. A 32-ounce soda has about 300 calories. Instead, order unsweetened ice tea or water. Take it off. Condiments and toppings often add the bulk of calories and fat to a meal. Choose mustard or ketchup instead of mayonnaise and skip the cheese. Pick a good side. Order a side salad or fruit bowl instead of fries. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Haley Harden (8), Mackenzie Harden (6), Wren Harden (2), children of Melinda Harden, Pharmacy, 5 years with TRMC Haley says her Mama “works in the upstairs and sends medicine to sick people in the hospital.” Mackenzie says her Mama makes medicine and works in the pharmacy. She enjoys swimming with her mom when she is not working. Melinda says she enjoys helping to find the right drug at the right time so she can help patients get home faster. ON HEALTH FALL 2008 9 Autism All About According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 1 in 150 children suffers from autism—a disorder that affects behavior and interferes with social interaction abilities. While it’s currently not possible to cure autism, early diagnosis and intervention can help make dramatic improvements in the child’s quality of life. The term “autism” refers to the neurologically based developmental disorders that cause difficulty with social interaction and communication. While the severity of the disorder can vary dramatically—some children will function normally in society while others can’t speak or perform activities of daily living—the symptoms can interfere with virtually every aspect of a child’s life. “Autism is an emotionally charged word, because no parent wants to find out that their child acts differently because he or she has a developmental disorder,” says Jonathan Goodin, MD, FAAP, pediatrician on the medical staff at Tift Regional Medical Center. “However, with early intervention— especially while the young brain is still developing—many of these children will make incredible improvements.” Making the Diagnosis This often confusing disorder frequently is difficult to diagnose. Since no specific blood test or imaging scan can detect autism, pediatricians must observe the child and rely on the parents’ observations to screen the child for the disease. Diagnosis usually requires evaluation by a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neurologist. Autism can be diagnosed in infancy— usually when parents observe that the child is excessively irritable or has a over- sensitive sensory system. However, autism is most frequently diagnosed during the toddler years after the child’s development begins to regress or he or she demonstrates some of these symptoms: • Impaired social interaction. Children with autism might not respond properly to others. They can be self-abusive, have a higher pain threshold, and may not want to be touched. They often don’t want to play with other children. • Verbal and non-verbal communication problems. Kids with autism might not TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Kylei Cutts (3), grandchild of Barry Cutts, Pathology, 14 years with TRMC Kylei says her grandfather “looks for germs…he looks for germs in people’s mouths through a microscope.” She enjoys driving the truck and swimming with her grandfather. Barry said he has always enjoyed anatomy and physiology, so pathology was a perfect fit. 10 ON HEALTH FALL 2008 Improving Quality of Life with Therapy Autism Causes = listen to others, may not respond to their own names, and sometimes aren’t able to interpret other people’s thoughts or feelings. They might speak later in life than other children, and could talk about themselves in the third person. • Obsessive or repetitive behaviors. Autistic children often rock and twirl, and they might focus entirely on one item and ignore other items—or people—in the room. While physicians aren’t completely sure what causes autism, they are sure of one fact: Vaccines DON’T. “It has been proven conclusively that vaccines don’t cause autism, yet we hear in the media about an alleged correlation between autism and trace amounts of mercury in vaccines all the time,” says Dr. Goodin. “If that is true, why has the diagnosis of autism increased so dramatically in recent years while the mercury content of childhood vaccines has dropped to practically zero? “This leads not only to unnecessary fear on the part of parents, but it also creates a public health hazard as a result,” Dr. Goodin says. “Too many children are inadequately protected against potentially devastating and preventable diseases because of these unfounded concerns.” Instead, physicians and scientists believe that autism is a combination of both genetics and environment. Brain abnormalities have been identified in some autistic children using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while studies have discovered abnormal levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brains of autistic children. As a result, scientists believe that autism might occur due to genetic defects that control brain development. “Recent research has demonstrated that there is a strong genetic link involved with autism,” Dr. Goodin says. “Siblings of autistic children have a higher rate of acquiring the disorder than the general population.” Partnering with Physicians If your child is suspected of having autism, the most important things you can do are to confirm the diagnosis and then get him or her involved in occupational or speech therapy. While the autistic child may never have completely “normal” relationships, the child can be more functional with therapy as he or she ages. Dr. Goodin practices with Affinity Health Group and is on the medical staff at TRMC. He can be reached at (229) 391-4100. Whether your child is formally diagnosed as autistic or your pediatrician just suspects he or she has the disorder, it’s critical to begin occupational and speech therapy as quickly as possible. The purpose of therapeutic intervention is to make children as functional as possible so they will be able to take care of themselves and communicate appropriately with others. While it’s not always possible to achieve these goals with therapy, speech and occupational therapy can dramatically improve each patient’s quality of life. “Although some children may require additional assistance throughout their lives, initiating speech and occupational therapy services in early childhood can significantly improve one’s functional abilities for daily life skills,” says Dee Dee Brown, pediatric speech therapist on staff at Tift Regional Medical Center. The goal of speech therapy is to teach the child how to follow directions and be able to express wants and needs to the therapists and parents—either on his or her own or with an alternative communication device. Occupational therapy helps children learn to become as functional as possible, with regard to fine motor skills and activities of daily living, so they can develop self-care skills to function in everyday life. The therapists work together so the child can develop age-appropriate developmental skills. “After we’ve performed our initial evaluations, we usually jump right into play-based therapy where we (the speech therapist and occupational therapist) work together with the child,” says Lyndsey Estes, pediatric occupational therapist on staff at TRMC. “We try to provide the child with real-life scenarios, combining both speech and occupational therapy skills, to increase his or her independence with daily living skills.” For more information on pediatric therapy services at TRMC, call (229) 353-6188. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Waylon Vickers (5), Weston Vickers (2), children of David Vickers, Day Surgery, 5 years with TRMC and Candace Vickers, Nurse OB/GYN, 5 years with TRMC Waylon says, “Daddy works with surgeries and he looks to see if they are all right, and Mama gives babies something to drink or make them take a nap or rest.” Waylon enjoys playing with both his Mama and Daddy. David and Candace also have a two-year-old son, Weston, and three dogs, two rabbits, a turtle, and some fish. ON HEALTH FALL 2008 11 Dealing with Attention Disorders At the library, your son always has difficulty paying attention as the librarian reads to the group. Is it simple boredom, or could he have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? First, determine if your child consistently has a problem with paying attention and if he or she shows impulsive tendencies, such as blurting out comments before thinking them through. If you’ve seen a consistent pattern of behavior, speak with your physician at your child’s next appointment. Don’t Wait “Many parents want to wait and see how their child does through the beginning of the school year,” says Sharon Petzel, physician assistant for Affinity Health Group. “This isn’t just a school problem— it’s the way the brain operates. If your child is having attention problems in multiple settings, ADHD could be the cause, and you should have your child assessed. That’s one way to ensure a happier school year.” Petzel practices as a physician assistant for Affinity Health Group and is on the medical staff at TRMC. She can be reached at (229) 391-4100. Avoid the Flu— Get a Shot! A panel of experts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that all children over the age of six months be vaccinated against seasonal flu. This suggestion marks a change from previous recommendations, which emphasized the importance of vaccination for children from six months up to age five. Now all children up through age 18 are recommended for vaccination, either with the traditional flu shot or a vaccination nasal spray. “As health providers, we see the effects flu has on patients,” says Deb Hairr, RN, BSN, director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Tift Regional Medical Center. “Children with certain chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes and those under five years of age are especially at risk. Receiving the flu vaccine each year is one step you can take to help keep your family healthy.” To locate a TRMC physician to provide your vaccination and meet your family’s healthcare needs, visit www.tiftregional.com and select “Find a Physician.” TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Liberty (Libby) Baucom (5), granddaughter of Gina Bennett, PFS, 9 years with TRMC Libby says her grandmother talks to dead people and gets money. When they are playing Libby said she likes to jump on her grandmother. Gina says the thing most people don’t realize about her department is the time and skill it takes to collect money. 12 ON HEALTH FALL 2008 Exercise Tricks for Kids According to the American Medical Association, nearly one in three American youngsters is overweight or obese. “Being overweight or obese places kids at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes,” says Shawn West, MD, pediatrician on the medical staff at Tift Regional Medical Center. “In addition, overweight children are more likely to turn into obese adults, which can trigger even more health problems as they age.” Growing Up is Hard to Do Concerned your teen might be depressed? Here’s how you can tell. Although depression is most often associated with older adults, it can be a very real problem for teenagers, too. Studies have shown that as many as one in eight adolescents suffers from depression. “Unfortunately, signs of depression in teens can be hard to differentiate from normal teenage moodiness,” says Nandlal Chainani, MD, pediatrician on the medical staff at Tift Regional Medical Center. “For this reason, as many as 80 percent of teenage depression cases go undiagnosed.” Moody or Depressed? So how can you tell whether your teen is just being moody or if he or she is depressed? Here are a few signs and symptoms of depression in teens: • changes in eating and sleeping habits • loss of interest in activities • problems in school • talking about suicide or death • withdrawal from friends and family Dr. Chainani practices at Kids Care Clinic and is on the medical staff at TRMC. He can be reached at (229) 386-5101. Keep Kids Moving With the increasing popularity of computer and other indoor activities in today’s “video era,” many parents may wonder how they can help their children fight off this alarming trend. If your child likes playing football on a home video game system, encourage him or her to get out on the field to play a real game of football. Or, invest in the Nintendo® Wii™, and the Wii Fit program that features four disciplines: aerobics, balance games, strength training, and yoga. Dr. West also recommends parents limit their child’s video and TV time to a maximum of two hours per day. Dr. West practices at Children’s Medical Center and is on the medical staff at TRMC. He can be reached at (229) 391-3640. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Chase Beckham (6), Jackson Beckham (2), children of Stacey Beckham, Outreach and Development, 7 years with TRMC Chase said he really doesn’t know what his mom does at work, but he thinks she works on a computer and helps people. Things he loves doing with his mom include going to Wild Adventures, drawing, swimming, and snuggling. Jackson likes to go grocery shopping, cook with mom, and eat. Stacey loves the healthcare field and hopes to be in it the rest of her life. ON HEALTH FALL 2008 13 Hurt Named ACHE Fellow Douglas R. Hurt was recently named a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), the nation’s largest professional society for healthcare business leaders. Hurt has served as Tift Regional Medical Center’s vice president of professional services since 1991. He currently provides administrative oversight for the hospital’s physician practices, respiratory care, medical imaging, and cardiovascular departments. Becoming a FACHE and earning board certification shows that healthcare leaders like Hurt are committed to providing high-quality services to their patients and community. Wiggins Joins HealthPlus as New Nurse Practitioner Sonia Wiggins, FNP-C, is the new family nurse practitioner for HealthPlus in Ashburn and will work alongside John DeSimone, MD, and Georgia Griffis, PA, in offering comprehensive family medicine services. Wiggins, a native of Turner County, recently earned her nurse practitioner degree from Albany State University after serving as a registered nurse for 16 years with various healthcare institutions in south Georgia. Wiggins also holds associate degrees in science and nursing from Bainbridge College and Darton College as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Thomas University. New Hospice Chaplain Dr. Danny V. Ray was recently endorsed and commissioned as a hospice chaplain for Hospice of Tift Area by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Hospice of Tift Area, a service of Tift Regional Medical Center, has provided care to terminally ill patients in Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Colquitt, Cook, Irwin, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties for more than 21 years. TRMC’s Tree of Life 2008 Area residents will honor family and friends and remember lost loved ones at the 23rd Annual Tree of Life lighting ceremony to be held on the front lawn of Tift Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. An annual holiday tradition for the past 22 years, the Tree of Life is sponsored by the Tifton Junior Woman’s Club and raises money for a special fund benefiting patients of the TRMC Oncology Center, Hospice of Tift Area, and Transitions. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Jason Cody Morris (3), James Morris (1), children of Monica Morris, Outreach and Development, 6 years with TRMC Jason Cody thinks his mom plays on the “pooter” (computer) and talks on the phone when she’s at work. What Monica likes the most about her job is working directly with the doctors and getting to know them, as well as understanding the dramatic changes in health care. Her job is to find qualified and highly trained physicians to meet the demand. 14 ON HEALTH FALL 2008 New Waiting Rooms Comfort Families Visitors to Tift Regional Medical Center’s new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have the option of two new family waiting rooms, thanks to two local memorial funds. Visiting family members in an ICU can be a difficult time. Thanks to donations from two local memorials, loved ones can now experience a quiet, comforting environment at TRMC. Two new waiting rooms are available for family members and friends to wait, pray, or meditate while visiting patients in the ICU. Meeting Needs A new large family waiting area features comfortable furnishings, thanks to the Clarke Patrick Memorial by Patrick Family and Friends, in memory of Russell Clarke Patrick, an Omega native who loved hunting and fishing. The room features several dividers to provide privacy, as well as comfortable couches and chairs to make visitors feel at home. The room also has a concession area with vending machines, a coffee maker, and a microwave for visitors’ convenience. A separate quiet room also is available for families and Russell Clarke Patrick friends who seek more solitude to pray or meditate. Dim lighting and the absence of televisions help create a quiet atmosphere, while recliners and couches put visitors at ease. This addition was funded by the C.R. Summers Memorial in honor of Charles Raymond Summers, a local farmer and World War II veteran. Both waiting rooms feature plaques dedicating the areas to Patrick and Summers, with a short inscription and Charles Raymond Summers picture on each. Honoring Loved Ones Memorial funds are a unique way to honor loved ones who have passed. Set up through the TRMC Foundation, memorials allow family members to designate which hospital program or need they would like funds to go toward. For more information on establishing a memorial fund, call the TRMC Foundation at (229) 391-3310. Advanced ICU NowOpen Last summer, Tift Regional Medical Center opened an advanced intensive care unit with additional space for care, as well as state-of-the-art technology. The 37,500-square-foot unit, located above the Heart and Vascular Center on 20th Street, features 20 beds and private patient rooms. Each large patient room features a sofa bed for a family member to stay overnight, as well as a private bathroom. Care was taken to ensure the unit did not appear sterile or cold by using light paint colors and soft lighting to create a more home-like environment. In addition to added comfort, each room also is equipped with the latest telemetry monitoring equipment and critical care technology. A new automated storage system keeps the equipment out of the patient’s and visitors’ way, and nurses are right around the corner thanks to a central nursing station and separate computer terminals for every two patient rooms. TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES Kennedy Brooks (4), child of Mandy Brooks, TRMC Foundation, 6 years with TRMC Kennedy said her mama works to pay bills and to play with Miss Maranda (Houston) all day. Her favorite things to do with her mom are to play Barbies, swim, and go to the lake so she can ride the boat. Mandy’s favorite thing about her job is the 30-Minute Club. She and her husband Chris also have a little boy named Carter, 2. ON HEALTH FALL 2008 15 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Lynchburg, Va Permit No. 830 901 East 18th Street Tifton, GA 31794 www.tiftregional.com <o`k-+ )'k_Jk% K`]k8m\ % (/k_Jk% <o`k-) LJ/)N\jk K`]kI\^`feXc D\[`ZXc:\ek\i .k_Jk% LJ/)<Xjk LJ This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.