Mammography - St Vincent Health

BALANCE
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r a n d o l p h . s t v i n c e n t .o r g
spring 2013
digital difference in
Not too Intimidated
to Talk about
Bullying
Mammography
PUTTING HIS LIFE
ON THE (FINISH) LINE:
Grandfather Joins
Granddaughter’s Cancer Battle
Meet Dr. Patrick Healey
Smoking
Patrick Healey, M.D., joined
the St.Vincent Center for Healthy
Aging in 1994 and has worked with
Brain
Health
the area’s aging population ever
since. A member of the St.Vincent
Hospital Ethics Committee, he serves
as the fellowship director of geriatric medicine at
St.Vincent Health. He also educates future generations
of physicians as a member of the St.Vincent Health
teaching faculty and an assistant professor at the
Indiana University School of Medicine.
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What Senio
An estimated 5.4 million Americans currently live with
Alzheimer’s disease. While the exact causes of Alzheimer’s
and dementia have not been identified, new research suggests that
smoking might play a part in mental decline later in life.
■
THE RESEARCH,
including a recent study
conducted at King’s College
London, shows that smokers
older than age 50 experience
reduced capacity for learning,
reasoning and memory when
compared to non-smokers.
Protecting
Your Brain
“For years,
we’ve educated
patients
about the
direct link
between
smoking
and heart
disease, lung
cancer and other
serious conditions,” said
Patrick Healey, M.D., a
geriatrician (physician
specializing in older
adults) on the medical
staff at the St.Vincent
2 Balance . . . body, mind and spirit
Center for Healthy Aging. “Now
we have a number of studies that
show that smoking, or possibly
the side effects of smoking,
can have a negative impact on
mental capacity among even
younger seniors.”
It’s a phenomenon Dr. Healey
believes is linked to one of the
common side effects of smoking
—hardened arteries.
“There’s a pretty clear
correlation between hardened
arteries and impaired
cognition,” Dr. Healey said.
“Smoking speeds up the
hardening process. The question
becomes, why take the risk with
your brain?”
“Our mission is to care for
the total health of seniors and
their families,” Dr. Healey said.
“We go beyond medical care to
tend to the social, psychological
and functional wellness of our
clients as well.”
The center’s staff, which
includes social workers,
geriatricians, psychologists,
nurse practitioners,
gerontologists, sociologists,
certified fitness instructors and
case managers, is specifically
educated to support the needs
of this unique group.
Available services include:
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Mission of Care
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The St.Vincent Center for
Healthy Aging is specifically
designed to address the health
concerns of older adults—on
all fronts and in an holistic care
environment.
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Care management
Clinical programs
Education and advocacy
Research
Wellness programs
For more information about the
St.Vincent Center for Healthy Aging,
call 317.338.7780.
Know Your Signs
If you believe that you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke, call 9-1-1
immediately. The signs of stroke include sudden:
+ • Confusion and difficulty speaking or understanding
+ • Dizziness and trouble walking or standing
+ • Numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
+ • Severe headache for no known reason
+ • Vision trouble
Insight
INTO STROKE
Last year, an American suffered a stroke
If stroke affected you or a loved one,
would you be ready to respond?
■
ANYONE, AT ANY AGE, CAN HAVE A
stroke. Every year, 795,000 people in the United
States have strokes—425,000 of them women. People
often do not realize how vulnerable they are to stroke,
and many may not recognize a stroke when it happens.
“Unlike heart attacks, strokes usually do not hurt, so
people often don’t recognize or ignore important warning
signs,” explained Jeffrey Hilburn, M.D., stroke medical
director for St.Vincent Neuroscience Institute. “Far too
many people mistake the symptoms of stroke for other
conditions and delay seeking treatment.”
Time Is of the Essence
Most strokes (ischemic strokes) are caused by the
blockage of a vessel supplying blood to the brain, which
deprives brain cells of oxygen and causes brain damage.
The sooner the blocked vessel is opened, the better.
“When a person comes to a St.Vincent Health
ministry with an ischemic stroke, our goal is to evaluate
the cause of stroke symptoms and administer intravenous
clot-buster [recombinant tissue plasminogen activator,
or rtPA] medicine in less than an hour,” Dr. Hilburn
said. “When blood flow to the brain is blocked, almost
2 million brain cells die every minute.”
In addition to administering the clot-buster
medication, physicians perform a neurological exam,
order brain and artery scans, and map blood flow to
identify any blockages. If a major artery is blocked,
physicians may retrieve the clot mechanically.
“Many people believe if it’s a stroke, nothing can
be done. This is no longer true,” Dr. Hilburn said.
“If you believe someone is having a stroke, don’t call
your doctor—call 9-1-1 immediately.”
The long-term effects of stroke can be felt
throughout the entire body. If treatment is not
received in time, stroke survivors may be paralyzed or
very weak on one side of the body; have problems with
thinking, decision-making and memory; have trouble
speaking or understanding others; or have emotional
difficulties.
“The clot-buster medicine is our best hope of
preventing permanent harm,” Dr. Hilburn said. “More
than 30 percent of people who receive it end up with
few or no after-effects.”
According to the National Stroke Association, at
least 80 percent of strokes are preventable. Uncontrolled
diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
levels, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet all increase
the chances of stroke. Monitoring and managing these
health problems can help you avoid stroke.
“Don’t wait to have a stroke and hope to be
successfully treated,” Dr. Hilburn said. “The best
treatment is to not have a stroke in the first place.”
To learn more about stroke or to take a stroke risk assessment,
visit knowyoursigns.org.
randolph.stvincent.org 3
Focus on
Digital Mammography
Special computer-assisted detection software helps technologists and radiologists uncover suspicious
areas of breast tissue not visible to the naked eye.
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Both conventional and digital mammography
screenings detect abnormal changes in breast tissue before they
can be felt. The primary difference between the two procedures is the
way images are recorded. Conventional mammography takes a picture
of the breast on X-ray film. In digital mammography, the image is saved
as a computer file. Digital mammography offers several advantages over
the conventional method, beginning with superior image quality.
“The images produced by digital mammography are simply superb,”
said Anita K. Hines, R.T. (R)(M)(A.R.R.T.), medical imaging services
director at St.Vincent Randolph Hospital. “It is unbelievable how much
more detailed the digital images are compared with film images we have
made in previous years.”
The Digital Difference
“We have worked
very hard to make sure
people have access to
the latest technologies
at St.Vincent Randolph
Hospital. Our patients can
expect to receive the same
high standard of care
found at any other facility.”
— Anita K. Hines, R.T. (R)(M)(A.R.R.T.),
medical imaging services director at
St.Vincent Randolph Hospital
Digital mammography offers more than a sharper picture—it allows
technologists, radiologists and physicians to manipulate and enhance
the image to pinpoint areas that need further evaluation. It is possible
to zoom in or magnify, adjust brightness and contrast, or rotate the
image to study it from different angles. In addition, the Hologic® digital
mammography device uses sophisticated software to help radiologists
analyze and interpret the results.
The software analyzes tiny details in the digital image, flags areas that
merit closer scrutiny, and makes it easier to distinguish between normal
breast tissue and changes that may be early indications of cancer.
Digital mammography also makes the process of screening and
diagnosis smoother and more efficient for patients. Digital storage
and retrieval enable images to be shared electronically throughout the
St.Vincent Health system. This means patients need fewer follow-up
appointments or repeat mammograms, keeping radiation exposure to
a minimum.
Breast Services Enhanced
Digital mammography is just one component in an expanded
breast services program currently being put into place throughout the
St.Vincent Health System.
The breast services program offers more than screenings. If a patient
needs advanced care, St.Vincent Randolph Hospital works with other
departments and facilities in the St.Vincent Health System to coordinate
all necessary services. Also, as a Hologic Pink Ribbon Facility, St.Vincent
Randolph Hospital is able to connect women with resources such as
breast cancer survivor programs.
To learn more about breast health, visit 3384her.com. To schedule a mammogram,
call 765.584.0296.
4 Balance . . . body, mind and spirit
Best for
and
St.Vincent Randolph Hospital is teaching moms and their newborns the art of successful breastfeeding.
n
of Pediatrics, infants should be fed breast milk
exclusively for the first six months of life to ensure optimal
health and growth.
“Breast milk provides an advantage over formula
because it contains the right balance of nutrients and vital
antibodies that helps protect babies from a whole host of
diseases,” explained Kami Good, R.N., an international
board-certified lactation consultant at St.Vincent
Randolph Hospital.
St.Vincent Randolph Hospital offers both inpatient
and outpatient breastfeeding services.
are available from St.Vincent Randolph Hospital for $1
per day with a credit card. Purchased with funds raised by
the St.Vincent Foundation, the pumps offer new moms
breastfeeding flexibility, so they are able to save extra milk
for times when they must be separated from their babies.
“In the months leading up to delivery, we encourage
new moms to attend the breastfeeding classes offered at
St.Vincent Randolph Hospital,” said Kami. “Our lactation
specialists are available to help mom and baby with
breastfeeding while they are in the hospital. Once they are
discharged, we provide consultations to offer guidance in the
days and weeks to come.”
Real-World Solutions
For more information about
Breast pumps are now available to rent at St.Vincent
Randolph Hospital in an effort to help moms breastfeed
their babies longer. Medela Symphony® double pumps
breast pump rental and lactation
According to the American Academy
Closing the Book on
St.Vincent Randolph Hospital
is partnering with Indiana
University East School of Nursing
to spread the message about
bullying in Randolph County.
services at St.Vincent Randolph
Hospital, call 765.584.0171. Bullying
n“
“Most parents either know a child who has been bullied or
have had their own child victimized by bullying,” said Jennifer Hendrickson, safety
officer at St.Vincent Randolph Hospital. “From discussions I’ve had with fellow parents,
I’ve sensed a strong desire for more education about bullying in our schools.”
The Silent Epidemic
Bullying affects one in four children nationwide and approximately 280,000 students
in Indiana alone. Unfortunately, many victims of bullying are reluctant to notify parents
or teachers out of embarrassment or fear.
This spring, nursing students Lisa Breymier and Cybil Short will present programs
at local schools highlighting what bullying is, how it affects others, reasons not to bully
and what to do when it happens. A law enforcement officer will be present during the
presentations to reinforce the seriousness of the topic.
“Bullying can have significant consequences, including depression and suicide,” Jennifer
said. “We want to prevent bullying in the first place—before we see the effects of it here in
the hospital.”
To find out how you can help prevent or address bullying, visit stopbullying.gov.
randolph.stvincent.org 5
A Tale of
Tom Rushworth of Zionsville knew he
had to do something to overcome the
helplessness he felt when his youngest
granddaughter, Lauryn Walls, was
diagnosed with leukemia. However, his
greatest gesture nearly
cost him his life.
■
TOM AND LAURYN’S INTERWOVEN
story began on Jan. 8, 2008, when Lauryn’s
mother, Dea, took the then 4-year-old preschooler to
her primary care provider—Susan Jacob, M.D., family
medicine physician on the medical staff at St.Vincent
Carmel Hospital—after Lauryn complained about
persistent chest pain. Noting Lauryn’s poor color and
enlarged spleen, Dr. Jacob recommended Dea take her
to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent
immediately. There, blood work and a bone marrow
biopsy revealed the presence of acute lymphoblastic
leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells.
“I was devastated and overwhelmed, but those feelings
didn’t last long,” Dea said. “I told my family, ‘We’re not
crying in front of Lauryn anymore. We’re not giving up.’”
Two days after arriving in the emergency department
at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent,
Lauryn began chemotherapy treatment that lasted nearly
2 1/2 years. Dea described the first 10 months of Lauryn’s
treatment as “excruciating.” All of the hardship Lauryn
experienced, however, was worth it.
“Lauryn entered remission in February 2008, but it’s
standard to treat young, female leukemia patients for
more than two years to reduce their risk of recurrence,”
said Jessica Goodman, M.D., pediatric hematologist/
oncologist on the medical staff at Peyton Manning
Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent. “She is now
9 years old and in second grade. Hopefully,
6 Balance . . . body, mind and spirit
she’s cured, but I can’t say so yet—when she reaches five
years after the end of treatment and hasn’t experienced
recurrence, I would say she’s cured.”
The Race of His Life
During Lauryn’s treatment, Dea became involved with
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training,
a program in which athletes train participants to complete
endurance events in exchange for participants’ pledges to
raise money for blood cancer research. Dea completed a
marathon and a triathlon and became a coach for Team
In Training.
In January 2010, Tom, then age 60, accompanied Dea,
his daughter, to a Team In Training meeting about the
Elkhart Lake Triathlon–Olympic Event in Wisconsin, a
race in which Dea’s team planned to compete in Lauryn’s
honor. By the end of the meeting, Tom—who didn’t own
a bike, hadn’t swum regularly since childhood and had
bad knees—had resolved to demonstrate his love for his
granddaughter by competing in the grueling swimming,
biking and running event, too.
After five months of training—mostly with Dea—race
day arrived. Tom knew something wasn’t quite right from
the start. He struggled with a headache and difficulty
breathing during the nearly one-mile swim, finishing 25
minutes slower than his practice time.
“Soon into the nearly 28-mile bike ride, the headache
worsened, my neck stiffened and it became difficult to
f
A Past, Present and Future Pioneer
see,” Tom said. “My other coach met me at the top of a hill
with an ambulance and emergency medical technicians
and told me I was finished, but I said, ‘There’s no way
I’m stopping this race!’ Dea and several of my teammates
joined me in walking the 6.2-mile running portion. One
hundred yards from the finish, Lauryn ran up to me,
and I carried her across the line. I finished in 5 hours, 22
minutes—nearly two hours slower than my practice time.”
Despite his worrisome symptoms, Tom didn’t seek
medical attention until after he arrived home the next
day. He went to the emergency department at St.Vincent
Carmel Hospital in the middle of the night and was
diagnosed with an aortic dissection—a tear in the artery
that carries blood out of the heart. He was transferred
to St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana, located on the
campus of St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, for surgery.
“Aortic dissection is one of the most painful
conditions one can have,” said Robert Robison, M.D.,
cardiothoracic surgeon on the medical staff at St.Vincent
Heart Center of Indiana, who performed surgery to
replace Tom’s ascending aorta and aortic valve. “Tom
told me he was embarrassed by his finishing time in the
triathlon, and I said, ‘You’re the only one who competed
with a torn aorta!’”
After 12 days in the hospital and six weeks of cardiac
rehabilitation at St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana, Tom
made a successful recovery. Like Dea, he’s thankful for the
care that saved his life and his granddaughter’s.
Late last year, St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana at the
106th Street campus celebrated its 10-year anniversary
and more than 100 years of cardiovascular care at
St.Vincent Health with two of its greatest accomplishments
yet. St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana’s two campuses,
one on 86th Street and the other at 106th Street and
North Meridian Street, were rated first and second,
respectively, in Indiana for overall cardiac services in 2013
by Healthgrades, the nation’s leading independent provider
of healthcare ratings.
During the more than 130 years since the Daughters
of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul founded a hospital in
Indianapolis, St.Vincent Health has established a tradition
of leading the way in Indiana heart care. St.Vincent Health
has been home to numerous cardiovascular “firsts” for
Indiana, including:
+ Abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft
+ Carotid artery stenting
+ Coronary artery bypass graft
+ Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass
+ Minimally invasive robotic-assisted procedures
+ Placement of drug-eluting stents
As a leader in heart care, St.Vincent Heart Center of
Indiana continues to build on St.Vincent Health’s proud
history of cardiovascular care.
“I am humbled by, and grateful to, the St.Vincent
Health providers who cared for Lauryn and me,” he said.
“I don’t take life—or my health—for granted anymore.”
If you’re searching for the same type of compassionate care Tom and
Lauryn received, visit stvincent.org to find a physician.
Sign Up
For the Sept. 21
St.Vincent Cancer Walk
Join Tom, Lauryn and hundreds more walkers at the St.Vincent
Cancer Walk on Saturday, Sept. 21. The 3-mile and 10-mile
walks will take place at Lions Park in Zionsville. One hundred
percent of the funds raised through the walk benefit cancer
patients throughout Central Indiana. It is a great way for YOU
to get involved and inspire hope for others in need.
Register today at www.StVincentCancerWalk.org,
and follow us at Facebook.com/StVCancerWalk for
more inspiring stories.
randolph.stvincent.org 7
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
St.Vincent Hospital
and Healthcare, Inc.
St.Vincent Hospital and Healthcare, Inc.
473 East Greenville Ave.
Winchester, IN 47394
Administrator Francis “Cheech” Albarano
Board Chair Brian Edwards
Executive Editor Kathy Beumer
Chief Executive Officer Vincent C. Caponi
System Marketing Executive Elizabeth Cisco
Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Northern
Editor Jon White
St.Vincent Randolph Hospital is a member of St.Vincent Health, the state’s largest faith-based healthcare system with
20 ministries serving 47 counties in Southern and Central Indiana. | The Spirit of Caring® close to home.
For general information, call 888.338.CARE (2273). Visit St.Vincent Health on the Internet at stvincent.org. © 2013 by St.Vincent Health. All rights reserved. Information contained
herein is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional. If you do not wish to receive
future mail from St.Vincent, please call 317.338.CARE (2273).
healing with
Heart and Technology
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We live in an amazing time for advanced
healing technology. The digital age has
ushered in a host of sophisticated tools not
only for the treatment of disease, but also
for prevention through screenings.
On page 4, we are pleased to tell you
about our latest capability in cancer
detection. Digital mammography is providing
unprecedented clarity for investigating
breast tissue changes and is a wonderful
enhancement to our breast services program.
As much as we are deeply grateful for
innovation in medicine, we never forget that
our mission is not only about machinery. It’s
about helping those who are vulnerable. We
always seek a balance—hence, our magazine’s
title. As an example of healing no device
can provide, nursing students are leading an
anti-bullying effort in our local schools. Read
about their message to our children on page 5.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to
read this issue of Balance. I hope you find
it insightful and perhaps inspired to begin a
healthier lifestyle.
Sincerely
Francis “Cheech” Albarano
Administrator, St.Vincent Randolph Hospital