Completed Project

Clinic Nursing Station

Clinic Exam Room

Liz Rindel, RN working hard as Patient Education Coordinator

 

Dana Finnesgard working hard in the Clinic Business Office

Marilyn Andrick working in the Hospital Business Office

Joyce Wolter finalizing some paperwork in the Hospital
Business Office

St. Luke's Hospital Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Nursing Station

ER 1 in St. Luke's Hospital & Continental Resources
Emergency Center

St. Luke's Hospital Procedure room in Continental Resources
Emergency Center

Patient Room in the Acute Care Wing

Chapel that was graciously donated by the Gjovigs with
furnishings provided by Skabo Lutheran Church

St. Luke's Hospital Therapy Department Aquatic Therapy
Pool

Therapy Department

NEDAwareness

This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness week. I've been doing a little research and came across the health consequences of eating disorders to share with everyone. Eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that affect a person's emotional and physical health. Eating disorders are not just a "fad" or a "phase." People do not just "catch" an eating disorder for a period of time. They are real, complex, devastating conditions that can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships. People struggling with eating disorders need to seek professional help. The earlier a person with an eating disorder seeks treatment, the greater likelihood of physical and emotional recovery.

Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa: In anorexia nervosa's cycle of self-starvation, the body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. Thus, the body is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy, resulting in serious medical consequences.

• Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.
• Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
• Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
• Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common.
• Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.

Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa:The recurrent binge-and-purge cycles of bulimia can affect the entire digestive system and can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that can affect the heart and other major organ functions. Some of the health consequences of bulimia nervosa include:

• Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death. Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium, sodium and chloride from the body as a result of purging behaviors.
• Potential for gastric rupture during periods of binging.
• Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
• Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting.
• Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.
• Peptic ulcers and pancreatitis.

Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder: Binge eating disorder often results in many of the same health risks associated with clinical obesity. Some of the potential health consequences of binge eating disorder include:

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol levels.
• Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels.
• Type II diabetes mellitus.
• Gallbladder disorder.

For more information on the damaging affects of Eating Disorders, or to learn more about the different diseases, prevention, or how to get help please go to http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ where this article was found.

Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day (for all those men out there who didn't realize what the date was). It's a time of indulgence in love and of course food, but just because we like to indulge in a romantic meal and show our love for one another with gifts and the traditional chocolate desserts doesn't mean they have to add to our waistline. As I was searching around for some easy recipes that I could make for myself and my fiancee, I stumbled across a healthy eating website (not like they aren't hard to come across), this website had a special section on Valentine's Day food.         
As I was looking at the desserts I found this amazing Baby Tiramasu recipe that I thought I would share, it's healthy and looks just a "tad bit" delicious and romantic as you can share and indulge with the one you love. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup nonfat ricotta cheese, (4 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 12 ladyfingers, (about 1 3/4 ounces)
• 4 tablespoons brewed espresso, or strong coffee, divided
• 2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)

Preparation

1. Combine ricotta, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
2. Place 6 ladyfingers in a 9-by-5-inch (or similar size) loaf pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee). Spread the ricotta mixture over the ladyfingers. Place another layer of ladyfingers over the ricotta and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee). Drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

Tips & Notes

• Tip: To melt chocolate: Microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Or place in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.

Nutrition

Per serving: 107 calories; 2 g fat ( 1 g sat , 0 g mono ); 3 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 0 g fiber; 125 mg sodium; 29 mg potassium.
Carbohydrate Servings: 1
Exchanges: 1 carbohydrate (other), 1/2 fat

For more recipes go to http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_valentines_day_recipes

-Erin

How to Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease

St. Luke's Hospital and Crosby Clinic has started its campaign for awareness of Heart Disease. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has some tips on how to prevent your risk for heart disease. Heart disease is not just a "man's disease" as it is prevalent in 1 out of every 4 women. If you have just one risk factor for heart disease it can double your chance of acquiring the disease.

Here are some of the NHLBI's ways to lower your risk for heart disease:


The first step toward heart health is becoming aware of your own personal risk for heart disease. Some risks, such as smoking cigarettes, are obvious: every woman knows whether or not she smokes. But other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, generally don't have obvious signs or symptoms. So you'll need to gather some information to create your personal "heart profile."


You and Your Doctor: A Heart Healthy Partnership
A crucial step in determining your risk is to see your doctor for a thorough checkup. Your doctor can be an important partner in helping you set and reach goals for heart health. But don't wait for your doctor to mention heart disease or its risk factors. Many doctors don't routinely bring up the subject with women patients. Here are some tips for establishing good, clear communication between you and your doctor:

Speak up. Tell your doctor you want to keep your heart healthy and would like help in achieving that goal. Ask questions about your chances of developing heart disease and how you can lower your risk.  Also ask for tests that will determine your personal risk factors.

Keep tabs on treatment. If you already are being treated for heart disease or heart disease risk factors, ask your doctor to review your treatment plan with you. Ask: Is what I'm doing in line with the latest recommendations? Are my treatments working? Are my risk factors under control? If your doctor recommends a medical procedure, ask about its benefits and risks. Find out if you will need to be hospitalized and for how long, and what to expect during the recovery period.

Be open. When your doctor asks you questions, answer as honestly and fully as you can. While certain topics may seem quite personal, discussing them openly can help your doctor find out your chances of developing heart disease. It can also help your doctor work with you to reduce your risk. If you already have heart disease, briefly describe each of your symptoms. Include when each symptom started, how often it happens, and whether it has been getting worse.

Keep it simple. If you don't understand something your doctor says, ask for an explanation in simple language. Be especially sure you understand how to take any medication you are given. If you are worried about understanding what the doctor says, or if you have trouble hearing, bring a friend or relative with you to your appointment. You may want to ask that person to write down the doctor's instructions for you.

For more information please go to www.hearttruth.gov

2011 in Review

Much has been accomplished this year and our contributors deserve all of the credit. None of this would happen without them. St. Luke's Hospital, Crosby Clinic, and St. Luke's Community Foundation would like to take a look back at the year and shed light on all you, our donors, have helped us accomplish.
The Crosby Clinic has moved from their downtown location to a new facility located on the St. Luke's Medical Complex. This facility has been a blessing to all who work or come to St. Luke's Medical Complex. It has been beneficial to the ease of access to care that is so important in today's healthcare, as well as make St. Luke's Hospital and Clinics more efficient and patient-friendly. Along with the Crosby Clinic moving to the medical complex, St. Luke's Hospital underwent major renovations that are almost completed! With the renovations came a new layout to improve the quality of care we give our patients.

St. Luke's Hospital has also added a new emergency center with an ambulance garage attached. This was in major part to a donation given by Continental Resources and their affiliates. The Torgeson Family Learning Center is now open and operational in the basement of the facility. This room is beautiful and spacious and can be used for meetings, dinners, training, and anything else you can imagine! A therapy pool designed for aquatic therapy has been installed and is awaiting completion early in the 2012 year, we are very excited about the possibilities and new therapy we will be able to give our patients.

The Foundation Board has been working tirelessly to add an additional six units to Northern Lights Villa under the management of Jean Nygaard and Jean Sedo. The units have helped make senior housing more available in a shrinking housing market, while being able to provide more services to elderly popluation. The board has also sold the Crosby Clinic building to Maisey Dental and the Foundation's "Dr. House" is now occupied by a new physician!

St. Luke's is here to meet your needs 24/7/365 and it only takes a moment to step back and envision a community without St. Luke's to realize the importance that it plays in our daily lives. Not only as a healthcare service, but as an employer, friend and family. We want the community of Burke-Divide to enjoy quality healthcare services from a facility they can trust for many years to come!

Celebration of Lights

   Our Celebration of Lights program provides an opportunity for you to remember and honor loved ones and friends this holiday season.  For each individual you remember or honor, a light will be placed on our special outdoor tree at St. Luke’s Hospital.  On Friday, November 25, 2011, the lights on the tree will be turned on and display all those you wish to pay tribute to those remembered and honored throughout our community and afar. To be a part of this special occasion contact Erin Johnson or Karla Schwanz at St. Luke's Community Foundation. We would love to answer all of your questions or help you to honor and commemorate your loved ones. All Celebration of Light forms need to be turned in by November 21st.

Therapy Pool: Work in Progress

Aquatic therapy or pool therapy consists of an exercise program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance.

One benefit of aquatic therapy is the buoyancy provided by the water. While submerged in water, buoyancy assists in supporting the weight of the patient. This decreases the amount of weight bearing which reduces the force of stress placed on the joints. This aspect of aquatic therapy is especially useful for patients with arthritis, healing fractured bones, or who are overweight. By decreasing the amount of joint stress it is easier and less painful to perform exercises.

The viscosity of water provides an excellent source of resistance that can be easily incorporated into an aquatic therapy exercise program. This resistance allows for muscle strengthening without the need of weights. Using resistance coupled with the water’s buoyancy allows a person to strengthen muscle groups with decreased joint stress that can not be experienced on land.

Aquatic therapy also utilizes hydrostatic pressure to decrease swelling and improve joint position awareness. The hydrostatic pressure produces forces perpendicular to the body’s surface. This pressure provides joint positional awareness to the patient. As a result, patient proprioception is improved. This is important for patients who have experienced joint sprains, as when ligaments are torn, our proprioception becomes decreased. The hydrostatic pressure also assists in decreasing joint and soft tissue swelling that results after injury or with arthritic disorders.

Lastly, the warmth of the water experience during aquatic therapy assists in relaxing muscles and vasodilates vessels, increasing blood flow to injured areas. Patients with muscle spasms, back pain, and fibromyalgia find this aspect of aquatic therapy especially therapeutic.

It is important to know however, that aquatic therapy is not for everyone. People with cardiac disease should not participate in aquatic therapy. Those who have fevers, infections, or bowel/bladder incontinence are also not candidates for aquatic therapy. Always discuss this with your physician before beginning an aquatic therapy program.