52 to a Healthier You: Week 5

Welcome back to 52 to a Healthier You from the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB.



Check back next week for Week 6: Now that your goals are set, Mike Moore offers tips for how you should get started.

If you need help finding a physician, please call 1-877-THR-WELL or log on to www.TexasHealth.org. If you want to find a trainer to help you set a fitness program, please call 817-267-9191.

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital.

52 to a Healthier You: Week 4

Welcome back to 52 to a Healthier You from the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB.



Check back next week for Week 4: Tips for setting realistic New Year's Resolutions.

If you need help finding a physician, please call 1-877-THR-WELL or log on to www.TexasHealth.org. If you want to find a trainer to help you set a fitness program, please call 817-267-9191.


Have a happy and healthy holiday!

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital.

52 to a Healthier You: Week 3

Welcome back to 52 to a Healthier You from the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB.

I don't know about you, but it seems like the candy canes and Christmas cookies and other baked goods are showing up with an alarming abundance. Luckily, Emily Bullard, a registered dietitian at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, has some tips for how to manage holiday parties.



Check back next week for Week 4: Tips on exercises to do with your family during the holidays.

If you need help finding a physician, please call 1-877-THR-WELL or log on to www.TexasHealth.org. If you want to find a trainer to help you set a fitness program, please call 817-267-9191.

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital.

‘I’ve really had a miracle case’

Blair Mask had always been healthy. But earlier this fall she was hit with a syndrome that sent her to the Intensive Care Unit for three weeks.

Blair during her time in the ICU

What started out as tingling and numbness in her feet, pinky fingers and the roof of her mouth quickly escalated. She visited two other hospitals before coming to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford. By the time she arrived at Texas Health HEB Mask says she could hardly hold herself up. It was doctors on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB who diagnosed Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is a disorder where the body’s immune system basically attacks the nervous system.

Mask became paralyzed from the neck down and for 10 of her 21 days in the ICU was intubated, with a tube helping her breathe. She will tell her story at tonight’s Frostival, an event that is raising money for a renovation of Texas Health HEB’s ICU.

Despite the harrowing experience, the 28-year-old Azle resident said she was impressed by the teamwork of the physicians and nurses. The team of physicians working in the ICU collaborated well to determine the best treatments for her, she said. “It was amazing to watch the doctors work together.”

Blair and her family

She recalled the nurses staying with her and talking through the night when her sense of day and night got mixed up. And others helped her brush her teeth after the 10 days breathing through the tube or washed her hair for the first time.

“They went above and beyond,” she said. “Each day can change by the nurse you get and I had a wonderful experience the whole time.”

Mansk, the mother of a five-year-old boy, says these days she’s able to walk around and occasionally run on the treadmill. One of the few lingering effects of the disorder has been a little numbness in her fingers.

“I’ve really had a miracle case,” she said. “Thank God for the nurses and doctors.”

For more information on the Frostival or to snag one of a very few remaining tickets to tonight’s event, please visit www.texashealth.org/frostival

52 to a Healthier You: Week 2

Welcome back to 52 to a Healthier You from the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB.

Ever wonder how to get your exercise program going without overdoing it? Dr. Stephen Buksh, a physician on the medical staff at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, offers tips for exercising effectively without overdoing it. Hint: Slow and steady wins the race.



Check back next week for Week 3: How to eat healthy during the holidays.

If you need help finding a physician, please call 1-877-THR-WELL or log on to www.TexasHealth.org. If you want to find a trainer to help you set a fitness program, please call 817-267-9191.

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital.

52 to a Healthier You: Week 1

The turkey is put away and the leftovers are mainly gone.

But a few pounds may have crept on from the pies and stuffing last week. And with more holidays just around the corner it can be a daunting time of year to try to watch your figure.

That’s where Texas Health Fitness Center HEB can help. Fitness Center specialists have created 52 to a Healthier You – a 52-week video series designed to offer simple tips and suggestions to help you live a healthier life.

“We truly want to improve the health of the people in our community,” said Mike Lofland, director of Texas Health Fitness Center HEB. “Our focus is improving overall health and wellness not on offering a club-like environment. Regardless of their fitness level every person can find small actions to improve their health whether it’s launching an exercise program or incorporating an extra fruit or vegetable each day.”

This week we’re starting with Dr. Stephen Buksh, a physician on the medical staff at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford. Dr. Buksh offers the reasons behind the standard disclaimer that individuals should check with their physician before beginning an exercise program.





Check back next week for Week 2: How to safely start an exercise program and avoid overdoing it.

If you need help finding a physician, please call 1-877-THR-WELL or log on to www.TexasHealth.org.

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital.

Lowering the fat content of holiday meals

The estimates for the number of grams of fat the average American consumes on Thanksgiving in yesterday’s blog, 229 grams of fat if you missed it, still have me wondering for ways to make turkey-day a bit healthier.

Diabetes educator Leslie Crawford, RDLD at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, has compiled a list of tips for cutting back the fat content of recipes. Her tips cover everything from baking to dinners and can be used year round. Best of all most call for simple ingredients so the fixes won’t break the holiday budget.

Leslie suggests:

Heavy cream swaps:
As a substitute for heavy cream in a sauce, you could use low-fat ricotta cheese or low-fat cottage cheese, whipped in a blender, then stirred into low-fat plain yogurt.

Sour cream options:
For sour cream choose a low-fat or fat-free sour cream available for cooking or baking.    

1. Choose brands made from skim milk (you'll need to read the label).  Do not use imitation or nondairy sour cream, as they are frequently made from tropical oils or are made with hydrogenated fat.
2. Use a low-fat or nonfat yogurt or homemade Yogurt Cheese.

Not just for turkeys

Each year as Thanksgiving rolls around most people’s thoughts turn to turkeys and thanks and seeing relatives. But one thing that often is neglected is fitness.

That can be a dangerous combo.

The average American consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day and more than 229 grams of fat, or more than 2.5 times the average daily calorie count recommended and nearly 3.5 times the daily fat count recommended, according to the Calorie Control Council. The council also estimates that individuals may consume enough fat at Thanksgiving feasts to equal three sticks of butter.

I don’t know about you, but those numbers are a bit frightening to me and spurred me to look for tips on ways to combat the added calories.

So I turned to Mike Lofland, director of the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB.

Cutting sugar from holiday recipes

A group of about 10 people are gathered at the cooking demo station at MarketStreet, but they’re not watching a demo.

Instead, diabetes educator Leslie Crawford, RDLD at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, is offering tips on how to control diabetes with healthy eating. The group then tours the store getting a quick lesson in label-reading.

As individuals ask about what to do since certain foods are off limits she gently shifts the conversation saying “it’s all about blood sugars and portion control.” To illustrate her point, Crawford offered up an easy dessert recipe using a cake mix, such as carrot cake, and a can of pumpkin. You combine and bake according to directions on the package – omitting the eggs, oil and water because you included the pumpkin. Having tasted the recipe I can vouch that it’s tastier and more moist than making it with the other ingredients.

Bedrest and twins: a surprise-filled pregnancy

Throughout her pregnancy Sonia Hays has encountered surprises.

Sonia (right) and Missy chat about the challenges of bedrest.

At 18 weeks pregnant she discovered she was having twins. Hays said she knew something was up well before that though. “I felt extra big at six weeks,” she says. Since twins run in both sides of her family Hays initially suspected that. But sonograms and other tests didn’t show that she was expecting twins until the 18 week mark.

Then came an even bigger surprise at her 25 week sonogram. Instead of a quick appointment they were worried about her cervix and noticed she was having contractions. She was immediately admitted to the hospital to stop the contractions.

Construction sneak preview

Visitors to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford in the last month probably have noticed lots of construction activity underway. The hospital is renovating the main entrance, lobby, chapel and gift shop. For more details on the overall project, please click here.

But while the crews are hard at work we thought we'd take a little look back at what the lobby looked like before work began. Scroll down for more recent photos of the work underway right now.

Here are a few snapshots before construction began:

Previous seating area as you entered main lobby

Admissions and seating area in main lobby

Main entrance doors

Chapel

In early November the prep work continues:

Driveway outside the main entrance

Interior section looking out to the driveway

Looking inside from the driveway

For updates on the project please visit our website at www.TexasHealth.org/HEB.

And stay tuned to the blog and Facebook page for more construction photos as the project gets further along. Check back soon for advanced previews of what the main entrance, lobby, chapel and gift shop will look like when the renovations are complete.

Thank you for your support as we work to update the hospital.

Photos courtesy of the The Beck Group

Second grader shows giving spirit to help Texas Health HEB cancer patients

At 7, Gregory has a vision to help others

Gregory Villasenor is your typical 7-year-old – he plays flag football and soccer, likes video games, does his homework, argues with his older brother.  But unlike many elementary school children, Gregory has become one of Texas Health Harris Methodist Foundation’s youngest donors.

Holiday bazaar offers one-stop shopping

Christmas is less than 9 weeks away.

I don’t know you about you, but that gives me some heartburn because I’m woefully behind on my holiday shopping. I’m still trying to figure out where the month of October went.

Volunteers help staff last year's silent auction

Luckily the Volunteer Auxiliary at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford has me covered.

From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, the Auxiliary will stage its annual Holiday Bazaar. And we’re not talking a few tables with a couple of vendors selling crafts. The bazaar is a serious endeavor. An estimated 35-40 vendors will be selling everything from handbags to jewelry and candles to edible gifts.

Tips for a safe and fun Halloween

The cool, crisp fall weather is finally here!  Thoughts of warm, nights by the fire-place, and hearty stews for dinner fill my mind.  I absolutely love this time of year! 

Many youngsters also love this time of year—especially with the “holiday” coming up this weekend.

And while Halloween is filled with scary sights and sounds, it also is known for rather frightening statistics. According to SafeKids USA, pedestrian deaths involving children almost DOUBLE on Halloween when compared to other days of the year.

SafeKids USA has a few tips to keep your kiddos safe this year as they are out and about collecting their “treasures” as well as a few tips for drivers.
•    Children should be instructed to cross at corners and crosswalks whenever possible.  And, while it may be tempting to dart across streets as they run house-to-house, children should be encouraged to walk, and pay close attention to their surroundings.
•    When sidewalks aren’t available, walk facing traffic, move as far to the left as possible.
•    When it comes to costumes, strive to ensure that some portion of the child’s attire is reflective, even if it is something as simple as a reflective “Trick or Treat” bag.  If the child is wearing a mask, make sure they can easily see out of the eye-holes.  It is suggested to use non-toxic face paint as opposed to masks, as makes can easily obstruct vision.
•    The “prime time” for Trick or Treating usually occurs from 5:30PM-9:30PM.  Drivers in residential areas should use extra caution and slow down during these hours.
•    Take extra caution when entering and exiting drive-ways, as young children are often “darting” across driveways.

A little extra time and caution is essential on Halloween night. For additional tips on safety for Halloween night, please visit www.safekids.org.

Here’s to a happy and SAFE Halloween from all of us at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford!!

Jessica Reading, MPH
Community Health Educator
Texas Health HEB

Employees dress to support Rangers

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford employees dressed in red and blue today to show their support of the Texas Rangers first game of the World Series.

Women's Services nurses give the Rangers Thumbs Up!

Prepping for the holidays

Wandering the aisle of the supermarket can be a confusing experience when you’re focused on healthy eating.

It can be hard to keep track of the latest health news on which foods are in and which are out. And it gets even harder as the holidays roll around and the temptation and abundance of treats increases.

But when you’re diabetic, reading nutritional labels and choosing the best foods for you moves from being a good exercise in healthy living to a requirement. But what do the fat grams and fiber count and sugar tallies on the labels really mean and how do you use all that info to make a good decision?

That’s why Leslie Crawford, RDLD, is taking a field trip. Crawford, a diabetes educator and nutrition counselor at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, wants to make nutrition labels easier for people to digest. She will lead an event at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Market Street in Colleyville (5605 Colleyville Blvd.).

The event will offer cooking instructions, recipes, tours of the store to read labels, and information about local diabetes support groups.

For information about Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford’s Center for Diabetes Education & Outpatient Nutritional Counseling, please visit www.TexasHealth.org/HEB or call 1-877-THR-WELL (1-877-847-9355).

Bluebonnet retreat recollections

Another Bluebonnet Retreat is in the record books.

Alice Landers, vice president of Operations & Support Services for Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, kept a diary while at the retreat to share the experience. Here are her reflections:

Friday, Oct 1, 2010
10:30 am
Doing final preparations for Bluebonnet Retreat XXXIII. It’s a bittersweet time, because this will be the last one at Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center, our venue since our third camp in the Fall of 1995.

Just wandered down to the Ambulatory Care Atrium to see if all of the camper/counselors have arrived. As I neared the atrium I could hear the sounds of meeting and greeting of old friends and friends to be. It was the sound of excitement and eager anticipation. Some were partaking of the continental breakfast that the dining services provided, some were sitting around conserving energy and some were too excited to sit still. Luggage had already been loaded onto the buses that would take everyone to the ranch in Paradise, TX

Chaplain Riddile sent us on our way with a prayer that doubled as an invocation of sorts and grace for the meal we would eat almost as soon as we got to the ranch. We loaded em up and headed em out. It’s about an hour drive from THHEB to the camp. After some wrong turns, and an unfortunate accident for our videographer, all arrived safe at the camp.

7:00 PM
Pistol Pete, the deejay, showed up on time. He was also at our very first camp. He’s setting up his gear and we’ll be ready to boogie down very soon. The button guy is here, too…very busily getting set up to make well over a hundred buttons with the likenesses of campers and counselors.

It’s great to see so many on the dance floor learning different line dances. We learned the electric slide, the hustle, the tootsie roll and some good old fashioned two-steps. Pete is playing a wide variety of music—C & W, rock, soul, blues—something for everyone.

Saturday, October 02, 2010
9:00 AM
After getting the exercise instructor settled in the Singletree room I wandered through the craft area and am greatly impressed, as usual, by the creativity of these people. I am severely craft challenged! It’s amazing what people can do with a simple white tote bag. I always pick out the campers who have a good sense of humor and tell them that since I don’t do the craft, I get to choose the best one out of the bunch and take it home with me. Campers are split into two groups – one does the craft in the morning while the other visits the resource center by the American Cancer Society and has time for exercise. Then the groups switch in the afternoon. Campers also have the option of just relaxing and enjoying nature instead.

4:00 PM
Dr. Mary Brian and Dr. Mal Turner, physicians on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB, are here for the doctor’s panel. This is where the campers can ask questions about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Campers also have an opportunity to put questions in the “Doc in the Box” anonymously and those questions will be answered as well. This tends to be a very popular activity for the campers. Sometimes they are more comfortable asking questions of physicians that are not involved in their treatment.

7:30 PM
Casino night—we have hired a company that has been here before and they brought several blackjack tables and Texas no-limit hold ‘em tables. We told everyone that this was a western themed night and once again the creativity was shown very well in how some chose to interpret this. Everyone seemed to have fun.

Sunday, October 3, 2010
8:00 AM
Breakfast! It’s a bittersweet day for those of us who have been involved with the camp for many years. This is our last day at Garrett Creek Ranch. Several of the campers commented that they were feeling a little sad today because they have to go home.

10:30 AM
Closing ceremony time—we’ve set out the special giveaways for the campers and counselors. We’ll ask each camper to come to the front accompanied by their counselor and they may address the group to tell us what they experienced this weekend. We have boxes of tissues scattered strategically around the room, because many times when the campers share their experiences it moves most of us to tears— happy tears. They were very excited to get the special gift this time—it’s a crystal object which has been specially lasered with the Bluebonnet Retreat logon, the Garrett Creek Ranch logo and the words “Last Stand at GCR Fall 2010.” This was to commemorate the final camp at this location. They have been our partner in this endeavor for 16 ½ years and we are sad to say goodbye. We also chose to let everyone know that Sue and I will pass the torch soon and introduced them to our successors—Tammy Quattrochi and Sandra Pizana. Then we sent them to lunch.

1:15 PM
Everyone is on the bus and headed back to Texas Health HEB. Bluebonnet Retreat XXXIII is in the books. We can have a couple of months to recuperate from this one before we plan our next one at Star Brand Ranch in Kaufman, TX on April 15-17, 2011.

Trainers demonstrate moves to target hips, glutes

Texas Health Sports Performance HEB Fitness Specialist Mike Moore, B.S., CSCS, leads trainer Ryan Karnes, B.S., through a series of basic moves using a resistance band to target hips and glutes.

Texas Health Sports Performance works on strengthening individuals to achieve optimum performance in sports. For more information on the program or to speak with Moore or Karnes, please call 817-685-5858.

Honoring a beloved physician

Garden and covered patio

Dr. Newton C. Galusha Jr. was one of those rare people who inspire the best in others and who genuinely go out of their way to make others happy all the time.

On Thursday evening, friends, family, former coworkers and area dignitaries gathered to honor Dr. Galusha’s life and work. Dr. Galusha passed away suddenly in 2007 after many years spent as a trusted leader on the medical staff of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford. He also was dedicated to Texas Health Springwood Hospital, serving as medical director of addiction services until his death. Dr. Galusha was remembered as having a calling to help those struggling with chemical dependency and addiction.

Addiction counselor David Butler from Texas Health Springwood recalled the tremendous impact Dr. Galusha had on him and on all their patients. Butler said that the garden is poignant because the flowers will be tended to similar to how Dr. Galusha cared for each patient with time, love and attention to their individual needs.

“He invested in his patients,” said Dr. Cathal Grant, who for years worked on the medical staff of Texas Health Springwood alongside Dr. Galusha. “He never gave up.”

In the years since his death, more than 100 people have contributed to a memorial fund with Texas Health Harris Methodist Foundation. Those funds have been used to establish the Newton C. Galusha Jr. Addiction Treatment Unit, a dedicated chemical dependency center for inpatient and outpatient treatments. And most recently the funds helped create the Galusha Memorial Garden outside of the unit.

Vivian Galus

The garden is a fitting tribute, his wife Vivian told assembled guests Thursday evening. She recalled he kept a plaque in their garden that said “he who plants a garden plants love.” Between gardening and helping patients it was his passion, she said.

Ramona Osburn, director of Texas Health Springwood, reflected that Dr. Galusha was the embodiment of the goals of the hospital, which also celebrated its 30th anniversary Thursday night. “For 30 years we have transformed what the future holds for our patients one life at a time,” she said.

Hearing the stories of family and friends at the ceremony, it’s only fitting that the garden will give patients hope and serenity to find their way, just like it did for Dr. Galusha.

Length of the garden

Free medication drop off Saturday at Bedford police station

On Saturday, law enforcement personnel from across North Texas will work with the Drug Enforcement Administration to take back medications. This is an effort to collect prescription medications to ensure they are safely destroyed. The event is also happening across the country.

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford will be helping to dispose of containers of insulin needles collected at the drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The closest collection site to the hospital is at the Bedford police station at 2121 L. Don Dodson Drive. For more information on other collection sites or the initiative overall, click here for a story from the Star-Telegram about the event.

“We are happy to be assisting the Bedford police by helping to safely dispose of any needles associated with medication administration that may be collected at Saturday’s event,” said Debra Culmer, Infection Prevention Coordinator, at Texas Health HEB.

If you can’t make the event Saturday, or want more information on safe disposal of medications, check out the tips provided in this previous blog.

Sorting through the mammogram debate

Here we go again!

You may have seen a range of headlines this morning debating the effectiveness of mammography. “Mammograms offer ‘modest’ benefit, Study says” or “New Study Questions mammograms.” Or “Study: Mammograms safe lives – Just not as many as expected.”

In the past year it seems like the debate on mammograms has continued raging despite so much overwhelming evidence to support the benefits of mammography. The news media seems focused on the article of the researchers from Norway where mammograms are done every two years for women between the ages of 50 and 69; additionally, the entire study is “observational,” which means there is some question as to validity of the data collection because the comparison groups are not really comparable.

If one continues to read the New England Journal of Medicine, there is an editorial in the same edition by Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, and he states that “In the past 50 years, more than 600,000 women have participated in 10 randomized trials, each involving approximately 10 years of follow-up.” These studies have shown the overwhelming benefits of mammography. He goes on to say that “… no one can argue that screening mammography is one of the most important services we provide in medicine.”

Bottom line – mammography saves women’s lives, whether it is one per thousand or 100 per thousand. Would you want to be the one woman who did not get a mammogram and die from breast cancer? It is that simple, why not do everything we can do to save lives? Mammography is relatively inexpensive compared to the treatment cost of breast cancer. Do what is in the best interest of you and your family! If you are 50 or over, get a yearly mammogram. The United States Preventative Services Task Force encourages women ages 40 to 49 to talk with their health care provider and make informed decisions about when to start mammography screening. If you are under 40, go for your yearly physician’s visit and get a clinical breast exam. For more information, go to www.komen.org or www.cancer.org.

As for myself, I’m sticking with my yearly mammogram schedule.

Mary Lou Wilson, RN, BSN
Director, Women's Services
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford

A moment for safety

This is National Child Passenger Safety Week and I plan to celebrate the week by volunteering this Saturday at a child passenger safety event. Because I am passionate about helping new parents learn about using their child safety seats correctly, I am working on becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor. 

Even though I am past age 50, I love getting in and out of vehicles as I teach parents about the importance child passenger safety. It has been a long and hot summer, and being in and out of vehicles is tough work, but I go home feeling like what I do can make a big difference for a new family as they keep baby safe while driving in their car, which for some families is several times a day. 

Driving your car is probably the riskiest thing you do on a daily basis, and adding your precious cargo – the new baby – should make you want to be the safest parent on the block!  I work with brand new parents every day at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford and hope these tips will help other new parents as they prepare to go out into the world with their new baby.

·         Choose your baby’s car seat based on safety ratings and ease of use.  This is much more important than the fabric in the seat and how it fits into the stroller!

·         Choose a seat that keeps your baby rear-facing as long as possible.  Some seats go to 40 pounds rear-facing, which is the safest position for your baby.  According to a 2008 article in Pediatrics, children under age 2 are 75% less likely to be killed or suffer severe injuries in a car crash if they are riding rear facing rather than forward facing!!

·         Avoid a pre-owned seat if possible.  Newer seats are easier to use and have improved safety features.

·         Read the entire manual to the child safety seat and the manual to your vehicle under “Child Passenger Safety.”

·         Practice installing your seat in the center of the back seat of the vehicle, which is the safest location.  Then, call 1-877-THR-WELL to schedule your free inspection from a Texas Health Child Passenger Safety Technician.  We will check your work and help as needed to be sure your precious cargo is safe!

·         Bring two receiving blankets when you come to the hospital for possible use in your seat and plan to bring baby home in clothes that has legs.

·         Plan for one adult to sit next to baby in the back seat of the vehicle for awhile.

·         Use the child safety seat for every ride in the car, and always take the time to snug up the harness straps.

·         Set a good example by wearing your seat belt every time you drive or ride in a vehicle!

Julie Smith, RN, MS

Perinatal Educator

Child Passenger Safety Technician

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford

Leading the fight against blood clots

Blood clots are one of the leading causes of complications in United States hospitals, claiming an estimated 300,000 lives each year.

Dr. Susann Land, vice president and chief quality officer at Texas Health HEB, is leading a High Impact Performance Improvement (HIPI) project designed to prevent deadly blood clots from forming in both medical and surgical patients across the Texas Health system.

Bosu Balance training Part 3

Mike Moore and Ryan Karnes of Texas Health Sports Performance HEB wrap up their three-part series on using the Bosu Ball to improve balance and core strength. Have you tried the tips and found them helpful? What other workout topics would you be interested in hearing about? If you have further questions about the programs offered by Texas Health Sports Performance HEB, Mike and Ryan can be reached at 817-685-5858.

Extreme makeover: lobby edition

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford’s lobby is getting an extreme makeover.

We are excited that during the next few months we will move the Texas Health HEB gift shop and chapel to provide larger spaces for each.  And the space and furniture are getting spruced up to provide an open area to welcome our patients and their families.

But with any progress there is typically some pain as well. Because the entire lobby will be renovated, we have moved services traditionally held in the main lobby. For more details, please see the map above. For example, the valet parking stand has been moved to the Ambulatory Care entrance. Diagnostic Outpatient Admissions has moved to the lobby of the Edwards Cancer Center on the backside of the hospital. Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery admissions has moved to the Outpatient Surgery area.

During the renovation, the chapel will be expanded and given a beautiful and serene indoor/outdoor component. While that space is being constructed, chapel services will be held in the East Conference Room on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. Chaplain services are still available for patients and their families 24-7 though by calling 817-848-4811. A full list of services is available here.

Once the dust settles, sometime around March, we hope that Texas Health HEB patients will enjoy an environment that is open and airy. During the next few months we’ll show you progress and a sneak peak at what the final project will look like. In the meantime, if you run into any challenges navigating around, please let us know.

Thank you for your support of the hospital and we look forward to unveiling the beautiful new lobby next year. 

Bosu Balance training Part 2

Fitness trainers Mike Moore, BS, CSCS, and Ryan Karnes, BS, of Texas Health Sports Performance HEB work with clients each day helping them to improve their overall health. Moore and Karnes have teamed up to offer a series of workout tips. Check back next Tuesday for the last in the Bosu Balance training tip series. For more information about either of the trainers, please check out the websites for the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB and Texas Health Sports Performance HEB or call 817-685-5858.

Bosu Balance training Part 1

Fitness trainers Mike Moore, BS, CSCS, and Ryan Karnes, BS, of Texas Health Sports Performance HEB work with clients each day helping them to improve their overall health. Moore and Karnes have teamed up to offer a series of workout tips. Check back each Tuesday for additional video blogs with tips. The Bosu balance series will run for three weeks. For more information about either of the trainers, please check out the websites for the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB and Texas Health Sports Performance HEB or call 817-685-5858.

The importance of staying close to home

I can’t think of a single person who wants to travel far from home when they’re sick. And when the sickness is depression or another mental health condition the energy to travel can be even more elusive, especially in traffic around here.

That’s in part why Texas Health Springwood Hospital decided to open a facility in Azle. In the past two years the number of Azle residents seeking treatment at Texas Health Springwood Hospital in Bedford has increased by 40 percent. As of this week though, those patients can now stay near home for outpatient care for psychiatric and chemical dependency treatment. This could easily save patients more than two hours of drive time each day.

It’s not just the individual needing help that the close proximity of treatment helps. Family members and friends are a crucial piece of the support system to help an individual recover. Many times family and friends are juggling work and home responsibilities while helping to care for their sick loved one. Commuting for treatment can place an even greater burden on those who are already struggling under the weight of the situation, so having a treatment center close to home helps them as well.

“It is crucial that individuals be able to stay near their loved ones when undergoing intensive treatment,” said Ramona Osburn, director of Texas Health Springwood Hospital. “We see so many patients from Azle and the surrounding communities it was a natural fit to open the center along with the new education center at Texas Health Azle.”

In the past few years, Texas Health Springwood has opened similar sites in Allen, Arlington, Southlake, and Southwest Fort Worth.

Patients may be referred from a physician, therapist, or psychiatrist. Patients or family members also may call 817-355-7771 to schedule a free assessment to determine if treatment is needed.

Jennifer Erickson
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Texas Health HEB

Back-to-school bully basics

You packed the backpack. You made a lunch. You picked the right back-to-school outfit. You talked about all the things your kiddo will learn this year and how to act on the first day of school. And you snapped a photo as your youngster headed off to school this morning.

But did you think to discuss how to deal with a bully?

It’s hard to think about your child being teased or tormented, but the sad reality is that in North Texas complaints about bullying continue to rise.

So what’s a parent to do?

Amazingly, it’s really the little things that help.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests that the first thing parents can do is talk to their children. Ask subtle questions like who do you sit with at lunch? Or ask are there kids at school you don’t like? You’d be amazed the conversations those seemingly simple questions can generate.

“Taking an active interest in children’s friendships and activities can make a difference in spotting signs of bullying early,” Ross Teemant, a licensed clinical social worker and clinical manager at Texas Health Springwood Hospital. “Monitoring your child’s behaviors and noticing subtle behavior shifts can be among the first signs of problems at school.”

Keeping a close eye out and ear open for signs of trouble is crucial because many times children are too afraid to share the information even with a close parent.

If the subtle observations and chats don’t work, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services suggests looking for possible warning signs that a child is being bullied. Those signs include:
• Unexplained cuts and bruises;
• Few friends;
• Lost interest in school;
• Trouble sleeping;
• Frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches or other pains;
• Low self esteem; and
• Loss of appetite.

Even if your child isn’t being bullied, it’s important to show by example the right behaviors. Letting children see healthy friendships and engaging in activities together can make a big difference.

With a new school year the slate is blank. So when the kiddos hop off the school bus today or you sit down to dinner, try starting a simple conversation. You may be surprised at how fruitful it can be.

Jennifer Erickson
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Texas Health HEB

Young mother gets back to life quickly with robotic surgery

Tammi McAlister woke up from her recent robotic hysterectomy and didn’t require any pain medication. Sound like a dream? Luckily for McAlister it wasn’t just as dream.

The 33-year-old’s surgery was the first performed using the da Vinci® SI robotic surgical system at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford.

Not only did she experience minimal pain, but in less than a week she was back at her 10-year-old son’s baseball games and living life normally. McAlister said that after watching it take six long weeks for her sister to recover from a traditional hysterectomy she decided to research her options. After doing her homework she saw that recovery times with robotic hysterectomies typically are much shorter than even laparascopic procedures.

“I felt having it done robotically was definitely the way to go if you have to have it done,” she said. “I think I took one pain pill. I feel fine. I keep telling my sister you should have done it this way.”

The da Vinci® robot enables surgeons to make small one centimeter incisions and perform total laparoscopic hysterectomies, rather than the larger incisions used previously. And because the procedures are done with such small incisions patients tend to recover faster and with less pain.

“We have seen great success with the first cases completed at Texas Health HEB,” said Dr. Mark Messing, a gynecologic oncology surgeon on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB who performed McAlister’s surgery.

Earlier this week McAlister got to see the da Vinci® robot and even practice using it. Texas Health HEB had a mobile unit on site for employees and the community to test. McAlister said that it a little odd to see a similar robot to the one Dr. Messing used in her surgery, but thought it was fascinating to get to maneuver the machine herself. (See photo at right of McAlister looking at the robot in action.)

In addition to gynecological surgery, the da Vinci® Surgical System can be used to treat endometriosis, fibroid tumors, plus a variety of cancers, such as gynecologic cancer. The $1.7 million robot provides 3D HD vision capabilities, plus hand-eye instrumentation and movement for controlled precision and accuracy. The da Vinci® system is controlled by surgeons seated at a console next to the patient's bedside.

Volunteers learn the ABCs of CPR

Can you name the ABC’s in an emergency? In this case I don’t mean the alphabet, but rather airway, breathing, circulation – otherwise known as the tests to see if someone needs CPR.

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford volunteers recently got a refresher course on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR. The education department at Texas Health HEB offered the class for free to the volunteers to thank them for their service to the hospital. About 18 volunteers were trained in July.

CPR is used when a person goes into cardiac arrest. An estimated 918 people die of heart disease each day in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.

These days automated external defibrillators are posted at schools, airports and other venues. But if an AED isn’t around, performing CPR after calling 911 can be the most effective way to help save someone’s life. Volunteers learned CPR for adults, children and infants, along with how to save a person who is choking and how to use an AED.

If you find yourself in a situation where a person isn’t breathing or isn’t conscious call 911 first. Then open the person’s airway by gently lifting the chin. Watch for 10 seconds to determine if the person is breathing. If not, give the person two full breaths and then do compressions with the heal of your hand pressing the person’s sternum. Recent research has show that using the beat of “Staying Alive” is a good measure to complete compression at the ideal speed.
CPR should be continued until help arrives.

To sign up for a CPR class at Texas Health HEB, visit www.texashealth.org/classes or call 1-877-THR-WELL. For more information on CPR, click here.

Jennifer Erickson
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Texas Health HEB

Baby-Friendly approach paying dividends

This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week, “Breastfeeding: Just Ten Steps, The Baby Friendly Way!,” is so appropriate for Texas Health Resources.

In August 2008, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen became the first Baby Friendly Hospital in Texas, quickly followed by Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville. And in 2010 Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital achieved the designation. And actually Texas Health hospitals are the only ones in Texas and less than 100 hospitals in the United States to achieve the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation from the World Health Organization. Other Texas Health hospitals are currently working on the designation too.

Texas Health Resources made a commitment to the community to provide an environment within the organization that supports families and breastfeeding in the best way possible following the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.”

But there are myths and misunderstandings about what this means for families giving birth at Texas Health hospitals. Our facilities ensure that all staff caring for mothers and babies have the skills necessary to support the parents in their feeding decisions.
• After the birth, babies are held skin to skin with their mother. This helps provide the most nurturing experience for both. Babies held skin to skin: cry less, regulate heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature and glucose levels more efficiently.
• By providing rooming-in, our hospitals allow parents to quickly become the experts in the care of their baby. Mothers are tuning into their baby’s needs, and families are encouraged to take an active part in the nurturing of not only the newborn, but also the new mother.
• For families choosing to breastfeed, our care model provides the most supportive environment, encouraging cue-based exclusive breastfeeding.

At Texas Health HEB we’ve seen great improvements for our patients after implementing those seemingly simple steps. Our readmission rate for babies with jaundice has decreased by about 60 percent meaning babies are healthy and at home with their parents rather than facing stays in our neonatal intensive care unit for follow-up care. And our rate of exclusive breastfeeding success by moms choosing to breastfeed has increased to 65- to 70-percent from 10 percent before implementing these steps. This means that moms are going home comfortable with the breastfeeding process, which helps to eliminate some stresses of the having a newborn.

Our commitment is to improve the health the people in the communities we serve. Research is very clear on the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. For mothers choosing breastfeeding, they will not find a more supportive environment than a Texas Health hospital.

As a mother and grandmother myself along with being a nurse and lactation consultant, I know firsthand that parenting is not just about how we feed our babies. It’s also how we care for and love them in many other ways. This is our primary reason for providing “Baby Friendly” care.

Laura Burnett, RN, BSN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Nursing Supervisor, Women's Services
Texas Health HEB

What I did on my summer vacation…

For 14-year-old Kris Paranandi getting to test drive the da Vinci® surgical robot was the cap on a summer of learning about the medical field.

Paranandi is part of the Junior Volunteer program at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford. He’s interested in the cardiology field and has spent the summer helping in that area of the hospital. “For someone interested in the medical field this program is a great way to see how people work,” he said. “You could see it on TV, but firsthand experience is always better.”

On Tuesday morning, Paranandi (featured in second from the left of the photo) and nine other Junior Volunteers got to test their video game skills using the da Vinci robot. The da Vinci® system is controlled by surgeons seated at a console next to the patient's bedside. The $1.7 million robot provides 3D HD vision capabilities, plus hand-eye instrumentation and movement for controlled precision and accuracy.

Paranandi said that initially he was skeptical that the robot would work so well. But after controlling the robot with his hands, Paranandi said that he was fascinated to see how it worked. “I’m surprised how easily it mimics movement and how fast it was to learn to use,” he said. “It took a few minutes to get used to the movement, but it was like playing video games or playing with a stack of Legos.”


He also was surprised that using the controllers felt like you were really picking up the objects in the viewfinder. “It’s so intuitive you forget that you’re using a robot,” he said.

Former football star's journey profiled on ESPN

Check out this inspiring story of a former high school football star who was treated at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford several years ago. The emergency room physician, Dr. Jeffrey Peebles, who treated Andre was interviewed for the ESPN E:60 program.

Healing power of a laugh

We’ve all heard the cliché “laughter can be the best medicine,” but in my case it’s more than that. As director of the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB I know a lot more goes into health and wellness than having a good belly laugh each day.

But all things considered, laughter can help in so many ways. Those that know me recognize I’m a bit of a jokester and like nothing better than to get people laughing. When we laugh we connect with others, let out distressing emotions and increase our infection-fighting antibodies. It lowers stress hormones, decreases pain, relaxes muscles and even helps to prevent heart disease.

Bottom line it feels good to laugh. And it feels even better to connect with others who are also laughing. Our brains are even wired to laugh more when the internal “detector” in our brains notices laughter and triggers circuits in the brain to keep laughing.

That’s why it is important to create opportunities to laugh. Host a game night with friends, let out your inner kid and goof around with the children in your life, make time for fun activities. The great thing about laughter is it’s free. And in this economy that’s a bonus to relieving stress in itself.

If you’re one of those people who needs a checklist to have fun, consider these questions when debating to approach life with a frown or a smile:
• Is it worth getting upset over?
• Is it worth upsetting others?
• Is it that important?
• Is it that bad?
• Can the situation be fixed?
• Is it even my problem?

If the answers are yes, you should obviously work towards a solution then take a break for some fun you deserve it.

If the answers are no, then relax and find a friend to share a laugh with. Better yet, remember what Patch Adams said: “Laughter can be hazardous to your illness.”

Mike Lofland
Director, Texas Health Fitness Center HEB

Not just another day

James Day woke up and began to mow the lawn just like any other day one Thursday. But unlike usual, he began feeling strange and having pain.

At first the 71-year-old thought he was just hot, not an unreasonable thought while working outside during these summer days. But after a shower to cool off he still felt pain. With no history of heart trouble and no real medical problems he waited a bit, but soon decided to seek medical attention.

The Euless resident lives less than a mile from Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford so he decided to drive over to get the pain checked out. And that was a good decision because it turned out he was having a heart attack. He arrived at 10:10 a.m. and the emergency department quickly snapped into action. “The team downstairs in the Emergency Department was all over me,” he said.

By 10:38 a.m. he’d been whisked upstairs to the cath lab and by 12:02 p.m. he was resting in a recovery room.

Only a couple of hours later he was sharing how happy he was with how the process worked. Texas Health HEB recently earned Cycle III Chest Pain Center accreditation – the highest accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Part of that recognition is for the procedures that are in place to quickly treat patients with heart attacks.

Reflecting back on the experience, Day said he was happy to have come into the hospital and pleased with the outcome. “It’s just been perfect,” he said.

Jennifer Erickson
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Texas Health HEB

Small offers of support can help avert tragedies

When cases hit the news like that of the Irving mother who allegedly strangled her two children this week, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed at the sense of tragedy.

We can’t know how many lives are impacted by events like this. Family and friends are left wondering what they could have done and what impact the children could have made on this world. Others are left saddened that this could happen to any child or family. And as a week like this strings along where more than one case is reported, such as the one in Waco, it makes me wonder what can be done.

Texas Health Springwood Hospital clinical manager and licensed clinical social worker Ross Teemant says that many simple steps can be taken if you fear for a loved one’s condition.

First, watch for warning signs that someone is experiencing difficulties. This could include, but not be limited to, withdrawing from social situations, acting down or depressed, changes in behavior, or changes in eating patterns and sleep patterns.

If the symptoms appear to be minor, try to engage the person, Teemant says. Offer to go out to lunch or dinner. Ask if you can babysit. Offer to research local avenues for support, such as church groups, support groups for parents of special needs, and other such venues. The offers may seem insignificant to you, but it could be the lifeline the person needs.

If the symptoms are more severe, or seem to be getting worse, contact a health provider or in dire situations 911. Organizations like Texas Health Springwood offer free assessments to determine if a person needs treatment. To schedule an assessment, call 817-355-7771. For more information about treatment options, click here.

Many times individuals think that they’ll be overstepping their bounds, but it’s important to remember that if someone is experiencing depression or other mental health conditions they may not be able to reach out for help themselves.

Jennifer Erickson
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Texas Health HEB and Texas Health Springwood