Free e-mail newsletter keeps parents and parents-to-be informed about their baby

So now that I’m pregnant with baby #2, I feel a lot less anxious about “should I eat this?” and “I’m not supposed to…” But I still want to know how much my daughter has grown this week and get reminders for important things, like how to pre-register for my hospital stay and when the next free Texas Health HEB Pediatrician Doc Shop is going to be.

That’s why I signed up for the free Texas Health Oh Baby! Weekly Parenting E-mail.
Oh Baby! is also great for first-time parents – and grandparents, even! – because it’s tailored to the age of your newborn/your week of pregnancy and provides lots of helpful resources, tips and information. There’s even an option for you to ask a nurse questions via e-mail!

Not to mention it’s sent from the Texas Health hospital of your choice, so you receive local information that’s pertinent to where you delivered/will deliver your baby. How else would you be personally notified via e-mail how to sign up for free car seat safety checks?!?

…Wish we had this service when I was pregnant with my son!

Mandy Forbus
Senior Marketing Specialist
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
Hurst-Euless-Bedford

Express unit to help decrease wait time

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford's new Express Admission and Discharge Unit (EADU) is designed to increase patient and physician satisfaction by decreasing wait times for admissions.

The unit is housed in the area formerly known as Med/Surg West on the first floor adjacent to the Siratt Women's Center. The unit was completely remodeled.

The 10-bed unit will care for patients admitted through the Emergency Department when beds are not available, as well as direct admits to the hospital when the designated nursing unit is full. The unit also has a discharge lounge for patients who have been discharged, but are waiting for transportation or supplies. The lounge has four recliners, a plasma TV, a computer with Internet access as well as a mini kitchen with snacks and beverages to accommodate patients.

"Making beds more readily available throughout the hospital will allow physicians to admit their patients in a timely manner and will decrease the wait time for patients admitted through the ED," said Pam Gervais, nurse manager of the Cardiac Step-down Unit (CSU) and the Progressive Care Unit (PCU).

Opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the EADU is staffed with four full-time nurses and is equipped to care for a variety of patients with the exception of acute cardiac care, acute stroke or intensive care.

"The entire hospital staff has been very supportive and instrumental in opening the unit - from nurses and patient care techs to employees in Environmental Services," said Gervais. "Everyone has been great. Before we opened the unit, we held an open house so staff members could tour the facilities," added Gervais, "and we welcomed our first patient, a discharge patient, with a gift on Feb. 2."

You need a pediatrician selected for your baby BEFORE you deliver?

During my first full-term pregnancy, I did everything "by the book." I took excellent care of myself - I ate right, exercised, slept, took prenatal vitamins, kept up with my OB visits, and so on.

And I made what I thought to be the necessary preparations - my beloved husband and I took a breastfeeding class and a newborn 101 class (both at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford); months in advance, I made the appropriate arrangements for maternity leave; I washed all the baby clothes in special laundry detergent; I read daily to my growing tummy; to name a few activities.

The one thing I did not do was select a pediatrician. I assumed that once you got to the hospital, you were just assigned a pediatrician who was on call. (I know the books say to go on multiple pediatrician go-sees/interviews while you're pregnant - but really, who has time for that?!)

So, from my hospital bed - I believe I'd already dilated to a three - I was totally surprised to learn that I HAD to name my soon-to-be-born baby's pediatrician BEFORE I delivered (which I thought could be any minute - HA!!!).

Thank goodness for 1-877-THR-WELL and the "find a physician" option! No joke - I called them from the bed and in less than 10 minutes, I had the name and contact information of a pediatrician with privileges at my Texas Health hospital of choice who accepted my health insurance and was accepting new patients. What a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My paper work was completed just in time for the most terrible pain I've ever felt to begin - and my wonderful (and honest) nurse told me that wasn't even the half of what I was going to feel. So I had an epidural and, 12 hours later, gave birth to a healthy, beautiful, amazing baby boy.

It was definitely an unforgettable day!

Inspired by my experience, and as my husband and I prepare for the arrival of our daughter in June, I'm proud to say that my hospital is the first ever to offer a Pediatrician Doc Shop.

In one location, meet and interview ("speed-dating" style) several pediatricians on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB. Then pick the one who you think will be best for your family.

Our first session is March 23. Reservations are necessary, as appointments are limited. Visit TexasHealth.org/DocShop or call 1-877-THR-WELL for more information.

...And if you cannot make it to a Doc Shop - you can always do what I did. We're very happy with our decision!

Mandy Forbus
Senior Marketing Specialist
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
Hurst-Euless-Bedford
www.twitter.com/TXHealthMandy

Six steps may help to reduce the risk of a heart attack

Reducing the risk of a heart attack boils down to six simple actions, according to the National Institutes of Health Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Yet, each year an estimated 1.1 million Americans experience a heart attack and 460,000 of those people die from it.

“Taking preventive steps is crucial to avoiding a heart attack,” said Jenni Markos, M.S., an exercise physiologist at Texas Health Fitness Center HEB who works with the cardiac rehab program. “These days many resources are available online or through a physician’s office to help decrease an individual’s risk of a heart attack. Basically, individuals should live healthy, active lifestyles and maintain a healthy diet along with working alongside their physician.”

To help lower the risk of heart attack, the institute recommends that individuals:
• Stop smoking,
• Lower high blood pressure,
• Lower cholesterol,
• Maintain a healthy weight,
• Live an active lifestyle, and
• Manage diabetes.

The American Heart Association says to look for these signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
• Chest discomfort, including uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Sweating and cold sweat with clammy skin.
• Anxiety
• Pain with physical exertion.

If you suspect you or a loved one could be having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Don't waste time trying to diagnose the symptoms or driving to the hospital. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Texas Health HEB goes RED

The Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford Fitness Center and Cardiac Rehab team lead the efforts to raise awareness of today's Go Red for Women campaign from the American Heart Association. Staff across the hospital wore red today to mark the occasion.



Texas Health HEB Women's Services staff wear red to raise awareness for women's heart health.


Texas Health HEB employees wearing red for the cause include those that work in patient advocacy, community health, volunteers, and business development.

Musings from observing a minimally invasive surgery

I’ve been blessed with relatively good health. Sure, I have a few minor complaints, but nothing chronic that I can’t handle. So my jaw about hit the floor this morning when I met with a patient going through her pre-op paperwork at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford.

Kathrin Davis had been living with a sinus infection for FIVE MONTHS. I can’t even imagine. I’ve had sinus problems before (who hasn’t?) and I know I get whiney if my symptoms last more than a week. Luckily, at 42-years-old, she realized she didn’t want to live like that and persisted in seeking a more permanent treatment than a continuous supply of antibiotics.

She’s not alone. Sinusitis is more common than heart disease and asthma and affects more than 37 million people each year. It’s estimated that 20 percent of people with chronic sinus issues don’t respond to medications. That’s a lot of people not finding quick relief.

This morning she underwent a minimally invasive procedure called Balloon Sinuplasty. Dr. Tim Ragsdale, an ENT on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB performed the surgery, which gained FDA approval in 2005.


In years past, chronic sinusitis sufferers have faced a daunting surgery that involved removing bone and tissue to get to the root of the problem. Now with a minimally invasive surgery technique doctors can use a tiny tube and balloon (hence the name) to expand the nasal passages, irrigate the sinuses and clear them out so to speak. The whole process took less than an hour and a half. She was expected to go home within hours and should have minimal bleeding or pain.

People with sinus problems tend to be more predisposed to have infections regardless of the treatments, but Dr. Ragsdale says that for patients who undergo this procedure the infections are less frequent, less severe and respond better to antibiotics.

The experience left me, as a bystander with no medical training whatsoever aside from some faithful years watching ER and Grey’s Anatomy, in awe of the technology. To be able to fix a problem that affects a person’s entire life without having to make a single cut is pretty amazing. Makes me wonder where we’ll be in another decade of medical advances.

Jennifer Erickson
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Texas Health HEB

Battling “Mount Sugar”

The roundup had begun; the mound of delectable truffles, chocolates, cookies, and popcorn was just sitting there in the middle of the table before us all. We sat eyeballing it as we tried to get pumped up for the Live Healthy 100 Day Challenge. “Mount Sugar” beckoned to tempt us into sabotaging our firm resolve to lose weight and get in shape.

“I am having such a hard time losing weight. Back in the day, the Atkins diet worked for me and the pounds dropped off.”

“I hear you! Since I went into menopause, the weight started coming on, even though I was cutting down on what I ate and increasing my exercise.”

“Well, I hate diets! I do not want to go on another diet. I love to eat---and all the wrong stuff!”

“Me too! I really love to eat!”

“I think I’ll eat my black-eyed peas.”

“Oh that’s good. Those are high in fiber and a lower glycemic index food.”

“Are they?”

“Yes! Hey, I’ll see if I can find you a list of the GI index. Something I have been trying: 1 2/3 tsp of safflower oil per day….there’s a study out from Ohio State University done by Martha Belury, a professor of nutrition, that showed that the participants lost 2.6 -4.2 lbs of trunk fat while gaining on average about 1.4 -3 lbs of muscle. I’ll print out the article for you too!”

Lunch time around “Mount Sugar” proved to be filled with valuable tidbits to get us all on track with our intentions to follow through with the Live Healthy 100 Day Challenge.

Some of the other things we came up with were:

1. Drink chicken, beef, or vegetable broth or have hot tea….something without the calories that is warm and filling before eating a meal or in between meals.

2. Eat foods high in fiber. New research (The Journal of Nutrition March 2009) shows that for every gram of fiber intake increased, there was a half pound decrease in fat. Many Americans are not meeting the daily recommended 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day; instead most Americans consume about 10-15 grams daily. Ways for people to increase their intake of fiber is to eat plenty of fiber-rich foods. Some good ones to recommend: whole grain cereals, avocados, artichokes, lentils, and raspberries.

3. Snack on low calorie, low carbohydrate vegetables throughout the day and with meals. This would include grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas, carrots, raw green beans (one of my co-workers does this on a regular basis).

4. Move! Take every opportunity that shows itself. Take the stairs, go pick up papers and reports, go talk to that co-worker across the way rather than using the phone. Every little bit helps!

I’m sure there are many more conversations to come during this fitness challenge. Check back and we’ll share more tips as we complete the challenge. Hopefully there will be great success for all who participate. To your health!

Leslie Crawford, RDLD
Diabetes educator and nutrition counselor
Texas Health HEB

Lighting the night for heart health

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you when you drive past Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford this week. The red heart you see showcased on the side of the hospital until Sunday is a symbol for heart health. Located alongside Highway 183 in Bedford, near the Highway 121 split, the heart will be clearly visible from both highways. Hospital employees hope to raise awareness of the risks of coronary heart disease.

Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States.

The Cardiac Rehab team at Texas Health HEB is raising awareness of risk factors for heart attacks and heart disease by broadcasting a red heart on the side of the hospital during the week of the American Heart Association's Wear Red Day Feb. 5.

When experiencing a heart attack, time is muscle so it is important to get to the nearest hospital when a heart attack is suspected.

Check back Friday for more photos on how Texas Health HEB is raising awareness for heart health as employees are encouraged to Wear Red to support the cause.

Break out the dancing shoes

Looking for inexpensive date-night ideas? Rather than the tired - and expensive - dinner and a movie date, how about learning ballroom dancing with your sweetheart?

Starting Thursday, Texas Health Fitness Center HEB will offer beginner ballroom dance lessons. Classes will be held from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. over the course of a six-week session. The six-week session will cost $50 for members and $60 for non-members. So for $10 or less a date you learn a new skill and get closer to your partner, all while burning a few calories.

“Ballroom dancing is a great way for couples to learn to better communicate with each other,” said JR Ramsey, instructor for the class. “The normal complaint that I hear from people when they are going to take dance lessons is ‘I can’t dance.’ My response to them is, if you can tap your toe to the rhythm of a song, you can dance. The only difference is that you’re teaching your body to move to the rhythm as opposed to your toe.”

The class size is capped at 10 couples so there will be plenty of time for one-on-one instruction. Ramsey also will teach a Latin-dance chosen by the class.

For more information or to register for the classes, call 817-267-9191. Details on the Fitness Center are available at TexasHealth.org/hebfitness.