What does it mean to be a Baby-Friendly hospital?

Baby Friendly? What does that really mean? It is hard to believe that it has been one year since our designation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital by the World Health Organization. Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford is one of only 5 hospitals in Texas to receive this recognition, and all five hospitals are within the Texas Health Resources System! To add to this accomplishment, nationwide only 86 hospitals are designated as Baby Friendly nationwide.

Since full implementation at Texas Health HEB, we have seen many benefits for our new families.
• Offering rooming-in throughout the stay has allowed parents to become the expert on their baby, and contributed to better prepared new parents at discharge.
• Babies are being breastfed on demand, and therefore we have seen increase in milk volumes in our breastfeeding mothers as early as 36-48 hours postpartum.
• With the increase in breastmilk, our breastfed babies are losing less weight, regaining birth weight more quickly and we have data showing decrease in readmission to the hospital related to jaundice.

While the impact we’ve seen has been great, our real focus all along has been the family.

We are consistently providing early skin-to-skin holding, newborn bath in Labor and Delivery suite, support and education for parenting in the patient’s room, day and night, and our uninterrupted “nap-time” from 1-4pm daily.

The response of patients has been great! Those that have delivered here previously, and had a wonderful experience, state this “is even better.” New families are getting the best of birthing experiences.

We are so proud of the designation and continue to work each day at making the patient and family experience one of great joy!

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

Exercise plays key role in improving overall heart health

One of the greatest things you can do to help your heart is to work it, according to the American Heart Association.

Lack of physical activity is a great contributor to coronary artery disease, but luckily is one that is easy to do something about, according to the heart association. “You have to be in great shape to survive a sedentary lifestyle”, says Mike Lofland, M.A., M.R.E., director of the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB. Physical activity helps build endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, and efficiency of heart functioning.

“For many individuals there are a host of health conditions that are difficult to control to lower the risk of heart disease,” Lofland said. “One thing that is pretty easy to fit in is some sort of vigorous activity every day. Individuals may not love putting in time at the gym or running or walking through their neighborhood, but it makes a great impact on a person’s heart health.”

When deciding what exercise program is appropriate, the American Heart Association recommends that individuals look at three factors:
• Frequency – How many times week
• Intensity – How much exertion
• Time- How long the workout lasts

For most healthy people, the association recommends moderate-to-vigorous activity at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Activities such as walking, climbing stairs, jogging, bicycling, swimming and aerobic exercise all count. There are activities for every fitness level.

Regardless of health status, individuals should always consult their physician before beginning an exercise program.

For more information, visit www.TexasHealth.org.

Mike Lofland, M.A., M.R.E.,
director of the Texas Health Fitness Center HEB

100 Day Challenge: One Team’s Success and Struggle Continues

As I’ve mentioned before, our team has been participating in the Live Healthy America 100 Day Challenge to lose weight.

One member of the team, Shelly Davis, has successfully lost 25 pounds. Davis, pictured here is a scheduler in the Wound Care Clinic at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford. She credits her weight loss primarily to cutting regular soda drinks out of her diet.

Another member has lost over 10 pounds by eating a low carb diet.

Others of us have struggled to lose weight at all, or worse yet, have gained weight.

UGH!

So we are regrouping, re-strategizing and planning to finish up in a blaze of glory. So far we have eliminated Mount Sugar from the break room, cleaned out the fridge and the freezer, and some team members are increasing exercise by taking the stairs, parking a little further out in the parking lot, walking over to the main hospital campus on nice days instead of driving.

Share-A-Healthy-Snack day is being planned as this is typed.

Stay tuned for our glorious finish! And in the meantime please share any tips you have for maintaining a health lifestyle and losing weight. We’re looking for all the help we can get!

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