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The Job of a Cancer Navigator

Calendar May 16, 2012 | Posted by laicos

At Medical Center of McKinney, we know that receiving a cancer diagnosis can be scary. Cancer can be emotionally and physically taxing on a patient and family, and the treatment process and healthcare system can also get confusing at times. When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you may be faced with an outpouring of feelings, but you don’t have to face them alone. An Oncology Navigator can help you understand your diagnosis, answer your questions and provide assistance to you and your loved ones based on your individual needs.

Meet Mesha Randall, Medical Center of McKinney’s Oncology Patient Navigator!
Mesha has worked with patients diagnosed with many types of cancer. She has an associate’s degree in social work as well as an associate’s degree in nursing–allowing her to work with patients on an emotional support level as well as help them understand and maneuver the healthcare system and treatment process.

“I enjoy helping people manage their way through the health care system and I thrive on opportunities to provide educational information about diagnosis and treatment,” she says. “Throughout each patient’s journey, my goal is to be there as they face a cancer diagnosis and to offer a steady flow of emotional support and encouragement.”

Our Oncology Patient Navigator program provides the following services for free:

  • Guiding you through the healthcare system
  • Helping you understand your diagnosis and options for treatment
  • Introducing you to the members of your healthcare team and explaining their roles in your cancer care program
  • Helping you make appointments and preparing you for your appointments, including reviewing questions you should ask
  • Providing you with community resources and other support services
  • Assisting with any other individual needs

How can the Oncology Patient Navigator Program benefit you?

  • Increase your satisfaction with your healthcare experience
  • Prevent missed or delayed appointments
  • Provide improved access to services and information
  • Help you better understand your diagnosis
  • Reduce stress by setting up appointments and healthcare services for you

For more information about Medical Center of McKinney’s Patient Navigator Program, contact Mesha Randall at mesha.randall@hcahealthcare.com or call 972-540-4388.

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National Hospital Week 2012

Calendar May 8, 2012 | Posted by laicos

This week is National Hospital Week! National Hospital Week is a celebration commemorating the history, professionals and technology that surround these healthcare institutions. In honor of the occasion, we would like to say thanks to all of our wonderful staff and the community of McKinney for making us who we are.

At the Medical Center of McKinney, we strive to provide excellent, full-service healthcare services in the McKinney community that meet or exceed the healthcare needs of our patients and their families.

Care for our patients will always be our top priority, and in order to better serve the community, we continue to strengthen our foundation by adding specialty services that enhance our acute care capabilities. Some of our special services include:

  • A 24/7 full-service Emergency Department
  • Outpatient services, such as women's imaging, ambulatory surgery, diagnostic imaging services
  • A sleep lab
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Cardiovascular care, including cardiac catheterization, open heart and vascular surgeries
  • Accredited Chest Pain Center
  • Neuroscience — stroke care, pain management, neurosurgery, care for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
  • Orthopedic services, including a joint replacement program
  • Sports medicine services
  • Designated Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, maternal and fetal medicine
  • Labor and delivery suites

As a hospital we recognize the value of community partnerships and make a commitment to participate in community events and sponsorships both on a corporate level and through staff involvement. See below for some upcoming events we will be involved with:

The Medical Center of McKinney is a 259-bed acute care facility serving Collin County and surrounding areas. For more information on our hospital and the services we offer, as well as event listings and health information, visit us online. You can can also give us a call at 972-547-8000. Think you would make a great fit for our team? Search our job openings and apply today!

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Folic Acid & Your Pregnancy

Calendar May 2, 2012 | Posted by laicos

When you’re pregnant, your doctor will advise you to make several important lifestyle changes to help you have a healthy, happy pregnancy. You should stay active, avoid problematic foods and take a good vitamin supplement before and during your pregnancy. The most important vitamin for expecting moms is folic acid, a B vitamin. This vitamin helps the body as it grows new cells.

What does folic acid help prevent?
The primary reason moms need folic acid is to prevent serious birth defects. According to womenshealth.gov, two of the major defects that folic acid helps prevent are spina bifida and anencephaly. Spina bifida is a defect in the baby’s spinal column that leads to lifelong disabilities. Anencephaly is a defect of the brain that leads to death shortly before or after birth. Research shows that folic acid can also help prevent anemia and may help protect against other birth defects.

How much do you need?
The CDC strongly recommends that women get 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant. Most women don’t get this much folic acid from food, so it’s important to take a vitamin that includes this much folic acid. You can take folic acid alone or as part of a prenatal multivitamin. Try looking for foods that are supplemented with folic acid, such as many major cereal brands. Some women need folic acid more than others, so talk to your doctor about your lifestyle and existing medical conditions so your doctor can advise you on how much you should be getting.

Who should take folic acid?
While folic acid is extremely important for pregnant women to take, it should also be taken by any women who could possibly become pregnant. Even if you’re using the birth control pill, you should supplement with folic acid. Women should be getting at least 400 mcg very early in pregnancy, well before a woman knows she’s pregnant. In the occasion of an unplanned pregnancy, it’s still just as important to have the folic acid in your system. Don’t worry about taking a prenatal vitamin all the time. Just look for a women’s multivitamin with the correct amount of folic acid in it.

Looking for the right place to deliver your new bundle of joy? Visit us online to learn more about labor and delivery here at the Medical Center of McKinney or take a tour of our Post Partum Suites.

Related Posts:
Eating for Two: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
Kids with headaches
Breakfast: Benefits for Children

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Why We Relay: Relay for Life 2012

Calendar April 24, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Did you know over 3.5 million people will participate in Relay for Life this year? Each one is Relaying for their own reason and undoubtedly has their own personal story. But no matter what their reason, each step that is taken helps the American Cancer Society save lives. The funds raised through Relay for Life benefit the American Cancer Society in several ways. Visit them online to see how Relay makes a difference.

Relay for Life is an international event sponsored by the American Cancer Society that allows communities to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and remember those who have lost their battle.

Relay for Life takes place in communities across the globe in the form of local events.  Teams gather together and camp out around local high school tracks, parks or fairgrounds or other locations and take turns walking around the track for 24 hours in semblance to the idea “Cancer Never Sleeps.” Each team has to have a team member on the track at all times for the length of the event.

We have gathered our own team here at the Medical Center of McKinney for the 2012 McKinney Relay for Life event this Friday at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch. Visit our team page to to join our team, donate to our team, or honor a loved one with a luminaria. All of our team members have different reasons for why they relay, but our common goal is to save lives from cancer by fundraising and raising awareness. We want do do our part to help make sure cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life.

I walk in memory of my family. We have lost 7 family members to cancer and have a family member beating cancer right now. There is always family, faith, and hope in these battles and I will do all I can to support that fight.

—Jennifer Hay, RN, BSN, Medical Center of McKinney

To learn more about Relay for Life, watch this short video from the American Cancer Society, titled “The Relay Story.”

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Summertime Safety

Calendar April 17, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Summer will be here before you know it, and the safety of your children is always a priority! In this video, Dr. Dan Maurer, DO, an orthopedic surgeon with Medical Center of McKinney, discusses how to stay safe during the summer and when the temperatures being to rise.

 
At the Medical Center of McKinney, the healthy and safety of our community is our top priority! To find out more information about staying safe in the hot weather and summer months, check out our Health Library on our website or give us a call at (972)547-8000.
 
Related Posts:
Staying Safe in the Sun
Leaving Kids at Home Alone over the Summer
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Herniated Disc: How Exercise & Therapy Can Help

Calendar April 10, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Herniated discs are very common and can cause extreme lower back pain. Fortunately, surgery is not the only option when alleviating herniated disc pain. Exercise and therapy are often used prior to resorting to surgery, as they are proven remedies for lower back pain.

What is a Herniated Disc?
According to Medical Center of McKinney nuerogsurgeon, Paul Salinas, MD a disc hernitation occurs when there is a tear in the nucleus fibrosis that allows a portion of the nucleus polpusus to extrude out from the center of the disc.  This can occur with trauma to the spine but more commonly its associated with degeneration of this disc.

Herniated Disc Treatment
In some cases, surgery is the only option to correct severe, unrelenting herniated disc pain. Physicians and physical therapists typically recommend exercise and therapy as an initial treatment to pain. Speak with your doctor before starting any exercise or therapy regimen.  Common exercises and therapy include:

  • Exercises: Exercise treats pain, help with posture and coordination, and strengthen lower back muscles.  Dr. Salinas says "core muscle strengthening exercises" can help with the symptoms associated with a disc herniation According to herniated-disc-treatment.info, other exercises used to treat a herniated disc include:

o   Low-impact aerobics

o   Walking

o   Yoga

o   Swimming/Water Aerobic

o   Stationary bike riding

  • Therapy: According to herniateddisctherapy.com, regular herniated-disc therapy is critical to resuming a normal routine. Patients should receive stretching instructions from their therapist, as well as a rehabilitation schedule including techniques to support and strengthen the lower back muscles. Additionally, patients should participate in a pain management program to learn how to deal with ongoing pain.  

"Excercises alone can help and sometime alleviate the symptoms that are associated with a disc herniaton, but do not remove the disc herniation or nerve compression when present," says Dr. Salinas.  "It's also important to point out that exercise nor any other therapy for that matter can "push" the herniated portion of the disc back into its proper anatomical position." Ultrasound, heat or ice, and cortisone shots are also helpful in reducing pain.  If the patient has exhausted all different therapies resulting in little or no relief, the next step is surgery.

If you’re having herniated disc pain that just won’t subside, talk to your doctor to learn about your options. For more information about how our orthopedic specialists at the Medical Center of McKinney can help you, visit us online.  To be connected with a Medical Center of McKinney neurosurgeon, call our Physician Referral Line at 1-855-296-6265

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A-fib Q&A with Medical Center of McKinney Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dale Yoo, MD

Calendar April 3, 2012 | Posted by Medical Center of McKinney

Medical Center of McKinney Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dale Yoo, MD, Answers Questions on Atrial Fibrillation

Q: What is A-fib?

A: Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib for short, is the most common irregular heart rhythm that originates in the atrium, or top chamber of the heart. Instead of the usual regular rhythm that starts from an area called the sinus node, many different and separate impulses direct the heart rhythm, often resulting in a fast, chaotic and irregular rhythm.  The atria cannot contract normally, and therefore, this prevents the normal flow of blood from the top chambers to the bottom chambers of the heart.

Q: What are some risk factors for A-fib and how can they be controlled?

A: Common risk factors include high blood pressure, heart failure, prior heart attacks, sleep apnea and lung disease. Patients with any prior cardiac history may also be at an increased risk for A-fib.

Q: What kinds of complications can A-fib lead to?

A: Atrial fibrillation can progressively lead to congestive heart failure without the appropriate treatment and management.  It can also lead to a substantial increase in the annual risk of stroke.  

Q: What else should we know about A-fib?

A: Atrial fibrillation is a condition that warrants regular follow-up with a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist.  It is a condition now that may be reversible, associated with other lung or cardiac processes, and may be treated with specialized medications or procedures.  Since A-fib is a progressive disease, earlier detection and treatment is highly recommended.

Here at the Medical Center of McKinney, we are dedicated to the health of your heart! For more information on Atrial Fibrillation and other conditions of the heart, contact us today. Visit us online or give us a call at 972-547-8000 to learn about our facility and services.

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What is the Texas Ten Step Program?

Calendar March 27, 2012 | Posted by Medical Center of McKinney

Attention new mothers and mothers-to-be! Did you know that the Medical Center of McKinney is designated as a Texas Ten Step facility? This elite program recognizes outstanding breastfeeding education and training for all facility staff, and requires specific steps to ensure breastfeeding support for new mothers. These practices help the Medical Center of McKinney increase the percent of mothers who reach their breastfeeding goals.

The Origin of Texas Ten Step
According to TexasTenStep.org, the Texas Ten Step program was developed by the Texas Hospital Association (THA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This comprehensive program is endorsed by the Texas Medical Association, as it supports improved maternity-care practices for breastfeeding.

Texas Ten Step Requirements
In order for a facility to earn Texas Ten Step designation, they are required to address at least 85% of the WHO/UNICEF’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Some of the ten steps include:

  • The facility must have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to staff
  • Inform all expectant mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding
  • Facility must assist new mothers with breastfeeding within one hour of giving birth
  • Demonstrate to new mothers how to breastfeed maintain lactation
  • Facility must not give artificial nipples or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants

Q&A with Medical Center of McKinney NICU RN, Misti Boone

Q: Is breastfeeding really better for me and the baby?  Why?
A: Absolutely!  Human milk is uniquely perfect for human babies. Babies were born to be breastfed. Human milk is easy to digest and contains more than 200 components that babies need in the early months of life. Factors in breast milk protect infants from a wide variety of illnesses.

Look at the risks of NOT breastfeeding:. 

For baby:

  • Increased risks of respiratory, ear, and intestinal infections.
  • Increased risk of NEC for premature babies
  • Increased risk of asthma
  • Increased risk of type 1 and 2 diabetes
  • Increased risk of allergies
  • Increased risk of childhood cancers
  • Increased risk of SIDS
  • Increased risk of obesity

For mom:

  • Increased risk of breast cancer
  • Increased risk of ovarian cancer
  • Increased risk of osteoporosis
  • Increased risk of obesity
  • Financial costs estimated about $1500-$2000 from cost of formula alone
  • Increased risk of post partum depression
  • Less bonding time

Q: What support services are available here at the Medical Center of McKinney if I decide to breastfeed? 
A: There are several ways we are here to support your breastfeeding experience! We offer prenatal breastfeeding classes monthly. These classes are free to anyone delivering at Medical Center of McKinney. The Breastfeeding Basics Class is offered the 2nd Monday of the month, 7 – 9 p.m.  This class offers an in-depth look into the benefits and techniques of breastfeeding and helps expectant mothers prepare for success in nursing their babies. Breastfeeding and the Working Mom is offered the 3rd Monday of the month, 7 – 9 p.m.  This class covers choosing the right breast pump, when you should begin pumping, how to store breast milk safely, and much more.

Q: What are your best tips for beginning breastfeeding?

  • Early skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby is one of the easiest things to do to help your baby adapt to life outside the womb!  Studies have shown that your skin will help regulate your baby’s temperature by preventing heat loss, stabilizing her heart and breathing rates, and increasing his or her blood sugar.  Babies who have immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth are more likely to latch on effectively and are more likely to breastfeed exclusively longer.
  • If your baby doesn’t latch right away, do not panic!  This is usually not a problem for the healthy term newborn.  Get comfortable, snuggle your baby, in a diaper only, up against your bare chest.  Take this time to get to know each other, and try again later!
  • Practice makes perfect!  The more baby practices, the better she’ll get!  Babies need to practice their latch often (8 or more times in a 24 hour period).  Then, when your milk comes in between day’s three to five, you both will have an easier time.
  • Keep your baby in the room with you, so that you will be able to notice the early feeding cues quickly and can begin feedings before he gets too hungry and impatient.  Try to become watchful of your baby’s signals and nurse him before the late hungry signs appear.
  • Ask for help!  Our nurses and lactation consultants are here for you!
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Eating for Two: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Calendar March 20, 2012 | Posted by Medical Center of McKinney

Getting adequate nutrition during pregnancy is important for mom and baby. A pregnant woman should get about 300 more calories per day than pre-pregnancy, and there are some other things she should take into consideration as well. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about nutrition and eating during pregnancy.

Questions & Answers About Eating During Pregnancy
By Medical Center of McKinney Dietitian Smitha Suresh, RD/LD

Q: Is a prenatal vitamin important?

A: During pregnancy there is an additional emphasis on several key nutrients, and often during pregnancy your diet may be low in these key nutrients, such as calcium, iron and folic acid, which may require supplementation. Therefore a prenatal vitamin is recommended.

Q:  Do I need to consume more calories per day?

A: Energy needs increase by an average of 300-500 kcal a day during the second and third trimesters for growth and development of the fetus, as well as to support lactation after delivery. Therefore to meet the energy demands of pregnancy, an additional 300 kcal per day is recommended.

Q. What foods and drinks do I absolutely have to give up?

         A: Food to limit or avoid during pregnancy:

  • Alcohol, caffeine, some types of herbal tea
  • Raw or uncooked meats, fish, poultry or eggs
  • Foods high in mercury such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tile fish
  • For all other fish, including tuna, 12 oz or less per week
  • Hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna, or other deli meats unless they are heated until steaming hot
  • Raw or unpasteurized milk, cheese or dairy products made with raw or unpasteurized milk
  • Tobacco, illicit drugs, herbal remedies or supplements

It is recommend that you drink approximately 8 to 12 cups of water or other beverages (caffeine-free or 100 percent fruit juice) throughout the day.

Reference: Adapted from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Still looking for the perfect place to deliver your newest addition? Learn more about labor, delivery and recovery at Medical Center of McKinney. Visit us online or give us a call at 972-547-8000.

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Posture: Why it Matters and Tips to Improve Yours

Calendar March 13, 2012 | Posted by Medical Center of McKinney

Your posture, the position in which you hold your body upright, can speak volumes without saying a word. Good posture can make a person look tall, slim, and confident while poor posture can make a person look short, heavy, and intimidated.

Good posture is often overlooked or taken for granted while poor posture is usually quite noticeable—standing with slumped shoulders or slouching at your desk can make your body scream, “Look at me!” for all the wrong reasons.

Why Posture is Important
Good posture does much more than improve your appearance. According to an article from Livestrong, your posture can directly affect your health and you fitness. It also shows others how you "feel" about yourself, and good posture can even help you look taller and thinner!

Tips to Improve Your Posture
Several different factors can contribute to poor posture—stress, obesity, pregnancy, and even wearing high heels are common culprits. Do you want to improve your posture? Consider these suggestions:

  • Stand tall. Try to stand, walk, and sit “tall” whenever possible.
  • Stand against the wall. Stand against a wall that is near a full-length mirror. Hold your body as close to the wall as possible without straining. Look in the mirror to observe your own posture. You may be surprised at how you stand.
  • Sleep on a firm mattress. This can help your back remain straight.
  • Keep your shoulders straight when sitting. If you sit at a computer all day, avoid leaning forward.
  • Take breaks. Avoid sitting for long periods of time, since this will probably cause you to slouch. Get up and walk around periodically.
  • Ask someone to remind you. Tell a friend or family member to point out your posture. No one likes to be nagged, so this may help you make posture improvements!

Concerned about your posture or another health-related issue? Medical Center of McKinney is committed to providing excellent, full-service healthcare. To learn more about us and the services we offer, visit us online or call (972) 547-8000.

Related Posts:
When to Visit an Orthopedic Surgeon for Foot & Ankle Issues
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

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