Lehigh Valley Health Network

Determining whether your sight is declining can be difficult. According to Lehigh Valley Health Network ophthalmologist Dr. Maz Kazahaya, M.D., "By the time you finally recognize a change, the damage is already done. However, we can usually slow or halt these conditions if they're caught early."  

Although vision loss can not be reversed, there are preventative measures and resources near you to support you during this time of need.

Learn more about dealing with vision impairments.

Monthly breast self-exams do not have to be the hassle.  Taking the responsibility to check for anything unusual is one step closer to awareness and prevention.  Self-exams should start as adolescents and continue each month throughout life.  Lehigh Valley Health Network Gynecologist, Dr. Patrice Weiss recommends, "The best time is the week after your period when your breasts tend to be less lumpy and tender."  It is important to remember that if a lump or anything unusual is discovered when doing a routine breast self-exam to inform you doctor ASAP.

Contact Lehigh Valley Health Network to receive a free card showing how to do a breast self-exam by calling 610-402-CARE and visiting www.lvh.org for additional information.

Lehigh Valley Health Network understands why you need to be heard and feel connected when you're dealing with breast cancer.  This is why Lehigh Valley Health Network provides a helpline with volunteers who have lived the experience of breast cancer.  What better person to get support from than a breast cancer survivor? 

The helpline is open 24 hours a day at 610-402-4SOS (4767).  If the line goes to voicemail, leave a message with your name and number, and a volunteer will return your call.  Learn more about the Breast Cancer Helpline

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (June 15, 2009) –  The American Stroke Association awarded Lehigh Valley Hospital its Get With The GuidelinesSM–Stroke (GWTG–Stroke) Gold Performance Achievement Award at the association’s International Stroke Conference 2009.  The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to evidence-based guidelines.

“In treating stroke, time to treatment is a key factor in predicting patient outcomes,” said John Castaldo, M.D., chief of neurology for Lehigh Valley Health Network. “Receiving the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award shows that Lehigh Valley Health Network is continuing to treat its stroke patients quickly and effectively.”

Through GWTG-Stroke, Lehigh Valley Hospital is tracking comprehensive efforts to rapidly diagnose and treat stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.  This includes being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate.

To receive the GWTG-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award, Lehigh Valley Hospital consistently complied for at least 24 months with the requirements in the GWTG–Stroke program.  These include aggressive use of medications like tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation.  This 24-month evaluation period reflects an ongoing effort of the hospital to continually maintain 85 percent compliance required for an award.

“The American Stroke Association recognizes Lehigh Valley Hospital for successfully implementing proven standards of care for stroke treatment,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., vice chair of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee and vice chair of the neurology department at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  “By meeting Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award criteria, Lehigh Valley Hospital demonstrates its active, ongoing effort to improve the outcomes of the stroke patients it serves and save more lives.”

GWTG is a comprehensive program that provides an online interactive assessment and report tool, resources, quarterly workshops, training and feedback to staff at participating hospitals.  The goal is to improve implementation of evidence-based interventions that are proven to reduce complications after stroke and the chances of a subsequent stroke or heart attack.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States.  According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke.

About Lehigh Valley Health Network

Lehigh Valley Health Network includes three hospital facilities - two in Allentown and one in Bethlehem, Pa.; eight health centers caring for communities in four counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices throughout the region; pharmacy, imaging and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred.

Specialty care includes trauma care at the region's busiest, most-experienced trauma center treating adults and children, burn care at the regional Burn Center, kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, and neurology and complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Primary Stroke Center. Lehigh Valley Health Network has been recognized by US News & World Report for 13 consecutive years as one of America's Best Hospitals, is a national Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing, enjoys the highest survival rates in the nation for heart attacks and has been honored seven straight years among the top integrated health networks in the U.S. Additional information is available at www.lvh.org.

About Get With the Guidelines

Get With The GuidelinesSM (GWTG) is the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that empowers healthcare teams to save lives and reduce healthcare costs by helping hospitals follow evidence-based guidelines and recommendations.  Visit americanheart.org/getwiththeguidelines for more information.

People that take medications frequently and then abruptly stop have the possibility of getting "rebound" headaches.  These headaches originate from withdrawal of the medication you were previously taking.  The warning signs of rebound headaches are still unknown; it all depends on the medication and the individual.

A key lifestyle change that helps relieve and prevent migraines is controlling stress.  A healthy diet and a good night's sleep are other positive steps you can take.  There are many factors in what causes these headaches. If they persist, you should visit your primary care doctor.

For additional information about headaches and migraines, visit lvh.org and/or contact a Lehigh Valley Health Network expert.

Exercising in a swimming pool is great for all ages.  It allows flexibility in your fitness routine and can be done in a class or individually.  A swimming pool offers benefits for everyone. "The pool is a liquid weight room," says orthopedic surgeon Thomas Meade, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Health Network. "It offers 12 times more resistance than air."

Swimming Pool Workouts can benefit your health if you suffer from joint problems or chronic disease. (If you have a medical condition, talk with your doctor before starting an exercise routine). Swimming also provides cross-training for athletes and even serves as a form of relaxation. 

For more information, visit lvh.org and/or call a Lehigh Valley Health Network expert today!

There are many reasons why we let regular exercise get pushed to the bottom of our "to do" List.  A way to get around this and to get "More Fitness in Less Time" is to adopt interval training.  By practicing interval training, it can increase your fitness dramatically in a short amount of time.  

Here is a sample Interval Program:

-Warm up by strolling for 5-10 minutes

-Increase to a moderate pace for 2 minutes

-Rev it up by either walking faster or running for 20-30 seconds

To read the complete program, please click Interval Training Program

Take advantage of nice weather this summer and change up your exercise routine with a routine that fits YOUR schedule.  For more information and/or questions, please call 610-402-CARE.

If you are interested in running in the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via on Sunday, September 13, start warming up today.  Choose how you want to participate:

Marathon: 26.2-mile race

Half-Marathon: 13.1-mile race

Relay Team with five people (each marathon leg ranges from 3.7 to 6.3 miles)

or

Volunteer by setting up the course, handing out water or taking on other duties.  Come out and support LVHN and Via. Additional Marathon Information

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Fortunately it is often treatable.  Prior to entering her senior year of college, 22-year-old Sarah Taglioli was diagnosed with melanoma.  This type of skin cancer is the deadliest of all skin cancers.  Luckily for Sarah, her cancer was detected early and had not spread.  

According to Lehigh Valley Health Network oncologist Paul Mosca, M.D., melanoma appears to be linked to sun exposure.  People who spend time outside should protect themselves from the sun by wearing sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing no matter what time of year.

Remember to use the ABCDE rule often to check new and existing moles:

A=Asymmetry
B=Border
C=Color
D=Diameter
E=Enlargement

For additional skin cancer information, please call 610-402-CARE.

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (May 7, 2009) - Teresa Bangham, R.N., of Allentown is passionate about her career as a home care nurse. She's cared for several patients through the years who have left a lasting impression on her. One of them was a gentleman in Allentown who was being treated for a non-healing foot wound and diabetes management. He was blind, had very limited financial resources, had no family or friends and was unable to leave his apartment - essentially he was a recluse.

Bangham's goals for their time together were to discuss his medications, diabetes and wound care; his single goal was to explain his needs would be met by God. She listened to him and prayed with him. Eventually he began to trust her. He started taking his medications and accepted help from community services Bangham organized. One day, about a month after he was discharged, she was driving through his neighborhood and saw him standing on the corner, talking to others - smiling and laughing. She stopped to watch him and was thrilled with his progress.

For care such as this, Bangham was honored tonight at Lehigh Valley Health Networks Friends of Nursing Award Celebration where she received The Alma W. Holland Award for Excellence in Home Care Nursing.  

"Stories like this truly capture our passion for better medicine," says Elliot J. Sussman, M.D., president and chief executive officer of the health network.  "They define the kind of care that we are proud to say people get when they choose Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Thirty-two caregivers and five care teams from the health network received their awards at the celebration, held during National Nurses week. Themed "A Passion for Better Medicine," the celebration honored caregivers and the stories they help write every day while providing exceptional care to patients. The awards are part of the Friends of Nursing Program, which helps fund continuing education, professional development and research opportunities for the health network's nurses to enhance patient care. Lehigh Valley Health Network has been granted Magnet status twice from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. It is the only Magnet hospital in the region and among less than 5 percent of hospitals nationwide to hold the designation that recognizes excellence in nursing care.

The following is a complete list of 2009 Friends of Nursing award recipients:

Ellen Reid Allen of Bethlehem
6 Tower, LVH-Muhlenberg
Josephine Ritz Nursing Award for Excellence in Patient and Family Teaching

Katrina Elise Allen of Allentown
Student
The John M. Eisenberg, M.D. Award for Excellence as a Student Nurse

Teresa Bangham, R.N., of Allentown
Home Health Services
Alma W. Holland Award for Excellence in Home Care Nursing

Erin Brazil, L.P.N., of Allentown
Burn Recovery Center, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Helen Potts Licensed Practical Nurse Award

Michaelene Butler of Macungie
Case Management, LVH-Cedar Crest
Award for Excellence as a Case Manager

JoAnn Dillinger of Allentown
Medical/Surgical ICU, LVH-Cedar Crest

Wendy Heller of Bath
6 Tower, LVH-Muhlenberg
The Medical Staff Support Partner Awards

Ashley Donchez of Allentown
6 Tower, LVH-Muhlenberg

Anita Robin Riddick of Allentown
7C, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Medical Staff Technical Partner Awards

David Freeman, R.Ph., of Kutztown
Health Spectrum Pharmacy
Award for Excellence as a Pharmacist

Margaret E. Gergar, R.N., of Bethlehem
Enterostomal Therapy
LVHN Department of Legal Services Award for Excellence in the Promotion of
Patient Care

Michael Goldner, D.O., of Allentown
Muhlenberg Primary Care, Bethlehem
Professional Excellence Council Physician Friends of Nursing Award

Janet Haines, R.N., of Slatington
GI/Pulmonary Endoscopy Lab, LVH-Cedar Crest
William F. Ihrie, Jr. & Elizabeth A. Ihrie Digestive Sciences Award

Elizabeth Dideon Hess of Allentown
Regional Burn Center, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Robert Lurig Memorial Award for Excellence in Burn Care

The Invasive Cardiology Suites at LVH-Cedar Crest and LVH-Muhlenberg
The Lehigh Valley Health Network Board of Trustees Patient Satisfaction Award
for Ambulatory Services

Renee A. Johnson, R.N., of Whitehall
Float Pool, LVH-Muhlenberg
Joseph and Judith Kaminski Award for Excellence as a Float Nurse

June M. Kelly, R.N., of Pottstown
3A/IPCU, LVH-Cedar Crest
Debra Sellers, R.N., of Bath
4 Tower, LVH-Muhlenberg
The Fleming Nursing Caring Awards

Beth Kessler, R.N. of Bangor
6 Tower, LVH-Muhlenberg
Commitment to Patient Safety Award

Rosemary A. King, R.R.T., of Pottsville
Respiratory Care, LVH-Cedar Crest
Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Respiratory Care

Kari Kolwicz of Emmaus
6B, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Medical Staff Administrative Partner Awards

Debra Kay Sterner of Allentown
Emergency Department, LVH-Muhlenberg
The Medical Staff Administrative Partner Awards

Denise M. Lawyer, R.N., of Emmaus
Operating Room, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Jeffery A. Bartges Award for Excellence in Neuroscience Nursing

Mary Lenahan-Durnin, R.N., of Allentown
Jennifer Brennan, R.D. of Allentown
Radiation/Oncology, LVH-Cedar Crest
Cancer Services Leadership Council Excellence in Cancer Care Award

Rose Lesniak, R.N., of Mohrsville
Post Anesthesia Care Unit, LVH-Cedar Crest
Allentown Anesthesia Associates, Inc. Post Anesthesia Care Nursing Award

6B Medical Surgical Unit, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Fleming Award to Recognize a Department which Demonstrates a Commitment to
Professional Excellence

Larisa Morgenhesser of Easton
Health Network Laboratories
Kathy Mundt-Bulla Memorial Award for Excellence as a Laboratorian

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Fleming Award to Recognize a Department which Promotes Family Presence

Vanessa L. Pasch, R.N., of Easton
Regional Heart Center-Medical, LVH-M
The Florence Nightingale Nursing Practice Award

Patricia Pavelco, R.N., of Walnutport
Virtual Burn Team
Dr. & Mrs. Donald H. Gaylor Medical-Surgical Nursing Award

Regional Burn Center and Burn Recovery Center, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Fleming Award to Recognize the Search for Best Practice

Jill Rothermel, R.N., of Blandon
Perioperative Services, LVH-Cedar Crest
Joseph J. Prorok, M.D. Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing

Maureen Smith, R.N., of Allentown
Neuroscience ICU, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Jeffery J. Hitchings Award for Excellence in Education

Trauma Neuro Intensive Care Unit, LVH-Cedar Crest
The Senior Management Council Patient Satisfaction Award for In-Patient Care

Michelle Trzesniowski, R.N., of Bethlehem
Neuroscience ICU, LVH-Cedar Crest
Pulmonary Associates Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing

Gloria Jean Wagner, R.N., of Walnutport
Transitional Skilled Unit, LVH-17th Street
Rose Trexler Award for Excellence as a Preceptor

As news reports continue about swine flu in the United States and internationally, more people are talking about this swine influenza.  Lehigh Valley Health Network's experts in infectious diseases want you know more about this virus. Read LVHN's expert advice on the swine flu. 

Your swine flu questions answered:

• I keep hearing about swine flu cases in Mexico and the U.S. What is the swine flu, and should I be worried?

• What kinds of precautions should I take to avoid getting the swine flu?

• I had my flu shot already. Will that be enough to protect me?

• How is Lehigh Valley Health Network prepared for the swine influenza?

• What should I do in case I or someone in my family develops flu-like symptoms?

If you live in PA and you have questions about swine flu, please call 877-PAHEALTH (PA Dept of Health). They are available 24/7.

RapidArc Radiotherapy Technology Enabling Fast, Accurate Treatments for Pennsylvania Cancer Patients

Prostate and brain cancer patients were the first in the area to benefit

Palo Alto, CA -- April 22 -- Two patients, both in their 70s, have become the first people in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to receive a new, faster, more precise form of radiotherapy for cancer.   A 72-year-old man was treated for prostate cancer, while a 70-year-old woman received treatment for a brain tumor at the base of her skull.  Doctors at Lehigh Valley Hospital used RapidArc™ radiotherapy and image-guidance technology from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR), to target their tumors with carefully shaped radiation beams.

“The prostate cancer patient’s tumor was close to the bladder, rectum, and many other sensitive organs and tissues,” said Charles Andrews, MD, radiation oncologist. “Using RapidArc, we are able to deliver treatments very quickly, concentrating the dose on the tumor while minimizing exposure of nearby sensitive structures.

For the patient with
the brain tumor, Dr. Andrews was able to deliver a RapidArc treatment
designed to minimize exposure of her eyes, pituitary gland, and other
sensitive organs and tissues in the head and neck.

For both patients, the RapidArc treatments were much faster than would have been possible using earlier generations of technology.  “With RapidArc, prostate cancer treatments that once took ten minutes to deliver can now be completed in just two minutes,” Dr. Andrews said.  “The typical set-up and treatment time for a brain cancer patient used to be about 40 minutes, but with RapidArc, we’re completing these treatments in just over ten minutes.”

As a result, cancer patients spend much less time immobilized on the treatment table.  In addition to improving patient comfort, faster treatments help reduce the chance of tumor motion during treatment.  According to Dr. Andrews, for a prostate cancer patient, as the bladder fills, the tumor can move by several millimeters. “The RapidArc treatments are delivered so quickly that there really isn’t enough time for the tumor to move,” said Dr. Andrews.

Hospitals and cancer centers from around the world have now used RapidArc radiotherapy technology for the treatment of prostate, head and neck, lung, brain, spine, bone, gynecological, and soft tissue cancers. The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates show that in 2008 there were 70,110 new cancer cases in the state of Pennsylvania.  “RapidArc represents a significant step forward in what is possible,” said Victor Risch, MD, director of radiation oncology. “We have installed this capability on two treatment machines, and we will be offering RapidArc to patients whenever it’s an appropriate treatment option.”

About Lehigh Valley Health Network
Lehigh Valley Health Network includes three hospital facilities - two in Allentown and one in Bethlehem, Pa.; eight health centers caring for communities in four counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices throughout the region; pharmacy, imaging and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred.   Specialty care includes trauma care at the region’s busiest, most-experienced trauma center treating adults and children, burn care at the regional Burn Center, kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, and neurology and complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Primary Stroke Center.  Lehigh Valley Health Network has been recognized by US News & World Report for 13 consecutive years as one of America’s Best Hospitals, is a national Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing, and has been honored seven straight years among the top integrated health networks in the U.S.  Additional information is available at www.lvh.org.


About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial inspection. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 5,100 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America and Europe and in its 79 offices and facilities around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com/.

If you have high cholesterol, it's important to take steps to lower it. High cholesterol greatly increases your risk for heart disease.  Lehigh Valley Health Network's physicians are specialists in diagnosing and treating high cholesterol.  U.S. News & World Report recognizes Lehigh Valley Health Network as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for heart care.

An LVHN physician will check your cholesterol levels and give you advice on how to eat healthy and exercise.

For additional information about care for high cholesterol, please visit lvh.org or call 610-402-CARE.

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (April 20, 2009) – The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital has launched a drive to enlist more volunteers for its four hospital gift shops.  It is looking for both men and women who are willing to work one 3- or 4-hour shift per week.  Volunteers are needed for various shifts in each of the gift shops at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest and Lehigh Valley Hospital—17th street and may choose the time that is best for them.  Volunteers may sign up as a team, or alone.  Some of the responsibilities include stocking shelves, helping customers and taking phone orders.  Volunteers are fully trained for whatever responsibility they wish to undertake, and can work when it is convenient for them.

There are many benefits to volunteering.  Each gift shop volunteer is offered a 20% discount off gift shop items, as well as a meal in the cafeteria preceding or following each shift.  Besides these benefits offered by Lehigh Valley Health Network, volunteering is an opportunity to meet new people, stay active, and do something purposeful.

Shifts that need coverage include 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The largest gift shop is the Tree Top Shop, located inside the main entrance at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest.  The Pavilion Shop, also known as “the baby shop” is located in the Jaindl Pavilion.  Two of the shops are open on weekdays from 9 to 5, and they are the Atrium Shop located in the John and Dorothy Morgan Cancer wing, and the Alcove Shop located at the 17th street facility.  Another volunteer opportunity is the Shopping Cart, a “gift shop on wheels” which visits patient floors at both Cedar Crest and 17th street from Monday through Friday.  This gives the patients and staff the opportunity to purchase newspapers, magazines, snacks, and small gifts.  The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital has pledged its gift shop proceeds to research in emergency medicine and cancer research. 

To learn more about volunteer opportunities in the gift shops, please call Elizabeth Anton, Director of Volunteers, at 610-402-8897, or email her at Elizabeth.Anton@lvh.com.  An application for volunteering is available at any of the gift shop locations, or at www.lvh.org.