www.cch.org Fall 2013 health a d va n ta g e Cindy and Johnny Mitchell celebrate his fourth year of being cancer free. Your Home for Cancer Care: Chelsea Community Hospital’s New Cancer Center Find Your Doctor • Affordable Care Act • Prostate Cancer Options quick read F ood 4 6 7 8 3 Choosing a Primary Care Physican Establish a relationship with your main doctor as your partner in health for medical decisions and preventive care. 4 Chelsea Is Your Home for Cancer Care 6 7 The Affordable Care Act Is Here 8 Food Facts and Fiction The Cancer Center breaks ground in January to bring innovative, expert, and compassionate comprehensive care and healing. Exchanges are open. Learn the top five things you need to know. Prostate Cancer: Understanding Your Options Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men. Discuss screening with your doctor. Say good-bye to blaming chocolate for your child’s pesky pimples or attributing overexcitement to sugar overload. New Doctor at CCH At Chelsea Community Hospital, we continually improve the quality and scope of health care we provide to you. Meet one of the newest doctors on the CCH Medical Staff: Doctor Shirley Tom, M.D.Specialty Internal Medicine A Special Offer from the Gift Shop Receive $5 off any purchase of $10 or more. Expires December 15, 2013. Gift Shop at Main Entrance of the Chelsea Community Hospital Monday through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clothing – Accessories – Keepsakes Edible Goodies – Home Décor The information provided in this newsletter should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. For such advice, care, or treatment, seek the advice of a physician or qualified health care provider. 2 Health Advantage Fall 2013 health a d va n ta g e Health Advantage is published quarterly by the Marketing and Development Department at Chelsea Community Hospital. Please forward all Health Advantage correspondence to: Pamela Parkinson Editor, Health Advantage Chelsea Community Hospital 775 South Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118 [email protected] Main Line, Patient Rooms, and Information 734-593-6000 Physician Referral Line 734-593-5899 Behavioral Health Services - Assessment 734-593-5251 - Outpatient 734-593-5250 - Inpatient 734-593-5200 Billing (Business office) 734-475-6914 Business Health Services 734-593-6397 Cardiopulmonary Services 734-593-5480 Cardiac Rehabilitation 734-593-5470 Community and Senior Health 734-593-5280 Development Office 734-593-5373 Diabetes Education 734-593-5280 Diagnostic/Imaging 734-593-5500 Endoscopy 734-593-5650 Head•Pain Unit 734-593-5100 Home Health Care (ChelseaCare) 734-593-5780 Home Medical Equipment (ChelseaCare) 734-593-5910 ICU 734-593-5450 Infusion Center 734-593-5690 Laboratory 734-593-5950 Lifeline 734-593-5790 Medical Records 734-593-6310 Neuro Rehabilitation 734-593-5620 Nutrition Services 734-593-5280 Occupational Therapy 734-593-5600 Orthopedics (Chelsea Orthopedic Specialists)734-593-5700 Pain Clinic 734-593-5670 Pharmacy (ChelseaCare) 734-593-5900 Physical Therapy 734-593-6370 Recreational Therapy 734-593-5626 Rheumatology (Chelsea Rheumatology) 734-593-5990 Senior Health Connection 734-593-5284 Sleep Center 734-593-6170 Social Work 734-593-6160 Speech-Language Pathology 734-593-5620 Surgery Center 734-593-5800 Urology 734-475-3535 Volunteers 734-593-5793 White Oak Inn 734-593-6125 Women’s Health Center 734-593-5979 © 2013. All models used for illustrative purposes only. Primary Care Choosing a Primary Care Physician —The Smart Way T hink of your primary care physician (PCP) as your partner in health. It’s important to establish a relationship with a PCP, who helps you make medical decisions and oversees the care you get from other more specialized physicians. Selecting a Doctor Here are some questions that can help you select a PCP who understands your particular needs. Q: What information should I find out about the doctor? A: It may help to ask the doctor’s office these questions: nHow long does it take to get in to see the doctor for a routine visit and for urgently needed care? nWho covers for the doctor when he or she is out of town? nIs the doctor board certified? (This means he or she has had training after medical school and has passed an exam certifying them as a specialist in the field.) Q: What personal qualities should I look for in a doctor? A: It’s best to find a doctor who listens carefully to your con- cerns, explains things clearly and fully, shows respect for you, and anticipates your health problems. The doctor also should allow you to ask questions. Q: What information should I bring to my appointment? A: It’s important to provide your doctor with the following: nYour health history list of medications you’re taking nVitamins or supplements you take nA description of any current health problems you’re having. If you have symptoms, the doctor will want to know when they first appeared, how often they occur, and how long they last. nA It’s also important to bring a list of questions you have. Ask your doctor to explain his or her answers if you don’t fully understand them. Tips for Preventive Care Once you have a PCP, if you’re not sure how to start a conversation, here are some important questions to ask: nAm I up to date on my immunizations? nHow do the health conditions that run in my family affect me? nDoes my lifestyle put me at risk for certain diseases? After you get answers to your questions, make sure to schedule any needed tests, specialist visits, and follow-up appointments with your PCP. Managing Conditions and Prescriptions You might have high blood pressure or prediabetes. Your PCP is the ideal person to find out and help you treat the problem and stay healthy. High blood pressure may double or even quadruple your risk for: nHeart attack nStroke nHeart failure nOther cardiovascular problems Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year. If your blood pressure is high, you can lower it by watching your salt intake, exercising regularly, and losing excess weight. Prediabetes means that a person’s blood sugar levels are too high. And most people don’t even know it. Prediabetes raises the risk for: nType 2 diabetes nHeart disease nStroke People with prediabetes can help reduce these risks by: nControlling or losing weight nIncreasing exercise nReducing fat and calories in their diet www.cch.org 3 cancer center Chelsea Is Your Home for Cancer Care Drawing on our strengths and resources to create a place of hope and healing C helsea Community Hospital will be breaking ground in January 2014 for a new Cancer Center that will offer comprehensive care, innovation, expertise, compassion, and healing. In Michigan, 57,750 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2012. For many, the diagnosis also comes with the practical challenge of navigating to a cancer care facility, sometimes for daily treatments. With few services in the greater area, many patients drive 30 minutes or more for treatment. “A cancer diagnosis is a life changing event and we recognize that patients need to receive care that is not only outstanding in terms of the clinical competence but also in terms of the compassionate way in which it’s delivered,” says Kathleen Beekman, MD, director of Chelsea Community Hospital Infusion Center. Bringing It Together The new cancer center, scheduled to be complete by December 2014, will be built as an addition to the main hospital in close proximity to associated hospital programs and services. Existing chemotherapy services will move from the Professional Office Building into the new space and expand to include a projected total of eight infusion bays and two private infusion rooms. The project will include building the medical oncology and radiation oncology suites, physician exam rooms, patient areas, changing rooms, an onsite pharmacy for mixing chemotherapy drugs, and the infrastructure needed for a linear accelerator and CT simulator for radiation treatment. Also included will be the purchase and installation of a linear accelerator and CT simulator — computerized equipment that creates targeted radiation treatment plans for patients — mak- 4 Health Advantage Fall 2013 ing Chelsea Community Hospital the only location in its surrounding area to offer radiation therapy. Chelsea Community Hospital will join Saint Joseph Mercy Health System’s other locations in Ann Arbor, Brighton and Canton in offering these cancer services. The new cancer center will have a dedicated entrance and direct connection to the lab and other health care services offered at the hospital. It will also serve as a gateway to all additional treatment options offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, located in Ann Arbor, such as Cyberknife® for advanced radiation therapy, da Vinci® robots for minimally invasive surgeries, and specialized breast health services. As part of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System based in Southeast Michigan, and the parent company CHE-Trinity Health in Livonia, patients of Chelsea Community Hospital will also participate in the CHE-Trinity statewide Mercy Cancer Network. Mercy Cancer Network joins together all CHE-Trinity Cancer services in Michigan to share best practices, reduce clinical variation, and improve patient safety and clinical outcomes by tracking a set of performance metrics and industry standards. As the largest cancer network in Michigan, Mercy Cancer Network brings patients the shared knowledge, philosophies, and practice of more than 100 board-certified, fellowship and subspecialty-trained experts. Community Support Patti and Peter Feeney are longtime Chelsea resident and dedicated supporters of Chelsea Community Hospital. “I felt very fortunate to have had my chemotherapy and surgery at CCH,” says Patti Feeney. “For most of my eight infusion treatments, I walked to the hospital. At the Infusion Center, hooked up to the tubes and bags and monitors, it was pleasing looking out at the quiet snow-covered woods. “Afterwards if able, I would walk home. I was always grateful that I didn’t have to get into a car or endure a long ride. It was always a relief to be so close to home,” she says. Three years earlier, during a Chelsea Community Hospital fundraiser, Patti and Peter Feeney made a donation to support building the Infusion Center, never dreaming of needing it. “Had radiation also been in Chelsea, instead of Ann Arbor, I can only imagine how simplistic and unfettered this last course of treatment would have been for me and my family,” she says. Building on Specialized Surgery A crucial part of treatment for many cancers is surgery. “We will build upon our specialized surgical care, the foundation for comprehensive cancer services at Chelsea Community Hospital,” says Jennifer Kulick, M.D. Cindy and Johnny Mitchell are celebrating his fourth year of being cancer free. “My surgeon, Dr. Kulick at Chelsea Community Hospital, was second to none,” Johnny says. “The quality of care that I received was beyond remarkable.” The Chelsea Community Hospital Cancer Center will become the first local facility to offer radiation therapy. It will include a: oncology team featuring a specialized medical and clinical staff nCT simulator for treatment planning, which can determine the precise location of the cancer, minimize radiation exposure to the surrounding tissue and organs, and maximize treatment benefits nRapidArc® Linear Accelerator, which delivers more precise treatment in a shorter time than traditional radiation treatments—often in just two minutes nRadiation “Instead of having patients leave Chelsea for a 40 to 60 minute roundtrip drive for treatment, they can stay at Chelsea Community Hospital. This advantage cannot be underestimated when patients are being treated for cancer,” says Walter M. Sahijdak, M.D., Saint Joseph Mercy Health System medical director of radiation oncology. In building the cancer center, Chelsea Community Hospital will create a place of hope for patients and their families. Our belief is that the best way to offer comprehensive cancer care is to draw on the strengths and resources of our large health system and our local hospital in ways that will heal body, mind and spirit. A Note from Nancy K. Graebner, President and CEO Chelsea Community Hospital is in the midst of its largest ever fund-raising initiative — our Branching Out Campaign, in support of our Cancer Center. As president and CEO, in support of our campaign co-chairs Howdy and Carole Holmes, I am excited that our community hospital can address cancer treatment needs in the communities we serve. Since the campaign began, we have received tremendous support from the community, businesses, and individual donors. We are confident of the impact this Center will have on our patients in western Washtenaw County and east Jackson County, especially those requiring radiation therapy who currently must commute up to an hour to receive treatment. Your help for our Branching Out Campaign will touch the lives of our patients — our family, friends, and neighbors — who need cancer care. Every gift will directly benefit the Chelsea Community Hospital Cancer Center and the patients and families who rely on us. Nancy K. Graebner, President & CEO Together we can make an impact by giving hope a new home. Opportunities to Get Involved: To make a gift to the campaign or to learn more about the cancer center project, contact Judy Stratman, CCH director of development & marketing, at [email protected] or 734-593-5373, or visit www.cch.org/ways-to-give-cch. www.cch.org 5 Affordable care act Meet the Affordable Care Act The Top Five Things You Need to Know N o one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need to get treated for an illness or injury at some point. You buy health insurance to help pay costs when you need medical care. Why Does Insurance Matter? Did you know the average cost of a threeday hospital stay is $30,000? Or that fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500? Having health insurance can help protect you from unexpected costs like these. Your insurance policy will show what types of care, treatments, and services are covered, including how much the insurance company will pay for different treatments in different situations. What your policy covers is often directly related to how expensive the health insurance policy is. The policy with the cheapest monthly premium may not cover many services and treatments. You may also have to meet a deductible once each year before the insurance company starts to pay its share. How much you pay for your premium and deductible is based on the type of insurance you have. Just as important as the premium cost is how much you have to pay when you get services. Examples include: Deductible. How much you pay before your insurance coverage starts. Coinsurance or copayments. What you pay out-of-pocket for services after you pay the deductible. Out-of-pocket maximum. How much in total you’ll have to pay if you get sick. A standard health insurance policy also gives you access to preventive care to keep you healthy, like vaccines and checkups. Many plans also cover prescription drugs. If you don’t have insurance, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) helps you find a plan that fits your family’s budget and needs. Open enrollment for Health Insurance Marketplace opened October 1 and runs through March 31, 2014. FAQs About the ACA What are the major benefits? No denials for pre-existing conditions. Essential care, like preventive screenings, at no additional cost. An online health insurance marketplace, also called an exchange, where companies compete for your business. 1. 6 Health Advantage Fall 2013 2. Can I get financial assistance? Yes. Help is available to a surprisingly large number of people based on income and family size. Visit our website to calculate how much assistance you could receive. 3. How do I choose a plan? The health insurance marketplace, available online or by phone, will be your one-stop-shop where you can easily compare plans based on benefits and cost. Sign up on our website so we can send you new information about the marketplace as it becomes available. 4. When can I shop for plans? Open enrollment is from October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. Coverage will go into effect as early as January 1, 2014. Don’t miss deadlines and face tax penalties—sign up for information on our website. 5. Can my hospital be in my plan? Yes. When you compare plans, you will be able to see which hospitals are included. By choosing a plan that allows you to get care from our hospital, you will have the peace of mind that comes with selecting health care you know and trust. For helpful videos, important deadlines, a cost calculator, even live chat with an expert, visit stjoeshealth/ACA. Or call 855-SJ-Discover (855-753-4726) right now and ask us to keep you informed. Mens Health Prostate Cancer: Understanding Your Options A fter skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. The disease occurs mostly in men older than 65, although younger men can be diagnosed with it. It affects the gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Symptoms of prostate cancer can include a frequent need to urinate and a weak stream of urine. Getting Tested These screening tests can check for prostate cancer before it causes symptoms: nProstate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. A higher-than-normal level of PSA in the blood means an increased chance that you have prostate cancer. nDigital rectal exam (DRE). A doctor feels for cancer on the prostate. A hard or bumpy patch may be cancerous. Even if you have a normal PSA level, a DRE may be able to find cancer. Recommendations differ, so men with questions or concerns should discuss the advantages and limitations of screening with their doctor beginning at age 50. African-American men or men with a family history of prostate cancer should begin speaking with their doctor at age 45. Treatment Options Many treatment options are available for men with prostate cancer, including surgical removal of the prostate and radiation. Both can cure prostate cancer. But either also may cause incontinence and/ or impotence, seriously compromising a man’s quality of life. Or a man might choose watchful waiting, sometimes called observation or surveillance. Men who choose this option delay their treatment until symptoms appear or change. Here’s why waiting can be an option: Unlike some other cancers, prostate cancer usually advances slowly. It can take 10 to 30 years for a tumor to grow. So, some men with early-stage prostate cancer choose to wait and see before starting treatment. By doing so, they avoid treatment complications. Chelsea Community Hospital’s two urologists specialize in surgeries for cancer of the prostate, bladder and kidney. To make an appointment, please contact the following: Associates in Urology Dr. Howard Usitalo 734-475-3535 Center for Urology Dr. C. Peter Fischer 734-434-1000 Consider Your Options Watchful waiting isn’t for everyone. Some men opt for surgery to remove the prostate, which remains a common way to cure prostate cancer. Some questions to consider when reviewing the options: nWould I feel stressed knowing that I had cancer in my body and that I was putting off treatment? nHow do I feel about the possible risks and benefits of treatment? nIf I choose watchful waiting, can I stick to a schedule of frequent testing? Remember, there’s usually no need to rush into a decision. Depending on what your doctor says, you may have several months to research your options. Experts suggest getting a second — or even a third — medical opinion, and asking lots of questions about the benefits and risks for various treatments versus watchful waiting. Try talking with other men who have faced prostate cancer, too. www.cch.org 7 LiveWell: Community Health & Wellness Programs Chelsea Community Hospital 775 South Main Street Chelsea, MI 48118 Non-profit org. US postage Paid Chelsea Community Hospital American Heart Association Class CCH White Oak Center, Great Room Heartsaver CPR and AED are available online at www.cch.org. Call 734-593-5280 to register. Adult /Infant/Child CPR for lay responders Tuesday, November 19 6 to 9 p.m. Fee: $56/Recertification $40 6053M SRSLY New Year’s Eve Party The 6th annual SRSLY New Year’s Eve Party is a fun, family friendly celebration with live music, games and door prizes. Come to a coalition meeting to help plan the event. Tuesday, December 31, 4 to 8 p.m. Beach Middle School RXTurn Dispose of your unused prescription and over-the-counter medications in the Big Red Barrel, a disposal program that is safe, legal, convenient, and environmentally friendly. Barrels are located at the Chelsea Police Department and Washtenaw County Sheriff Substations in Dexter, Manchester, and Scio townships. For more information, go to www.chelseapd.org. Chelsea Brain Injury Support Group For survivors, families, and friends First Wednesday of every month, 1 to 2 p.m. CCH, Conference Room C Call 734-593-5620 for information. Look Good ... Feel Better A free American Cancer Society Program. Certified cosmetologists help female cancer patients improve their appearance and self-image by teaching makeup application and proper care for skin and nails made fragile by cancer treatments. Learn how to disguise hair loss and receive a make-up kit. CCH White Oak Center, Atrium Last Monday of every month, 1 to 3 p.m. Registration required. Call 800-2278 Health Advantage Spring 2013 2345. ood F SRSLY Coalition Meetings November 14, 6:30-8 p.m. Chelsea District Library December 12, 3:15-4:45 p.m. Beach Middle School Visit www.srslychelsea.org for more information. Facts & Fiction Hidden Dangers H ave you ever blamed chocolate for those pesky pimples or attributed a child’s friskiness to sugar overload? Well, it’s time to say good-bye to these and other food myths. Myth: Certain foods—such as chocolate, pizza, or French fries—cause acne. Reality: Studies don’t show a link between foods and the development of acne. However, some people who already have acne believe that certain foods cause their condition to flare up. Those foods should be avoided. Myth: Children who eat too much sugar are hyperactive. Reality: There’s no known association between eating sugar and hyperactivity in children. Myth: Eating too much sugar is a risk factor for diabetes. Reality: Sugar doesn’t cause diabetes. But for those who have the disease, moderating sugars in the diet is crucial. On the other hand, some common foods may harbor health hazards. Here are a few examples: nSome sodas contain phosphoric acid, which may deplete bone and raise the risk of fractures. nMany processed lunchmeats, frozen pizzas, and canned soups are loaded with sodium, a risk factor for high blood pressure. nStore-bought baked goods are often made with coconut and palm oils. These oils, like red meat and butter, are major sources of saturated fat. Saturated fat raises total blood cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. Tips for Healthy Eating Try these tactics to keep your eating habits on track: nWhen you’re thirsty, reach for water, skim milk, or fruit juice. Avoid drinking soda. nChoose low-sodium or no-salt varieties of canned soups and processed lean meats. nReduce your intake of saturated fats by choosing fresh fruits and vegetables, skinless chicken, and lean meat. Olive oil is another good choice—it’s low in saturated fat and may help lower heart disease risk.