WellSpan Media Tips

Childhood obesity tops parents' health concerns

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:00:00 AM GMT

Childhood obesity is the No. 1 health concern among parents, according to a report released in 2008 by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

“While recent studies have suggested that the childhood obesity epidemic may be leveling off, the results of this poll reveal that adults in the U.S. are still very much concerned about this issue,” said Matthew Davis, M.D., director of the National Poll on Children’s Health.

Childhood obesity rose from third among parents’ top 10 overall health concerns in 2007 to first in 2008.

Drug abuse and smoking are ranked second and third in the 2008 poll.

Kevin Alvarnaz, director of community health improvement, said he was not surprised that childhood obesity ranked as the No. 1 health concern for kids.

According to statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, nearly 40 percent of AdamsCounty students and 29 percent of YorkCounty students in grades K through 6 are either overweight or obese. Statewide the figure is 32.7 percent.

Improperly installed car seats put children at risk

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:00:00 AM GMT

Unrestrained children riding in vehicles face the greatest risk for death and injury.

Misuse of child safety seats, however, is widespread. Approximately 85 percent of children who are placed in child safety seats or booster seats are improperly restrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The biggest cause in child injury due to car seats today is the improper use of them,” said JoeAnn Ward-Cottrell, health educator, Community Health Improvement.

“Many people don’t read the directions carefully. Consequently, many of the seats are improperly installed.”

Ward-Cottrell said a rear-facing car seat, when properly installed, should be at a 45-degree angle and the chest straps should fit snuggly to the baby’s chest. The car seat should not be able to move more than one inch from side-to-side or front-to-back.

Gettysburg Hospital goes green for recycling

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:00:00 AM GMT

Gettysburg Hospital recently introduced a new recycling program throughout the facility.

A volunteer recycling program team assessed staff interest and vendor capabilities prior to implementing the program.

According to a survey last fall, 97 percent of hospital staff members were interested in the hospital having a true recycling program.

While GettysburgHospital has recycled some items in the past, the effort did not provide adequate access across all areas and departments.

The survey results also showed a strong response for the hospital to recycle items such as paper, glass, aluminum, plastic, cardboard and printer cartridges.

Cardiologists perform 100th carotid artery stenting procedure

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:00:00 AM GMT

York Hospital cardiologists recently completed their 100^th carotid artery stenting procedure without complications.

William Nicholson, M.D., and Paul Tolerico, M.D., physicians with Cardiac Diagnostic Associates, established the carotid artery stenting program and performed the procedures.

Carotid artery disease occurs when the major arteries in the neck become narrowed or blocked. It may result in a stroke.

Carotid stenting, a less invasive procedure, produces similar outcomes as a typical open surgery (known as an endarterectomy). Both procedures carry a two to five percent of stroke during the operation.

VNA celebrates its 100th anniversary

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:00:00 AM GMT

There have been some dramatic changes in health care since the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) was started in 1908. The caring, dedication and professionalism of the VNA staff, however, haven’t changed. WellSpan will recognize VNA’s century of caring on Friday, Oct. 24, with an event at the Yorktowne Hotel. Home health care has changed dramatically since the early days when nurses made their rounds by bicycle. VNAs now use the latest technology such as telehealth, which allows nurses to monitor a patient’s vital signs over the Internet. They also provide a more sophisticated level of care.
“When I first started in home care, an open-heart patient stayed in the hospital for 10 days to two weeks,” Julie Hopple explained. “Now they come home in four days. So we’re seeing patients in the home who are much more acute.”
She added that the aging of the baby boom generation makes home health care more important than ever.
“Traditional institutions simply aren’t going to have enough beds to take care of the growing number of elderly people,” Hopple said. “And most people prefer to stay in their home anyway.”