Year: 2015

Norwegian American Hospital announced that they have been awarded Primary Stroke Certification from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP). The certification serves as a notice to the public and emergency medical services that Norwegian American Hospital has the capacity to stabilize, diagnosis and treat acute stroke patients, provide acute care, administer medications quickly, and provide rehabilitation therapies safely and efficiently.

“By earning Primary Stroke Certification, our commitment to delivering immediate emergency care to our patients in stroke-related situations has been recognized. When strokes occur, every second that passes increases the risk of permanent brain damage and loss of function, and that’s why Norwegian American Hospital makes it a priority to provide exceptional stroke care,” said José R. Sánchez, president and CEO, Norwegian American Hospital.

“This certification is just one example of the high quality of care delivered by our expert team of physicians, nurses and clinical staff. It lets our community know we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care,” says Dr. Abha Agrawal, COO/CMO at Norwegian American Hospital.

HFAP has been certifying stroke centers since 2006. HFAP stroke certification differs from other certification programs in that it provides a three-year certification award with a mid-cycle review at 18 months. In addition, for reimbursement eligibility, hospitals must submit quarterly clinical performance measures to the HFAP office and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

By: Ashmar Mandou

Registered Dietician Amy Klassman is sharing some very important tips for older adults looking to lead healthy lifestyles. “There are so many conflicting reports about what foods to eat, what foods to avoid, which foods to eat in moderation and that can be overwhelming for many people,” said Klassman. “My rule of thumb is incorporate vegetables and fruits into your diet. Do everything in moderation and when you can add a little more fiber to your diet.” Klassman urges older people to incorporate three ingredients into their daily diet that will help give them the energy they need.

• Quinoa – This fiber and protein rich grain is especially beneficial for older adults looking to maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Matcha Tea – This green tea powder is the new must-have food for adults young and old because it’s a fat-burner, a cancer fighter, it increases concentration and boosts energy.
• Chia seed – This nutrient powerhouse is one of the world’s best sources for key nutrients and is crucial for seniors looking to prevent osteoporosis.

Of the more than 5,300 people on the waiting list for an organ transplant in the state of Illinois, 63 percent are minorities. Throughout the month of August, during which the urgent need for minority organ and tissue donors is observed, Gift of Hope shares a story that demonstrates how fragile life is and the consequences that our loved ones suffer due to the lack of action taken in a timely manner to help save lives.

Anselmo Ruiz is a go-getter who began his career as a dishwasher and who rose up the ranks to become a famous chef and obtain the much coveted FiveStar distinction through perseverance and a strong desire to succeed. However, his success story also includes many highs and lows; his health has been compromised for years due to the need for organ transplants, a need he continues to have today.

“When I was 19, I never went to the doctor because I never got sick,” Ruiz said. “When the doctor told me I had diabetes the first thing I thought of was death because my uncle was killed by the disease. I started taking medication, but it did not work. That’s when I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes and I began injecting insulin,” commented Ruiz.

Ruiz endured his diabetes for 20 years until at 38-years-old; he experienced neuropathy as a result of his disease. Diabetic neuropathy damages the nervous system and decreases blood flow. Slowly Ruiz began losing feeling in his legs until one day he could no longer walk. His doctors told him he needed to be placed on the waiting list for a pancreas transplant at the University of Illinois hospital. He received a transplant a few months later, but unfortunately by then he learned that his kidneys were failing and that he needed to start dialysis.

“Once a patient begins dialysis it is difficult to maintain a transplant. Now his kidney functions, but he needs another pancreas transplant,” said Dr. Jose Oberholzer, Transplant Surgeon at the University of Illinois Hospital. Almost half of people with diabetes suffer from nerve damage. Usually in the case of type-1 diabetes, when the pancreas no longer produces insulin, a pancreas and kidney transplant must occur at the same time. Unfortunately that was not the case for Ruiz. He only placed himself on the pancreas transplant waiting list and not the kidney list because his kidneys were working well at the time.

This month, as we continue to raise awareness about the urgent need for organ and tissue donation among minorities, Gift of Hope invites the Hispanic community to continue increasing the number of entries in the state registry and to show active solidarity with those waiting for transplants.

Last week, contractors from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accidentally spilled three million gallons of mine wastewater into Colorado’s Animas River. Now, toxicologists at the site are warning that even though the bright yellow of the pollutants has faded from the river, the health problems associated with the disaster could remain for years to come, CNN reports.

At the time of the disaster, the EPA contractors were implementing a plan to stop contaminated water from the abandoned Gold King Mine near San Juan, Colorado, from reaching local waters. Instead, the workers accidentally released a torrent of toxic sludge into one of the river’s main tributaries. According to the report, toxicologists confirmed levels of mercury, beryllium, cadmium, arsenic and lead that were many times higher than the EPA’s official “maximum contaminant levels” for these heavy metals.

Health experts noted that exposure to even a fraction of the concentration of heavy metals reported by the EPA are known to cause a wide array of long-term health problems, such as cancer and kidney disease, and even developmental problems in children. Scientists also warned that the health effects will be hard to trace, as they will likely take years to develop. The EPA claimed that heavy metal levels in the water “began to return to pre-event conditions” very shortly after the spill occurred, and the Animas River has since been re-opened for recreational use. But the agency wouldn’t comment on how many residents used the river for drinking water or to irrigate farmlands during that period.

As a result, many environmental and health experts are still worried about this massive toxic-waste spill.

By: Sylvia Melendez-Klinger

Tired of eating out for lunch? Do you want to prepare your own lunch meals, but don’t know where to start? Studies show that we consume more calories when we eat out, between 100 and 1,000 more per meal! As Latinos, it’s important to know that eating a balanced meal and being active can give you more energy, help you look better, help you concentrate better, help you feel better about yourself and keep you healthy, but it’s not always easy to do. Specially, during the back-to-school season, when routines change drastically- not just for students, but for parents too.

So if you are agonizing about what to pack for lunch, relax, help is on the way!

When you’re planning your meals always try to keep a few extra portions to prepare lunches for the week. You can simply grill an extra piece of chicken or save an extra serving of a pasta salad for your lunch meal. Try cutting your lean protein into strips or bite size pieces and place them into small freezer bags. And, always add cabbage, carrots, beets or bell peppers because they are easy to freeze and can turn a wrap into a colorful nutritious lunch. Below is an easy-to-follow chart to guide you while you prepare your meals. Simply, choose an item from each column and pack them in a lunch container. By choosing foods from each food group, you can be assured you are getting enough of the nutrients you need every day.

The road to a healthy and fit body is not complicated. Try to keep a healthy weight by first finding out the weight that is healthy and try to get there gradually. Visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker to find your desirable weight and for a number of tips and menus. An important component of a healthy lifestyle is to stay active by moving as much as possible during the day. Try to make it a routine to walk with your children to school or to the bus stop. Dancing, walking, bike riding, and running are some of the activities you can do as a family together to help you stay active during the day. Families should try to exercise for at least 60 minutes. The benefits of healthy balanced meals go far beyond a fit body. You’ll move better and faster, have more energy and feel better.

Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger is a nutrition specialist and leading expert in cross-cultural Hispanic cuisine as it relates to nutrition and health. She has been a consultant for major food and beverage companies, including Coca-Cola, and non-profit organizations for over a decade. Sylvia serves on several nutrition boards and has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades during her career.

El Departamento de Salud Pública de Chicago (CDPH) y más de 40 grupos de asesoría y organizaciones locales están presentando su segundo evento anual “Nadie Lo Logra como Chicago: Semana de Concientización para Dejar de Fumar”, para concientizar al público sobre los recursos para dejar de fumar disponibles para los residentes que quieran hacerlo. Un programa completo de eventos para la semana está disponible en el hastag #ChicagoQuits en las redes sociales y en www.CityofChicago.org/TOBACCO.

El Alcalde Emanuel ha expedido una proclama oficial conmemorando la Semana para Dejar de Fumar del 17 al 21 de agosto en Chicago. Un evento de inauguración se llevó a cabo en Mile Square Health Center, 1220 S. Wood Street en Chicago el lunes. El evento destacó Mi-QUIT, programa gratis para dejar de fumar, de seis meses de duración, en el centro de salud, que ayuda a las mujeres embarazadas que desean reducir la cantidad que fuman o dejar el hábito para siempre.

CDPH informará sobre Illinois Tobacco QuitLine, 866-QUIT-YES, recurso GRATUITO para los usuarios de tabaco que quieran dejar de fumar. Enfermeras, terapistas de la respiración y consejeros de tratamiento de tabaco certificados están disponibles 7 días a la semana, de 7 a.m. a 11 p.m. para responder preguntas relacionadas con el tabaco y brindar apoyo a las personas que buscan dejar de fumar.

Por: Ashmar Mandou

La Dietista Registrada, Amy Klassman, comparte algunas recomendaciones muy importantes para los adultos mayores que buscan llevar un estilo de vida saludable. “Hay tantos reportes conflictivos sobre lo que se puede comer, que comidas evitar, que comidas comer con moderación y qué puede ser demasiado para mucha gente”, dice Klassman. “Mi regla es incorporar vegetales y frutas en su dieta. Coma de todo con moderación y cuando pueda agregue un poco más de fibra a su dieta”. Klassman exhorta a la gente mayor a incorporar tres ingredientes en su dieta diaria que les dará la energía que necesitan.

• Quinoa – Este grano, rico en fibra y proteína, es especialmente beneficioso para adultos mayores que buscan mantener un sistema digestivo saludable.
• Te de Matcha – Este polvo de te verde es el nuevo alimento para adultos, jóvenes y viejos, porque quema grasas, combate el cáncer, aumenta la concentración e incrementa la energía.
• Semillas de Chia – Este nutriente es una de las mejores fuentes del mundo para ingredientes claves y es crucial para personas mayores que buscan prevenir la osteoporosis.