Monthly Archives: September 2013

September 22 was National Fall Prevention Awareness Day  and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Trauma Division wants to make sure you and your loved ones are taking the proper steps to avoid these preventable incidents.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “falls are the leading cause of injury leading to death for adults 65 or older and are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admission for trauma for this age group.” Falls are also the most common form of traumatic brain injuries in older adults.

As we get older, physical changes and health conditions — and sometimes the medications used to treat those conditions — increase the chances of falls. It is very important to follow these simple steps to decrease your chances of falling:

• Make an appointment to see your doctor to determine your risk of falling.  Discuss the factors that increase your chances of falling, including your medical history, your muscle strength and your medications to see if they have side effects such as dizziness or weakness. You should also have your sight and hearing tested regularly.

• Find a good exercise program aimed at building balance, strength, and flexibility. Consider activities such as walking, water workouts and even tai chi. Ask your doctor to write a referral to a physical therapist, who can create a customized exercise routine for you if you are unsure.

• Wear appropriate footwear. High heel shoes, slippers, sandals, or any shoes with slick soles can greatly increase your chances or slipping and falling. Instead, wear properly fitting shoes with nonskid soles. Choose shoes with laces or fasteners over slip-ons and women should avoid walking in stocking feet.

• Look around your home and remove any tripping hazards. Remove any boxes, electrical cords or stacks of paper from the floor and move furniture from high traffic areas. Secure loose rugs with double-sided tape and use nonslip bathmats in the bathtub.

• Properly light your living space by placing nightlights in your bedroom and in your hallways. Create clear paths to light switches and always turn on lights before using the stairs. Also, store flashlights in easy to find locations in the event of a power outage.

• Speak with your doctor about the utilization of assistive device such as canes or walkers for balance. Other assistive devices that are recommended for the home are handrails for both sides of stairways, nonslip treads for bare-wood steps, grab bars for the shower, and a raised toilet seat with armrests.

Falls are a largely preventable public health problem. Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division urges older adults and their loved ones to follow these fall prevention measures and live safe, healthy lives.

For more information about falls or other trauma related issues, please contact Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division at 718-206-8552.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Today’s vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools for preventing disease and death and have helped many illnesses become distant memories. However, many parents are still unclear which vaccines their children should receive or if their children should receive any at all?  School-age children, from preschoolers to college students, need vaccines.  Here are five important reasons to vaccinate your child:

• Immunizations can save your child’s life
The polio vaccine is one example of the impact that vaccines can have on the eradication of a disease. Dr. Anatasia Fokas, Pediatrician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, states, “Vaccines have eradicated many illnesses which have caused death and paralysis in the past. Thankfully, medical advancements have eliminated diseases such as polio and today, there are no reports of polio in the United States.”

• Vaccinations are safe and effective
With extensive testing and careful monitoring of quality, safety, and effectiveness, vaccines are reviewed and approved by a panel of scientists, doctors and healthcare professionals.  “Vaccines may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of the injection,” but Dr. Fokas advises, “This shouldn’t deter families from receiving the vaccines.  The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.”

• Immunizations protect others you care about
Getting your child vaccinated at the scheduled times helps prevent the spread of diseases to you and your loved ones.  In 2010, a resurgence of whooping cough (pertussis) and measles caused 26 deaths out of the 21,000 cases presented; most of the deaths were in children under 6 months.  Infants need time to build their immunity and may not be able to receive vaccines at birth.  For this reason, it is important for you and your children to receive the vaccinations to help prevent these occurrences.

• Immunizations can save your family time and money
“Getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance,” says Dr. Fokas.  Children with vaccine-preventable diseases can be denied permission to attend school or day care.  Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. Ensuring that you and your loved ones receive the scheduled vaccinations can save your family time and money.

• Immunizations protect future generations
If we have effective vaccination programs in place today we will be able to prevent the spread of disease s in the future.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s On-Site Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center is located on the ground floor of the hospital.  Please call 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment with one of our Pediatricians.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.