Employee Spotlight Shines on Crystal Faninn

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

This month we shine our employee spotlight on Crystal Fannin, Emergency Department Registrar Supervisor. One of the many things that make Crystal special is that she has been working in the same department for over 39 years. Jamaica Hospital has been her only job and she is very proud to tell that to everyone she meets. She is very proud of the fact that she signed one of the bricks that was used to build the new main building and was also one of the people who got to sign the last steel beam placed in the new Trump Pavilion.

Crystal was born in Brooklyn and moved to Queens when she was 11 years old. She attended Andrew Jackson High School and currently lives in the St. Albans area. She has two children, a son and a daughter and two grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were all born at Jamaica Hospital so she has experience on many levels of the quality care people receive.

Though Crystal spends much of her time at work, she does have a variety of things that she enjoys in her free time. She loves to cook, all types of food but her favorite is soul food, especially ribs and cornbread. She enjoys all kinds of music, in particular funk and jazz, and at one time she even played the drums. One of her favorite activities is going to the racetrack. Crystal says you only live once and you have to have fun. To prove her point, she has gone skydiving twice.

Over the years, Crystal has done just about everything an emergency room registrar can do. She knows many of the patients by name because she has seen them so many times. She can be described as a real people person. Everyone who meets her feels her sincerity and compassion. Jamaica Hospital is like a family to her and that is why she enjoys coming to work every day. Crystal feels very strongly about giving back to the hospital and the community. She and her mother raised money, much of it their own, to buy toys for the children during holiday time.

She is truly an important part of the Jamaica Hospital family and we are happy to be able to shine the spotlight on her this month.

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.

Breast Feeding After Augmentation

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Joann Ariola

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), breast augmentation has become the #1 cosmetic procedure for the last decade. Since the best age for breast augmentation is anywhere from 18 to 50 years old, a woman’s desire to look younger may overlap with the tick of her biological clock.

One of the most popular questions women ask before having surgery is, “Will I be able to breastfeed?”

The answer is, yes. Breastfeeding after breast augmentation is absolutely possible.

Although the prior condition of the breasts, position of the implant and incision could have a direct bearing on milk production, it is very likely that you will have a positive experience when nursing your child.

If you have any questions regarding breastfeeding your baby, you can call Jamaica Hospital’s Lactation Consultant at 718-670-4200 for answers to FAQ’s.

Gout

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

Gout is a common form of arthritis that is characterized by attacks of pain, swelling, stiffness, redness or tenderness in the joints. These attacks or flares typically affect one joint at a time. They can occur suddenly and return over time.

Gout is caused by an accumulation of urate crystals in the joint. Urate crystals form when there are high levels of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is produced when your body breaks down purines; substances that are found naturally in our bodies and in foods such as steak, seafood and organ meats. Alcoholic beverages and drinks sweetened with fructose (fruit sugar) are known to promote higher levels of uric acid in the body.

Some people are more likely to develop gout than others. Factors that increase your risk include:

Being obese; If you are overweight your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys may not be able to properly eliminate excessive amounts
Having a diet that is rich in purines, this includes seafood, red meat, organ meat, or beverages sweetened with fructose
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
Having certain health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart and kidney disease
Using certain medications such as diuretics or low-dose aspirin

Men are more at risk of developing gout than women; this is because women tend to produce lower levels of uric acid. Men are also more likely to develop gout at an earlier age than women. In men, symptoms may occur as early as the age of 30, and in women after menopause.

There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk for gout or prevent future attacks, they include:

Drinking plenty of water
Limiting your intake of seafood and meat
Limiting or avoiding alcohol
Maintaining a healthy weight

If you are experiencing symptoms of gout, or believe that you may be at risk, make an appointment to see a physician. Your doctor may order a series of test or assess your current state of health to receive a diagnosis or to determine if you are at risk.

Stuttering

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Stuttering, sometimes called stammering or dysfluency is a disruption in the normal patterns of speech. It can take many forms, such as:

• Repeating a sound or a syllable, especially at the beginning of the word, such as “li- li- like.”
• Prolongation of a sound such as “ssssss”
• Complete stoppage of speech or the omission of a sound.
• Repeated interruption of speech with sounds such as “uh” or “um.”

Stuttering can begin at any age, but it’s most common among children who are learning to form words into sentences. Boys are more likely than girls to stutter.

Approximately one out of every 20 children will develop stuttering that lasts for more than six months, but this does not necessarily mean that stuttering is going to be a lifelong problem. Knowing what to look for and responding appropriately to your child’s stuttering will go a long way toward preventing it from becoming a more long-term or even permanent condition.

Why does stuttering begin? At one time many people thought that stuttering was the result of either physical or emotional trauma. While there are rare instances of stuttering following traumatic events, this is not the typical factor when determining why stuttering begins. Instead, experts point to other factors that contribute to stuttering:

• Family History – According to research, 60% of all stutterers have someone in the family who also stutters.
• Child Development. – Children who have other language and speech problems are more likely to stutter than children who don’t.
• Neurophysiology – Which part of the brain processes language can contribute in identifying why some children stutter
• Family Dynamics – Some children’s stuttering has been attributed to high family expectations and a fast-paced lifestyle.

Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s stuttering. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist known as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who can evaluate your child and determine whether or not there is a risk of a long-term problem. In most cases, treatment primarily focuses on training and working with the parents to develop techniques to help the child cope with and get beyond his or her stuttering.

Parents of children who stutter can also help by creating a relaxing atmosphere at home that encourages speech, even if a stutter is present. Some tips include:

• Create opportunities for talking that are relaxed, fun, and enjoyable.
• When conversing with your child, try to create an environment with limiting distractions, such as the presence of television.
• Don’t be critical of your child’s speech or insist on precise or correct speech. Don’t correct his speech, or complete his sentences.
• Don’t put pressure on your child to verbally interact with others when stuttering becomes a problem.
• Listen attentively to what your child is saying, maintaining normal eye contact without displaying signs of impatience or frustration.
• Model a slow, relaxed way of speaking to help your child slow down his own speech.
• Don’t be afraid to talk with your child about stuttering and answer questions. Explain that disruptions in speech are common.

October is Home Eye Safety Month

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

October is recognized as Home Eye Safety Month to bring awareness of all of the hazards that can be found in the home and provide information on ways to prevent eye related injuries. Statistics show that almost half of the accidents that involve the eyes occur within the home. It is estimated that over 125,000 eye injuries occur in the home annually and are due to improper use of household products.

Some of the ways eye injuries in and around the home can be prevented include:

Wearing safety goggles when using hazardous chemicals
Ensuring that areas are well lit
Keeping paints, pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in a secure location
Making sure that children’s toys don’t have sharp edges.
Keeping scissors, paper clips, knives, coat hangers, pens and pencils out of reach of small children
Checking to make sure that there are no objects with sharp points left in places children can reach
Playing with fireworks should be avoided by everyone but especially young children

If an eye injury occurs, it is important to seek medical care immediately. Do not rub, touch or apply pressure to the eye. Never apply ointments or medication to the eye without being told to by a physician. If a chemical gets into the eye, begin flushing it out with water right away. Foreign objects in the eye should only be removed by a trained professional.

If an injury occurs to the eye, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911 or going to the closest emergency room. Your sight is very important and a little precaution can go a long way to making sure nothing happens to cause you to lose it.

DANGERS OF INFANT WALKERS

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

The American Association of Pediatrics’ (AAP), has recommended a ban on infant walkers as a result of a recent study that revealed over 230,000- children less than 15 months old were treated for infant walker related injuries in U.S. emergency departments from 1990 to 2014. The majority of injuries were to the head or neck noting that the injuries were sustained by falling down stairs in their infant walker.

states that most walker injuries happen while an adult is watching. Even the most attentive parent or caregiver cannot respond quickly enough to prevent a child from falling since a child in a walker can move more than 3 feet in 1 second. That is why walkers are never safe to use, even with an adult close by.

The AAP recommends that instead of infant walkers, parents choose:

Stationary activity centers – They resemble walkers without wheels. They often have seats that rotate, tip and bounce.
Play yards or playpens – These can be used as safety zones for children as they learn to sit, crawl or walk.
High chairs – As your child grows, they can enjoy sitting in a high chair to play with toys on the tray.

Before 1997, there weren’t any standards for baby walkers in place. These standards caused manufacturers to make the base of a walker wider so as to not fit through most door ways and having brakes that stop them at the edge of a step. Although necessary, these improvements cannot and have not prevented all injuries from walkers.

Research has shown that walkers do not provide any advantage to accelerating a child’s development. In fact, they may hinder development because they do not teach infants to walk. A better practice is to allow your baby the freedom in a safe environment that allows them the opportunity for pulling themselves up, creeping and crawling.

Jamaica Hospital Celebrates Infection Prevention Week

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Michael Hinck

October 14th marks the beginning of Infection Prevention week, an annual effort to highlight the importance of infection prevention among healthcare professionals, administrators, legislators, and consumers.

Over the past 32 years, infection prevention week has gained a great deal of recognition around the world and patients are now benefiting from the safer healthcare practices that are shared during this week-long observance. The theme of Infection Prevention week this year is Protecting Patients Everywhere.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center supports the prevention of infection among our patients, visitors, and staff. To help eliminate the spread of bacterial infection we urge every person who steps foot inside our hospital to learn about the best ways to protect themselves and others.

Below is a list of ways patients can reduce the risk of infection provided by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC):

Speak up for your care
Clean your hands often
Ask about safe injection practices
Ask to have your room cleaned
Ask questions about your medications
Ask if you should shower before having surgery
Ask each day if you still need a catheter
Ask about vaccinations so you stay healthy
Learn about healthcare associated infections

Jamaica Hospital is proud to share that we have made great strides in our infection prevention and control initiatives. We are currently at 97% hand hygiene compliance, which has led to very low hospital-acquired infection rates including urinary catheter infections, surgical site infections, and bloodstream infections.

Jamaica Hospital knows that by practicing good hand hygiene and adhering to other patient safety initiatives as well as continuing to educate our patients, we are creating an even safer environment for our patients, staff and visitors.

EATING FOR ENERGY

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Joann Ariola

If you conducted a survey, most people will tell you that between the hours of 3:00PM and 4:00PM each day, a feeling of fatigue may set in which makes them feel less productive.

This is typically the time of day when they may reach for a less healthy choice of food or beverage to “perk-up.”

Many of their snack options are laden with sugar and fat and have no nutritional value. There are several healthy foods available that give us both a boost and essential nutrients.

Some healthy foods that have been proven to help raise energy levels are:

Bananas – Bananas contain carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin B6, all proven to boost energy levels in your body.

Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes contain fiber and complex carbs, as well as manganese, which can help break down nutrients in order to produce energy.
Brown Rice – Brown Rice is less processed than white rice so it retains more fiber, vitamins and minerals. It also has a low glycemic index and could help regulate blood sugar levels to help maintain steady energy levels all day long.
Coffee – Coffee is rich in caffeine. Caffeine quickly passes from your bloodstream to your brain. The result is the production of epinephrine. Epinephrine is a hormone that stimulates the body and brain allowing you to keep more focused.
Eggs – Eggs are rich in protein and leucine. These are both known to stimulate energy.
Water – Not drinking enough water could cause dehydration which can cause your body functions to slow down and make you feel sluggish. It is a good habit to drink water throughout your day, even if you are not thirsty.
Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolate has a high content of cocoa. Cocoa has antioxidants that have proven health benefits, like increasing your blood flow. An increased blood flow helps deliver oxygen to the brain and muscles, improving their functions. Additionally, dark chocolate contains compounds such as caffeine, a known ingredient to enhance mental energy and mood.

If you’d like to speak with a Jamaica Hospital Medical Center licensed nutritionist, call 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.

For these and other healthy food and beverages that can give your day a boost, visit healthline.com.

Can Too Much Sleep Be Bad For Your Health?

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Michael Hinck

“You have to get enough sleep if you want to stay healthy.” It’s a common phrase that emphasizes how important getting enough sleep is to our overall well-being. So if sleep is that important, it would make sense that the more we get of it, the better we will feel. However, the idea that there is no such thing as getting “too much sleep” is one that is totally wrong. In fact, chronic oversleeping can lead to a wide variety of health issues.

While the recommended amount of sleep for adults varies based on age, activity level, and lifestyle habits, generally speaking, most adults should get an average of between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Sure, it’s okay to sleep in a little late on the weekends, but if you find yourself requiring over nine hours of sleep on a consistent basis, or feel that you don’t feel well–rested when you don’t, it may be a sign of a another issue.

For some, oversleeping could be due to a condition known as hypersomnia, which causes people to require unusually long periods of sleep at night and suffer from extreme sleepiness throughout the day. Those with hypersomnia also have low levels of energy, experience problems remembering things and do not feel recharged from a nap like the rest of us do.

Hypersomnia is not the only reason one might require extra sleep. Other reasons may include the use of certain substances, such as alcohol or some prescription medications. Obstructive sleep apnea may also be another reason why someone needs more sleep as those with this condition have their sleep cycles obstructed, making them feel less rested. Lastly, depression is another leading cause for oversleep in many individuals as those who are clinically depressed are more lethargic and more likely to want to stay in bed.

Regardless of the reason why someone sleeps too much, the condition needs to be addressed as studies have indicated that oversleep can lead to many other health problems, including:

Diabetes
Heart Disease
Stroke
Obesity
Headaches
Back Pain
Depression
Cognitive Impairment
Fertility Issues

In addition to, or perhaps as a result of these other issues, those who oversleep have been found to have higher death rates than people who sleep seven to nine hours a night.

If you are oversleeping, it is important to address the reason why. If it is caused by alcohol or prescription medications, look to cut back or eliminate those substances from your daily routine. If you think you are oversleeping due to depression seek help from a mental health professional. Likewise, if you have been diagnosed with hypersomnia or another medical condition, treating the disorder may help you return to a normal night’s sleep.

You should also look to ensure that the sleep you get is restful by practicing good sleep habits. Try to establish a set bedtime and wake-up time, avoid eating a heavy meal or consuming caffeine before bed, and maintain a comfortable sleep environment. Exercising before bed can also help you relax and fall asleep easier.

Jamaica Hospital offers a comprehensive sleep center, which diagnoses and treats a wide variety of sleep disorders. If you believe you require too much sleep, we can help you figure out why. To make an appointment at our Sleep Center, call 718-206-5916.

What Pregnant Women Should Know About the Whooping Cough Vaccine

Posted on October 2, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

Whooping cough or pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system. It is spread person-to-person by coughing, sneezing, or sharing the same breathing space as someone who is infected.

Complications of pertussis can lead to serious illnesses or death in babies. Infants under the age of one are at the greatest risk because their immune systems are not fully developed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “About half of babies younger than 1 year who get the disease need care in the hospital.” Complications of whooping cough may vary by individual and can result in:

Pneumonia
Seizures
Brain damage
Apnea (slowed or stopped breathing)

The best way to protect babies from whooping cough is for pregnant women to get the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) shot. The CDC recommends that, “women get the whooping cough vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of each pregnancy.” By receiving the vaccine during this time, mothers can pass on protective antibodies to their babies before birth. This will offer protection to babies during their first few months of life before they are able to get vaccinated.

If safety is a concern, the CDC advises that getting the vaccine is very safe for mothers and babies. Severe side effects are extremely rare. The most common side effects women may experience include:

Feeling tired
Pain, redness or swelling of the area the vaccine was given
Body aches
Headaches

If you are pregnant, speak with your Ob/Gyn about getting the DTaP vaccination, as well as other vaccinations needed to protect your baby. To schedule an appointment with an Ob/Gyn at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-291-3276.