Compassionate Care During a Difficult Time

Texas Health Fort Worth's Palliative Care Unit appeared in this week's Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The article focused on patient Lela Adams, a vivacious 80-year-old, who has lived her life to the fullest. She was recently diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and was among the first few patients in our palliative care unit.

Below is a link to the article for you to read more.

Palliative Care Article in Star-Telegram

Photo Credit: Ron T. Ennis and the Star-Telegram

Standing Down

All 20 patients are in good condition and three patients from this incidence have been treated and release.

We have received notification from the scene that we will not be receiving any more patients from the gas leak incident.

Continue to follow www.texashealthfortworth.blogspot daily for your latest health news and updates.

Update on Gas Smell

We now have 20 patients who are being triaged. We are preparing to receive more, although we have not received any notification that there will be more patients.

This is a good time to let you all know how Texas Health Fort Worth prepare for incidences like this. We perform disaster drills quarterly and use incidences like today to prepare and perfect our disaster plan.

Stay tuned for more information...

Gas Smell in Fort Worth

Many of you have heard that there has been a gas leak in Fort Worth.

At this time, we have received 3 patients from this incident. I will continue to update this as we receive more information.

Stay tuned for more.

The Electronic Age of Medicine

Last month I told you a little bit about myself and deferred talking about The Electronic Health Record because one of our employees had discussed it in an earlier entry. I thought now would be a good time to elaborate on it. Paul Palermo had discussed how hard it was to deploy this complex project and gave an example of how it helped one emergency room patient. I wanted to discuss a little more about our electronics in the hospital.

The structure of CareConnect (Electronic Health Record) facilitates the reliable retrieval of data. Its nature enables all the providers to access and review the notes of all the care givers. The entries of physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, pharmacists, and others are all readily available and legible allowing a true team approach to the patient’s care. This information is readily available no matter where you are in the hospital. Additionally providers can access it remotely, thus a nurse’s phone call to a doctor allows that doctor to review the patient’s information while talking to the nurse. This greatly enhances the interchange. The physician can then enter any orders necessary and helps reduce possibility of an error caused by a verbal order.

As mentioned before CareConnect enables health care professionals to see the entire medical record of our patients, that is not only the data on the present admission, but the records of previous encounters. Thus we have an excellent baseline of the past medical history. We also are able to see encounters from other Texas Health Hospitals. This is a great advantage when patients are transferred from our sister facilities. The care of the patient can be seamless, and in fact the team can anticipate what will be needed before the patient physically arrives.

Because other hospitals in the area such as Parkland are Epic users soon we will be able to access the patient records from those encounters as well, thus minimizing the loss of information when patients utilize different facilities.. We are a participant in a Health Information Exchange in Fort Worth called SandLot. This allows us to see patient data, with their permission, from their doctor’s office. This too greatly enhances the flow of information and makes for more timely and efficient health care.

As we continue to use these products we will become more adept with them and will find more and more uses for the information within them, thereby enhancing the care of our patients.

- Harold Berenzweig, MD

The Steece Quads Flying High Above the Metroplex

Many of you know or may follow Suzanne Steece's blog. She is the "quad mom" who delivered at our hospital almost two years ago. Well, her family was chosen to be in our latest ad campaign. For those of you who do not know her story, here is a snapshot of her pregnancy and delivery.

Suzanne and her husband, Joe, prayed for one child - but were blessed with four! They struggled to conceive and took one round of clomid (a fertility medication) and got pregnant with quads. This was the shock of their life.

Suzanne is a nurse and knew that she had to find the hospital and physician that specialized in high-risk deliveries. After all, "things can happen in an instant" with pregnancy. So Suzanne and her husband decided to find a place that they trusted to deliver their babies - they chose Texas Health Fort Worth and Dr. Bannie Tabor to deliver their babies.

Suzanne carried her babies until she was 30 weeks pregnant - which is absolutely phenomenal! August of 2007 - the Steece quads made their grand entry into this world. They spent several weeks in our Level III neonatal ICU, and went home one at a time.

Phase II of the Steece Quad ad campaign is coming soon - so keep your eyes peeled for more...

Through the Eyes of an Administrative Resident

It’s been approximately 2 months since I put on the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth badge. I have previously introduced myself as one of two residents here at THFW, and will continue to try and bring a broad perspective to the blog. For those unfamiliar with a healthcare administrative residency, it’s a year long process to dive deeply into the facility and system. Administrative residencies and fellowships are offered across the United States by hospitals and healthcare systems alike. Basic requirements typically include completion of the didactic portion of a Masters in Healthcare Administration, Health Services Administration, or Business. The remaining requirements vary.
The objective is to allow recent graduates to broaden their perspective of healthcare and develop a better understanding for the variety of roles and responsibilities. Texas Health Resources believes education is highly important and structures their process on a two year continuum. The first year allows the resident to “get their hands dirty” and actively participate in various departments and roles, generally at either Texas Health Dallas or Texas Health Fort Worth hospitals. As the rotations occur, small projects are performed to grasp both the clinical and administrative requirements to ensure quality health care occurs. The fellowship is for individuals who have completed in exemplary fashion their administrative residency. It is designed with an intense focus on projects to help fellows gain experience specific to their areas of interest and identify future career options. Fellows are usually placed in our mid-sized hospitals such as Texas Health Plano or Southwest.

I have completed several rotations including radiology, cardiology, engineering and transportation. As I continue my residency and complete rotations, I hope to be considered for a fellowship and will begin to think of a potential projects that will utilize not only the knowledge I have gained but the relationships built from an extraordinary opportunity to work hand in hand with the THR family. For more information about the residency/fellowship programs, please see the “Administrative Fellowship Program” page in the jobs section of http://www.texashealth.org/.

- Melissa

Have Heart Failure? Read On...

Recently the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its comparison of readmission rates for patients suffering from pneumonia, congestive heart failure, or a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth was deemed “better than the national rate” for re-admissions for patients with Heart Failure.

You can review any hospital’s results across a number of clinical indicators at http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/. This same website also will show the results of patient surveys that consider the environment of the hospital as well as how the needs of the patients are met. The clinical indicators and the comfort indicators, when taken together, allow someone who is not familiar with hospital settings to compare hospitals and hopefully result in informed decisions concerning future hospital choices.

The readmission rates for Heart Failure are based on many variables that begin with the initial management of the patient in the Emergency Department, and do not end until the patient is discharged to a stable environment with an appropriate plan that covers, among other things: diet, exercise, medications, physician followup, and general information about congestive heart failure. It takes a complete team of health care workers, from the physician to the dietitian to ensure that once a patient is well enough to go home, they don’t suffer a relapse and find themselves back in our hospital.

Hats off to the medical and hospital staff of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth! Great job!

- Joe Prosser, M.D. , Chief Quality Officer

A Warm Bright Smile

It is Hugh Gittens, lead chef at Texas Health Fort Worth, again. I wanted to share a story that has inspired me - and I hope it will inspire you.
In 1984 Mr. Tekle & Mrs. Kudusan Hagos arrived in Fort Worth, Texas from Eretria, East Africa; where Mr. Hagos was a pharmacist. Immediately after arriving Mr. Hagos began life here in Fort Worth working at Kentucky Fried Chicken while attending UTA, earning a degree in biochemistry and later on computer science. They instilled their hard work and values in their son, Isaac Hagos (Pictured Above), who was born in the United States in 1988. He works at our hospital as a host, serving healing meals to patients with a warm bright smile. Isaac is known for his courtesy, compassion and attentiveness towards patients. Isaac acknowledges that this is the first job that he has had, where the culture “feels sincere”. That feeling translates to his commitment to a patient first attitude. Isaac is known as the young man with the warm smile and sense of purpose in our Heart Center Isaac is currently attending Tarrant County Community College and plans to transfer to UTA to complete his degree in criminal justice. In the meantime, he plans to continue ensuring that healing meals are served on his watch.

Below are pictures of Isaac's co-workers living out their mission to provide healthy and tasty food for our patients. Did you know that they prepare more than 1600 patient meals a day?

If you have met a Faith Community Nurse...

I’m often asked the question what exactly is a Faith Community Nurse (FCN) and what do they do? It’s easy to answer the first part: A Faith Community Nurse is a registered nurse who has completed specialized training with the curriculum developed by the International Parish Nurse Resource it. Faith Community Nurses are a recognized as a nursing sub specialty by the American Nurses Association.

The second part is more complex because each one’s practice is different.

Suzi is the FCN at St Barnabas United Methodist Church in Arlington. Some days she makes hospital visits. “I make hospital visits, mostly to the critically ill members. This has been very gratifying, as the families have seemed appreciative of the visit”. She also arranged for Consumer Credit Counseling to do a program at the church: Money $EN$E : Basic Financial Education for Money Matters classes were offered once a month for four weeks. Topics included: Money Matters: Setting Goals, Keeping Records, Saving; Credit Matters: Why Use It, Establishing Credit, Credit Reports; Identity Thief: Protecting Your Good Name, What to do if it Happens; Numbers You Show Know



The nurses at University Christian Church have regular office hours on Sunday and Wednesday. Members stop in and have their blood pressure checked, check their weight and often ask to have someone to listen to them and to pray with them.

Theses are only a few examples of what faith community nurses do in their congregations. Each Faith Community Nurse have input form their Pastor, needs assessment done by the congregation and with their health cabinet determines what their Faith Community Nursing Program will look like.

If you’ve seen one Faith Community Nurse you’ve seen one Faith Community Nurse. They are all unique and different.

- Paulette Golden, RN

Manager of Community Health

How do I contact?

I received this comment yesterday from one of our visitors in response to our post on waterbirth:

"This is very excited to hear! My family and I just moved here from Houston and are looking for a hospital that had a midwifery group. We have two boys right now who where both delivered at St. Luke's Episcopal in Houston by our midwife. We were worried that we shouldn't be able to find another similar group. How do I get in contact with one of the midwives to set up an appointment?"

Thank you for your post! We are glad to have you in Fort Worth! I wanted to share with you how you can contact the midwives on our medical staff - (817) 250-5820.

A Nurses Perspective

My name is Jennifer Nelson and I am a staff nurse at Texas Health Fort Worth in the new Palliative Care Unit and Chair of our Nursing Advisory Council. I am far from new to the Harris culture though! I have call our Emergency Department home for the last 3 ½ years. What an amazing journey it has been! Many of you have probably read and seen that we went through the re-certification process for Magnet. I was fortunate enough to get to play a small role in this process and I can’t say enough now about how glad I am that I was a part of that process!
The Magnet journey is just that- a journey. A very LONG journey. A little over a year ago when I was still an ER nurse I got asked to be a Magnet Champion. I thought… “Great another thing to do and what in the world is a Magnet Champion?” I understood fully what the Magnet culture of a hospital was about but was a little unclear as to what role I might play in this re-certification journey. I have worked all over the country and can say with 110% certainty that I have NEVER come across a hospital like THFW!! So I decided what the heck! I jumped on board to be a “Magnet Champion.”
As the months and days ticked away I grew in my role as a leader at Texas Health Fort Worth. I was elected vice chair of NAC and in turn that lead to me being chair. It exposed me to so much more of the Harris Hospital I had become a part of. The team work amongst the staff of various floors and departments was truly amazing! The support of the CNO Karen Robeano was phenomenal! There wasn’t a meeting that went by that I did not learn something new about the hospital and the amazing staff that make it tick. While completing my own journey through various councils and meeting there was always one constant variable at the center of each gathering…. the patient. I have never worked for a place that cared more about their patients and made sure that everything had positive effects and outcomes for the patient. It truly spoke to the model of care that had been developed.
So all that being said, in the end I was honored to help represent Texas Health Fort Worth to the 4 women, our Magnet Surveyors, from across the country who came to see and learn about our hospital. We are not perfect, but I work with some of the most amazing staff and administrators who make sure every day we get one step closer to being there!

A Life-Saving Gift

A few weeks ago three nursing residents and I were invited by Sarah Nicholas in our Transplant Program to observe a kidney transplant. I have wanted to see one for some time and this was a great opportunity for me to see how our medical team performs this unique procedure. From what I understand, the patient was suffering from end-stage renal disease that could not be treated with regular medical treatments. The transplant does not cure the patient, but does help her/him have a better quality of life. I did not observe the procurement, but was still moved by the generosity of the donor.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Hemangshu Podder and lasted over lasted over three hours. I was very excited to see a transplant and appreciate Sarah and Dr. Podder for allowing me to do so. I did have a little bit of a rough start early in the procedure. I have not gotten queasy during other surgeries I’ve observed, but seeing the insertion of the Foley catheter nearly sent me to the floor. I had to turn away at one point but was able to keep it together for the rest of the surgery. Dr. Podder and his team were great in answering my questions and explaining what they were doing and how they were doing it. Time went by quickly and I was amazed by how well the surgical team worked together in providing such a high level of care to our patient.
As an administrative resident, it is great opportunity to learn how our caregivers do their jobs. This provides me with an understanding of the challenges and issues they face so that I may better serve them as my own career progresses. I am very fortunate to have access to the outstanding group of caregivers we have here at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.
I also have a greater appreciation for organ donors who make these types of procedure possible. According to the Donate Life Texas website, “there is a critical shortage of organs, tissues and eyes available for donation. There are more than 96,000 patients in the United States awaiting transplantation—more than 7,000 are Texans. Every 13 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list. Every day, 17 people die waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.” These facts were brought to my attention during our Raise the Donate Life Flag event on April 1st this year. Hearing a testimonial from a family whose son was a donor inspired me to register to be an organ, tissue, and eye donor with the Donate Life Texas registry. Organ donors can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of fifty through tissue donation. For more information about becoming a registered donor, see the Glenda Dawson Donate Life Texas website at http://www.donatelifetexas.org/.

- Scott

The Miracle of Breast Milk

My name is Fran Lynch, MD. I am a neonatologist in the Neonatal ICU at Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth. On a daily basis, we take care of the smallest, sickest, and most vulnerable infants. There have been so many advances in medications and technology in the past 2 decades, and we are now able to help save babies born as much as 17 weeks before their due date. Despite all these advances, we are learning that one of the most potent medications available to us is not a medication at all--it's BREAST MILK.
Nature doesn't do anything by accident. Human milk is the ideal food for human babies. It contains not only all of the fat, protein, and calories that healthy babies need to grow, it also contains many antibodies and other substances that help baby fight off infection. In fact, healthy babies that are fed breast milk instead of formula for the first year of life have less frequent ear infections, bouts of diarrhea, and "snotty noses". Breast milk also helps protect against more serious infections like meningitis and pneumonia.
Decreased infections are not the only benefit of breastfeeding. Breastfed infants are less likely to develop asthma or allergies, especially if there is a family history of these problems. Some studies suggest that breastfeeding may help prevent obesity and diabetes later in life. Breastfed babies have been shown in some studies to score higher on IQ tests as adolescents. Breastfeeding your infant for a year could potentially make them smarter.
Breastfeeding has benefits for mom as well. Moms who breastfeed lose the "baby weight" faster than those who don't. Breastfeeding can also reduce mom's risk of breast cancer. Last, and probably most importantly, breastfeeding allows moms to bond with their babies in such a special, intimate way--it helps cement the mother-baby bond.
For the financially conscious, breastfeeding is a great deal. Breast milk is FREE, always available, and always the right temperature. You don't have to prepare it or clean plastic bottles after you are done.
I hope that I have convinced you to encourage any expectant moms you know to breastfeed their infants. Breastfeeding is the most special gift that a mom can give to her child. Though breastfeeding only lasts for a short time, the benefits last a lifetime.

Come Check on You in an Hour!

An old approach to meeting the needs of our patients has taken on new meaning. Patient Rounding has been considered a standard of nursing care for as long as I have been a nurse, 30+ years. Recent research has demonstrated that patient rounding done in a consistent standardized manner increases patient satisfaction and decreases falls and call light usage.

So what is so special about this “new” patient rounding? It is designed to increase our communication with our patients, demonstrate a higher level of caring and compassion, and helps us respond more quickly to the needs of our patients.

What are the components of patient rounding? First and most important is developing a relationship with the patient through introduction of the caregiver and a common understanding of what the patient wants and needs to achieve during the time they are working together. Whiteboards are often used in patient rooms to help communicate important information. They capture the caregivers’ names, how to reach them for any needs, the goals for the day, and other key information. These are all done in an effort to make the patient feel more comfortable in the foreign environment of a hospital.

Next comes the checking in frequently with our patients and we have designated hourly rounding so we can ensure that all needs are met as soon as possible. Rounding is not just to peek in on the patient but to check on their 1) Pain level, 2) Positioning and Comfort, 3) Toileting Needs, and 4) finally before the caregiver leaves the room they should ask the question, “Is there anything else I can do for you” and let them know when to expect another round. As we have been incorporating this approach into our nursing care we have found that rounding has made a positive change in our patient satisfaction. The rounds lead to better care because they build trust between patients and caregivers. Other benefits of rounding also exist. Hospitals have found that there are safety benefits as well. Units that adopted hourly rounding cut their patient fall rates in half and reduced the number of pressure sores developed by patients.
Our patients’ satisfaction is a top priority for us and hourly rounding is helping us meet and exceed our patient’s expectations.

- Karen Robeano
Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer

Hidden Calories

There is nothing better than sipping on a cold creamy smoothie or a frappuccino during the hot summer. However, may people forget that these drinks can be loaded with calories and sugar…just because they are liquid does not mean they are calorie-free. You might be surprised at some of the hidden calories in your favorite frozen beverages…

Smoothie Drinks
Everybody loves a smoothie…after all its fruit right?! Well, let’s look deeper. Smoothies do contain fruit, but many times it is canned fruit that actually sits in a sugary syrup. In addition they add milk which is a healthy option, but they also add something called “turbinado”. What is turbinado you ask? Sugar! Straight up sugar which makes the smoothie sweeter, more enjoyable, but also much higher in calories!!! So the key is to make your smoothie a “skinny”…this means they leave the turbinado out and let the fruit and milk provide the sweet flavor. Also, make sure you add whey or soy protein powder to your smoothie if it does not have it already. Carbohydrate (fruit, juice, milk, etc) digests very quickly so adding protein will slow down the digestion process and keep you full longer. Also, go with the smaller size as many of the larger smoothies have over 500 calories!!! Remember…most of the time the smoothie is the meal or snack…not the drink that goes with it!

Cold Coffee Drinks
Who doesn’t love a cold jolt of caffeine from the local coffee shop??? The key is choosing a drink that is not laden in crème or whole fat milk! For instance, a grande mocha frappuccino has 380 calories, 47 grams of sugar and 15 grams of fat…a grande iced white chocolate mocha has 450 calories, 48 grams of sugar and 20 grams of fat…and taking the coffee out does not help as a grande double chocolate chip blended crème frappuccino has 510 calories, 59 grams of sugar and 19 grams of fat (11 saturated fat)! So the key to a healthier cold coffee drink is to choose a “light frappuccino” that only has 140 calories for a grande or a skinny iced latte that has 90 calories and zero fat! So take off the whip and make it a skinny and you will cut back on added calories and fat in your refreshing cold coffee beverage!

Fruit Juices
Oh how good flavor tastes when you are hot and sweaty! But be careful because many sweet drinks are sweet with sugar! A 16 oz glass of lemonade has 238 calories and 58 grams of sugar. So maybe you think sweet tea is a better choice…watch out…a 20 oz sweet tea from a popular fast food restaurant has 222 calories and 57 grams of sugar. At the ballpark and grabbing a 20 oz bottle of fruit punch…put that back…it has 296 calories and 72 grams of sugar! So if you are thirsty for flavor, aim for a low calorie beverage like flavored water or light sports drinks. These drinks will provide you with the refreshing taste, but without all the added calories!



- Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Registered Dietitian
Ben Hogan Sports Therapy Institute
Executive Health Program

THE LYMPHEDEMA CHALLENGE

I am going to talk briefly about lymphedema today. Just because you have breast cancer treatment or surgery does not mean you will get lymphedema, but I want you to know what it is and the things you can do to help prevent it.

WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA?

Our bodies have a network of lymph vessels that carry lymph fluid to all parts of the body. These lymph vessels are connected to lymph nodes, which are small bean sized collections of immune system cells. The lymph fluid and lymph nodes both contain white blood cells that help the body fight infections. If the lymph vessels are not working well, lymph fluid can build up in body tissues; this is called LYMPHEDEMA.

Surgery that removes lymph nodes or radiation treatment to areas that contain lymph nodes can increase the chance of having lymphedema. Having both surgery and radiation increases the chance even more. Having a few lymph nodes removed is less likely to cause lymphedema than having many nodes removed. Sometimes, the cancer can cause a blockage of the lymph system and result in lymphedema.

Lymphedema is most often linked to treatments for breast, prostate, uterine, vulvar, or cervical cancers, sarcomas, and melanoma. If lymphedema occurs after breast cancer treatment, swelling can affect the arm in the side of the breast cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LYMPHEDEMA IN THE ARM

A full, tight or heavy feeling in the arm
Less movement or flexibility in your hand, wrist, or ankle
Trouble fitting into clothing or jewelry in one specific area or your jacket or sleeve being tight

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT LYMPHEDEMA?

There are no scientific studies to show that women can prevent lymphedema, but here are some guidelines which may lower your risk of developing lymphedema or delay its onset:

Keep your arm clean.
Keep your skin and cuticles soft and moist with regular use of lotion or cream. DO NOT clip or cut your cuticles!
Use an electric shaver for underarm hair instead of a razor or hair removal cream.
Avoid extreme heat or cold.
Watch for early signs of infection, such as pus, redness, swelling, increased heat, tenderness, chills or fever. Call you doctor right away if you think you have an infection.
Avoid needle sticks, blood drawing or blood pressures in the affected arm.
Wear protective gloves when doing household chores and yard work.

WHAT IF LYMPHEDEMA OCCURS?

There is effective treatment to reduce the swelling, prevent it from getting worse, and limit the risk of infection. Typically, therapy is prescribed by your doctor and should be given by an experienced therapist. Moderate to severe lymphedema is most often treated by a therapist with specialized training and expertise who will provide skin care, massage, special bandaging, exercise, and a fitting for a compression sleeve, if needed.

Seeking and getting treatment early should lead to a shorter course of treatment to get your lymphedema under control. If you have concerns that you might have lymphedema or you know of someone that might, please feel free to email me @ danamcguirk@texashealth.org. and I will help you with questions or concerns.

How Would You Like to Have 26 Weeks Off Work Each Year?

Hi Bloggers,

It is Ashley Hodo again to report about Palliative Care. I am thrilled to tell you that we will be opening the unit for patients and families in one week. We are so honored to be part of this amazing unit and serve this special patient population. I wanted to share with you something unique that the staff on the Palliative Care Unit (PCU) will be piloting. It is called the 7/70 staff modeling, which was presented to some of the employees of Texas Health Fort Worth at a Magnet conference. This is a unique staffing pattern to THFW, as well as nursing in general with few hospitals or nursing units following this model. On this plan nurses work 7 days for 10 hours, then are off for 7 days. The shifts overlap to provide additional coverage during peak hours. The 1st shift is from 0700 to 1730. The 2nd shift is from 1230 to 2300. The 3rd shift is from 2130 to 0730. The 7/70 staffing schedule supports our patient centered relationship-based approach to continuity of care. This means patients are more likely to have the same staff members caring for them and their families during much of their stay in the PCU. With the 7/70 schedule, nurses have 26 weeks off per year. This provides staff with a well-rounded work/life balance, a goal for many in healthcare. Please stop by the unit to see what we are doing.

E-Learning Childbirth Education Classes

Childbirth Education is keeping up with the technological advances and many expectant parents are enjoying it. May 1st Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital along with several other Texas Health entities launched an eLearning childbirth education program. This program meets the needs of the technologically savvy generation that are becoming parents. This learning-oriented generation can log on to our website and begin learning about their pregnancy and birth right away. Studies have shown that being educated in the process of birth can reduce the amount of stress in labor. The eLearning childbirth education program is a 190-page interactive site that allows self paced learning. With in the program there are movie clips and animation, the ability to listen to text, information and illustrations that can be downloaded, and hyperlinks to community and hospital numbers. There is also a notebook to keep questions and an email link to a certified childbirth educator. This program provides credible information and is great for women on bed rest and those with time constraints or scheduling conflicts. We know that having a baby is a life changing event and being prepared for the birth experience is just one of the first steps of parenthood. If you are interested in the eLearning childbirth education program log on to www.texashealth.org/elearning and check out the trial.

- Becky Law RN, BSN, IBCLC, LCCE
Manager Lactation/Childbirth Education

A Time to Remember

As a staff chaplain I knew that it was not enough. Over a long period I became convinced that we, as the Department of Pastoral Care and the hospital as a whole, could and should do more for the families of those who passed while under our care. I never doubted that we offered quality care to our families right before and during their loved one’s death. But there had to be more that we could do for our community in the midst of their bereavement.

From these musings the idea of a memorial service emerged. My director and I began to meet regularly to dream, plan, and ask the “what if” question. Slowly we realized that what we, what our staff, and what our families needed was a quarterly memorial service. What better way to tend to the life changing grief of our staff and families than to bring them together for a time of remembering, weeping, and retelling the stories of life? We decided to put action to our words and scheduled the first hospital-wide memorial service on the evening of February 28, 2008. On this evening we honored those who passed while in our hospital during October, November, or December 2007.

From that first service our families have consistently communicated to us that we are on to a good thing. Every time we mail our invitations at least one family will call from out of state telling us they can not attend but thanking us for thinking of them. Following each service we have a reception. These have turned into times of blessings for everyone involved. Families thank the staff for taking care of their loved one. Staff members are allowed to catch up on how the families are holding up. And everyone experiences the sweet balm that only those who walk together in the valley of sorrow will ever be privileged to embrace.

It has been a lot of work to plan and organize this event. The reward of joining together as we reach out to our families, however, easily makes all our efforts worthy of our labor. Our quarterly memorial service has truly becoming a living tableau of individuals caring for individuals together.

- Chaplain Carey M. Reynolds

Healing and Aromatherapy

Did you know that there is a Clinical Aromatherapy program at our hospital? Did you know that your patients could get a consult from a Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner? You didn't. Well let me tell you a bit about us and how far we have grown. Hello, I am Erin Munoz RN,BSN,CPAN,LMT,CCAP-I and I have been a nurse here at Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth for 12 years. I initially started my career on Harris 8th floor, moved to PACU, and now I am currently a staff nurse on Med/Surg ICU. I received my massage therapy license about 4 years ago, and with that, I saw how many people were interested in complementary therapies. Years later, I received an email from our education department about a clinical aromatherapy course at the hospital. I jumped at the chance to see what it was about, and here I am today to tell you about it. Four passionate nurses, Mary Jo Brock MS,RN,CCAP-I, Carol Scheidel RN,BSN,CCAP-I, Susan Shields MBA,RN,NE-BC,CCAP-I, and Barbara Bentfield RN,BSN,CCAP-I, set out to find a complementary therapy to assist patients and families in a hospital setting. They brought back the RJBuckle Clinical Aromatherapy course, which includes, 250 class hours, a 3-hour written exam, 33 case studies, and a research project. About 50 Health Care Professionals, consisting of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, massage, and physical therapists, have completed the course to date. The course started back in 2004 and is now taught by six instructors, including KimTrull MSN,RN,CCRN,CCAP-I and myself. So, what is clinical aromatherapy? It is the use of essential oils for specific outcomes that are measurable and research-based. We assist a range of patients with nausea, anxiety, end of life, insomnia, constipation, and relaxation. Many patients who benefit from aromatherapy have high risk pregnancies, substance abuse withdrawal, surgical, chemotherapy, and long term care. We have 33 researched essential oils that can be administered topically in a carrier oil or by inhalation. Another way of delivering essential oils is by using the M® technique, a light touch technique that can easily be taught to family members. I will discuss more in later blogs on the use of aromatherapy and patient responses. A nurse does not need a physician's order to use aromatherapy. This service is of no charge and available to all patients. You can call the Healing Arts Center at 817-820-4839 for a referral or you may already have a certified practitioner on your unit. We have 25-30 CCAPs at THFW and some of our other THR facilities have graduates from our course. Again, this is a complementary therapy, and is in no way to replace medical treatment or care.

- Erin Munoz
Photo Credit: Glen E. Ellman

Celebrating Fourth of July?

Happy Fourth of July Weekend! I am Mary Ann Contreras, one of the Trauma Coordinators here at Texas Health Harris Methodist Ft. Worth. A main focus of my job is injury prevention. Many traumas are predictable and preventable. So, occasionally you will see a blog from me on ways to avoid or even foil unnecessary trouble. Remember that old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Here are a few tips to help you stay safe this Fourth of July weekend:

1) Fireworks are a tradition that many Texans participate in. They can be beautiful but at the same time, if not handled with care are potentially deadly. Alcohol and fireworks don’t mix—have a “designated shooter”. Also, never try to relight a “dud”. Instead wait 20 minutes, and then put it in a bucket filled with water.

2) There are always kiddos at my cookouts, and at times it is difficult to keep a close eye on them. Assigning adults “child watch” duty for thirty minute increments is a winning solution for everyone. Children account for nearly half of all injuries from fireworks, usually involving hands and fingers.

3) The Fourth is also a day to pack up the family, and hit the highway for some fun on vacation. This weekend can be a great opportunity to enjoy your family, especially if a few simple precautions are taken.

• Whether celebrating the 4th on a road trip or at home, drinking and driving is never a good idea. Of course a seatbelt is the best defense against a drunk driver. That goes for child passenger seats too.


• Recent studies have also shown that distracted driving such as cell phone use or texting can prove just as dangerous.


• These same rules apply to boating. You know, just keeping a clear head while having fun will serve well for future memories. The lakes are sure to be full of fun seekers this weekend. Make sure to have enough life vests for all your crew and take plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.


• And, any time spent around water requires constant monitoring of children. It only takes one moment to drown but a lifetime to forget.

So, go out and enjoy our nation’s birthday. Our country is the best in the world. Take care of yourself and your family and friends. It is something that we do well here at Texas Health.

A Visit with Congresswoman Kay Granger

Texas Health Fort Worth had the privilege of hosting Congresswoman Kay Granger on Tuesday, June 30. She came to tour our new palliative care unit, which is opening on July 15. The Congresswoman has been incredibly supportive of this new resource for our community, and spent an hour with the new palliative care team and several of our hospital leaders.

Several years ago, we sat down with Congresswoman Granger and discussed our plans to build a dedicated palliative care unit. Upon hearing of Tarrant County’s need for such services, she immediately put the full force of her leadership into action and helped us secure federal funding, which has helped make this dream of ours a reality. We want to thank you, Congresswoman, for your support of this project. Your leadership in our community and in DC is truly remarkable.

Photo Credit: Jon Uzzel

Prevention and a Healthy Lifestyle

Hello, my name is Jennifer Campbell and I have been here at Texas Health Fort Worth for the last 13 years. I am an Exercise Physiologist and I currently work in 3 departments, yes 3, it is not a typo, the Executive Health Program, Cardiac Rehab and the Fitness Center. I have a very rewarding job that allows me to work on all ends of the spectrum; working with Executives coming into our office for physical exams and screening imaging services, Fitness center members that are working on fitness and weight loss goals by attending group fitness classes and cardiac rehab patients that have already had an event such as a heart attack or bypass surgery and are just getting started on their journey to recovery.

Although I love all of my cardiac rehab patients and enjoy watching them get back to their normal daily activities after participating in our cardiac rehab program, I feel so fortunate to work in a place that not only treats the patients with illness, but also promotes prevention and healthy lifestyle modifications by offering physicals, screenings and wellness offerings that help educate and bring awareness to members of our community (and not to mention save a few lives along the way). Prevention is the key and having an annual physical exam is a great way to learn the areas that need attention and to make the necessary risk factor modifications that can help you live a healthier and happier life.

Snakes top local news

Toni Wiley's story about her snake bite topped local news last night. Dr. Smith shared some very helpful injury prevention tips to avoid snake bites this summer. Click below to see the local news coverage on snake in the summer!

Fox 4 News

NBC 5 News

WFAA Channel 8

KTVT Channel 11

CW 33 News

It is snake season again in Texas!

I met a patient today who was bitten by a copperhead snake last night. And - she brought the dead snake with her to the hospital!

Toni Wylie, from Grandview, Texas, is in our Trauma ICU unit today recovering from a snake bite on her heel. Tonight, her story will air on all local newscasts - so tune in to them for more.

For now, I wanted to share a few helpful hints about snake bites and snake awareness from Dr. David Smith, medical director of the trauma program at Texas Health Fort Worth:

1) If you are gardening or working in the yard, do not reach underneath bushes or plants when you cannot see what is around them

2) If you are walking around outside when it is dark, bring a flashlight with you

3) If you are walking in tall grass or at night, wear boots that come up to your knees and not flip flops

4)If you are bitten by a snake - try to identify the colors or patterns on the snake and get to your local hospital or trauma center immediately

5) Do not try to kill the snake or have someone else kill the snake. You don't want to put yourself or others of getting bitten

Dr. Smith also says that anti-venim medicine is the most effective treatment for snake bites.

Some interesting facts you might want to know about snakes:

• Copper Heads, Rattlesnakes and Water Moccasins are the most common kinds of snakes in the state of Texas.


• Texas Health Fort Worth saw 13 patients last year with snake bites. This year, we have already seen 9 patients. Snake bites seem to be on the rise this year.

Below are pictures of the snake that bit Ms. Wiley and Dr. Smith showing us how long the snake is!