March 2019 - Page 2 of 2

Flushing Hospital Celebrates Patient Safety Week

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Michael Hinck

March 10th through the 16th has been designated National Patient Safety Awareness Week. In recognition of this observance, Flushing Hospital Medical Center has scheduled a full week of fun and educational activities.

To kick-off the week, the Patient Education Department is holding a special all-day event in the hospital lobby to test everyone’s safety knowledge by playing various games where participants have the opportunity to answer questions and win prizes.

Throughout the week, Flushing Hospital will ask everyone to take the ‘Hand Hygiene Pledge” and hospital staff will also demonstrate proper donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE), which can eliminate the transmission of infectious disease.

The theme of this year’s Patient Safety Awareness week is “See, Say, Do & Thank You”, which asks patients to not only notice and identify good safety practices, but also do something by thanking those individuals when these practices are witnessed.

One of the most important factors in improving patient safety is practicing proper hand hygiene and Flushing Hospital’s hand hygiene compliance rates are above national averages.

Congratulations to all involved in making Flushing Hospital a safe environment for our patients.

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.

Flushing Hospital Recognizes National Kidney Month

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Michael Hinck

March is National Kidney Month and the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to give their kidneys a well-deserved checkup.

The kidneys are two, fist-sized organs in your lower back. They maintain overall health by serving following functions:

Filtering waste out of 200 liters of blood each day
Regulating of the body’s salt, potassium and acid content
Removing toxins from the body.
Balancing the body’s fluids
Releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure
Producing an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
Controlling the production of red blood cells

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control, some quick facts on Kidney Disease are:

Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the country.
More than 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t know it.
There are over 95,000 people waiting for kidney transplants.
Currently, more than 590,000 people have kidney failure in the U.S. today.

Often times, kidney failure can be prevented or delayed through early detection and proper treatment of underlying disease such as diabetes and high blood pressure which can slow additional damage to the kidneys.

If you are 18 years or older with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or a family history of kidney disease, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask that you be screened for kidney disease.

If you would like to make an appointment to have your Kidney’s checked, you can call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486 for an appointment

Breast Feeding Benefits

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

The benefits of breastfeeding are many. Breast milk contains the proper nutrients that include protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins minerals and water to get your baby off to a good a start in life. It is a known fact that breast milk also helps to boost a baby’s immune system and it is easier to digest than formula.
A woman who is considering breastfeeding her baby has to take certain precautions to protect both her-self and the infant. This includes:
• Drinking plenty of fluids (juice, water, and milk)
• Not smoking
• Taking medications only if they are approved by your doctor
• Getting plenty of rest
• Eating a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
• Avoiding alcoholic drinks
Breastfeeding may or may not be easy at first but once you get comfortable, it is not difficult. With help from a lactation consultant, a new mom can start feeding a few minutes after birth. However, it may take a few tries which isn’t unusual. Breastfeeding is typically recommended for the first six months of a baby’s life, but that is a personal preference.
If you would like to discuss breastfeeding with a lactation consultant at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5702.

Flu Season Can Last Until May

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Xavia Malcolm

Although we are approaching spring, it is important to keep in mind that flu season is not yet behind us and the flu virus remains a threat to our health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “While flu season begins in the fall and continues through the winter, peak flu season comes between December and February, and can continue on into March.” The agency also adds that flu season can last until May. The CDC is urging individuals to continue exercising steps to prevent the flu and protect their health throughout this period of time.

Here are a few measures you can take to prevent the flu:

Sanitize your hands
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
Limit your contact with others
Do not share utensils or sanitize before sharing
Frequently disinfect areas that may be contaminated

The most important preventative measure you can take to reduce the risk of getting the flu is vaccination. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get vaccinated. “Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations,” states the agency.