Flushing Hospital’s Nurse of The Month

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Our nurses are the pillars of our community. In addition to meeting the demands of being a caregiver, they wear several hats including that of an educator, nurturer, and comforter.

Not only do nurses care for patients; they provide support to families and loved ones during difficult times.

Our nurses pour their hearts into all aspects of their job, and this is one of the many reasons why we celebrate their accomplishments.

Join us in congratulating Eric Fernandez, RN for receiving Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Nurse of the Month.

Meet Eric:

Q&A:

Q: How long have you been working for FHMC?
A: I have been working at Flushing Hospital since 2007.

Q: On which unit do you currently work?
A: 2 West – Detox

Q: Why did you want to become a nurse?
A: I wanted to become a nurse because I love helping people. I want to see people do well and recover.

Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: The best part of my job is when patients come back to visit and say they have been clean and sober thanks to our help. Sometimes as nurses our smallest gestures can make a large impact on the lives of our patients. A smile or a few positive words of encouragement can make a difference. Compassion is everything. I am happy that I work on a team that shares this same philosophy.

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.

Do You Have a First Aid Kit ?

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

Medical emergencies can happen at any time and any place, for this reason every home, office and automobile should have a first aid kit on hand. It is important that the first aid kit is kept in a place that is easily accessible. Everyone should be aware of where it is kept.

The American Red Cross recommends that a first aid kit contain the following items:

2 absorbent compress dressings ( 5X9 inches)
25 adhesive bandages
1 adhesive cloth tape ( 10 yards X 1 inch )
5 antibiotic ointment packets
5 antiseptic wipe packets
2 packets of aspirin
1 emergency blanket
1 breathing barrier ( with one way valve)
1 instant cold compress
2 pairs of non-latex gloves
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets
One 3 inch gauze roll
One 4 inch gauze roller
One 3 inch X 3 inch sterile gauze pads
5 4inch X 4 inch sterile gauze pads
1 oral thermometer ( non-mercury and non-glass)
2 triangular bandages
tweezers
Emergency first aid guide
Flashlight

In addition, the kit should contain emergency phone numbers for your health care providers and a small supply of medications when possible.

First aid kits can be purchased directly from the American Red Cross store and also online. Many pharmacies also carry first aid kits.

Lazy Eye

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Amblyopia or Lazy Eye as it’s commonly called is an eye condition that usually develops in children.

Lazy eye is most commonly caused by an imbalance in the muscles that position the eyes. The imbalance can cause the eyes to turn into the or away from the nose. This action prevents the eyes from working together and may be the reason for a difference in vision.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some signs and symptoms of lazy eye are:

An eye that wanders inward or outward
Eyes that appear to not work together
Poor depth perception
Squinting or shutting an eye
Head tilting
Abnormal results of vision screening tests

The Mayo Clinic also states that, “It’s important to start treatment for lazy eye as soon as possible in childhood, when the complicated connections between the eye and the brain are forming. The best results occur when treatment starts before age 7, although half of children between the ages of 7 and 17 respond to treatment”

To diagnose lazy eye, a standard eye exam such as a 20/20 eye chart screening is not a satisfactory. Diagnosis often times is made in younger children by using eye drops to dilate their eyes, using a lighted magnifying device to detect cataracts and assess their ability to stare at a moving object and follow it. In older children, tests using symbols or letters can access their vision.

Treatment options depend on the cause of lazy eye and on how much the condition is affecting your child’s vision. Your doctor might recommend:

Corrective eyewear – Glasses or contact lenses can correct problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism that result in lazy eye.
Eye patches -To stimulate and strengthen the weaker eye.
Bangerter filter -This special filter that is placed on the eyeglass lens of the stronger eye. Similar to the eye patch, the filter works to stimulate and strengthen the weaker eye.
Eye drops – A prescription eye drop the temporarily blurs vision in the stronger eye. This encourages the use of the weaker eye and offers an alternative to the patch.
Surgery – If the lazy eyes continue to cross or wander apart with the appropriate glasses, your doctor might recommend surgical repair to straighten the eyes, in addition to other lazy eye treatments.

Activities such as drawing, doing puzzles or computer games can also show positive results, however the effectiveness has not been proven.

The proper treatments for lazy eye, usually improves vision within weeks to months. Treatment can last from six months to two years.

It is recommended that the condition be monitored for recurrence of lazy eye. If lazy eye recurs, treatment will need to start again.

If you would like to have your eyes, or the eyes of a loved one, examined, please call theat at to schedule an appointment.

It’s GERD Awareness Week – Learn How to Avoid This Digestive Disorder

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Perhaps there is no other day of the year associated with eating more than Thanksgiving. With so much attention being paid to food consumption, it is fitting that this week we also raise awareness about a health condition that affects the digestive system.

November 18-24, 2019 has been designated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (or GERD) Awareness Week. GERD, is a very common disorder that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe and irritates the lining.

After it is swallowed, food travels down the esophagus where it stimulates cells in the stomach to produce acid and pepsin (an enzyme), which aid the digestion process. A band of muscle at the lower part of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), acts as a barrier to prevent the back-flow. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach’s contents to flow up into the esophagus.

Chronic heartburn is the most frequently reported symptom of GERD. Acid regurgitation (refluxed acid into the mouth) is another common symptom. Other symptoms can include belching, difficulty or pain when swallowing, or waterbrash (sudden excess of saliva). GERD may also lead to chronic sore throat, laryngitis, throat clearing, chronic cough, and other oral complaints such as inflammation of the gums and erosion of the enamel of the teeth.

Dietary and lifestyle choices can contribute to GERD. Certain foods and beverages, including chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, coffee, or alcohol may trigger reflux. Studies show that smoking can relax the LES and contribute to this condition. People who are obese are more prone to developing GERD symptoms.

Doctors recommend lifestyle and dietary changes for most people needing treatment for GERD. Along with lifestyle and diet changes, your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter remedies, or, in serious cases, prescribe medications designed to reduce acid in the stomach.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Every year the month of November is recognized nationally as Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million people have this disease, however, only 18.8 million have been diagnosed. An additional 79 million people in the United States are believed to have pre-diabetes.

Diabetes affects different race and ethnic groups more frequently than others. The prevalence of diabetes has been calculated to affect 7.1 % of Caucasians, 8.4% of Asian Americans, 12.6% of African Americans and 11.8 % of Hispanics. Diabetes is considered a chronic illness that leads to it being a cause of death, either directly or through a complication due to the disease. Some of the complications associated with diabetes are hypertension, blindness, heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, neuropathy, and amputations.

Diabetes is a chronic illness for which there is no known cure. It can, however, be treated successfully in many people, and very often these people lead long and healthy lives. Having a family history of diabetes can be a risk factor for developing the disease but not a guarantee that a person will definitely develop it. Other risk factors include obesity, poor diet, having diabetes during pregnancy, race and ethnicity, being over the age of 45, lack of exercise, and having high blood pressure.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, frequently feeling thirsty, blurry vision, fatigue, feeling hungry even after having just eaten a meal or a snack, wounds that are slow to heal, numbness or tingling in the extremities, and in some cases, weight loss.

The three most common forms of diabetes are Type 1 which indicates a lack of insulin production by the pancreas, Type 1 is most commonly associated with children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes is when the body produces insulin but it is not utilized adequately by the body, also known as adult-onset diabetes and the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease. Gestational Diabetes occurs occasionally during pregnancy and then frequently resolves itself once the pregnancy is completed.

Diabetes is diagnosed through blood tests. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a physician will discuss treatment options that will work for that individual. Often this will include either an oral medication in cases that are less severe or insulin injections for more serious cases, combined with diet modification and possibly an exercise regime. It is extremely important to keep diabetes well controlled. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications that may be irreversible and can lead to blindness, heart disease, stroke and premature death.

Foods You Should Not Eat With Braces

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Braces are effective in correcting orthodontic problems such as under bites or wide gaps. However, to receive these benefits you have to make certain sacrifices to protect your braces.

It is important that you avoid several foods that can damage components such as wires or get stuck in braces and increase your risk of tooth decay.
Some foods you should avoid while wearing braces are:

Some foods you may want to avoid while wearing braces are:

Popcorn
Nuts
Hard taco shells
Sticky and hard candy
Gum
Ice
Corn chips
Pretzels
Hard cookies or crackers
Sticky or hard chocolate
Raw vegetables
Croutons
French/Italian bread
Hard fruit
Hard rolls
Thin crust pizza
Meat
Burgers
Corn on the cob

When in a situation where one or more of these foods may be your only food choice, it is suggested that you cut the item into small pieces that will fit directly into your mouth so that you won’t have to use your front teeth for tearing.

Some “braces friendly” food options are:

Hull-less popcorn
Yogurt
Bananas, grapes, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits without pits
Light crackers or cookies
Cheese
Mashed potatoes, pasta, noodles
Peanut butter and jelly

Good nutrition while wearing braces is extremely important to having a healthy smile. Eating right will help your teeth remain strong enough to support your braces and avoid any impediments that could cause your braces to be removed before the designated time.

If you would like to have your teeth evaluated for braces or would like a dental check up, please contact the at at to schedule and appointment.

What Does Having Low Pressure Mean ?

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

Blood pressure is considered low when the top blood pressure reading is lower than 90 mm Hg (systolic) and the bottom number is lower than 60 mm Hg (diastolic). Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80. The systolic pressure is the amount of pressure the heart is exerting when it is pumping blood and the diastolic pressure is the amount of pressure on the arteries when the heart is between beats.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is often classified into categories based on causes and factors. These include:

Postural hypotension- a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person moves rapidly from a sitting or lying down position to a standing position. It is often seen in people who are dehydrated, pregnant or on prolonged bed rest or who have large varicose veins, heart problems or certain neurologic disorders. Certain medications can lead to postural hypotension as well. These include diuretics (water pills), alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, medications for Parkinson’s disease, antidepressants and erectile dysfunction.

Postprandial hypotension -occurs after a person eats a large meal and affects mainly older people. Normally after a meal a person’s heart rate will increase and the blood vessels will constrict. In postprandial hypotension this doesn’t occur and a person may feel dizzy or feel faint.

Low blood pressure may also be due to faulty brain signals to the heart. Other causes of low blood pressure can occur when there is sepsis, during a heart attack, being anemic, having a slow heart rate, when there is heart failure, and in conditions such as parathyroid disease, hypoglycemia, and adrenal insufficiency.

Symptoms of low pressure can be indicative of underlying medical conditions and can include:

Fatigue
Nausea
Blurred vision
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Dizziness

Diagnosing low blood pressure can be accomplished by taking a blood test to determine if there are metabolic causes, an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, a stress test, or a tilt table test.

Treatment of low pressure is determined when the cause has been identified. It may include a change in diet, consuming more water, wearing compression stockings, or taking medication.

If you are experiencing symptoms of low pressure you should consult with your physician to make a diagnosis and find the cause. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Employee Spotlight – Krizia Bodden

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Joann Ariola

October’s Employee Spotlight shines on Krizia Bodden, Coordinator for the daily operations of the mother/baby units which include Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatrics, Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) as well as the OB/GYN Clinic at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC).

Krizia has been an employee at FHMC for the past 12 years. Before becoming a Coordinator, she worked as a Billing Clerk and a Registrar.

Together with her husband and three sons, Krizia loves shopping , going to movies and enjoying the great outdoors. She is dedicated to her religious community and travels often.

As with anyone who works caring for patients, there are challenges. “Since I am a mom, it is extremely hard when a patient’s baby does not make it. That will never get easier.”

The most rewarding part of her job is, “Patient satisfaction. When I see the patients happy with the care given to them and their newborn child, the reward is great.” Krizia credits her departments positive outcome to the staff she if proud to work with.

For these and so many other reasons, Krizia is our October Employee Spotlight. Congratulations Krizia Bodden!

Flushing Hospital’s Nurse Of The Month

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Our nurses are the pillars of our community. In addition to meeting the demands of being a caregiver, they wear several hats including that of an educator, nurturer, and comforter.

Not only do nurses care for patients; they provide support to families and loved ones during difficult times.

Our nurses pour their hearts into all aspects of their job, and this is one of the many reasons why we celebrate their accomplishments.

Join us in congratulating Vedautie “Veda” Seepersad, RN for receiving Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Nurse of the Month.

Meet Veda:

Q&A:

Q: How long have you been working for FHMC?
A: I have been working at Flushing Hospital for fifteen years

Q: On which unit do you currently work?
A: I work on the Telemetry/Stroke unit

Q: Why did you want to become a nurse?
A: I wanted to become a nurse because nursing is a compassionate, interesting, caring and rewarding profession. As a nurse, I can use my professional skills to work with people anywhere in the world. My humble approach and positive attitude towards patients and families make a difference in their lives. Having been a patient, I know how it feels to be lying in a bed so I treat all my patients with love and respect and do my best to take care of their needs.

Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: The best part of my job is working with my peers and teaching my new nurses. I feel rewarded when patients and families are satisfied and appreciative of the nursing care provided. Recently I had a patient who coded and expired. I had the opportunity to be with the patient knowing there was no family present. I was able to hold her hands while she passed. When the family arrived they were so appreciative and praised me for an awesome job well done knowing her mother did not die alone.

What Does a Low Level of Testosterone Signify ?

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

Testosterone is a hormone that is produced by the testicles. It affects sexual development, appearance, muscle strength, and sperm production. As men age, the level of testosterone circulating in the blood tends to decrease. The decrease is usually gradual after the age of 30.

Besides age, there are also medical conditions that can lead to low testosterone levels. Examples of these conditions are Klinefelter syndrome, Noonan syndrome, damage to the testicles, Infection, or obesity. Cancer treatments including radiation or chemotherapy can also cause this effect. Some medications such as antidepressants and narcotics can also lower testosterone levels.

A low level of testosterone can cause:
• Diminished sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low semen count
• Hair loss • Fatigue
• Decrease in muscle mass
• Changes in memory
• Depression

A diagnosis for low testosterone can be made after evaluating the results of a blood test.

Treatment for low testosterone can be accomplished with Testosterone Therapy which can be administered in various ways:
• Transdermal
• Injection
• Oral
• Intranasal
• Pellets under the skin

There can be side effects of testosterone therapy such as redness at site of injection or where the patch is located, abnormal raising of blood hemoglobin levels, enlarged breasts, an enlarged prostate, or an altered sperm count.

Speak to your physician if you think you might be experiencing decreased testosterone levels. You can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486.