Employee Spotlight – Nicole Torres

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Joann Ariola

September’s Employee Spotlight shines on Nicole Torres. Nicole is a Care Coordinator at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC). As a Care Coordinator, Nicole provides appointments for high-risk patients, that are currently admitted, to ensure they receive the care they need in a timely manner.

Nicole joined the FHMC team 3 ½ years ago as an Emergency Department Navigator. Although her time at FHMC has been short, Nicole earned the respect of her colleagues especially when she was called upon to be part of the hospitals team during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.

When working with patients and family members, Nicole utilizes her degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she earned a BA in Forensic Psychology.

At home, Nicole enjoys baking, yoga and reading. She loves to travel, attend breast cancer and Alzheimer’s walks and volunteering at after-school programs.

Nicole feels the most rewarding part of her job is when a patient attends their post-discharge follow up care and the most challenging part is when patients refuse the recommended aftercare, thereby, putting their health at risk possibly causing them to be readmitted to the hospital.

Congratulations! For these and so many other reasons, Nicole Torres is September’s Employee Spotlight!

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.

Facts About Hand Sanitizer

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

People have been using hand sanitizers for many years. However, their use has increased tremendously during the past few months due to the current pandemic.

There are a few different accounts on how hand sanitizers were developed and entered into general use. One of these accounts traces the origins to a married couple, the Lippmans, in Akron, Ohio back in the 1940’s. They created a waterless hand cleaner used by workers in rubber plant factories. In 1988 the Lippmans invented Purell, which is made of 70% ethyl alcohol as the main ingredient and also contains propylene glycol. It wasn’t widely used by consumers until 1997 and the results became the world’s leading hand sanitizer.

In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its guidelines to allow alcohol based hand sanitizers as a way to clean hands and eliminate germs in the absence of soap and water, In 2009 the World Health Organization also recommended them as an alternative to soap and water.

Hand sanitizers typically contain anywhere from 60 – 95 percent isopropyl or ethyl alcohol mixed with water and gels such as glycerin.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows a product to be called a hand sanitizer if it contains ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or bensalkonium as the active ingredient. Alcohol breaks down disease causing bacteria and viruses. The higher the concentration of alcohol, the more effective the hand sanitizer will be.

Hand sanitizers are effective against many bacteria and viruses, but not all of them. They generally don’t work well against norovirus, Clostridium difficile or Cryptosporium.

Hand sanitizers don’t typically expire but the alcohol can evaporate. They are considered generally safe for use on the skin, however using too much can cause skin irritation. Susan Weiser, the Director of Infection Control at Flushing Hospital Medical Center tells us that hand washing with soap and water is recommended after every four or five uses of the hand sanitizers to reduce the risk of irritating your skin.

Nasal Polyps

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growths that develop on the lining of the nose or sinuses. Polyps are soft, teardrop-shaped and can be pink or yellowish-brown in color. They often form as a result of prolonged inflammation and can cause infections or breathing problems.

Polyps commonly occur in people in their 30s or 40s but can arise at any age. Those who have asthma, certain disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic sinusitis or allergies are more likely to develop nasal polyps.

In some cases, nasal polyps do not present any symptoms; however, if they do, one may experience:

Runny nose
Postnasal drip
Persistent stuffiness
No sense of smell or a poor sense of smell
Frequent nose bleeds
Snoring
Sleep apnea
A feeling of pressure over the face or forehead
Headaches
Loss of sense of taste

The risk for nasal polyps can be reduced by practicing hand hygiene to protect against infections that affect the nasal passage, using a nasal rinse to remove irritants or properly managing your asthma or allergies.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with nasal polyps for more than 10 days, please see a doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor may order tests that include imaging, a nasal endoscopy, and blood or allergy tests. Treatment may involve medications or surgery.

To make an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious cancers affecting women. In the United States, an estimated 21,000 women will be diagnosed every year with this disease and approximately 14,000 will die because of it. This type of cancer usually affects women who are in their fifties and sixties, and who typically have a family history of the disease. When the disease is detected early, the five-year survival rate is approximately 92%.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Bloating
• Nausea, indigestion, gas, and constipation
• Abdominal and pelvic pain
• Fatigue
• Backaches
• Frequent Urination with urgency

When a physician suspects ovarian cancer, they will perform certain tests to confirm the diagnosis. The exam will include a blood test for the CA-125 genetic marker, an examination of the abdomen to see if there is tenderness, a pelvic exam, ultrasound, and a biopsy.

There are four main stages of ovarian cancer:

. Stage I – completely confined to one or both ovaries.
. Stage II – Found in one or both ovaries with spread to other pelvic organs (bladder, colon, rectum, uterus).
. Stage III – Cancer is found in one or both ovaries and has spread to the lining of the abdomen and/or the lymph nodes.
. Stage IV – Most advanced stage of the disease with spread to additional organs such as liver and lung.

Treatment options for ovarian cancer include chemotherapy, surgical removal of the affected organ(s), hormone therapy, and radiation. The type of treatment will be determined by the type of ovarian cancer, the age of the patient, and the stage of the disease.

Remember that early detection is important and just may save your life. All women should see their OB/Gyn once a year for a pelvic exam. If you would like to make an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Learn The Facts About Essential Oils

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Michael Hinck

The use of essential oils has been gaining popularity among many for their healing properties, but what are they?

Basically, essential oils are plant extracts. They are made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant, such as the flowers, bark, leaves or fruit, to capture the compounds that produce fragrance.

The use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes is known as aromatherapy. Some of the many conditions essential oils are used to treat include:

Anxiety
Insomnia
Depression
Nausea
Headaches
Osteoarthritis

Essential oils can be inhaled using a diffuser or spray or they can be topically applied. Some of the most popular essential oil scents are lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus, peppermint, tee tree and lemon grass. When used safely and in combination with conventional medicine, essential oils can have a positive impact on your overall health, but there can be dangers if not used responsibly.

Here are some tips on the proper use of essential oil:

Make sure they are diluted, usually with vegetable oils, creams or bath gels. Your solution should only 1% to 5% of the essential oil.
Only use them on certain parts of your body. The best places to rub essential oils are your arms and legs. Avoid placing inside your mouth, nose or eyes.
Don’t keep essential oils more than three years. Older oils are more likely to be spoiled and may not work as well. They could also irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction.
Stop using them if you develop a rash, little bumps, boils, or just itchy skin and don’t use essential oils on damaged skin as it could cause unwanted skin reactions.
Consider age when using essential oils. Young children and the elderly may be more sensitive to them. Don’t use essential oils on a baby unless your pediatrician says it’s okay.
Avoid using if you are pregnant. Some essential oils may make their way into the placenta. It’s not clear if this causes any problems, unless taken in toxic amounts, but to be safe, it’s best to avoid if you’re pregnant.
Don’t overdo It. More of a good thing is not always good. Even when diluted, an essential oil can cause a bad reaction if you use too much or use it too often.

Speak with your doctor before using essential oils. Together you can determine if they are right for you.

World Suicide Prevention Day

Posted on September 10, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

September 10th is designated by the International Association for Suicide Prevention as World Suicide Prevention Day.

The World Health Organization reports that approximately every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life around the world, and in the United States it is one person every 12 minutes. Suicide is the leading cause of death in people between the ages of 15 to 29. Women are more likely to attempt suicide, but men are more likely to be successful. For every successful suicide attempt, there are 25 attempts that are not successful.

Suicide is preventable, and we can all do our part to help those who may be in distress or are having suicidal thoughts.

Here are a few ways you can promote suicide prevention::

Help raise awareness
Learn the warning signs
Know the resources that are available
Show compassion for those who need help

It takes a team approach to help people who are thinking of suicide. This includes family, friends, health professionals, clergy, colleagues at work and the community in general. Help is also needed for the families and loved ones of those who are at risk for committing suicide.

If you or someone you know needs help, do not wait to take action. Encourage them to seek the immediate care of a professional. The trained professionals in the Mental Health Department at Flushing Hospital Medical Center can also help. You can make an appointment by calling 718-670-5562. If there is imminent danger, bring the person to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible.

Fall Activities

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Joann Ariola

With temperatures dropping and crisp air abounding; the fall season is a great time to begin a fitness regime.

Some tips for how to start you fall fitness routine are:

Change it up – The fall season is a great season to spend time with family and friends while taking part in physical activities such as walking through apple and pumpkin patches, corn mazes or trails.

Participate in fun runs – The fall season is when organizations plan their fun runs. You can participate in a 5K, or a turkey trot. If you get a group together, it can further motivate you.

Appreciate fall foliage – The fall season brings with it lots of colored leaves. Local parks usually have trails to walk, run or ride a bike on.

Go to a farmer’s market – Fall brings lots of root vegetables into season. Take a bike ride and stop at local farmer’s markets to pick up some healthy, tasty fruits and veggies.

Rake the lawn – In the fall season, even chores can be a really good workout. Activities such as raking the leaves can provide great cardio exercise.

As you can see, fall offers several opportunities to stay active and create good habits that will last with you throughout the upcoming holiday season and winter months.

Backpack Awareness Dayy

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Backpacks are essential back-to- school items for kids. They come in different colors, sizes and shapes and most importantly they help children to carry their belongings. Backpacks are preferred by many in comparison to shoulder bags because when worn correctly, they evenly distribute weight across the body. However, if worn incorrectly they can cause back pain or injuries and eventually lead to poor posture.

To prevent problems associated with improper backpack use, parents should first purchase a backpack that has the following features:

Lightweight
Wide and padded straps
Multiple compartments
Padded back
Waist belt
Correct size (A backpack should never be wider or longer than your child’s torso).

Practicing these safety tips will further reduce the chance of back pain or injuries caused by backpacks:

When packing, heavier items should be placed to the back and center of the backpack. Lighter items should be in front. Sharp objects such as scissors or pencils should be kept away from your child’s back. Utilizing different compartments can help in distributing weight.
Do not over pack. Doctors recommend that children should not carry backpacks that weigh more than 10-15% of their body weight.
Ensure that children use both straps. Using a single strap can cause muscle strain.
Adjust the straps so that the backpack fits closely to your child’s back and sits two inches above the waist. This ensures comfort and proper weight distribution.
Encourage children to use their lockers or desks throughout the day to drop off heavy books.

The Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America recommends that parents should always look for warning signs that indicate backpacks may be too heavy. If your child struggles to put on and take off the backpack, they are complaining of numbness or tingling or if there are red strap marks on their shoulders -It may be time for you to lighten their load.

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 6, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

The month of September has been designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to bring attention to this very common form of cancer that affects so many men. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in men and is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in men. Although it is not known exactly what causes prostate cancer some risk factors for developing it are:

• Older age (more than 65% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65)
• Race (African-American men are 60% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men)
• Family history (having a father or brother with prostate cancer)
• Obesity

The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system that produces a fluid that mixes with sperm and other fluids during ejaculation. It sits just below the bladder and is normally about the size of a walnut.

Prostate cancer, especially in its early stages, may not have any symptoms. When symptoms are present they may include difficulty starting urination, less force to the stream of urine, dribbling at the end of urination, needing to urinate frequently, urinating frequently at night, pain while urinating, blood in the urine or semen, difficulty starting or maintaining an erection, pain with ejaculation, pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis and upper thighs, or unintended weight loss.

When screening is done there are two tests that are available. The available tests are a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. To perform a digital rectal exam your doctor uses a gloved finger, inserted a few inches into your rectum, to check your prostate gland. A prostate-specific antigen test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. Many men who have prostate cancer have elevated levels of PSA, however PSA can also be elevated for less serious causes such as prostate enlargement or infection. Further testing is needed to diagnose cancer. Additional tests that your doctor may recommend to diagnose cancer include an ultrasound of the prostate and a biopsy of the prostate. A biopsy is when a small piece of the prostate is removed to look for abnormal cells.

Treatment of prostate cancer depends on many factors including your age, your overall health and the growth and spread of cancer when it is diagnosed. Some men who have slow-growing tumors may not need treatment right away and some may never need treatment. Other types of prostate cancer are aggressive and can quickly spread to other parts of the body making treatment difficult. Common treatment options include watchful waiting or expectant management (regular testing and checkups to assess for new signs or symptoms), radiation therapy (high-energy x-rays used to kill cancer cells), chemotherapy, surgery (having the prostate gland removed), and hormone therapy.
To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss a prostate cancer screening, please call 718-670-5486.

Coping With Substance Abuse and a Crisis

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

The worldwide crisis of the coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone. The way we work, socialize, and care for our health have all been impacted. For many these factors are cause for tremendous amounts of stress; for others, they are triggers for alcohol and substance abuse.

The stress of living with the pandemic has led to more people leaning on drugs and alcohol abuse to cope with uncertainty and adversity. This is reflected in an increase in sales of alcoholic beverages over the last few months, as well as an increase in the number of patients treated in ERs for drug overdoses.

The rise in alcohol and substance abuse can be partly attributed to an increase in people who were once occasional users of alcohol or illicit drugs, now making it a daily habit, and addicts who relapsed due to challenges they faced during the pandemic.

Challenges encountered by those needing help for addiction include fear of seeking health in treatment centers due to fear of exposure of the coronavirus, limitations affecting in-person support groups or the decline of treatment centers due to a lack of funding.

Although the coronavirus pandemic may pose a few challenges for those seeking help with addiction, there are still many resources available to provide assistance with recovery. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov offer helpful information to individuals and families facing mental health and substance abuse disorders on their websites (include links)

Those who are suffering from addiction are also encouraged to seek help from their doctor or any trained alcohol and substance abuse professional.

If you are having substance abuse issues and would like to speak to a trained professional at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, You can schedule an appointment by calling 718-670-4416.