April 2011
Weems Hospital Announces Availability of Revo MRI SureScan Pacing System
George E. Weems Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the recent implantation of the first pacing system designed, tested and FDA approved for use in the MRI environment. Local cardiologist, Shezad Sanaullah MD, FACC, recently implanted the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system. Developed by Medtronic, the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system is the first MR Conditional pacing system available in the U.S. and was developed specifically to address MRI safety concerns. Prior to the Revo MRI SureScan pacing system, MRI procedures were not recommended for patients with implanted pacemakers because of the potential risks. Previously, patients might face serious complications if these two technologies were combined. MRI scanners may cause traditional pacemakers to misinterpret MRI-generated electrical noise and withhold pacing therapy or deliver unnecessary pacing therapy. The number of patients with pacemakers is growing while the use of MRI is increasing. MRI is often preferred by physicians because it provides a level of detail and clarity not offered by other soft tissue imaging modalities. Among the 1.5 million Americans with pacemakers, it is estimated that there is a 50 to 75 percent probability that cardiac device patients will be indicated for an MRI over the lifetime of their devices.
George E. Weems Memorial Hospital is proud to provide safer access to MRI for our patients. We encourage our patients to talk to their doctor about which pacing system is right for them.
Weems Arts in Medicine News
The Shands/University of Florida Spring Break 2011 Project…..”Aim for Health”
The second annual concentrated week of health screenings and community health projects facilitated through arts activities was held March 6th through 12th. Weems Memorial Arts in Medicine Program (the state model for arts in rural healthcare), with coordinating assistance from FPC was the lead local agency. The project brought 26 students from the Arts/Healthcare fields from the University of Florida as well as Florida State University’s Rural Healthcare program, and 16 professional artists, instructors/professors, clinical staff and volunteers to Franklin County for a week of service. Two groups handled projects that involved visits to homes within the county, while two more groups were involved with ABC School and the Franklin Consolidated School.
Home Health Assessments, directed by registered nurse Cindy Nelly, sought to identify health needs among underserved and home-bound residents, particularly seafood industry workers and their families, and to work to connect these people with local health services and to provide them health information.
The Oral History Project team, directed by the Shands program’s writer in residence, Barbara Esrig, documented stories of seafood industry workers, with a promise to send them a CD recording of their remarks, to preserve their cultural legacies as a reminder of the rich lives they have lived.
A “Garden Group” facilitated and installed a sustainable nutrition garden at the Apalachicola Bay Charter School. The project included art components that local artist and students at the school created, educational components for the school on nutrition and sustainable gardening and health education as it relates diet and outdoor activity.
The third group worked through the Franklin County Health Department’s “School Nurse” at the consolidated school to address STD’s. Through the use of theater programs, including but not limited to role play, improvisation and storytelling, volunteers appropriately addressed these significant health issues. The culmination of the theater group’s work will be a presentation at the school involving volunteers and students.
Both school projects resulted in an enthusiastic reception by students. The garden project culminated in an energetic celebration after a week of hard work, and the STD theatre project drew rapt curiosity even as it challenged some of the students’ misconceptions about these increasingly prevalent diseases.
The combined teams from the Universities contributed all of their supplies and expenses. 8-10 volunteers provided housing, meals and transportation for the college students during the week giving them cultural insight and connection to our community. Weems AIM wants to extend a huge “Thank you” to the Franklin County Parks, Recreation and Solid Waste; the City of Apalachicola Public Works Department; the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Art; Franklin County Health Department; as well as, the Apalachee Center. Unique volunteers exceeded 85.
AIM Links
March 2011
GET SCREENED: KILLER COLON CANCER IS PREVENTABLE
JAMES STOCKWELL, M.D. AND WEEMS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Tragedy strikes when a family member, friend or anyone suffers and dies from a preventable cause. It could even happen to you or ones you love. Then comes the grief and question of, “what could have been done differently to prevent this tragic loss”. The sting and pain are even deeper with the realization that the loss could have been prevented. The answer is colon cancer screening which often prevents tragic loss.
Colon cancer is a preventable disease of the large intestine. It is preventable in at least 60% of cases. Also, in those in whom cancer is discovered early, it is 90% curable. Yet colon cancer continues to be the third leading cause of cancer in men and woman with over 150, 000 new cases and 50,000 deaths per year in the United States. Quite simply, this occurs because individuals ignore screening recommendations and warning symptoms. I must emphasize the waiting for symptoms is a dangerous gamble since symptoms often occur late when the disease is advanced with less chances of cure. Screening is the key to lowering the death rate from colon cancer.
With screening, colon cancer is often preventable because it begins in a noncancerous
growth called a polyp which takes time to develop into a cancer. During this time the polyp can easily be removed during a colonoscopy and then no cancer will develop.
There are many reasons that individuals avoid screening for the prevention of colon cancer. One reason is that some do not know that colon cancer is preventable. Of course that is one of the reasons I am providing this information. Women may erroneously feel it is a “mans disease”. Men have a strong tendency to avoid medical care and, often, a real fear of such care. Seeking care can even be perceived as a weakness.
Many fears can be another reason for not undergoing screening. None of us wants to undergo perceived unpleasant tests. Many individuals are “private” and become uncomfortable in a medical setting or have personal taboos in regard to their bodies. Some fear that a painful experience will occur. Many have heard that the preparation is unpleasant. Others worry about something serious being found and would rather not know. Potential complications of any medical treatment are also a concern. In this time of a poor economy, financial concerns and realities can interfere with undergoing preventative tests or having worrisome symptoms investigated. Last, is the “YUK’ factor. The colon just does not seem to be a pleasant part of the body to discuss or address.
Fear is no reason not to address life saving preventative tests. The fears are often much worse than the reality experienced. I would therefore like to address the fears I have cited in the above paragraph. First, the procedure itself has little discomfort associated with it. The patient is safely sedated and has little or no memory of the procedure. The preparation for the procedure is quite tolerable and can even be motified, if requested. The team that interacts with the patient is professional, caring and is dedicated to preserving the patient’s dignity and privacy.
Fear that something might be found is misguided. Most of the time the exam is normal or small noncancerous polyps are found. It is actually wonderful that the benign polyps are found and removed so they do not evolve into cancer. Again, if a cancer is found it will be in an earlier and more curable stage.
Fear of complications is always a concern for any patient. Complications are extremely rare and all measures are taken to make sure each patient has a safe experience. The safety of each patient is the most important concern of the team.
Financial concerns and barriers are not to be ignored. The hospital, physician and all involved are aware of financial adversities and stresses. All will make every effort to work with patients to make sure they can undergo preventative measures.
The two most common and recommended tests that are utilized for the prevention of colon cancer are chemically testing the stool for small amounts of blood that cannot be seen (stool occult blood testing) and a colonoscopy. The testing of stool for occult blood is important but not adequate, alone, for the early detection or prevention of colon cancer.
Screening colonoscopies must be done. This involves inserting a lighted tube through the anus into the colon under sedation. The procedure takes about 30 minutes during which time the whole inside of the colon is visualized and benign polyps are removed. Following the procedure there is little or no discomfort and patient is able to promptly resume a normal diet.
A summary of the current SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS is as follows:
- Starting at age 50 yearly testing of the stool for occult blood and a colonoscopy every 10 years. Screening is recommended starting at age 45 in African Americans who have an earlier onset and more advanced disease.
- An earlier screening age is recommended in those who have relatives with colon cancer or polyps. Also, it may be appropriate, earlier in patient with other cancers such as uterine, ovarian, urinary tract, other digestive tract tumors and brain tumors. I will be happy to answer questions regarding the need for early screening.
- Since symptoms of colon cancer are often late, patients with rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, unexplained abdominal pain and fatigue from anemia should promptly seek medical attention.
I have seen too many tragic, needless deaths during my medical career from colon cancer.
PLEASE UNDERGO COLON CANCER SCREENING AND ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO YOU CARE ABOUT TO DO THE SAME.
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