Health & Fitness News & Notes
By Stephanie Kist
Summa provides kits for
caregivers
AKRON — Summa Health System has created a Caregiver Kit to assist those who care for others.
“Giving care to a loved one is a unique and challenging responsibility,” said Judy Akins, R.N., M.S.N., executive director of Summa’s Senior Health Services. “We developed this kit to provide caregivers with the resources they need to find the information and balance that is vital to having a rewarding caregiving experience.”
The Caregiver Kit includes:
• a directory of comprehensive Senior Health Services provided by Summa Health System and other community agencies;
• educational material addressing unique issues accompanying aging and caregiving;
• Ohio Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney booklets;
• a guide on how to start the discussion with a loved one to consider having a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney;
• a checklist guiding one through facility-based care;
• tips on how to balance the stress of being a caregiver; and
• extra space to keep medical claims and bills.
The cost of the kit is $15. For more information, call Summa Connections at (800) 23-SUMMA.
Headgames to host cut-a-thon
MERRIMAN VALLEY — Headgames Hair Studio, 1660 Merriman Road, will host its seventh annual cut-a-thon Aug. 7 from 2 to 8 p.m., accepting customers on a first-come, first-served basis. A $10 minimum donation is requested per haircut.
Through the cut-a-thon, the salon is raising money for Akron Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network.
Headgames staff members are volunteering their time for this event, which will include pizza donated by DaVinci’s, drinks and music.
For more information, contact owner/president Marina Malek at (330) 864-7899.
Akron General receives gift
of Drumm artwork
AKRON — A metalwork by
renowned Akron artist Don Drumm has been donated to
Akron General Medical Center and can be seen in the
cardiopulmonary rehabilitation area of the hospital.
It was a gift of Michelle Fair, daughter of Lorraine and Don Fair, who gave the lead gift for the Akron General Heart & Vascular Center.
Drumm describes the piece as “nonobjective,” meaning not based on any subject matter, but created for the design alone. Composed of two layers of aluminum and one layer of bronze with stainless steel hardware, the work can often seem like many more layers, depending on how the light is striking it. Measuring 16 feet wide by 36 inches high, the piece was inspired by Drumm’s interest in playing with shapes and the “negative shapes” of the space around it. The piece was cut by a water jet controlled by a computer. “I hope this work is especially enjoyed by the cardiac rehab patients who walk by it,” Drumm said. “It’s meant for the shapes to change as they pass by, creating a visually interesting and appealing artwork.”
Michelle Fair is impressed with the way the piece turned out.
“Mr. Drumm came up with several designs for that particular space, but we had the same first choice,” she said. “I love the piece; it’s incredible!”
“We are fortunate to have families in our community who are supportive of the care our physicians and staff provide,” said Akron General’s Development Foundation President Jon Trainor.
Summa health System
recognized for improvements
AKRON — Summa Health System
has been given the Top 100 Hospitals Performance Leaders
Award by Solucient. Summa is one of 15 major teaching
organizations recognized for improving hospital-wide
performance during a five-year period at rates faster
than peer hospitals across the United States, according
to Solucient.
The Solucient study measures the rate and consistency of hospital-wide performance improvement nationally based on both management and clinical outcomes. It reflects improvement of clinical outcomes, patient safety, efficiency, financial stability and growth.
Summa also was recognized by Solucient in February as one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals.
“This award is a reflection of the dedication of everyone in our organization to make Summa one of the finest health care providers in the nation,” said Tom Strauss, Summa Health System president and chief executive officer. “We accept this honor with great pride and promise to continue doing all of the things that have made us worthy of receiving this tremendous recognition.”
Akron hospitals listed
among America’s best
AKRON — Summa Health System
and Akron General Medical Center (AGMC) are again listed
among America's Best Hospitals
as compiled by U.S. News & World Report magazine
in its 2006 ranking of best hospitals.
Summa earned more rankings than any other Akron- or Canton-based hospitals or health care organizations, according to Summa officials. Summa's rankings are: heart and heart surgery, 32nd; orthopedics, 29th, up from 49th in 2005; respiratory disorders, 22nd, up from 28th in 2005; digestive disorders, 36th, up from 48th in 2005; kidney disease, 49th; endocrinology, 31st; and ear, nose and throat, 46th.
Recognized on the list for the ninth consecutive year, Summa increased its number of rankings from three in 2005 to seven this year.
The magazine ranked AGMC as having the 30th best heart and heart surgery program in the country. This is one of the highest ranked heart programs in Northeastern Ohio, second only to the Cleveland Clinic, which ranked first, according to AGMC officials.
This year, its heart program moved up five places, from 35th in 2005.
For the fifth year in a row, AGMC's respiratory care program was named in the magazine's listing among the nation's top programs, ranking 45th.
Of the more than 5,000 hospitals across the nation, 176, or 3 percent, were recognized by U.S. News & World Report.
The Continence Center offers
latest treatment
AKRON — The Continence
Center now offers a nonsurgical, minimally invasive
treatment option for women suffering from stress urinary
incontinence (SUI), the most common form of urinary
incontinence.
The Tegress Urethral Implant, an advanced urethral implant therapy, was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. The implant works by supporting and strengthening existing urethral structures, allowing more control to avoid accidental leakage.
SUI causes a woman to “leak” urine during times of physical stress, like laughing, coughing, sneezing, exercising or even picking up a child.
Contrary to popular belief, SUI is not caused by aging, but rather influenced by many factors like pregnancy, vaginal childbirth, strenuous exercise, menopause and gynecologic surgery, according to The Continence Center officials. SUI affects women of all ages.
“Too many women suffer from stress urinary incontinence in silence,” said urologist Dr. Raymond Bologna, of The Continence Center. “At The Continence Center, we want them to know that there are treatment options available that accommodate their demanding, active lifestyles.”
“Tegress Urethral Implant offers a safe, effective nonsurgical treatment option and in most cases only requires a local anesthetic,” added urogynecologist Dr. Robert Flora. “In fact, most women find that they can return to routine activities the same day as the procedure.”
The Continence Center is located at 95 Arch St., Suite 165, and can be reached at (330) 434-0543.
Underwater treadmill decreases
rehab time
MONTROSE — The May 29 issue
of Sports Illustrated shows Carson Palmer, the starting
quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, exercising in
a HydroWorx underwater treadmill to rehab a possible
career-ending knee injury in about half of the normal
rehabilitation time, according to Professional Therapy
Associates officials.
The same type of equipment, consisting of an underwater treadmill and resistance pool, also is available for patients and individuals for training at Professional Therapy Associates in Montrose.
Because of the buoyancy principles of water, which eliminate weight bearing, the patient can begin to resume higher level activities and exercises without worrying about the stress forces to his or her ligaments and tendons, according to Professional Therapy Associates officials.
For more information, call (330)
665-0006.
This Don Drumm artwork hangs in the Cardiopulmonary Rehab Department at Akron General Medical Center.
Photo courtesy of Akron General Health System
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