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Friday, 13 November 2009 |
(Keene, NH, 11/12/2009 12:55 PM) — To reduce the spread of flu-like illnesses and help people manage fevers, cough, sneezing, and sore throats at home, Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene and the Greater Monadnock Public Health Network are offering advice to area residents.
“There are many different kinds of viral illnesses affecting people already, such as H1N1 or swine flu,” said John Schlegelmilch, MD, chief medical officer, Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene. “Because H1N1 is new everyone has a lot of questions and concerns. We want to offer people information, assistance, and assurances.”
“Is it or isn’t it?” is one of the first questions posed by someone who feels like they are coming down with something. For any illness to be considered the flu, you must have two main symptoms; 1) A fever over 100 degrees; 2) A cough and/or a sore throat or sneezing. In addition people also experience head or body aches. A few have nausea or vomiting. The flu is more severe and long lasting than a cold.
Like a cold, the flu is “catching.” It can be spread by coughing and sneezing. To avoid giving or getting the flu, take extra care by practicing “COUGH,” an easy-to-remember formula for prevention.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze (Use the sleeve on the inside of your elbow).
- Only use your own glass and utensils (Don't share).
- Use soap and warm water to wash your hands often.
- Get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat a healthy diet.
- Home is where you belong when you are sick, not school or work.
“People may be feeling anxious or uneasy that their children or parents will develop this new strain of the flu. That is perfectly normal,” according to Schlegelmilch. “Beyond taking the steps to prevent the illness you can also make sure you are ready in case you contract the illness.”
Take time to prepare. Check your cabinets to make sure you have the supplies you will need if you or a family member gets sick. Check for tissues, a working thermometer, cough drops, and fever reducing medications (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). Look for expiration dates on over-the-counter cough, cold, and pain relievers, even prescription medications for conditions like asthma, which can be worsened by the flu. If anything is expired, it should be replaced. Make sure you have plenty of clear fluids like water, tea, or broth. Sometimes people who are sick enjoy ginger ale, orange juice, sports drinks, popsicles, or electrolyte solutions. You know best what your family members will want when they are sick. It might be chicken soup, a magazine, or a DVD. Make sure you have it on hand. Don’t get caught off guard. It can be hard to get to the store if you or someone in your house is sick.
“If you think you have the flu, the best place for you to be is at home,” said Schlegelmilch. Take the time to let the illness run its course. Don’t rush your recovery. The best way to ensure your health, as well as your family’s and friends’ wellness, is to take care of yourself.
- Stay home from work or school until your fever has been gone for least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
- Stay away from others.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink clear fluids.
- Wear a face mask if you have to go in the public.
- Drink from your own container.
“People should have confidence in what they already know about caring for the flu and use good common sense,” said Schlegelmilch. “But we want everyone to know when it is time for them to reach out for help.”
If you are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema, check with your health care provider and ask if you need any special care.
Anyone who gets a flu should watch for signs that the illness is getting worse. Call your doctor if you experience or observe any of these warning signs:
Adults:
- Shortness of breath or respiratory distress
- Fever greater than 100 degrees for more than 3 days
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Lightheadedness
- Disorientation or confusion
Children:
- Difficulty breathing
- Blue skin color
- Unable to keep liquids down
- Extreme drowsiness, listlessness, or sluggishness
These warning signs could mean a person is developing complications to the flu and should be taken seriously.
For more information, treatment resources, or other assistance, call 2-1-1 (in NH) or 1-866-444-4211 (all other states) any time of day or visit www.211nh.org. You can also search our site or the Greater Monadnock Public Health Network (GMPHN). CMC/DHK and GMPHN work together to plan and protect public health and safety in concert with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Together CMC/DHK and GMPHN will offer updates on flu season preventions and precautions for the Monadnock Region.
Cheshire Medical/Center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene is offering a vaccination clinics for seasonal and H1N1 flu. To learn about upcoming clinics, visit this page or call:
Seasonal Flu vaccine info: 354-5405 Option #1
H1N1 Flu vaccine info: 354-5405 Option #2
Pediatric Flu Clinic Hotline: 354-6665 |
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009 |
Area residents wishing to send a holiday greeting card to troops can stop by Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene beginning on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11.
In the hospital’s main lobby, a table will be set up along with a holiday card drop box for collection. During the month of November, all are welcome to create or purchase their own cards, or use one of the cards provided by The Cheshire Health Foundation. Completed cards will be gathered by the Red Cross and shipped to Holiday Mail for Heroes, which will send greeting cards to troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States. Visit www.redcross.org/holidaymail for more information.
- You make or buy a holiday card.
- Red Cross & Pitney Bowes process and deliver your card.
- Our heroes, serviceman and women enjoy a touch of home, thanks to you.
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Friday, 06 November 2009 |
Physician’s Calendar of Photography to Raise Money for Those with Breathing Problems
 “Mill on Ice,” Harrisville, NH, by Jeffrey Newcomer, MD, featured as the December image in New England Reflections calendar.
Annually, Newcomer produces and sells his “New England Reflections” calendar as a fundraiser to cover the cost of pulmonary rehabilitation for area residents lacking insurance coverage.
“His images are widely collected because they capture the essence of the region in every season—a snow capped Mt. Monadnock, a Chesterfield farm in a snowstorm, and a ice framed mill on Harrisville Pond,” said Donna M. Dubuc, hospital development director. “When you see these images on your wall each month it really reinforces why we live in New England. It’s truly a beautiful place.”
 The calendars are sold for $12 each in the main lobby gift shop at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene. In addition they are also available at Toadstool Books, Borders, Tilden’s Hallmark, Book Cellars, Vermont Artisans Design, Sharon Arts Center, J & J Discount, Big Deal Discount Store, Gilsum General Store, Drewsville General Store, Monadnock Imagining, Jingles Christmas Shop, and Hannah Grimes. Orders may also be placed over the phone by calling 603-354-6810 or by clicking here and using the Calendar Order Form.
The annual fundraiser underwrites reduced and no cost participation in pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary Rehabilitation helps individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and other chronic lung diseases. Through a series of 24 sessions, a range of specialists offer information and assistance on using oxygen, inhalers, and medication. Participants learn ways to manage shortness of breath by retraining their breathing and conserving energy. The program also helps people build lung capacity through aerobic conditioning and strength training.
Most participants in Pulmonary Rehabilitation are referred by a physician. For information on Pulmonary Rehabilitation, contact Farnum Rehabilitation Services at 603-354-6730.
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Monday, 02 November 2009 |
Please call our Flu Clinic Information Line for current recommendations at:
Seasonal Flu vaccine info: 354-5405 Option #1
H1N1 Flu vaccine info: 354-5405 Option #2
Pediatric Flu Clinic vaccine info: 354-6665 Option #1
Click here for the 2009 Seasonal Flu Vaccine Recommendations for Children (pdf)
Children's Clinic
Monday, Nov 23, 2009 from 5 pm - 7 pm
Auditorium. Lobby level, main entrance - just past the lab to the left.
SEASONAL vaccine for children
• Available for all children – supplies are more limited for children 3 and up
H1N1 vaccine for children
• Available for all children who meet criteria which includes:
- All children 6 mos – 24 years of age with chronic illness
- All children who lives with an infant less than 6 mos old
- All healthy children through age 4
Adult Clinic
Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 from 4 pm - 7 pm
Auditorium. Lobby level, main entrance - just past the lab to the left.
Seasonal Vaccine for adults
• Available for all adults
H1N1 vaccine for adults
• Available for all adults who meet criteria which includes:
- Pregnant Women and their partners
- Direct Health Care workers – please bring identification such as your employee name badge
- Persons caring for or living with infants less than 6 months old
- Adults who have NO chronic illness AND who have a child with a chronic illness will be offered H1N1 Mist while supplies are available. At this time we are not able to offer H1N1 injections to you.
Additional clinics are TENTATIVELY planned for November 30th and December 5th if supplies are available. Please check our flu hotlines for current information as those dates get closer.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has established a statewide vaccination plan for seasonal and H1N1 flu shots due to short supplies. This schedule establishes phases to ensure that those at the highest risk of flu complications are the first to receive vaccinations. As more vaccine becomes available, we will offer additional clinics.
For more information, treatment resources, or other assistance, call 2-1-1 (in NH) or 1-866-444-4211 (all other states) any time of day or visit www.211nh.org. You can also search our site or the Greater Monadnock Public Health Network (GMPHN). CMC/DHK and GMPHN work together to plan and protect public health and safety in concert with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Together CMC/DHK and GMPHN will offer updates on flu season preventions and precautions for the Monadnock Region.
For ESTABLISHED adult patients of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene - your insurance company will be billed for this service.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that most people 6 months and older receive an annual seasonal flu vaccine. If you have an allergy to eggs, please check with your health care provider before receiving this vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccines are also being offered to patients 65 years or older who have not been previously vaccinated.
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Thursday, 22 October 2009 |
$450,000 in Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Grant Funds Awarded to Four New Hampshire Community Partnerships
HEAL Projects will serve 47 cities and towns
Concord - Keene was chosen as one of four community partnerships to receive the first ever Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Community Grant Program award. Each partnership will implement three-year HEAL projects aimed at decreasing obesity and improving the health and quality of life of the residents they serve.
The HEAL projects will serve a total of 47 New Hampshire cities and towns. The Caring Community Network of Twin Rivers’ (CCNTR) Healthy Heart of Life, Make the Move! project represents Franklin and 12 surrounding towns. The HEAL for Cheshire County Healthiest Community Initiative represents Keene and 22 surrounding towns. The Lakes Region Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition represents Laconia and 8 surrounding towns. Upper Valley HEAL represents Lebanon and 5 surrounding towns.
The projects will target HEAL interventions where individuals and families live, learn, work and play. Worksites will have resources to adopt employee health promotion as an organizational value and business strategy. Parents, children and other community members will ally with before- and after-school programs to provide experiences that teach children to be healthy for a lifetime. Updated city and town master plans will include accessible trails, parks and other outdoor recreation facilities. Physicians will learn how to help motivate and educate their patients about healthy weight and provide them with local walking guides. Restaurants will participate as community partners to offer healthy menu options to patrons. These are just a few of the many interventions targeted by the community partnerships.
In addition to funding, the community partnerships will receive ongoing technical assistance from the expert staff of the Foundation for Healthy Communities, which coordinates the HEAL Initiative, and its partner, the NH Department of Health and Human Services.
Yvonne Goldsberry, PhD is the senior director of Community Health at Cheshire Medical Center / Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene. She notes, “We, with the Council for a Healthier Community, are happy to sponsor the local HEAL effort. The project aligns nicely with the goals of the Vision 2020 initiative, to become the healthiest community in the nation by the year 2020. Our local project will target before- and after-school programs, worksites and the food service industry to work toward increasing access to physical activity and expanding healthy nutrition options.”
“These four community partnerships are absolutely committed to promoting healthy eating and active living among the residents they serve,” said HEAL Director, Terry Johnson. “Their work will begin a process of embedding HEAL in the fabric of communities throughout our state. Our personal and community health will benefit as a result.”
“Obesity and other chronic diseases have reached alarming levels, in part because our lifestyles rely more on cars, computers and other items that encourage sedentary behaviors,” said New Hampshire First Lady, Dr. Susan Lynch. “In addition, we are constantly exposed to marketing for manufactured food products that are often convenient, but low in nutritional value. We need to create policy changes that make healthy choices the easy choices for our residents. The Community Grant Program is a first step in the HEAL Initiative’s Action Plan for New Hampshire.”
HEAL is supported by a collaboration of foundations and state agencies committed to promoting health and wellbeing for all New Hampshire residents. Funding for the Community Grant Program and all facets of the HEAL Initiative is provided by HNHfoundation, Endowment for Health, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, and NH Charitable Foundation.
HEAL is being led by the Foundation for Healthy Communities, a non-profit New Hampshire organization focused on improving health and health care through innovative partnerships.
Ongoing Community Grant Program project updates and information about HEAL’s other activities is available at www.HEALNH.org or by contacting the Foundation for Healthy Communities at (603) 225-0900. |
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Wednesday, 07 October 2009 |
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 Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene welcomes Stephen Hathcock, MD to the Family Medicine Center on Island Street. Dr. Hathcock was founder and director of the Center for Integrative Medicine in Little Rock, AR where he has practiced since 1997. He enjoys integrating nutrition and other forms of alternative approaches to medicine in his overall medical practice.
Dr. Hathcock is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Holistic Medicine. Dr. Hathcock completed his residency as Chief Resident, Family and Community Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR. He interned at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC and earned his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Arkansas (UAMS), Little Rock, AR. |
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Monday, 14 September 2009 |
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 Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene welcomes Neil O’Regan, MD to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. O’Regan has provided patient care to women in Sanford, ME and Rochester, NH. He offers a range of obstetric and gynecologic services including, but not limited to, low-risk and high-risk obstetrics, general laparoscopic surgery, abdominal and laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy, hysteroscopy, endometrial ablative therapy, initial infertility and urogynecological evaluation, contraceptive and STD evaluation and management, colposcopic evaluation and office LEEP procedures/cryotherapy for cervical dysplasia.
Dr. O’Regan is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. O’Regan served his residency as Chief Resident and his internship in OB/GYN at New York University Downtown Hospital, New York, NY. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. |
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