March 22, 2017 • UPMCSusquehanna.org

What to Expect with a Colonoscopy

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. More than 140,000 new cases are diagnosed each year! Screening colonoscopies prevent cancer death by allowing doctors to detect and remove polyps before they grow and become cancerous.

Most people should have their first colonoscopy at the age of 50. However, if you have a higher

risk, such as a family history of colon cancer, you may need to be screened earlier. Your doctor can tell you when and how often you should be screened.

Preparation of the bowel is an extremely important part of the colonoscopy. This process begins the day before your exam and is designed to empty your colon completely, so that your gastroenterologist can have the clearest view available to see tiny formations. Many patients say this is the most challenging part of the entire test, because it requires a day-long liquid diet, as well as taking laxatives that cause diarrhea. These two components ensure that you empty your bowel completely, but these also can be unpleasant to some. As a result, planning to be close to a toilet during this stage is essential.

On your screening day, you may have an initial consultation with the gastroenterologist. For your exam, you will change into a gown and will be asked to lay on your side on the exam table. The colon screening procedure takes about 30-to-60 minutes, during which time you receive medicine through an IV to keep you in a deep sleep.

Once you are resting, the doctor inserts a flexible tube with a light source and a tiny video camera at its tip into your colon. The camera sends images from inside your colon to a screen that can be viewed by your doctor. The doctor can insert micro-instruments through the scope to remove any polyps, or to take tissue samples for additional study. When the exam is complete, your medication is reduced, and you wake up.

You’ll need some time to recover from the sleeping medication, and you are required to have someone available to drive you home, as you should not drive or go back to work for the rest of the day.

Results from your colonoscopy are available immediately. And, if a biopsy is taken, those results are typically back within a few days.

COLORECTALCANCER

Take charge of your health. Learn about your risk of developing colorectal cancer, and get screened.

PREVENTABLE.TREATABLE.BEATABLE.

2COLORECTALCANCER THE

ISLEADINGCAUSE OF

CANCER DEATHSIN THE U.S. FOR MEN & WOMEN

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WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER?

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

FAMILY HISTORY

AGE 50+90% of cases are diagnosed

in people 50 years or older

Cancer occurs when

abnormal cells in a part

of the body begin to grow

out of control. Colorectal

cancer starts in either

the colon or the rectum.

1 in 5 diagnosed with colorectal

cancer had family history.

People with a first degree

relative who has colon cancer

have TWO TO THREE TIMES

the risk of developing the disease

Personal history of inflammatory

bowel disease increases your risk

COLON

STOMACH

COMMON RISK FACTORS

REDUCE YOUR RISK

GET SCREENED

1 IN 20 AMERICANSDIAGNOSED WITH

IN HIS/HER LIFETIMECOLORECTAL CANCER

WILL

AB

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BE

RECTUM

90%

LESS

RED AND PROCESSED MEATS

ALCOHOL

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Obesity raises the risk of colon cancer in both men and women, but the link seems to be stronger in men.

Out of all types of cancer, colorectal cancer has the strongest tie to diet, weight and exercise.

Reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

MORE

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

VEGETABLES, FRUITS AND WHOLE GRAINS

WEIGHT

MARYBIRD.ORG/COLONTO LEARN MORE, VISIT:

EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES.

MORETHAN

1M

DUE TOEARLYDETECTION

THEREARE NOW

IN THE U.S.SURVIVORS

People with increased risk

factors should be screened

before age 50. Ask your

doctor if a screening is

right for you.

Men and women at

average risk should begin

colonoscopy screenings

every 10 years.

30 50

50 +

WHEN TO GET SCREENED

AGE

SOURCES:

www.cancer.org

www.ccalliance.org

Vivek Kumar, MD

Did You Know?

Major complications from a colonoscopy are very uncommon, and only about five-percent of patients report some mild abdominal cramping, similar to having a bowel movement, following the procedure. You will likely experience some gas, which can be alleviated with walking. If your doctor has taken tissue for a biopsy, you may be instructed to follow a special diet.

While nothing is as effective as a colonoscopy for colon cancer screening, any screening is better than no screening at all. One option that is sometimes used as an alternative is called fecal occult blood testing. This yearly screening is performed at home, using a test kit. A small stool sample is provided to the doctor and tested for blood, which can be a marker for cancer.

Your doctor can provide guidance regarding which screening test is best for you.

Health & Wellness TipThe Importance of Portion Control

One of the biggest things that a person can do to improve his or her diet is to watch portions. Here are some pictures to help you judge how much to eat.

Welcome, New Certified Nurse Midwife

UPMC Susquehanna welcomes certified nurse midwife Rebecca Russell to the OB/GYN team.

Certified nurse midwives are health professionals licensed to provide care to women from adolescence through adulthood, including OB/GYN and maternity care. They are educated in intensive medical programs and must pass a national examination.

Russell earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from The Pennsylvania State University, and obtained her certificate of nurse midwifery from The University of Cincinnati.

Russell is accepting new patients and referrals. UPMC Susquehanna’s OB/GYN is located in the Health Innovation Center, 740 High Street, Suite 1004, Williamsport.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 570-321-3300.

Tower Chapel Hosts Weekly Prayer ServicePastoral Care is offering a weekly ecumenical Christian prayer service at noon on Wednesdays in the Tower Chapel at WRMC.

During today’s service special prayers will be lifted for the Admissions Department.

ICU Wins ‘I Am Patient Safety’ Contest

Service partners with the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Infectious Disease at Williamsport Regional Medical Center were recently named winners in the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority’s annual “I Am Patient Safety” contest.

UPMC Susquehanna was chosen as one of only 14 winning entries from 184 nominees statewide. Team members included employee service partners from the Intensive Care Unit, infectious disease practitioners, and a professional development specialist. They were recognized for their efforts to analyze every central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) in the ICU. By using new protective and sterile equipment procedures and conducting competency checks on the new procedures, they experienced zero infections of this type for over a year and a half or 572 days. The team continues their work to remain CLABSI-free.

“Working together to keep our patients safe takes an attention to detail by every staff member. Our shared goal in the ICU is to always do what is best for the patient. This award is an outside recognition of our efforts and we are truly honored,” says Wendy Batschelet, director of Critical Care at WRMC.

As healthcare facilities report serious events (events that cause patients harm) and incidents (events that did not cause patients harm) to the Patient Safety Authority, the Authority turns that information into timely data analyses, resources, and educational tools to keep healthcare staff informed and prepared to address patient safety trends internally.

The “I Am Patient Safety” contest gives healthcare facilities an opportunity to share and celebrate stories of healthcare staff demonstrating an exemplary commitment to the safety of the patients they serve daily. The criteria used by the Authority to choose this year’s winners includes nominations that most strongly describe a discernible impact and evident commitment to patient safety, a strong patient safety culture, and a noticeable initiative regarding patient safety efforts.

Higher Education Planning Seminars Offered Attention parents and grandparents of middle and high school students!

• Where will careers be in 10 years?• Is a public university really less expensive than a private one?• What is the difference between merit and need-based financial aid?

Human Resources is pleased to offer Higher Education Planning Seminars at each UPMC Susquehanna campus from April 3 through April 6. At these seminars you will learn the answers to the questions above and become more informed about college major and career exploration, college selection, applications for admission and college financial aid planning. The seminars will be presented by College Planning Associates.

College Planning Associates also offers families a free personalized consultation at their office. In addition, employees and their dependents receive a 10-percent discount for all purchased services.

Check future editions of CURRENTS for dates, times and locations for the meetings.

Congratulations, service partners!

February Milestones

Name Campus Department Years of ServiceJan Moore DPH Infusion Center 35 Sandra Fish WRMC Radiology 30 Winona Kremser MVH Same Day Services 30 Dinah Labenberg MVH Clinical Laboratory 25 Nancy Mattison SSMH Admin.- SRHHS 25 Kathryn Stankiewicz WRMC Health Records 20 Mark Trueman WRMC SREMS 20 Michael Cillo WRMC Safety & Security 20 Amy Bowens HC Blossburg Health Center 20 Jason Richards SSMH Nuclear Medicine 20 Karen Huffman SSMH Administration 20 Carletta Abdul-Rahmaan DPH Occupational Health 15 Robert Wheeland WRMC Surgical Services 15 Sherry Hyland WRMC Special Care Unit 15 Steven Johnson WRMC IT 15 Tammy Persun WRMC Progressive Care Unit 15 Marcia Harter DPH Breast Health Center 15 Marie Campbell SSMH Medical Units 15 Jeffrey Baker MVH Skilled Nursing & Rehab. Center 10 Cynthia O’Connor OFF Orthopedics 10 Debra Dietrich SSMH The Green Home 10 Erin Graves SSMH Radiology 10 John Boll, MD WRMC Williamsport Family Med. Res. 5 Heather Williamson WRMC Case Management 5 Diane Culbertson OFF Family Med. at Montoursville 5 Mary Bubb DPH Cancer Center 5 Kaylee Baker WRMC Medical/Surgical Unit 5 Tamra Wallace DPH Patient Finance Services 5 Mara Carpenter WRMC Anesthesiology 5 Rupa Porob MVH Skilled Nursing & Rehab. Center 5 Becky Shunk MVH Skilled Nursing & Rehab. Center 5 Shawna Foster DPH Cancer Center 5 Misty Forrest DPH Telehealth Triage 5 Alexis Taft SSMH Registration 5 Heather Fay SSMH Radiology 5 Amy Johnson SSMH Medical Units 5 Alexis Taft HC Elkland Health Center 5

Deadline for CURRENTS articles is noon each Wednesday a week prior to publication date.

Email articles to CURRENTS@susquehannahealth.org or interoffice mail to CURRENTS — WRMC/Marketing.

Preparing for Open Enrollment 2017Open Enrollment is fast approaching, and the Benefits staff wants to help you prepare. Here are some important factors to keep in mind as we near open enrollment:

Benefit Meetings

Meetings will be held on the following dates, so mark your calendars. It is imperative to attend a meeting to learn how benefits will change on July 1, 2017.

Soldier & Sailors Memorial Hospital Monday, April 24 and Friday, May 5

Williamsport Regional Medical CenterTuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26Tuesday, May 2 and Thursday, May 4

Divine Providence HospitalThursday, April 27 and Monday, May 1

Muncy Valley HospitalFriday, April 28 and Wednesday, May 3

Benefit Material

Communications regarding benefit material will be available through the following methods: emails, CURRENTS, and the Human Resources intranet page – under News and Documents – Benefits.

Be sure to check weekly to learn about the benefits starting on July 1.

Enrollment

Who Must Complete Enrollment?• All employees who work in a budgeted FTE of 0.5 to 1.0

When Do We Enroll?• Complete your online enrollment from May 8 – 19

Where Do We Enroll?• Through Employee Self-Service on the intranet

Why Must We Enroll?• Verify dependent eligibility• Remove ineligible dependents• Add eligible dependents• Select ‘No Coverage’ for each benefit you do not want.• Add a Health Savings Account• Change the contribution amount for your Health Savings Account

What If We Do Not Enroll?• 0.9 to 1.0 staff will default to single coverage in the High Deductible Plan with no other benefits•0.5 to .89 staff will have no benefits

Employee Self-Service

Can’t remember your password to access Employee Self Service? Don’t wait until you are trying to complete your benefits to log in. Contact the Benefits staff in Human Resources and have your password reset now. This way, you are ready to go when enrollment opens on May 8.

Students Raise Funds for Cancer Patient Care Bags

Students participating in the Key Club at South Williamsport Jr/Sr High School recently raised funds used to purchase Tricia’s Totes, which are care totes for patients at the Cancer Center at Divine Providence Hospital.

The reusable totes are filled with products for use during cancer treatments, including warm socks, soft blankets, snacks and more. Tricia’s Totes owner Tricia Corbin, a breast cancer survivor who received treatment at the Cancer Center at DPH, creates each tote individually to help others during their cancer journey.

Weight Loss Challenge Update & StandingsThe results of the second weigh-in are in. Here are the top 10 teams for each category:

Top 10 Pounds Lost1. The Fat & The Furious – SSMH2. Calorie Crusaders – MVH3. Tachycardie Take Down – WRMC4. The Beast and the Beautie – MVH5. Cell-U-Light – DPH6. In IT to Win IT! – WRMC7. Fat Flaming Flubbers – Duboistown8. Waisting Away – SSMH9. From Heffers to Hotties – WRMC10. Keeping Up with the Lardashians – SSMH

Top 10 Percent Body Fat1. The Fat & The Furious – SSMH2. Cake Walk – WRMC3. Thighsman Trophies – WRMC4. The Stream Team – DPH5. Fat Busters – SSMH6. Cell-U-Light – DPH7. The Beast and the Beautie – MVH8. In IT to Win IT! – WRMC9. Chubs A’Hoy – MVH10. From Heffers to Hotties – WRMC

Teams are reminded to have all team members participate in the final weigh-out (April 11–14) in order to qualify for overall prizes.

Also, teams may share their successes, photos and more on the Employee Health Facebook group. Let us know what has been working for your team (healthy lunches, group exercise classes, walks at lunch, etc.) as the third weigh-ins approach.

For SaleAntique dresser with mirror, girl’s Diamondback bike, extra-large handmade TV stand with built-in storage, antique dove-tailed wood tool box, small wooden treasure chest, and 12,500 BTU window AC unit. Call Sharon at 570-916-3111.

Mikasa China (Pattern- Princess (6169)): Pattern has been retired, but pieces can be found on Mikasa website. Service for 12 includes: plates; salad/dessert plates (small and large); soup bowls; dessert/vegetable bowls; cups and saucers; two serving bowls; two platters (oval and round); gravy boat; sugar and creamer; and casserole with lid. All pieces are in mint condition. Call Ashley at 570-337-1406.

NordicTrack X9i incline trainer purchased in 2013 and in excellent condition. Owner’s manual included. Also included is the extended service plan from Universal Technical Service, which has labor through 2019 and parts through 2022 with in-home service. Connect to iFIT through WiFi to walk trails, streets, or paths around the world. Can be delivered locally if you can help lift, load, and unload (unit is heavy). Call Susan at 570-660-5055.

Looking ForHome Care & Hospice is looking for used HP and Sharp printer cartridges as well as any unused cartridges or ink jets. Cartridges are being collected as a fundraiser for the Shirati Partnership. Please send to Shelly K., Home Care & Hospice at DPH, via inter-office mail.

A Day to Say Thank You to Your Doctors, CaregiversUPMC Susquehanna doctors share in their patients’ most profound moments—welcoming a new life, gaining control over chronic pain, navigating a life-threatening illness, or comforting patients and their families at life’s end. Many of those physicians would tell you that the most gratifying aspect of their work is the thanks they receive from their patients.

Please join us in celebrating Doctors’ Day by expressing your gratitude to a doctor or caregiver who has made an impact on your life, personally or professionally, with a note and/or donation in his or her honor.

Your note of appreciation will be delivered to your physician on Doctors’ Day, and any note received after March 30 will be given to him or her as each one is received.

Visit UPMCSusquehanna.org/DoctorsDay, or call the Foundation at 570-320-7460 to honor your provider today.

Safety Team Hosts Lunch-and-LearnsUPMC Susquehanna’s service partner safety team is offering a series of “Back Pain — Where is the pain coming from?” lunch-and-learns. During the lunch-and-learns, Stephen Heffner, DC, Diplomate MDT, will discuss typical, sustained and repetitive movement directions in a work day and at leisure that can cause pain, along with treatment and prevention for back issues and pain, the difference between sprains and strains, easy 10-second warning signs to head off back injury incidents, and the UPMC Susquehanna Spinal Wellness Program.

The free luncheons are open to all service partners. No sign up is required. Cafeteria passes will be available at the event location. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the program start time if you plan to pick up your lunch.

Schedule

Wednesday, March 22 — Pine Grove Room, SSMH 11:15 – 11:45 am 12 – 12:30 pm 12:45 – 1:15 pm

Thursday, March 23 — Multi-Purpose Room, MVH 11:15 – 11:45 am 12 – 12:30 pm 12:45 – 1:15 pm

Thursday, April 6 — Conference Room AB, WRMC 11:15 – 11:45 am 12 – 12:30 pm 12:45 – 1:15 pm

Patient of Dr. Christopher Domarew

“ “Thank you for the thoughtful and caring way you minister to me, your patient. You listen and encourage along with the

medical care. Your service is ‘above and beyond’ the norm, and I appreciate you.