T.J. Samson | Destination Health | February 2020

Thyroid disorders Focus on the neck Sitting at the base of your neck is a small gland that can cause big trouble if it’s not working right. The thyroid makes hormones that control how fast your body burns calories and how fast your heart beats. If the gland produces too much—or too little—of these hormones, it can set off a long list of health problems. THE HIGHS AND LOWS When the thyroid is overactive—when it makes too many hormones—it’s called hyperthyroidism. Someone with an overactive thyroid may have signs or symptoms such as: Weight loss. Diarrhea. Intolerance to heat. Increased sweating. Anxiety. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is underactive—makes too few hormones. It may trigger, among other things: Weight gain. Depression. Dry skin and hair. Constipation. Intolerance to cold. Tell your doctor if you think your thyroid is out of whack. He or she may order tests to check your thyroid hormone level. Your doctor will likely also feel your neck for nodules (lumps in the gland). Most thyroid nodules are harmless, but some can be cancerous. Depending on the results of your tests, your doctor may want you to: Take medicine to balance the amount of thyroid hormones in your body. Be treated with radioactive iodine, which will damage or destroy the cells that make thyroid hormones. Sources: Hormone Health Network; Office on Women’s Health Wellness T.J. Samson Community Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Associa- tion’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Stroke Ready Certification. T.J. Samson Community Hospital under- went a rigorous on-site review in 2019. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer with extensive clinical experience in acute stroke diagnosis and management evaluated com- pliance with related certification standards— including program design and management, as well as policies and procedures, to facilitate guideline-based assessment and treatment. The reviewer conducted on-site observations and interviews with T.J. Samson physicians, nurses and patient care services staff as part of the evaluation process. “Acute Stroke Ready Certification recog- nizes health care organizations committed to fostering continual quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, Chief Operating Officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend T.J. Samson for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its pro- gram structure and management framework for stroke patients.” “We congratulate T.J. Samson for this out- standing achievement,” says Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.” As part of the certification process, a multidisciplinary team of physicians; nurses; rehabilitation specialists; EMS providers; patient care services, such as radiology staff; and administrators prepared for more than a year to submit required materials, evaluate processes and ensure that all quality stan- dards were met at the highest level. Program leadership includes Ashley Gallagher, RN, Stroke Coordinator; Sundown Clark, MHCM, BSN, RN, ER Nursing Director; Kara Gilkey, MD, ER Director; and Eric Fisher, MD, Acute Stroke Ready Medical Director. “This is exciting news for our organiza- tion, and it’s a testament to our mission of providing exceptional health care in our community,” says Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health. “This is the result of an excellent team effort, and it is a spec- tacular accomplishment for our growing health system.” T.J. Samson Community Hospital awarded Acute Stroke Ready Certification Are you ready for winter storms? Snow can be beautiful. But a serious winter storm can put everyone in danger. Read these tips to prepare. Gather supplies Think of what you and your family might need if you’re with- out power for several days. Does anyone take medications? Do you have pets? Think of what they may need too. And be sure you have extra batteries for things like flashlights. Keep your home safe When considering alternative heat and light sources: ■  ■ Don’t turn on the stove to heat your home. Instead, wrap yourself in extra blankets, a sleeping bag or a warm winter coat. Or use a space heater or a fireplace that is up to code. ■  ■ Keep electric space heaters at least 3 feet away from cur- tains, furniture or bedding. Use a space heater with automatic shut-off switches and nonglowing elements, and don’t cover it. ■  ■ Never leave children alone near a space heater. ■  ■ Don’t burn paper in a fireplace. ■  ■ If the lights go out, use battery-powered flashlights or lan- terns. If you must use candles, never leave lit ones unattended. ■  ■ If you use a generator, locate it at least 20 feet from any win- dow, door or vent and where it is protected from rain and snow. Protect your water supply Water pipes in a home can freeze and sometimes break. When the weather report calls for freezing temperatures: ■  ■ Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously. ■  ■ Keep temperatures inside your house warm. ■  ■ Open cabinet doors beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks so heated air can reach the pipes. ■  ■ If your pipes do freeze, thaw them slowly with a hair dryer—don’t thaw them with a torch. February 2020 5