Our plans to meet your future health needs p2 Get the best start for your baby p4 SPRING 2023 STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY. STATE-OF-THE-HEART CARE.
2 Central Peninsula Hospital Shaun Keef, CEO Central Peninsula Hospital A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Planning for the future Photo by Jennifer Taylor Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) has always been committed to providing quality health care to the patient population it serves. As part of this ongoing commitment, CPH is looking into future needs, as residents look to stay close to home for their health care. This past fall, CPH conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to gain a better understanding of the health care needs of the community. This assessment serves as an important tool for identifying needs from the patients’ perspectives. The CHNA was conducted in collaboration with key local government officials, public health, medical providers and other stakeholders, as well as the general public. The survey process involved collecting data on a range of health indicators, including rates of chronic diseases, access to care and mental health. The results of the CHNA showed top-ranking perceived challenges: mental health, substance abuse, lifestyle issues (nutrition, obesity, diabetes and tobacco use), injury or violence, heart disease, and stroke. The data also identified barriers to accessing primary care, such as a shortage of health care providers and mental health options. In response to the findings of the CHNA, CPH will be updating its strategic plan and initiating a Master Planning Project to focus on these challenges and improve the future health care and mental health of the patient population. Like the CHNA, the Master Planning process will involve key stakeholders within the community to ensure continued collaboration. CPH is committed to working closely with the community throughout the Master Planning Project to ensure that it meets the needs of the community and improves the health of its residents. Through this collaboration, the hospital hopes to make a meaningful impact on the health of the community and build a brighter, healthier future for all. This Master Planning exercise should lead to the development of new programs, appropriate facilities and services aimed at improving access to care and addressing key health needs. CPH continues to work, both collaboratively and proactively, to address the health care and mental health needs of the community it serves. By working closely with the community and investing in programs, facilities and services aimed at improving access to care and promoting healthy behaviors, CPH is positioned to make a long-term positive impact on the health of our community. Shaun
PULSE Spring 2023 3 Central Peninsula Hospital is pleased to announce that Blood Bank of Alaska is working toward establishing a fixed site in Soldotna in 2023. Its team is currently scouting potential locations for a permanent site to provide easy access to donation for residents 365 days a year. The goal is to have a fixed site up and running in July 2023. In addition, through the generous donation of ConocoPhillips Alaska, Blood Bank of Alaska now has a new mobile coach. The new coach provides additional means for mobile blood drives throughout Alaska. Blood Bank of Alaska hopes to coordinate several drives this spring with its community partners. Blood donors are needed Blood donors on the Kenai Peninsula are a critical part of the donor community and save hundreds of lives each year. Blood Bank of Alaska and Central Peninsula Hospital are very grateful for your support, and both organizations look forward to having a permanent location in the Central Kenai Peninsula. Adding a new, permanent location will increase the availability of blood for all Alaskans. Patients at Central Peninsula Hospital depend on blood donations during lifethreatening situations. The end of 2022 and the beginning months of 2023 proved difficult for Central Peninsula Hospital, as we ran dangerously low on type O-negative blood. This is the universal blood type that can be given to anyone, no matter their blood type, without fear of causing a reaction in the patient’s immune system. Blood donation site coming this summer Permanent site will make life-giving donations easier Blood Bank of Alaska is the sole blood bank located in Alaska. Blood can be donated at centers in Anchorage, Wasilla, Fairbanks, Juneau and—coming soon—Soldotna! During hospital treatment, 1 in 7 patients will need blood. By donating blood, you could save as many as three lives. There is no substitute for blood. Ready to help save lives? To find out when the next blood drive near you will be happening, contact the Blood Bank of Alaska by calling 907-222-5630 or visiting bloodbankofalaska.org, or call Central Peninsula Hospital at 907-714-4404.
4 Central Peninsula Hospital Why? For starters: 1Prenatal care helps keep both of you healthy. Getting regular prenatal care can help prevent some pregnancy problems or catch them early, when they can be easier to treat. You’ll have several prenatal visits throughout your pregnancy. At each one, your health care provider will check to make sure you and your baby are healthy. 2Prenatal care helps you have a full-term baby. Moms-to-be who get regular checkups are also less likely to have low-birthweight babies. When babies are born too early or too small, it can cause health problems. 3You’ll get great advice. Did you know that you shouldn’t take very hot baths while pregnant? Prenatal visits provide opportunities to learn about many other important pregnancy do’s and don’ts, as well as all the ways you can keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy. For instance, you can learn about eating healthy foods, exercising, managing stress and gaining just the right amount of pregnancy weight. 4You’ll get the health screenings you need. Your provider can make sure you get the recommended tests for pregnant women. For instance, you might need blood and urine tests to look for treatable conditions like infections, anemia, pre-eclampsia (potentially dangerous high blood pressure during pregnancy) and gestational diabetes. 5You’ll learn your due date and hear that baby’s heartbeat! After about 10 weeks, you can listen to your baby’s heartbeat. At around 18 weeks, you may be able to learn from your first ultrasound if you’re having a girl or a boy, if you want to find out. We have providers who deliver— babies, that is. Call 907-714-4470 for a prenatal appointment. A healthy start for you and your baby Here’s one of the most important things you should do as soon as you learn you’re pregnant: Make an appointment for your first prenatal care checkup. It’s the health care you and your baby need right now and in the months ahead. Go early, go often You’ll likely see your provider about once a month at first and then once a week in the last part of your pregnancy. Your provider will give you a schedule of prenatal care visits. It’s important to go to all of them. Sources: March of Dimes; Office on Women’s Health 5 reasons you need prenatal care
PULSE Spring 2023 5 The Family Birthing Center at Central Peninsula Hospital offers expert, personalized care in a warm and welcoming environment. Our dedicated team of physicians, midwives and nurses is proud to offer you a variety of birthing options. Whether you plan an unmedicated delivery, medicated delivery or cesarean section, our family of physicians is readily available to meet your unique birthing needs. We are also proud to offer gentle cesarean sections and vaginal births after cesarean (VBACs) when appropriate. Designed for your comfort The Family Birthing Center is designed to meet the individual needs of parents and babies. Your labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) experience all takes place in the same room. The LDRP rooms offer homelike amenities, such as spacious soaking tubs and queen-sized Murphy beds. Infants are encouraged to room-in with their families; however, the nursery is available as needed. The Family Birthing Center is excited to now offer nitrous oxide for our expecting mothers. Nitrous oxide is a low-risk pain relief option that can be used during labor and after delivery. Talk with your doctor or care team today to see if nitrous oxide is an option for your upcoming labor experience. Skilled breastfeeding support The Family Birthing Center also has an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. Our lactation consultant can assist you one-on-one and offer advice about soreness, proper infant latching, pumping, bottle-feeding and returning to work, and she can provide overall support during your breastfeeding experience. Our lactation consultant also offers perinatal consultations for expecting patients who would like education on breastfeeding prior to their baby’s arrival. Give us a call! Interested in learning more about the Family Birthing Center at Central Peninsula Hospital? Call 907-714-4470 today to learn about the services provided and upcoming birth education classes or to schedule a tour of our facility. Ready for baby? We are!
6 Central Peninsula Hospital Tips for taming pollen allergies When you’re allergic to something in the air, it can be hard to get away from it. That’s what it’s like for the millions of people with seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever. Every spring, summer and fall, plants release tiny pollen grains into the air to fertilize their companion plants. Most of the allergy-causing pollen comes from trees, weeds and grasses. Once that pollen hits the air, it may trigger symptoms such as: ● A runny or stuffy nose. ● Itchy eyes, nose, ears and mouth. ● Red and watery eyes. ● Swelling around the eyes. ● Sneezing. ● Wheezing. Beat back pollen If you think you may have pollen allergies, your first step should be to see your primary care provider (PCP), who may refer you to an allergist. A skin-prick test can help reveal the exact pollens triggering your allergies. Your PCP or allergist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms or recommend allergy shots to train your body not to react to the allergens. In the meantime, try these tips to lessen your exposure to pollen and reduce your risk of a reaction: ● Start taking your allergy medicine before pollen season begins. ● Try not to spend too much time outside when pollen counts are high. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology lists daily nationwide pollen counts at aaaai.org. ● Wear sunglasses and a hat when you are outside to help keep pollen out of your eyes and off your hair. ● Keep windows closed at home and in your car during pollen season. ● Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer and not on an outdoor clothesline. Additional sources: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Try not to spend too much time outside when pollen counts are high. Sneezin’ and wheezin’?
PULSE Spring 2023 7 PULSE is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Central Peninsula Hospital, 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669, phone 907-714-4404, website cpgh.org. CEO: Shaun Keef External Affairs Director: Bruce Richards Information in PULSE comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please call 907-714-4600 or email marketing@cpgh.org. 2023 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Central Peninsula Hospital and its clinics (collectively “CPH”) comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Translation and other services are available to you, free of charge, by calling this number: 907-714-4404. Spring is the perfect time to do some much-needed house cleaning. Before you start, there are a few things you should know about spring cleaning safety. First of all, do you plan to clean, sanitize or disinfect the surfaces in your house? Keep these tips in mind: ● Cleaning removes most dirt and debris from surfaces. Clean a surface before moving on to sanitizing or disinfecting so the heavier cleaners can reach the germs. ● Sanitizing reduces germs on a cleaned surface. ● Disinfecting kills germs and may involve bleach cleaners or other heavyduty disinfecting products. Avoid using disinfectant sprays when children are present. Cleaning with disinfectants Bleach is a common cleaner that can sanitize or disinfect surfaces. As with any disinfectant, use it (and store it) with care. Never mix bleach or any bleach-containing products with ammonia. The resulting fumes can cause severe illness and death. When using any disinfectants, follow the label’s instructions and protect your skin and eyes from Spring cleaning safety tips contact with the cleaner. Use it in a ventilated area to help reduce the fumes. Keep safety in mind while you clean Chances are good that you already have some other handy cleaning items besides bleach. You can use soap and warm water to scrub away dirt and germs. Use baking soda for tougher scrubbing. Vinegar is also useful for cleaning. Remember to treat any cleaner with care. For example: ● Use caution, protection and ventilation when using all cleaners, even those that are marketed as green or natural. Treat them with the same respect you show for cleaners that you know to be toxic. ● Check the labels and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that you use the product correctly. ● Keep all cleaners out of reach to protect small children or pets. By taking these steps, you can help keep your home clean—and safe—this spring. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Standard U.S. Postage PAID WallaWalla,WA Permit No. 44 Stop the sneezin’ this season! Have allergies? Learn how to find relief. See page 6. Need a network doctor?We can help. Search for a provider online at cpgh.org. Age Tests forWOMEN CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA. Be screened through age 24 if sexually active. 18 BLOOD PRESSURE. Be screened every 3 to 5 years. Those at increased risk for high blood pressure should be screened yearly. 21 CERVICAL CANCER. Have a Pap test every 3 years. 25 CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA. Continue screening if at increased risk for infection. 30 CERVICAL CANCER. Have a Pap test every 3 years, a high-risk HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test plus a highrisk HPV test every 5 years.* 35 DIABETES. Start screening based on risk factors. 40 BLOOD PRESSURE. Be screened yearly. CHOLESTEROL. Start screening based on risk factors. 45 COLORECTAL CANCER. Talk with your doctor about screening options. 50 BREAST CANCER. Be screened every 2 years (or start earlier based on risk factors). LUNG CANCER. Be screened yearly based on your history of smoking. 65 OSTEOPOROSIS. Start screening (or start earlier based on risk factors). *Women older than 65 may safely stop testing if they meet certain criteria. Age Tests for MEN 18 BLOOD PRESSURE. Be screened every 3 to 5 years. Those at increased risk for high blood pressure should be screened yearly. 35 DIABETES. Start screening based on risk factors. 40 BLOOD PRESSURE. Be screened yearly. CHOLESTEROL. Start screening based on risk factors. 45 COLORECTAL CANCER. Talk with your doctor about screening options. 50 LUNG CANCER. Be screened yearly based on your history of smoking. 55 PROSTATE CANCER. Ask your doctor about screening. 65 ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM. Be screened once between ages 65 and 75 if you’ve ever smoked. When to start key screenings The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends the following guidelines for most women and men. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you.
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