Race For The Cure BBQ

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services raised $2,275 for the Race For The Cure Team Penrose during a fundraiser BBQ July 10 at Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center. Thank you to Nutrition Services for donating and preparing the food. 

The Colorado Springs Race For The Cure is Sept. 13 at the Garden of the Gods Park. 

Join team penrose at WWW.KOMENCS.ORG and walk, run or sleep for the cure. This year, Team Penrose would like to honor the memory of Penrose-St. Francis employee Jo Hyland, who passed away in January. Please pledge your support and honor Jo or someone dear to your heart who has been challenged by this disease.

More fundraisers include a Jean's Day Aug. 14 and Root Beer Floats on sale Sept. 11.  These fund raisers will be held at all three campuses.

If you are a breast cancer survivor, and want to share your story, please contact Gail Decker at 776-6621.

News Briefs

BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTH FAIRS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 
Mission Outreach/Faith Community Nurses are gearing up for the two big Back to School Health Fairs/Immunization Clinics of the season! Consider offering your services to one of these two events. PSF brings a Childhood Immunization clinic to each of these events, plus a Health Risk Assessment to the Northern Churches Care Fair. There are also opportunities for providers and nurses in the areas of school physicals.  For more information or to volunteer, Contact Cyndy Wacker at 571-1113 or email cynthiawacker@centura.org.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Centura Health is offering up to 30 Healing Ministry Scholarships to associates who wish to pursue “high need” jobs within Centura. Applications will be accepted now through July 31. The “high need” jobs include nursing, clinical technicians, therapists, pharmacists, and many more. To see the full list, see the instructions below for accessing the information on My Virtual Workplace. To apply, download and print the application, then submit it via e-mail to CENTURASCHOLARSHIPS@CENTURA.ORG or fax 303-804-8234. Once an application has been submitted, a confirmation will be sent to the associate. If the confirmation is not received, the associate should e-mail CENTURASCHOLARSHIPS@CENTURA.ORG. For more information, please contact Andrea Carter at 303-804-8256 or ANDREACARTER@CENTURA.ORG.

LIVER LIFE WALK-Aug. 15, Memorial Park 
On Aug. 15, members of the community will come together to participate in the Liver Life Walk, a fun, 5K walk event benefiting the American Liver Foundation. During this 5K walk around Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, participants will walk for the more than 30 million Americans, including children, who are affected by one of more than 100 diseases of the liver. As a proud sponsor of this event, we invite you to walk with us as part of the Penrose-St. Francis Liver Life Walk Team. It’s easy to join or make a donation – just visit the Penrose Team website http://go.liverfoundation.org/goto/penrose. Or form a team of your own and engage your friends, family, or company in this cause too. Contact the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Liver Foundation for more information or for assistance with registration and setting up a personal team Webpage – lkarpiel@liverfoundation.org or 303.988.4388. Visit http://www.liverfoundation.org for more information.

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SET Family Medical Clinics, a local 501(c)(3)non-profit organization, is hosting a Family Market Fundraiser Aug. 29, at Penrose-St. Francis Health Center located at 825 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Garage sale items and volunteers are needed for the event. Donations are tax deductible. Bring donations to the SET office at 825 East Pikes Peak Ave, Bldg. 29 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opportunities are available for anyone willing to help too. To volunteer or for more information, please call 776-8850.  Or visit the website at www.setofcs.org.

TEMPORARY 7TH FLOOR RELOCATION
The unit and patients on the 7th floor at Penrose Hospital are temporarily moved to the 10th floor. The move allows a thorough cleaning and revamp of the 7th floor, including new carpet. The plan is to relocate back by the end of June. Incoming calls to the 7th floor will be automatically forwarded to the 10th floor. Please help get the word out to customers about the temporary relocation. For questions, please contact Rose Ann Moore at 776-5802.

HR AT PENROSE HOSPITAL
The PSF Human Resources Department is delayed in moving back to Penrose Hospital. In the meantime, HR is offering onsite support hours Mondays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. HR representatives will be located in the PH Wellness Center in the E-Tower basement. For questions or more information, please contact Gary Morse at 776-4782 or Cecilia Peat at 776-4785.

ASSOCIATE REMINDERS
• HR forms and policies can be found on DocuShare through “My Virtual Workplace” web site.
• All job postings and applications are online at http://www.penrosestfrancis.org
• Associates who need a computer for compliance training purposes, may contact Education Resources at 776-5186. They have a computer located in a private area. 

Operation Medicine Roundup
July 22 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Penrose Health Learning Center, 1644 Medical Center Point. Never trash or flush medications! Instead, bring them to Operation Medicine Roundup™. Join us in protecting seniors from accidentally using expired medications as well as safeguarding them from the potential theft of medications from their homes. All medications are incinerated at high temperatures that can destroy up to 99.9 percent of all hazardous elements. Help us to protect our water supply and the environment. Here’s all you need to do: 1. Remove pills from bottles and place in resealable plastic bag. 2. Liquids may stay in original containers with labels removed or marked out. Place bottles in resealable bag. We will also be collecting used needles and inhalers. For more information, please call Home Instead at 534-0908.

Heart Walk

2009 PSF Start! Heart Walk Team Gave Generously from the Heart!

Congratulations to more than 72 Penrose-St. Francis walkers who showed their support for the 2009 Start! Heart Walk June 20 at Cordera.  Participants walked the 5K course, enjoyed heart healthy refreshments, music, and activities.

This year’s American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk involved many PSF associates and active demos took place at the PSF “Make a Pledge” tent. The energizing early morning Nia demo led by LaSheryl Olson and Jane Mapson was a big hit. 

Next, our very own Margaret Sabin, PSF President & CEO, led the group in an invigorating and lively boot camp demo. Just before walk time, Judy Flaherty from the Health Learning Center demonstrated dynamic stretching. Many thanks to all of these wonderful instructors for helping us get our bodies moving!

In addition, body mass index assessments were offered by Christine Vandenburg from Cardiac Rehab and heart health information was shared by Keathe Hanley, Director of Cardiology.

Kim Miller from the American Heart Association also honored Penrose-St. Francis Club HIIP with the “Fit Friendly” Platinum Achievement Award.

Kudos to our fabulous team of 72 walkers who together raised more than $4000. Thank you to all who participated in Jeans Day or purchased a cute heart-themed pillow, Red Dress pin, dancing bear, or ice-cream cone. Special thanks to Julie Cox, PSF Marketing, for her help with the various fundraisers.

The top individual fundraiser was Michelle Somers, Club HIIP, who raised more than $700. Overall the fundraising effort was marvelous and the outcome was tremendous!

Thank you for giving from your heart to the American Heart Association. Let’s do it again next year!

Congratulations to our PSF Team Captain, Michelle Somers from Club HIIP, for spearheading this event and her terrific organizing and fundraising abilities!

Medicine Roundup

No One Dies Alone

Ask anyone what he or she most fears about dying and the universal response is usually dying in pain and dying alone.  We all wish for a painless death in the presence of someone who cares.

But what happens to the person who has outlived his family and friends, or the lone traveler who comes to Penrose-St. Francis after an accident?  What of the individual who comes here from a place such as the Rescue Mission, who—by choice or circumstances—has lived life away from family and mainstream society? 

Mother Teresa said, “No one should die alone….each human should die with the sight of a loving face.” 

We can provide companionship to patients in the dying process who are truly alone, and in so doing, provide the gift of respect and dignity to another human being at the end of life. 

Through the efforts of volunteers, No One Dies Alone provides a reassuring presence to dying patients who would otherwise be alone.  This program is for patients who are expected to die within 48-72 hours and have no friends or family locally or who have no family involved or present. 

Each patient is assessed to determine if they meet referral criteria for the program and then a vigil is activated by contacting the No One Dies Alone Vigil Coordinator.  The coordinator then creates a schedule of coverage for the patient, attempting to provide a companion for as many hours as possible.

Volunteer criteria
Only current Penrose-St. Francis employees and active volunteers with at least three months of service can serve as “compassionate companions.” 

Volunteers will attend a one-time orientation session.  Topics include the referral process and criteria, palliative and comfort care, the role and appropriate activities, employee volunteer policy and standard precautions, confidentiality, patient rights and ethics.

Volunteer Process
• Volunteers will call before coming to the hospital to ensure that the patient is still there and no family is present. 
• Upon arrival on nursing unit, they will introduce themselves to staff and proceed to patient’s room.
• Volunteers will not perform or assist in any usual and customary patient care done by medical personnel, but may help in any way the staff requests, as long as the task is something the volunteer is comfortable with, has been trained to do, and it doesn’t endanger their physical or emotional well-being.
• During the vigil, they will act as a friend to the patient…..they may read to them, converse with them, play music for them……whatever is within the patient’s wishes. 
• They will observe the patient for signs of discomfort and report this or any change in condition to staff. 
• If family arrives, they will exit quietly and gracefully, and let vigil coordinator and nursing staff know of this development. 
• The volunteer will notify staff when they leave, and if known, when to expect another companion to arrive.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Ginny Vravick, Palliative Care CNS, 719-776-5646, virginiavravick@centura.org, or Theresa Gregoire, Chaplain, 719-776-2682, theresagregoire@centura.org.

Christmas In July

Santa Claus donated blood platelets at the Penrose Hospital Blood Bank July 6. 

Jerry Julian, AKA Santa, is a long time donor with Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.  To date he has donated over 13 gallons of live-saving platelets.

Platelets, which are found in blood plasma, are used by the body as part of the clotting process when an injury occurs.  Typically, platelets are used to treat trauma accident victims and cancer patients, who may have low platelets due to treatment.  

Unfortunately, once platelets are drawn, they are only good for five days, so a continuous supply is needed.  Although platelets are always in demand, during the summer the need usually increases due to higher trauma needs.  

Rotator Cuff Class

The Julie Penrose Health Education & Research Center in joint sponsorship with the Penrose-St. Francis Health Services Department of Medical Education are presenting Contemporary Treatment of Rotator Cuff Injury: What Does the Orthopedic Surgeon Do?

The class is July 23, 7 to 9:45 a.m. at the Julie Penrose Health Education & Research Center located at 6071 E. Woodman Road, Suite 220, NorthCare Medical Office Building at the St. Francis Medical Center Campus.

Presenters include Dr. Allan Bach, Hand & Upper Extremity Specialist; Dr. Patrick Devanny, Hand & Upper Extremity Specialist; Dr. James Duffey, Total Joint Specialist; Dr. Christopher Jones, Sports Medicine Specialist; and Dr. Richard Stockelman, Sports Medicine Specialist.

Many providers have difficulty in recognizing and understanding the problems associated with the “Rotator Cuff Deficient Shoulder.” Delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment will result in increased morbidity and drastically reduce quality of outcomes. The goal of the class is to help providers recognize a problem with a deficient rotator cuff in order to prevent inappropriate or delayed treatment, obtain key diagnostic data related to shoulder problems to correctly identify the shoulder deficit, and to inspire confidence in recognizing and initiating treatment for rotator cuff problems.

To register, use the attached registration form, or contact Michelle DeGeorge, JP-HERC Administrator at 484-8833 or via email at mdegeorge@jpherc.org.  The deadline to register is July 20.

JPHERC Shoulder CME Registration Flyer.pdf

Going Green

Within the past few weeks Penrose-St. Francis has received a tremendous amount of feedback on why Penrose-St. Francis Health Services does not recycle. 

Recycling is not the only process to become environmentally friendly.  In fact, to become environmentally friendly everyone should practice the “3R’s:” Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  PSF is practicing Reducing and Reusing.

Recycling is perhaps the most inefficient and expensive way in protecting our environment.   In addition to the inefficiency and expense our organization would incur, we would also have to address other issues such as storage and regulatory compliance.  After reviewing all of this information our organization has elected to pursue the first two R’s (Reducing & Reusing) in protecting the environment.

But you can make a difference!   Be conscious of your carbon footprint.  Here are some things you can do to reduce it:

- Don't use resources you don't really need.  
- Drink out of reusable containers.  Eliminate plastic water bottles.  They are bad for the environment and research is increasingly showing that they are bad for you!
- Buy supplies for your home in bulk.  This eliminates environmentally costly packaging.
- Eliminate Styrofoam from your life and from the earth.
- Use inexpensive or free community recycling for home.

News you can use...

• One-quarter of all car trips are less than two miles.  A 3-kilometer walk uses up about half the energy in a small bar of chocolate.  The same distance by car expends 10 times as much energy but from the wrong source.  Chocolate can always be produced, but oil reserves are finite.  (Courtesy, The Guardian)

• Less than one trip in 100 is by bicycle.  If that ratio were raised to one-and-a-half trips per 100 – which is less than one bike trip every two weeks for the average person – the U.S. would save more than 462 million gallons of gas per year.  That equates to one day each year the U.S. would not need foreign oil.  (Courtesy, Bicycle Retailer)

• Bottled water costs almost more than 2,000 times more than tap water, but people continue to buy it.  Bottled water is regulated by the FDA, which does not require companies to disclose sources, use certified labs, or report failures of water quality tests.  The EPA mandates that public water systems do all of those, and more.  (Source, FOX News)

SET Senior Symposium

Heart Training

The clinical staff of the Cath/EP labs recently held a class on heart dissection using fetal porcine (pig) hearts, in order to more fully understand the ramifications of the procedures they carry out. 

Pig hearts were chosen for this because they most closely resemble human hearts.
 
The class was held June 25 in the lab's break room and was attended by about 20 people, including electrophysiologists, nurses and technicians.
 
The continuing education event was sponsored by vendor St. Jude Medical.

Cafeteria Menu

For the SFMC menu, please call the daily menu phone line 571-1001.

Penrose Hospital daily lunch menu.

NOTE:  The Penrose Hospital cafeteria hot line will be closed for construction.  A temporary hot line will be in place by the cashier stand, however hot choices will be limited. The salad bar, sandwich bar, and grab and go cooler will remain open and accessible. Construction is anticipated to last six to eight weeks.  Nutrition Services will host an outdoor BBQ every Friday during the construction.

TODAY
Breakfast: Eggs Florentine & Mornay Sauce; Lunch: Baked Potato Bar, Chicken Fried Steak, BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs, Cherry Pineapple White Cake

TUESDAY
Breakfast: Sausage, Egg & Cheese McMuffin; Lunch: Beef Taco Bowl, Tri-Pepper Chicken Fajitas, Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings, Warm Blueberry Crunch

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos; Lunch: Glazed Salmon, Curry Chicken Breast, BBQ Beef Brisket, Homemade Apple Strudel

THURSDAY
Breakfast: Belgium Waffles; Lunch: Beer Battered Cod, Beef Pepper Steak over Rice, Country Fried Chicken, Triple Berry Granola Crisp

FRIDAY
Breakfast: Green Chili Cheese Omelet; Lunch: Outdoor BBQ - Beef Brisket, Hamburgers, BBQ Chicken on Bone, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Cookies, Asst Chips, Lemonade, Iced Tea, Indoor - Corned Beef & Cabbage, Lemon Caper Mahi Mahi, Roast Turkey

SATURDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza; Lunch: Red Hook Fried Shrimp, Turkey Pot Pie, Meat Lasagna & Garlic Bread, Blueberry Cherry Cobbler

SUNDAY
Breakfast: Belgium Waffles; Lunch: Country Fried Chicken, Meatball Hoagie, Macaroni & Cheese, Apple Dumplings

HIIP News

LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN: “New Club HIIP Program for Fiscal Year 2010”
Come celebrate the end of Club HIIP Fiscal Year 2009 and find out about the exciting programs and classes to come with a Potluck Party. We will have a surprise guest! Exciting new Incentive!
*If you are willing to bring something, pick up a sign-up form and enjoy lunch!
 July 28, SFHC/5th Floor Summit Room, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.
 July 28, ASC/2nd Floor Breakroom, 2:05 - 2:45 p.m.
 July 29, SFMC/Northcare Bldg 2nd Floor Julie Penrose Center, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.
 July 30, PH/E-Tower Basement Gala Room, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.

LIGHTEN UP COLORADO: FUN RUN/WALK
Did you know that as a Lighten Up Colorado participant, you receive FREE entry into the
5K Run/Walk at the State Games of America on August 2? Go Team PSF!  This is for fun and a good way to show your team spirit to get us all ready for the games!
We will meet at the PH E-Tower Valet, and then proceed out for a 5K run/walk around the local neighborhood. ALL FITNESS LEVELS WELCOME!!!
Wednesday from 7-7:45 a.m.
July 23 from 4:30-5:15 p.m.

PSF EXTENDED FITNESS CLASSES
Pick up a schedule at HIIP Wall pockets at all sites for registration form
Penrose Hospital
BOSU-Ball-Bootcamp (B3): Starts Tuesday from 6:15-7 a.m. in the PH/ E-Tower Aerobics Rm for 6 wks
NIA: Sess 1: Starts Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks
Yoga For a Healthy Back 1: Starts Tuesday from 5:15-6:30 p.m. PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 wks
Yoga: Sess 1: Starts Thursday 16 from 5:15-6:30 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks

WELLNESS CENTER ORIENTATIONS
Please register for the orientations via HealthCalc on My Virtual Workplace or call 776-5839, ext 2.
SFMC Wellness Center- Thursday at 5 p.m.
SFHC Wellness Center- Friday at 12 p.m.
PH Wellness Center- July 21 at 4 p.m.
Anyone over 40 years old must have a physician’s form signed giving permission to use Wellness Centers.
*SFMC Wellness Center Orientations: Please note that if you used to have access to the PCH Wellness Center, you must attend an orientation at SFMC in order to gain access to that facility.

WALKING CLUBS
PH Walking Club: Every Thursday at 7:15-7:50 a.m. outside of valet. Contact Michelle Somers x5034
SFHC Walking Club:  Every Monday at 11:30 a.m. outside of the Foundation building. Contact Tracy x7085
SFMC Walking Club:  Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. meet outside 1st floor/valet entrance- Winter season- the group will walk the stairs indoors. Contact Rox x11064

Health Learning Center

All classes require pre-registration / cancellation a minimum of 24 hours prior. A $20 no show fee will be billed to the participant if registration not cancelled 24 hours in advance. To register or for more information, please call the Penrose Health Learning Center at 776-3600. 

T’ai Chi – A form of ancient Chinese martial arts that works to improve body awareness, strength and coordination.  Monthly, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning the first Tuesday of each month 9 to 10 a.m. Aug. 4-27; Sept. 1-24. The cost is $40 for the 4-week session.

Basic Weight Training For All Ages - A wonderful strength and conditioning class for the entire family.  This class will challenge all fitness levels with its varied class format of circuits, resistance training, and core stability training. One hour twice per week for 4-weeks. The class is Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 3-26, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  The cost is $40 for the 4-week session.

Essential Core Training - Core strength and stability is essential in maintaining functional ability for activities of daily living.  Core training is not just sit ups and crunches but incorporates stability muscles from your chest to your knees to create a foundation for all movement.  Come and join us for great workouts and “take home” information, Thursdays, Aug 6-27, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.  The cost is $30.

Meditation – A body friendly meditation style using holistic movements and music to promote relaxation. The class will help you to quiet your inner dialog, reach a relaxed body and peaceful state of mind. Class is Wednesdays, Sept. 2-23, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $30.

New! Cover Your Knees – “Cover Your Knees” is a special program being offered this fall to teach girls, their parents and coaches about preventing knee injuries. The program includes an overview of anatomy and risk factors, physical assessments for attending athletes as well as a participatory warm-up and conditioning program. Teams are welcome; parent or coach must accompany the athlete. Appropriate for ages 10-18. An orthopedic doctor, physical therapist, recreational therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist will present. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $5.  

New! Resistance Training with Bands – Resistance band training is a unique resistance training method that may easily be accomplished at home or work with very little space and just a few varied tensions of bands.  Join us for this creative class that will provide exercises and direction for your mobile training system.  Monday, Sept. 14, 5:30 to 7 p.m.  The cost is $20.

New!  Stretching – If you are like most of us, you were taught the importance of stretching back in grade school.  Science, however, has moved on.  Come learn the latest techniques on effective stretching and how it can improve your overall fitness.   Mondays, Sept. 14-28, 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. The cost is  $23 for 3-weeks. 

Aquatics Classes – The Penrose Health Learning Center in cooperation with Colorado Sports and Spine. A structured class two to three times per week, concentrating on range of motion, overall strengthening and general cardiovascular conditioning.  All Aquatics classes are located at 1625 Medical Center Point (Union and Templeton Gap).  The cost is $46 per month for 2x / week or $66 per month for 3x / week.
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Monday/Wednesday: 5-6 p.m.
- Monday/Friday: 12:30-1:30 p.m
- Tuesday/Thursday: 8:30-9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:30-1:30 p.m.