March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, United Memorial urges men and women over aged 50 to get screened for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States, excluding skin cancers, and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in New York State. Approximately, 11,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year in New York, and 4,000 men and women die from the disease annually.
Colorectal Cancer is the term used for cancers that start in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer often starts as a small growth called a polyp, long before symptoms appear. A polyp is a non-cancerous growth of tissue or tumor that grows before cancer develops. A polyp grows on the lining of the colon or rectum and may change into cancer. “Screening tests can prevent cancer by finding it early when the chance of being cured is very good,” said Michael Merrill, MD, VP of Medical Affairs.
All men and women ages 50 and older should be screened for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer can affect anyone, men and women alike, and the risk only increases with age. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 90 percent of colon cancer cases occur in people aged 50 and older.
Some people are at greater risk for the disease than others, though, such as those with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, history of intestinal polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and people with a history of certain inherited diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer can be prevented or detected early through regular screening. United Memorial Medical Center urges you to lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer by:
Getting Screened - Begin regular screening at age 50. If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, or a personal history of another cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, talk to your health care provider about getting screened before age 50.
Eating Healthy - Enjoy a low-fat diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains from breads, cereals, nuts, and beans. Eat foods with folate such as green, leafy vegetables. A daily multivitamin containing .4mg of folic acid may also be helpful.
Kicking the Habit - If you use tobacco, quit. If you don't use tobacco, don't start.
Skipping the Alcohol - If you use alcohol, drink only in moderation. Alcohol and tobacco in combination are linked to colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers.
Getting Moving - Exercise for at least 20 minutes three to four days each week. Moderate exercise such as walking, gardening, or climbing may help reduce your risk.
“Talking with your healthcare provider is vital when it comes to preventing colorectal cancer, stressed Dr. Merrill, colorectal cancer is easily treated and often curable when detected early. The tests are often covered by Medicare and many health insurers.”
If you are uninsured or underinsured there is a program in this community that proviedes access to free colorectal cancer screening. Call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) to find the cancer screening program near you. For more information about colorectal cancer, contact the Genesee Orleans Cancer Partnership at (585)344-5497 or visit us on-line at www.ummc.org.
New Treatment Options for Incontinence, Kindey Stones and Enlarged Prostate
Urologist Ralph R. Madeb, MD will present new options available in Genesee County for the treatment of incontinence, kidney stones and enlarged prostate at a free community health talk on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:30 pm in the Healthy Living Classroom, 211 East Main Street, Batavia.
Dr. Madeb is a Clinical Urologist who practices in Batavia and a member of the United Memorial Medical Staff. He is an Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and Medical Director for the Telemedicine Unit of Rochester General Hospital. Dr. Madeb specializes in diseases of the Urinary System including prostate; kidney stones; overactive bladder; urinary incontinence; erectile dysfunction; urinary system cancer and other urologic conditions.
To reserve a seat at this free event, please contact (585) 344-5331. Light refreshments will be served.
(posted 03/13/09)
Diabetes Education Program at United Memorial Merits ADA Recognition
United Memorial Medical Center has been awarded the prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate from December 2008 through December 2011. This award indicates the hospital’s continued commitment in providing high-quality self-management education essential to effective diabetes treatment.
The Association’s Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. This recognition confirms that United Memorial maintains a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide patients with both diabetes management information and high-quality service.
The American Diabetes Association has determined that diabetes afflicts 20.8 million people; estimated at 7% of the United States population. While an estimated 14.6 million people have been diagnosed, 6.2 million are most likely unaware of even having this disease. Many will not initially learn of their diabetic condition until being treated for one of its several life-threatening complications – heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease and amputation.
With approximately 4,110 people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, the American Diabetes Associates forges ahead as the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting all important diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals and the public. The association’s web site – www.diabetes.org can be accessed online for further information. To inquire about United Memorial’s educational program on diabetes please call the Healthy Living Department at (585) 344-5331.
(posted 03/13/09)
Power Issues at United Memorial
Early this morning, United Memorial was made aware of potentially dangerous power issues at the North Street Campus. A transfer switch which allows approximately 75% of the Hospital’s electrical needs to move to generator power, failed.
While the Hospital was operational and functioning “on the grid” using regular electrical service, the lack of a redundancy system required the cancellation of all surgeries and placed the Emergency Department on diversion. All incoming ambulances were diverted to Millard Fillmore Suburban and other area hospitals.
In order to diagnose and correct the power issue, United Memorial went “off the grid” and was without power for approximately 16 minutes beginning at 12:20 pm today. This allowed crews to convert to a temporary manual switching system. In preparation for this event, United Memorial worked with the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, City of Batavia Fire and Police, and the Department of Health to insure patient safety. Mobile generators and temporary lighting were brought in for critical electrical power needs and an internal labor pool was established to address issues due to the lack of elevator and computer services. Quality Management discharged patients that were expected to go home today prior to the power interruption and patient meals were delivered before elevator services were disconnected. A notice was also sent to all members of the Medical Staff alerting them to the situation.
This afternoon, electrical crews worked to move two operating rooms off of the manual switching system over to an automatic transfer switch. In an unexpected power failure due to circumstances such as weather or an accident, this conversion will allow generator power to become effective in a matter of seconds, with a manual transfer to generator power, 3-5 minutes are necessary. This conversion was completed by 5:15 pm and the Hospital ended the diversion of ambulances. United Memorial is now operating at its regular capacity.
A permanent replacement of the faulty transfer switch should occur in the next 2-3 weeks when the customized part becomes available. There were no negative impacts to patient care during this incident and the Hospital would like to express their gratitude to the staff of United Memorial, the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, City of Batavia Fire and Police Departments, our patients and visitors who worked cooperatively with patience and understanding while we attended to a potential life safety issue.
(posted 02/13/09)
UMMC Nurse is President of State Association
Deborah Taylor, RN was recently elected as the President of the New York State Emergency Nurses Association (NYSENA). Debbie is a staff nurse in United Memorial’s Emergency Department. She has been employed with the Hospital since 1984. She and her husband, Jack, reside in Batavia.
*The NYS ENA is a non-profit state council of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). As a nationally chartered organization, NYSENA represents the interest of emergency nurses and their patients in the state of New York. New York holds the distinction of being the very first charter site of the national organization. The state council represents over two thousand emergency nurses interested in promoting improved emergency care throughout NYS. The dedicated efforts of its members in the area of public safety, continuing education, nursing research, and promotion of the profession serve to maintain quality of patient care and have a positive influence in the state.
(posted 01/31/09)
Physicians join United Memorial Medical Staff
The United Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors approved the addition of several physicians to the Medical Staff at their regular board meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2008.
Joining the United Memorial Medical Staff as Associates are Jerry Svoboda, MD a Vascular Surgeon with Rochester Vascular Surgery Associates; Anshu Bais, MD and Arun Raman, MD who specialize in Internal Medicine and have joined Genesee Hospitalists, LLC a group the hospital contracts with for 24 hour physician services for inpatients; Ralph Madeb, MD, a new Urologist establishing a practice in Genesee County; and Fadi Hatem, MD, Enzo Fallone, MD, Dawn Riedy, MD and JulieAnn Warner, MD-all from the Rochester General Hospital Department of Pathology providing pathology services for United Memorial.
Eric TenBrock, MD was credentialed to provide Provisional Consulting for Sleep Studies for United Memorial’s new Sleep Services program located at 229 Summit St., Batavia.
Additional credential providers include Sukhwinder Sandu, MD and Mark Wall, MD to provide on-call TeleRadiology service; Mary Traxler, GNP (General Nurse Practitioner) who joined the practice of Shoukri Wisa, MD; Crystal Crossett, RPA (Registered Physician’s Assistant) joining the practice of Pediatrician Lalit Jain, MD; and Nicholas Osborne, RPA of FDR Medical Services, the physician group providing Emergency Medicine services.
(posted 01/07/09)