BCH Nurses Certified as Diabetes Lifestyle Coaches

Announcement, Community,

Kathleen Hebdon, RN and Sheri Plummer, RN of the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Diabetes Education team have completed the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach certification. This complements the Diabetes Self-Management accreditation that the hospital has achieved, and will result in additional services that can be offered to patients and covered by most insurance plans.

Studies have shown that patients who attend weekly sessions in diabetes programs for an extended period of time have been rates of prevention because of the healthy lifestyle habits they develop. After an initial 16 weeks, patients are encouraged to attend a monthly support group. Those who commit to attendance up to a full year have the lowest rates of converting to a diabetes diagnosis.

As instructors, Hebdon and Plummer hear myths and misinformation about diabetes reflected back to them from patients. “Some people think that they just have ‘a little diabetes,” said Hebdon. “But the prevalent thought now is that once someone is diagnosed with pre-diabetes, about 50 percent of their pancreatic function is lost, and by the time they are diabetic, that ratio is 80 percent.”

Diabetes causes more deaths in the United States than breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes is very much a lifestyle disease. “People are resistant to starting diabetes treatment,” said Sheri Plummer, RN. “And they give excuses like ‘I’m too old’ or ‘I’m too out-of-shape’ – but they would not hesitate to start a cancer treatment!” She explained, “Pancreatic changes are permanent and progress with age, and we want our patients to start treatment and lifestyle changes immediately to preserve pancreatic function and delay or prevent having to take insulin.”

Diabetes can be treated by three modalities: medication, diet and activity. “Without exercise and activity, you are missing out on a third of the possible treatment regimen,” said Hebdon. “Our programs can help patients overcome barriers with alternative exercises for all conditions, like arthritis, back pain and immobility, and ways to work those into everyday life.”

For information about upcoming Diabetes Education programs, call (716) 592-9643.

Cordelian Club Presents Gift for BCH Emergency Department

Announcement, Community, ,

Cordelian Club 2017Thanks to the efforts of the Cordelian Club, the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation received a gift that will fund equipment in the Emergency Department.

The purchase of an ocular tonometer, which measures eye pressure, and additional equipment for the ED will proceed because of this donation.

Each year, the Cordelian Club coordinates a party like no other in town. This year’s theme was a tribute to Prince, and it continued a long tradition of dances that have changed with the times but have always supported the hospital.

Pictured from left: BCH Foundation President William King, Shelly Baronich, Primary Care Center Medical Director William Wnuk, MD, Dance Chairperson Kelly Baker, BCH Foundation Board Member Jessica Sullivan, Cordelian Club President Amy Wnuk, BCH Board and Foundation Board Member Stanley Handzlik, BCH Emergency Department Nurse Manager Penny Gardner, RN, BCH Primary Care Nurse Manager Kim Bockhahn, LPN.

Teddy Bear Donation from St. Al’s

Community, ,

The St. Aloysius Crafters group put together a generous donation of handmade teddy bears for Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. Before finding new homes with children, they will be staying comfortably in the hospital’s emergency department and lab. Thank you to Karen Schlageter, who coordinates the group, and BCH Women’s Association President Karen Ritenour for making this project happen for our facility.

Can Kids Make a Difference?

Announcement, Community, ,

 Yes, yes they can! Our thanks to two students from Springville Middle School for collecting and delivering a variety of books as part of their Kids Can Make a Difference project. This supply will keep the hospital’s Little Free Library stocked for patients, visitors and employees this summer. The range of classics, fiction and non-fiction means that you should check our library often to see what is new!

BCH Women’s Association Installation Dinner

Community, People,
BCH Women's Association Officers 2017-18

BCH Women’s Association Officers 2017-18

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Women’s Association held its annual installation dinner on June 7 at the Apple Dumplin in Springville. Members capped off a year of fundraising and activities with a donation to the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation to support the purchase of a vein viewer for the Emergency Department.

This continues the strong tradition of the BCH Women’s Association in supporting clinical equipment purchases and building improvements at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home. Jennifer Siragusa, RN, director of patient care services, accepted the gift on behalf of the hospital and foundation.

From left: BCH Women’s Association Officers 2017-18: Secretary Diane Fleckenstein, Vice President Lori Beeman, President Karen Ritenour, Vice President Lisa Yaeger and Treasurer Beth Bolt

 

Blood Pressure Class for BCH Primary Care Patients

Community

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Education Department will be holding a FREE high blood pressure class for our BCH primary care patients.

Participants will get a FREE self-monitoring blood pressure cuff and blood pressure journal. This class will be held on June 24 at 10 a.m. and offered a second time on July 24 at 6 p.m.

This class is available free due to a grant from the Erie County P2 Collaborative. Any BCH Primary Care patient with hypertension (high blood pressure) or pre-hypertension is welcome to attend. Participants will be required to meet with the education nurse for 15 minutes in three months to review the journal entries and the BP readings will be shared with their BCH Primary Care Center provider. To register for the free class and BP cuff call (716) 592-9643.

Letter to Community from BCH Women’s Association

Announcement, Community,

On behalf of the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital (BCH) Women’s Association, I would like to thank all the residents of Springville and the surrounding communities that supported the Theme Basket Auction on Saturday, April 22 at the Concord Town Hall. There were over 200 baskets/gift cards at the auction. All the money raised will be donated to the hospital for specific needs of the facility.  A BIG thank you to the following businesses and individuals for their generous donation and their commitment in supporting the Theme Basket Auction event:

Amy E. Schmitt-Kingston, Anything Printed, Apple Dumplin, Auto Zone, Buckwheats, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres, Burger King, Carolsel, Carpet World, Cascade Hair, Cascade Lanes, Cascade Massage, Cattaraugus County Bank, Cheap Chollies, Cindy Lou’s Frozen Yogurt , Community Bank, Concord Amish Village, Concord Crest, Concord Veterinary Center, Dave Miller Compost & Mulch, Dave Wendel & Sons, Delocon Wholesale Inc., Don Chelle Salon & Spa, Dr. Scott Nachbar, Dye Insurance Agency, Emerling Ford Mercury, Formula 1 Automotive, Gernatt Asphalt Products Inc., Hope Louth, Jake’s Greenhouse, John Sixt & Sons, Joylan Theater, Julie’s Pizzeria, Ken’s Taxidermy, Kiril’s Restaurant, Kissing Bridge, Lulu Belle’s, Main Street Pizzeria & Café, Mark’s Country Store, Mary’s Fireside, maurices, Mc Donald’s, Michele Sundeen, Nature’s Remedy, Root 39, Sears of Springville, Shamel Milling, S & N Eileen’s, S & S Taxidermy, Shear Brilliance, Software Inventors, Southern Tire Auto Center, Spring Creek Athletic Club, Spring Valley Landscaping, Springville Animal Hospital, Springville Dental Arts, Springville Door &Window, Springville Eye Care LLC, Springville Health & Fitness, Springville Homewear, Springville Lanes, Subway, Tim & Bonnie’s Pizza, Tops- Springville, Tractor Supply Co., Village Antique & Optical, Waterman’s Greenhouse, Wendel’s, Wendel’s Maple & More, White’s Appliance, Wireless Zone, and Witter Davis Furniture.

Karen Ritenour, President of the BCH Women’s Association

Opioid Overdose Recognition and Naloxone Use Training: Letter to the Editor

Community, ,

The members of the Springville Regional Services Coalition would like to thank Cheryll Moore and the Erie County Department of Health for coming to Springville Middle School on April 19 and giving a comprehensive training on opioid overdose recognition and naloxone use. She presented an eye-opening session that demonstrated the increase in overdoses and deaths caused by overdoses in our county, the importance of addressing this as a public health issue.
Ms. Moore has taught more than 15,000 people how to use this lifesaving medication and we are grateful that she has been able to train several hundred people in our community on its use.

Several times during the workshop, Ms. Moore thanked the participants for “taking care of (their) community.” Thank you, Cheryll, for your work to end the opiate epidemic.

This workshop was one of several substance abuse initiatives that our coalition is working on. We coordinated a similar event in September 2016, and it is our group’s plan to offer trainings likes this on a regular basis. The SRSC meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Springville Village Court conference room. All are welcome.

The Erie County Department of Health and the Opiate Epidemic Task Force have print materials available on their web site (www.erie.gov/health) and the Crisis Services Addictions Hotline is available 24 hours a day: (716) 831-7007. Call that number for support and referrals to treatment.

Sincerely,
Members of the Springville Regional Services Coalition

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 29

Community, Event

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville has been designated as a drop-off site for unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is one of several sites throughout Western New York. Law enforcement representatives will be on hand along with volunteer pharmacists, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

With the growing nationwide concern about abuse of prescription medications, these drop-off events serve as a reminder for individuals and families to look through their cabinets and properly dispose of medications. This program keeps pharmaceuticals out of the water supply and away from children. Call 1-800-882-9539 or visit dea.gov for a full list of drop off sites on April 29.

Permanent drug disposal boxes continue to be available throughout Erie County, including at the Erie County Sheriff’s substation at 65 Franklin Street in the village of Springville.

Community Training for Opioid Overdose Recognition and Naloxone Use

Community, Event

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Springville Regional Services Coalition are coordinating a workshop on opioid overdose recognition and Naloxone use on Wednesday, April 19 at the Springville Middle School at 6:30 p.m.

Presented by the Erie County Department of Health, this training gives individuals the knowledge and tools to recognize signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, properly administer naloxone and take the necessary follow-up steps.

Who can benefit from this training? The answer is, nearly everyone. The information in this workshop can help to save the life of a family member, friend, neighbor or colleague who is experiencing an overdose caused by an opiate or prescription narcotic.

Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a kit containing two doses of naloxone at no charge. This free training is open to anyone 16 years old or older. Register online by April 18 at http://bit.ly/narcan0419 or call (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485.