St. Joseph's Hospital

Making holiday travel plans? It's not uncommon to get sick when on the road or in the air.

With a little preparation, you can increase the odds of having a safe and healthy trip. Here are some tips whether you are traveling by plane or automobile: https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2024/08/29/traveling-soon-here-are-some-tips-for-traveling-by-plane-or-automobile

Despite the growing unpopularity of smoking, the effects of this very bad habit are still threatening the health of millions of Americans. Smoking is the primary risk factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD.

“Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease covers a spectrum of disease encompassing emphysema and chronic bronchitis,” explains Ryan B. Moody, MD, FCCP, of Southeast Lung Associates. “COPD is a chronically progressing disease process characterized by progressive airflow limitation. It is a treatable and preventable disease process.”

Depending on which end of the spectrum a patient falls, the symptoms of COPD can vary.

“Individuals with chronic bronchitis experience chronic productive cough and shortness of breath, while those with emphysema may only experience shortness of breath,” Moody says. “From time to time, individuals with COPD will experience an exacerbation with symptoms of increased mucus production, worsening cough and worsening shortness of breath.”

Though smokers are most at risk, Dr. Moody also notes that occupational dust and chemical exposures, as well as indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure, can contribute to the development of COPD in non-smokers. Genetically, individuals who lack the ability to produce a lung protective protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin are also at greater risk for the disease.

Dr. Moody uses pulmonary function testing to screen patients for COPD.

“This testing quantifies lung function and lung capacity,” Moody says. “This is what helps to drive treatment strategies, which may include daily use of inhalers, use of rescue inhalers, or the use of a nebulizer machine, which administers medication in the form of a spray. There is no cure for COPD, but our individualized treatment plans can help you breathe better and live better.”

More at https://www.sjchs.org/smart-living-home/july-august-2024/clearing-the-air-on-copd

The sugar in sport drinks can serve a purpose beyond making them taste good.

“Longer periods of intense physical activity take a ton of carbohydrates and energy out of our players,” says Brian Tuten, Manager of Sports Medicine at St. Joseph's/Candler. “A sports drink can replace the carbs that are lost during that kind of training.”

There is always room, however, for old-fashioned H2O.

“We encourage our athletes to replace fluids with water as well,” Tuten says. “For the first hour of any of our sports, we encourage the athletes to drink 6-10 ounces of water every 10 minutes. The longer and more intense the sport, the more you lose ATP.”

ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency in a person’s cells.

More at https://www.sjchs.org/smart-living-home/july-august-2024/an-aid-for-intensity

For cancer survivors, there is often a quest for a new normal—a way to manage the long-term physical and emotional effects of going through a life-altering disease. Different people will face different challenges, some of which may not be evident immediately. Patients who received radiation therapy, for example, may find themselves needing treatment now for tissue that was damaged years ago.

“We see the ramifications of this damage later,” explains Thomas A. Donohue, MD, Medical Director of St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Center for Hyperbarics and Wound Care in Savannah and Hinesville. “The cells are less healthy, there is more scar tissue and less blood flow. Internal and external wounds may develop in the areas radiated and fail to heal.”

Radiation therapy is more advanced and precise than ever before, so not all cancer patients experience soft tissue changes from treatment. But for those that do, Dr. Donohue can offer a non-invasive option: hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

“Hyperbaric oxygen decreases inflammation, kills bacteria, and helps the body build new blood vessels to get more oxygen and nutrition,” Dr. Donohue says.” “Basically, all of this brings more soldiers to the fight to aid in healing.”

More at https://www.sjchs.org/smart-living-home/july-august-2024/100-percent-oxygen

Meet Melchor Garcia, government supervisor in our patients accounts department. Mel has been with St. Joseph’s/Candler for more than 14 years and has 20 years of experience in government billing. He supervises the team that handles insurance billing for Medicare and Medicaid. Mel makes sure proper steps are being followed to get bills out in a timely manner and that his team has all the support they need to do their job.

“What I enjoy about my job is the idea that I’m helping people get their own accounts resolved. Within our community, there are a lot of elderly people and a lot of people that need help, and that’s what we do here. We make sure we can help people through our patients accounts division. We are able to help people when things happen that are sometimes beyond their control. It really is a team effort to help the patient, and I’m just one part of it, and I’m glad that I’m here to help patients in this capacity of their healthcare.”

“I also appreciate all the extra things St. Joseph’s/Candler does. The health system really cares for the community, and it’s apparent by all the good work we do. Throughout our community, we are everywhere. It’s rewarding to be a part of an organization that has its hands in making our community better whether it’s St. Mary’s facilities, Georgia Infirmary or other outreach programs. I really enjoy seeing our works in action.”

Meet other featured co-workers on our website: https://www.sjchs.org/home/about-us/our-coworkers

“So even just a two-millimeter reduction is a big deal,” says Dr. Eugene Nwosu, internal medicine physician at St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care located on Eisenhower Drive. “These are major risks associated with hypertension and by managing them, you will make a difference.”

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to kidney disease, osteoporosis, heart attack, heart failure, cardiac arrest, aortic aneurysm and stroke.

If you have elevated to high blood pressure, the first thing you can do, and that your physician will recommend, is make healthy lifestyle modifications, Dr. Nwosu says.

He offers tips here: https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2024/08/22/five-tips-for-controlling-your-blood-pressure

If you had a condition that could potentially lead to heart failure, a heart attack or stroke, wouldn’t you want to do something about it? Well, if that condition is high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, the good news is you can do something about it.

But it also comes with bad news.

“Hypertension is a very common medical problem, and the thing about it is it’s silent. The majority of people don’t have symptoms,” says Dr. Eugene Nwosu, internal medicine physician at St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care located on Eisenhower Drive. Dr. Nwosu was a cardiologist in Savannah for 25 years prior.

“They have no clue they have high blood pressure. That is the bad thing about it,” Dr. Nwosu continues.

But again, it’s not all bad, especially when you take control of your health.

“When people know they have high blood pressure, and they embrace lifestyle changes and follow those changes, it might be all you need to lower your blood pressure. Or, if you still aren’t reaching your goal but are embracing lifestyle changes then just one or two medications can help.”

More at https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2024/08/21/what-causes-high-blood-pressure

We were proud to donate 50 cases of N95 respirator masks to volunteers at Richmond Hill United Methodist Church. The masks are being distributed along with cleaning supplies and other necessities to homeowners who sustained flood damage.

One of the most serious repercussions of flooding is the emergence of black mold in the home, which can trigger allergic reactions in many people. Inhalation of the spores of black mold can also cause respiratory issues. Because N-95 masks are designed to filter out airborne particles, they are the most effective masks for protecting volunteers during clean-up.

Pictured in the first photo, from left to right, are Richmond Hill United Methodist Church's Jack Caldwell, Director of Youth Ministries, and Carol Smith, Lay Leader, with our Purchasing Director Joe Loya.

Our thoughts remain with everyone in Chatham and Bryan counties who are still recovering from the flooding that followed Tropical Storm Debby.

It often happens overnight—you go to bed with two normal knees but in the morning one of them looks like a balloon. Or your big toe has doubled in size. To make matters worse, it’s quite painful. The culprit could likely be gout, which is a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.

To confirm the problem, physicians like Steven Greer, MD, of St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Physician Network – Bone, Joint & Muscle Care, will aspirate, or draw out, the fluid that is causing the swelling with a needle.

“There are a few reasons why a joint, like in the knee, would swell up,” Dr. Greer says. “The aspiration will let us know if it is due to an injury, an infection or from the crystals that build up and cause gout.”

Dr. Greer will send the fluid he aspirates to the lab to confirm a diagnosis. He may additionally give the patient an injection to relieve pain. Patients notice that with the fluid now gone, they can return to their full range of motion.

“If your body perceives an injury, it sends healing cells to that area through this fluid,” Dr. Greer explains. “Which is useful to a point, but the change in volume can alter the mechanics of your tendons. If it stays swollen long enough, it can alter your gait. Then your gait can cause ankle, knee or back problems.”

More at https://www.sjchs.org/smart-living-home/summer-2022/strong-aspirations

Have you ever had your blood pressure checked and it was suddenly elevated or high, but a month later at another doctor’s appointment, your blood pressure was normal?

That’s because blood pressure readings can fluctuate, so much so that your reading can be different even hours apart.

So if it’s elevated all of the sudden, there may be no need to panic. But everyone should take blood pressure seriously as ignoring ongoing high blood pressure – also called hypertension – can lead to complications as serious as heart attack or stroke.

“A lot of people don’t know when their blood pressure is high. You can be very asymptomatic and feel fine but on the inside your pressure is rising and continuing to put you at high risk of sudden complications,” says Melissa Johnson, clinical pharmacy specialist for St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Center for Medication Management. She also sees patients at our Pooler Primary Care office, and Johnson counsels St. Joseph’s/Candler co-workers in our WellPath Hypertension Program.

More at https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2023/02/16/why-does-my-blood-pressure-reading-keep-changing

We performed our 600th TAVR procedure this week. Every milestone we hit with this advanced procedure not only makes us proud but also reminds us how far we’ve come. The Heart Hospital was the first in the region to employ this technology in 2013.

TAVR stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, or TAVR. The procedure replaces calcified aortic valves without opening up the heart like in traditional surgery. TAVR has given new hope to patients who can’t tolerate open surgery and it can dramatically reduce recovery time.

Meet Aisha Leeks, certified nursing assistant for the Adult Day Center at Georgia Infirmary. In total, Aisha has worked off and on at the Adult Day Center for more than 20 years. She’s been a St. Joseph’s/Candler co-worker for eight years at Georgia Infirmary with four years prior experience working in occupational therapy at Candler Hospital. In her current role, she leads bingo and exercises with the clients at the Adult Day Center. She also plays cards and games with them. And for the ones who need helping with changings and feedings, Aisha assists with that as well. Fun fact about Aisha: She was born at the Georgia Infirmary when it was still a hospital.

“It seems like I was meant to be here. It means a lot to work here and to give back. I love the people. They are so sweet. It’s like family here. I’ve really gotten to know a lot of the clients very closely. Anything that involves helping people, I enjoy. I also enjoy working for St. Joseph’s/Candler. It just feels friendly. If feels like you belong there. St. Joseph’s/Candler is a good place to work.”

Meet other featured co-workers on our website: https://www.sjchs.org/home/about-us/our-coworkers

When you are sick or injured, your healthcare team will use many tools to find out what’s wrong in order to get you better. Sometimes that includes imaging diagnostic machines to get an inside look of your anatomy. One such device is a CT scan.

CT stands for Computed Tomography. Essentially, it’s a more intuitive X-ray machine, producing multiple 2D images as opposed to one-dimensional images a traditional X-ray produces, explains Chelsea De La Cruz, team lead of the CT department at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Using a computer, all images taken are combined to produce a detailed look at the body’s anatomy. A CT scan can look at everything from head to toe including every organ in the body, the vascular system, bone abnormalities, brain bleeds, blood clots, masses/tumors and infections, De La Cruz says.

At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we offer the latest technology in imaging, including the GE Revolution CT Scanner, one of the quickest imaging machines available. We offer CT scanning at four imaging locations:

- St. Joseph’s Hospital (two in imaging and a third in the emergency department)
- Candler Hospital (three between inpatient and outpatient imaging)
- SJ/C Imaging Center – Pooler
- SJ/C Imaging Center – Bluffton

With more and more people needing CT scans, it’s important to have a good understanding of the machine and not fear it. Here are six things you should know about CTs: https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2024/08/15/what-to-expect-during-a-ct-scan

St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital have a lot of patient beds between the two hospitals. At full capacity, that’s a lot of meals we are making for our patients.

And they are not all the same. If you are in the hospital, you may have a totally different meal than your neighbor. That’s because we individualize each meal to meet each patient’s nutritional needs.

It’s a team effort to accomplish this. Nurses use the Malnutrition Screening Tool, which prompts dietitians for a nutrition evaluation, or if the nurses have any concerns, they bring it to the attention of one of our many clinical dietitians we have on staff. Physicians also may notice malnutrition or other dietary needs and ask the dietitian to work with the patient. Our dietitians in turn work with our catering team in nutritional services to make sure meals are prepared to meet the nutritional needs of every patient.

Our dietitians also help with patient diet education and counseling and use nutrition to treat most diagnoses.

“Every patient is different and that’s the fun part,” says Sean Alva, registered dietitian at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “I like the individualized goals and plans we make for each patient, and we follow up with them to make sure we are achieving these dietary goals to help get them healthy and home.”

Say for example you come in for a heart procedure that requires a hospital stay. You will be placed on a therapeutic cardiac diet, Alva explains, but that diet can still be tailored to meet your needs. If you are malnourished, you may need more calories than someone else on a cardiac diet. If you have a wound on top of your heart condition, you may need more protein, which helps wounds heal faster, Alva says.

More at https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2022/12/13/hospital-nutrition-101

Accidents happen – on the sports field, on the job, in the car or even at home – that can result in a concussion. However, there are steps you can take to prevent brain injuries whether it’s a young athlete or an elderly parent. It starts with education.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. There’s no bleeding or fracture when a concussion occurs, but the sudden movement that causes the brain to bounce or twist can create chemical changes in the brain and damage brain cells.

Concussions should be taken seriously and never ignored, says Caroline Brif, lead certified athletic trainer who currently treats patients at St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network – Bone, Joint & Muscle Care with Dr. Steven Greer.

“It is a brain injury,” Brif says. “One of the key pillars we talk about is recognizing it, and in sports, removing the athlete from play because the threat of getting hit a second time is when you can have lasting, significant brain damage. So it’s very important to recognize when someone has signs of a concussion.”

Brit lists the signs at https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2024/08/13/education-may-be-the-best-tool-to-protect-against-concussions

It’s a common health problem that affects millions of people each year, especially if you are a woman – a urinary tract infection (UTI). In fact, more than 60 percent of women will have a UTI at some point in their life.

“Women in general are more prone to getting UTIs over men because women have shorter urethras making it easier for bacteria to enter,” says Dr. Katherine Bebeau, St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network OB/GYN. “Additionally, the va**na and re**um, which are much closer to the urethra in women than men, increase the risk of UTIs.”

And if you are pregnant, you also are at higher risk of getting kidney infections, which could become septic. This is not only dangerous for mom but also baby. If you are pregnant and are concerned you have a UTI, you should see your doctor right away, Dr. Bebeau advises.

More at https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2022/07/28/why-are-women-more-likely-to-get-a-uti

Thinking of switching to a plant-based diet? Or maybe starting smaller – like with meatless Mondays? Whatever your goal may be, if you want to include more plant-based foods and cut back on animal sources, it’s easier than ever.

And research shows, if followed properly, it's healthier too.

Plant-based foods have numerous health benefits – not to mention environmental – that make it worth giving it a try. According to an evidence-based review by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a plant-based diet is associated with lower risk of heart disease (lower blood pressure and cholesterol), type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, depression and even Alzheimer’s disease.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends limiting or omitting processed meat (sausage, bacon, hot dogs, deli meats). Processed meat contains an excess of salt, saturated fat and chemicals that may lead to weight gain, increased risk for colon cancer and increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association recommends making plant-based proteins and fish your first choices, and if you do eat meat, choose lean and unprocessed sources. Try to avoid red meat as much as possible. Research has linked red meat to colon cancer and cardiovascular disease.

More at https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2023/07/11/meat-as-a-side-dish-evidence-based-research-shows-limiting-or-eliminating-animal-source-foods-has-many-health-benefits

Meet Sonny Schneider, team leader and registered nurse at the Central Referral Office. Sonny also worked as a certified nursing assistant at St. Joseph’s Hospital during nursing school. Currently, Sonny helps handle referrals from primary care physicians to specialty practices. He makes sure the patient’s insurance is accepted at a particular specialty, necessary lab work and imaging is in order and the patient gets an appointment in a timely manner. As team lead, he also trains new co-workers and assists with any needs his manager has.

“I enjoy talking with the patients. We’ll get patients who will call and have questions not necessarily about a referral but what’s going on with them. They’ll think they are calling the doctor, but luckily, we have nurses here that can help answer some of their questions. I enjoy helping patients in that way as well as setting up referrals. For me, it’s always been about the patients. Every single co-worker here takes a lot of care into making sure that the patient is well taken care of. Everybody cares here.”

“As far as St. Joseph’s/Candler, what’s nice about the organization is upper management really works hard to make sure our hospital isn’t stagnant. We are constantly growing, looking out on the horizon. It’s nice being a part of an organization that has that outlook and that is constantly growing. The team out here is great too. They all have a lot of experience. They come from different backgrounds. They all work well together. We are all individuals but we have the same mindset of helping the patients and making sure that they get the best experience on our end.”

Meet other featured co-workers on our website: https://www.sjchs.org/home/about-us/our-coworkers

If you feel a lump during a self-breast exam or get a call that something was spotted on your latest mammogram, your first thought may be, ‘It’s cancer.’

Yes, breast cancer is one of the leading cancer diagnoses in women. But there’s no need for immediate panic. You could have a benign breast condition that is not life-threatening and is not cancer.

Generally speaking, benign breast disease is a group of conditions that involve breast changes that are not malignant. These changes can be found on imaging, felt during self-breast exams or discovered following breast discomfort.

Benign breast disease is very common. In fact, the team at Telfair Breast Surgery at St. Joseph’s/Candler sees more benign breast conditions than cancer, says Candace Walton, nurse practitioner at Telfair Breast Surgery.

“Normally, it starts with imaging, Sometimes it does start with generalized breast pain or they feel a mass,” Walton says. “A lot of patients may have their first mammogram that shows something in their breast that’s been there for a long time, and they just didn’t know it. It gets flagged, such as a cyst, but a large majority of them are benign cysts.”

Walton lists some of the more common conditions of benign breast disease: https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2024/08/08/what-is-benign-breast-disease

Anyone driving down a country road at night knows to keep their eye out for deer. But in coastal Georgia and South Carolina’s Lowcountry, there’s another animal that could wreck your car—and it ain’t bushy-tailed.

“Big gators will cross the road all they want during mating season,” says “Trapper Jack” Douglas, a professional trapper who, at 78 years old, still works every day. “They’ll go and check in every pond they can check until mating season is over.”

Douglas has been a professional trapper for more than 30 years. He gets daily calls from law enforcement to trap what are known as nuisance animals. Very often, the call is about an alligator.

“On the highway, in a swimming pool, wherever,” Douglas says. “I make myself available 24/7. I try to make church every Sunday, but I even get called out of there sometimes.”

Read more about Trapper Jack from the latest Smart Living magazine at https://www.sjchs.org/smart-living-home/july-august-2024/see-you-later-alligator

Home healthcare professionals are not babysitters. They also are not strangers wandering your home.

Home healthcare workers can be your biggest advocates on your road to recovery. They also serve as friends to home health patients and caregivers.

“The whole point of home healthcare is we want you to live your life with quality with your new diagnosis or condition,” says Allyson Newberry, registered nurse administrator for the Hinesville Division of St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health. “Even though it can be scary, and we understand there could be a lot of things you are facing, we want to be there to help.”

Home healthcare is a growing industry, especially as baby boomers age. Still, there are a lot of uncertainties patients and families have surrounding home healthcare.

St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health takes a total-patient approach to treatment, meaning we develop specialized plans of care that are the most appropriate for each patient’s individual needs and level of functioning, Newberry explains. The goal of these individual plans is to reduce recovery time, optimize independence and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.

Currently, there are several hundred patients in 14 counties across southeast Georgia that receive St. Joseph’s/Candler Home Health services. Basic services covered by the program include skilled nursing (RNs, LPNs and CNAs), medically necessary aides, medical social workers and therapy (physical, occupational and speech). In some parts of the region, dietitians and wound care specialists also are available.

Let’s take a look at some of the common myths surrounding home healthcare: https://www.sjchs.org/living-smart-blog/blog-details/blog/2024/08/06/six-myths-about-home-health-care

We pray that everyone was safe during Tropical Storm Debby. All system practices and offices will be open normal hours Wednesday. St. Joseph's/Candler Primary Care - Ridgeland in South Carolina will open at 10 a.m.

St. Joseph's/Candler Primary Care - Statesboro will be closed Wednesday.

The Advanced Thoracic Oncology Center at New River in South Carolina will be closed Wednesday.

SEE UPDATES BELOW.

To take care of your medical needs, St. Joseph’s/Candler expects most of our services to be open for business during the next few days as Tropical Storm Debby comes through. Please take precautions when driving and check with local governments for road closures.

All surgeries and imaging appointments at the two hospitals are still on schedule. Currently, all St. Joseph’s/Candler physician practices remain open. Wound and Hyperbarics remains open at all three locations and all Radiation Oncology and Infusion locations at the Lewis Cancer & Resource Pavilion also remain open.

The Wellness Center at Candler Hospital will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Currently, most St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network practices remain open. There are some exception at satellite offices in the region, including:

Cardiology services in Rincon closed Tuesday.
Cardiology services in Statesboro closed Tuesday.
Podiatry services at Heartwood in Richmond Hill closed Tuesday.
Neurology services in Jesup closed Tuesday.
St. Joseph's/Candler Primary Care - Islands, Pembroke and Statesboro closed Tuesday.
The Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion infusion offices in Pembroke, Statesboro and Hinesville will be closed Tuesday.
Physical Therapy at The Landings will be closed Tuesday.

If anything changes, we will post on our social media and www.sjchs.org.

Nearly 7 million people in the United States have wounds that won’t heal. But fewer than 300,000 will seek professional treatment.

“Wound care is an under-utilized part of medicine,” says Charles Leewood, DO, in St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Center for Hyperbarics and Wound Care. “I would rather have people come in to be evaluated, even for something they think is insignificant, than have them deal with the frustration, uncertainty and possibility of having a wound for months or even years to come.”

Large or small, simple or complex, Dr. Leewood’s goal for all wounds is the same: to employ the most advanced wound care options to get healing happening as quickly as possible.
“The beauty of wound care is that we are optimizing the body’s ability to heal itself,” Dr. Leewood says.

More at https://www.sjchs.org/smart-living-home/summer-2023/healing-up