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Healthy Highlights

IMPROVING HEART ATTACK CARE

The Reperfusion of Acute MI in Carolina Emergency Departments (RACE) program is a statewide initiative to improve mortality rates for people suffering from heart attack. In a joint effort with Caldwell County EMS and a tertiary care facility, Caldwell Memorial now has additional processes to allow for more rapid diagnosis and treatment of heart attack victims. Some patients will receive clot-busting drugs at Caldwell while others may need to be transferred for angioplasty, a procedure to open the clogged artery. Caldwell Memorial also is bringing new technology resources online; paramedics in the field can transmit the patient’s heart rhythm to the emergency physician at Caldwell Memorial in order to aid in rapid decision-making.

STROKE RISK IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

North Carolina is in the “stroke buckle” with South Carolina and Georgia where stroke death rate is two times greater than the national average. Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term adult disability. The good news is that stroke is largely preventable. Caldwell Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with the NC Stroke Association, is developing an assessment program to identify and treat citizens who are at risk for stroke. Screenings will include cholesterol, health and family history, vital signs, and a physical exam. For people who screen high-risk, on-site counseling and specialist referral will occur.

DID YOU KNOW? A DIET RICH IN CALCIUM MAY BE BETTER FOR YOUR BONES THAN SUPPLEMENTS. A RECENT STUDY FOUND THAT WOMEN WHO GOT THEIR CALCIUM MAINLY FROM FOOD HAD GREATER BONE DENSITY THAN WOMEN WHOSE CALCIUM CAME MAINLY FROM SUPPLEMENTS.

CMH WELCOMES GREGORY HAYNES, M.D.

Dr. Haynes is a board certified gastroenterologist—a physician who studies and treats the digestive system. Dr. Haynes attended medical school at the University of Minnesota. He completed his internship and residency at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center in Dearborn, Mich., and his fellowship at Harper Hospital. He moved his practice to Caldwell County and opened his office in Mulberry Medical Park. All appointments with Dr. Haynes are physician referred. Physicians may contact Dr. Haynes to refer a patient by calling 828-572-1770. Gregory Haynes, M.D., P.C. is not a division of Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

HAVE YOUR PRETEENS VACCINATED

Mulberry Pediatrics reminds you to help protect your kids before they become teens by taking them to the doctor for preteen vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that kids get three preteen vaccinations when they are 11 or 12 years old: MCV4 protects against meningitis; the HPV vaccine protects girls from the types of human papillomavirus that commonly cause cervical cancer; and Tdap is a booster against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.