Monthly Archives: September 2012

How to Prepare for Orthopaedic Joint Replacement Surgery at Swedish Medical Center

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If you will soon be heading to the hospital for orthopedic surgery, remember that your surgery is designed to improve your quality of life. Getting informed is a great way to prepare for your upcoming surgery and can help ease any anxiety you may have before surgery. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for the different stages of your surgical treatment.

  • Before Surgery: According to Dr. James T. Muffly, Swedish Medical Center orthopaedic surgeon, “One of the many strengths of the newly opened Swedish Orthopaedic Center is the emphasis on preparation prior to your joint replacement surgery.  Swedish Medical Center has an excellent Joint Education Class and Pre-Admission Clinic that are both informative and help ease many of the common concerns regarding your hospitalization.” Swedish Medical Center provides you with a Joint Instruction Booklet that outlines specific instructions, which will likely include not eating or drinking anything after midnight on the night before your surgery. Abstain from wearing makeup or lotion on any part of your body, and be sure to bring a few items with you to ensure that you are comfortable during your stay. These items may include your eyeglasses or contact lenses with a case, and a comfortable pair of shoes. You may also want a short robe that opens in the front, a comfortable and loose-fitting outfit, personal hygiene items, and slippers.  Do not bring valuable items such as laptops or jewelry. Leave your medications at home unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Make sure you discuss your medications with your doctor. If your doctor prescribes medicine before the surgery, be sure to follow his or her directions closely.
  • The Day of Surgery: Dr. Muffly states, “ The entire staff at the Swedish Orthopaedic Joint Center have one common goal in mind which is to keep you and your family informed and listen to any concerns that you may have.  Whether it is the check-in process, the anesthesia, the surgery, or the recovery unit – at every step we want you to feel that each went smoothly and was worry free.”
  • After surgery: You will have a team of physical and occupational therapists, orthopaedic nurses, aides, doctors, and discharge planners that monitor your progress and start you on your road to recovery with your new joint replacement

From the personal attention to the state of the art medical care, Dr. Muffly wants each patient to tell a friend, “I’m thrilled that I chose Swedish Medical Center for my joint replacement.”

For top-notch medical care from experienced and dedicated professionals, come to Swedish Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center in Denver, Colorado. We will be more than happy to answer all of your questions, so call us at (303) 788-5000.

What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer

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Cancer is a term used to describe over 100 different diseases, all of which begin when a normal cell mutates and replicates out of control. These mutated cells are then able to keep growing and travel to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis. In the United States, the most common cancers affecting women is breast cancer. In fact, one in every eight women is predicted to develop the disease in her lifetime, according to the  National Center for Biotechnology Information. Fortunately, as medical knowledge and technology improve, more and more women are defeating the disease and becoming cancer survivors.

 

Breast cancer is treatable. Even though one out of every eight women will develop the disease, the risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower: only one in 28. To give yourself the best chance of defeating this deadly disease, it is vital that you follow your doctor’s recommendations for mammography screening and breast self-exams. Doing so will help to ensure that you catch any malignant breast abnormalities early, while the cancer is most treatable.

You may be at risk. All women are at risk for breast cancer, especially as they grow older. There are some factors, however, that can put you at an increased risk:

  • A family history of breast cancer.
  • Excessive alcohol use.
  • Possession of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
  • Early start or late end of menstrual cycles.
  • Never having children.

“Having a strong family history of breast cancer or carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations significantly increases the risk of breast cancer. However, these are very small populations of the patients with breast cancer,” explains Swedish Oncologist Dr. Robin Kovachy.

If you think that you may be at risk for breast cancer, speak with your doctor about your possible risk factors and recommended screening schedule. At Swedish Medical Center in Denver, our breast care specialists offer some of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available. For patients who have recently received a breast cancer diagnosis, our multidisciplinary team strives to formulate the best possible treatment plan. Call our hospital in Denver today at (303) 788-5000 to learn more about our comprehensive healthcare services.

Tips for Preventing your Child from Getting Hurt

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As a dedicated parent, you undoubtedly want to protect your child from harm as much as possible. Parents often remark that when their children hurt, they hurt too, and nothing is more nerve-racking than taking your child to the hospital. Luckily, there are several ways to help your child play safer and avoid physical injury.

Swedish Medical Center pediatrician, Dr. Martin Alswang give parents tips on how to keep their child safe in and out of the house.

  • In the kitchen, keep hot liquids away from your child. Avoid carrying hot items and your baby at the same time. Plus, use your stove’s back burners and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Make sure to keep glassware, flatware, appliances and appliance cords away from the edges of tables and counters.
  • In the bathroom, keep all medication in a secure place where your child cannot access it. Avoid using euphemisms for medicine such as “candy,” as this could give your child the wrong idea about its uses.
  • Always close toilet seat covers, and always cover all buckets of water and cleaning agents – children can fall in and drown.
  • Never put cleaning agents and chemicals into other bottles (i.e.: soda bottles) as children may see a “soda” bottle and have a drink, injuring themselves.
  • Around the house, keep all lighters and matches safely locked away and do not use candles around young children. Also, use safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and be sure to close and lock the basement door to help prevent injuries from falls. Utilize window guards that prevent a window from being opened all the way. Additionally, buy cordless blinds or cut the cords so your child cannot get tangled up in them.
  • Children climbing up TVs or shelving have caused them to topple and have killed and maimed many children. Secure them against the wall with hardware devices and prohibit the act.
  • In the garage, safely store any chemicals in a secured place. Be sure to keep tools off the ground and on high shelves that children cannot reach.
  • In the yard, fence off and cover your pool when you are not actively using it. Never let a child swim or wade without adult supervision. Lastly, make sure all playground equipment is sturdy and soft—cover any sharp corners or edges with padding to help prevent injury.
  • Cover lawn-edging strips especially if metal – falling on the edges can cause deep dirty cuts.
  • Inform visitors who are staying over to be very aware to be careful with their medications, not leave them around, secure them etc.

If you or your child is in need of medical care in Denver, come to Swedish Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center with excellent doctors, nurses and personnel who provide high-quality medical care. We utilize state-of-the-art equipment and pride ourselves on our efficient and capable care. Call us at (303) 788-5000.

Understanding Good vs. Bad Fats

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Many people are under the impression that all dietary fats are bad. This notion, however, is incorrect—and may even be harmful. Watch this video clip about eating a healthy diet and what to avoid in order to learn more.

Sources of good—or healthy—fats include foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, avocado, olive oil, almonds, and walnuts. These fats are good for you and supply you with valuable nutrients that clear and strengthen your arteries. Bad fats are commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fat. Fats from these sources can clog your arteries and lead to weight gain.

For top-quality hospital care in the Denver, Colorado area, come to Swedish Medical Center. We diagnose and treat a wide array of medical disorders and problems, and we are a Level I Trauma Center. To learn more, please call (303) 788-5000.