Now you can tour the Family Birth Center at the new Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame without leaving home.

Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D., Mills-Peninsula gynecologist and obstetrician, takes you on a video tour of a patient room in this segment from Healthpoint TV. Or you can explore the center on your own through our virtual tour, which you can find on our website.

Some highlights of the Mills-Peninsula Family Birth Center:

• Private and spacious suites for your entire birth experience
• Rooftop patio garden
• Comfortable sleeping accommodations for family in every room
• Made-to-order meals
• Ranks tops in the country for patient satisfaction

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“Food is a big part of people’s lives — family time, culture and holidays,” says Debbie Kurzrock, R.D., a Mills-Peninsula registered dietitian who works in Radiation Oncology at the Dorothy E. Schneider Cancer Center in San Mateo.

Debbie Kurzrock, R.D.

“So it’s really upsetting when a person is diagnosed with cancer and suddenly they can’t eat the way they did before,” she says.

Often cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, negatively affect people’s sense of taste. Other side effects can include fatigue, nausea, difficulty swallowing or diarrhea.

“I meet with people who are going through cancer treatment and I make suggestions to help bolster nutrition or cope with loss of appetite,” Kurzrock says.

“When people are in cancer treatment, they are destroying their cells,” she explains. “So it’s very important they get the right nutrients to rebuild them.”

Tips for Better Eating During Cancer Treatment

• If you are nauseous and can’t eat, focus on staying hydrated. Sip on broth or drink juice
• Don’t stress if you have a bad day. Make up for it by adding more calories and protein on days you feel better
• Protein needs are higher for people receiving cancer treatment. Pack in more protein with beans, fish, almond butter or cheese
• Eat the rainbow: Get cancer-fighting antioxidants from colorful fruits and veggies such as carrots, tomatoes, grapefruit and spinach
• Combat loss of appetite by eating smaller, more frequent snacks throughout the day
• If hot food smells trigger nausea, try a fruit and yogurt smoothie

Debbie Kurzrock, R.D., a Mills-Peninsula registered dietitian who works in Radiation Oncology at the Dorothy E. Schneider Cancer Center in San Mateo, contributed to this blog post.

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What do mothers-to-be want to know about labor and delivery? According to Andrew Jurow, M.D., Mills-Peninsula gynecologist and obstetrician who delivers babies at the Family Birth Center, one of the most common questions his pregnant patients have is, “Will it hurt?”

“Everyone has a different expectation of the birthing process,” he says, “and we want to accommodate that.” Some women want a medication-free delivery, while many benefit from some pain management, which can allow them to relax between contractions, he says.

Dr. Jurow discusses what women can expect in labor and the latest pain management methods in this video segment from Healthpoint TV.

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Deborah Tauscher, emergency preparedness coordinator, Mills-Peninsula Health Services

A well-stocked first aid kit is an essential staple of emergency preparedness and can help you respond quickly and effectively to injuries or emergencies. Read these tips from Deborah Tauscher, emergency preparedness coordinator at Mills-Peninsula Health Services, and Jim Schweikhard, regional health and safety manager, to help you stock the right items in your kit.

There are a wealth of ready-made, customized kits for purchase at your local pharmacy – car, baby/children, kitchen, pet, travel, burn, sports and office kits. Some are even small enough to slip in your pocket or purse. You may have many of the items in these kits in your medicine chest at home but if you’ve lost your tweezers, the pain medication has expired and you only have one Band-Aid left that won’t stick, it’s time to evaluate whether to simply replenish key items or purchase a new kit.

Store kits in easy-to-retrieve locations at home, in your car and work – you never know when they might come in handy. Keep your kits out of the reach of children unless they are old enough to understand the purpose of the kit.

What should you put in your kit?

Keep your kit stocked with these basic items:

• Over-the-counter pain medication (such as aspirin or ibuprofen)
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hydrocortisone ointment
• Sunscreen
• Antiseptic wipes
• Non-latex gloves
• Cold pack
• Bandages: roller, triangular (sling) and bandage strips (assorted sizes)
• Sterile gauze pads (4-by-4)
• Adhesive tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Thermometer (no mercury or glass)

Add some good extras to complete your kit

Some kits include other items that might come in handy such as bug repellent packets, hydrogen peroxide, eye goggles and safety pins. Add a cell phone and charger that you are no longer using to the kit to dial 911 if needed. You’ll need enough battery life to turn the phone on but you do not need a service provider to dial the emergency number. You will also want to customize your kits depending on your family’s health needs.

Many first aid kits come with an instruction booklet that you should keep in your kit. Taking a first aid course will increase your confidence and experience – especially if you are caring for children or family members. The Red Cross and other community organizations regularly offer classes for a nominal or no fee.

Finally, don’t forget to check your first aid kits frequently and replace the expired items so you are truly ready in an emergency.

Get prepared for an emergency

Watch Tauscher give tips on how to plan ahead for an emergency in this video segment from Healthpoint TV and read more tips in Tauscher’s and Schweikhard’s monthly series of emergency preparedness blog posts.

Visit our blog again for next month’s tips on preparing emergency documents and keys.

This blog post contributed by Deborah Tauscher, emergency preparedness coordinator at Mills-Peninsula Health Services and Jim Schweikhard, regional environmental health and safety manager.  It is part of a year-long blog series, with a new emergency preparedness post contributed by Deborah and Jim each month.

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The relentless, physical work required to be a successful farmer is not for the faint of heart – an expression that could never be used to describe Roberto Rodriguez.

Despite suffering from heart disease since he was a young boy and undergoing two heart valve surgeries, he has spent his life in the fields. For the last 10 years Rodriguez has owned and run a thriving strawberry farm in Watsonville with his brother Manuel.

Although his life and career are firmly anchored in his success at a job he loves, his serious heart condition – damaged aortic and mitral valves – was always a cloud hanging over him and his family.

Previous valve repair surgery in Mexico, where Rodriguez grew up, was just a temporary fix. As his health started to deteriorate again, Rodriguez saw Neil Sawhney, M.D., interventional cardiologist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, who evaluated him and told him that he urgently needed surgery. He recommended cardiothoracic surgeon Conrad Vial, M.D., for the procedure.

From the very first time Rodriguez met Dr. Vial, he knew he was in the best hands.

“My wife, Alba, came with me to my first appointment. She was really worried about what would happen to me. She speaks very little English and was afraid she wouldn’t understand what was going on,” says Rodriguez.

“As soon as Dr. Vial realized there was a language barrier, he switched to fluent Spanish and explained everything to her calmly and clearly. My wife almost cried with relief. He just knew how to make us feel comfortable and at ease. I immediately knew what kind of man he was – a good one!”

Rodriguez was still young at 38, so Dr. Vial recommended replacing Rodriguez’s deteriorating aortic valve with a mechanical one, to ensure the safest, most reliable and best outcome for his health. On June 16, 2011, Rodriguez successfully underwent aortic valve surgery at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. The state-of-the-art operating suites at the new hospital integrate the latest surgical technologies, providing an optimal environment for specialists like Dr. Vial to perform such life-saving procedures.

“When I came round after my surgery, I expected to feel worse – but quickly realized I actually felt good,” says Rodriguez. “Dr. Vial was very caring and came to see me every day during my hospital stay to make sure everything was going well.”

Rodriguez spent five days in the hospital and on the fifth day was able to walk for more than an hour. He was back at work on his farm after a three-month recovery period.

“Now my health is better than ever,” says Rodriguez. “My friends and family say my skin color looks so much better. I can walk everywhere, run a mile and attend to my work on the farm. I feel really good. This surgery is the greatest thing that could ever have happened to me. I will always be grateful to Dr. Vial.”

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Caregiver Forum to Address Dementia Support and Resources – May 29

People caring for a family member or friend with dementia at times can find themselves frustrated by difficult or confusing behavior. Learning to understand the behaviors associated with different stages of dementia can help caregivers stay calm and better cope with the day-to-day challenges.

Dr. Richard Moore, medical director of Senior Focus

Caregivers can learn more about the progression of dementia and what to expect at the different stages of the disease at the upcoming Community Caregiver Forum on May 29.

Geriatrician Richard Moore, M.D., medical director of Mills Peninsula’s Senior Focus, will discuss the behavioral and memory issues associated with dementia and other issues that affect caregivers, such as depression.

Depression is a common challenge for both caregivers and people with dementia, according to Dr. Moore. “In the early stages, people with dementia often get depressed as they become aware of their loss of cognitive function,” Dr. Moore said.

Caregivers also can slide into depression under the emotional stress of caring for a loved one with a progressive disease.

“The caregiver has to take care of themselves first,” he said. “Caregivers are sick more often, go to the emergency room more often and have more mental health issues than others.”

The forum will offer tips for managing behaviors that are typical in various stages of dementia and offer insights into what is happening medically and physically as the disease progresses. For example, communication issues can arise when a person with dementia experiences difficulty with speech.

The Caregiver Forum will also feature presentations from a team of dementia specialists, including a medical social worker, an occupation therapist and the dementia program coordinator.

Community Caregiver Forum
May 29, 2012
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Senior Focus
1720 El Camino Real, #10
Burlingame, CA
Call 650-696-3660 to register

See a list of caregiving classes and events offered by our Senior Focus program in May and June, 2012.

Read more  senior health and wellness topics on our blog.

Additional Online Resources:

Learn about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease on the Alzheimer’s Association website.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia on the Alzheimer’s Association website.

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Is that pain in your stomach an ulcer? About 5 million ulcers were reported in the United States last year, according to Vino Verghese, M.D., a Mills-Peninsula gastroenterologist. “There are many types of ulcers, most commonly occurring in the stomach or small intestine,” he says. “People with an ulcer may experience stomach pain that is relieved by eating or taking antacids. But some ulcers can be completely painless.”

Contrary to popular belief, ulcers are not caused by stress, the doctor says. “Stressful behaviors like smoking or drinking alcohol may predispose people to ulcers, but almost 80 percent of ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection.”

Watch this video segment from Healthpoint TV to find out how ulcers are detected and treated.

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Do you know what you and your family will do in the case of an earthquake, fire or other disaster? Earthquakes are common in the Bay Area, but disasters of all kinds can be best navigated with an emergency plan.

Deborah Tauscher, Mills-Peninsula emergency preparedness coordinator, gives you tips on how to plan ahead in the first of a series of video segments from Healthpoint TV on emergency preparedness.

For more diaster preparedness tips, view Deborah Tauscher’s monthly series of emergency preparedness blog posts.

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Spring and summer are great seasons for healthy eating, with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and great weather for grilling. In this blog post, Cathy Hazlewood, a Mills-Peninsula registered dietitian, shares a nutritious, low-fat chicken kebab recipe from the American Heart Association enhanced with the  flavors of sunny Tuscany – lemon, rosemary, garlic and oregano.  Serve it with instant brown rice studded with sun-dried tomatoes (included in the recipe) for a rustic, easy-to-prepare and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, all visible fat discarded, cut into 16 cubes
16 whole button or cremini mushrooms (about 1/2 ounce each), ends trimmed
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces
16 cherry tomatoes
Cooking spray
1/2 cup uncooked instant brown rice
1 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch squares

Cooking Instructions

1. In a medium nonmetallic bowl, stir together the lemon zest, lemon juice, rosemary, oil, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken, stirring to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. The chicken can marinate for up to 8 hours for even more flavor. Turn several times if marinating for more than 30 minutes.

2. Soak eight 8-inch wooden skewers for at least 10 minutes in cold water to keep them from charring, or use metal skewers. Preheat the grill on medium high.

3. Drain the chicken and discard the marinade. Alternately thread the chicken, mushrooms, bell pepper, and tomatoes on the skewers. Lightly spray all sides with cooking spray.

4. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth and tomatoes to a boil over high heat. Stir in the rice. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

5. Meanwhile, grill the kebabs for 2 to 3 minutes on each side (8 to 12 minutes total), or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the vegetables are tender. Serve with the rice on the side.
 
Serves: four. Two kebabs (3 ounces chicken and 1/2 cup vegetables) and 1/2 cup brown rice per serving

Nutritional Analysis (Per Serving)

Calories Per Serving: 213
Total Fat: 2.5 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Trans Fat: 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
Cholesterol: 66 mg
Sodium: 16 g
Carbohydrates: 16 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 4 g
Protein: 31 g

Dietary Exchanges

1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 very lean meat

This recipe is shared from the American Heart Association’s Food Certification Program. Recipe copyright © 2008 American Heart Association.

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Before high-speed Internet in the OR, surgeons used to feel like they were “operating in a box,” says Andrea Metkus, M.D., Mills-Peninsula general surgeon and medical director at the Women’s Center in San Mateo.

Today, surgeons like Dr. Metkus are connected to information and medical experts around the globe.

“The new integrated operating room system allows us to access test results and lab X-rays on multiple high-definition monitors around the spacious OR,” she says “We can talk to or even show images to a doctor in the next operating room or somewhere else in the world.”

In this video segment from Healthpoint TV, Dr. Metkus takes you on a tour of a high-tech operating suite at the new Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame.

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