Hospital makes pledge of speed in emergency room

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Within 30 minutes of signing in, patients will be evaluated by a triage nurse, a nurse specially trained to determine the type and severity of a medical problem. That nurse can order X-rays, lab work and other tests, according to a release.

‘‘This is our commitment to the 40,000 people who come through our ER doors each year — to provide faster, better care in a more comfortable environment,” said Jim Xinis, president and CEO of the Prince Frederick hospital, in a release. ‘‘While patients with life-threatening conditions are always seen right away, the recent changes we’ve made enable us to treat everyone faster now.”

These changes include new technology designed to increase efficiency, including a computerized tracking system and digital radiography to replace X-rays and allow physicians to diagnose and start treatment more quickly, the release said.

Changes have also been made to make patients more comfortable, including private, glass-fronted treatment rooms for those ER patients who need beds, equipped with televisions, telephones and space for visitors.

After consulting with patients, ‘‘two things were very clear,” Xinis said in the release. ‘‘Our patients wanted shorter waits and to be kept informed during the treatment process. We feel our 30-Minute ER Pledge tackles these issues head-on.”

Get screened for prostate cancer

In other medical news, the Calvert County Health Department and the American Cancer Society remind men that annual screening for prostate cancer is recommended for men starting at age 50, and at age 40 for those with family histories of that cancer.

‘‘Perhaps more helpful to note is that catching prostate cancer early increases your odds of survival to nearly 100 percent, according to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition,” they said in a release. ‘‘... So what are you waiting for? A normal exam consists of a simple blood test and a short physical exam; altogether it takes about 10 minutes and causes minimal discomfort.”

Other actions to lower prostate cancer risk include eating five to 10 portions of fruits and vegetables each day, as well as mushrooms. Avoiding a diet high in animal fat is also important, according to the release.

Getting screened is important. Early prostate cancer does not usually show any symptoms.

Also, having an enlarged prostate, which is not equivalent to prostate cancer, may cause similar symptoms as prostate cancer.

Symptoms include:

* Feeling a need to urinate frequently;

* Having difficulty starting or holding back urinating;

* Inability to urinate;

* A weak or interrupting flow of urine;

* Painful or burning urination;

* Difficulty having an erection;

* Painful ejaculation;

* Blood in either urine or semen;

* Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs.

Learn pasturemanagement practices

On Tuesday, July 8, the Calvert County Agriculture Commission and the Calvert Soil Conservation District will sponsor a pasture walk as a follow-up to a seminar in April.

‘‘The pasture walk will allow participants to talk to the farm owner, learn from experts about weed control and Bermuda grass management, and see many inexpensive, easy-to-install practices that work on small horse farms,” according to a release.

Speakers include: Mike Hall, a USDA expert in the establishment and management of Bermuda grass; Elmer Dengler, a USDA state grazing specialist; Lester Vough, a forage systems management consultant from Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development; and Herbert Reed, agricultural extension agent.

Preregistration is required for this free seminar.

For registration and directions, call Craig Mask, Calvert Soil Conservation District, at 410-535-1521, Ext. 3.