Spring 2012 - Northfield Hospital

2
Communicate early
to prevent underage
substance abuse
3
Be prepared for mosquito
and tick season
6
Whole grains are the
building blocks of
a good diet
FamilyHealth
Spring 2012 • Vol. 17, No. 2 507-646-1494
Cancer Care & Infusion Center
opens at Northfield Hospital
The patient experience just got
better for those
needing medical oncology
treatments or
infusion services at
Northfield Hospital.
The new Cancer
Care & Infusion Center opened
in May, featuring specially designed
clinic space to match the
medical expertise
and patientcentered
care
that has long
been a hallmark
of the hospital’s
medical oncology
and infusion
services.
Mary Quinn
Crow, chief operating
officer
Quinn Crow
for Northfield
Hospital & Clinics and project
manager, said the objective was to
create a healing environment and
an integrative service to better
meet the needs of patients.
“IT’S A BETTER MODEL OF CARE
THAT BRINGS THE CAREGIVER
CLOSER TO THE PATIENT.”
– MARY QUINN-CROW
Juliana Sayner, RN, BSN and OCN, prepares a treatment suite in the new
Cancer Care & Infusion Center.
“Cancer treatment is complex
and personalized,” Quinn Crow
said. “This new clinic space creates
a real focal point where we
can seamlessly address all of the
patients’ needs. It’s a better model
of care that brings the caregiver
closer to the patient.”
The center is located on the
south side of the hospital’s main
floor. It consists of eight treatment
rooms, six with heated
recliner chairs, and two private
rooms with beds for those who
need extended treatments.
Continued, page 4
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2
a d o l e s c e n t h e a l t h
Communicate early and often
to prevent underage use
Communicate early. Communicate often and have a consistent
message. That’s the game plan the Mayor’s Task Force
on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use has adopted to support parents
as they guide their children through adolescence.
Mark Mohlke, one of 10 community members on the task
force, says the over-arching message is that kids shouldn’t
drink or use other chemical substances. It isn’t healthy. It isn’t
legal, and it is highly likely it will impair a teenager’s performance
on the field and in the classroom.
That message is communicated in a variety of ways. The
task force submits a column on youth substance issues once
a month to the Northfield News. KYMN-radio invites them to
talk on air monthly on the topic. Once a year, the task force
produces a resource telephone directory for parents of middle
school and high school students. It is designed to help parent
network and introduce them to local resources, as well as
parenting advice they can use. The Task Force has developed
materials to promote its “Talk, Listen, Communicate” campaign
to help parents address important issues with their kids.
The Task Force has also developed a steady stream of mailings
to parents, supporting their efforts
and sharing best parenting practices.
They come in the form of colorful post
cards with a targeted message or in letters
crafted in collaboration with local community
leaders, such as the Rice County
Attorney, Northfield Chief of Police or Northfield Superintendent
of Schools. There goal is to be timely and topical. For instance,
there are mailings devoted to best practices around prom or
graduation or reminders to parents about the need to provide
supervision if they go on vacation without their children.
Mohlke said it is tough to quantify the impact of their efforts,
but the anecdotal evidence is strong.
“Our aim is to provide that consistent support and reminder
to help parents navigate these challenging adolescent years,” he
said.
The Mayor’s Task Force is a creature of city government,
funded through an allocation from the city’s municipal liquor
store enterprise fund and staffed by the Northfield Healthy
Community Initiative. Mohlke said reducing youth alcohol
and drug use is their primary mission, but over time they have
also provided education on bullying and Internet safety. They
sponsored an Internet anti-bullying video contest, which netted
12 different videos and many, many hits on the website.
If you would like more information on the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use, go to:
http://mayorstaskforcenorthfield.org.
Mayor’s Task Force on Youth
Alcohol and Drug Use:
www.mayorstaskforcenorthfield.org

Be prepared for mosquito, tick season
Dr. Kelley
As we hurtle towards the
active, outdoor summer months,
we must prepare for our annual
battle with mosquitoes and
ticks. Their threat ranges from
the mildly annoying to some
serious diseases with long-term
consequences.
Julia Kelley, MD, a pediatrician
with
Family-
Health
Medical
Clinic in
Lakeville,
says insect
repellent
whose active
ingredients
are
DEET or
permethrin can provide the best
protection.
DEET, which is found in
H O S P I T A L N E W S
many over-the-counter topical
sprays, is the “gold standard” for
protection against mosquitoes,
and it repels ticks for short periods
of time. It’s most effective
when lightly applied to the skin,
but not trapped beneath clothing.
Frequent reapplication is
unnecessary, and you can wash
it away with soap and water
once you come back indoors.
“The research suggests that
neurotoxic reactions are rare
and reported only when
DEET is applied inappropriately,”
Dr. Kelley said.
This repellent is safe
for infants as young as
two months old, but Dr.
Kelley cautions not to
apply it to the hands of
small children. They may rub
it in their eyes. She also recommends
not using a combined
DEET-sunscreen product because
of the need for frequent
reapplication of sunscreen, but
not DEET.
The best protection against
ticks is permethrin. It can be
applied to clothing or bedding,
but not meant to be directly
applied to the skin. Permethrin
impregnated clothing is available.
Its effect can last up to 70
washings, depending
on the product.
ENT specialist earns sleep certification
Gerard O’Halloran, MD, an otolaryngology specialist
at FamilyHealth Medical Clinic in Northfield
and Lakeville, recently added a new qualification to
his credentials: sleep certification by the American
Board of Otolaryngology (ABO).
ABO sleep certification denotes that Dr.
O’Halloran completed a 12-month fellowship in
sleep medicine and demonstrated his ability to interpret
results of several diagnostic tests, including
polysomnography, multiple sleep latency testing,
maintenance of wakefulness testing, actigraphy and
portable monitoring related to sleep disorders.
In addition to seeing patients for sleep-related
breathing problems including sleep apnea and
snoring, Dr. O’Halloran sees adults and children for
a wide variety of issues, including nose and sinus
problems and recurrent ear infections. Working
together with the new Sleep Center at Northfield
Hospital, Dr. O’Halloran may suggest a clinical
sleep study to help uncover patients’ specific barriers
to sleep, as well as provide follow-up care to
manage sleep disorders.
A graduate of Mayo Medical
School and Mayo Clinic ENT
residency, Dr. O’Halloran is also
certified by the American Academy
of Otolaryngology – Head
and Neck Surgery. He is trained
in noninvasive facial rejuvenation
and minimally invasive neck
liposuction; provides nonsurgical
cosmetic treatments, including
Botox ® and dermal filler injections;
and performs rhinoplasty at
Dr. O’Halloran
Northfield Hospital.
To make an appointment with Dr. O’Halloran,
call 507-646-1494 for the Northfield clinic or 952-
469-0500 for the Lakeville clinic.
3

c a n c e r c a r e
Cancer Care: Adds to a
growing spectrum of care
4
Dr. Flynn
From page 1
Dr. Dalton
Dr. Flynn and Dr. Dalton will have
dedicated space to consult with patients
in the new clinic.
There is clinic space for the medical oncologists,
P.J. Flynn, M.D., of Minneapolis Oncology and Hematology,
P.A. of Minneapolis, and Robert Dalton,
M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, to consult with patients
on site, and nurse substations close to the treatment
rooms. There will also be space for patients to
consult with nutrition therapists and Social Services.
New to the clinic is the position of “care coordinator.”
This registered nurse will educate patients
on the course of care chosen and help them set up
their appointments. They will then be there to coordinate
their journey through the network of care,
offering support, direction and follow-up.
There are a number of amenities in the clinic
designed to soften the experience for patients. The
clinic captures natural light at every opportunity. A
number of treatment rooms have a restful, scenic
view of the natural prairie on the St. Olaf College
campus. There are a small kitchenette and a library
for patient use.
Quinn Crow said the Cancer Care & Infusion
Center will be a great asset to the community, providing
services
that complement
other local
medical resources
such as the
year-old Mayo
Clinic Radiation
Therapy center.
“Partnering
with top oncologists
from Minnesota
Oncology
and Hematology
and Mayo Clinic
brings cutting
edge treatment right to our doorstep,” she said,
“And the Mayo Clinic Radiation Center is a great
local resource. Now, we have a cancer center that
will allow patients to take full advantage of all of
the great services available locally.”
Cancer Care & Infusion Center suites feature heated recliner c
Suites with beds are available for patients who require exten

c a n c e r c a r e
hairs, televisions and scenic views.
ded treatments.
New director has passion for oncology
Tami O’Brien, the new director of the Cancer Care Infusion
Center at Northfield Hospital, is
excited about the opportunities the
new center presents.
“This new clinic space will add
another dimension to the cancer care
and infusion services provided at
Northfield Hospital,” she said. “This
will allow for a smoother flow and
more comfort for our patients.”
Tami’s position is new, and she
is new to Northfield Hospital. She
comes with a strong background in
medical oncology. A certified oncology
nurse, she has worked in the field
for 20 yeas, first at the Mayo Clinic
O’Brien
in Rochester and then at Andreas Cancer Center in Mankato.
She is completing her master’s degree as a nurse practitioner.
Oncology has always been her passion.
“When you love what you do and understand what
patients and their families need, you are better able to guide
them through this medical journey,” she said.
Mayo radiation
center meeting
a real need
Northfield’s new Mayo
Clinic Radiation Center is
on pace to treat more than
200 oncology patients in
its first year of operation.
Tim McKone, MD,
director of the center and
a radiation oncologist,
said the center, which
opened last July, is meeting
a real need. Two-thirds of
patients have come from
a local area that includes
Northfield, Owatonna,
New Prague, Cannon Falls
and Red Wing. Another 30
percent have come from
Farmington and further
north, including Minneapolis
and its western
suburbs.
Radiation treatment
regimens require multiple
visits that can extend over
several weeks. The logistics
can be exhausting for
patients and their families
who are already under a
great deal of stress
“This has been a real
convenience for patients,”
said Dr. McKone. “We
continually hear how
pleased people are to have
their treatment so close to
home.”
The $10 million facility
offers a state-of-the
art linear accelerator
that delivers the external
beam radiation used in 90
percent of radiation oncology
cases. It is commonly
used to treat lung cancer,
prostate cancer and breast
cancer.
Mayo Clinic’s radiation
service combined with
Northfield Hospital’s new
Cancer Care & Infusion
Center provide a full range
of cancer care to patients
in Northfield and the surrounding
area.
5 5

h e a l t h u p d a t e s
6
Eby
Whole grains are building blocks of a good diet
Northfield Hospital & Clinics will be providing
secure, online access to portions of patients’
own health information later this year
Commonly called a “patient portal,” this feature
will be accessible at either www.northfieldhosptal.org
or www.familyheathclinics.org from
any computer, cell phone or mobile electronic
Why are whole grains so
important to your diet? They
are power packed with nutrients,
which research suggests
delivers a number of important
health benefits.
Whole grains
are high in complex
carbohydrates
and rich
in fiber. They
also contain large
amounts of B vitamins
and vitamin
E. They are an
excellent source
of iron, zinc,
selenium, and
magnesium. Studies
have shown
whole grains reduce your risk
of stroke, type 2 diabetes, diverticulosis
and heart disease,
while helping you maintain a
better weight. Vitamin E and
selenium are antioxidants that
help protect our bodies from
things like cancer.
“Whole grains are on everybody’s
list of good dietary
practices,” said Courtney Eby,
RD, LD, a nutrition therapist
with Northfield Hospital &
Clinics. “They are an essential
building block of any healthy
diet.”
The whole grain is the edible
part of wheat, corn,
barley, oats and rice.
It includes the bran,
the outer layer of the
grain, a source of B
vitamins and fiber;
the endosperm,
the inner part of
the grain, the source
of protein and carbohydrates;
and the germ,
which generates new plants
and is the source of antioxidants,
vitamin E, fiber and
B vitamins. When whole
grains are milled, processed
or refined, the husk, bran and
germ are stripped out, removing
many important nutrients.
Examples of whole grains
you will find at the grocery
store include: wheat, corn and
popcorn, brown rice, oats,
barley, quinoa and buckwheat.
You need to read food packaging
carefully to make sure you
are actually getting a whole
grain product. By law, bread
labeled as “whole wheat” must
contain 100 percent wholewheat
flour. A product labeled
“wheat bread” probably
contains refined white flour as
well as whole-wheat.
“At least half of your
daily grain intake should be
from whole grains,” Eby said.
“AT LEAST HALF YOUR DAILY
GRAIN INTAKE SHOULD BE
FROM WHOLE GRAINS.”
– COURTNEY EBY
“That’s three to five servings a
day for adults. Children need
at least two to three servings.”
An easy way to think of
a whole grain serving is: one
slice of whole grain bread, ½
cup of cooked whole grain
pasta, ½ cup of cooked hot
cereal or one serving of cold
breakfast cereal.
If you would like to learn
more about whole grain and
its benefits from a nutrition
therapist or discuss other
nutrition issues, call 507-646-
1410 and ask for Courtney
Eby or Kristi Von Ruden.
Anytime access to your medical information
device that has Internet access. With “MyHealth
Info” you will have 24/7 access to past and
future hospital appointments, scheduled clinic
appointments, lab and imaging results, medications,
vital signs and more. Patients will receive
more information about this once a launch date
is determined.

Treatment for gout works best if started early
Gout usually finds you before
you find the gout.
It is a complex form of arthritis
that expresses itself with
intense joint pain, usually in the
large joint of the big toe, but
it can occur
in your
feet, ankles,
knees, hands
and wrists,
too. Patients
report that
it feels like
their toe is
on fire.The
Dr. Ailabouni
pain is so
intense it
can wake you up out of a sound
sleep.
Adam Ailabouni, MD, a family
medicine physician at FamilyHealth
Medical Clinic, says
men over 40 are the most likely
candidates for gout, but it can
visit people of all ages. Women
seem to be more susceptible after
menopause.
Gout is a result of a build up
of the uric acid produced when
the body metabolizes foods such
as organ meats, anchovies, herring,
asparagus and mushrooms.
If the body produces too much
c l i n i c n e w s
or does not excrete uric acid efficiently,
the acid can form sharp
crystals in the joint, causing pain
and swelling.
The acute pain usually dissipates
after the first 24 hours, but
it often lingers producing discomfort
– tenderness and swelling
– for days or even weeks. If it
goes untreated it can cause more
pain and other problems such as
kidney stones, or joint damage.
“Even though this condition
is quite painful, there are
many effective treatments,” Dr.
Ailabouni said. “These generally
work best if started early.”
Contributing factors for gout
include excessive alcohol use;
certain medical conditions, such
as untreated high blood pressure
or chronic conditions such as diabetes;
and certain medications,
such as those commonly used to
treat high blood pressure. Family
history is often a factor.
There are treatments. Physicians
often prescribe nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs
or colchicine for gout. Corticosteroids
are often prescribed if
patients are not able to tolerate
the first two.
Dr. Ailabouni says there are
also medications designed to prevent
gout complications. There
are some that block the body’s
production of uric acid and those
that improve uric acid removal
from the body.
Preventive measures include
keeping fluid intake high – 8 to
16 cups of fluid daily, with at
least half being water; limiting
or avoiding alchohol and eating
a balanced diet. Nutritionists
suggest getting your protein from
low-fat dairy products and limiting
consumption of meat, fish
and poultry.
If you would like to make an
appointment with Dr. Ailabouni,
call 507-646-1494.
FamilyHealth to open in Elko New Market
Northfield Hospital & Clinics will open a
FamilyHealth Medical Clinic in Elko New Market
later this summer. The clinic will be located at 321
Main Street next to the Anytime Fitness center.
Experienced physicians and physician assistants
will provide family medicine services to
patients of all ages Monday through Friday. Children
will be able to obtain pre-school physicals as
well as immunizations at this site.
FamilyHealth Medical Clinics are owned
and operated by Northfield Hospital & Clinics.
Currently there are FamilyHealth Medical Clinics
in Lonsdale, Farmington, Lakeville and Northfield.
These facilities provide primary and specialty
health care for all people of all ages.
To learn more about Northfield Hospital &
Clinics and FamilyHealth Medical Clinics by visiting
our website at www.northfieldhospital.org.
7

FAMILYHEALTH is published as a community service for
households served by Northfield Hospital & Clinics. Additional
copies are available by calling Community Relations,
507-646-1034.
Mark Henke
President and CEO
Randy Reister, MD
Clinic Medical Director
Gina Franklin
Chair, Board of Trustees
Scott Richardson
Editor
Information in FAMILYHEALTH comes from a wide range
of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions
about specific content that may affect your health, please
contact your health care provider. Contents copyrighted.
All rights reserved.
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N o r t h f i e l d H o s p i t a l R o u n d u p
Dr. Meland named Chief Medical Officer
at Northfield Hospital & Clinics
Jeff Meland, M.D., has been named Vice President & Chief Medical Officer
of Northfield Hospital & Clinics. In his new leadership
role, Dr. Meland will serve as an executive resource to the
Medical Executive Committee and subcommittees. He will
oversee the Quality Improvement and Clinical Informatics
departments. Dr. Meland will continue to practice as an
emergency physician at Northfield Hospital and serve as the
Medical Director for the Emergency Department.
Mark Henke, President and CEO of Northfield Hospital
& Clinics, said Dr. Meland’s clinical and leadership skills
and his experience within the organization makes him an
especially good fit for this role.
“Dr. Meland has made significant contributions to our
organization for many years,” Henke said. “This will position will allow him to
have a greater impact on our clinical programs and our organization’s future.”
Hospital ready for Orange Alert
Dr. Meland
A February fire at a Northfield assisted living facility required Northfield
Hospital to initiate an Orange Alert. Physicians and staff responded on a Sunday
evening to facilitate the on-scene triage of thirty-nine people evacuated
from the assisted living facility and the hospital medical assessment of nine of
the evacuees. Seven were eventually admitted for observation.
An Orange Alert uses an Incident Command Structure model to coordinate
and maximize the hospital’s resources when confronted with mass casualties or
a sudden spike in patient volume. This model ensures that key responsibilities
are defined and assigned, resources are tracked and communication is established
with other emergency teams.
“We drill for mass casualties on a regular basis, and we have a system in
place that works,” said Andy Yurek, safety director at Northfield Hospital &
Clinics. “We have a very dedicated staff that always responds to the call when
events occur.”
Clinic office hours
FamilyHealth Medical Clinic – Northfield
507-646-1494
2000 North Avenue
Northfield, Minn. 55057
8 to 8, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
8 to 5, Wednesday and Friday
9 to 12, Saturday
FamilyHealth Medical Clinic – Lonsdale
507-744-3245
103 15th SE
Lonsdale, Minn.
8:30 to 5, Monday through Friday
FamilyHealth Medical Clinic – Farmington
651-460-2300
4645 Knutsen Drive
Farmington, Minn. 55024
7:30 to 6, Monday and Wednesday
7:30 to 5, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
FamilyHealth Medical Clinic – Lakeville
952-469-0500
9974 214th St. West
Lakeville, Minn. 55044
8:30 to 5, Monday through Friday
8 to noon, Saturdays
Women’s Health Center
507-646-1478
2000 North Avenue
Northfield, Minn. 55057
8 to 4:30, Monday through Friday
Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic
507-646-8900
1381 Jefferson Drive
Northfield, Minn. 55057
8:30 to 5, Monday through Thursday
8:30 to 4, Friday
Northfield Eye Physicians & Surgeons
507-645-9202
2019 Jefferson Road
Northfield, Minn. 55057
8 to 4, Tuesday and Thursday
Our focus is to provide a positive and healing environment that is patient centered. If you are interested in becoming a member
of our highly-skilled and compassionate staff, please view our employment opportunities at www.northfieldhospital.org.