Volunteer Spotlight In Memoriam Find Your Passion - New London ...

In Their Own Words…Doug and Gloria WhelanMr. and Mrs. Doug Whelan of Newbury grew upin Canada, spent 35 years in Texas and for the pastten years have resided first part-time, then full-timein New Hampshire. Each has had opportunities toreceive care at New London Hospital and each valuesthe proximity of our “excellent medical facility.”Since 2000, Mr. Whelan has been a patient of NewLondon Hospital’s Coumadin Clinic. “I’ve seen anamazing evolution in the care I receive,” he said. “Myblood is drawn, results are available in minutes, andmy Coumadin levels are evaluated immediately.” He isespecially appreciative of being involved in decisionsSuzanne Goldman, Grantham, NHEight years ago, I began noticing pain in my hip. Itworsened until it reached the point where simplethings like putting on socks or getting into a carbecame too difficult. Three years ago, a physicianfriend told me about the anterior approach to hipreplacement. Since then, I’d been researching andstudying this procedure.Coincidentally, I saw an ad from New LondonHospital about this new form of hip replacement. Dr.Gary Jones of Concord Orthopaedics ProfesssionalAssociation would be speaking and answeringquestions from the community. My husband and Itook advantage of this opportunity and we were veryimpressed with Dr. Jones’ description of the surgery.He answered questions clearly and presented anteriorhip replacement as an option for patients to explorewith their physicians.Finding Solutions to PainDr. Julie Franklin was the guest speaker at a recentStone Soup Lunch held at the First Baptist Church inNew London. A large audience gathered to hear Dr.Franklin speak about the Pain Management Programat New London Hospital.Describing acute pain as often sudden and sharp,Dr. Franklin said that this type of pain may serve asa warning of disease or a threat to the body. Causesof acute pain include surgery, broken bones, dentalwork, burns or cuts, and labor and childbirth.Chronic pain, on the other hand, persists despite thefact that an injury has healed. Pain signals remainactive in the nervous system for weeks, months oryears. Physical effects include tense muscles, limitedmobility, a lack of energy, and changes in appetite.Emotional effects include depression, anger, anxietyand fear of re-injury. Examples of chronic pain areheadache, low back pain, arthritis pain, and painresulting from damage to nerves.Dr. Franklin said that tests used to diagnosethe cause of pain may include CAT scan, MRI,myelograms (x-ray visualization of the spinal cord),bone scans and ultrasound imaging.regarding his care. “I feel that I know what’s goingon and that all my questions will be answered to mysatisfaction,” he stated. As a long-term patient of Dr.Jeffrey Powell, Mr. Whelan has seen best practices inaction.Currently a patient of Dr. Denise Weber, Mrs.Whelan’s primary experience was initially with Dr.Laura Weylman. When she spoke with Dr. Weylmanabout her tiredness and inability to sleep, Dr.Weylman referred her to NLH’s Sleep Lab, where testsrevealed sleep apnea. After consultations with Dr.Ayres, Mrs. Whelan now uses a CPAP device to helpher obtain the sleep she needs to function well on adaily basis.According to Mrs. Whelan, “A good night’s sleep isvery important to everyone in terms of health. Beingtired day after day saps one’s strength and diminishesthe quality not only of one’s life but also of the timespent with family and friends and at work. Mostpeople not feeling well do not think of the possibilitythat they might have sleep apnea or that symptomscan easily be corrected through the use of a CPAPmachine.”Mr. & Mrs. Whelan agree that “the medical care wereceive at New London Hospital is second to none. Asolder residents, we appreciate feeling safe and wellcared-for.”The day after the seminar I made an appointment tosee Dr. Jones. An x-ray revealed osteoarthritis. Dr.Jones agreed I’d be a good candidate for anterior hipreplacement and the procedure was scheduled.Everyone I encountered at New London Hospital waswonderful. Those who conducted my pre-op testing,those who administered my anesthesia and the nurseswho cared for me afterwards all made me feel I wasin good hands. My surgery took about one hour andI stayed overninght. The next day, I actually walkedto the nurses’ station without any assisting devices. Isaw a physical therapist who demonstrated exerciseswhich I tried with and without a cane. I was home by2:00 pm.My friends and visitors were amazed at my progress.I walked and exercised for two weeks, then wentto see Dr. Jones for a follow-up appointment. I wasdischarged from his care and told that I could resumenormal activities at a moderate pace. I experiencedvery little pain, which was alleviated with aspirin orTylenol.I’d ordinarily expect that this type of advancedsurgery would be available only at big city hospitals.I was delighted to discover that our communityhospital offers the finest in surgical advancementsand quality care. We’re fortunate to be able to enjoy arural lifestyle without sacrificing anything in the wayof medical or surgical necessities.Mrs. Goldman is one of the patients featured inthe current Annual Report. To see the completepublication, please visit www.newlondonhospital.orgFrom left, Stone Soup volunteer Chris Cundey, Dr. Julie Franklin, CherylBradbury, RN, and Stone Soup volunteers Dick Kipperman and Bob Meck.In answer to questions about the treatment of pain,Dr. Franklin described treatment options whichinclude:• Drug treatments, both prescription andover-the-counter• Nerve blocks (the blocking of a group of nerveswith local anesthetics)• Alternative treatments such as acupuncture,relaxation and biofeedbackNew London HospitalNurse Earns WoundCare CertificationDeb Caputo, RN, BC, CWCNDebra Caputo, RN-BC, CWCN (CertifiedWound Care Nurse), astaff member at NewLondon Hospital’sClough Extended CareFacility, has successfullycompleted anexamination to becomecertified as a WoundCare Nurse. Certificationis offered by the WoundOstomy ContinenceNursing Society, anaffiliate of the AmericanNurses Association.Prior to earning certification, Ms. Caputo attendedan accredited wound care education program. Thecourse covered a variety of topics pertaining towound care, including prevention and treatment ofpressure ulcers, options for dressing therapies, andcreation of an environment that helps prevent theoccurrence of wounds.“Wounds can occur for a variety of reasons,” Ms.Caputo said. “Especially when working with olderadults, we need to be aware of situations wherewounds are more likely to occur, and then tointervene to prevent their development.“Improvements continue to be made in wound caremanagement,” Ms. Caputo continued. “I’m glad tobe able to offer our patients the benefits of bestpractices with respect to prevention, diagnosis andtreatment.”Working closely with the medical and clinical teams,Ms. Caputo intervenes when specialized consultationis necessary. She also offers ongoing staff educationto ensure that the team uses standardized bestpractices in wound care. “Using effective proceduresand the most recent therapies and treatments forwound care, we can offer our patients the finest inquality care,” Ms. Caputo stated.The goals of the Wound Care Program at NewLondon Hospital include the establishment ofrealistic outcomes, pain prevention or management,control or elimination of factors that cause wounds,and education for patients, families and caregiverswith respect to wound care and nutrition.New London HospitalNames Clinical ManagerTina Mell, RNNew London Hospitalis pleased to announcethat Tina Mell, RNhas joined its teamas Clinical Manager,Surgical Services. Inthis role, Ms. Mell isresponsible for theeffective managementand operation of theoperating rooms, preandpost- surgery careand the recovery room.Before joining New London Hospital, Ms. Mell wasCharge Nurse in the Surgery Department at MercyHealth Partners in Muskegon, MI. In this position,she was responsible for four operating rooms,ambulatory surgery, ENT, GYN, and ophthalmology.From 1995-2000, she was employed at the sameinstitution as Staff Nurse in the Surgery Department.Prior to this, her employment at Mercy GeneralHealth Partners (formerly known as MuskegonGeneral Hospital), consisted of Charge Nurse inthe Emergency Room, Staff Nurse in the Intensive/Critical Care Units, and Staff Nurse in the SurgeryDepartment.continued on page 3 continued on page 3