Winter 2013 - Meritus Health

1Pneumonia2Septicemia3Depressive4Chronic5Acute6AtrialTop 12 Causes ofHospital AdmissionsFrom serious, life-threatening conditions to disorders that cannotbe treated in an outpatient setting, Meritus Medical Center trackswhy patients are admitted from the emergency department to thehospital. Here are the twelve top conditions that can land you in thehospital and ways to avoid the visit.7Strokeis an inflammation ofthe lungs caused by infection and acommon condition for why peopleare admitted to a hospital. Otherconditions like diabetes, stroke andflu can predispose you to pneumonia.or sepsis is a severeblood infection that causes widespreadbodily inflammation. Theelderly, infants, people withcompromised immune systems,people previously hospitalized andthose with diabetes are at risk for sepsis.disorders interfere witha person’s ability to work, sleep, study,eat and enjoy once-pleasurableactivities for weeks or longer.Alcohol or drug use, certain medicalconditions, stressful life eventsand some medications can bringabout depression.obstructive pulmonarydisease is an umbrella term used forchronic bronchitis, asthma andemphysema. Smoking is the mainculprit behind COPD.kidney failure happens whena person’s kidneys stop functioning.There are many causes of kidneyfailure including sepsis, severedehydration and kidney damage frommedicines, poisons and infections.fibrillation or AFib is anirregular or rapid heartbeat and cancause a sudden drop in blood pressureor lead to a stroke or cardiac arrest.Alcohol abuse, high blood pressure,coronary artery disease, prior hearttrouble, medications and anoveractive thyroid gland cancontribute to AFib.8Acute9Heart101112occurs when the flow ofoxygen-rich blood to a portion ofthe brain is blocked. Factors likehigh blood pressure and highcholesterol, smoking, diabetes andobesity can raise your risk of havinga stroke.respiratory failure occurswhen not enough oxygen passesfrom the lungs to your blood.Events such as trauma, sepsis, drugoverdose and fluid entering thelungs (aspiration) can provokeacute respiratory failure.attack happens when theflow of oxygen-rich blood to asection of heart muscle suddenlybecomes blocked. Managing yourdiabetes, blood pressure andcholesterol, exercising more andeliminating tobacco use can reduceyour risk of a heart attack.Urinary tract infection in mostcases is an infection of the lowerurinary tract—bladder and urethra.Diabetes, not drinking enoughfluids, pregnancy and being afemale can increase your chances ofdeveloping a UTI.Chest pain. There are manypossible causes of chest pain; theyinclude heart attack, lung problems,panic attack, shingles, gastroesophagealreflux or GERD and gallstones.The majority of chest painpatients are transferred to MeritusMedical Center’s observation unit.Pulmonary embolism is caused bya blood clot that travels to the lungfrom a vein in the leg. A history ofdeep vein thrombosis or DVT, recentsurgery, required bedrest, highblood pressure and smoking put youat risk for a pulmonary embolism.AboutHealth FocusHealth Focus is published bythe corporate communicationsdepartment of Meritus Health.Mary Stuart RizkExecutive DirectorCorporate CommunicationsNicole JovelEditor/Communications ManagerJoelle Butler, Assistant EditorBetsy Maymon, Graphic DesignKyle Haught, Shelly Crate andRyan Smith, PhotographyAnne Gill, WriterIf you have ideas, commentsor suggestions for futureHealth Focus articles, emailNicole.Jovel@MeritusHealth.com,call 301-790-8692, or sendthem to:Meritus HealthCorporate Communications11116 Medical Campus RoadHagerstown, MD 21742This publication in no way seeksto diagnose or treat illness orto serve as a substitute forprofessional medical care. Pleasesee your physician if you have ahealth problem.Looking for a doctor?Visit Meritus Health’s free service,Healthlineat MeritusHealth.com/HealthlineSearch by doctor name,practice name or medical specialty.For personal assistance,call 1-800-920-3627Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.MeritusHealth.comwww.facebook.com/MeritusHealthblog.meritushealth.com