The second annual Kindergarten, Here I Come! event was an amazing opportunity for kindergarten-age children and parents from all Avon elementary schools (or anyone with general questions about the kindergarten experience) to come together. Kids had the opportunity to do some fun crafts, enjoy story time with a librarian, sign up for library cards and even practice those skills they'll need to have in kindergarten, but that we so often take for granted...like opening cartons of milk or bags of apples, carrots and pretzels.

Parents (and their soon-to-be kindergarteners) even had the chance to sit down with two kindergarten teachers from Avon schools, ask them any questions they had on the brain and get some helpful tips to help them prepare for school.

A fun time was had by all--including volunteer caregivers from IU Health West Hospital. And, this was a great opportunity to buid excitement for IU Health West Hospital's Kindergarten Countdown camp, which kicks off in early June, and provides an opportunity for those children who will start kindergarten this fall, but may need a little extra support learning skills to prepare them for the classroom. Kindergarten Countdown is a partnership between IU Health West Hospital, Avon Community Schools and the United Way of Central Indiana.

• Step up to the “Asking Booth” - Ask a real kindergarten teacher anything you want about what it’s like to go to school and what you’ll do there.  Parents---find out what you need to bring to kindergarten registration in May and how to prepare your child. 
• Enjoy story time with books about everything from riding the school bus to going to school and meeting new friends. 
• Get a library card and check out your very own book!
• Make a bookmark!
• Practice big-kid cafeteria skills such as opening milk cartons and healthy snack packages solo!

No RSVP required – just drop in!

Avon families please note: this event does not include kindergarten assessment and registration. Assessment and registration will occur May 10 at your child’s school.

Kindergarten Here I Come! details:

Saturday, April 27
10 am - 1 pm
Avon-Washington Township Library
498 N. SR 267, Avon

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds, someone dies of a stroke every three minutes.

"Stroke and cardiovascular disease can affect a person’s everyday life and even result in death, "says James Fesenmeier, MD, neurologist with IU Health Physicians at Indiana University Health West Hospital. "However, stroke is a highly preventable disease. Key prevention steps that everyone should consider include controlling high blood pressure, controlling high cholesterol, not smoking, exercising regularly and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats. Preventing diabetes or controlling diabetes as much as possible if it develops is also important. Beyond that, knowing the signs of a stroke can save lives and improve outcomes if someone you love does suffer from a stroke.”

The National Stroke Association estimates that 795,000 American’s will suffer a stroke this year, yet most people in the US cannot identify stroke warning signs or risk factors. Many strokes—some studies indicating up to 80 percent—can be prevented through risk factor management.

Recognizing the symptoms and acting FAST to get medical attention can save lives and limit disabilities:

Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Can the person raise both arms? Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Can the person repeat a simple phrase? Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately!

In Hendricks County alone, there are nearly 80 reported cases of strokes each year. Even one case is too many of this preventable condition. To honor National Stroke Awareness month this May, IU Health West Hospital is offering two FREE opportunities to learn more about stroke risk factor management and how to recognize and respond to the warning signs by acting FAST.

Wednesday, May 1
Week One at West
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
IU Health West Hospital - Terrace Classroom
James Fesenmeier, MD, will speak. Call 217.3627 to reserve your spot

Get Strong
Thursday, May 30
7 pm - 8 pm
Plainfield Recreation & Aquatic Center
Call 217-3627 to reserve your spot for this educational program.

A new procedure, called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), involves inserting a needle through the abdomen and into the fibroid. Electrical current runs through and destroys it.

This is a technique that has been used for some time for individual tumors, such as in the liver. However, using UFE for fibroids was FDA approved just a few months ago.

On Thursday, April 25, IU Health West will host a free presentation on Uterine Fibroids from 7 pm to 8 pm at the Plainfield Recreation & Aquatics Center (651 Vestal Rd). The presentation will feature American Health Network OB/Gyn, Robert Grondahl, MD, and Robert King, MD, an interventional radiologist at IU Health West Hospital. The presentation will focus on uterine fibroid basics, causes and symptoms, as well the latest treatment options including Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).

This monthly health education seminar is free and open to the public. Those interested should call 317.217.3627 to make a reservation. Light refreshments will be provided by the IU Health West Garden Café.

Last year, the American Heart Association recognized IU Health West Hospital as a platinum-level Fit-Friendly Worksite for creating a culture of wellness in the workplace.

“We feel that building a healthy community begins with us,” says Lana Funkhouser, vice president of human resources at IU Health West Hospital. “Each spring, we offer fun and inspiring ways for our caregivers to start developing healthier habits while at work…whether that’s by dropping a few pounds, taking more steps each day or making healthier lunch and snack choices.”

According to the Indiana Department of Health, 30 percent of Indiana youth are obese or overweight, and a staggering 65 percent of adults are obese. Hospitals throughout the country are increasingly recognizing their responsibility to model healthier behavior for patients, staff and their community. IU Health West is promoting healthier behavior by eliminating sugar-sweetened beverages for sale at the facility, as well as engaging staff in healthier lifestyle initiatives.

IU Health Weight Loss Challenge
Caregivers are invited to weigh-in and then track their weight loss progress online during this 2nd annual, 3-month-long Weight Loss Challenge. Participants are supported with regular email updates and health, wellness and motivational tips. Challenge winners win cool prizes, such as iPads, iPods and Fitbits.

4-Week Walking Challenge
National Start Walking Day kicks off IU Health West’s 4-week walking challenge. This program offers participants group walking times, trail maps, and a 4-week walking guide. Caregivers who participate are entered into a weekly drawing for prizes.

Café Changes
In late March, the Garden Café at IU Health West Hospital removed sugared soft drinks, such as regular Coke and Sprite, replacing them with their lower-calorie counterparts like Diet Coke and Sprite Zero. Similar changes are planned in the Gift Shop and vending machines in the hospital. Healthier grab-and-go and hotline meals are in the works as well.

Are you up for a healthy challenge? Medical experts agree that regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases. The US Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend exercising 30 minutes a day most days of the week.

IU Health West invites you to experience the natural beauty that surrounds the hospital facility. Walk on the two miles of trails, commit to getting fit and enjoy a healthier lifestyle—one with more energy, improved muscle tone and an improved overall sense of wellbeing.

The National Cancer Institute considers “oral, head and neck” cancer as any cancer that arises in the head or neck region, including the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx (voice box). Tobacco use, alcohol use, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are common risk factors for head and neck cancers. At least 75 percent of head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco and alcohol use.

“Early detection and treatment is key to better outcomes,” says Denise Clark, director of the Cancer Center and Women’s Imaging at Indiana University Health West Hospital. “We highly recommend regular oral cancer screenings for any adult with a history of tobacco use.”

To participate, please contact on of the dental offices listed below. During scheduling, let them know that you would like to have an “IU Health West free cancer screening.”

Associate Family Dentistry
7800 E. US Highway 36, Avon
317.272.2700

Bonness Family Dentistry
10701 Alliance Dr. Suite F, Camby
317.821.1130

Durell Family Dentistry
1301 Agan Dr., Plainfield
317.839.6106

The Indiana Department of Health reports that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and Indiana, killing more than 150,000 Americans and approximately 4,000 Hoosiers each year. Smoking accounts for 87 percent of lung cancer deaths and at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths. If all tobacco smoking was stopped, the occurrence of lung cancer would decrease by an estimated 90 percent; however, in Indiana, nearly 26 percent of adults continue to smoke tobacco, placing them at greatest risk for developing lung and other types of cancer.

Until recently, early detection had not been shown to be effective in reducing mortality from lung cancer. Now, new technology available in low-dose CT scans has led to more promising outcomes.

“Treatment for lung cancer is determined by the type and stage of the cancer,” says Denise Clark, director of the Cancer Center and Women’s Imaging at Indiana University Health West Hospital. “Earlier detection is key to better outcomes.”

If you are over the age of 55 and meet other eligibility requirements listed below, you may qualify to participate in our free lung cancer screening.

Participants:

• Are over the age of 55
• Have a history of smoking equal to or greater than 30 packs of cigarettes a year. For example, you have smoked two packs a day for 15 years.
• Currently smoke or quit less than 15 years ago.
• Have not had a chest CT scan in the past 18 months.

If you think you qualify, please call 317.217.3821. A member of IU Health West’s cancer team will go over a more in-depth questionnaire with you.

Screenings will be held on March 9, July 13 and November 9, 2013. Screening is by approval and appointment only. No walk-in exams are available.

Need help to quit smoking? IU Health West is here to help make the transition to a smoke and tobacco-free life as smooth as possible. To lean more about IU Health West’s smoking cessation program, or to register for an upcoming session, please call 317.217.3477, or email westquitnow@iuhealth.org.

“Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest affects nearly 300,000 people a year, with roughly only six to eight percent of those people surviving the event,” says Josh Halon, director of cardiovascular services at Indiana University Health West Hospital. “We know that the majority of the time it happens in the home or out in the community. You are much more likely to have to perform CPR on a loved one. Being able to respond quickly and appropriately can make the difference between saving a life and losing your mother, son, daughter or best friend.”

Even with prior training, many people do not feel they have the experience to perform emergency CPR or are too scared they will hurt the victim. The steps to perform “hands-only” CPR are simple and can make a life-saving difference. Chest compressions alternating with rescue breathing remains the standard for trained rescuers, but recommendations for untrained bystanders switched to hands-only chest compressions in 2010.

Hands-Only CPR

The hands-only CPR method involves no mouth-to-mouth contact with the victim and eliminates the second-guessing of breath-to-compression ratios. Instead, hands-only CPR incorporates a continuous, rapid flow of hard chest compression.

“CPR is simple and something that can be learned in about 30 minutes.” says Halon. “I believe that having the knowledge that can help save someone's life is the best 30-minute investment you can make with your time.”

Steps to Perform Hands-Only CPR

When an adult or teenager collapses due to sudden cardiac arrest:

1. Call 9-1-1
2. Position the victim face-up on a hard, flat surface
3. Place one hand in the center of the victim’s chest and interlock the other hand on top of the first
4. Start Chest Compressions: Press hard and fast in the center of the victim’s chest
5. Continue chest compressions until the victim starts to breathe or emergency medical respondents arrive

The American Heart Association suggests that you perform chest compression to the beat of the Bee Gee’s hit disco song “Stayin’ Alive.” (The song has more than 100 beats per minute, which is the adequate rate to perform compressions.)

Indiana University Health shares the American Heart Association and Red Cross goal that at least one person in every home is trained to perform CPR. Join the highly-trained clinical experts from IU Health West Hospital in recognizing February as Heart Health Month by participating in some of the following “Listen to your Heart” events:

Week One at West "Heart Emergencies"
Wednesday, February 6
IU Health West
11:30 am
Reservations required. Please call 317.217.3627.

Listen to Your Heart Screening & Hands-Only CPR Demo
Wednesday, February 13
Brownsburg Meadows
9 am - 11 am
Free blood pressure screenings will be available, as well as hands-only CPR demos.

Listen to Your Heart Screening & Hands-Only CPR Demo
Thursday, February 14
IU Health West
11 am - 1 pm
Stop by the hospital's garden level corridor for free blood pressure screenings and hands-only CPR demos.

Listen to Your Heart Screening & Hands-Only CPR Demo
Wednesday, February 20
Plainfield Recreation & Aquatic Center
1 pm - 3 pm
Free blood pressure screenings will be available, as well as hands-only CPR demos.

"Heart Emergencies" (Free Community Education Opportunity)
Thursday, February 28
Plainfield Recreation & Aquatic Center
7 pm - 8 pm
IU Health West will feature a special evening presentation on Heart Emergencies. This FREE health education seminar is available simply by calling 317.217.3627 to make a reservation.
 

When a patient experiences a heart attack and requires an emergency cardiac catheterization, the clock to unblock an obstruction starts ticking immediately. "Time is muscle," says Josh Halon, director of cardiovascular services at IU Health West Hospital. "You have a window of opportunity to get blood flow back to the heart muscle, or you may have irreversible damage or even worse, death."

Sometimes, diagnosing heart trouble means taking a look from the inside--often after other testing has indicated there may be a problem. A heart catheterization is a minimally-invasive test that allows for direct measurement of the pressures within the heart, as well as direct X-ray visualization of the heart's arteries. It is still considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing and evaluating the extent of coronary artery disease.

Heart catheterization uses a needle-sized hole in an artery at the groin or wrist to thread a catheter to the heart under X-ray guidance. This allows physicians to see heart structures and blood vessels and determine if a blockage or other problem exists. Typically, a diagnostic heart catheterization can be performed in less than 30 minutes.

Heart catheterization also allows for blocked heart arteries to be opened at the time of diagnosis by balloon angioplasty and, usually, placement of one or more coronary artery stents. This is called an "interventional catheterization."

"With the opening of this second suite, we are committed to our promise of excellent care by treating patients closer to where they live and work," says Halon. "Without the cath labs here at IU Health West, patients might have to add nearly an hour of additional delay in being treated, risking further damage to the heart muscle. It can be life-changing for a patient not to get care when they need it most."

Plans for the 2013 Dragstrip Dash are underway. The next race date and community partner/beneficiary will be announced in the coming weeks.