February 2010
In a survey of medical care provided to 40 million Medicare patients, Sarasota Memorial ranked among the top 5% of hospitals in America for its unusually low mortality and complication rates, according to a study reported on Forbes.com last week. Forbes based its report on an annual study by HealthGrades, an independent hospital rating company, which listed 269 hospitals across the country with unusually low mortality and complication rates for 26 different procedures and diagnoses, including treatment for heart failure, pneumonia, stroke, hip and knee replacement operations, back surgery and stent procedures. Sarasota Memorial was among among the top 5 percent spotlighted, with a 29% lower mortality rate and 9% lower complication rate than most other hospitals. In last week's report, HealthGrades noted that if every hospital performed as well as those in the top 5%, they could potentially save 150,132 lives and prevent 13,104 complications in the Medicare population. For the full report, visit forbes.com.
Cardiovascular Symposium
If you are a health care provider or concerned about a personal or family history of heart disease, don't miss this free educational presentation that explores advances in early detection, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The annual symposium offers a full day continuing education event for physicians and qualified health care providers (8 am-5 pm), and a half-day presentation (2-5 pm) for the public, on Saturday, Feb. 6, in Sarasota Memorial’s first floor auditorium, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail. For information or to RSVP, call (941) 366-9800.
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Resources & Support for Families Affected by Stroke
Holly Dykema, program director for the Stroke Association of Florida, will be the guest speaker at Sarasota Memorial's Stroke Support Group, 10-11:30 am Feb. 10. Topics include: education, support and resources for families affected by stroke. The group is free and open to the public. The meeting will take place at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail (Meeting Room 4A&B (take "B" elevators to 4th floor past
cafeteria).
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Improve Your Heart Health
Learn how to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, reach and maintain a healthy weight and stop or even reverse heart disease with a few simple strategies and heart healthy recipes in this free community presentation by Sarasota Memorial’s cardiac rehabilitation experts, 11:30 am-12:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 18, at Sarasota Memorial's Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., Sarasota. Information and registration: (941) 917-6139.
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Journey Toward Wellness 
Trying to lose weight and get in shape? Sign up for 1-on-1 counseling and coaching – scheduled at your convenience – with Sarasota Memorial’s nutrition and fitness specialists and let them customize a plan that helps you achieve your health and wellness goals in 2010. Program fee is $200 and includes two sessions with a registered dietitian, one session and a personalized exercise prescription from a Healthplex exercise specialist, a fitness tracking device and monthly wellness lectures. Information: (941) 917-7468.
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Bariatric Weight Loss Support Group
If you are considering weight loss surgery, often the hardest question is the very first one, “How do I get started?” Sarasota Memorial offers free personal evaluations to help you take the first step to find out if weight-loss surgery is right for you. It’s part of an easy-to-navigate 7-step Bariatric Program that equips you with the tools you need to attain your goal. Call (941) 917-4571, attend a free education & support group for people who have had or are contemplating weight loss surgery or visit our website at: visit www.smh.com/weightlossprogram.
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Age-U-Cation
Sarasota Memorial's Healthplex Fitness Center will host a free educational seminar – “AGE-U-CATION” – especially for seniors, 10-11:30 am Wednesday, Feb. 24. The event will explore the positive effects of exercise on aging. Healthplex also will host a free open house and "Birthday Brunch" to celebrate its third anniversary 12:30-3 pm Sunday, Feb. 21, with food, entertainment, prizes
and more. Call (941) 917-7000 for information.
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Pain Management Symposium
Sarasota Memorial is hosting a continuing education event for physicians, nurses and other pain care-related health care providers. Topics include: Co-Morbid Conditions in Chronic Pain, Non-Opioid Management of Chronic Pain; Basic NCS/EMG Use in Pain Management; migraine pain, and upper and lower extremity pain syndromes, among others. The event is free for Sarasota Memorial physicians and staff. Fee is $100 for non-staff physicians and $50 for non-staff nurses, allied health professionals and occupational/physical therapists. The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, at Sarasota Memorial's Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., Sarasota (1/2-mile west of I-75 off Clark Road). Please RSVP to (941) 917-4500.
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5th Annual Neonatal Conference
Caring for premature and critically ill newborns is a complex and emotional profession. Caring for drug-exposed babies complicates care further. Health care professionals who work in obstetrics, neonatology and newborn care are invited to learn about current research and interventions addressing challenges in drug-exposed neonatal care, in a continuing education presentation 7:45 am-5 pm Feb 20, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital (1st Floor Auditorium) 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Fee for Sarasota Memorial staff is $35; fee for non-SMH employees is $45. Fee includes breakfast, lunch and 7 CEUs. Registration required: Call (941) 917-2173 for information or register online.
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How important is physical activity for long-term weight loss? That was the focus of a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine which included 201 women in a weight
loss program sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh. The women were separated into "high- exercisers,"
"moderate- exercisers," and "non-exercisers." While all groups lost similar
amounts of weight in the first six months, the difference after two years was
remarkably different in those who continued
their physical activity. They were able to maintain most of their weight loss (7-11%
of their body weight), while the non-exercising group regained most of their
weight loss. The study points out the importance of not only changing
eating habits, but also becoming more physically active for long-term weight
management success.
The exercise professionals at
Healthplex are here to answer your health and fitness questions. We offer many
options to help meet your goals, including nutritional
counseling, personal training and group exercise classes. To learn more about
our programs, we invite you to come by for a tour. Visit www.SarasotaHealthplex.com or call (941)
917-7000 for more information.
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Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Inc.’s Physician Golf Tournament will be May 7 at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, with a 1 pm Shotgun Start and Step Aside Scramble. Proceeds support education for hospital staff. Information: (941) 917-1286 or smhf.org.
