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Show THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, June 18, 1987 In UofU Neuroscience Center - Double Doors Lead To Improvement, Rehabilitation SALT LAKE. For patients suffering from tumors, epilepsy, head and spinal cord injuries, the double doors on the north side of University of Utah hospitals neuroscience patient rooms - - they lead to hope. The ICU patients look at the new unit as progress and they look forward to moving through the doors, said Marilyn Crockett, R.N., head nurse of the neuroscience ICU. Theyre doors of hope, - - hope for improvement and rehabilitation. With the opening of the new neuroscience patient unit last February, University hospital offers the only clinical neuroscience center in the Intermountain area, according to M. Peter Heilbrun, M.D., professor and chair of neurosurgery in the School of Medicine. He and J. Richard Baringer, M.D., professor and chair of the department of neurology, combined efforts to establish the center, which includes an eight-beneuroscience ICU (formerly, the cerebrovascular neuroscience patient ICU); care unit; and the medical schools Division of neurosurgery and department of neurology. When the cerebrovascular ICU was established in the 1960s, it was founded by federal programs intended primarily for stroke patients, according to Dr. Heilbrun. Once they were no longer acute, patients were transferred to a regular hospital unit. However, the health-car- e teams were not always able to provide the specialized care patients needed. nurse for the neuroscience patient care unit, described it as a "progressive care unit. After being discharged from the ICU, patients need to become medically and emotionally stable before transferring to a rehabilitation unit or going home. Many of our patients come into use their right arm, how strong is their left? Equally important is the emotional adjustment these patients must make. Some need to deal with devastation. Nobody chooses to get sick, but these patients cant get well again. They have a chronic illness or a disability, which becomes their norm. We try to help them make that cant things you and I take for granted, said Ms. Lambert. Along with the use therapists, we teach them how to whatever function they have. If they the hospital with severe neurological problems that may cause them difficulty in swallowing, hearing, seeing, walking, talking - - all those transition. Neuroscience nurses not only care for the patients but for their families as well. Since many of the patients are from Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and rural Utah, we have a number of family members sleeping over in the unit, said Ms. Lambert. We try to start the family on a rehabilitation system the day the patient comes on the unit. That can involve teaching parents and spouses how to bathe the patients face or help him sit up. Last month, Ms. Crockett began a support group for families of neuroscience ICU patients. Every morning, families meet informally with a psychiatric nurse specialist or a rehabilitation pschiatrist and Ms. The discussion allows Crockett. them to share common emotions and become involved in the care of their family member. When someone is admitted to the ICU, its a crisis in the family, siad Ms. Crockett. The hardest thing for families to deal with is not knowing what will happen. Often, they also feel isolated from their sick or injured family member. Caring for neuroscience patients requires nurses who not only have special training but are willing to be challenged. Its a combination of rehabilitation, surgery oncology, said Ms. and medical nursing, Lambert.Tt can be hard physical labor, moving and lifting the patients. But its also rewarding. Over time, you develop quality personal relationships with the patients. And thats what nursing is all about. After 11 years of neuroscience nursing, Ms. Lambert still finds it the most challenging nursing Ive found. The patients have more needs, but our goal is to make them independent or as independent as possible. Neuroscience nursing also gives you a different view of the world, she added. Your mortality is more precious to you. d d In the neuroscience center, patients with brain tumors, spinal cord diseases and injuries, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and head injuries, in addition to strokes, are cared for neurosurgeons, by neurologists, nurses and neuroradiologists, therapists who are on duty 24 hours a day, providing all levels of care. Patients with neurological conditions present very different problems not only with diagnosis and treatment, but also for nursing care. They require specially trained nurses, noted Dr. Heilbrun. In the new neuroscience unit, patients get specialized care, and weve found their overall recovery is faster and better. Mary Ann Lambert, R.N., head NEW UOFU CENTER . . . Neuro surgeon M. Peter Heilbrun,1 M.D. visits with Mickey Maestos, patient in new Clinical Neuroscience Center at UofU. Neurologist J. Richard Baringer, M. D. (right) (left) is of the center with Dr. Heilbrun. Alison Moore, R.N., checks instrument which measures electrical brain wves through a helmet worn by patients. $ Brimley's Role Inspires Diabetics Utah's 40 AIDS Cases Compare To If Gus Can Do It , I Can Too' SALT LAKE. Actor W'il Brimley, who lives in the Salt Lake area, has done a lot to let the public know 22,000 In Country .Mark Fotheringham Pioneer Valley Hospital WEST VALLEY. Of the 22,000 cases of AIDS reported in the United States, only about 40 have been from b Utah. That may not seem like much, but when one considers that nearly 80 percent of AIDS victims have died within two years of being diagnosed, the tragedy becomes clearer. It is good to know, however, that the disease cannot be passed on via casual contact. AIDS is simply not easy to contract. Thus far, no cases have been caused by exposure to the perspiration, saliva, breath or tears of an infected person. In fact, if you are heterosexual, if you dont abuse intravenous drugs or have sexual contact with people who do. then your chance of catching AIDS is less than one in a million. Thats 40 percent less than your chance of being struck by lightning. Several rumors regarding AIDS continue to circulate which have no basis in fact. For instance, some people erroneously think the disease may be contracted by donating blood. The rumor may have grown irom the fact that drug abusers who share unstenle needles are among the high risK groups for AIDS. Needles used for blood donation, are completely sterile however, before use and are never reused. Not one case of AIDS has ever been attributed to blood donation. Another persistent rumor is that AIDS can be contracted by receiving donated blood. It is true that some cases have been attributed to blood transfusions in the past. Today, however, all donated blood is routinely tested for the AIDS virus, virtually eliminating the possibility of being infected in this way. One of the most rumors associated with the disease is that only homosexual men can get AIDS. Although actively homosexual or bisexual males are at the highest risk for AIDS, no one is totally immune. Cases have bee reported in heterosexual men, women, even children. wide-sprea- d Still there is no need to panic. It is true that the numbers of AIDS victims in Utah will rise in the next few years. Although prudence is necessary, one precaution that isnt needed is hysteria. A confidential AIDS hotline has been established in the Salt Lake area for people needing more information on the disease. Call (2437) from 6 p.m. to 9p.m. for the latest information on detection, treatment, causes and concerns. Finding A Pedinfrieian Is Lid fluff With Physician Finder, you can now get information on hundreds of doctors from LDS, Cottonwood, Alta View, and Wasatch Canyons hospitals with one quick phone call. Our free computerized network groups doctors by specialty, location, availability, and even by the types of insurance accepted. So no matter what kind of doctor youre looking for, call us today. 264-111- 1 PHYSICIAN FINDER Physician Referral Service of Intermountain Health Care - S about diabetes. After his own diabetes was diagnosed, he made sure that Gus Whitherspoon, the savvy, scrappy grandfather he portrays on the television series Our House, also developed the condition. In the May issue of Diabetes Forecast, the monthly magazine published by the American Diabetes Assn., Brimley tells readers what his diabetes means to him - - and to his fans. "Im not ashamed to say in public or private that I have diabetes. It doesnt embarrass me one bit, he says. But despite his willingness to talk about his illness, Brimley insists he is not on a crusade. Rather, he says, I just try to present a simple portion of life on lifes own terms. In fact, Gus Witherspoons diabetes is mentioned in almost every episode. In one show, for example, the characters diabetes was diagnosed. In another, he was treated for an insulin reaction. 11 million An estimated Americans have diabetes, a disease in which the body does not produce or respond to insulin, a hormone needed for daily life. The resulting high blood sugar can severely damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to death. Brimley, who also appeared in the Absence of movies "Cocoon, Malice and The Natural, learned about his diabetes the same way Witherspoon did. When Brimley began feeling sick, he thought he had a fatal illness, probably cancer. I figured that whatever was wrong with me would either get better by itself or it would kill me. And there was no point in troubling anyone else with it. At first, he tried various home remedies, like drinking apple juice. It was the worst thing I could have done, because its almost pure sugar. Finally, like his character later did on "Our House, he confided in a friend. "That scene was painful for me to do, because I played the scene in real life, he syas. I finally confided in my friend that I thought I was dying and I didnt thinh there was any chance of my recovering. The friend, who was able to be more objective, said, You damn fool, why dont you go to a doctor and find out whats the matter with you? did some of the shows fans. The actor received one letter from a woman whose husband decided to begin taking care of his illness soon after seeing the show. He said, By God, if Gus can do it, I can, too. And for Brimley, such letters are reward enough. "If one person on the face of the earth sees the show and begins to take care of himself, then it is worth it, he said. The American Diabetes Assn, is the nations leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research and education. It serves the entire diabetes community through the efforts of thousands of volunteers from more than 800 affiliates and chapters in communities across the United States. For more information, the interested may contact the Utah affiliate at or at ASSISTANCE? WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN CLINIC Offers free food and baby formula to pregnant or nursing women and children to age S. Free Clinics being held Saturday, June 20 and Saturday June 27 From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 3891 South West Temple 1 Call or for information 264-229- 7 NO 363-302- 4 264-225- APPOINTMENT NEEDED toll-fre- e The diagnosis came not only as a relief, but also as an inspiration. This may sound crazy, but I was a little bit encouraged and a little bit excited about having a new challenge in my life. Before, Brimley says, he never paid attention to what he ate or cared about exercise. Now, he walks two miles a day an follows a strict diet. At first, he required two insulin injections. But through dieting and exercise, his condition soon improved and he no longer needs them. Similarly, Brimleys character also met diabetes head on - - and so memo! Drive the spectacular Grand Prix Racers for 1 per lap if you race between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. any Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Free admission, free parking and easy access from at the Sports Park m smw 5 & 90th South This coupon good through October 986) D D J A NEW CONCEPT IN Poison Control Center Dispels Drug Rumors Rumors that FITNESS & EXERCISE SALT LAKE. small sheets of white paper with blue star tattoos laced with the hallucinogenic drug LSD are being sold to children in the Salt Lake area are not true, to Joseph Veltri, Pharm.D., director of the Regional Poison Control Center at University Hospital. The Poison Control Center has been receiving up to five calls a day from concerned parents who have heard or read that these stickers and other types of stamps covered with LSD are being sold to children in Salt Lake. The center has not received any reports of children actually being exposed to the drug in this way and the police tell us they have not received any confirmed reports either, Dr. Veltri says. These same stories circulated about 15 years ago. When therp is a real drug or poison threat id the community, the community can count on the Poison Control Center to get the information out immediately, Dr. Veltri stressed. NEED FOOD lose warn, according SWEAT f MO SWAIIM Individuals can workout" on motorized tables that combine the benefits of the best physical and isometric exercise principles to get results. of FREE INTRODUCTORY: No Obligation Visit With This Ad. Call For An Appointment 9 566-889- JUS? IMAGINE (Located in Union Point Shopping Center) 763 E. FORT UNION BLVD. 566-889- 9 |
