What you should know about a heart attack

According to the American Heart Association,a heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped. The reduction or stoppage is usually caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. The plaque can eventually burst, tear or rupture, creating a "snag" where a blood clot forms and blocks the artery. This leads to a heart attack.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and how to react quickly can save your life.


• Chest discomfort

• Pain in the jaw, back, neck, or arms

• Shortness of breath with or without chest pain

• Nausea/Vomiting


Call 911 within five minutes of onset pain or discomfort



Do not drive yourself to the Emergency Room!
EMS providers are trained and can begin lifesaving treatment prior to your arrival at the hospital.



Renee Mauldin, RN
Chest Pain Coordinator

The K2 Craze

There’s a new drug craze that is sweeping through the DFW Metroplex, and despite claims stating the contrary, "K2" and other herbal marijuana substitutes are dangerous and often yield serious side effects such as an increased heart rate, loss of consciousness, paranoia, hallucinations, psychotic episodes, and death. These “legal highs,” as users call them, are marketed as smokable, dried herbal blends that reportedly produce similar effects to marijuana. However, manufacturers caution users that K2 and similar products are “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION" and are "…a novelty herbal incense which includes natural and synthetic ingredients." But, marketers and other profiteers say, “Sure, go ahead and smoke it.” And, why wouldn’t they? They are, after all, looking to make money! But, it’s this improper use of smokable herbal blends that pose a tremendous health risk, and they have been linked directly to a number of deaths, including that of a Kansas teen who committed suicide last month from paranoia associated with herbal blend usage. And, just this week, 19-year-old Dominique Darrell “Deezy” Tate of Dallas likely died from toxic exposure to K2.

Marketers and proponents of these “marijuana alternatives” fail to inform the public about the potency of the synthetic cannaboid chemicals added to their herbal blends and the potential contaminants their product may contain. But, that’s why I write this blog, to inform the community of potential health risks! One of the most popular herbal blends, K2, has been found on occasion to contain at least three internationally banned substances which are 100 - 800 times more potent than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the known psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. In addition to its increased potency, K2 and similar products are produced in China and other countries that don’t adhere to the strict guidelines of the United States Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The lack of regulatory control raises serious concerns about the quality and safety of any product, let alone one that the pre-teens, teens, and adults of our community may be inhaling.

The FDA and numerous health organizations note that K2 poses enough of a health risk from its potential side effects and lack of quality control that its chemical compounds have been outlawed in Britain, Germany, Poland, France, South Korea, Russia, a growing number of states in the U.S., and, most recently, cities in the DFW Metroplex, including McKinney, Allen, and Plano. But, let's face facts. Any time you consume an uncontrolled or unregulated drug or a drug with unknown effects, you are taking a risk. Products like these smokable herbal blends are not made in safe, regulated settings, and those who use it literally are playing games with their life. So parents, teachers, health care workers, concerned citizens, EVERYONE reading this, PLEASE take the time to talk to your friends and your family about the dangers of herbal blends like K2 before it’s too late.

 - Robb Huhn, manager of the emergency department

Resources:
Fay, C. (2010). ‘K2’ poses danger and should be illegal. Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/02/fay.ban.k2/index.html 


Rothschild, S. (2010). Committee approves making K2 chemicals illegal: Committee endorses measure to outlaw high-inducing mixture. Retrieved from: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/jan/13/committee-approves-making-k2chemicals-illegal/?more_like_this


St. James, J. (2010). Dallas teen’s death could be linked to K2 usage. Retrieved from: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/North-Texas-teens-death-linked-to-K2-use-100386899.html

Be Sparkler Smart this Fourth of July!

With the 4th of July just around the corner, the National Fireworks Safety Council and Texas Health Azle encourages parents to be alert to safety tips with children and their usage of sparklers. Sparklers are very exciting to children and can be safe if you remember to follow a few safety tips!

• Children should use sparklers only with close adult supervision!
• Sparklers should be lit by an adult one at a time!
• Have a bucket of water to drop the used sparkler into once the flame has gone out, as the wire and stick in the sparkler remain hot long after the flame is out!
• Hold sparklers at arm’s length and do not run, throw, or wave sparklers!

Being Sparkler Smart can will allow your child to have a fun but SAFE 4th of July!

 - Renee Mauldin
Trauma Coordinator
Texas Health Azle

Summer Safety and Snakes!

Ladies and Gentlemen, summer is upon us, and, according to the latest weather reports, we’re in for a hot one! I wanted to take a few moments and offer a few tips on how your summer can be a safe one:


THINK SAFETY: Summertime injuries are nearly 100% preventable! We are entering the time of year that injury prevention professionals call the “100 days of summer.” During June, July, and August there is a significant spike in injuries due mostly to the significant increase in at risk behavior. There are countless factors that contribute to summertime injury and if you can identify and correct any of these risks, you can take major strides towards reducing your potential for receiving an accidental injury.

1. Ensure kids wear their bicycle helmets and protective gear.

• During the summer months, the number of children injured on bicycles increases incrementally.

2. Water safety

• Wearing life jackets save lives.
• Designate a driver. Sober boating saves lives.
• Boater Education saves lives.
• Safe boats save live

3. Snakes!!!

• Humans aren’t the only critters getting up and around during the summer months. You may see increased snake activity in your area, the best thing to do if you see a snake is to stay away. North Texas is home to a number of different snake breeds and not all are venomous; however, don’t take your chances! If despite all your precautions you are bit by a snake don’t waste time, get to the closest emergency department for evaluation and treatment.

HYDRATE: Drinking the right amount of water is one of the best things that you can do for your body. Most people don’t realize it, but the vast majority of the population lives in a perpetual state of mild dehydration, which can lead to numerous, serious health problems. Just a few more glasses of water a day may prevent the headaches, dizziness, fatigue and constipation that is often associated with dehydration. Water also improves circulation, reduces allergies, and leaves the body feeling refreshed! That being said, the key is finding the right amount of water for you. If you have any problems with your heart, lungs, or kidneys you should speak with your doctor before altering your “normal” fluid or dietary intake. If you don’t have any medical problems you should be asking yourself… have I drank enough water today?

REMEMBER: Have fun, but safety is paramount! The summer is a great time to relax and recharge your batteries, it’s also a great time to get those projects that you’ve been “putting off” started or completed. Whichever way you choose to spend your summer, I hope you chose to be safe while doing it

 - Robb Huhn
Manager of Emergency Services

Students Caring for Patients!

On Monday, we had several 3rd grade students from Lake Country Christian School come to the hospital to present book marks that they made especially for our patients! Seeing the heart that these children have for this hospital is truly remarkable!

I want to take a moment to personally thank these students for bringing a smile to the face of our patients! Your thoughtfulness and creativity will certainly brighten the days of many.
 - Winjie

Innovative thinking and the future of health care!

In a world where it sometimes feels better to “stay the course,” it’s both exciting and refreshing to watch a new process unfold.


Led by Winjie Miao, President of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle, and supported by a strong cast from the Center for Learning at Texas Health Resources, a small group of intrepid explorers are about to embark on a virtual journey to the future.

This dozen or so employees, representing a wide spectrum of experiences and skills are charged with “future thinking” their way to a new vision of health care delivery by Texas Health. To what model will health care morph, five, ten, twenty years from now? What should it look like? These employees hope to create a vision that will help us get to that reality.

Make no mistake. The future of health care will look much different that it does today, regardless of what is accomplished in the US Congress. As the demographics evolve, we will need to look ahead and be ready for an aging population. Bricks and mortar alone will not get the job done. New structures in health care delivery will need to be created to meet the growing needs of our communities. New ways to enhance disease prevention and disease management will be mandated – failure to do so will result in health care drowning in a sea of acute care needs with no lifeboat in sight.

Starting at the end of this month, this group will begin working on what the next generation of health care delivery will look like. Congratulations to all the members of the team for their willingness to think outside the box. Congratulations to Texas Health for its willingness to support and nurture such innovation.

Now, we would like to hear from you. What do you think the next generation of health care delivery looks like? Leave us a comment!

- Dr. Joe Prosser, chief quality officer

Texas Health Fort Worth

Texas Health Azle

A little bit about the recent loss of water in Azle!

If you are a resident in the City of Azle, you are coping with our recent loss of water. Thank goodness water has now been restored and we are waiting on the boiling order to be lifted.


I have had several people inquire about how the water outage affects hospital operations. I wanted to address this briefly:
- The patients currently in the hospital at Texas Health Azle are being well taken care of during this brief water outage. The hospital has more than a week supply of water on back-up reserve in the event of an emergency.
- Our patient’s safety and health is most important to us at this time.
- We have brought in bottled water and fresh ice for our patients and their family members.
- As of this morning, the city of Azle has restored water to the area. The hospital is following the city’s recommendations to boil any water before use for the next 24 hours.
- Elective surgeries have been cancelled for today.
- Patients who need to be admitted to the hospital in Azle have been diverted to Texas Health Fort Worth for the next 24 hours.

We are constantly evaluating the situation and making the most prudent decisions with our patient’s health and well-being in mind. If you have questions, please feel free to leave me a comment and we will respond!

 - Winjie Tang Miao, president

Brand New Hospital in North Tarrant County!

Live in or near North Tarrant County? If so, listen up! Texas Health Resources has purchased land at I-35W and Golden Triangle Boulevard with plans to build a full-service hospital.

If you live in or near this area, you know how fast this area. You may also be familiar with how long it takes to get to the nearest hospital. On a good day with limited traffic, it might take 20 minutes to get to a hospital. If you have a loved one in a hospital in downtown Fort Worth, it might take 45 minutes to an hour with traffic!

So, this new hospital will not only be convenient but also provide inpatient and outpatient services close to home.

You may wonder what services are coming to the new hospital? Well, Texas Health is currently in the early designing and planning stages of the hospital, which will include an emergency room, outpatient and surgical services, physician offices and acute-care inpatient beds.

We do anticipate having a groundbreaking for the new hospital in the fall of 2010, with hopes to begin offering services in late 2011. We anticipate the entire hospital will be completed in late 2012.

For more information about the north Tarrant County project, please visit www.texashealth.org/northtarrant