Blog

National Poison Prevention Week is the perfect time to evaluate your home for potential poisoning sources and ensure that dangerous substances are being stored and used safely.

The threat and danger of poisoning is only an arm’s-length away.

“While the most common source of poisonings seen in Hillcrest Claremore’s ER are opioids, there are plenty of other risks,” says Emergency Department Manager Melisa Daugherty. “We also see small children with overdoses from household chemicals and over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen.”

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of maintaining good health. To understand how to improve quality of sleep, we spoke to Jana Loveless, M.D., Oklahoma Heart Institute sleep specialist and director of sleep medicine programs at Hillcrest Claremore, Hillcrest South and Hillcrest Henryetta.

Expectant mothers have a lot to be aware of when it comes to the health of their babies.

The Group B Streptococcus infection is one of the most common prenatal infections that can impact babies. It affects about 1 in every 2,000 babies in the United States according to the American Pregnancy Association.

During Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, Feb. 10-16, we celebrate the role cardiac rehabilitation plays in reducing the effects of heart disease and express our gratitude to the dedicated team members of Hillcrest Claremore and Oklahoma Heart Institute who make it possible.

We spoke with program director Angela Messimore, RN, about cardiac rehabilitation including what it is and what patients can expect.

What is Cardiac Rehab?

When thinking about the health issues related to obesity, oftentimes ‘heart disease’ and ‘diabetes’ are top of mind.

However, one in three Americans with obesity has also been diagnosed with arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Along with fireside cups of cocoa and the beauty of occasional snowfall, winter in Oklahoma also leads to weather-related injuries.

“The phone rings off the hook the day after an ice storm!” says Mary Ferraro, APRN-CNP, with Utica Park Clinic Orthopedics in Claremore. “Slips and falls can lead to broken ankles, wrists, elbows, shoulders and other injuries. For those who are osteoporotic, meaning they have weakened or brittle bones, the risk goes up exponentially.”

Add in a rambunctious dog at the end of a leash, and it becomes a recipe for disaster.

Each year about 1 million people in the United States seek hospital care for pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems.

“Along with Utica Park Clinic, we are grateful to bring the services of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Ogg to Claremore and the surrounding communities,” says hospital CEO David Chaussard.