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REACH offers free wellness screening09:14AM / Friday, May 22, 2009
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - REACH for Community Health will sponsor a free wellness screening for community residents on Thursday, May 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Stop & Shop grocery store on State Road in North Adams. Pre-registration is required. Those interested in participating should call 413-664-5326 for an appointment.
The “Know Your Numbers” wellness screening will include a blood test to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Weight and blood pressure will be recorded. A brief medical history including smoking and family history will be taken.
A small amount of blood will be drawn from a finger stick. Results will be available in minutes. Nurses from North Adams Regional Hospital will discuss results with attendees.
“We hope that community members who do not see a physician regularly will seize this opportunity to begin tracking their numbers. We are very excited to kickoff this program with Stop & Shop,” said Deborah Simmons, Executive Director of REACH. “We plan to bring the Know Your Numbers Wellness Screening to other businesses, organizations, and events in 2009.”
The Know Your Numbers Wellness Screening is one of the activities offered through Northern Berkshire Healthcare as part of National Stroke Awareness Month. In addition to the wellness screening other activities held in May include a REACH Community Health Forum where experts in stroke treatment share their knowledge. It will be aired on Sunday, May 31, at 3 p.m. on Channel 15 (Northern Berkshire Community Television).
Massachusetts Department of Public Health designated North Adams Regional Hospital as a stroke treatment center in 2005. The hospital uses state of the art “telemedicine” to treat potential stroke patients. Physicians at North Adams Regional Hospital are able to consult with stroke neurologists at Massachusetts General Hospital. The “telemedicine” system uses real time video and audio connections between the two hospitals.
“If you get to ‘know your numbers,’ you are taking steps to lower your risk for stroke and other chronic illnesses,” said Joyce Mickanin, R.N., Director of Emergency Nursing. “This screening is an important part of our community education.”
Disability and death related to a stroke can be prevented with early treatment, but only if loved ones and caregivers learn to recognize the sometimes subtle signs and symptoms of stroke and call 9-1-1 immediately. A majority of strokes can be recognized using the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Stroke Heroes Act FAST system. FAST refers to steps to identify a possible stroke victim: Face, Arm, Speech, and Time to call 9-1-1. Face. Does the face look uneven? Ask the person to smile. Arm. Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms. Speech. Does their speech sound strange? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Time. If you observe any of these symptoms, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.
For more information or to register for the Know Your Numbers Wellness Screening, please call 413-664-5326. |
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Mass. DPH distributes free "Stroke Heroes Act FAST" posters, brochures, and wallet cards here: www.MAClearinghouse.com/CatalogPageHDSP.htm.
You may also download the animated video, suitable for all ages, or order a DVD for your family.
| | from: Ted Clark | on: 05-22-2009 12:00AM
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