Non-invasive screening for lung cancer: what you need to know

Most lung cancer is not detected until patients are symptomatic and see a doctor. By the time those symptoms appear, the cancer has typically spread and is considered late stage. Late stage lung cancer has a 5 year survival rate of just 15%. If detected early, the 10 year survival rate jumps to 92%! Those are odds everyone can appreciate. Learn more about screening criteria and the benefits of early detection of lung cancer.

Logansport Memorial Hospital recognized for outstanding care coordination services from Caravan Health

On January 11 and 12, 2017, a group of Logansport Memorial Hospital employees attended the Caravan Health Accountable Care Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona. During this event, Logansport Memorial Hospital was awarded the Population Health Pioneer Award for the Highest Transitional Care Management (TCM) rate among all of the Caravan Health Accountable Care Organizations. Logansport Memorial Hospital President and CEO Perry Gay was in attendance to accept this award on behalf of the hospital, along with Jeanette Huntoon (Vice-President of Physician Practices) and Crystal Zinsmeister (Director of Care Coordination). 

The Transitional Care Management (TCM) rate is measured consistently in 45 other states across the country, where accountable care organizations have been established in partnership with Caravan Health at other local hospitals and health systems, including at Logansport Memorial. LMH established its own accountable organization in 2014, and has since been at the forefront of bringing innovative care coordination services to our rural population. Our patients have benefitted greatly from the best-practice processes that we continue to implement.

Transitional Care Management reflects the work that our Care Coordinators do to assist patients when they leave the hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation facility and return to their individual homes. The LMH Care Coordination staff – comprised of registered nurses – works diligently to make sure that these patients who return home have the discharge and follow-up assistance that they need. This includes helping them understand any new medications or changes in medications, coordinating and/or scheduling any new services they may need, and scheduling an appointment with their primary care provider to ensure that follow-up care is provided and received. By offering and delivering these services to our patients, Logansport Memorial Hospital hopes to reduce the chance that patients will be readmitted to the facility and are able to stay in their homes safely, enjoying a healthy and full quality of life.

Logansport Memorial executive leadership and care coordination staff stand together with their prestigious award. Pictured from left to right: Jeanette Huntoon (VP of Physician Practices), Crystal Zinsmeister (Director of Care Coordination), Leanne Schaller, RN (Care Coordinator), Perry Gay (President and CEO), Rachel King, RN (Care Coordinator), Jinner Richason, RN (Care Coordinator), and Romona Butzin, RN (Care Coordinator).

For any questions about the care coordination services we can and do provide, please contact Director of Care Coordination Crystal Zinsmeister. You may reach her by phone at (574) 753-1317 or by email at czinsmeister@logansportmemorial.org. To learn more about our accountable care organization, please visit www.logansportmedicalhome.org.

5 common warning signs of breast cancer

As mammograms become more common, thankfully more breast cancers are caught at early stages - before common warning signs even occur. However, not all cancers are found with mammograms so it is important that all women know common warning signs. If you experience these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician. Need a doctor? Logansport Memorial's Breast Center diagnoses and treats women throughout North Central Indiana.

What do blood pressure numbers mean to you?

Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through your arteries to your entire body. Blood pressure readings measure how hard your blood pushes against your arteries when your heart is pumping.

Everyone has blood pressure and you’ve probably had yours screened at a routine physical. Just what do those numbers mean? Let’s learn more about blood pressure readings and what they can tell you about your overall health.

How do you know when: you need an osteoporosis screening test?

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and brittle. There are no symptoms or signs of osteoporosis and many people do not realize they have it until a bone breaks. However, if diagnosed early, the progression of osteoporosis can be slowed dramatically. As with many screening tests, osteoporosis screening can make a positive impact on your life for years to come.

How do you know when: you need colon screening?

It's worth making time in your schedule for an annual check-up. An important part of preventative health care, the annual check-up lets your doctor do routine health screenings which can spot potential health issues early. Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment of a wide range of diseases.

Colon screening is a perfect example. Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.