Surviving Cancer Doesn’t Lead to Healthier Lifestyle

A recent story in the New York Times suggests that cancer survivors do not exercise any more than the rest of us. Interesting, considering that several studies have linked exercise to lower cancer risk and improved cancer survival.

Surviving Cancer Doesn’t Lead to Healthier Lifestyle
The New York Times
Published April 21, 2008
Tara Parker-Pope

Also, see her podcast featuring Leslie Bernstein, a noted cancer and exercise researcher from the City of Hope cancer center in Duarte, California.

The Well Podcast: Cancer and Exercise
The New York Times Well Blog
April 25, 2008
Tara Parker-Pope

At Bedside, Stay Stoic or Display Emotions?

At Bedside, Stay Stoic or Display Emotions?

By BARRON H. LERNER, M.D.

New York Times
Published: April 22, 2008

image by Serge Bloch

Dogs on Call

Do you have a patient that missed the regular Dog Team visit on Thursday? Do they miss their own pet terribly?

What do you do? Call the Dogs on Call (DOC) program. At the front desk of the main entrance to the hospital is a binder to request a pet therapy visit for patients. The requests can be made at any time - the dog team in for that day will check the binder before going to their assigned floor.

Just call down to the front desk using ext. 64690. Please ask the clerk on the unit for the number if you need it during your shift =)

Hand Hygiene March

We are improving! Good job! Our compliance has increased to 75% from 70% last month. Here is a reminder of hand washing protocol:

1. Alcohol-Based Sanitizer Protocol

A. When to de-germ hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers:

• Before and after patient contact.
• After touching patient care equipment or environmental surfaces.
• Before performing invasive procedures.
• After removing gloves.

B. How to use the alcohol-based sanitizer:
Apply enough gel to entirely cover all surfaces of hands and fingers, including under the fingernails, (about 3ml, or one "pump" of the dispenser, or a golf ball sized amount of foam solution).
Spread the solution onto all hand surfaces (between fingers, backs of hands, thumbs, up to wrists).
Continue rubbing hands together until dry (approximately 15 seconds).

2. Hand Washing Protocol

A. When to wash hands with soap and water:

• At the start of a shift.
• If hands come in contact with blood or body fluids.
• When hands are visibly soiled.
• If hands are sticky after multiple applications of the alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  After caring for a patient who is on Contact Isolation for Clostridium difficile diarrhea, antiseptic soap (e.g., 2% chlorhexidine or its equivalent) and water.
• After using the bathroom.

Annual Volunteer Recognition Reception

Volunteers: We Put Patients First

You are cordially invited to attend
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s
Annual Volunteer Recognition Reception
honoring volunteers of
Columbia University Medical Center,
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital,
Weill Cornell Medical Center,
and The Allen Pavilion.


Monday, April 28, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tavern on the Green
Central Park West at 67th Street

Ticket is REQUIRED for admittance.

Please call 212-746-4396 to request a Kosher meal. Due to limited space, we are unable to accommodate guests.

**If you did not receive an invitation, please let me or the volunteer department know.**

CPR Training

Great news! The volunteer services department is offering CPR training to volunteers! I will most likely be present at the one at Cornell. You can attend either training, but you must sign-up! Space is limited. See below for details.

CPR Training @ Columbia:
Wednesday, May 7
*4:00-8:00pm
EMS Training Center
600 West 169th St, Apt. 61 above Coogan's

Sign-up with Iraida
(212-305-2542)

CPR Training @ Cornell:
Wednesday, May 14
*4:00-8:00pm
EMS Training Center
Greenberg Pavilion, 1st Flr Ambulance Ramp

Sign-up with Elaine
(212-746-4396)

REGISTRATION REQUIRED!!
*Classes start promptly at 4pm.
You may be refused entrance if you are late.

This event is FREE to all active and compliant volunteers.

Spanish basics for Volunteers

There are many Spanish speaking patients on the floor. Please do not let this stop you from visiting with them! I know it can be a little intimidating when there is a language barrier, but please do your best. Remember there are other ways to communicate without using words. Here is a helpful website for your reference if you want to brush up on some spanish basics. This site is great because you can click on a sentence and actually hear it being said out loud.

Practice Spanish