Last updated 1 year ago
If chronic neck or back pain, or other debilitating conditions of the spine are keeping you from fully participating in everyday life, relief is in sight. Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine Center is providing patients who suffer from neck and back pain a complete range of treatment options — all in one convenient location with full management of care.
It’s not uncommon for people suffering with back and neck pain to try many kinds of treatment without real relief, and it can be frustrating to wait many weeks for an appointment with a specialist. At the core of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine Center is a nurse practitioner or “navigator” who helps patients through a simpler process.
The Spine Center also includes a multidisciplinary team of physicians and health care professionals trained in providing the full range of key spinal care services, including spine surgery, pain management, neurology and physical therapy.
Patients are led through a process of assessment and treatment ranging from physical therapy to aggressive non-surgical management. When necessary, delicate spine surgery tailored to the patient’s unique condition is available from skilled orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons.
The Spine Center is located on the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus with easy access off Town Center Boulevard. Patients with physician referrals, as well as those without referrals, are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Spine Center, please call 281-313-BACK (2225) or email SpineCenter@tmhs.org.
(Photo): Affiliated Spine Center Physicians
Free Seminar: Join a multi-disciplinary panel of physicians from the Methodist Sugar Land Spine Center to have your questions answered regarding back and neck pain. October 25 at 6:00 p.m., located at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Conference Center. Seating is limited, call today to make reservations. 281-274-7500.
Last updated 1 year ago
When you think of radiation exposure, does a nuclear power plant disaster come to mind? How about airport scanners? Or medical imaging such as CT scans and mammograms? There have been media reports questioning dangerous levels of radiation exposure from these sources and as a result, there’s growing concern about the safety of mammograms and other imaging routinely used for detecting diseases like breast cancer.
The fact is, the health benefits of getting a mammogram that may help diagnose breast cancer in its early stages far outweighs any risk of radiation associated with the test.
MAMMOGRAMS SAVE LIVES
“It’s important for women to know that mammograms are considered safe, and it’s proven that they can save lives,” says Kelly Dempsey, M.D., board-certified surgeon specializing in breast surgery. The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society recommend that women age 40 and older get mammograms every one to two years. “Women with above-average risk for breast cancer should talk with their doctor about when to start screening and how often to get mammograms,” Dr. Dempsey adds.
Risks associated with radiation exposure from mammograms and other X-rays are minimal. “There is a slightly elevated risk of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation, but the amount of radiation from a mammogram is very low, and the benefit of early detection of cancer far outweighs the risk,” says Stephen Phillips, M.D., board-certified breast radiologist and medical director of the Breast Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.
In fact, the amount of radiation exposure in one mammogram is the equivalent of the same radiation exposure you get from natural sources alone in seven weeks. Natural background sources of radiation occur in the atmosphere, such as radon gas found in homes, minerals in the ground and cosmic rays from outer space.
“For women age 40 and older, regular mammograms read by a breast radiologist and clinical breast exams with a health care provider are powerful screening tools in detecting cancer early,” emphasizes Sandra Templeton, M.D., board-certified surgeon specializing in breast surgery. “Mammograms help physicians detect small tumors in the early stages of cancer, when there are more treatment options and greater chance of survival.”
WAYS WE PROTECT YOU
The Breast Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital limits unnecessary exposure to radiation by using the lowest dose possible for all kinds of screening tests, including mammograms. Digital mammography equipment provides higher-quality images and a lower radiation dose compared to film mammography. “In addition, our Breast Center is reviewed by national and international radiology protection councils to make sure we are meeting certain safety standards,” Dr. Phillips says. To schedule a mammogram at the Breast Center, please call 281-242-PINK (7465).
(Photo): Kelly Dempsey, M.D.; Stephen Phillips, M.D. and Sandra Templeton, M.D.
FREE SEMINAR: Join a multi-disciplinary panel of physicians to discuss Updates on Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment and have your questions answered. October 19 at 6:00 p.m., located at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital main pavilion conference center. Seating is limited, call today to make reservations. 281-274-7500.
Last updated 1 year ago
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is pleased to announce it has achieved Pathway to Excellence® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
The Pathway to Excellence designation identifies the elements of work environments where nurses can flourish. The designation substantiates the professional satisfaction of nurses at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and identifies it as one of the best places to work in the country.
“This recognition represents a great deal of hard work and a true commitment to nursing excellence,” said Janet Leatherwood, Chief Nursing Officer at Methodist Sugar Land. “Our nurses are at the heart of everything we do and they deserve to be honored for their unrelenting compassion and care for our patients.”
The Pathway to Excellence designation is granted based on the confirmed presence of characteristics known as “The Pathway to Excellence Criteria.” For an organization to earn the Pathway to Excellence distinction, it must successfully undergo a thorough review process that documents foundational quality initiatives in creating a positive work environment — as defined by nurses and supported by research. These initiatives must be present in the facility’s practices, policies, and culture. Nurses in the organization verify the presence of the criteria in the organization through participation in a completely confidential online survey.
As a Pathway to Excellence® designated organization, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is committed to nurses, to what nurses identify as important to their practice, and to valuing nurses’ contributions in the workplace. This designation confirms to the public that nurses working at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital know their efforts are supported. The honor encourages other nurses to join their colleagues in this desirable and nurturing environment.
The Pathway to Excellence designation is perfectly suited to small and medium-sized healthcare organizations, but is attainable by all healthcare facilities around the world.
(Photo): Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Proud Nursing Team
For more information on Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit www.MethodistSugarLand.com or call 281-274-7500 for a physician referral.
About ANCC
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments through the Pathway to Excellence Program™; and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC provides leading-edge information and education services and products to support its core credentialing programs. www.nursecredentialing.org
About Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, part of The Methodist Hospital System and ranked as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE Magazine, is committed to serving the healthcare needs of our community. We have some of the most advanced technology and medical capabilities in the area and have maintained the highest quality of care The Methodist Hospital is known for internationally. Our Centers of Excellence include cardiology, neuro-sciences, oncology, orthopedics, women’s services and urology.
Last updated 1 year ago
With potential benefits such as quicker recovery and less pain, minimally invasive surgery has become popular for a variety of surgical procedures. For some operations, such as gallbladder removal, it is more widely used than conventional open surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery, also called laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery, may require a few incisions of less than a half-inch each, compared with an incision of 5 to 8 inches or longer with open surgery. The surgeon inserts a rigid scope consisting of a camera and light into a port through one of the incisions. Images are sent to a screen, which the surgeon watches while performing the surgery using instruments inserted through one or more of the other incisions.
“Not all surgeries can be performed using minimally invasive techniques, but the list is growing,” says Timothy Oppermann, M.D., board-certified general surgeon and on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Major cancer, heart or other surgeries may require a more open surgical field. In some instances — even if a laparoscopic procedure is performed routinely — a physician may determine that a particular patient is not a good candidate based on his or her overall health or surgical history.”
However, when laparoscopic surgery is determined to be a good option, it may offer the following benefits:
- Shorter recovery time. Since small incisions usually heal faster than large ones, some surgeries can be done on an outpatient basis. Surgical patients who are admitted to the hospital may be released sooner and return to their regular activities faster.
- Less pain. Smaller incisions generally mean less post-operative pain.
- Lower risk of infection. Smaller wounds are generally at less risk of infection.
- Less blood loss. The tiny incisions involved in minimally invasive surgery can usually result in less blood loss than would be experienced with open surgery.
- Less scarring. This can be a significant consideration for some patients.
“Gallbladder removals, hernia surgeries and appendectomies are among the most commonly performed minimally invasive procedures,” Dr. Oppermann says. “Minimally invasive techniques are now used in most fields of surgery.” Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has been in the forefront offering minimally invasive surgical options in the following specialties:
- Bariatric
- Cardiovascular
- Colorectal
- Gastroenterology
- General Surgery
- Gynecology
- Neurosurgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Orthopedics
- Urology
If you are anticipating surgery or want a second opinion, Dr. Oppermann will discuss your options with you and determine whether minimally invasive surgery is appropriate for you. For an appointment with Dr. Oppermann, call 281-275-0860.
