COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2014

Saint Peters Childrens Hospital Only One in State Recognized for Treatment of Asthma
In addition to indoor and outdoor allergies, asthma triggers include: Cigarette smoke Air pollution Acid reux Infections such as u and sinus problems Weather - sudden changes in cold or heat Excessive crying or laughing Vocal chord problems As is the case with adults, medications can be prescribed to treat asthma. Rescue medicines are taken when children are having an asthma attack with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and/or having trouble breathing. Examples of quick-relief medicines include albuterol, proventil, ventolin, and xopenex. Long-term control medicines are prescribed to be taken every day so as to prevent asthma symptoms. Children must take these medicines even if no symptoms are present, says Dr. Singh, and some children may need more than one long-term control medicine. The goal of asthma treatment should be to use minimum medication necessary to maintain control of the condition and prevent long-term lung damage, says Dr. Singh. Because management is so important to controlling symptoms, it is important that parents work with their childs school to attempt to minimize the absences related to asthma. School nursing ofces should have a copy of a childs asthma management plan, says Dr. Singh. Parents usually sign consent so children will be able to take medicine during school hours. According to New Jersey school laws and regulations, school districts allow students to self-administer emergency asthma medication if approved to do so by a physician. The law also requires schools to have a nebulizer on-site. Asthma can be life threatening. If a child is unable to speak in full sentences, confused and weak, and the skin is turning blue or grey, SEEK immediate medical attention, says Dr. Singh. A parent should not waste time calling a doctor at this point. Call 911 immediately, says Dr. Singh. For more information or questions contact the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology at 732-565-5467.

sthma is a chronic inammatory disease of the airways. The inammation causes the airways to produce large amounts of mucus. This may cause plugging of the inamed airways, making it even harder to breathe. Among children and adolescents aged 5-18 years, asthma is the leading cause of hospital stays and school absences, accounting for a loss of 14 million school days annually. In recent years there has been a spike in the number of children developing asthma, partly attributed to environmental factors such as air pollution, indoor pollutants such as animal dander, house dust mites, and fumes from cleaning liquids.

Because a childs airways are narrower than an adults, children have a greater risk of developing airway constriction. According to Archana Singh, MD, chief of pediatric pulmonology at Archana Singh, MD The Childrens Hospital at Saint Peters University Hospital, symptoms of asthma in children include: Cough - typically dry and sometimes the only symptom of asthma Wheezing - A high-pitched whistling sound during breathing Other symptoms can include tightness in the chest, difculty breathing, poor exercise endurance, and feeling tired. Saint Peters Healthcare System was recently named one of the nations Top Performers on Key Quality Measures 2012 by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America. Recognized for exemplary performance in the use of processes attributed to care that leads to positive patient outcomes in the treatment of such conditions a heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia, and surgical care, Saint Peters was the only New Jersey hospital cited for quality care of childhood asthma. At The Childrens Hospital at Saint Peters University Hospital, a child suspected of having asthma undergoes thorough examination, evaluation, and tests necessary to conrm diagnosis. Diagnostic tests include allergy testing when allergies are suspected to trigger asthma and a lung function test. Treatment must include the management of asthma triggers, says Dr. Singh.

A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

nEEd A doctoR? To Find A SAint pEtERs phYsiciAn, cAll 1-855-sp-mY-doc (1-855-776-9362).

FEBRUARY 2014
All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peters University Hospital, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.

SUPPORT GROUPS
Autism Family Support Group FEBRUARY 9, 3:00 PM 5:00 PM
877-886-9462

COMMUNITY MOBILE HEALTH SERvicEs For more information about

screenings and educational programs, or the CMHS corporate u shot program, please call 732-745-8600, x8903.

Breastfeeding Class FEBRUARY 15, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM Breastfeeding Support Group FEBRUARY 7, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM
732-745-8600, x8820

SPECIAL EVENTS

Saint Peters Adult Day Center 200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Rachel Kallish, CSW Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-655-6853

Alzheimers/Dementia Support Group FEBRUARY 11, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

Grandparents Class FEBRuary 6, 4:00 PM 6:00 PM Marvelous Multiples FEBRUARY 3, 10 & 27, 7:00 pm 9:30 PM New Daddy Class FEBRUARY 27, 7:00 Pm 9:00 PM New Mom Support Group FEBRUARY 7, Noon 1:00 PM
Light lunch will be served at noon. Registration required. (four-week sessions)

AmERicAn hEARt AssociAtion go REd FoR womEn cAmpAign

friday, february 7 1:00 pm - 4:00 PM
Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center. Celebrate the nationwide campaign promoting heart health. Free blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings, and body mass index measurement and counseling provided by the Community Mobile Health Services staff. Call 732-745-8600, x8903 for more information.

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings FEBRUARY 14, 11:00 aM 12:30 pM

Elijahs Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick

FEBRUARY 16, 11:00 aM 1:00 pM FEBRUARY 26, 10:00 aM noon FEBRUARY 26, noon 1:30 PM

Bariatric Surgery Support Group FEBRUARY 13, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM

Lisa Lapinski, RD 732-745-8600, x8159

South Brunswick Pubic Library Book Sale Hillsborough Senior Center, Hillsborough SHIPS 1 Soup Kitchen @ St. Johns Episcopal Church, Somerville

Postnatal Yoga and Exercise Class HELD FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM 7:15 PM

Registration required.

BARiAtRic WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR

THURSday, FEBRuary 13 7:15 PM - 9:30 PM
For more information, and to register, call Lisa Lapinski at 732-745-8600, x8159.

Bereavement Support Group 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Call 732-745-8565 for dates.

Bereavement Support Group FEBRUARY 18, 2:00 PM 3:00 PM

For spouses and signicant others 55 and older. Saint Peters Adult Day Center 200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Sean OBrien, MSW, LSW Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-409-1363, option 5

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar/Cholesterol Prenatal Yoga and Exercise Class Screenings (four-week sessions) FEbruary 2, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM HELD WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS Church of Annunciation, Bloomsbury 7:00 PM 8:30 PM Registration required. FEBRUARY 3, 9:30 aM 10:30 aM
Crescent Park Senior Housing, Spotswood

EMS EdUcAtion SERiEs

Free; refreshments served. CEU credits. Call 908-238-3254 to register.

thursday, february 27 7:00 pm topic: psychiatric EmerGency

New Brunswick Senior Center, New Brunswick

FEBRUARY 14, 9:30 aM 10:30 aM

Caregivers Support Group/Monroe FEBRUARY 13, 1:30 PM 3:00 PM

Saint Peters Adult Day Center 200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Stephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP 609-655-2220

FEbruary 20, 11:00 AM 2:00 PM

Parker, Highland Park

Prepared Childbirth Classes MONDAYS, THURSDAYS, or ALL-DAY SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH WEEKENDS
Registration required.

SAvE thE dAtE

Blood Sugar Screening FEbruary 4, 10:30 AM 11:30 AM Flu Shots FEbruary 9, 10:15 AM 11:45 AM

Sibling Class FEBRUARY 15, 12:30 pM 1:30 pM

FAshion RUnwAY 2014 spRing FEvER

saturday, march 22
The Pines Manor 2085 Route 27 (Lincoln Highway), Edison. Annual fashion show sponsored by The Saint Peters Auxiliary to benet Saint Peters University Hospitals Breast Center and breast health programs. The event also features a Tricky Tray and a 50/50 rafe. For tickets or more information, call Saint Peters Foundation at 732-745-6641.

South Brunswick Senior Center, South Brunswick

SHARE Support Group

(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)

First Baptist Church Lincoln Gardens, Franklin

FEBRUARY 13, 7:00 PM 9:00 PM

Irina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW 732-745-8522

NEW Stroke Support Group

(for survivors and caregivers)

Oticon Corp. Employees only.

Health Fairs FEBRUARY 14, 11:30 Am 1:30 PM

CANCER SERVICES The American Cancer Society offers daily

FEBRUARY 4, 9:30 AM 10:30 AM

Call 609-448-7140 to register. Monroe Township Senior Center, Monroe.

DIABETES EDUCATION
Childrens Insulin Pump Group FEBRUARY 14, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
Donna Dziedzic, RN, MSN, CDE 732-745-8600, x8751. Call for more information.

FREE commUnitY lEctUREs

Presenter: Michele Lardieri, MSA, CALA, Program Director, Saint Peters Adult Day Center Greenbriar at Whittingham Adult Community, Monroe. Residents only.

information and support to cancer patients and their families. Call 1-800-227-2345 to talk to a cancer information specialist 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week or visit us online at www.cancer.org.

KidFEst

KEEping YoUR mind shARp FEBRUARY 3, 1:00 PM

Guest speaker and open discussion. Registration required. Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW 732-235-7011

Breast Cancer Support Group FEBRUARY 3 & 17, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

saturday, march 22 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Rutgers University College Avenue Gymnasium Staff of The Childrens Hospital at Saint Peters University Hospital will provide health information and education. Co-sponsored with Magic 98.3 FM. Visit magic98.3.com for more information.

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group FEBRUARY 11, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Cancer Institute of New Jersey 732-235-6792

Diabetes Education and Support Group/ Monroe FEBRUARY 25, 1:30 PM 2:30 PM

Presenter: Teresa Grasso, RD, CDE Oak Creek Village, East Brunswick Presenter: Teresa Grasso, RD, CDE Highland Park Senior Center, Highland Park

nUtRition EdUcAtion FEBRUARY 5, 2:00 PM

AnnUAl gAlA sAint pEtERs hEAlthcARE sYstEm

saturday, march 29
The Heldrich 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick Annual black-tie fundraising gala hosted by Saint Peters Foundation. Various sponsorships are available to support Saint Peters Healthcare System. For details, call 732-745-8542.

Saint Peters Adult Day Center, Monroe Township. Contact: Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW, or Therese Wyman, RD, CDE, at 609-409-1363.

FEBRUARY 10, 1:00 pm 2:00 PM dining dos And donts FEBRUARY 11, 3:00 PM

Latina Women with Cancer Support Group FEBRUARY ?, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

Diabetes Self-Management Education HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS

Registration and doctors prescription required. 732-745-6667

Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish. Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

Presenter: Caryn Alter , RD Saint Peters Adult Day Care

Living with Cancer Support Group FEBRUARY 12 & 26, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Cancer Institute of New Jersey Barbara Hale, LCSW 732-235-7557

BABY And childREns FAiR

saturday, april 26 noon - 3:00 PM
Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Local vendors and various Saint Peters departments will feature their services. Call Parent Education at 732-745-8579 for more information about the event or about reserving a vendor table.

Gestational Diabetes Self-Management Class HELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Registration and a doctors prescription required. 732-745-6667

PARENT EDUCATION For information, fees and registration, call Parent

Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

Baby Care FEBRUARY 3, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM FEBRUARY 10, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM FEBRUARY 22, 9:00 Am 1:00 PM

Central Jersey Health and Life, published quarterly, features stories about Saint Peters Healthcare System. To subscribe, call 201-573-5541.

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

732-745-8600

800-269-7508

www.saintpetershcs.com

Top Performer on Joint Commission Key Quality Measures 2012

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen

Regional medical campus of Drexel University College of Medicine

| State-designated childrens hospital and regional perinatal center | Afliate of The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia