​Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 650,000 people each year. Here are some other facts everyone should know about heart disease:
●        In the U.S., one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease.
●        Every year, about 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack.
●        Nearly half of American adults (47%) suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, which increases the risk of a heart attack and stroke. However, only about 1 in 4 people with high blood pressure have their condition under control.
 
Another important fact is that most people can take steps right now to reduce the risks related to heart disease.
 
“In many cases, heart disease is preventable,” says Michelle Bachtel, MD, board certified cardiologist with Keys Medical Group. “By adopting a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol and treating high blood pressure, we can all reduce our risk for heart disease.” Dr. Bachtel  is the medical director of non-invasive cardiology at Lower Keys Medical Center and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Since 1964, February has been recognized as American Heart Month – a time of year dedicated to increasing awareness about heart health and highlighting steps we can take to create a heart healthy lifestyle..
This year, Lower Keys Medical Center is taking the entire month of February to help people in the community learn ways to reduce their risks with the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge. Participants will receive a daily email with short, informative articles, quick tips, and a daily challenge to promote heart health.
 
“At Lower Keys Medical Center, we are committed to helping people live healthier and, for most of us, there’s no better place to start than taking better care of our hearts,” says David Clay, CEO. “People who join us for this challenge will find the content takes only a couple of minutes to read each day. It is fun, sometimes surprising, always informative, and it can be life-saving. I hope everyone will sign up for the challenge and join us on a 28 day journey to a healthier heart.”
 
The 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge includes 28 challenges that can help participants eat healthier, get up from a sedentary lifestyle, relieve stress and lower blood pressure. To sign-up for the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge, visit https://www.lkmc.com/heart-challenge.
 

​Meagan Becker, a registered nurse at Lower Keys Medical Center  for over six years, has received a national 2022 Nursing Excellence Award.
 
Becker is one of ten national winners selected across all hospitals affiliated with Community Health Systems, one of the leading operators of general acute-care hospitals and outpatient care centers in communities across the United States. The organization’s affiliates include Lower Keys Medical Center and 80 other hospitals in 16 states.
 
Becker was surprised with the recognition during a reception with hospital leadership where she was presented with a crystal plaque and a symbolic check for the cash award she received, among other gifts.
 
CEO David Clay said, “Meagan is often mentioned in our patient surveys because of her compassionate care and has been nominated for other awards by her peers and patients. A colleague describes her as ‘shining bright like a diamond’. Co-workers recognize Meagan as passionate, diligent, supportive, energetic and kind, with an insatiable desire for continuous learning to provide the best care possible for her patients.”
 
The Nursing Excellence Award was created to honor the critical role nurses have played in treating patients throughout the pandemic. The peer-nominated award program was open to qualifying RNs and LPNs working in a direct patient care position who consistently demonstrate characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence. These characteristics include outstanding care, compassion, service and innovation, and reflect the efforts of someone who is a demonstrated team player and/or mentor to others, is a leader in times of crises, and who regularly promotes health in the community.
 
Becker joined Lower Keys Medical Center in June of 2016 caring for pediatric patients. She readily volunteered to help cover other units such as medical surgical, intensive care, postpartum and the emergency departments, giving her a broad base of knowledge and experience. She is now in the Labor and Delivery unit and serves as a Charge Nurse as well.
 
In addition to receiving the Nursing Excellence Award itself, Becker received a cash award and a copy of “Shining the Light on All the Right – Celebrating the Art of Nursing Around the World” by Mark and Bonnie Barnes, co-founders of The DAISY Foundation, an international movement created to recognize and express gratitude for extraordinary nursing.

​Breast cancer remains a top risk for women, making up 30% of all new female cancer cases in the U.S. annually. Fortunately, a screening mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Lower Keys Medical Center is encouraging women to schedule their screening now, because when breast cancer is detected early, life-saving treatment can begin right away.
 
“The best chance for survival of any cancer is early diagnosis and treatment,” said Stanley Santiago, M.D., MBA, FACOG, Keys Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Mammograms can detect cancer before any symptoms, such as a lump, or spreading of the disease occurs, which can increase the likelihood of recovery.”
 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Lower Keys Medical Center’s Women’s Imaging Center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, with expanded hours on October 7th, 12th, and 18th, from 7 am – 7 pm, and Saturday, October 22nd, from 8 am – 4 pm. A discounted self-pay rate is available through the month of October. Call (305)294-5535, extension 3308, for more information. A physician’s order is required.
 
Early Detection Saves Lives
Nearly all breast cancers can be treated successfully if found early. The most effective way to detect breast cancer at an early, treatable stage is to have yearly mammograms. Since mammography became widely used in the 1980s, the U.S. breast cancer death rate in women has dropped 43 percent.
 
The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) recommend annual mammograms start at age 40 for women of average risk. Different guidelines apply to women at higher risk.
 
African Americans and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should have a risk assessment at age 30 to see if a screening earlier than age 40 is needed. Women who were previously diagnosed with breast cancer are recommended to be screened with magnetic resonance imaging, an MRI.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center’s mammography service at the Women’s Imaging Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center:
Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission in Hospital and Laboratory Programs, and as a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center and by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography.

​Lower Keys Medical Center is offering free monthly classes. 
 
Breastfeeding and Lactation Education will be provided in a two-hour introductory class held from 10 am - 12 noon on October 15, November 19, and December 10. 
 
Joint Replacement Seminars will be provided in a one-hour format from 12 noon to 1 pm on September 28, October 26, and November 23. 
 
Registration and information is available at https://www.lkmc.com/classes-events-programs. 
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​Maintaining a healthy digestive system, or gut, could be the key to better health. When healthy, the gut absorbs nutrients from food, eliminates waste, communicates with the brain and supports a healthy immune system and nervous system function. If the gut is unhealthy, it can cause digestive diseases which affect 60 - 70 million Americans according to the National Institute of Health.
 
Signs of an unhealthy gut include an upset stomach, sudden weight gain or loss without changes in lifestyle, disrupted sleep and constant fatigue. Without proper work up by a gastroenterologist for an unhealthy gut, many conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and H pylori can go undiagnosed or improperly treated, leaving many to experience chronic symptoms. 
 
Optimal gut health is achieved when the bacteria inside of the gastrointestinal tract, made up of the esophagus, stomach and intestines, work together without causing discomfort.
 
“Gut health is a popular and complex topic that can seem overwhelming,” says Orlando Lopez-Roman, MD, FACG, AGAF, board-certified gastroenterologist with Keys Medical Group Gastroenterology.  “Luckily, maintaining a healthy gut can be easily achieved through simple lifestyle habits.”
 
Dr. Lopez-Roman recommends these lifestyle habits to maintain a healthy gut:
 

• Eat well: Avoid highly processed foods and eat more fruits, vegetables, lean protein and fiber like apples, broccoli, salmon and quinoa. Consuming naturally fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, if tolerated, can help balance gut bacteria.
  
• Limit NSAIDs: Minimize use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.  
  
• Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help improve gut health by increasing beneficial microbial species and helping to reduce stress.
  
• Hydrate: Drinking enough water is a simple way to improve gut health and prevent constipation. 
  
• Reduce stress: Try walking, meditating and spending time with loved ones to help reduce stress and decrease inflammation in the gut. 

 
"It is also very important to keep up with recommended screening colonoscopies by a gastroenterologist and to be seen by one if experiencing gastrointestinal issues," said Lopez-Roman. 
 
Lower Keys Medical Center offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox from a trusted medical source. Sign up at https://www.lkmc.com/enewsletter-sign-up. 

​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released updated Medicare overall hospital quality star ratings on its Care Compare website, and Lower Keys Medical Center has improved to a 4 Star Rating. Of 213 hospitals in the State of Florida, only 55 have earned a rating of 4 or 5 stars. 
 
"We continue to focus on quality improvement and patient safety," said David Clay, CEO. "That is how we have been able to consistently improve our CMS Star rating over the past several years. It takes a dedicated team to move from a 3 Star to a 4 star and I am so proud of my colleagues at Lower Keys Medical Center. We have implemented multiple quality initiatives and measurements to guide us on our continuous quality improvement journey."
 
Lower Keys Medical Center performed well in the areas of Timely and Effective Care, Complications and Deaths, Unplanned Hospital Visits and Payment and Value of Care. 
 
The overall rating shows how well an individual hospital is performing compared to other hospitals in the US, on average. CMS uses more than 100 quality measures to determine a hospital's star rating. The ratings are designed to help individuals compare facilities and understand quality metrics. 
 
Lower Keys Medical Center has focused on several initiatives including establishment of an internal patient experience committee and an external Patient Family Advisory Council; daily reporting and discussion on patient experience surveys; executive and nurse leader rounding; hourly nursing patient rounding; enhanced bedside shift reporting; daily interdisciplinary team meeting addressing patient discharge needs and post-discharge follow up care; streamlined registration process; multidisciplinary approach to medication education for patients throughout their admission; enhanced infection prevention programs; and daily examination of readmissions with a focus on prevention. 
 
About:  Lower Keys Medical Center's accreditations include: The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program (re-accredited February 2022); American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center; The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center; The Joint Commission, for Laboratory Services; The American College of Radiology for Mammography; and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Transthoracic Echocardiography (TEE). The hospital is also recognized by the American Heart Association's "Gold Plus "Get With the Guidelines" Stroke quality achievement award.

​The childbirth team at Lower Keys Medical Center is now using an artificial intelligence-based maternal-fetal early warning system called PeriWatch Vigilance to enhance patient safety during labor and delivery. The system continuously monitors maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate, contractions, and labor progression to help clinicians quickly identify any concerning developments for faster intervention.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center delivers approximately 400 babies each year. Nicole Fisher, Chief Nursing Officer, said this new technology is an important resource to support maternal/fetal health and safe deliveries.
 
“Every delivery is unique so the health and well-being of every mom and baby is our priority during childbirth,” says Fisher.  “While most births happen without complication, there are some inherent risks in the delivery of a newborn. This new technology adds another layer of protection throughout the labor process to help our maternity team recognize, prevent and respond to avoidable complications.”
 
Through pattern recognition, the technology can also pinpoint opportunities for overall improvement based on consolidated data from multiple births. As the maternity team reviews trends and identifies areas where improvement is possible, the hospital can use that information to develop protocols that further increase safety and may lead to better outcomes for mothers and babies.
 
“By investing in this technology, Lower Keys Medical Center is making labor and delivery safer for mothers and babies,” said David Clay, Chief Executive Officer.  “Our physicians and nurses are highly skilled medical professionals and excellent caregivers and they appreciate the use of technology to support their work, especially when it helps keep our patients safe.”
To learn more about Lower Keys Medical Center's childbirth services or to find a physician, visit LKMC.com
 
Lower Keys Medical Center offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox from a trusted medical source. Sign up at LKMC.com/enewsletter-sign-up. 
 
About: Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission in Hospital and Laboratory Programs, and as a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center and by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography.

Lower Keys Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
 
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.
 
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
 
“Lower Keys Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said David Clay, CEO. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the Lower Keys can experience longer, healthier lives.”
 
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
 
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Lower Keys Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., chairperson of the Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
 
About: Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission in Hospital and Laboratory Programs, and as a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center and by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography. 

About Get With The Guidelines®
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with tools and resources to increase adherence to the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 9 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

Preparation is everything, and this week a team of emergency responders conducted a drill to ensure the best response if a hurricane threatens. Key West Fire and Rescue, Monroe County Fire and Rescue, the Lower Keys Medical Center, and the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard all participated.

If Monroe County calls for a mandatory evacuation, hospital patients must be flown out to other hospitals. During the drill, volunteers posing at patients were transported from the hospital to the tarmac at the Naval Air Station Key West where they were boarded on a transport plane.
​
“Teamwork and practice mean that we’re ready should a storm come our way,” said Key West Emergency Manager Capt. Gregory Barroso. “We need to be sure we coordinate ambulance and air service to keep the patients safe under a threat of a hurricane.”

The last mandatory evacuation order in the Keys was in 2017 for Hurricane Irma. But there are no guarantees, said Capt. Barroso. In 2004 there were four calls for a mandatory evacuation, and three the following year.
​
While emergency managers are practicing, the community is reminded to do the same. Be sure your hurricane plan is in place in case we have more than a drill this hurricane season.

In February of 2020, Sarah Butler was seriously ill. In severe pain, nauseous and with a high fever, she was admitted to Lower Keys Medical Center where she spent two weeks and had two surgeries. Sarah recalls her art students sending her hundreds of handmade cards that lifted her spirits as she struggled to heal while away from her young children at home.
 
Again, in 2021, Sarah endured more health issues, first with a major surgery, then a serious case of COVID-19 and pneumonia that brought her back to Lower Keys Medical Center. She spent about 10 days in the hospital, again separated from her children. "I was so depressed. So sad. It was lonely," Sarah said. Once again, art provided some necessary healing. Sarah's friends brought her canvases and paint and she started painting the hibiscus that she would see outside of her house every day going to and returning from work. When she was released, she kept painting her hibiscus, bigger and brighter, helping her to visualize where she wanted to be. 
 
In 2022, Sarah donated her time and talent to create three murals in the Tropical Cafe at Lower Keys Medical Center. She also donated several of her hibiscus paintings that will be featured in the designs for the new patient room renovations starting this year. Bright and colorful, the works of art will lift the spirits of patients, visitors and staff.
 
"LKMC saved my life. I am so grateful. That's why I wanted to donate my artwork there. People need to visualize what they want to see in order to heal. Just like me," Sarah said.