HCA Far West Division

How to Prevent Falls in the Home

Falls can be traumatic injuries for elderly individuals, so caregivers or family members should take preventive measures to minimize the risk of falls in the home. With this video from the American Academy of Family Physicians, you will see the potential hazards that might be in your home so that you can make appropriate changes for your loved one’s safety.

First, you should remove all clutter and lose items from the floor so that there are clear pathways throughout the house. Area rugs and floor runners can help to create more traction on the floor, but they should be tacked down so that it is not easy to trip over them while walking. For more tips like this, watch the whole video clip.

With the hospitals in the HCA Far West Division, you can find complete care and healthy living guidelines to stay well through all stages of life. Learn more about us on our website or connect to our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (855) 422-9378.

What Can You Do to Prevent Skin Cancer?

Because skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, prevention should be a priority for your whole family. The most significant risk factor for skin cancer is sun exposure, which batters the skin with harmful UV rays. Using sun-smart strategies like those listed below will help you and your family avoid the sun damage that may lead to skin cancer later in life.

Stay in the shade
The best way to prevent sun damage on your skin is by avoiding direct exposure to sunlight. When you are planning a day outdoors, seek areas with plenty of trees or shaded areas so that you are not directly under the sun’s rays for extended periods. Protective clothing, sunglasses, and headwear will also offer a shield for your skin.

Generously apply sunscreen
It is not practical to stay out of the sun all the time, but sunscreen can add the extra protection you need to face a sunny day with bare skin. When you select a sunscreen, choose one that has an SPF of 30 or higher with broad-spectrum protection to block UVA and UVB rays. You will want to apply sunscreen generously and often, even on cloudy days.

Eat antioxidant-rich foods
While your diet will not directly shield you from UV rays, it will help your body fight potentially harmful cells that could develop into cancer. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants from sources such as oily fish, darkly colored fruit, and fresh herbs will provide your skin with the nourishment it needs to stay healthy. An added benefit of these foods is that they will give your skin a radiant, youthful glow.

For more cancer prevention tips and healthy living guidelines, explore the H2U programs offered at the California and Nevada hospitals within the HCA Far West Division. You can learn about the specialized services and healthy education courses offered at each of our facilities by visiting us online or calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (855) 422-9378.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Emergency Medical Care

The HCA Far West Division strives to provide the highest standard of emergency room care possible for residents of California and Nevada. That’s why we offer several services that can better enable patients to make the best decisions for their wellbeing. For example, the iTriage application provides up-to-the-minute waiting times for all HCA Far West Division hospitals. Thanks to this app, you’ll know which medical center can most quickly handle your healthcare needs. The iTriage application also allows you to forward your symptoms to the triage center so your emergency room staff is prepared to handle your needs upon arrival.

Let the staff at a HCA Far West Division hospital provide you with the swift emergency care you need should a crisis occur. Call (855) 422-9378 to learn more about our emergency room facilities across California and Nevada. You can also access our waiting times by visiting our website.

A Look at the Recovery Timeline Following Bariatric Surgery

HCA Far West Division offers bariatric surgery as a renewed opportunity for those yearning to lose weight and live a healthier future. This procedure can help individuals quickly attain a balanced weight; however, recipients of bariatric surgery must be mentally and physically ready for lifestyles changes as they recover from their treatment. By adhering to the following instructions, surgery recovery can be over quickly and without complications.

Adjusting Your Dietary Habits
Paying close attention to your diet is mandatory during the recovery process. The quantity of food you can eat is significantly restricted when compared with normal consumption. As a result, you must make sure that all calories count toward your nutritional needs. During the first few weeks following surgery, you can only ingest liquids. As you slowly transition to solid foods, you should be aware of your macronutrient and micronutrient needs. During your recovery and for the rest of your life, you will need to monitor your nutritional intake.

Changing Your Exercise Routine
As with any other surgery, your physical abilities will be limited during the initial weeks of your recovery. In accordance with your healthcare provider’s approval, you should gradually begin an exercise routine once you’re adequately healed. Over time, your physical fitness regimen should build to approximately two-and-a-half hours of rigorous activity every week.

Visiting Your Healthcare Provider
To ensure your wellbeing during the first critical months after bariatric surgery, be sure to keep all your doctor appointments. Most medical guidelines recommend that you see your physician every three months for regular blood testing to monitor your creatinine, glucose, and blood count levels. You should also undergo blood testing twice a year to determine if you have any nutritional deficits. 

Are you considering bariatric surgery? If so, call HCA Far West Division at (855) 422-9378 to schedule a consultation. We can help you decide which surgical weight loss option to take advantage of at any one of our hospitals in California and Nevada.

How to Enjoy the Sun Safely

As spring turns into summer, you may find yourself spending more time outdoors. This video offers some tips for protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful effects.

The American Cancer Society aims to spread the word about skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States. To minimize your cancer risk, slip on protective clothing that can buffer the sun’s penetrative glare. Also, put on an ample amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen at least a half-hour before you go outside. Whenever you are in the sun, put on a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for additional protection.

HCA Far West Division is proud to offer healthcare for residents of California and Nevada. For more information on how we can help your family stay healthy in the face of illness or injury, call (855) 422-9378 or use our 24-hour Consult-A-Nurse service.