Thomas L. Presson, MD, is a radiologist with Wake Radiology and serves as the Radiologist and Radiation Safety Officer for WakeMed Health & Hospitals.

Recently, two studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine evaluate trends in CT radiation doses and the associated risks of cancer induction. These studies – one sponsored through the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the other led by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) suggest a possible increased risk of cancer to our population due to the radiation dose delivered by diagnostic CT exams. (Archives of Internal Medicine, December 14-18, 2009, Vol. 169:22, pp. 2072-2078).

One point not made in the articles is the high baseline risk of cancer inherent in our population.  As referenced in the articles, the BEIR study published by the National Academies Press demonstrates a baseline lifetime risk of cancer in our population of 42%.  This means that 42 out of 100 persons will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime unrelated to radiation exposure.  While it is true that radiation received from CT exams over a lifetime likely increases this risk, the tremendous value of CT in diagnosing and treating many life-threatening diseases must not be overlooked.

Without CT, many of these 42% of patients may go undiscovered or under treated much longer.  Wake Radiology and WakeMed have always assumed a proactive role in protecting our patients from unnecessary radiation exposure. We continuously monitor our scan protocols and work with equipment manufacturers to minimize the radiation dose to each patient. The goal is to tailor each exam so that patients are exposed to the least amount of radiation possible to get accurate images.

We want to reassure patients in our community that they are getting the least amount of radiation possible when they come to any WakeMed or Wake Radiology location. Our current scan protocols deliver doses which are well below the published acceptable levels used by the American College of Radiology in their CT accreditation program.  In addition, we employ the following methods to optimize safety.

• Dynamic Dose modulation on CT scanners (lowers radiation according to the density of the body part currently being scanned), resulting in a reduction of radiation to the patient.
• Patient Dose Warning for ED patients – WakeMed warns ED physicians when patients who have had multiple CT exams register in the ED.
• Lowered pediatric radiation dosages.
• Ongoing research using radiation phantoms to improve test results using even lesser amounts of radiation. We actively consult with our medical physicists to adjust radiation dosage at the appropriate levels to get an accurate diagnostic test.
• Monitoring of radiation dosing in real time for each patient by the radiologists and technologists.
• Staff technologists registered in CT by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
• Recommendation of alternative imaging studies – such as ultrasound or MRI – when deemed more appropriate for patients, and especially with our pediatric patients.

Today is National Go Red Day. 

National Go Red Day is celebrated annually to help raise awareness about the No. 1 killer of women – heart disease. By wearing red on Go Red Day you are fighting to raise awareness of heart disease in women.

In honor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red Day for Women, WakeMed Heart & Vascular and the Red Room have teamed up to offer free heart-healthy appetizers and heart health information for restaurant patrons. So come on out tonight, have some fun, and show your support for women and heart disease .

All guests wearing red will also receive a free red dress pin to further encourage heart health awareness.

The snow is slowly melting, and sledding injuries are becoming less of a concern, but it is important that everyone continue to exercise caution when outside.  Over the past couple of days, WakeMed’s Emergency Departments have seen a triple-digit increase in the number of fall victims.  Falls can be very serious, especially for the elderly, resulting in broken hips and wrists and other orthopaedic injuries.  Falls can also cause concussions. Be sure to stay safe when walking on icy or wet surfaces.

• Wear proper footwear with good traction
• Take slow, small steps
• Use your feet as probes to detect possible slip, trip and fall hazards
• Hold on to railings and other stable objects when possible
• Protect the more vulnerable parts of your body like your head, neck and spine if you do fall

The falls risk does not end when you come inside.  Make sure to use caution when you come inside with wet icy shoes.  Be sure to remove or dry your shoes and be aware of the falls risk.  An ounce of caution can prevent a nasty spill.

Are you an overweight parent who doesn’t want your child to follow in your footsteps? Are you concerned that bad dietary and exercise habits may already be ingrained in your child’s routine?  If so, then tomorrow’s Twitter Chat is for you.  The fourth in a series, we’ll be tweeting for Marjorie Wilson, an education specialist with Children’s Diabetes & Endocrinology.  Marjorie will respond to questions and share her insight into how to get and stay fit as a family.  Topics will include:

• Managing a picky eater
• Staying active together (even during the winter)
• Tips and tricks to control lunch purchases and school snacking
• Strategies to help your child lose weight and boost their self-esteem

How to Participate

You can view Marjorie’s side of the Twitter chat by going to WakeMed’s twitter page or you can view the conversation  here.

Ask Marjorie a question by posting your question to your profile and including the hashtag “#hlthchat” within the message.  This hashtag lets Marjorie keep track of your questions and answer them quickly.  You can also direct message questions during the chat or in advance to @WakeMed.

The National Weather Service has issued a “WINTER STORM WARNING” for our area, beginning this afternoon continuing into Sunday morning.  Forecasts are calling for winter precipitation, including the potential for freezing rain, ice and/or snow, and the forecast says Wake County could see 8 to 12 inches of snow. (See details on www.wral.com.) WakeMed employees who are scheduled to work during the weekend are coming in prepared with supplies to stay overnight in the event that road conditions become unsafe. It is also important that you too prepare before the storm hits by making sure your home disaster supply kit is well stocked with the following items:

• A first aid kit
• Medications
• Battery operated radio, clock and flashlight with extra batteries
• Canned food and other nonperishable foods that do not require cooking (don’t forget pets)
• Bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person and pet per day)
• Charged cellular telephone
• Fuel for alternative heat sources like kerosene or logs for the fire (be sure to never use grills or other carbon dioxide-producing heat sources indoors) 

And, if the roads are hazardous, only venture out if absolutely necessary.  See our previous blog post for tips on entertaining the kids indoors on snow days, and visit WakeMed.org for more emergency preparedness manuals.

Construction on the Raleigh Campus is continuing on schedule. The new patient tower is well underway, and grand opening events are being scheduled for this spring.  We expect the second and third floors, which are dedicated to cardiac care, to open by early April.  The ground floor lobby, first floor and Children’s Hospital (fourth floor) are expected to open by mid-to-late May. Stay tuned for regular updates as we move closer to our opening dates.

Click here to read more about the new patient tower.

Milk being processed in WakeMed Mother's Milk Bank

The following letter was issued by the International Lactation Consultants Association recently calling for human milk donations for Haitian infants.  As one of the very few Milk Banks in the United States, WakeMed Mother’s Milk Bank is gearing up to assist with this need. 

We have also begun receiving many inquiries from moms wondering how they can help. We are currently accepting new donors.  Ideal donors are moms with 200 ounces of breast milk stored and frozen.  Moms who want to donate will need to:

1. Fill out a screening form
2. Participate in a brief phone interview
3. Have labs drawn to test for common diseases
4. Get OB and pediatrician letters of health for mom and baby
5. Ship milk to the Milk Bank for processing. 

We cannot guarantee that milk collected will go to Haitian infants, as there is still a great need for mother’s milk right here in the United States as well. For more information, please email us, and we will respond as quickly as possible.

URGENT CALL FOR HUMAN MILK DONATIONS FOR HAITI INFANTS

Posted by editor On January 25, 2010

The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), International Lactation Consultant Association/United States Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA/USLCA), and La Leche League International (LLLI) have jointly issuing an urgent call for human milk donations for premature infants in Haiti, as well as sick and premature infants in the United States.

This week the first shipment of human milk from mothers in the United States will be shipped to the U.S. Navy Ship “Comfort” stationed outside Haiti. “Comfort” is currently set up with a neonatal intensive care unit and medical personnel to provide urgent care to victims of the earthquake. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant stationed at the U.S. Navy base in Bethesda, MD is assisting with providing breast pump equipment and supplies to the “Comfort.” Dr. Erika Beard-Irvine, pediatric neonatologist, is on board the “Comfort” to coordinate distribution of the milk to infants in need. HMBANA, USBC, ILCA/USLCA, and LLL are responding to requests to provide milk for both premature infants and at-risk mothers who have recently delivered babies on board the U.S.N.S. Comfort, but an urgent need exists for additional donations.

At the current time, the infrastructure to deliver human milk on land to Haiti infants has not yet been established. As soon as that infrastructure is in place, additional donations will be provided to older infants.

Mothers who are willing to donate human milk should contact their regional Mothers’ Milk Bank of HMBANA. A list of regional milk banks is available at the HMBANA website at www.hmbana.org.

Currently milk banks are already low on donor milk. New milk donations will be used for both Haiti victims as well as to replenish donor supplies to continue to serve sick and premature infants in the U.S. Donor milk provides unique protection for fragile preterm infants. Financial donations are also strongly encouraged to allow HMBANA, a nonprofit organization, to continue serving infants in need.

UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the Emergency Nutrition Network, and medical professionals all recommend that breastfeeding and human milk be used for infants in disasters or emergencies. Human milk is life-saving due to its disease prevention properties. It is safe, clean, and does not depend on water which is often unavailable or contaminated in an emergency. Relief workers, health care providers, and other volunteers are urged to provide support for breastfeeding mothers to enable them to continue breastfeeding, and to assist pregnant and postpartum women in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding.

For more information, contact HMBANA at 408-998-4550 or http://www.hmbana.org/ . Additional information can be provided from the United States Breastfeeding Committee at 202-367-1132 (http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/), ILCA/USLCA at 1-800-452-2478 (http://www.ilca.org/  or http://www.uslca.org/ ), or La Leche League at 847-519-7730 (http://www.llli.org/) .

 Sincerely, 

Angela Smith, President
ILCA Board of Directors

Milk Bank Locations
http://www.hmbana.org/index/locations

Burn off that winter chill with a fun evening of indoor tennis benefiting the new WakeMed Children’s Hospital.  Enjoy Round Robin doubles, cardio tennis and entertainment.  Kids age 5 and up can join Twinkle, the WakeMed Children’s mascot, for their own session of cardio tennis followed by popcorn and a movie.  $40 per play age 15 and up; $10 per child age 5 to 14 for kids’ cardio tennis.  Register at www.childrencantwait.org , or call 919-350-7423

Saturday, February 6

6 pm to 10 pm

Raleigh Racquet Club Indoor Tennis Facility

5516 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh

Dr. John Holly, Brier Creek Internal Medicine

Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 27), Dr. John Holly, internal medicine physician with Brier Creek Internal Medicine, will join us for our weekly Twitter Chat.  Dr. Holly will build on the information provided by our nutritionist and fitness specialist, answering questions on how to:

• Determine your perfect size  –  it’s no longer about the pounds
• Talk to your physician about weight loss and why it’s important to heed his/her advice
• Figure out the long term results of moderate sustained weight loss – getting the benefits takes less than you think
• Identify contributing health factors that can lead to weight gain
• Decide if bariatric surgery and medications marketed for weight loss work and if they are right for you?

How to Participate

You can view Dr. Holly’s side of the Twitter chat by going to WakeMed’s twitter page or you can view the conversation  here.

Ask Dr. Holly a question by posting your question to your profile and including the hashtag “#hlthchat” within the message.  This hashtag lets Dr. Holly keep track of your questions and answer them quickly.  You can also direct message questions during the chat or in advance to @WakeMed.