By Emily Dulgar, RN Birchaven Village
When you hear a physician say that you or a loved one needs to be intubated or needs a tracheostomy, it is important to understand the purpose of these and how they differ.
A tracheostomy (trach) is a procedure in which a doctor surgically makes an incision in the trachea, sometimes called the “windpipe.” Tracheostomy procedures are performed when there is an obstruction in the airway and intubation is medically not possible, a patient has inefficient oxygen delivery or has problems with secretions.
Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) will host “Allergy, Asthma & Lung Health,” a presentation of the “Live and Learn” series, to educate the community about allergens affecting the lungs as well as asthma triggers and symptoms.
This event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Marathon Auditorium of Blanchard Valley Hospital, 1900 S. Main St., Findlay. A boxed lunch will be provided during the event.
Bridge Bereavement Services is offering a “Sew Many Memories” grief support program on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Birchaven Village, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay.
The Sept. 26 session is for planning purposes and the Oct. 6 session will be used for sewing. This program will offer participants the opportunity to turn their loved one’s clothing into a keepsake.
By Chelsie Niese, MSN, RN Community Nurse Liaison, Bridge Home Health & Hospice
Home Health services are available to those facing many different types of health conditions that make it difficult to leave home. Maybe you or a loved one is newly diagnosed with diabetes, symptoms of your Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are worsening or you require medication assistance. No matter the circumstance, you do not have to go through the journey alone. Home health services build upon the care and education received in your physician’s office, hospital or skilled nursing facility.
The 31st annual “Living Through Loss” educational series will begin on Monday, Sept. 16, through Bridge Home Health and Hospice, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System.
Presentations are held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Marathon Auditorium at Blanchard Valley Hospital, 1900 S. Main St., Findlay. The topic for September will be “The Journey through Grief: What to Expect along the Way” presented by Tonya Camden, MSW, LISW-S.
By Thomas Kindl, MD Blanchard Valley Pain Management
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a common interventional procedure, typically performed on the nerves in your spine. In the past few years, pain specialists have begun performing a modified version of this procedure on other joints like the knee.
An RFA on a knee can be an option for someone who is not a candidate for joint replacement, does not respond to other treatment such as pain medication, or wants to postpone surgery. It is also an option for geriatric patients that do not want to go through extensive recovery and rehabilitation.
