Huron Regional Medical Center

continued from page 1 2 welloneconnection w w w. h u r o n r e g i o n a l . o r g Help Is Here for Urinary Incontinence From the CEO David Dick Historically, hospitals developed forward-thinking approaches by planning ahead for five years. In those days, hospital leaders could imagine scenarios with only a few episodes of change during that five-year period. In today's environment, change is constant. To meet those changes, Huron Regional Medical Center's board of directors has initiated a process of developing an organization- wide three-year plan. The HRMC board recently participated in a two- day retreat. The speakers presented priorities which hospitals need to focus on to continue their missions in rural areas, including the critical importance of board leadership, how to move toward better hospital-physician alignment for the community and positioning a rural hospital for success. The final speaker presented a path to assist the HRMC board in the creation of a three-year strategic plan. I am excited to announce we are now in the midst of planning which will help HRMC navigate this rapidly changing healthcare environment so we can continue to deliver quality and affordable care to you, our community members. Quorum Health Resources, our management company, is assisting by gathering national, local and hospital-specific information. HRMC also hosted listening sessions with more than 120 community members, employees, physicians and board members in October. The board held a full-day session to review the report earlier this month. As you read this, the board of directors is formulating HRMC's priorities for the next three years. Stay tuned for more information on our plans for the future and how you – our customers – can play a role in how health care will be delivered in the future to the communities HRMC serves. David Dick President and CEO Huron Regional Medical Center When Surgery Is Right "When we've tried other conservative, supportive options that have not provided the desired results, or if a woman prefers a more direct approach to managing UI, we discuss surgery," says Dr. Castellanos. "Sometimes women don't get the results from exercises and muscle toning as quickly as they want. Even when women choose to have surgery, if they do the exercises ahead of time, they heal faster and often have better surgical results." Surgery isn't appropriate for every form of UI. "For women with urgency UI – which is the sudden, urgent need to use the restroom – surgery can actually make UI worse," says Dr. Castellanos. "We look to nonsurgical options to treat that. However, surgery can have a very positive effect for women experiencing stress UI." Any discussion of surgery involves considering a woman's unique and individual needs, based on her specific condition and health, as well as the pros and cons of the procedure. To contact Dr. Castellanos or to make an appointment, visit HRMC's physician finder at www.huronregional.org and click on "Physician Finder." Not Your Mother's Hysterectomy Sara Castellanos, DO, OB/GYN with Women's Wellness Center, works with women who are considering gynecologic surgery, including hysterectomies. Thirty or more years ago, hysterectomies meant a large scar and a prolonged healing process. Today, hysterectomy can be done using minimally invasive techniques that leave a small scar or no scar. Other less invasive options are also available. "Women who previously may have chosen a hysterectomy because of bothersome bleeding or some types of pelvic pain can now have a minor procedure called an endometrial ablation that gets you back to your home the same day," says Dr. Castellanos. "Ablationdestroys the lining of the uterus. As it heals, the lining scars, which reduces or prevents bleeding.For some women, it also helps with painful periods. This may be a good option for women who are done with childbearing." Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) have also been shown to reduce bleeding and pelvic pain. "For women who may want more children or who are not good surgical candidates, these IUDs can make a big difference," adds Dr. Castellanos. Carefully weighing your individual health needs and goals with your gynecologic surgeon when considering hysterectomy and other treatment options will help you select the best approach for your circumstances. Planning for Continuous Change

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