Taos Health System's HEARTBEAT - April 2014

April 2014

4th Annual For the Health of It!
5k/10k Race | Walk | Fun Run

Supporting Taos Cancer Support Services

All money raised stays local!

June 7, 2014 – 8:00 AM

Taos Youth and Family Center

Join us on Saturday June 7, 2014 for the annual event that supports local residents who are facing cancer. All money raised stays local to support Holy Cross Hospital’s Cancer Support Services! We all know someone who has been affected by cancer; whether a family member, friend or neighbor who has experienced cancer themselves or cared for someone who was or is going through cancer. This event helps them receive non-medical support at no cost.

Again this year we will have three events: a 5K Walk and Fun Run, a timed 5K Race and a timed 10K Race. Our scenic course begins and ends at the Taos Youth and Family Center. Each participant will receive a For the Health of It! t-shirt and wrist band.

Register to participate as an individual, start a team, or join an existing team. Awards will be given to the top 2 age group finishers in the 10K & 5K Races. Prizes will also be awarded to Walk & Fun Run teams and individuals in the following categories:

TEAMS	INDIVIDUALS
Largest team	Traveled the greatest distance
Best team costume	Best individual costume
Team raising the most money	Person raising the most money

Follow the links below for specifics about the event, to register to walk or run, or to make a donation.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Before the event

At the event on June 7

There are a variety of volunteer opportunities from preparing participant packets to directing runner and walkers on the route.

For more information or to volunteer contact us by email

or call 751-8995.

April is Sexual Assault

Awareness Month

Taos Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are Available Year Round.

Sexual violence is a widespread issue that impacts everyone including children, teens, adults, and elders.

One in six boys and one in four girls will experience a sexual assault before the age 18
90% of people sexually assaulted know the assailant
For every case reported at least 10 aren’t ever reported

Sexual assault is ANY unwanted sexual contact or threat. Sexual violence is a broad term that occurs when someone is forced or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity without consent.

Read the complete article

Important Phone Numbers:

SANE at Holy Cross Hospital

Call 575-751-8990 or 1-855-SANE (7263)

Community Against Violence (CAV)

24 hour hotline 575-758-9888

In the event of a life-threatening emergency

Always Call 911

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Upgrade

Delivered on Monday, March 17, the new MRI provides more capabilities and faster results, allowing patients more convenience without having to leave Taos.

“We’re excited to bring these new capabilities to Taos,” says Michael Romero, Director of Imaging. “This powerful MRI provides high definition results and a comprehensive range of applications to address many imaging needs.”

Some of the new capabilities include:

* Wider patient opening

* Patient weight maximum of 350 lbs.

* More coils for better image quality including:

neurovascular, head, wrist, knee, body and shoulder.

The MRI is the latest and greatest machine available on the market. The new coils allow our technicians to do more with consistent high-quality imaging. Using the high-density coils, data acceleration technology, and high-definition applications, opti-mized for each anatomical area, gives us clearer and crisper images. This provides for more accurate diagnosis and interven-tion for our patients.

We lease the machine from Shared Imaging and upgrade every 6-8 years. The last time we upgraded was in 2006.

Project Heart Start

This year Project Heart Start will take place in conjunction with For the Health of It! Project Heart Start is compression only CPR that is easy to learn and easy to remember.

The class is free and will take place in the hockey rink at the Taos Youth and Family Center.

Identical classes will be held at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM.

No pre-registration is needed.

Sole Community Funding Update

Taos Health Systems’ Board of Directors and Administration has been informed that the hospital (and all 29 Sole Com-munity hospitals) would not receive the March payment of $1.2 million owed by the state for indigent care and probably would not receive any owed funds until June or July.

This news is devastating to our business and will certainly hurt the hospital’s cash flow as it adds to an already stressed financial situation from two years of payment uncertainties. We are working with the New Mexico Hospital Asso-ciation and others to see what potential remedies there might be.

Support Groups

Diabetes Support Group

First Wednesday of the month

4:00 – 5:00 PM

For information call

(575) 751-5769

Weight Loss Support Group

Last Wednesday of the month

12:00 – 12:30 PM

For information call

(575) 751-5769

Cancer Support Group – Taos

Tuesdays, 5:00 – 6:00 pm

For information call

Jason Pfeifer (575) 613-4855

Cancer Support Group – Moreno Valley

Friday (2nd and 4th)

5:30 – 7:00 pm
For information call:

Don Welker (575) 377-6190

Video Updates

In an effort to help our community understand the changes happening in health care and at the hospital, we will be posting regular updates from the Holy Cross Hospital administration to share information with the public.