Get to Know our Staff: Environmental Services Department

Get to Know our Staff: Environmental Services Department

by | Aug 31, 2020 | Spotlight

Our Director of Environmental Services, Stan Whittenberg, answered a few questions to give an inside look at the impact his team has at Scottish Rite for Children. 

Who they are: 
The Environmental Services (EVS) department responsibilities are broad and constantly changing and increasing. In addition to improving patient safety, service and efficiency, EVS professionals help contribute to improved patient satisfaction ratings and help lead sustainable programs. Specifically, Environmental Services is responsible for maintaining an aesthetically pleasing environment for the entire facility on a daily basis. EVS is also responsible for set up and removal of seating, tables, etc. for special functions. We coordinate all internal space relocations and manage the off-site storage of facility equipment and non-monetary donations.
 
What they are known for:
Our team is known for being a group of friendly, quick responders who all take a great deal of pride in what they do. 
 
Significant achievement:
One achievement that the Environmental Services department is particularly proud of is that since October 2018, we have consistently scored above 98% with patient satisfaction on facility cleanliness. 
 
How they make a difference:
Health care environmental services professionals care for a highly complex, regulated environment, where sick people want and need a care environment conducive to recovery and wellness. That very environment plays a key role in customer/patient satisfaction and quality outcomes throughout a patient’s continuum of care. Simply put, EVS in health care contributes to saving lives every day. This is a critical distinction because the knowledge needed to provide a safe and clean clinical environment extends from the inpatient unit to the surgical suite and everything in between. Possessing the knowledge and understanding of how and why the environment plays a role in disease transmission can and will impact the overall patient experience.
 
Department goals:
In order to meet the ever-growing challenges of our environment, the EVS department is always looking for ways to improve staff training and clinical collaboration, control costs, establish and standardize best practices and share knowledge throughout the continuum of care.
 
Unknown department fact:
The knowledge of health care environmental services professionals is rooted in the fundamentals of infection prevention, microbiology and evidence-based practice, related to cleaning and disinfection. And, there are key differences between the health care and non-health care roles that are associated with managing multiple waste streams, floor care, linen handling and distribution. The environmental services profession offers certification as a Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Technician (CHEST), Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician (CSCT), Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Profession (CHESP) and Certified Master of Infection Prevention (CMIP). We’re proud to have several team members who have successfully earned these distinctions.

How your department has responded to COVID-19:
The team has displayed a strong commitment to the health and safety of our patients, visitors and other team members. With around-the-clock work, the EVS team has been critical to preventing infection and keeping the organization running cleanly and efficiently.

Early into the pandemic, the EVS team partnered with the Performance Improvement department and Scottish Rite leadership to establish frequent communication to discuss  an action plan, concerns and needs regarding infection prevention.

Throughout the pandemic the EVS has increased the frequency of routine cleanings of high-touched surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, arm rests, doorknobs and push plates – and in public or high traffic areas of the campuses including waiting rooms, lobbies, lounges and dining areas.

As the pandemic began to intensify, the EVS team collaborated with our Supply Chain department to keep a watchful eye on the supply of health care disinfectant and was able to establish a distribution process which has allowed us to be better positioned to continue to provide the essential chemicals needed to keep our facility safe.

Pre-Game Meal Guide for Coaches

Pre-Game Meal Guide for Coaches

by | Aug 31, 2020 | Sports Medicine

Eating before a game or competition is important to make sure the young athlete is fueled and hydrated from beginning to end. No matter the time of day, this “pre-game meal” can be a game changer. A poor pre-game meal can leave the athlete tired, dehydrated, or with stomach pains and cramps during the event. An athlete after a well-planned pre-game meal is energized, focused, and sharp. For afternoon or evening events and games on the road, an athlete may be dependent on others to make the right choices. Coaches and parents can use this list of do’s and don’ts for building a performance-boosting pre-game meal for your teams and athletes.

DO INCLUDE:
A variety of carbohydrates: 

  • Complex carbohydrates:  whole grain breads, crackers and rice, fruit, yogurt, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, wheat and corn tortillas.
  • Simple carbohydrate options: dried fruit, white bread, white rice and pretzels.

A few lean protein choices:

  • Grilled or baked chicken, deli turkey slices, hard-boiled eggs, beans, part-skim mozzarella string cheese, low-fat or fat-free Greek yogurt.
  • Peanut butter or seed butter can be a good option for some athletes (note: these are higher fat protein sources, so make sure the athlete already knows he/she can tolerate pre-exercise).

A variety of fluids:

  • Water, sports drinks, fruit smoothies, and flavored waters.

DON’T INCLUDE:
Foods high in fat:

  • Fried foods, baked goods, high fat dairy products, and high fat meats.

Foods high in simple sugars:

  • Candy, sodas, ice cream, and cookies.

High-fiber-only options:

  • Some athletes may need to eat a very simple meal before a game due to stomach discomfort caused by nerves. It’s important for this reason to include some low-fiber options in the meal, as shown in the simple carbohydrate options above.

ADVICE FOR YOUR ATHLETES:

  1. Choose what works: In the off-season, learn what your body tolerates best before an event. Try to create that. Learn more.
  2. Try to include at least three different food groups at the meal: This can look like – turkey on whole-wheat hoagie sandwich bread with lettuce, tomato, and mustard + pretzels; and a bowl of fresh fruit.
  3. Don’t skip the carbohydrates: Carbohydrate foods will be your main source of energy throughout the game. Eating carbohydrates in the pre-game meal tops off any muscle stores that are low and stabilizes the blood sugar that could be dipping at the end of a busy day.
  4. Drink up: Drinking water is the best option for the athlete. However, if you have trouble eating before a game due to pre-game jitters, a sports drink may be a good option. This can provide some additional carbohydrates and electrolytes before the event starts. Turn to smoothies, yogurt, fresh fruit, and soups to get fluids in your pre-game meal.

Note: Remember that the closer you get to the event, the simpler your food choices should be.  If your pre-game is closer to your event time than usual, try choosing lower fiber carbohydrate choices in your meal while still getting some protein, and leave higher fat foods for after the event is over.

The Importance of Caring for the Whole Child

The Importance of Caring for the Whole Child

by | Aug 20, 2020 | Psychology

At Scottish Rite for Children, our mission is to provide the best and most innovative care. Through ongoing research, our experts are able to give treatment options for a child’s condition, whether common or complex.

In addition to our six centers for excellence, we have other areas of treatment which allow us to provide care for the whole child – mind, body and spirit. Scottish Rite’s Psychology department is comprised of pediatric psychologists who focus on biological, social and emotional aspects of our patients who are diagnosed with challenging medical conditions. Ongoing clinical research informs best ways to help our patients and families.

Recently, the Psychology and Orthopedics departments published an article in the Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics titled, Preoperative Mental Health Status is a Significant Predictor of Postoperative Outcomes in Adolescents Treated with Hip Preservation Surgery. The purpose of the study was to identify and evaluate possible factors that may influence postoperative outcomes: pain, function and mental health symptoms.

Our psychologists play a crucial role in our patients’ lives – especially those who are preparing for significant treatment. From previous studies, factors such as depression, anxiety and family function have been shown to impact pain and coping after surgery. Knowing this, our team wanted to proactively identify and help prepare these children. Before scheduling surgery, the child and family work with the psychologist to prepare and plan. As part of our integrated approach to care, patients in this study, who were prepared with the psychologist, showed improvements in pain, health-related quality of life and mental health symptoms.

Overview and Key Findings:

  • 58 hip preservation surgery (HPS) candidates were given measures to assess pain, quality of life and mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, before surgery and six months after surgery.
  • Results: 78% of patients reported one to three years of pain prior to hip preservation surgery. All pain scores significantly decreased at six-months post-operatively.
    • Pre-operative mental health scores significantly predicted post-operative pain scores and mental health symptoms decreased significantly.
    • Patients who were seen by Psychology two or more times prior to scheduling surgery reported better six-month post-operative outcomes than those seen only once.
  • Conclusions: HPS candidates evaluated pre-operatively by Psychology, as part of an integrated treatment approach, demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain, health-related quality of life and mental health symptoms.

Director of the Psychology department, pediatric psychologist and lead researcher on this study Heather M. Richard, Psy.D., acknowledges the strong impact this care model can have on patients going through surgery. “The results of this research validate the importance of integrating psychology into a child’s plan of care,” says Richard. “We work hand in hand with the orthopedic doctors to make sure each patient receives individualized care – for their bones and joints, as well as their minds. Through research like this, we are able to identify any potential concerns the child and family may have going into the procedure, making sure we work through those as a team to maximize outcomes.”

Learn more about our Psychology department.

Jacob C. Jones, M.D., Joins the Sports Medicine Team at Scottish Rite for Children

Jacob C. Jones, M.D., Joins the Sports Medicine Team at Scottish Rite for Children

by | Aug 20, 2020 | General News

(DALLAS – August 20, 2020) – Jacob C. Jones, M.D., has joined the pediatric orthopedic staff of Scottish Rite for Children. As a sports medicine physician, he is providing care to the active child and young athlete populations with a focus on sports injuries, sport-related concussions, injury prevention and point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound. He is primarily seeing patients at the Frisco campus and at The Star. 
“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Jones join the sports medicine team,” says Assistant Chief of Staff and Director of the Center for Excellence in Sports Medicine Philip L. Wilson, M.D. “Following his pediatric residency he completed two fellowships – pediatric sports medicine and musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound with our colleagues at Harvard/Boston children’s hospital. His training brings a unique skill set to our practice – allowing us to expand our expertise and provide the best orthopedic care possible to all young athletes.”

Before completing his fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard, Jones attended medical school at the University of Missouri, where he earned his doctor of medicine. He completed his pediatrics residency at Children’s Medical Center/UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and received additional specialty training at Boston Children’s Hospital, with fellowships in sports medicine and sports medicine/musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound. Jones rotated with the Scottish Rite Sports Medicine department during his residency.

“Scottish Rite is known both locally and nationally as a leader in pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine,” says Jones. “I am excited to be back in Texas with an opportunity to help young athletes get back to doing what they love.”

“North Texas is the place to be when it comes to youth sports,” says Scottish Rite President/CEO Robert L. Walker. “Dr. Jones’ expertise will be a great addition to our team in Frisco. We are very proud to have him join our staff.”

Jones is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in Sports Medicine and Pediatrics. He is a member of American Medical Society of Sports Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical Association and Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society.

Nutrition Tips for Dancers

Nutrition Tips for Dancers

by | Aug 19, 2020 | Sports Medicine

Mix it Up

With long practices or multiple sessions a day of different intensities, the young dancer should be sure to include a variety of fuel sources, including protein, carbohydrate and healthy fats in meals and snacks.

  • Protein, carbohydrate and fat are all considered macronutrients. They are the nutrients that provide our bodies with energy.
  • Different intensities of training use different macronutrients for fuel.

Spread it Out

While dance is considered one of the sports that values leanness, it’s important to remember that the young dancer is still going through growth and development that requires extra energy and nutrition. Plus, they are expending extra energy for their sport. Make sure your dancer is getting three balanced meals a day and at least a couple of snacks.

Start Out Right

If your young dancer has trouble eating before a practice or competition, try snacks containing simpler carbohydrates about 30 to 45 minutes before the event. These snacks are easily digested and provide energy for the upcoming event. Snacks ideas include:

  • Fruit
  • Pretzels
  • Crackers
  • Plain mini bagels
  • Small juice or sports drink

Add a Snack

Your dancer might need a pre-event snack if he or she:

  • gets dizzy or light-headed during practice.
  • gets shaky during practice.
  •  is having trouble concentrating.
  • complains of fatigue during practice.

Pack a Lunch

When packing lunch for a long day of practice, mix up items from these categories:

  • Carbohydrates: bread, pasta, quinoa, rice, fresh fruit, potatoes, winter squash, peas, beans, yogurt, milk
  • Protein: turkey, chicken breast, lean ground beef, chicken or turkey, eggs, tofu, beans, yogurt, milk
  • Veggies: greens, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms, squash, brussels sprouts, etc.
  • Healthy fats: nuts, seeds, nut or seed butter, olive oil, vegetable oils, avocado, salmon and tuna

End it Right

After a long and intense practice, the best snack is one that provides:

  1. carbohydrate to refill depleted energy stores in the muscle.
  2. protein to repair any damaged tissues.
  3. fluid to rehydrate the body.

For the best recovery, aim to get this snack within 30 to 45 minutes after practice.

Change it Up

A dancer’s nutrition plan and needs will not be the same every day. Remember that needs change based on length and intensity of training sessions. Needs on the day of a performance may not be the same as needs on a day of summer intensives.