Category: Health

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Summer Happenings at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center

Dr. Barbara R Edwards, Dr. Edwards Princeton, Dr. Barbara Edwards Princeton

Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center has undergone major changes in the past year. One of the most notable improvements for our patients this summer is the rollout of PennChart by Epic, an electronic medical record keeping system. The hospital, along with many of the outpatient departments went live on Saturday, June 9th and the launch went smoothly. Following the successful rollout will be six additional offices planned to go live August 14th. The system will be fully implemented throughout the hospital system this coming fall.

Benefits for Patients and Physicians

Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center has been working with Epic, a software development company who engineered this electronic health record system (EHR) for years. The goal of the EHR system is to unify all medical records for the entirety of the Penn Medicine hospital system. Along with making it easier for all medical staff to securely collect, store and share patient medical information system-wide, PennChart also has a patient portal. Within the portal, patients will have access to their records and will be able to schedule appointments and contact their physicians at their convenience.

Dr. Barbara R Edwards, Dr. Edwards Princeton, Dr. Barbara Edwards Princeton

Streamlined Medical Services

Hospitals all over the country have been using EHR systems similar to PennChart because they facilitate accurate patient diagnosing and prescribing of medicine. The goal of converting to complete electronic records is to make the patient experience more effective and efficient. With a patient’s entire medical history at the fingertips of the physician, the best care plan can be put into place. Epic’s EHR system is one of the top EHR systems on the market and is used in over 50% of hospitals in the United States. Penn Medicine has been working with Epic for over 10 years and is excited to see how this change will positively impact the hospital’s patients and physicians. The implementation of PennChart ensures the continuity and efficiency in the care of our patients, which is always our primary priority.

More information at https://www.epic.com/about.

Dr. Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

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4 Tips on Staying Healthy this Summer

Dr. Edwards - 5 ways to stay healthy this summer

Eating healthy and keeping up with an active lifestyle can become difficult as summer approaches. During the summer, we tend to let loose which means we eat more than usual and relax more than we normally would. Below are 5 tips for the whole family on how to stay healthy this summer.

1. Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body hydrated is one of the most important things to stay on top of as summer approaches and the temperature is heating up. An effortless way to make sure you are staying hydrated is by always keeping a reusable water bottle on hand when leaving the house. Consider infusing your water with fruits like lemons, berries and oranges for a little burst of flavor without the artificial sugar additive.

2. Workout Routines

Changing up your daily workout routine may be a good idea during the summer. Try to exercise either in the morning before the sun is really beating down or at night after the sun sets. This can make your workout more enjoyable and lower your risk of a heat related injury. Try changing your routine up—get in the water for a full body workout that gets your heart pumping. Swimming is a fun and easy way to exercise and cool off at the same time.

3. New Recipes

Testing out fresh summer recipes is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy during this season. Stocking your kitchen with fresh fruits and vegetables will help encourage healthier eating and snacking for everyone in the house. Take a break from roasting your veggies in the oven and fire up the BBQ to really embrace summer.

4. Family Time

Summer memories are made with the family has time to spend together. Set aside an hour or two every day and get everyone outside. Having fun and exercising is a fantastic way to stay healthy this summer. Play a friendly game of kickball or take a nice walk around the neighborhood to enjoy each other’s company while also getting some fresh air.

Dr. Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

 

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5 Great Low Sodium Recipes

Finding great, low-sodium recipes can be time consuming and discouraging, but they are out there. Being conscious of your sodium intake in your daily diet is important because consuming large amounts of salt can result in heart problems. Having high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to more serious cardiovascular issues like an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks. Other health risks that come along with high sodium levels in the body include water swelling in places like the ankles and legs. Congestive heart failure can occur as well, within people who have pre-existing cardiovascular issues. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that we limit our sodium consumption to less than 2,300mg per day, or about 1 teaspoon of salt. Below are 5 delicious low-sodium recipes that are not only heart-healthy but will also satisfy those taste buds!

1. Berry Yogurt Cup

With this light, refreshing yogurt recipe, you’ll be wanting to wake up earlier to get your hands on it. The fresh berries blend perfectly with the plain yogurt, making it a great, easy breakfast meal.

Sodium Content: 29mg per serving

Find the recipe here:

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/berry-yogurt-cups

2. Southern Pecan and Apple Salad

This tasty salad will become your go-to lunch meal. The pecans and apples will add crunch to every bite and will leave your taste buds wanting more. The salad includes both sweet and savory flavors, satisfying everyone’s cravings!

Sodium Content: 28mg per serving

Find the recipe here:

http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,10000002011076,00.html

3. Oven-Baked Salmon

Nothing screams heart-healthy more than freshly baked salmon. Salmon contains a variety of necessary nutrients that also benefit the body. One piece of salmon is packed with protein, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are important not only when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart but also aid in regulating blood pressure.

Sodium Content: 170mg per serving

Find the recipe here:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/oven-baked-salmon-recipe-1911951

4. Baked Chicken and Rice

This recipe is so simple, yet a favorite to many. No one will even know how healthy this dish really is because it tastes that great. The chicken is packed with protein and is low-fat at the same time, making it great for those who are trying to eat heart-healthy.

Sodium content: 266mg per serving

Find the recipe here:

https://www.thespruce.com/baked-chicken-and-rice-2246418

5. Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

There is no better way to end the day than with a delicious cookie in hand. These peanut butter blossom cookies are both sweet and savory, making them the perfect treat. Low in sodium, you can even have 2 of these cookies and you’ll be going to sleep guilt-free.

Sodium content: 16.7mg per serving

Find the recipe here:

https://www.hackingsalt.com/low-sodium-peanut-butter-blossom-cookies/

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton doctor internal medicine practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

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Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center – Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center Accept $10,000 Donation

As an Internist at Penn Medicine Princeton Health Physicians at the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, I’m fortunate to also be the Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center. Recently, we accepted a generous donation from the Provident Bank Foundation to support our Diabetes Program at the Health Center.

A Bit About Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center

For those who are uninsured or underinsured, getting sick is more than just a quick trip to the doctor’s office. These individuals can end up with medical bills they may be unable to pay, and as doctors, we want to provide quality care regardless of insurance status. The mission of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center is to provide comprehensive healthcare to those uninsured or underinsured in the communities of Mercer and Middlesex Counties. We also put a focus on providing mental health services for patients whose physical illnesses can be worsened by mental health issues.

Diabetes Program

The Diabetes Program at our health center empowers diabetic individuals in our community to maintain control of their disease through education, diet and exercise. Diabetes is a serious medical condition for millions throughout the country which causes blood sugar to spike, and must be closely monitored. In our program alone, there are over 500 patients enrolled with that number expected to rise.

We are incredibly grateful to the Provident Bank Foundation, who has granted more than $22 million over the years to nonprofits and institutions who work to build more resilient communities.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton doctor internal medicine practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

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The Definition of High Blood Pressure Has Just Changed

New research has prompted the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to redefine the classification for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This means that those who may not have been concerned about their blood pressure may now need to start making lifestyle changes to control it. In fact, these updated recommendations have increased the percentage of Americans with high blood pressure from 32% to a staggering 46% of the population.

The new classification for high blood pressure is anyone with a reading of 130 over 80, compared to the prior definition of 140 over 90. The rest of the new classifications are as follows:

  • Normal Blood Pressure: Under 120 over 80
  • Elevated Blood Pressure: Top number 120-129 and bottom number less than 80
  • High Blood Pressure / Stage 1: Top number of 130-139 or bottom number 80-89
  • High Blood Pressure / Stage 2: Top number at least 140 or bottom number at least 90
  • Hypertensive Crisis: Top number of at least 180 or bottom number at least 120 (consult a physician immediately)

These heart organizations decided to change these definitions in order to prompt early diagnoses that can be life saving. Hypertension is a known cause of heart disease and stroke.

It’s important to speak with your doctor about ways to handle high blood pressure, as medication isn’t always the only way to get you back in a healthy range. A low-sodium diet that is high in leafy greens, vegetables and fruit in combination with an active lifestyle can be effective in lowering blood pressure to the normal range.

Many diets plans, such as the DASH diet have been shown to help reduce blood pressure–and in my opinion, they’re also delicious! Heart disease is the deadliest disease worldwide, and it’s particularly dangerous because symptoms can be easy to ignore.

Make an appointment with your doctor today if you’re concerned about how high blood pressure could be affecting your health, and urge family members who also may be at risk to do the same.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area practicing at Princeton Medicine and is affiliated with University Medical Center at Princeton.