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Employee Wellness


Safe Kids and the MUSC Trauma Team are promoting National Poison Prevention Week, March 20-26. Poisoning is the third leading cause of death from unintentional injury in South Carolina and more than 22 million dollars was spent on emergency room visits for poison related exposures in South Carolina in 2007. The most common exposures to poisoning in South Carolina are:

• Analgesics
• Cosmetics
• Household substances
• Cough and cold preparations

Other examples of potential poisons include household plants, alcohol, carbon monoxide and other gases and vapors. Poisoning can lead to further traumatic injuries due to impairment.

Prevent poisonings in your home by:
• Keeping medications locked up and out of reach of young children
• Keep pill organizer container out of reach of young children
• Read labels every time
• Never refer to pills as candy
• Know how much medication, how often, and follow directions
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping area
• Protect your skin, eyes, and lungs when using household products
• Properly dispose of unused, expired, and old medications.

In honor of poison prevention week spring clean your medicine cabinets by bringing in medications you no longer need to any of the MUSC pharmacies for disposal. In the event of a poisoning contact the Poison Prevention Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

MUSC Good Eats! National Nutrition Month events
• Wellness Wednesday: Are your portions out of control? Stop by the Children's Hospital Lobby on March 3d between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to learn about how trimming portion sizes can cut calories and improve health. MUSC dietetic interns will provide tips, tricks, and suggestions for easy portion control practices.
• Lunch and Learn Series: Did you know the average person consumes about 3,400 milligrams of sodium (salt) per day? Lowering your salt intake can have major health benefits. Studies have shown that a reduced sodium intake can lower blood pressure, prevent hypertension, can help control hypertension, and can prevent cardiovascular disease.

Join registered dietitians Lisa Hanhauser and Sara Hendrix on Wednesday, March 23 for their lunch and learn session, Looking Beyond the Salt Shaker where they will discuss hidden salt and ways to cut back on salt to improve health. Space is limited so RSVP today at musc-empwell@musc.edu, the event will be held in Room 102of the Colbert Education & Library from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. Bring your own lunch, fresh fruit provided by Sodexo.

Employee Wellness events
• Discounted state park annual passes: Ranger John Phelps from Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site will be located outside the ART cafeteria on Wednesday on March 23 from 11am – 1pm selling annual state park passes to employees at a 20 percent discount. Visit http://www.charlestowne.org/ or http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/ to learn more about the natural and historic settings in our community and state.
• Free bone density screenings: The MUSC Osteoporosis and Bone Health Center and MUSC Employee Wellness are offering a Bone Mineral Density screening, free of charge, to any employee who is at risk including any postmenopausal woman (not currently taking prescription medications for osteoporosis) who has not had a DXA scan in the last two years. The next screening is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23 from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. For information or to schedule an appointment, e-mail musc-empwell@musc.edu.
• Smoking cessation clinic: Freedom From Smoking (FFS) Clinic is a program developed by the American Lung Association that provides a group setting for adults to work through the quitting process. There are eight group sessions led by trained facilitators and physicians who are also MUSC employees. This clinic is open to all MUSC employees and their spouses. The cost is $25 per person and the first class begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday , April 5. For more information or to register e-mail musc-empwell@musc.edu.
• Farmers market: Fresh fruits and vegetables are available from local farmers from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Friday in the Horseshoe and in the grassy area next to Ashley River Tower behind Charleston Memorial Hospital.

Contact Susan Johnson at johnsusa@musc.edu to become involved in employee wellness at MUSC. Events, speakers, classes, or any other ideas are welcome.

 

 

Friday, March 18, 2011

The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.