ARMA Leads the Way to Better Health
The doctors, nurses and employees at Aiken Regional Medical Centers (ARMC) work hard to provide exceptional inpatient and outpatient services.
But ARMC's commitment to the community isn't limited to hospital care. Here's a sample of the free and low-cost programs, services and tools available to help you and your family live healthier lives.
Community Education and Outreach
Youngsters about to welcome a new brother or sister into the family,
teens facing difficult choices, adults taking care of parents with
Alzheimer's disease and seniors who want to stay healthy all have
something in common. They're among the thousands of local
residents who participate in ARMC's community education and
outreach programs every year to improve their health and
ARMC's comprehensive community education and outreach program has something for everyone in the community, including:
- First aid and CPR training
- Health fairs and support groups
- Family-life education programs
- American Red Cross babysitting classes
- Programs to help teens make wise choices
- Wellness programs for seniors
In addition, the hospital holds quarterly seminars at locations throughout Aiken as part of an outreach partnership with five area churches, four planned communities and the City of Aiken. The seminars feature timely health topics and are open to the public.
|  Timothy Shannon, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, presents "What's New in Arthritic Surgery" at Cedar Creek Country Club. |
The hospital's outreach efforts are very popular with local residents. More than 11,000 people participated in various programs, classes and events last year. In addition, membership in the hospital's Senior Wellness Program rose more than 4 percent from 2006 to 2007 to more than 6,000 members. Nearly 26,000 people visited the hospital's Health Information Center at the Aiken Mall -- an increase of about 10 percent in a three-year period.
"We take our role as a corporate citizen seriously," said Melissa Summer, Director of Marketing at ARMC. "Our education and outreach programs are one way we can give back to the community and make a positive difference in the lives of local families."
Start Living a Healthier Life
Click here to browse information on upcoming events. To
view an online schedule, please visit www.aikenregional.com.
Health Information Center Kiosk
ARMC has a unique way of connecting with local
residents -- the Health Information Center (HIC) kiosk
inside the Aiken Mall. It's the only mall-based center of
its type in the area.
"More than 100 people stop by every day we're open to get health information about common conditions, find healthy recipes, join our Mall Walkers Program and take advantage of other services we provide," said Kathleen Ware, RN, Nurse Coordinator of the HIC.
|  At age 91, Lois Banks frequently visits the HIC and is the Mall Walkers Program's eldest member. |
"We offer something for people of all ages. There's a monthly health focus and general health information for adults, a Teen Scene area with topics specifically for teenagers and a Kids' Corner where youngsters can learn about healthy habits through fun, ageappropriate activities." Ware and two other HIC nurses, Lauren Harris, RN, and Darlene Rabon, RN, offer visitors these services:
- Free information about heart disease, cancer, HIC's monthly health focus and other health issues
- Free and low-cost health screenings including blood pressure, height, weight and body fat, lipid, total cholesterol and glucose screenings
- Health-related activities, such as puzzles for kids
- Information for teens about how they can make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid dangerous behaviors
- A Mall Walkers Program
- Free enrollment in ARMC's Senior Wellness Program
- Information about the services available at ARMC
- Referrals to physicians on staff at ARMC
Get the Information You Need
Visit the Health Information Center kiosk at the Aiken Mall:
|  |
Reliable Health Information
You don't have to search the Web looking for reliable
and up-to-date medical information. ARMC's Web site
has an awardwinning
Health
Information
portal that
contains a
comprehensive
medical library,
health articles
and interactive
tools to help
you monitor
and manage
your health. The
secure portal is
accredited by
the URAC, a national organization that reviews and
accredits healthcare organizations and health Web sites.
"We have one of the most comprehensive online health education Web sites in the area," said Melissa Summer, Director of Marketing at ARMC. "It's fun, informative and easy to use."
Browse for information about diseases and conditions, procedures and surgeries, medications, current health news, clinical updates, nutrition facts and more. Or use interactive tools to assess your risk for specific conditions, see how the body functions and test your knowledge about important health issues.
In addition, the Web site has action modules that can help you manage chronic diseases and improve your health. For example, the Your Health Online section allows you to take an active role in your health by providing the tools and information you need to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Click Your Way to Better Health
To get started today, please log on to
www.aikenregional.com and click on Health
Information in the left column.
|  Simple solutions help you select doctors who meet your needs. |
Physician Referral Services
Do you need a physician who can take care of your
routine medical needs or a specialist who can diagnose
and treat a specific condition? Finding a doctor you can
trust isn't always easy. Fortunately, ARMC offers simple
solutions that can help you select doctors who meet
your individual needs.
Direct DoctorsSM Plus Physician Referral Service
Talk with a representative who can help you find a doctor
or give you a list of doctors so you can choose the
physician who best meets your needs. The representative
also can make an appointment for you and send you an
appointment reminder.
Representatives speak English and Spanish, and are
available at
Physician Directory Online
The directory lists the physicians on the medical staff at
ARMC by specialty and includes their photos, training
and credentials, office locations and phone numbers.
To view the Physician Directory, please log on to www.aikenregional.com. Scroll down the left-hand side of the page and click on Physician Directory A – N (allergy to neurology) or Physician Directory O – Z (obstetrics/gynecology to urology).
Universal Medication Form
It's important to let all your healthcare providers know
about all over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription
medications you take, how much you take and when you
take them. But keeping track of your medications can be
a challenge, especially if you have certain chronic
conditions or take multiple medications.
ARMC, in cooperation with the South Carolina Hospital Association, can provide you with a copy of a Universal Medication Form to help you manage your medications. Once you have a form, fill it out as completely as you can by listing all the OTC and prescription medications, vitamins and herbal remedies you take. Include the dosages for all medications and when you take them. You can easily update the form when you start or stop taking medications, or change the dosing schedule.
Take your completed form with you whenever you see a doctor, have tests or go to the hospital. It's also a good idea to keep a copy of the form in your wallet or purse so it's readily available if you need care unexpectedly.
"Doctors sometimes have to delay treatments until they can get a complete list of the medications patients take," said Ursula Bethmann, RN, a clinical nurse specialist at ARMC. "Fortunately, more and more patients are using the Universal Medication Form. Not only does the form help us provide patients with appropriate and timely care, it also empowers patients by giving them more control over their health."
Keep Track of Your Information To receive a form in the mail, please visit
www.aikenregional.com and click on Contact. Simply
complete the contact form (type "Universal Medication
Form" in the subject box) and click on the Submit button.
Universal Medication Forms are available at the
front desk in ARMC's lobby and at the Health
Information Center kiosk inside the Aiken Mall.
|  Karen Screen, RN, takes a blood-pressure reading for Corporal Sonny Ford, an Aiken public safety officer. |
Workplace Wellness
Employees at some local businesses get help staying
healthy in an unusual place -- on the job. Their employers
have workplace wellness programs designed and managed
by the staff of ARMC-s Business and Industry Health
program.
"We work with 17 local businesses including Aiken Electric Cooperative Inc., the City of Aiken and Bridgestone Firestone on workplace wellness programs that help improve their employees' health," said Brenda Tolton, Director of Business and Industry Health at ARMC.
"The businesses we work with have seen tremendous results. They report fewer sick days, a decline in jobrelated injuries, increased productivity and better problem-solving abilities. Their costs for health insurance and claims level off instead of continually rising. We've even identified employees with very serious health conditions early so they could get the treatment they need to live longer, healthier lives."
Services the Business and Industry Health program provides to local businesses include:
- Health risk and periodic health assessments
- Preventive, biometric and comprehensive cardiac screenings
- Personal health portfolios
- Educational seminars and health fairs
- Disease management and nutrition guidance
Meet Your Goals
To find out more about ARMC's Business
and Industry Health program, please call
 |
P.O. Drawer 1117 Aiken, SC 29802 |
