Female Athletes are More Prone to ACL Injuries

    The article Female athletes are more prone to ACL injuries was published on www.mpnnow.com and details the experience of several  Ontario, NY county female students who have torn an ACL. Specifically, this article notes that females are more likely to tear their ACLs as opposed to their male counterparts.  Dr. David C. Grimm, an orthopedic surgeon at Canandaigua Orthopedic Associates suggests that women are two to eight times more likely to sustain an ACL injury.  Grimm states that this may be due to differences between the sexes in core stability and neuromuscular control, and notes some anatomical differences; women have a wider pelvis and a different angle to the legs.  The article goes on to describe what an ACL is, treatment for an ACL tear, rehab, getting the students back on the field, and prevention.  

    As a health care provider I think it is necessary to understand the mechanism of sports related ACL tears, and that females are more susceptible to such an injury.  In addition, it is important to have knowledge regarding prevention of ACL tears.  This article notes a program called Sportsmetrics that is aimed at preventing ACL injuries using video analysis to analyze and correct an athlete's jumping mechanics.  This may be something that should be incorporated into school athletic programs.  Perhaps this program may decrease some ACL injuries, I certainly think, if I were a Medical Director at a school that this is something I should at least look into!

Finger Lakes Family Care

       Finger Lakes Family care in Canadaigua, Ontario County, NY is a patient centered medical home.  Finger Lakes Family care is part of a larger initiative called "medical home" which was launched in 2009 to serve regions surrounding Rochester, NY.  This program includes 21 doctors working in 7 different practice sites in the Rochester region, including Finger Lakes Family Care.  The medical home model utilizes technology to improve communication, coordination, and accessibility of patient care.  Specifically, the use of technological improvements allows doctors, patients, and families to have quick and easy access to not only primary care providers, but specialists as well.  Implementation of the medical home model of care allows for the elimination of unnecessary doctors visits, and streamlines the process of getting connected with the appropriate provider.
       As a Physician Assistant I hope to work in the Rochester, NY region and am looking forward to exploring the medical home model of care.  Through the utilization of abundant and ever-expanding technology it is easy to see how the medical home model, while seemingly new at this time, will begin to become a house-hold name.  I look forward to learning more about this effective form of health care.

LIFETIME CARE: Home Health Care and Hospice

     Lifetime Care is an organization that provides home care services in the following counties in New York state: Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Yates, and Schuyler.  In addition, Lifetime Care also provides hospice services in Monroe, Wayne, and Seneca Counties.  Home health is provided for many areas of need, such as care after a hospital stay, care after surgery, care for a chronic illness and care for moms and kids.  Each of these areas employs the use of a health care team to carry out its goals of speeding up the healing process while patients maintain their independence.  Team members include: RN's and LPN's, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists and medical social workers.  It is important to note that the aforementioned team groups include further subspecialties, such as a wound care RN or a home infusion RN.  Each team member has important responsibilities which contribute to the success of recovery of the patient.  For example, for care after a hospital stay the RN's are responsible for checking vital signs, administering medication or injections, wound and ostomy care, home infusion, oxygen administration, blood test and pain control.  Medical social workers are available to assist with financial issues and or setting the patient/caregivers up with information regarding available community resources. 

     I think the team approach to health care is essential in providing thorough management and treatment to patients. As a registered dietitian, I was part of a multidisciplinary hospital wide team, and more specifically a member of the Nutrition Support Team.  My experience working was a wonderful experience and I am looking forward to joining a multidisciplinary team in the future as a physician assistant. 

Ontario County Health Indicators

    For this month's blog I have reviewed specific health care indicators in Ontario County, NY and compared the results with the rest of the New York State and the Nation.
    In examining the Mortality and Morbidity indicators I found that Ontario County had 5,521 premature deaths in 2012 which falls in between the National results (5,466) and the New York State results (5,821).  With regards to morbidity, Ontario County fell between the National and State levels in all three subsets (poor physical health days, poor mental health days, and low birth weight), with National levels having a better outcome and state levels with a worse outcome that Ontario County, NY.  The exception to this trend, is that the percentage of poor or fair health was lower as compared to the Nation and New York State; 8%, 10%, and 16% respectively.
    Interestingly the aforementioned trend of Ontario County falling in between National and State indicator levels continued with regards to Social and Economic considerations. One stand out result is high school graduation, where Ontario County boasts 86% graduation rate as compared with the State result of 65%.  Of note, there were not results recorded for the National high school graduation rate. As a trend unemployment, children in poverty, inadequate social support, children in single parent homes and violent crime rate were lowest on a National level, highest at the State level and Ontario County stayed intermediate.

   Upon reviewing the Health Behaviors indicators I was surprised to see that Ontario County had not only a higher percentage of adult obesity (27%) than the National level of 25%, but it is also higher than the State level of 25%.  These levels do not follow that trend as mentioned above.

    Finally, in the area of Clinical Care indicators Ontario County has a very proportion of patients: primary care physicians (1,027:1) and compared with the Nation (631:1) and New York State (781:1); this clearly indicates that Ontario County is in need of primary care physicians!





(http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/#app/new-york/2012/rankings/outcomes/overall)).