ROCKYMOUNTAIN KIDS

SUMMER 2016

Health news for parents fromROCKY MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN®

Pediatric Asthma and Family Vacationspage 3

Personalized Care Anytime, Anywherepage 4

5 New Rules of Healthy Eatingpage 5

Turn to page 10 to see how an RMHC

physician is fi ghting childhood

cancer in the developing

world

RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com

A Note From Dr. Washington

REGINALD WASHINGTON, MD, FACPCHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERROCKY MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN®

With the arrival of summer, many of you will be taking time off for fun and travel with your families. One thing you should never take a vacation from, however, is your health. In this issue of Rocky Mountain Kids, you will receive important advice for keeping your family safe while enjoying all of the outdoor fun that summer has to offer.

If your child suffers from asthma, it can be particularly challenging to keep him or her safe on vacation. On page 3, you can read about how to protect your child from asthma attacks while traveling. Of course, when you are closer to home, you can rely on Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children for support. Through a special collaboration with National Jewish Health for Kids, we provide clinical services for children with respiratory, allergic and immune system disorders at our Presbyterian/St. Luke’s campus.

We are also proud to support your family’s health and well-being with 24-hour access to medical care and information. Our secure online patient portal, MyHealthOne, is a tool to help you manage your family’s health at your convenience. You can read more about its benefi ts and how to sign up in the pages of this magazine. Meanwhile, we expanded access to 24/7 emergency care with the opening of our newest dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department at Sky Ridge in February.

These resources refl ect our deep commitment to the children and families of the Denver area. Yet, as you will see in the feature about Dr. John van Doorninck’s volunteer work in southeast Mexico, our impact extends far beyond the region. I believe that Dr. van Doorninck’s use of his free time to treat cancer in underprivileged children is representative of the care and concern that our physicians and staff feel for each and every child.

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children is privileged to care for and contribute to our community. We look forward to serving you.

Wishing you a happy and healthy summer,

Reggie Washington, MD

Dear Parents and Friends of Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children:

2 Summer 2016 ROCKY MOUNTAIN KIDS

Connect With Us Want to learn more about hospital

happenings, get health tips or see

what others in the community are

talking about? Visit us on Facebook

or Twitter.

Visit us on social media via Facebook (www.facebook.com/RockyMountainHospitalForChildren) and Twitter (twitter.com/RMHCfamily) to share your suggestions today!

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Breathe Easier!Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children partners with National Jewish Health for Kids to provide comprehensive pediatric respiratory and allergy care at the Presbyterian/St. Luke’s campus. For an appointment, call 303-322-2203, or visit www.RockyMountainKidsRespiratoryAllergy.com for more information.

YOUR CHILD’S TRAVEL PACKPut everything you might need for your child’s asthma in a small travel pack. Then make sure the pack is with your child at all times, including on the fl ight. Never check it, even for a short fl ight, because a checked bag can be lost or delayed.

“Always bring more medication than you think your child will need, including extra inhalers in case one gets lost,” suggests Dr. Brar. “Also keep a copy of your child’s asthma action plan — including the doctor’s contact information  — extra written prescriptions and your health insurance card. However, if your child is having diffi culty breathing, this is not the time to wait for a call back from the doctor. Seek emergency help right away!”

PEDIATRIC ASTHMA AND FAMILY VACATIONS

hen your family goes on vacation, your child’s asthma comes along. It’s important not to take a break

from asthma care. Sometimes, a new place brings new asthma challenges. But with a little planning, you can feel confi dent about dealing with them.

TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR“It’s important to make sure your child’s asthma is under control before going on vacation,” says Kanwaljit Brar, MD, assistant professor and a physician at National Jewish Health for Kids, who also sees patients at Rocky Mountain Pediatric Respiratory and Allergy Care. “Talk with your doctor if your child’s symptoms have been more frequent or severe lately, or if they’re interfering with daily activities or sleep. If needed, the doctor can adjust your child’s asthma action plan.”

Your doctor might also provide an extra written prescription in case your child’s medication is lost or an asthma attack arises. You can also ask for the doctor’s recommendations for managing asthma triggers and a trusted health care facility in the place your family is visiting.

W• Quick-relief medication• Long-term control

medication• Spacer or holding chamber• Nebulizer• Peak-fl ow meter• Allergy medication

ASTHMA FIRST AID KIT:

FOLLOWING AN ACTION PLANFor your child with asthma, good asthma care is as important while away as it is at home. Make a conscious choice to keep up good habits on vacation, and continue your child’s daily controllers and allergy medications. Avoid known triggers as much as possible, and pre-treat if necessary. Last but not least, enjoy this time together! Having asthma shouldn’t stop your child from having fun.

4 Summer 2016 ROCKY MOUNTAIN KIDS

Scheduling an appointment, paying a hospital bill and reviewing lab

test results has never been easier. Through MyHealthOne, Rocky

Mountain Hospital for Children’s newest online patient portal, you

can securely access important health information from your desktop computer,

smartphone or tablet. Available 24 hours a day, this enhanced patient portal

connects you to personal health records and helpful tools to manage care for

you or your loved one.

FEATURES OF MyHealthOne MyHealthOne offers a friendly user interface, with new features that weren’t

available in the hospital’s previous patient portal. For instance, MyHealthOne

allows you to:

• Create a personalized user profi le

• Manage the health of loved ones

• Find a doctor by searching for the doctor’s name,

specialty, location or keyword

• Make an appointment electronically — without needing

to call your provider’s offi ce

• View details of recent hospital visits

• Preregister for procedures

• Pay recent hospital bills

What’s more, users can search the network for upcoming classes and events,

and register and pay for the event all in one place. You’ll then receive a

confi rmation email and receipt.

HAVE QUESTIONS?Do you want to know more or need help signing up for MyHealthOne? Give us a call at 1-855-422-6625.

To create an account, simply follow the steps below.

If you’d like to link your medical records to your MyHealthOne

account, you’ll need to provide your social security number.

Visit www.RockyMountainHospital ForChildren.com/MyHealthONE

and click on “Start managing your health today.” Or you can visit www.MyHealthONE.net.

Click “Create an account,” enter your email address, and pick

your username and password. Once you enter this information, you’ll be notifi ed in an email that your account was successfully created. Remember to check your spam folder if you don’t receive the email within 10 minutes.

Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be asked to answer a few questions

to verify your identity.

You’re ready to get started!

MyHealthOne:PERSONALIZED CARE Anytime, Anywhere

CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT —

IT’S EASY!

5

As childhood obesity runs rampant, researchers have rushed to study ways to improve kids’ diets. Their surprising conclusion? Some classic techniques, such as pushing or withholding food, just plain don’t work. Harnessing their fi ndings can help you guide your child toward healthier eating habits.

OLD: Cleaning your plate.NEW: Eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full.Bodies come equipped with natural systems to regulate food intake — hunger and fullness. Instead of overriding them, encourage kids to put down their forks once they’re satisfi ed. Don’t fret if they don’t eat much at one meal; if their bodies need more energy, they’ll likely make it up at the next.

OLD: Closely monitoring each morsel.NEW: Offering healthful options.Instead of focusing on what kids shouldn’t eat, give them opportunities to make good choices. The more fruits and vegetables you offer throughout the day, the more kids will consume, research shows. Keep in mind they may need time to warm up to new options.

OLD: Banning kids from the kitchen.NEW: Involving everyone in healthy meals.True, hazards like sharp knives, boiling water and dangling cords require vigilance. Keep safety in mind, but invite children of all ages to play a role in food selection and preparation. When each person lends a hand, family meals become easier. Kids will feel invested in healthful choices.

OLD: Skipping dessert.NEW: Balancing “sometimes” foods with healthier choices.Taking treats completely off the table can rob kids of joy, and might make group situations awkward and uncomfortable for your child. Consider treats “sometimes” foods. When your kids face choices at events like parties, teach them to take one indulgence along with several nutritious options. That way, both their bodies and minds are satisfi ed.

OLD: Needling kids about their weight.NEW: Modeling healthy, positive habits.Making negative comments about your child’s size — or others’, including your own — can harm kids’ body image. Though obesity does pose health risks, families should focus more on living a healthy lifestyle than on numbers or appearances, experts say. Set an example by eating more fruits and veggies yourself. And model other aspects of a healthful lifestyle, from staying active to sleeping enough to maintaining a positive relationship with food and your body.

MEALTIME INSPIRATION For nutritious and creative meal ideas, visit www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com/hl and click “Recipes” on the right.

FOR KIDS

5 NEW RULES OF

HEALTHY EATING

6

hrough a child’s

eyes, summer looks

like an endless array

of long, playful days. But

as a grown-up, you see

things a bit differently.

You also see the dangers

that lurk outdoors that

can lead to broken bones,

burns and bike crashes.

It’s hard to know which

view to take: the free

spirit or the safety cop.

Stop trying to choose a

side. You can strike a

balance between your

adult nature and your

inner child (yes, the one

that agrees that dirt

doesn’t hurt). Read on to

learn what safety steps

are non-negotiable for

some of the most popular

kid pastimes. Check

them off your list, then go

have some fun.

TPools, playgrounds and trampolines should incite excitement — not excessive anxiety. Parents, learn how to promote summer fun without sacrifi cing safety.

Sun, Fun — and Safety

THERE WHEN YOU NEED USEven when you take precautions, emergencies can happen. When they do, you can count on Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. To fi nd the closest emergency room and average wait time, text “ER” to 23000 or download the FREE HealthONE Fast LocatER app on your smartphone at www.HealthONECares.com/er. Or call 720-523-3888 and enter your ZIP code.

7

BIKINGYour inner child says: Exploring the world

on two wheels offers your child freedom,

fun and a healthy dose of exercise.

Your adult voice says: Each year, about

8,000 children ages 14 and younger get

hurt in cycling accidents. And

unfortunately, about 60 are killed.

The healthier response: Don’t rush your

child off training wheels — most aren’t

ready for a two-wheeled bike until age 5.

Choose one that fi ts properly, allowing

your young cyclist to place both feet on the

ground while sitting on the seat.

When your child rides, insist that your

child wear a helmet for every ride. Choose

one that meets the safety standards of

the Consumer Product Safety Commission

(check the inside label for the stamp of

approval). In the event of a crash, helmets

protect kids from more severe injury.

SWIMMINGYour inner child says: For many kids, the

very defi nition of summer fun involves

splashing in the pool, lake or ocean.

Your adult voice says: Unintentional

drowning is a real and very serious risk.

Many children who die — especially the

youngest — do so in home swimming pools.

The healthier response: Never let kids

near pools or other bodies of water

unattended. Designate at least one adult

who knows how to swim and can oversee

kids without distraction. For infants and

toddlers, this grown-up should stay at arm’s

length, providing “touch supervision.”

Swimming lessons may help protect

your little one from drowning. The

American Academy of Pediatrics

recommends signing kids up when

they’re ready, which almost always

occurs by age 4. Still, even trained

swimmers need a watchful adult nearby.

And keep safety equipment, such as life

preservers, on hand.

TEAM SPORTSYour inner child says: Joining the squad

helps your child build friendships and

learn sportsmanship.

Your adult voice says: Of the

38 million kids and teens who suit up

each year, more than 2.6 million end up

in the emergency room with sports-

related injuries. Many more develop less

severe but still debilitating aches and

pains. And as the mercury rises, so does

the risk of heat-related illness during

practice, games or matches.

The healthier response: Ensure your

child plays against opponents of similar

size and ability, even if they’re different

ages. And help children train for their

sport. Proper physical conditioning can

protect arms, legs and other body parts

from damage. Coaches can also help

design programs that increase strength

and fi tness safely over time.

To stay cool in hot temperatures,

encourage coaches to schedule games

and practices in the morning or late

afternoon instead of in the heat of the

day. Give your child a water break every

20 minutes. And stop the game and call

for help if your child shows signs of

heat-related illness, including faintness,

headache, nausea and vomiting.

JUMPING ON TRAMPOLINESYour inner child says: Few feelings

match the uninhibited enjoyment of

sailing through the air. Plus, jumping

counts as exercise.

Your adult voice says: Each year,

almost 100,000 people get injured by

falling, landing wrong or colliding with

another person on these springy mats.

More than 3,000 bounce straight into the

hospital. The consequences range from

cuts and scrapes to serious head and

neck injuries.

The healthier response: If you must

have a home trampoline, cover the edges

with protective padding. Allow only one

jumper at a time, ban somersaults and

always supervise. Plus, check your

homeowner’s insurance policy — you

may have to buy an additional rider to

cover trampoline-related injuries.

You can also leave the trampoline

jumping for gymnastics lessons and

encourage alternative forms of exercise,

like jumping rope.

PLAYING AT THE PLAYGROUNDYour inner child says: Swings, monkey

bars and seesaws encourage kids to

test — and extend—their physical limits.

Did you say monkey bars? They’re just

plain fun.

Your adult voice says: Even backyard

swing sets pose safety risks. After hours

in the sun, metal, plastic and rubber

equipment can scald your child’s skin,

while wooden materials supply splinters.

Ropes and nets may trap small heads.

And falling from a swing, slide or other

structure onto a hard surface like

concrete or asphalt can cause injuries.

The healthier response: Start by

installing equipment properly and safely.

Choose all-weather woods and metal

covered with heat-reducing coating.

Place energy-absorbent materials, such

as safety-tested mats or wood chips,

underneath. Make sure they cover at

least 6 feet in all directions (even farther

for swings and slides).

Before playtime, check the

temperature of all equipment. Watch

children closely, especially those

attempting to climb to heights above

their heads. Frequently inspect

equipment for loose joints, rusted chains

and jagged edges that could catch a

child’s clothing, and make necessary

repairs immediately.

8

Few children have heart attacks or strokes. But research shows that catching risk factors for these conditions at a young age leads to health benefi ts

years down the line.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

recommends you should have your child’s cholesterol checked at least once between ages 9 and 11, and again between ages 17 and 21.

UPDATED GUIDELINES AFFECT CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF FAMILY HISTORYPreviously, doctors only checked cholesterol levels in kids with a family history of heart disease. But according to the AAP, this technique missed between one-third and two-thirds of children at risk.

Talk with your child’s doctor about the best age to start testing. Children with risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure may need to begin testing as young as age 2.

HEALTHY CHANGES PREVENT, TREAT HIGH CHOLESTEROLHelp your children enter adulthood healthy and happy by:• Cutting back on fat. Kids older than age 4 should get

between 25 and 35 percent of their calories from fat, including less than 10 percent from saturated fat.

• Skipping simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, sugary cereals and sodas. These foods may raise triglycerides and lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Instead, feed kids whole grains, including whole-wheat bread, oatmeal (without added sugars) and brown rice.

• Encouraging exercise. Most kids should get an hour of physical activity every day. If your child has low HDL, high LDL or high triglycerides, his or her doctor may suggest even more.

For more ideas on healthy choices for your family, visit the AAP’s site at www.healthychildren.org and choose “Healthy Living” from the menu on the right.

Does Your Child Need A

CHOLESTEROL TEST?

FIRST CALL® FOR CHILDRENIf you have a question about your child’s cholesterol or any other health matter and your doctor’s offi ce is closed, call our FREE Nurse Advice Line. It’s available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 24 hours on weekends and holidays. Call 303-563-3300 in the Denver metro area, or dial the toll-free line at 1-877-647-7440.

RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com 9

CO

RN

ER

Since 1984, Mothers’ Milk Bank (MMB) has distributed more than 4 million ounces of donor human milk from more than 10,000 women to countless babies nationwide.

Stacy Sampson, a Boulder resident, became our 10,000th donor in April. Stacy gave birth to her daughter, Cora, prematurely last October due to severe preeclampsia and other complications. Cora was immediately given donor human milk from MMB while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Shortly thereafter, Stacy began producing and pumping her milk. She quickly had an oversupply and decided to donate her excess milk to MMB.

Those who receive donor milk from women like Stacy are most grateful. Marcy Murphy and Jason Berge are among the hundreds of thousands of parents whose babies have benefited from this precious gift. When 21 weeks pregnant, Marcy was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. A lumpectomy was performed at 23 weeks. Following the procedure, Marcy was also diagnosed with preeclampsia. Their daughter, Kaylee, was delivered with complications a month early by cesarean section.

“When she came out, she wasn’t breathing. It took them about 22 minutes to get her to breathe,” remembers Marcy. Kaylee was in the NICU for 14 days. MMB provided donor human milk during that time, which was critical for Kaylee’s recovery.

A nonprofit program of Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, MMB collects, processes and provides donor human milk to babies across the country. Many of our recipients are born prematurely or have a severe illness, requiring human milk to thrive.

FOUNDATION

4 Ten for Babies

Learn how you can help families faced with major health challenges. www.rmchildren.org/give-now | info@rmchildren.org | 303-839-6782

Like us on www.facebook.com/RMCHF.

“My daughter is healthy and thriving. I am so thankful for the opportunity to help other babies like Cora get a good start.” — Stacy Sampson

“One of the first things I asked was, ‘can we use donor milk?’ We talked to the doctors and they said this is the best thing you can do for your baby to ensure that she’s going to grow and be healthy in the future.” — Jason Berge

“We feel incredibly lucky. At every doctor’s visit, she continues to grow. She’s little because she was so premature, but she’s right where she should be.” — Marcy Murphy

Marcy Murphy and Jason Berge, and Erin and Haven Anderson offered words of inspiration and gratitude at Kaleidoscope 2016.

Kaleidoscope is an annual celebration held in February that raises funds and resources for RMCHF. In four short years, Kaleidoscope has generated more than $1.2 million in support of our mission.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for pediatric patients and their families in the Rocky Mountain region.

10 Summer 2016 ROCKY MOUNTAIN KIDS

very day, health care providers at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children provide exceptional care for the children and

families they treat. They also work with colleagues who help children with cancer beyond the walls of the hospital and even outside the state of Colorado.

John van Doorninck, MD, is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children who is committed to improving care for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. van Doorninck is a volunteer with World Child Cancer USA, a nonprofi t organization dedicated to improving cancer diagnosis, treatment and care for children across the developing world. He’s also an ambassador with Project C.U.R.E., the largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries.

Over the past few years, Dr. van Doorninck has been involved in an exciting new partnership between Project C.U.R.E. and World Child Cancer USA to help children with cancer in developing countries. That partnership recently came to fruition in Southeast Mexico, where childhood cancer is the second-leading cause of death. “More children there die of cancer than from common conditions like diarrhea or malnutrition,” Dr. van Doorninck says.

In parts of the area, 95 percent of families live below the poverty line. Approximately 700 children in the region are diagnosed with cancer each year. In the developing world, pediatric cancer survival rates are signifi cantly lower than they are in other parts of the world — as low as 50 percent in Southeast Mexico compared with 80 percent in the U.S.

IMPROVING CANCER CARE FROM THE GROUND UPThanks to this new partnership, Project C.U.R.E. is sending a 53-foot-long shipping container fi lled with about $700,000 worth of equipment to three facilities in Southeast Mexico. World Child Cancer will support the opening of a new pediatric cancer ward, provide training for personnel on using the equipment, launch a patient database, hire a database manager, offer training workshops for providers and families, build a hostel for families to stay in while their children are undergoing treatment and establish support groups.

“It’s a signifi cant undertaking, but a project we’re all very proud of,” Dr. van Doorninck says. “Building something like a database may not seem signifi cant, but one thing we’ve learned is that you can’t address a

Working Together to FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER in the Developing World

E

problem, gain funding or track progress unless you can quantify it, so putting a database in place is very important.”

Scott Howard, MD, is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and chairman of World Child Cancer USA. “This collaboration is ideal because Project C.U.R.E. is extremely good at getting the equipment that’s needed, including beds, monitors, lab tools and much more, while World Child Cancer’s strength is program development, education, training, monitoring and tracking how those items are being used,” he says.

Education is a cornerstone of this partnership. World Child Cancer is providing training for physicians, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals who care for children with cancer, says LeAnn Fickes, executive director of World Child Cancer USA. “We also educate health care professionals on how to teach families about the importance of following through with all necessary treatment. In Southeast Mexico, about 20 percent of children do not complete treatment, do not take all their medications or fail to attend follow-up appointments.” Tristan Flatt, DO, is a hematologist/oncologist at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and a collaborator with World Child Cancer who will be playing a key role in the training programs for medical staff and families.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE The collaboration is designed to improve access to care for children with cancer and to increase their survival. But by improving physical infrastructure and attracting and training staff, it is also expected to have a positive impact on the care of patients suffering from other

conditions. Ultimately, this partnership will help build a network of hospitals in Southeast Mexico that can rely on themselves to provide the highest level of pediatric cancer care in the region.

“At first, it will be an international collaboration where physicians in Southeast Mexico will coordinate with experts affiliated with World Child Cancer to talk through how they approach each patient’s case, what the options are and how to make a decision about patients’ care,” Dr. Howard says. “Eventually, by replicating what we’re doing in Mexico with other facilities in Central America, they’ll become more autonomous and can take this same approach by collaborating with one another.”

The partnership between World Child Cancer and Project C.U.R.E. represents an important opportunity for improving outcomes for children with cancer in Southeast Mexico. The hope is that it will become a model for future opportunities in other parts of the developing world so that these organizations can continue making a difference in even more children’s and families’ lives across the globe. If you would like to contribute to World Child Cancer USA’s lifesaving work, you can donate on its website at www.worldchildcancer.us/donate.

COMPREHENSIVE CARE To learn more about oncology and other services offered

by Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, visit

www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com/services.

From left: Dr. van Doorninck, LeAnn Fickes and Dr. Scott Howard

From left: Dr. Marco Escamilla, LeAnn Fickes, Dr. Scott Howard and Dr. Pedro Torres signing a partnership agreement at the Hospital DIF de la Niñez Hidalguense in Hidalgo, Mexico

A childhood cancer patient raising awareness on World Cancer Day 2016 at the Hospital DIF de la Niñez Hidalguense

In Oaxaca Mexico with Project C.U.R.E., World Child Cancer USA, and partner hospital, Hospital de la Niñez Oaxaqueña

Seven-year-old Maria, a leukemia patient in Oaxaca, Mexico, and her mom

Rocky Mountain Kids is published by the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children® family of hospitals from HealthONE®.

The information is intended to educate the public about subjects pertinent to their health, not as a substitute for consultation with a personal physician.

To provide feedback, please go to www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com and click on “Contact Us.”

©2016 Rocky Mountain Kids. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only.

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Hospital for Children

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children® at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center2001 North High StreetDenver, CO 80205

Access your health info when and where you need it with our patient portal. Get started at www.MyHealthONE.net.

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When your child’s symptoms come fast and furious … it might be time to head

to our pediatric ER.

To learn more, visit www.RockyMountainHospitalForChildren.com.

Text “ER” to 23000 to find the current ER wait times.Message and data rates may apply.

For medical emergencies, ALWAYS CALL 911.

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