Patients, Families, and Caregivers, May 9, 2013
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The Barrow NPH Center hosted our first Patient Education Day on March 27, 2013. It was a huge success!
If you were not able to attend, not to worry, as the seminar is now ready for viewing online. Please post your questions to this blog.
Regards,
Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
Learn About Our Experts April 30, 2013
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Hello patients, families, & caregivers,
The Barrow NPH Center is hosting the first Patient Education Day this Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Take a few minutes to look through the NPH Speaker Bios. We will have the video presentations available on this blog in about two weeks.
There are a few seats still available. Call (877) 602-4111 to register. All those attending in person must register in advance.
Regards,
Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
Transitioning from the Hospital to Home? We Can Help. April 19, 2013
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Health care professionals often are concerned about discharging elderly patients from the hospital without being certain they will receive the proper assistance once they get home. Caregivers and family members can be just as concerned.
If you or someone you know has experienced this apprehension, or if you have a loved one scheduled for a hospital admission in the near future, please visit the ACTIVATE Community Resource Room at St. Joseph’s Hospital for assistance. The hospital concierge desk (located inside the main entrance of the hospital) can direct you to the ACTIVATE room. They can also be reached by phone at (602) 406-2374.
The ACTIVATE Community Resource Room can offer assistance with the following:
- Behavioral and Mental Health Resources
- Caregiver Services
- Community Resources
- Food, Clothing, and Medical
- Equipment
- Government Subsidized Care
- Housing Options
- In-Home Care Options
- Palliative Care, Hospice Care
Please post any questions or comments you have to this blog.
Regards,
Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
Don’t Forget to Register for the NPH Patient Education Day, April 27, 2013 April 12, 2013
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Hello patients, families, and caregivers-
The Barrow NPH Center is pleased to announce our Patient Education Day on April 27, 2013 at Barrow Neurological Institute. Learn from NPH experts including Drs. Joseph Zabramski, Terry Fife, Jiong Shi, Jeannine Morrone-Strupinsky, and others on hot topics about this condition.
Individuals attending in-person must register by April 19, 2013. Registration is being taken via phone at (877) 602-4111. The cost is $15/person and lunch with the speakers is included in the fee. Please click here to view event details.
We will be recording the presentations to provide on our live webcast and on demand video. For this reason we can only invite adults to attend in person to ensure the broadcast is not interrupted. Those viewing the webcast from the comforts of their home do not need to register. You will be able to access the live presentation without a user ID or password. Try connecting to this site in advance to ensure there are no technical problems with your computer.
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Regards,
Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
What is a Shunt? April 1, 2013
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NPH can often be treated successfully with a special implantable device called a shunt. This device drains excess Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) away from the brain to another part of the body, usually the abdominal cavity, where it can be absorbed.
There are a variety of shunt types with different capabilities but the most prevalent type used for NPH patients is one containing a programmable value. The valve is the component of the shunt which controls the speed with which the fluid is drained away from the brain. As we age our brains become more fragile and it is crucial that close attention is given to the speed of this flow. Draining too little may not improve the patient’s symptoms yet draining too fast could cause bleeding in the brain.
A shunt operation is not a cure and does not treat the underlying cause of NPH. It can, however, relieve the symptoms. The shunt remains in place indefinitely. If properly implanted, the shunt is seldom obvious to other people. The earlier the NPH is diagnosed, the better the chances that the surgery will help the patient. In general, people with milder symptoms have better outcomes after this surgery than those with more severe symptoms.
For more information about shunt please click on the link below to view our website.
Regards,
Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
Margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
Welcome Lisa Wadsworth to the Barrow NPH Team March 20, 2013
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We are proud to announce the addition of Lisa Wadsworth, PA, to our team at the Barrow NPH Center!
NPH is a condition unique to the elderly population, in which symptoms including balance/gait disturbances, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence mirror those of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other causes of dementia. Many patients with NPH are misdiagnosed until they have significantly deteriorated or possibly subjected to unnecessary tests, exams, and treatments for other conditions. Delaying the correct diagnosis of NPH can lead to irreversible neurological decline and can also impart unnecessary costs to you and your insurance company.
The Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) screening clinic employs a team of health care providers who take special care to rapidly but carefully diagnose and treat patients. Confirming a diagnosis of NPH can require complex testing, evaluation, and treatment planning. Collaboration between specialists in our screening clinic helps you get your diagnosis faster, so you can begin your process of treatment and recovery. The addition of Lisa to our team will help us continue to serve you better, and we are honored Lisa has brought her clinical expertise to our center.
Please post any questions concerning our screening process to this blog, or contact me directly.
Regards, Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
Margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
Welcome a New Practitioner to the Barrow NPH Center! March 12, 2013
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We are happy to announce a new addition to our team of clinical staff at the Barrow NPH Center. Please welcome Sharon Hayden, PT, a licensed physical therapist who specializes in gait/balance disorders.
Since many conditions can cause problems with gait and balance function, it is crucial that we determine if excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain (the dynamics of NPH) is causing the patient’s balance and or gait problems rather than another disorder.
A procedure called a lumbar Puncture (LP), also known as a spinal tap, allows us to remove a large volume of CSF, thereby reducing the pressure in the brain caused by fluid accumulation. Our physical therapist performs balance/gait testing before & immediately after the LP procedure is completed. If the results demonstrate improvement in the patient’s symptoms it is felt that the patient will respond positively to shunt placement and therefore be considered for surgery. Please post any questions concerning our screening process to this blog or contact me directly.
Regards, Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
Margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
Jennifer Lopez to Play Celebrity Fight Night March 1, 2013
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Jennifer Lopez is confirmed to perform at Celebrity Fight Night on March 23, an annual charity event benefitting Barrow’s Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, the most comprehensive Parkinson’s center in the country, as well as other great causes.
Arizona Foothills Magazine
Regards, Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Rock Star Nearly Loses Career with ‘Curable’ Dementia – NPH February 15, 2013
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Unable to play his guitar for nearly 5 years, famed lead guitarist Dick Wagner is now back on stage after successful treatment by St. Joseph’s Barrow neurosurgeon, Joseph Zabramski, MD, for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a brain condition which often mimics symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Hear more about this story from ABC News.
Regards, Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
Could I have NPH? February 6, 2013
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Do you believe you, a family member, or friend may be suffering from NPH? Here are a few questions you can ask yourself or your loved one which may point you in the right direction.
A
• Do you feel your interest in hobbies & socializing has diminished?
• Do you find your family members are speaking for you?
• Do you have trouble initiating conversation?
• Do you have difficulty maintaining attention?
• Do you have trouble remembering things that have occurred recently (where you put your keys, what you had for breakfast, etc)?
B
• Do you feel that your feet are stuck to the floor when you walk?
• Do you have trouble keeping your balance when walking or turning?
• Have you experienced sudden falls without loss of consciousness?
C
• Have you experienced sudden urgency in urinating?
• Have you had urinary accident
If the answer is yes to at least one question in each category, you may have symptoms of NPH. Keep in mind that many patients with NPH are misdiagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other forms of dementia. Therefore it is crucial that you seek out a center that specializes in this condition. Contact me directly for more information.
Regards, Maggie Bobrowitz, RN, MBA
Neuroscience Program Coordinator
Barrow Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Center
margaret.bobrowitz@dignityhealth.org
