When is flu season?
Flu season is declared by the County Department of Health once flu is prevalent in the area.  It generally peaks between December and February.  Because it takes a few weeks to build immunity - the earlier the vaccine is received the better - but community members can get the vaccine any time throughout the season. 
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Is it possible have flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
Yes. It is possible have flu (as well as other respiratory illnesses) and COVID-19 at the same time. Experts are still studying how common this can be.  Further, those who contract COVID-19, who are already compromised by flu, may have a higher risk of complications and worse symptoms. 
According to Lisa Barone, BTLC director of infection control, “There’s definitely concern about the flu overlapping with COVID, but it's hard to know how COVID-19 will mix with flu season at this time.”  Health care experts hope ongoing measures for reducing COVID transmission will also reduce flu transmission.  

What can I do to help stop the spread of both viruses?
The infection prevention team at BTLC recommend preventing and slowing transmission of infection by any virus, to do the following:

• Wear a mask/face covering per New York State guidelines;  
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Maintain at least six feet distance between you and other people.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell.
  • Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
  • Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

For information on getting your yearly flu vaccine, contact your health care provider. 
 
*Excerpted in part from www.cdc.gov/flu
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In commemoration of their selfless work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brooks-TLC staff received a custom steel indoor /outdoor sign from Echevarria Designs LLC, Dunkirk, on behalf of the local community.

The custom steel sign has been installed in a place of prominence at the hospital’s outpatient entryway screening area, where all staff and visitors enter the facility. 
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Gina Echevarria and Mike Riley penned an accompanying heartwarming note: 

Please be advised, from September 15 – 17, as part of its COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Plan, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. will temporarily utilize a section of the visitor lot at Central Avenue to perform a drill in preparation for any potential surge in patients due to COVID-19. 
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An area in the visitor parking lot near the hospital’s main lobby entrance will be blocked off and converted to a fully functional surge tent to accommodate any potential need for patient care.  The exercise is not open to the public. 

We apologize for any inconvenience and parking lot accessibility will resume to normal operations by Friday, September 18. 

The drill will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.  

Aimee asked fellow 4-H mom, Becky Strong, a Brooks-TLC emergency department nurse, if the hospital could use hand sanitizer to help keep staff safe during the pandemic.  “The hospital can absolutely use hand sanitizer!” Becky replied, and the wheels were in motion.

“To engage the kids, first, we researched how to make hand sanitizer for doctors and nurses at the hospital – but, at the time, all the alcohol was sold out locally and grain alcohol was too costly.  We were all so disappointed,” shared Aimee. 

“However, as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, I was aware of a corporate initiative to produce hand sanitizer for hospitals early in the pandemic, so I contacted them and requested 100 bottles.  Unfortunately, they were unable to fulfill our request due to high demand from first responders, but it would be considered when more became available.”

Dallas-based Mary Kay, Inc. made the transition to help meet the need COVID-19 has created by dedicating part of its global supply chain and manufacturing capabilities to producing much-needed hand sanitizer to support frontline workers. 

“About 2 weeks later, we received acknowledgment that Mary Kay had accepted our request. The kids were so excited!”
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To their surprise, the 4-H request for 100 bottles was increased to over 200 bottles.  The club also made arrangements to pay for them through the Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Program; but Mary Kay declined, and suggested, instead that the money be used in other ways to help the community during this pandemic. 

“Though we are facing extraordinary challenges during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the world is finding ways to adjust—with little or no warning,” said David Holl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Mary Kay Inc. “Producing hand sanitizer to combat this crisis is how we can support those on the front lines.”

Aimee added, “Our 4-H club appreciates the work of all the frontline workers at Brooks-TLC Hospital.  Hospital staff is always helping those in need, especially during these stressful and uncertain days of the COVID virus.” 
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The kids made cards for frontline workers, wrapped the hand sanitizer as gifts and made an outing of the delivery day to the hospital. 
The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua).  CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County government, the State University of New York system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

​Theresa Markey, RN, nursing supervisor, is one of several staff members who coordinate with @ConnectLife for organ, eye, and tissue donations. Brooks-TLC Hospital System has earned national recognition for its efforts to increase organ, eye, and tissue donor registrations across the state through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. Congratulations Theresa and our other nursing supervisors!

Ariel McCreary (R) and Sydney Swan (L) are just two among a group of bright and talented PCA student nurses at Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. who are headed back to the classroom this fall.  Working as a PCA student nurse at BTLC offers a unique opportunity for nursing students to work in their field while still attending school. 
“It’s a win-win situation”, states Brian Pitts, director of acute care nursing. He added, “PCA student nurses are typically very motivated and conscientious about their work.  At the same time, the nature of the position allows them to 

​Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. has been awarded by DNV GL Healthcare full certification to the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001 Quality Management System.
 
“Brooks-TLC is dedicated to providing the safest and most effective healthcare services possible,” says Jodi Witherell, vice president of quality services.   “ISO certification not only reflects that mission, but helps to empower it. The certificate is just a piece of paper, but the effort required to achieve it fundamentally transforms the way we do business. ISO 9001 is ideally suited to the complex, people-intensive challenges of running a hospital.”

Photo caption left:  Michelle Procknal, director of quality, was instrumental in the hospital achieving the coveted certification. 

​Businesses that implement ISO do so for both the internal and external benefits. Internally it helps staff create clear and consistent processes of patient care, and ensure that progress is constantly being made toward specific quality objectives. Externally, it tells the public, as well as insurers and regulatory agencies, that the hospital is not only talking about quality, but is pursuing it with discipline and transparency.
 
“ISO 9001 is like sheet music for an orchestra; it gets everyone on the same page and helps us achieve our objectives,” says Witherell.

​In recognition of the tenacity, strength and resilience of hospital staff and physicians during this time of crisis, the Dunkirk Police and Fire Departments honored their efforts April 9.  A parade of police and fire vehicles began down the street at The Chautauqua Center and made their way up Central Avenue to the hospital while flashing their lights and cheering.  ​

According to New York State (NYS) Department of Health, colorectal cancer – which is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum - is the third leading cause of cancer death for men and women in NYS.  There are approximately 9,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed each year in NYS.  Early detection of colorectal cancer through regular screening can improve survival rates.

Dr. Askar references the NYSDOH Information for Action Report 2019 regarding screening rates in Chautauqua County.  He states, “The rate of adults ages 50-75 screened for colorectal cancer in Chautauqua County is 77.5%.”  He adds, “That figure places us in the top quartile across New York State.  I think that shows we’re doing a great job, but we can always do better.”

He adds, “The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Screening can either be a stool-based test, such as the highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year or a visual exam of the colon and rectum by way of colonoscopy every 10 years.”

Factors which help reduce the risk of colon cancer include losing weight, getting regular exercise, consuming a healthy diet with limited red meat and fats, and quitting smoking. 

For information on colonoscopy or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Askar at 716-366-4545 or 716-366-4537. 

Stay tuned later this month for tips on an easier prep before colonoscopy with gastroenterologist Dr. Hyder Alam.