During the week of May 13–17, we’re celebrating Health Care Week 2013 with a series of special events to recognize, honor, and reward our physicians and staff.

With picnics, dancing contests, massages, photo booths, and more—we want to make this a fun, memorable week for all the members of our Baptist Easley family. You’re the reason that “caring is our calling!”

And be on the lookout for a special video surprise later this week…

Baptist Easley Celebrates Health Care Week 2013 is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Take a moment this Mother’s Day to thank all the moms out there for everything they do!

And here are some easy recipes you can use to surprise Mom and make this Mother’s Day even sweeter.

FRENCH BANANA PANCAKES

• Prep: 10 min. Cook: 30 min.
• Yield: 5-6 Servings

Ingredients

• Pancakes:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Filling:
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup half-and-half cream
• 5 to 6 firm bananas, halved lengthwise
• Whipped cream and additional cinnamon, optional

Directions

• Sift flour and confectioners’ sugar into a bowl. Add milk, eggs, butter, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth.
• Heat a lightly greased 6-in. skillet; add about 3 tablespoons batter, spreading to almost cover bottom of skillet. Cook until lightly browned; turn and brown the other side. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter (make 10-12 pancakes), greasing skillet as needed.
• For filling, melt butter in large skillet. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened. Add half of the bananas at a time to skillet; heat for 2-3 minutes, spooning sauce over them. Remove from the heat.
• Roll a pancake around each banana half and place on a serving platter. Spoon sauce over pancakes. Top with whipped cream and dash of cinnamon if desired. Yield: 5-6 servings.

AMERICANA SMOOTHIES

• Prep/Total Time: 15 min.
• Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (6 ounces) strawberry yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon, frozen
• Small watermelon wedges, optional

Directions

• In a blender, combine the yogurt, berries and honey. Cover and process for 30-45 seconds or until blended, stirring if necessary. Add watermelon; cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses; garnish with melon wedges if desired. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

Happy Mother’s Day From Everyone At Baptist Easley is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Visit this page from the American Nurses Association to find out more about National Nurses Week.

Honor Our Nurses During National Nurses Week is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Did you know you can take action to prevent hepatitis? In fact, many forms of hepatitis are preventable and can be treated if detected early.

What is Hepatitis?
The word ‘hepatitis’ means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, heavy alcohol use, bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis.

What is Viral Hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Up to 5.3 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infection. About 75% of the infected population are unaware that they are even infected.

• Hepatitis A (HAV)
  You are most likely to contract hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone who’s already infected. A vaccine is available for Hepatitis A.
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
  About 1.2 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B. HBV is spread through blood and body fluids, but can be prevented.
• Hepatitis C (HCV)
  Generally considered to be the most serious type of hepatitis, it is passed through contact with contaminated blood—most commonly through needles shared during illegal drug use.

What is autoimmune hepatitis?
Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the liver and causes it to become inflamed. The disease is chronic, meaning it lasts many years. If untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.

For more information about Hepatitis Awareness Month and the different types of Hepatitis, please visit this page at the American Liver Foundation website.

Source:
http://www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/ham/

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month: Find Out More is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

We’d like to thank these dedicated people for embodying the true spirit of Baptist Easley Hospital. Through their work, our patients can see that “Caring Is Our Calling.”

Volunteer of the Month
Norma Richardson

Employee of the Month
Josh Smith, Environmental Services

Congratulations to Our May Honorees is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Here are their top 10 things you should know about arthritis:

1. Arthritis is a serious, painful and debilitating disease.
2. Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability.
3. One in every five American adults has doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
4. Kids get arthritis, too.
5. Arthritis costs $128 billion annually in medical care and other costs.
6. There are 100+ types of arthritis.
7. Arthritis destroys joints, bones and other connective tissues.
8. Arthritis robs people of their quality of life.
9. Arthritis is not inevitable or untreatable.
10. Learn more about arthritis and the Arthritis Foundation’s efforts.

For more information, please visit this page on the Arthritis Foundation’s website.

Source:
http://www.arthritis.org/facesofarthritis/faces-learn/10-things-you-should-know/

May Is National Arthritis Month: Ten Things You Should Know is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Even if you feel great, it could cause a stroke, aneurysm, or worse! If you’ve lived or worked with smokers, or if you’re over 45, you may be at risk and not even know it. Give yourself peace of mind. Schedule your vascular screening today (only $99).

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 864.442.8317.

Schedule A Vascular Disease Screening For Only $99 is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Clear The Air And Kick the Habit With Tobacco Cessation Classes is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Now you can watch video of the event, right here. And you can find many more Food For Your Thoughts videos by following this link to our Baptist Easley YouTube channel.

Diabetes – Food For Your Thoughts Video Discussion is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.

Certified childbirth educators will answer your questions and teach you about the birth process. Education topics included in class:

• Labor process
• Delivery
• Initial newborn care
• Initial breastfeeding education

We encourage you to register in your first trimester. Classes fill up quickly, so register early. Classes are also available in Spanish on request. Bring two pillows and two blankets. Wear comfortable clothing. Lunch will be provided.

Check our calendar for the class schedule. All classes are from 10:00am until 3:00pm.

To register, call the Birthplace Information Line, 864.442.7308, and leave a message including your name, telephone number, and mailing address. Calls will be returned within 48 hours.

Sign Up For Our Free Monthly Childbirth Education Classes is a post from Baptist Easley Hospital.