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AGENDA HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR OPEN SESSION MEETING Wednesday, May 16, 2018 9:00 AM Administration Boardroom 600 N. Highland Springs Avenue, Banning, CA 92220 TAB I. Call to Order E. Lewis II. Public Comment OLD BUSINESS III. *Proposed Action - Approve Minutes E. Lewis February 21, 2018 Regular Open Session meeting A A five-minute limitation shall apply to each member of the public who wishes to address the Human Resources Committee of the Hospital Board of Directors on any matter under the subject jurisdiction of the Committee. A thirty-minute time limit is placed on this section. No member of the public shall be permitted to “share” his/her five minutes with any other member of the public. (Usually, any items received under this heading are referred to staff for future study, research, completion and/or future Committee Action.) (PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.) On behalf of the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, we want you to know that the Board/Committee acknowledges the comments or concerns that you direct to this Committee. While the Board/Committee may wish to occasionally respond immediately to questions or comments if appropriate, they often will instruct the CEO, or other Administrative Executive personnel, to do further research and report back to the Board/Committee prior to responding to any issues raised. If you have specific questions, you will receive a response either at the meeting or shortly thereafter. The Board/Committee wants to ensure that it is fully informed before responding, and so if your questions are not addressed during the meeting, this does not indicate a lack of interest on the Board/Committee’s part; a response will be forthcoming. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Administration Office at (951) 769-2101. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the Hospital to make reasonable arrangement to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 35.02-35.104 ADA Title II].
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TAB A · 5/16/2018  · “Toxic Employees in the Workplace – Hidden Costs and How to Spot Them” Annah noted that a copy of an article titled “Toxic Employees in the Workplace

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Page 1: TAB A · 5/16/2018  · “Toxic Employees in the Workplace – Hidden Costs and How to Spot Them” Annah noted that a copy of an article titled “Toxic Employees in the Workplace

AGENDA

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGULAR OPEN SESSION MEETING

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 9:00 AM

Administration Boardroom 600 N. Highland Springs Avenue, Banning, CA 92220

TAB

I. Call to Order E. Lewis II. Public Comment OLD BUSINESS III. *Proposed Action - Approve Minutes E. Lewis

February 21, 2018 Regular Open Session meeting A

A five-minute limitation shall apply to each member of the public who wishes to address the Human Resources Committee of the Hospital Board of Directors on any matter under the subject jurisdiction of the Committee. A thirty-minute time limit is placed on this section. No member of the public shall be permitted to “share” his/her five minutes with any other member of the public. (Usually, any items received under this heading are referred to staff for future study, research, completion and/or future Committee Action.) (PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.) On behalf of the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, we want you to know that the Board/Committee acknowledges the comments or concerns that you direct to this Committee. While the Board/Committee may wish to occasionally respond immediately to questions or comments if appropriate, they often will instruct the CEO, or other Administrative Executive personnel, to do further research and report back to the Board/Committee prior to responding to any issues raised. If you have specific questions, you will receive a response either at the meeting or shortly thereafter. The Board/Committee wants to ensure that it is fully informed before responding, and so if your questions are not addressed during the meeting, this does not indicate a lack of interest on the Board/Committee’s part; a response will be forthcoming.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Administration Office at (951) 769-2101. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the Hospital to make reasonable arrangement to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 35.02-35.104 ADA Title II].

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SGMH Board of Directors Human Resources Committee May 16, 2018 Regular Open Session Meeting NEW BUSINESS IV. A. Employment Activity/Turnover Reports A. Karam B

1. Employee Activity by Job Class/Turnover Report (1/1/18 – 4/30/18) 2. Separation Reason Analysis All Associates (1/1/18 – 4/30/18) 3. FTE Vacancy Summary (8/1/17 – 4/30/18) 4. RN Vacancy Summary (8/1/17 – 4/30/18)

B. Workers Comp report (as of 4/30/18) C

V. Review of HASC data A. Karam D VI. Education:

• Top Health newsletter A. Karam E

VII. Future Agenda Items E. Lewis VIII. Next Meeting: August 15, 2018 IX. Adjourn E. Lewis * Requires Action

*********************************************

Certification of Posting I certify that on May 11, 2018, I posted a copy of the foregoing agenda near the regular meeting place of the Board of Directors of San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Human Resources Committee, and on the San Gorgonio Memorial

Hospital website said time being at least 72 hours in advance of the regular meeting of the Human Resources Committee (Government Code Section 54954.2).

Executed at Banning, California, on May 11, 2018

Bobbi Duffy, Executive Assistant

In accordance with The Brown Act, Section 54957.5, all public records relating to an agenda item on this agenda are available for public inspection at the time the document is distributed to all, or a majority of all, members of the Committee. Such records shall be available at the Hospital office located at 600 N. Highland Springs Avenue, Banning, CA 92220 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

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TAB A

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REGULAR OPEN SESSION MEETING OF THE SAN GORGONIO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE February 21, 2018

The Regular Meeting of the Human Resources Committee of the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Board of Directors was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in the Administration Boardroom, Banning, California. Members Present: Olivia Hershey, Jerilynn Kaibel, Estelle Lewis (C), Ron Rader, DeNae

Reagins Absent: None Staff Present: Steve Barron (CEO), Annah Karam (Director, HR), Pat Brown (CNO),

Bobbi Duffy (Executive Assistant)

AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION / FOLLOW-UP

Call To Order Chair Estelle Lewis called the meeting to order at 9:05 am.

Public Comment

None

OLD BUSINESS Proposed Action - Approve Minutes: August 16, 2017 regular open session meeting and October 18, 2017 regular open session meeting

Chair Lewis asked for any changes or corrections to the minutes of the August 16, 2017 regular open session meeting and the October 18, 2017 regular open session meeting. There were none.

The minutes of the August 16, 2017 regular open session meeting and the October 18, 2017 regular open session meeting were reviewed and will stand as presented.

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Human Resources Committee Regular Open Session Meeting February 21, 2018

2

AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION / FOLLOW-UP

NEW BUSINESS Reports A. Employment Activity/Turnover Reports 1. Employee

Activity by Job Class/ Turnover Report (10/12/17 through 12/31/17)

Annah briefly reviewed the report “Employee Activity by Job Class/Turnover Report” for the period of 10/12/17 through 12/31/17 as included on the meeting tablet.

2. Separation Reason Analysis FT/PT Associates (10/12/17 through 12/31/17)

Annah briefly reviewed the “Separation Reason Analysis for Full Time/Part Time Associates” for the period of 10/12/17 through 12/31/17 as included on the meeting tablet.

3. Separation Reason Analysis PD Associates (10/12/17 through 12/31/17)

Annah briefly reviewed the “Separation Reason Analysis for Per Diem Associates” for the period of 10/12/17 through 12/31/17 as included on the meeting tablet.

4. FTE Vacancy Summary (6/13/17 through 12/31/17)

Annah reviewed the “FTE Vacancy Summary” for the period of 6/13/17 through 12/31/17 as included on the meeting tablet.

5. RN Vacancy overview (6/13/17 through 12/31/17)

Annah reviewed the “RN Vacancy Rate Overview” for the period of 6/13/17 through 12/31/17 as included on the meeting tablet.

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Human Resources Committee Regular Open Session Meeting February 21, 2018

3

AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION ACTION / FOLLOW-UP

B. Workers Compensation Report

Workers Compensation Report

Annah briefly reviewed the Workers Compensation Report as of 12/31/17 as included on the meeting tablet.

Education: article by Cornerstone “Toxic Employees in the Workplace – Hidden Costs and How to Spot Them”

Annah noted that a copy of an article titled “Toxic Employees in the Workplace – Hidden Costs and How to Spot Them” was included on the meeting tablet. Committee and staff members discussed various methods to set examples and how to work with such employees.

Future Agenda items

None

Next regular meeting

The next regular Human Resources Committee regular meeting is scheduled for May 16, 2018.

Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 am.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Bobbi Duffy, Executive Assistant

In accordance with The Brown Act, Section 54957.5, all reports and handouts discussed during this Open Session meeting are public records and are available for public inspection. These reports and/or handouts are available for review at the Hospital Administration office located at 600 N. Highland Springs Avenue, Banning, CA 92220 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

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TAB B

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A B C D E F G H I J K

EMPLOYEE ACTIVITY BY JOB CLASS/TURN OVER REPORT

01/01/2018 THROUGH 04/30/2018

TOTAL 1CURRENT 2017 YTD CURRENT 2017 YTD EMPLOYEE CURRENT ANNUALIZED 2

JOB CLASS/FAMILY NEW HIRES NEW HIRES NEW HIRES SEPARATIONS SEPARATIONS TERMS COUNT TURNOVER TURNOVER 301/01/2018 THROUGH 04/30/2018

01/01/2018 THROUGH 04/30/2018

01/01/2018 THROUGH 04/30/2018

01/01/2018 THROUGH 04/30/2018

AS OF 04/30/2018

Since 01/01/2018 4

ADMIN/CLERICAL 3 13 3 7 15 7 108 6.48% 6.48% 5ANCILLARY 4 24 4 1 23 1 69 1.45% 1.45% 6CLS 0 7 0 0 6 0 20 0.00% 0.00% 7DIRECTORS/MGRS 0 2 0 0 4 0 32 0.00% 0.00% 8LVN 1 8 1 2 5 2 27 7.41% 7.41% 9OTHER NURSING 5 35 5 6 22 6 64 9.38% 9.38% 10PT 1 0 1 1 1 1 11 9.09% 9.09% 11RAD TECH 0 2 0 1 1 1 24 4.17% 4.17% 12RN 22 82 22 15 53 15 190 7.89% 7.89% 13RT 2 6 2 2 2 2 20 10.00% 10.00% 14SUPPORT SERVICES 20 28 20 14 26 14 96 14.58% 14.58% 15

16FACILITY TOTAL 58 207 58 49 158 49 661 7.41% 7.41% 17

18

Full Time 17 88 17 26 61 26 397 6.55% 6.55% 19Part Time 1 16 1 1 10 1 73 1.37% 1.37% 20Per Diem 40 103 40 22 87 22 191 11.52% 11.52% 21

TOTAL 58 207 58 49 158 49 661 7.41% 2223

Current Quarter Turnover: J17 Southern California Hospital Association (HASC) Benchmark: 24

Annualized Turnover: K17 Turnover for all Employees = 2.70% 25

Turnover for all RNs = 3.10% 26

5/10/20182:40 PM

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Current QtrREASON % Less than 90 days - 1-2 2-5 6-10 10+ Total

by Category 90 days 1 year years years years years SeparationsVoluntary SeparationsFull-Time 49.0% 1 6 7 7 2 1 24Part-Time 2.0% 1 1Per Diem 34.7% 1 3 7 4 1 1 17 Subtotal, Voluntary Separations 85.7% 2 9 14 11 4 2 42

Involuntary SeparationsFull-Time 4.1% 1 1 2Part-Time 0.0% 0Per Diem 0.0% 1 2 1 1 5 Subtotal, Involuntary Separations 14.3% 1 2 2 1 1 0 7

Total Separations 100.0% 3 11 16 12 5 2 49

SEPARATION ANALYSISALL ASSOCIATES

01/01/2018 THROUGH 04/30/2018

Length Of Service

5/11/2018

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RN LVNOther

NursingLab

ScientistPhys

TherapistResp

Therapist DI TechOther

Ancillary Admin/ClericalSupport Services Dir/Mrg

Facility Wide

8/1/2017 7.17% 5.88% 12.00% 15.38% 0.00% 8.70% 6.06% 3.03% 1.75% 4.81% 2.94% 6.23%

10/11/2017 10.00% 17.50% 8.26% 0.00% 10.00% 12.50% 3.57% 6.67% 8.53% 15.45% 4.35% 9.88%

12/31/2017 12.61% 0.00% 2.44% 4.17% 0.00% 12.00% 0.00% 9.09% 7.02% 12.71% 0.00% 8.31%

4/30/2018 18.80% 18.18% 15.79% 4.76% 31.25% 13.04% 0.00% 6.76% 8.47% 26.15% 0.00% 15.36%

FTE Vacancy Summary: 08/01/2017 THROUGH 04/30/2018

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

12/31/2009

40268

40359

404510.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

8/1/2017

10/11/2017

12/31/2017

4/30/2018

28.4 3.9 6.9 1.0 1.4 1.5 0.0 1.9 6.0 23.5 0.0 74.5

Actual Number of Opening by FTE

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FTE Vacancy Summary: 08/01/2017 THROUGH 04/30/2018

VACANCY RATE = Number of openings/(total staff + openings)

4/30/2018 12/31/2017 10/11/2017 8/1/2017 OPEN POSITIONS TOTAL STAFF

All RN 19.30% 12.61% 9.91% 7.17% All RN 44 180

ICU 14.29% 18.60% 2.70% 0.00% ICU 6 36

MED/SURG 4.35% 0.00% 7.14% 1.75% Med Surg 2 44

DOU 20.00% 37.50% 0.00% 0.00% DOU 3 12

ED 26.98% 15.79% 22.03% 15.09% ER 17 46

OR/PACU 29.41% 20.00% 12.50% 6.25% OR/PACU 5 12

RN Admin 11.11% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% RN Adm. 2 16

OB 39.13% 13.64% 8.70% 24.00% OB 9 14

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

45.00%

4/30/2018 12/31/2017

10/11/2017 8/1/2017

28.4 3.3 0.6 2.7 11.1 2.8 0.4 7.5

Actual Number of Openings by FTE

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TAB C

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DASHBOARD REPORT San Gorgonio Memorial HospitalData as of 4/30/2018

SUMMARY DATA R E F R E S H D A T A R E F R E S H D A T A

Values

FiscalYear ValuationDate Total Paid

Total

Reserves

Total

Incurred

# of

Claims # Open

2016-2017 4/30/2018 116,717 61,619 178,336 27 6

2017-2018 4/30/2018 3,983 28,869 32,852 13 8

Grand Total 120,700 90,488 211,188 40 14

TOP TEN CLAIMS

Claim # DOI Status

Total

Paid

Total

Reserves

Total

Incurred

7/21/2016 Open 56,796 22,732 79,528

8/1/2016 Open 25,286 8,500 33,786

3/30/2017 Open 8,378 15,987 24,365

6/14/2017 Open 5,343 9,900 15,243

3/10/2018 Open - 14,000 14,000

8/6/2017 Open 139 8,161 8,300

12/23/2017 Open 2,151 1,549 3,700

9/17/2016 Open 1,278 2,000 3,278

7/29/2016 Closed 2,818 - 2,818

3/30/2017 Open - 2,500 2,500

FREQUENCY BY DEPARTMENT SEVERITY BY DEPARTMENT

# of

Claims

% of

Claims

Total

Incurred

% of Total

Incurred

# of

Claims

% of

Claims

Total

Incurred

% of Total

Incurred

10 25.00% 90,802 43.00% 10 25.00% 90,802 43.00%

9 22.50% 20,761 9.83% 1 2.50% 33,786 16.00%

6 15.00% 4,418 2.09% 3 7.50% 33,344 15.79%

3 7.50% 4,482 2.12% 9 22.50% 20,761 9.83%

3 7.50% 33,344 15.79% 1 2.50% 15,243 7.22%

2 5.00% 2,005 0.95% 3 7.50% 4,482 2.12%

2 5.00% 2,396 1.13% 6 15.00% 4,418 2.09%

1 2.50% 15,243 7.22% 2 5.00% 2,396 1.13%

1 2.50% 33,786 16.00% 1 2.50% 2,265 1.07%

1 2.50% 1,200 0.57% 2 5.00% 2,005 0.95%

FREQUENCY BY CAUSE SEVERITY BY CAUSE

# of

Claims

% of

Claims

Total

Incurred

% of Total

Incurred

# of

Claims

% of

Claims

Total

Incurred

% of Total

Incurred

11 27.50% 30,310 14.35% 1 2.50% 79,528 37.66%

5 12.50% 9,014 4.27% 4 10.00% 36,057 17.07%

5 12.50% 18,567 8.79% 11 27.50% 30,310 14.35%

4 10.00% 36,057 17.07% 3 7.50% 27,206 12.88%

4 10.00% 4,106 1.94% 5 12.50% 18,567 8.79%

3 7.50% 27,206 12.88% 5 12.50% 9,014 4.27%

3 7.50% 2,620 1.24% 4 10.00% 4,106 1.94%

2 5.00% 2,705 1.28% 2 5.00% 2,705 1.28%

2 5.00% 1,076 0.51% 3 7.50% 2,620 1.24%

1 2.50% 79,528 37.66% 2 5.00% 1,076 0.51%

Claimant Department Cause

Medical Surgical Miscellaneous Causes

Obstetrics Fall, Slip or Trip Injury

Medical Staff Repetitive Motion

Security Department Patient Handling

Environmental Services Strain or Injury By

Medical Staff Strain or Injury By

Administration Sharps Injury

Medical Surgical Medical Surgical

Medical Surgical Strain or Injury By

Medical Surgical Sharps Injury

Environmental Services Repetitive Motion

Department Department

Environmental Services Obstetrics

Dietary Medical Staff

Administration Environmental Services

Medical Staff Security Department

Diagnostic Imaging Administration

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Dietary

Security Department Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Obstetrics Materials Management

Patient Transport Diagnostic Imaging

Cause Cause

Strain or Injury By Miscellaneous Causes

Sharps Injury Fall, Slip or Trip Injury

Patient Handling Strain or Injury By

Fall, Slip or Trip Injury Repetitive Motion

Caught In, Under or Between Patient Handling

Struck Against Burn or Scald - Heat or Cold Exposures - Contact With

Miscellaneous Causes Struck Against

Repetitive Motion Sharps Injury

Burn or Scald - Heat or Cold Exposures - Contact With Caught In, Under or Between

Struck or Injured By Struck or Injured By

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TAB D

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2017 AFH Non-Management Comp Report - Southern CA

Prepared by HASC, FutureSense, LLC. and Readex Research

HASC TITLE MIN MID MAX

RESPIRATORY

THERAPIST HASC $25.61 $31.57 $37.53

SGMH 26.34 32.925 39.51

STATIONARY

ENGINEER

(LICENSED) HASC $22.03 $27.83 $33.64

STATIONARY

ENGINEER

(UNLICENSED) HASC $17.85 $21.97 $26.08

SGMH $17.99 $22.49 $26.98

HOUSEKEEPING HASC $12.04 $14.53 $17.02

SGMH $11.17 $13.97 $16.76

REGISTERED NURSES HASC $35.01 $44.34 $53.67

SGMH $35.06 $43.82 $52.58

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TAB E

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Making the Best Medical Care ChoicesAs patients, we should be involved in our medical care as much as possible. It can sometimes be a complicated process. In fact, patients and their health care providers may make choices that lead to duplicated and unnecessary care, wasting time and health care resources.An example: MRI scans for back pain. An American College of Physicians study found that patients who had MRIs in the first month of seeking treatment were 8 times more likely to have surgery with a 5-fold increase in medical expenses – but did not recover faster than people who didn’t have MRI tests. Even if a test or treatment is shown to benefit some patients, it may not be appropriate for everyone. The Choosing Wisely campaign supports teaching health care providers and their patients to recognize that health does not always improve with more care. This program has identified tests and procedures that have low value to patients.Services we should question: annual EKGs, bone density screening, MRI scans, Pap smears for women who have undergone a hysterectomy, and antibiotics for sinusitis. You can learn more at ChoosingWisely.org.

How well do you work with your provider?

q I ask questions about my diagnoses until I understand the problem.

q I ask questions about prescribed tests and treatments until I understand them.

q I follow my treatment plan (e.g., taking medications and recording symptoms).

q I recognize that I’m the one in charge of my health care.

Quality health care is the right care at the right time

for the best results.

There’s an unmistakable joy that comes from dancing, whether you’re technically trained or lacking in rhythm. It’s the experience that can boost your mental and physical health.

Here’s what you can gain from moving to the groove:

>> Balance: Studies show dances including jazz, ballroom and tango can improve balance and motor skills, even among the elderly. This is promising for those with motor-system disorders such as Parkinson’s, which is marked by stiff limbs, tremors and impaired coordination. Parkinson’s patients who engaged in dance for rhythmic stimulation saw progress in gait and upper extremity function, according to research.

>> Mind and mood: Dance can reduce stress and release feel-good chemicals in the body. When compared to 11 other physical activities, only dance was linked to reduced dementia risk, based on a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Furthermore, dance may also benefit depression and anxiety.

>> Heart: Burn calories and get your heart pumping with an upbeat dance. An interval waltz has shown to potentially improve heart and blood vessel function in those with stable chronic heart failure. Weight control can further help your heart: A person weighing 150 pounds can burn 240 calories per hour dancing, on average.

Dance offers something for everyone. Find one you like and have a ball.

Get Up AND

Dance

4.2018

It always seems impossible until it’s done. — Nelson Mandela

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Smart Moves toolkit is at www.personalbest.com/extras/18V4tools.

Go on a Pasta ADVENTURE By Cara Rosenbloom, RD

Once upon a time, noodles were made only from wheat flour. Now, there are more choices to suit a variety of nutritional needs. Try these: >> Grain pasta: Try options made from quinoa, buckwheat, corn and other gluten-free grains. Note: Sometimes noodles are made with a mixture of grains and may contain wheat. If you can’t eat wheat, read ingredient lists carefully.

>> Legume noodles: These gluten-free and nutritionally dense noodles – made from lentils, chickpeas, black beans or a combination – have more protein than white and whole-grain pasta. They have more fiber than white pasta, but about the same amount of fiber as whole-grain pasta. They have a pleasant bean-like flavor and marry well with any rich sauce.

>> Rice noodles: From vermicelli to fusilli, noodles made from white or brown rice are easy to find. These high-carb noodles have less fiber than wheat noodles, but are easier to digest (rice is lower on the allergen scale vs. wheat). Their mild flavor suits soups and Asian noodle dishes.

>> Vegetables, too? Oh, yes. Put about any long vegetable (think zucchini, sweet potato, carrot and cucumber) through a kitchen tool called a spiralizer. They make a lovely base for salads and hold pasta sauce quite well.

Alcohol and Heart Disease: Pros and Cons The link between moderate alcohol use and heart protection is complicated. Alcohol is a drug that affects the body in several ways, and each body may react differently to it. The concept that moderate drinking (no more than 2 drinks a day for men or 1 drink a day for women) helps lower heart disease risk presents 2 arguments:

1. Studies have been observational only and do not connect a cause and effect with alcohol use and heart health.

2. �Light-to-moderate drinkers who also have heart-healthy habits may already have less cardiovascular risk. So, if you are thin, eat a healthful diet, don’t smoke and have no family history of heart disease, it’s hard to say whether health habits or drinking alcohol is protecting your heart.

For people with a moderate-to-high risk for heart disease or low HDL cholesterol, and no history of alcohol abuse, you might benefit from moderate drinking. But you can get similar benefits with regular aerobic exercise, watching your weight and eating well.If you don’t drink, many doctors say there’s no need to start for your heart. Discuss this with your health care provider.Drinks defined – Each of these drinks contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol: a 12-oz. regular beer, 5 oz. of table wine, 3 to 4 oz. of fortified wine, 1.5 oz. of brandy, and 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month.

Asperger’s Syndrome Autism, once considered a very rare disorder, now affects at least 1 in 68 children. Since there is no cure, the percentage of adults who are autistic is probably just as high. Many people on the autistic spectrum have an intellectual disability. Those who have average or above average IQs – almost half of the autistic population – are often referred to as having Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). More males than females seem to be affected, but it’s possible that AS is underdiagnosed in girls and women. Many professionals now place AS under the umbrella term autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Some common features of AS:• Communication – discomfort with eye contact;

difficulty understanding gestures, facial expression, tone of voice or humor.

• Social interaction – avoidance of people, lack of awareness of social norms (e.g., knowing when to take turns or how to dress appropriately for the situation).

• Restricted focus – rigid routines, intense interest in 1 subject, sensitivity to certain stimuli (e.g., bright lights, loud sounds, food or clothing textures).

Learning more about AS, or obtaining a professional diagnosis, can help people with AS and their loved ones better understand what is going on. There are also support groups for people with AS as well as their partners. – Eric Endlich, PhD

April is Autism Awareness Month.

TopHealth® is published to provide readers with the information and the motivation needed to achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle. The content herein is in no way intended to serve as a substitute for professional advice. Executive Editor: Susan Cottman. Medical Editor: Zorba Paster, M.D. Sources available on request. © 2018 Ebix Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction in any form of any part of this publication is a violation of federal copyright law and is strictly prohibited. Personal Best® is a registered trademark of Ebix Inc. 2700 Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35242 • 800-871-9525 • fax 205-437-3084 • e-mail: [email protected] • website: www.personalbest.com.

4.2018