Pisces Healthcare Solutions. Blog

Wed, Oct 16, 2024 0 Overcoming Breast Cancer: Employee Stories That Inspire

Pisces Employees Breast Cancer Stories:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to honor the strength, resilience, and courage of those who have faced this challenging journey. At Pisces Healthcare, we believe that sharing personal stories can provide comfort, inspiration, and support to others going through similar experiences. This month, we're proud to share personal stories from our team members, who have opened up about their own experiences with breast cancer. By sharing these stories, we hope to remind everyone that they are not alone in their battle and that there is always hope.

Heather’s story:

My Story….and Breast Cancer

“My grandmother, Ruth, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976. By the time they found the cancer, it had spread to both of her breasts. She underwent treatment and had a double mastectomy in 1978. She continued to live a wonderfully filled life until December 22, 2007.

My mother, Virginia often referred to as “Ginni”, was diagnosed in May of 2016. I will never forget that phone call….it was rough. When the “lump” was discovered, it was very small, so the doctors had a very good prognosis for her. She had the lump surgically removed in July of that year. After the surgery, she underwent both chemo and radiation. She has been celebrating recovery and a “clean bill of health” now for the last eight years and will be turning a nice, young 72 years next April.

I have always been behind supporting breast cancer awareness, but in 2016 I trained up and completed the October Walk of 60 miles in 3 days with the Susan G Komen Foundation. The walk is no longer in Atlanta, but my daughters and I fundraise and walk together at all the local breast cancer events. If I can get to do another 60 miles in 3 days in honor of my mother and memory of my grandmother…. I will be there.”

Colleen’s story:

“My mom is a breast cancer survivor & thyroid cancer 2x survivor. She is the strongest person I know! I know from her experience, argan oil really helped with her surgical scars, but compression garments helped with the lymphedema and heat therapy/thermal wraps helped with pain management! She is my best friend ever & I'm so thankful for her!”

Lauren’s story:

“One of my high school girlfriends was diagnosed with Breast Cancer when she was 33. She had a young child and knew her treatments would leave her unable to have more children once she had recovered and survived! She is now married with her son in addition to 3 bonus sons so everything worked out, but she had to go through so much, at such a young age. I was fortunate to support her through our friendship, a fundraiser her family put on and participating in the Susan B Komen, run for the cure 5k! One year she was so sick she couldn’t even make it which made it all the more important for us to be there, honoring and supporting Team Tera!”

Early Detection Saves Lives:

The importance of staying proactive in the fight against breast cancer can be lifesaving. Here are some key steps to help you stay aware and maintain your breast health:

Perform Regular Self-Examinations: Regular breast self-exams can help you become familiar with the normal look and feel of your breasts, making it easier to detect any changes. Aim to perform a self-exam once a month.
Schedule Regular Mammograms: Follow your doctor's recommendations for mammogram screenings based on your age and risk factors. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Know Your Family History: Be aware of any family history of breast cancer or genetic factors that may increase your risk. Discuss your family history with your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can contribute to overall health and may help lower your risk of breast cancer.
Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest research and recommendations regarding breast cancer prevention and screening. Knowledge is a powerful tool in managing your health.

Source: American Cancer Society “Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer”

Sharing Stories Helps to Spread Hope

We’re deeply touched by these stories and the resilience shown by our colleagues and their loved ones. Breast cancer is a journey that no one should have to face alone. It’s through sharing these experiences that we can bring hope, understanding, and support to others who are on a similar path. Whether it’s through participating in awareness walks, providing care and comfort to a loved one, or discovering products that can ease the process, every action counts. If you or someone you know is facing breast cancer, we encourage you to reach out, lean on your community, and find strength in the stories shared this month.

Mon, Sep 16, 2024 0 Enhancing Customer Satisfaction from Solutions Consultants to Client Relations

At Pisces Healthcare Solutions, we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences for all our customers. Our focus on customer satisfaction starts with our clinical partners selecting healthcare products for Veterans, extends to our prosthetics customers placing orders, and culminates in the delivery of products that enhance the quality of life for Veterans.

We achieve this by leveraging multiple departments to address various needs and provide tailored solutions. Our solutions consultants serve as the “boots on the ground,” working directly with customers. They handle immediate needs by troubleshooting issues, offering education, and demonstrating innovative products to VA clinical staff.

Behind the scenes, our Client Relations, Purchasing, Logistics and Clinical teams play a crucial role in enhancing the overall customer experience. These teams manage customer inquiries, process orders, stock our three distribution centers, and provide clinical expertise on new, updated, or discontinued products. Their contributions are essential in building systems and support structures that our customers rely on.

We deeply value our customers’ feedback and continuously seek to learn from their experiences. This blog is dedicated to showcasing customer insights, highlighting their feedback, and illustrating how we use this information to improve and grow. Let’s explore some of our recent customer reviews and see how they are shaping our approach.

What our Customers Love About our Team

“Our Solutions Consultant is extremely punctual, thorough, and helpful.”

“Our Solutions Consultant arranges to bring in equipment to demo with Vets on specific days/times. Often, if appropriate, she will bring extra props/items from home to complement her demonstrations/trials. As well as even researched and printed appropriate pre-/post- assessment tools to demonstrate the measurable benefit to the Veteran.”

“When I reach out with a question, assistance is prompt and extremely helpful with responses, often providing direct links in e-mail, which is extremely considerate given time limitations as a therapist.”

“Caring, compassionate, and helpful towards any and all Veterans and their family members.”

“We thoroughly enjoy our representative that has come to our facility. She has always been fantastic, knowledgeable, and has great presentations so that we are knowledgeable about the products we order from Pisces. Her presence has helped us provide better care and education to our patients here and I just wanted you all to know she is appreciated, as well as the rest of your team that supports your process and company.”

“With Pisces help we are improving our Veterans quality of life after undergoing lifelong changes and allowing them to be more independent in their care!”

“Extremely helpful in brainstorming and demoing multiple different devices to help our Veterans be able to be more independent.”

“Enjoy talking to your customer relations. It’s like a breath of fresh air and always in happy spirit”

“Helpful in finding an old item the VA ordered for our accounting team”

How We Incorporated Customer Feedback to Shape Our Processes and Systems!

Enhanced Communication: We’ve streamlined our communication through the website messaging system, enabling us to quickly respond to inquiries about order status, potential delays, and available product substitutions. Additionally, our self-service portal provides real-time access to order updates, communication history, tracking details, and final invoices.

Boosting Delivery Efficiency: To reduce delivery times nationwide, we’ve expanded the size of our distribution centers and added a third location in Fort Myers, FL. We also introduced the Quick Ship collection, designed to provide a comprehensive range of clinical products, ensuring Veterans receive their necessary items as quickly as possible.

Improving Our Website: Our website is updated daily by both our clinical and web teams to make it more intuitive and easier to navigate when shopping for healthcare products. Key features include clinical filters, weight capacity labels, and grouping of products with their accessories and replacement parts for a smoother shopping experience.

We welcome our customers to continue sharing their thoughts with us. Your feedback is invaluable and plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our company. Whether it’s a compliment, a suggestion, or a concern, we want to hear from you. Please send your feedback through the Contact Us page on our website or through email to customerservice@pisceshealth.com

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Mon, Jul 22, 2024 0 World Brain Day

Neurological disorders remain significant contributors to disability-adjusted life years. Conditions such as stroke, migraine, Alzheimer's disease, meningitis, and epilepsy globally impact the health of billions. The World Health reported in 2021 that more than 3 billion people worldwide were living with some type of neurological condition (WHO, 2024).

Encouragingly, a substantial proportion of neurological cases can be prevented. Notably, 90% of strokes, 40% of dementia cases, and 30% of epilepsies are preventable with effective preventive measures available for conditions like migraine, headache disorders, and neurological infections. To bring awareness to these proactive measures, World Brain Day was created.

World Brain Day is dedicated to brain health and prevention measures. This is a global campaign, reaching an unprecedented scale and elevating awareness about disabilities across 123 countries. The active participation of the World Health Organization (WHO) lends momentum to this year's campaign, shedding light on the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) with a focus on epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Brain health is crucial for overall well-being and cognitive function throughout life. Here are some important strategies and tips for preventing cognitive decline and maintaining brain health:

1. Healthy Diet:

Eat a Balanced Diet: Consume a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, these are beneficial for brain health.
Antioxidants: Foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, nuts, and leafy greens, help protect the brain from damage.
Products:

2. Physical Activity:

Regular Exercise: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
Strength Training: Incorporate strength exercises at least two days a week to improve overall body function.
Products:

3. Mental Stimulation:

Keep Learning: Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as reading, puzzles, or learning a new skill or language.
Stay Socially Active: Social interactions stimulate cognitive functions and improve mental health.
Products:
- Sensory Stimulation Activities Kit
- Functional Cognitive Activity Treatment Modules

4. Quality Sleep:

Establish a Routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. Avoid screens before bedtime.
Products:

5. Stress Management:

Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to reduce stress.
Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Engage in hobbies, talk to friends, or seek professional help when needed.
Products:

6. Avoid Harmful Substances:

Limit Alcohol Consumption: Drink in moderation, if at all. Excessive alcohol can damage brain cells.
Avoid Smoking: Smoking is harmful to brain health and overall well-being.

7. Regular Check-ups:

Monitor Health Conditions: Manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Stay Up-to-Date on Vaccinations: Prevent infections that can affect brain health.
Products:
- Talking Digital Blood Pressure Monitor, Arm
- Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor with XL Cuff

8. Brain Injury Prevention:

Wear Protective Gear: Use helmets for biking, sports, and other activities that risk head injuries.
Fall Prevention: Ensure your living space is safe to prevent falls, especially for older adults. Minimize clutter, keep open pathways and have adequate lighting. Most falls happen in the bathroom, take necessary steps to make your bathroom is safe.
Products:

9. Hydration:

Drink Plenty of Water: Dehydration can affect brain function and cognitive performance.
Products:
- Giraffe Bottle and Accessories
- Neater Powered Drinker

10. Manage Chronic Conditions:

Follow Medical Advice: Take medications as prescribed and follow medical advice for managing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Product:
- Auto Pill Automatic Pill Dispenser
- Automatic Pill Dispenser

By incorporating these strategies into daily life, individuals can significantly improve their brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Promoting awareness about these practices is vital for community health and well-being.

World Brain Day 2024 serves as a rally point for global efforts to prioritize and safeguard brain health. By spreading awareness, fostering collaboration, and advocating for prevention measures, we can collectively pave the way for a healthier future for all. Pisces Healthcare Solutions is the largest distributor in Veterans Affairs, and we are here to provide solutions to all your daily life roles through our large catalog offering.

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Mon, Jun 17, 2024 0 Beyond Words: Raising Awareness for Aphasia This June

June is #AphasiaAwarenessMonth. Despite affecting millions of Americans, most people are not familiar with aphasia. During June, recognized nationally as Aphasia Awareness Month, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is encouraging the public to learn more about the language disorder—and the effective, often life-altering, treatment provided by speech-language pathologists.

What is Aphasia?

affected areas of aphasia brain

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects how you communicate. It is caused by damage to the language centers of the brain, usually in the left side of the brain, that control understanding, speaking, and using signed languages. Aphasia may also impact one’s ability to reador write. People often think that those with aphasia have cognitive issues because they struggle to communicate. This is not true: Aphasia is not associated with cognitive deficits. However, word-finding difficulty—a hallmark symptom of aphasia—may be an early symptom of other neurological conditions, such as primary progressive aphasia (a form of dementia), that are accompanied by cognitive impairments.

According to the National Aphasia Association (NAA), more than 2 million people in the United States have aphasia. One third of all strokes result in the language disorder. Despite its prevalence, nearly 85% of adults over age 25 have never heard the term "aphasia." This highlights a significant gap in awareness about a condition that impacts so many lives.

Causes of Aphasia

Aphasia is most often caused by a stroke. However, any change to the brain can cause aphasia. This may include traumatic brain injury. Other causes may include brain infections, brain tumors, and other neurologic disorders that may worsen over time.

Treatment Approaches

Aphasia can be addressed in a variety of ways. Speech-language pathologists aim to use a person’s specific goals and priorities to determine a treatment plan, for example going back to work or resuming a specific hobby such as gardening, fishing, or attending card games with family and friends.

The goal of intervention is to help people with aphasia reestablish their communication skills and to work with family members and other communication partners to identify and train strategies that can support communication with their loved ones. Speech-language pathologists may also help people with aphasia find alternative ways to share ideas when they have trouble communicating. This may include drawing, writing, pointing, using gestures, and using other visual supports—these alternative methods are called augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC.

We asked our in-house Speech-Language Pathologist what her favorite Pisces Healthcare products for aphasia are. This is what Stephani Luhrsen, MS CCC-SLP, Clinical Education Specialist, was most excited to share:

Talking Photo Album with Personalized Voice Recorded Messages

“This is a motivating, patient specific,communication and intervention tool that can be utilized across the continuum of care. The album has 20 pages with pictures and audible captions and allows you to record personalized messages of up to 18 seconds per page.”

7 Level Communication Builder

“I love this customizable lower-tech AAC option that allows the user to record and play back from 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 different messages per level. There are 7 levels for recordings for a total of 112 messages. Depending on the veteran’s level of function and communication priorities, this communication builder can be set up to suit each individual’s specific needs throughout their treatment path.”

SyncPen2 - 2nd Generation Smart Pen

“The pen digitally records all your notes onto your smartphone, allowing you to seamlessly transition between digital and physical timekeeping. This tool is a great option for patients with high level receptive aphasia who are transitioning back in to work or a learning environment to be able to support their comprehension and make sure that no information is missed!”

#AphasiaAwarenessMonth

RESOURCES:

Free downloadable low-tech communication boards to help you communicate in your community, including boards for aphasia awareness, speaking with a doctor or pharmacist, or going to places like the airport or grocery and more.

Talk Tools | Aphasia Recovery Connection

7 Communication Tips for Talking with Someone with Aphasia from the National Aphasia Association

https://youtu.be/zkhlMrjsnyo

General Information from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

What is Aphasia (with Michael Settles) - ASHA Stream

Wed, May 22, 2024 0 National Women’s Health Awareness Month

May is National Women’s Health Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and empower women with health knowledge and resources, encouraging women to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This year’s national women’s health month is dedicated to empowering women to take charge of their health journeys and shining a light on health issues unique to women.

Pisces Healthcare understands the complexity of women’s healthcare. We are committed to staying up to datewith new, innovative products that aim to meet, honor, and celebrate women’s unique healthcare needs.

Did you know, more than 2 million Women Veterans live in the U.S. today?

Women are the fastest growing group in the veteran population. In 2000, only 4% of veteran’s were women. It is projected that by 2040, 18% will be women
Women Veterans have served across all military branches and divisions
Women Veterans and racially and ethnically diverse with 43% of the women who have used VHA health services in FY20 belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group

No matter where they live, every woman veteran has access to the VA health system which provides care at 1,293 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care.

Every VA Medical Center nationwide has a Women Veterans Program Manager to advise and advocate for women Veterans and help coordinate all the services they may need, from primary care to specialized care for chronic conditions or reproductive health.

Every VA offers maternity care coordination. VA Maternity Care Coordinators understand women Veteran's unique needs and will support them through every stage of their pregnancy.

VHA provides the highest quality, state-of-the-artsystems and health care equipment, including on-site mammography at 69 sites across the country.

Women veterans in focus graphic

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

The Elitone Pelvic Floor solutions

Elitone products are the only FDA-cleared external solutions that tone your pelvic floor and calm your overactive bladder. Ditch the pads, stop your leaks, and feel the freedom in just 6 weeks. Elitone and Elitone URGE precisely deliver pelvic floor stimulation to effectively treat the most common types of incontinence. Whether you’re experiencing stress incontinence, an overactive bladder, or a mix of both, Elitone has the solution for you.

TINA

TINA is the world’s first comfort-first assistive aid for tampon insertion, designed so that everybody can use tampons consistently with confidence and comfort. Engineered specifically for a women’s anatomy with inclusive design for extra reach and easy grip.

Temperature Therapy Pelvic Wand

The only pelvic wand available that combines ergonomic shape with soothing temperature therapy.Clinically indicated toaddress endometriosis pain, Levator Ani Syndrome, Pelvic Floor Tension Myalgia, Vestibulodynia, Vaginismus, Vestibulodynia, and painful sex.

Adaptive Clothing

Pisces provides a variety of stylish adaptive clothing and bras.

Pisces provides a variety of stylish adaptive clothing and bras, designed to improve the comfort and independence of women with arthritis, barriers to their mobility, limited range of motion, pain, and more! These options include the Easy On Mobility Adaptive Bra and Adaptive Women’s Everyday Long Sleeve Top.

Elvie Trainer KegelExerciser

Pelvic floor problems are surprisingly common, affecting 1 in 3 women and up to 80% of expectant and new moms. Elvie Trainer is an expert-designed device that measures pelvic floor contractions, cutting the guesswork out of your workout.

Beyond National Women’s Health month, Pisces Healthcare will continue to be a partner in women’s healthcare, providing groundbreaking products that support each veteran’s specific health goals. For more innovative products, please see our Women’s Health Category.

VA Resources for Women

Women Veterans Call Center: 855-VA-WOMEN
Veteran Crisis Hotline: 988 (press 1)
Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000