Good for Business, Good for you

By Jennifer Wilson

Lexington Medical host free prostate screenings at Lowes stores around Lexington County.

For many people, a typical work day includes meetings, e-mail and phone calls. But what about blood pressure checks and lipid profiles? They may sound like extra projects for your to-do list, but they could be the most important appointments of your day.

Lexington Medical Center travels to businesses, schools, churches and civic groups around the Midlands to provide free health screenings. Approximately 10,000 participants received a free screening in 2008.

“Lexington Medical Center is dedicated to improving the health of our community through the early detection and diagnosis of disease and illness,” said Connie Watson, director of community outreach at Lexington Medical Center. “Through our healthcare screenings, we save lives and strive to improve the overall health of our community.”

One place that has benefitted from the free health screenings is the South Carolina Governor’s Office of Executive Policies and Programs. The office set up a screening in June 2008, and nurses from Lexington Medical Center screened about 30 employees.

“They were very professional and informative,” said Paula Rauch, a human resources specialist in the office.

Rauch said the screening results encouraged the office to begin its own weight loss competition. Co-workers weighed in weekly throughout the summer. By Fall, each lost between 10 and 60 pounds.

“It’s a good service,” Rauch said.

The health screenings test blood pressure, iron levels, lipid profiles and blood glucose readings. Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings are offered upon request. Lexington Medical Center adds a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening for men over age 50 or with family history of prostate cancer. Cases of prostate disease in South Carolina are among the highest in the nation. Lexington Medical Center performed 3,381 free screenings for prostate cancer in fiscal year 2008. Of those screened, 174 men were referred on for further testing. That’s five percent.

Participants have the option of a feedback session with a nurse to help understand their laboratory results. During these sessions, a nurse will review the results, offer advice to maintain overall health or help identify a physician who can assist them.

Even if you have no history of medical problems, the health screenings can be vital.

That was the case for a Lexington County elementary school staff member who received a Lexington Medical Center screening at her school. The 46-year-old woman, who took care of herself and maintained a healthy weight, was surprised to learn that she had high blood pressure. The levels caused her to see her doctor. Further testing revealed she had carotid stenosis, a narrowing of the carotid artery in the neck. The condition can cause a stroke. Medication has helped her. Today, she is thankful for the screening. In fact, she receives them annually now.

“This is a service I love and I take advantage of it,” she said.

Schedule a free health screening at your business by calling Lexington Medical Center’s community outreach office at 803-936-8850.

Jennifer Wilson is the public relations manager for Lexington Medical Center.