HEALTH BRIEFS
Cancer support group to meet

Cancer patients, cancer survivors, their families and friends are invited to the next meeting of Sacred Heart Hospital's Cancer Support Group. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the main hospital's Oncology Unit Library on the second floor.

Valet parking is available at the hospital's main entrance on Ninth Avenue.

During September's meeting, Edith Baker, clinical dietitian at Sacred Heart Hospital, will discuss "Nutrition: Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle." Questions from participants are encouraged. The support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the same location. Upcoming topics to be addressed also include tips on handling the side effects of chemotherapy; Advance Directives; disability; and journaling.

The group is designed to offer support through education, information, spirituality, and the comfort of fellowship with other cancer patients. For more information, please contact Rene Moses,

850-416-7593, or Jo Jensen, 850-416-7928.

Andrews receives accreditation

The Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center (AIASC) has passed the Medicare survey with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. The AIASC has also received its accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

Facilities have to meet a set of standards in order to participate in Medicare programs and receive accreditation from the AAAHC.

Accreditation through the AAAHC is a voluntary process through which an organization is able to measure the quality of its services and performance against nationally recognized standards. The accreditation process involves self-assessment by the organization, as well as a thorough review by the Accreditation Association's expert surveyors, who themselves have extensive experience in the ambulatory health care environment. The accreditation certificate is a symbol that an organization is committed to providing high-quality health care and that it has demonstrated that commitment by measuring up to the Accreditation Association's high standards.

Located inside the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine at 1040 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Suite 100, the AIASC is a joint venture with 22 area physicians and Baptist Health Care. The AIASC is a 26,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center with eight operating suites with multi-specialty surgical capabilities and more than 30 recovery beds. Features of the surgery `center include interactive observation and digital imaging as well as video and audio conferencing.

Irregular heartbeat seminar at The Club

Sacred Heart Hospital's Senior Service's program will present a free seminar on irregular heartbeat and new surgical techniques for atrial fibrillation on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 12 - 1 p.m. in the Rehabilitation Center at The Club in Gulf Breeze.

The seminar will presented by Dr. James Nielsen, a board certified cardiovascular surgeon. The seminar will help attendees understand the signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation and will discuss new surgical treatments available for this common heart disorder.

Registration is required and seating is limited. To register, call (850) 416-1620 or 1-877-416- 1620.

Located at The Club at 1230 Crane Cove Blvd. in Gulf Breeze, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation focuses on patient education and provides treatments which help individuals to strive towards improving and maintaining their own health.

Migraine seminar Sept 25

Sacred Heart Hospital will host a free seminar on headaches and migraines on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Greenhut Auditorium, located on Sacred Heart's main campus at 5151 N. Ninth Avenue.

The seminar will be presented by Dr. Lawrence King, III, a neurologist with Sacred Heart Medical Group. The seminar will teach attendees the different types of headaches and migraines, causes and risk factors, and prevention techniques, as well as lifestyle and medication treatment options. After the

Registration is required and seating is limited. served.To register, call (850) 416-1600 or 1- 877-416-1600.