Tuesday, Nov. 12
Wednesday, Nov. 13
Saturday, Nov. 16
Wednesday, Dec. 18
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Advanced Technology for Detecting Cancer
What is a MOLST Form and How is it Used?
Healthy Eating During the Holidays
Patient Story: Robotic-Assisted Kidney Surgery
The ABCs of Hepatitis: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Keeping Track of Your Medications
Preparing for Surgery
Patients Tell Their Personal Healthcare Story
Do You Need a Primary Care Physician?
Get to Know our Otolaryngologists
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Advanced Technology for Detecting Cancer
Blue light cystoscopy is a groundbreaking technology that significantly increases the detection of bladder cancer. Milford Regional is one of the first hospitals in the region to have this advanced technology. Bladder cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 81,190 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year and up to 50% of patients will have their bladder cancer recur – that’s the highest recurrence rate of any form of cancer.
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Previously, a cystoscopy using just a white light only showed what was obviously visible to the naked eye, potentially leaving some other areas of cancerous tissue undetected. Using the blue light, a urologist is able to see that there may be other spots that could be cancerous and remove them.
The procedure is done in the operating room. With the new blue light cystoscopy, Cysview – the imaging dye – is absorbed into the bladder through a catheter. While the patient is under general anesthesia, the urologist inserts the cystoscope to view the bladder. Once the initial viewing is completed with the white light, the urologist then switches on the blue light. The blue light causes a reaction between the dye and cancer cells that turns them bright, fluorescent pink. This immediate identification of cancer and its specific locations allows the surgeon to effectively target and remove the cancerous tissues present.
The blue light helps the urologist do a more complete job of detecting and removing superficial bladder tumors that may be invisible. By being able to detect bladder cancer early, it prevents it from rapidly recurring and saves the patient from making more frequent trips to the doctor and to the operating room.
Read a patient story about blue light cystoscopy.
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What is a MOLST Form and How is it Used?
MOLST stands for Massachusetts Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. MOLST is a medical order with clear instructions that describes certain types of medical treatments a patient wants or does NOT want administered to try to keep them alive near the end of life, for example – do not resuscitate or do not ventilate, when a patient is in respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
The instructions are based on the person's own preferences and is honored by all health care providers in Massachusetts including EMTs who may attend to your needs in an ambulance. The form is printed on bright pink paper and should be visible in your home. EMTs are trained to recognize the bright pink standard MOLST form before initiating any life-sustaining treatment.
If you or a family member has a serious advanced illness, speak to your doctor (or nurse practitioner or physician assistant) about MOLST. Forms are available at your doctor’s office. It is important to have a discussion with your doctor about your prognosis, treatment and what your preferences are with regard to medical treatment near end of life. Signing this form is strictly voluntary. It goes into effect when it is signed by you and your doctor or clinician.
Read more about MOLST.
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Healthy Eating for the Holidays
Plan Ahead- plan all your meals each week and make a grocery list before shopping. It will help you stay on track to make good, healthy meal choices. Also, eat something healthy before shopping so you are not tempted to buy items you didn’t plan on.
Add Color- with fruits and vegetables at every meal. You will find if you eat more of the foods that are good for you like fruits, veggies and whole grains, there will be less room for those that are not so good for you.
Have a snack- If you are planning on attending a party or dinner out during the holidays, have a healthy snack before you leave the house. It will help to curb your appetite. When at a party, don’t stand next to the food table.
Portion control- Don’t deny yourself all the good food you may want to sample at a party, but keep portion control in mind. If you attend a buffet dinner, always check out all of the offerings before putting anything on your plate. It may help you make good choices.
For some specific tips, tricks and substitutions, including some great, healthy recipes for the holidays, go to
Heart.org/eatsmart.
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Patient Story: Robotic-Assisted Kidney Surgery
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When Shelby went for a routine physical, she never imagined it would lead to kidney surgery for a potentially cancerous mass. Shelby underwent a partial removal of her kidney at Milford Regional. Matthew Ingham, MD performed the procedure using the latest in robotic-assisted surgery, the da Vinci Xi®. This advanced technology allows for more complex surgeries with fewer and smaller incisions.
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I think the robot has been one of the keys to a successful recovery” notes Shelby. “
Even a week later, I felt incredibly great.”
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The ABCs of Hepatitis: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Hepatitis is a disease that causes liver inflammation. The symptoms are silent and the disease can be deadly. More importantly, many people are unaware that they are infected with hepatitis until significant health problems arise. Watch this video to learn more about the risks of this common disease and the treatments available from our infectious disease specialist Dost Sarpel, MD.
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Keeping Track of Your Medications
It is important to always have a current list of your medications in the event of an emergency, or a visit to a new physician. Here is a tool we have created for you.
"My Medication Record" is a form you can complete online, print and save to your personal computer. After you print it, keep it easily accessible to you and your family at all times in the event of an emergency. Don't forget to update it with a change in medication or dosage.
Here is the form for your personal use.
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Preparing for Surgery
Your surgery is finally scheduled and the date is getting closer. What do you need to do to prepare? We have put together some information that will be helpful to you that includes your pre-operative testing appointment, a list of things to do prior to your surgery day, a list of do’s and don’ts on the day of surgery, and afterward when you return home.
Read more about preparing for surgery.
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Patients Tell Their Personal Healthcare Story
Patients tell it like it is, which is why the stories we have on our website can be valuable to you. We go to our patients frequently and ask if they are willing to share their healthcare story. Many agree because they hope their story might help someone else facing a similar situation. There is power in knowledge and we believe there is much to be learned by all of us through the stories they tell.
Our Patient Story page contains stories about cancer care, general surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, weight-loss and so much more. If you or a loved one is facing a healthcare issue, you may want to read how other patients faced the same problem.
Check out our patient stories.
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Milford Regional's active medical staff, consisting of over 250 doctors, is highly qualified to treat you and your family through sickness and in health. Whether you need a primary care physician or a specialist, you can be assured of the best possible care.
Need a Primary Care Physician?
If you need a physician, please call our Physician Referral Line at 1-888-DRS-HERE (1-888-377-4373). Our Referral Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a quick look, see our
list of primary care physicians
who are accepting new patients. It is important to note that not all physicians accept all insurances. Please call the physician's office directly to find out if they accept your insurance plan.
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Get to Know Our Otolaryngologists
Otolaryngologists are physicians who are trained in the treatment of diseases and disorders of the ears, sinuses, nose, voice box, mouth, throat, and the related structures of the head and neck. They treat all age groups including children who may suffer from chronic ear or throat infections to the elderly who may experience hearing loss. Dizziness and balance disorders are treated by these physicians as well as cancers of the head and neck.
Patients are most often treated medically before surgery is recommended, but it is good to know that otolaryngologists are trained in both medicine and surgery. We have three new otolaryngologists who have recently joined our active medical staff at Milford Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgery.
Learn more about our otolaryngologists.
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508-473-1190
TTY/TDD: 508-473-5103
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