Samaritan Healthcare | The Samaritan

Clearing snow from your driveway or sidewalk might

seem like a straightforward task. Just take out your trusty

shovel or snowblower and get rid of the stuff, right?

Well, not so fast.

You could be in for quite a workout. In fact, from

backaches to cardiac complaints, removing snow has its

own set of safety concerns. So it’s worth considering this

advice before the first flake falls:

Get a doctor’s OK.

Clearing snow shouldn’t be a problem

for most people. But if you have a health condition or you’re

out of shape, make sure it’s safe to shovel or use a snowblower.

That’s especially true if you have a heart problem,

which could make any sort of sudden exertion in cold

weather a risky move.

Shovel early and often.

It’s

harder on the body to remove heavy,

packed snow.

Push the snow whenever pos-

sible.

Your back will thank you. But if you need to lift and

move snow out of the way, shovel small scoops at a time.

Don’t fling the snow over your shoulder or off to the side.

Instead, walk the snow to where you want to dump it.

Do your homework.

If you’re planning to use a snow-

blower, read the manual. That may seem obvious. But it’s

important to read the instructions so you’ll know how to

operate the machine safely.

Keep hands away.

If a snowblower jams with snow,

stop the engine and wait several seconds before using a

solid object to clear the machine.

Break often.

No matter which snow removal method

you use, be sure to pace yourself and take frequent breaks.

Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Heart Association

SNOW REMOVAL

WARM UP TO SAFETY

PARTNER?

SAMARITAN CLINIC

1550 S. Pioneer Way

Moses Lake, WA

Family Medicine • 793-9780

Andrea Carter, MD

Craig Talbot, MD

Lexie Zuver, DO

Kathleen Holloway, PA-C

H. Scott Mounts, ARNP

Jodi O’Shea, PA-C

Tara Zamarron, ARNP

OB-GYN • 793-9786

Brian Truong, MD

Kristen Ziegler-Horwath, ARNP, CNM

Podiatry • 793-9783

Daren Vernon, DPM

Urgent Care • 793-9790

Michael Cerrato, PA-C

Brett Hymas, PA-C

John Loudon, PA-C

SAMARITAN PARKVIEW

PEDIATRICS

615 S. Division

Moses Lake, WA

Pediatrics • 766-9450

Jill A. Dudik Bross, MD, FAAP

Elaine Peterson, DO

Kimberlee E. Poole, ARNP

Wheeler Rd.

Colonial Drive

Pioneer Way

Samaritan

Hospital

Samaritan

Clinic

Nelson Road

Chief Moses

Middle School

Garden Heights

Elementary

pokane

eaTTle

Division St.

Samaritan

Parkview

Pediatrics

6th Ave.

Samaritan Clinic

1550 S. Pioneer Way

Moses Lake, WA

Samaritan Hospital

801 E. Wheeler Rd.

Moses Lake, WA

(509) 765-5606

Family Medicine • 793-9780

Kevin Smith, MD

Craig Talbot, MD

Andrea Carter, MD

Morgan Fife, MD

Hollie Matthews, MD

Jodi O’Shea, PA-C

OB/GYN • 793-9786

Brian Truong, MD

Ry n Rasmussen, MD, MBA

Kriste Ziegler, ARNP, CNM

Orthopedics • 793-9789

Corbin Moberg, PA-C

Podiatry • 793-9783

Daren Vernon, DPM

Urgent Care • 793-9790

Kathleen Holloway, PA-C

John Loudon, PA-C

Brett Hymas, PA-C

Samaritan Parkview

Pediatrics

615 S. Division

Moses Lake, WA

Pediatrics • 766-9450

Jill A. Dudik-Bross, MD, FACS

Kimberlee E. Poole, ARNP

www.samaritanhealthcare.com

THE SAMARITAN

is published as a

community service for the

friends and patrons of

SAMARITAN HEALTHCARE,

801 E. Wheeler Road,

Moses Lake, WA 98837,

telephone 509-765-5606,

website

www.samaritanhealthcare.com

Gretchen Youngren

Director of Development

& Communications

Information in

THE SAMARITAN comes

from a wide range of

medical experts. If you

have any concerns or

questions about specific

content that may affect

your health, please contact

your health care provider.

Models may be used in

photos and illustrations.

WINTER

2017

All of us

, for each of you, every time.

Together

, inspiring healthy communities.

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All of us

, for each of you, every time.

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SAMARITAN HOSPIT L

801 E. Wheeler Road

Moses Lake, WA

765-5606

NEED A HE A LTH

W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

T H E

S A M A R I T A N

Germs can travel as far

6 feet

when a person

coughs or talks.

YOUR BEST

PROTECTION:

A YEARLY FLU VACCINE.

Nearly everyone

older than

6 months should

get one.

FLU FACTS:

Don’t let the flu get you down

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The flu sends

200,000+

PEOPLE

to the hospital

each year.

5-20

of the

people

in the U.S.

get the flu

each year.

Flu viruses

can survive on

surfaces for

2-8 hrs.

MORE STAY-HEALTHY TIPS:

Wash your hands often.

Avoid touching your face.

Steer clear of people who are sick.

For more information regarding

flu shots, please call Samaritan

Family Medicine at 793-9780.