A group of seniors enthusiastically engages in exercise, showcasing the positive impact of patient engagement among the elderly. The image captures a moment of community and well-being as seniors participate in various exercises, promoting physical activity and social connection for a healthier and happier lifestyle

Unveiling the Holistic Impact of Cardio Drumming with Kirstie Pomaranski

Engaging in physical activity wields transformative power, positively impacting hearts, bodies, and minds. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), regular physical activity is profoundly influential in preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Beyond its physical benefits, physical activity plays a crucial role in mitigating symptoms of depression and anxiety, while simultaneously enhancing cognitive functions such as thinking, learning, and judgment skills.

Exercise further emerges as a potent component of a holistic approach to patient care, a theme explored in a recent episode of our podcast, PX Space. Host Linda Robinson MSN, RN, CPXP spoke with Kirstie Pomaranski, a dedicated certified exercise trainer with a focus on inspiring and empowering individuals, particularly cancer patients and survivors. Pomaranski presently spearheads exercise programming for those affected by cancer at Life with Cancer, a non-profit organization based in Northern Virginia. This organization is committed to delivering no-cost education and psychosocial support to individuals impacted by cancer, offering evidence-based holistic care accessible to all, irrespective of their treatment location.

"Cardio drumming is more than just a physical exercise; it's an opportunity to enhance heart and lung health," she explains, underlining the class's inclusivity with plastic drumming sticks and an exercise ball.

The objective is to make exercise enjoyable and accessible to everyone.

"It's about moving your body, crossing the midline, and learning new rhythms while letting music transport you back to joyful moments in your life."

Challenging the conventional "no pain, no gain" fitness notion, Pomaranski advocates for enjoyable and invigorating exercise, emphasizing the importance of finding balance in life to prioritize health.

"Movement should be a part of our routine, just like taking a shower or brushing our teeth."

Pomaranski delves into the social and emotional benefits of cardio drumming, highlighting its role in connecting people, and fostering playfulness, joy, and laughter. She underscores the profound impact of human connection and touches on overall well-being and happiness.

An elderly patient joyfully participates in exercise, highlighting the positive impact of patient engagement in senior care. The image reflects the commitment to physical activity, promoting health and well-being in the older population while fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.

Discussing the broader impact of movement and music on mental and physical well-being, Pomaranski notes the positive effects on dementia patients.

"Drumming connects your whole brain, creating new neural connections," she explains.

The simplicity of using plastic drumming sticks and an exercise ball makes the class accessible and effective for everyone.

Pomaranski sheds light on the transformative power of cardio drumming as a holistic approach to well-being, connecting mind and body through movement, rhythm, and music. The class serves as a reminder that exercise can be not only beneficial but also a source of joy, laughter, and human connection.

The integration of music and movement, exemplified by the cardio drumming class, aligns with a holistic approach to patient care valued at MDM Healthcare. This concept is reinforced by innovative technology products such as Journey PX. Our Journey PX solution My Stay, offers patients calming videos and a library of educational content. Journey PX’s video calling solution Connect facilitates virtual connections with loved ones, while My Day Today provides real-time health information through a digital whiteboard integrated with the hospital’s EMR, offering patients peace of mind.

The holistic approach to patient care is a powerful paradigm that recognizes the intricate interplay between physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It goes beyond merely treating symptoms, aiming instead to address the root causes of illness while considering the individual as a whole. This comprehensive method acknowledges that a person's health is influenced by various factors, including lifestyle, environment, and personal circumstances.

By integrating medical, psychological, and social aspects of care, the holistic approach promotes a deeper understanding of patients and fosters a collaborative relationship between healthcare providers and individuals seeking care. This approach not only treats the ailment but also empowers patients to actively participate in their healing process, promoting long-term well-being and a higher quality of life. The recognition that health is a complex tapestry of interconnected elements highlights the potency of holistic patient care in promoting not just physical recovery, but also mental resilience and emotional harmony.

Kirstie Pomaranski, a dedicated certified exercise trainer with a focus on inspiring and empowering individuals, particularly cancer patients and survivors.

As Pomaranski notes in her interview, her cardio drumming class is not just about physical exercise but a holistic approach to well-being, connecting mind and body through movement, rhythm, and music. It serves as a reminder that exercise can be enjoyable, invigorating, and a source of joy, laughter, and human connection. For further insights into the healing power of cardio drumming, you can listen to the full PX Space podcast interview with Kirstie Pomaranski.

Screen-Shot-2021-02-12-at-9.27.44-PM

In a recent PX Space podcast interview, host Linda Robinson MSN, CPXP, RN, Vice President of Clinical Excellence, MDM Healthcare spoke with Dr. D.P. Suresh. Dr. Suresh is an interventional cardiologist and executive medical director of the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky. He is committed to helping patients reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the United States. Dr. Suresh outlined The American Heart Association’s eight simple things you can do to help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Dr. Suresh explains how the list is comprised of five things you can do to prevent risk, and three tests you can take.


1.Walk Everyday

2.Get A Good Night’s Sleep

3.Cut Out Red Meat and Sugar

4.Quit Smoking and Vaping

5. Keep Stress Levels Down

6. Track Your Cholesterol Levels

7.Check Your Blood for Sugar

8. Monitor Your Blood Pressure

08

Journey PX provides a variety of benefits for patients admitted into the hospital after a heart attack or stroke. Journey PX’s patient engagement solutions drive communication and crucial health education, even when clinicians are not in the room. The extensive library of patient education videos offered through the My Stay solution keeps heart and stroke patients informed and educated about their care throughout their hospital stay. The education library can be embedded in the EMR and can be automated or manually deployed based on stroke and or heart health risk factors, treatments, or diagnoses. It can even release engaging prompts to the TV to encourage the patient to watch the education! Once the education is completed, it can auto-document the completion and comprehension back into the EMR. In addition, Journey PX’s Connect solution allows for secure virtual rounding and provider visits. The combination of these features saves clinicians valuable time and steps and provides patients with a richer patient experience. My Stay also allows vital health education to be delivered via email and text upon discharge for both patients and their caregivers.

Journey PX is also designed to make sure that anything that goes on the Digital Whiteboard, My Day Today, is in a language patients can understand. “We never want patients to become frustrated with information they don’t understand or afraid to ask questions in the hospital,” said Robinson. She continued to explain that this philosophy extends to the videos Journey PX houses in the health education library, My Stay. Patients are best served by technology that is intuitive and easy to use. “If patients can use a TV remote, they can use the cloud-based patient engagement solution Journey PX.” It integrates with the hospital’s electronic medical record (EMR), so it displays accurate real-time plan of care information. Displaying information in this way engages the patient as an active participant in their care which has been shown to drive positive outcomes.

To hear more from Dr. D.P. Suresh about the topic, listen to the full PX Space podcast interview below.