Hospital News - 1st Quarter 2009

Wellness Forum for employers set

March 23, 2009 - In response to the growing cry for a healthier American workforce, Hunt Regional Healthcare is joining forces with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce to sponsor a Workforce Wellness Forum and Fair on April 7 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Fletcher Warren City Center.

“This isn’t your average health fair,” says Sharon Sanders, Employee Relations Specialist for HRH. “We are directing it to employers who are concerned about growing the bottom line through a more efficient workforce – a healthy workforce,” she said.

With the current economic climate and spiraling healthcare costs, it’s no wonder there is that concern. More than 160 million Americans receive healthcare benefits through employers, which typically spend up to 10 percent of payroll (nearly $600 billion when taken in aggregate) on health insurance for their workers. It is suggested that restructuring wellness programs and related incentives is among the measures that hold promise to meet the healthcare challenge.

A noon luncheon will be keynoted by Alex White, an executive with the American Hospital Association, followed by a panel discussion by local employers sharing specifics about what they are doing to encourage wellness at their companies. The luncheon itself will be $20, and reservations should be made with the Chamber by calling 903.455.1510. Everything else is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

White, an Austin resident, is a graduate of William & Mary College and Washington University. He has served as CEO of the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital in San Antonio and the Children’s Hospital of Austin at Brackenridge before joining AHA as Regional Executive in 1998.

AHA is the leading advocate for the hospital field and a major spokesman for health in America. White serves as the member’s link to the issues and legislation which make up AHA’s federal health advocacy agenda.

The fair will feature 25-30 exhibits representing various aspects of health and wellness, providing information for individuals, families, and employers. Free blood pressure and cholesterol testing will be available for everyone throughout the afternoon.

Also, free flu shots will be administered by the Hunt County Health Department.
The free workshops are scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Topics and the leaders include:

• Work steps and applicant screening, Terry Sadler and William Crowe of Hunt Regional Minor Care
• Drugs and alcohol in the workplace, Joel Klein, CEO of Glen Oaks Hospital
• Local employer health initiatives, Barry Robinson of the City of Greenville, Barrie Green of Newell-Rubbermaid and Carol Winans of Trust Services
• Medicare coverage, Angie Haquang of Social Security Administration
• Navigating aging issues, Melanie Findley of Heritage Program for Senior Adults at Hunt Regional Community Hospital, and Michael Delany of Vistacare
• Nutrition and managing family health, Mary Sue Cole, Hunt County Extension Services

“We’re wanting to help employers learn more about the ways healthy employees can drive the bottom line and emphasize to employees the benefits of wellness in the workplace,” said Sanders.

“While it may seem obvious that an employer needs his or her employees to be well, it may not be as obvious that the consequences of illnesses might be, or what employers can do to try to keep their people healthier,” Sanders said.

Also hosting the forum and fair are the City of Greenville and Glen Oaks Hospital.

Hunt Regional Medical Center designated Level III trauma facility
by Melva Geyer

 

March 18, 2009 - Hunt Regional Medical Center recently received its re-designation as an advanced Level III trauma facility.

 

So, what does that mean to our community?

 

It could mean a matter of life and death for anyone in the area who might suffer a severe injury demanding immediate medical attention by a team of specially trained health care practitioners.

Last year a total of 384 trauma case activations were registered by the Emergency Department – an average of more than one per day, says Bret Freeman, Trauma Department director. Freeman said the Greenville facility has been designated as a Trauma III unit since 1997, and its current status will carry through 2011. That means non-stop trauma preparation and readiness, having the proper personnel in place every day, every year for 14 consecutive years.

 

It isn’t an accomplishment to be taken lightly or for granted.

 

“Trauma care is an extremely important service we provide for our community,” said Hunt Regional Healthcare CEO Richard Carter. “The occurrence of trauma injury is increasing and the ability to care for these patients in a timely and comprehensive manner is critical to recovery.

 

“I commend the Hunt Regional Medical Center physicians and nursing professionals who plan and organize the Emergency Department to meet the needs of our trauma patients,” Carter said.

 

Freeman says one of the most important parts of being a Trauma III facility is the education requirements by the Texas Department of State Health Services, which determines the designation.

 

“The designation raises the bar for our healthcare providers who must stay on top of the standard of care,” said Freeman. “Our entire health care system benefits from the higher standards required for trauma care consideration.”

 

Among the standards that make a facility eligible for the trauma levels are the emergency transfers or “pre-arrival” notification, having a surgeon on call who can be at the Emergency Department within 30 minutes, and the trained personnel who can recognize life threatening situations and can meet the protocol of assessing patients and taking the necessary action. There is a two-hour threshold to receive the injured person and determine if he or she should be transferred to a higher-level trauma facility.

 

Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and Parkland, both Level I facilities, have transfer agreements with HRH. Baylor Medical Center and East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, are both have Level I trauma units, and Mother Frances Hospital of Tyler and Methodist Dallas Medical Center, hold Level II designations.

 

“We have an obligation to our community to provide the best possible chance for survival and recovery by offering well-trained and well-equipped comprehensive emergency services to traumatically injured patients,” said HRMC Administrator Mike Klepin.

 

“As a Level III trauma center we are committed to having the staff and resources necessary to care for patients quickly and appropriately. This designation demonstrates our dedication to having a knowledgeable multidisciplinary team that will rapidly and efficiently provide the best care possible.

 

“Continuing education is an essential component to maintaining our designation. Everyone on our team is required to have documented ongoing education following the trauma care standards and protocols,” said Klepin.

 

A key figure in the Trauma Department is its medical director, in this case Joseph Ronaghan, M.D., who is also a surgeon. “Dr. Ronaghan has played a big role in helping us become re-designated,” said Klepin.

 

As medical director Dr. Ronaghan heads the Trauma Committee, which identifies and reviews cases and is the ultimate oversight team. He also is involved in the medical center’s disaster preparedness program and is instructor of the Advanced Trauma Life Support training.

 

“The re-designation allows HRMC to be counted among a select group of hospitals in the state of Texas to be recognized for the extra effort and desire required to offer the best available trauma care to our citizens,” says the surgeon. “Also, it allows us to interact regularly with larger, regional trauma centers, should the need arise,” he said.

 

“The Trauma III status was the culmination of significant efforts on the part of the surgeons, Emergency Department physicians, ED staff, the trauma coordinator’s office and the hospital administration,” Dr. Ronaghan said.

 

Adding to the significance of the trauma designation is the fact that Hunt Regional Healthcare offers courses every six months for nursing personnel from hospitals throughout North Texas in both adult and pediatric trauma cases. The classes are sanctioned by the Emergency Nurses Association. Freeman conducts the courses and is assisted by Emergency Department Director Kim Mulder and other HRH emergency-trained nurses Sara Murphy, Linda Roszhart, Bob Holder, Cindy Brown and Susan VanHooser. Mulder, in her role as ED director, is also a key member of the Trauma Unit

 

Megan Brown is the trauma registrar. Among other tasks, she collects data fed into the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisor Council information center that eventually gives trauma facilities trends and patterns in injuries. For example, Freeman was alerted to the rising number of serious all-terrain vehicle accidents as the use of the recreational vehicles rose.

 

Such information as child safety seat injuries and fatalities also allows Freeman to collect data to be used in the Child Fatality Review Team for Hunt County. The data can help the team plan educational and safety strategies.

 

“I am hopeful the community realizes just how fortunate it is to have a hospital with a trauma department,” said Freeman. “We still do live in a rural area. As the population grows, so will the medical center’s responsibilities to recruit additional personnel – surgeons and nurses – to maintain our status in emergency care,” he concluded.

 

Geyer is Marketing Communications Coordinator for Hunt Regional Healthcare.

 

Genetic testing for cancer offered

March 18. 2009 - Texas Oncology, in association with Hunt Regional Healthcare, has begun assessing hereditary cancer risks and genetic testing at the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center of Hunt Regional Medical Center.

The testing program is being administered by Christine Tobin, RN, MSN, CFNP of Texas Oncology on the second Friday of each month, but as the program grows additional days will be added.

“Most of the time, cancer happens by chance,” says Tobin. “However, in some cases it is caused by specific genetic abnormalities that can be passed down from one generation to another.”

In these families, Tobin says, the risk of cancer (including second cancers in those previously diagnosed) is extremely high. When these genetic abnormalities or mutations exist in a patient, identifying them can be extremely beneficial in terms of accurately assessing the risk of cancer for them and their relatives.

In the vast majority of cases, according to Tobin, appropriate medical intervention can significantly reduce the risk of cancer and/or allow it to be detected at a much earlier stage, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment. For these patients and their health care team, this information is “need to know” information in order to ensure appropriate medical management, she said.

“In particular, we screen for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, colorectal and endometrial cancer syndromes and hereditary melanoma,” said Tobin.

Some “red flags” to look for in a patient (or family members) when determining if a patient is appropriate for genetic risk assessment are:

• Breast, colon or endometrial cancer diagnosed before age 50
• Ovarian cancer at any age
• Multiple primary tumors of the breast, colon or uterus
• Two or more melanomas diagnosed in a person or family (or melanoma and
  pancreatic cancer)
• 10 or more colon polyps (adenomas), or an adenoma diagnosed prior to age 40

This list is not all inclusive, but it contains accepted indications for the more common hereditary cancer syndromes. Most patients who seek genetic testing find that it is covered by insurance, including Medicare.

In addition, there are federal and state laws in place to protect this genetic information from being used for insurance and employment discrimination.

 

And the winners are. . .

 

March 18, 2009 - Andrew Madden, right, is congratulated by EMS Assistant Director Michael Sanchez after being named Hunt Regional Emergency Services Mentor of the Year for 2008.

 

Other awards went to:

 

• First Responder of the Year: Jeff Felts, West Tawakoni Fire Department
• First Responder Emergency Medical Trainer of the Year: Keith Spanberger, Caddo Mills Fire Department
• First Responder Paramedic of the Year: Jason Hockett, Merit Fire Department
• Hunt Regional Emergency Medical Service Emergency Medical Trainer of the Year: Turner Garner

 

Extensive Years of Service Awards went to:

 

• Nathan Smith, Campbell Fire Department, 40 Years of Service
• Ron Kent of the Greenville Fire Department, 32 Years of Service
• Ray Hunter, Commerce Emergency Corps, 31 Years of Service
• Bill Bray, Union Valley Fire Department, 33 Years of Service
• Jerry Don Woods, Caddo Mills Fire Department, 32 Years of Service

 

 

Cash Carroll,on the right, is the 2008 Hunt Regional Emergency Services Paramedic of the Year, having been presented his award by EMS Director Andrew Threndyle at the 2008 Awards Banquet in Commerce. Carroll is a Quinlan resident.

 

 

Class of '09 Service Excellence grads

 

March 18, 2009 - The Year IV Service Excellence Advisors (SEAs) are all smiles as they prepare for a new year of custormer satisfaction achievements at Hunt Regional Healthcare.

 

The group graduated on March 6 after completing two days of intense training by Service Excellence Implementation Specialist Susan Freeman (front row, third from right).

 

As SEAs the representatives from both Hunt Regional Medical Center Greenville and Hunt Regional Community Hospital Commerce, will provide HRH’s Year IV Customer Services staff workshops beginning in mid-April.

 

 

On the front row from left are Margaret Arnold, LaTesha Barret, Angie English, Freeman, Tammy Salinas and Kim Robinson. On the second row are Melinda Byrd, Andi Harrison, Lubia Moreno, Becky Murphy and Rebecca Pearcy. On the third row from left are Rita Erwin, Randa Chastain, Mariam Gaye, Andrea Gray, Janet Campbell, Anchalee Miller, T.J. Hilburn and Natasha Tawater.

 

Sweet rewards

 

March 17, 2000 - Melanie Pierce, Carolyn Strickland and Renee Decker, members of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Hunt County provided sweets for survivors and caregivers at the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center on St. Patrick’s Day.

 

Strickland is in charge of the caregiver portion of the Relay, which is scheduled for June. The ASC volunteers also provide treats and sweets for other occasions. They will be at the center on the Wednesday before Easter Sunday (April 12).

 

Certified nurses honored

 

March 12, 2009 - Hunt Regional Healthcare honored its 87 certified nurses in Greenville and Commerce with a reception for National Certified Nurses Day.

 

To become certified by the American Nursing Credentialing Center the registered nurses must pass an exam and complete 30 hours of continuing education.

 

Among those attending the reception were, seated from left, Reese Hurley, Robin Andreola and Tommy Hughes. Standing from left are Kathy McKinney, Elizabeth Hobbs, Lesia Stowers, Donna Tubb and Emily Sundeen.

 

Andreola was just recently named to the list of Great 100 Nurses by the Texas Nurses Association of the Dallas-Fort Worth Districts.

 

The recipients will be honored with a reception and awards ceremony on April 19 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Andreola joins some 15 nurses on staff at HRH who have been name to the Great 100 honor.

 

HRH adds CarePages as free service

 

March 5, 2009 - Have you ever wished there were an easy way to keep friends and family updated about the condition of a loved one? Now it’s possible through CarePages, offered at Hunt Regional Healthcare hospitals.

 

HRH and CarePages.com have teamed up to help families and friends use the Web to communicate with loved ones who are hospitalized.

 

The mission of adding CarePages to the list of services at Hunt Regional Healthcare is simple: to ensure that no one goes through a health challenge alone.

 

The service is absolutely free and filled with safeguards to protect the patient’s or family’s privacy. Registration is required by those wishing to enter a CarePage, and “Resricted Access CarePages” service is available.

CarePages was founded by Eric and Sharon Langshur in 2000. When their son, Matthew, was born with a heart defect in 1998 and needed surgery, Eric and Sharon struggled to find a way to keep in touch with family and friends about Matthew's condition. Sharon's brother set up the first CarePages patient website to help. Today, Matthew is a healthy, happy child, and CarePages has grown to reach millions of families across the globe.

 

According to the Wall Street Journal, CarePages is one of a number of sites available to health-minded Americans. It draws millions of viewers who log on to receive specific services and information. Some 140,000 CarePage websites have been created since 2000, and the service is offered by 721 health care facilities, including Hunt Regional.

 

“We think CarePages is a great example of the emphasis we place on compassionate care,” said Mike Klepin, HRH hospital administrator.

 

By using a CarePage, you can:

• Post and receive news updates - concerned family members and friends can access the most recent news about the patient.
• Post and receive messages -- loved ones may leave messages at anytime, from anywhere, in a way that provides support and isn’t a burden.
• Share patient news - the personal and secure CarePage contains important contact information and healthcare facility visiting hours.
• Post photos – create a photo gallery to share photos with friends and family.
• Create a Baby CarePage. You can create a CarePage to keep in touch with friends and family during your pregnancy, through delivery, and even into the early years of your child's life. Upload photos, track your baby's progress and share your bundle of joy with loved ones near and far. Think of a Baby CarePage as a digital baby book!

 

Create a CarePage

 

It's official!

 

February 20, 2009 – Health Care in Hunt County entered another elevated era Thursday, Feb. 19, as officials of Hunt Regional Healthcare and Baylor Health Care System signed the official affiliation declarations between the two entities.

 

Joel Allison, CEO, Baylor Health Care System headed the contingency from Baylor that included John McWhorter, President, Baylor Medical Center at Dallas and Jack Tinsley, Baylor regional liaison.

 

“This is a proud moment for the Baylor Health Care System as we continue to reach out to the people and healthcare professionals in Texas,” said Allison prior to the signing.

 

Also attending the event were State Rev. Dan Flynn and Mayor Tom Oliver; HMHD Board Chairman Ron Wensel and board members Sue Porter, John Reynolds, Scott Stegal and Frank Janda.

 

While on campus, the guests toured the new West Wing and the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center and met with Hunt Memorial Hospital District administrators and staff.

 

“We have looked forward to this time as we publicly mark the beginning of a new era in Hunt County health care,” said Richard Carter, CEO of Hunt Regional Healthcare. “It culminates an incredible journey the hospital district has taken the last two years with the completion of the West Wing and Cancer Center, the Minor Care Clinic and our new name and affiliation,” he said.

 

“We are honored to become a part of one of the nation’s most revered health systems as we make the commitment to provide the best medical care available in this region,” he concluded.

 

The affiliation was announced last fall and became effective on Jan. 1.

 

 

State Rep. Dan Flynn, second from right, is recognized by Richard Carter during the signing ceremonies in the Atrium at Hunt Regional Medical Center on Thursday. Also pictured from left are Sue Jones, a member of the Foundation board of directors, Mayor Tom Oliver and Jack Gray, Foundation director.

 

 

 

Lead Radiation Oncologist Dr. James J. Petrikas, center, explains to Baylor Health Care System CEO Joel Allison, right, the radiation treatment being administered to a patient in the linear accelerator vault.

 

Allison, along with Baylor Dallas’ President John McWhorter and regional liaison Jack Tinsley, toured the new West Wing and Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center prior to the signing of the affiliation agreement between HRH and BHCS.

 

Looking on are radiation therapists Kyle Koon and Jeffrey Katzenmaier, who, along with Petrikas, are with Texas Oncology.

 

 

Gala sold out!

 

February 6, 2009 - The Hunt Memorial Hospital Foundation Gala will entertain an overflow crowd - some 300 revelers will join their Foundation hosts to Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler - Let the Good Times Roll - in this Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser for Finney Cancer Center patients.

 

"Response to the Gala has been overwhelming," said Melva Geyer, Hunt Regional Healthcare Community Relations spokesperson. "This is the biggest crowd we've ever had for the Gala. We've also set a new Gala fundraising record, with more than $70,000 to date. And that doesn't include the ticket sales."

 

Funds from the Gala will help to establish a cancer rehabilitation program for radiation and chemotherapy patients undergoing treatment at HRHC's Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center in Greenville.

 

Cancer patients to benefit from Gala proceeds

 

January 21, 2009 - Hunt County area residents are being offered the opportunity to contribute to the hope and wellness of cancer patients and have a good time doing so.

 

Preparations are under way for the 2009 Hunt Memorial Hospital Foundation Gala -- Laughter is the Best Medicine -- on Feb. 7, at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center, and proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward a cancer rehabilitation program to augment the chemotherapy and radiation treatment programs at the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center.

 

The Gala will kick off the Mardi Gras season with Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! (Let the Good Times Roll), Branson funny man Paul Harris, and a catered dinner.

 

“The Foundation wants to make this state-of-the-art program available to cancer patients and survivors in our service area,” said Jack Gray, Foundation director. “The estimated start-up cost for this life-enhancing program is approximately $90,000. The Foundation has dedicated its net proceeds from the 2009 Gala to that cause,” said Gray.

 

In the past the gala has made possible such gifts as patient recliner chairs including bariatric equipment and a special Emergency Department patient airway crash cart.

This year’s annual fundraiser is also dedicated to building on the District’s new name (Hunt Regional Healthcare), and the new affiliation with The Baylor Health Care System, said Gray.

 

Paul Harris, one of America’s funniest men who has been voted the No. 1 comedy act in Branson, Mo., is the headliner for the evening.

 

At the age of 15, Harris got his first job as a comedian at the White River Hoedown in Mountain View, Ark. It was while playing “Chester P. Drawers” that Paul first developed his love for making people laugh. He even had the opportunity to share the stage with then Governor Bill Clinton who was Grand Marshal of the Ozark Folk Festival.

As the son of a horse trainer (and not convinced that entertaining should be his lifelong career), Harris attended horse shoeing school when he was 21.

 

In 1994, a call from the Texas Goldminors prompted him to look at entertaining once again. He moved to Branson to perform with the Texas Goldminors, and was later recruited by Dan Britton for the Pierce Arrow Show. Harris returns to Branson in March with a new show, “A Day in the Life of Paul Harris.”

 

Mistress of Ceremonies will be local personality Stacy Foley, herself a cancer survivor and a well-known volunteer in Greenville and Hunt County. Foley has entertained area residents with her antics in the Drug Free Walk-a-Thon, the Greenville Follies, American Cancer Society Relay for Life as well as being active in numerous organizations.

 

Most recently she appeared at the Hunt Regional Healthcare “Coffee Talk” which raised money to award scholarships to students who want to pursue careers in oncology nursing.

The Feb. 7 event will begin at 6 p.m.

 

Tickets are available at $50 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 903.408.1064. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

 

Those interested in making a gift but are unable to attend should contact Jack Gray at 903.408.1060.

 

Why do we need cancer rehab?

 

January 21, 2009 - Why is financial support through sponsorships and ticket sales so important to cancer patients at the Lou and Jack Finney Cancer Center of Hunt Regional Health Care?

 

Research reports from The Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass., as well as other leading cancer centers, demonstrate the value of rehabilitation services for cancer patients undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Specifically, breast and colon cancer patients involved in a rehabilitation program experience a 50 percent reduction in mortality and a 50 percent increase in survival. Data for other cancers is not yet available, but similar benefits are anticipated. The rehab program consists of physical conditioning, dietary instruction, and psychological/spiritual support.

 

Recently, Gary T. Kimmel, M.D., a retired Tyler oncologist, made a presentation to leadership of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District Charitable Health Foundation board in which he proposed that a cancer rehabilitation program be established here, modeled on existing programs in Tyler and Dallas. Data from 2005 indicates that there are more than 1,500 cancer patients in Hunt and five contiguous rural counties where Hunt Regional Medical Center is the closest cancer facility.

 

The Foundation is involved because, unlike cardiac rehab, cancer rehab is not presently covered by Medicare or insurance.

 

That’s where gifts to the Foundation through support of the 2009 Gala come in. It will take approximately $90,000 to facilitate this program, mostly for physical therapy evaluations, equipment, structural modifications and personnel. The hospital is currently exploring a possible location for the new program which will require 600 square feet of floor space.

 

Smokey Sue offers grim reminder of the consequences of smoking

 

January 5, 2009 - Smokey Sue may look like a toy, but the message it sends is entirely serious. As Sue smokes, tars and nicotine pass through the water around a life-like model of a 7-month fetus. The darkened water is a grim reminder of the pollutants reaching and affecting the developing body.

 

Sue made her debut in Greenville recently at the annual New Horizons Health Fair at which time students were able to observe the demonstration close-up, ask questions and even help in the nicotine “cleanup.”

 

The Hunt County Child Fatality Team used Tobacco Grant Funds from Hunt Regional Healthcare to purchase the set.

The Smokey Sues will be used in the Hunt County area in various educational programs for young people about the dangers of smoking to both the mother and baby.

At left, Megan Brown with the Hunt Regional Medical Center Trauma Department uses “Smoky Sue, Smoking for Two” to show teenagers the effects of smoking while pregnant.

 

The demonstration got the attention of both boys and girls during the New Horizons Health Fair at the Greenville Independent School District recently.

 

Smoky Sue, which actually smokes real cigarettes and processes the tar and nicotine, was purchased for the Child Fatality Team at Hunt Regional Medical Center with Tobacco Grant Funds.

 

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