2004 Media Releases

102-year-old Regional Patient Receives Pacemaker Battery Replacement (12/29/04)
Several years ago, Port retiree Cleda Hatfield was told by her physician that she would need a pacemaker, a device that supplies electrical impulses to the heart to maintain the heartbeat at a regular rate, implanted right away.

"I didn't even know what a pacemaker was," said Hatfield with a laugh. "But once I found out, I immediately asked how long the battery would last."

Hatfield's physician, Sergio Cossu, M.D., remembers looking at her and saying that she was 96, and that batteries in a pacemaker need to be replaced every six to eight years. "Mrs. Hatfield then told me I would definitely be replacing the batteries in her pacemaker," Cossu added.

Now fast forward to December 2004.

Hatfield was admitted to Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Dec. 16 for her "new batteries". Her prediction had come true, and it was time to replace the batteries in the pacemaker that was implanted six years earlier.

Dr. Cossu said he has never performed this type of procedure on a 102-year-old.

The procedure for replacing a generator, or batteries, in a pacemaker typically takes around a half-hour. A small incision is made in the patient's chest, allowing for the generator change, and the patient is usually able to leave the hospital within a few hours.

"[Mrs. Hatfield] is unusual in that she has few co-existing medical problems and is a generally healthy and active individual," Dr. Cossu said. "It just goes to show that pacemakers can enhance the quality as well as the quantity of life."

Dr. Cossu explained the newer pacemakers, similar to Hatfield's, have sensors that can identify when a person is active by their chest wall movement. The pacemaker can raise a person's heart rate in response to increased activity just as a normal heart would.

The word "active" is an understatement if being used to describe Hatfield, who is not only a talented seamstress, but also crochets afghans for the homeless, is an accomplished piano player and a former Port Cultural Center Senior Queen.

"I have done everything," proclaimed the great-grandmother.

Hatfield's daughters seem to agree with their mom.

"She has two big scrapbooks filled with all of her activities and newspaper clippings," offered Hatfield's oldest daughter, Donabel Armstrong. "She's just wonderful, she's always been there for us girls," she finished.

Hatfield's younger daughter, Loleta Ashcraft, described her mother as a "tiger" while recounting how she found her after Hurricane Charley. Hatfield's fourth-floor apartment in Port had the roof torn off during the storm, and it was Saturday morning before Ashcraft and her husband could get to Port .

"We worked our way through the rubble in the building until we got to mother's apartment," explained Ashcraft. "When we looked in, we saw it was just a ruined shell. We eventually found her in the neighbor's apartment - that's where she spent the night - laughing and having a good time," Ashcraft finished.

She added that her mother climbed down four flights of stairs to get out of the building and wasn't even winded.

"She has been the perfect mother, I couldn't have had a better mother. Her mind has always been extremely sharp, and she only asks me for help because she likes the attention," Ashcraft said with a smile.

Hatfield was born in Winslow, Ind. on July 27, 1902. After marrying in September of 1930, Hatfield had three daughters and lived in Terre Haute, Ind., where she was a manager with Diana Dress shops.

After a visit to her sister and brother-in-law in Tuscaloosa, Hatfield decided to retire to the area about 37 years ago, and became active in volunteering for local organizations. Beginning in 1976, she started volunteering at the Port Cultural Center and continued to do so for more than 25 years, eventually volunteering in every department.

"One of my favorite things was to play piano for the 'old folks' at the Southport Square nursing home, even though I was the oldest one there," she laughed.

Dr. Cossu attributes Hatfield's longevity to a combination of good genes and a life-long, healthy lifestyle. But Hatfield has her own opinion.

"I think you have to stay busy, and be interested in what you're doing," she said. "Plus, I just love everybody."

Regional Patient Revisits Hospital After Hurricane Charley (12/9/04)
Wednesday, Dec. 1 marked the official end of the 2004 hurricane season. Ironically, it also was the first time Tuscaloosa resident Shirley Kerley returned to Regional Medical Center since her stay at the hospital during Hurricane Charley on Friday, Aug. 13.

"You don't have any more surprises for me, do you?" Kerley asked M.J. Labbe, RN, with a smile when she saw her.

Labbe, a Regional nurse for the past nine years, was also Kerley's nurse during Hurricane Charley.

"I remember that Mrs. Kerley was admitted to Regional the afternoon before the hurricane hit," Labbe recalled. "Everything was going fine, we were even watching the progress of the storm together through the second floor windows."

"We were also boosting each other's spirits," Labbe added.

Then 4 o'clock came around.

Labbe explained the window in Kerley's hospital room was one of the first to blow inward as a result of the storm's winds.

"It was kind of scary in a way," Kerley said. "The hospital was running on generators by that point, so we had no access to TV reports. One of Regional's nurses caught my bedroom window as it blew in. Then, I was moved into the hall along with other patients so that we'd be safer," the 80-year-old great-grandmother finished.

Kerley said that through the night, the RMC staff stayed calm and professional.

"They were all very, very good," Kerley offered. "They didn't leave us [patients] alone, they kept us informed of what was going on outside and stayed calm while doing their jobs. I know they must have been worried about their families and homes, but they stayed calm despite that."

Kerley was in the second group of patients to be transferred out of Regional early on the morning of Aug. 14.

"When we looked out into Regional's parking lot, it looked like Christmas with all of the emergency vehicles' lights," she described. Kerley was taken with another patient in an ambulance to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and remembers looking out the ambulance windows at the silhouettes of all the downed trees along I-75.

Kerley, who's own home was damaged during the storm, was discharged from Regional the day after her recent admittance. In fact, she planned on attending her prayer group meeting that very afternoon.

REGIONAL RECEIVES HEALTH CARE CODING RECOGNITION (12/8/04)
Regional Medical Center has been recognized as one of the Top 200 hospitals in the United States for complete and compliant coding, according to a study performed by HSS, Inc.

Regional is the only hospital in the area, and one of three in Alabama to receive this recognition.

The study, which focused on a total of 3,925 hospitals, analyzed the 2003 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) file and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report Card. According to HSS, Inc., the study split hospitals into four groups: rural non-teaching, urban non-teaching, minor teaching and major teaching. The top 50 hospitals in each category were identified as "top performers," an indication of effective documentation and coding practiced in each of the four groups.

"Regional Medical Center is being recognized as one of the Top 200 hospitals for compliance and coding of Medicare claims," explained Linda Ehret, CCS, Regional's coding supervisor.

Ehret added the hospital has four nationally accredited coding specialists, with a combined total of 37 years of experience, who process thousands of patient charts per year.

"Both Regional and Health Management Associates, our parent corporation, stand behind the theory that in order to provide a higher quality of service to our patients, it's important for employees to maintain their education and credentials," said Ehret. "In following this theory, our coding specialists are involved in constant continuing education. They are also required to complete annual assessments to maintain their coding credentials.

Our hospital stands behind the enrichment and education of our employees for the benefit of this community," she finished.

Originally, code assignment was intended for the collection of health care data and statistics. This has evolved to encompass billing information as well. What is ultimately coded on an individual's health record could influence future insurability - increasing the importance of accurate coding.

"Our coding staff has worked very hard to earn this recognition and I am proud to work with such a great group of ladies," stated Julie Bennett, RHIA, Regional's director of health information services.

More information on this study is available at www.hssweb.com.

RMC Once Again Named One Of The Nation's 100 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals (11/11/04)
Regional Medical Center has been recognized once again as one of the nation's best cardiovascular hospitals in 2004, according to a study that produces an annual listing of top-performing hospitals.

The study conducted by Evanston, Ill.-based Solucient, objectively measures performance on key criteria at the nation's top performing acute-care hospitals. This is the fifth time Regional has been recognized with this honor.

The 2004 Solucient 100 Top Hospitals award recognizes Regional for superior clinical, operational and financial performance, Solucient said in announcing the award winners. Regional earned commendable marks for demonstrating top-notch patient care and is highlighted as a leader when performing acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and coronary bypass graft (CABG) procedures.
The award-winning hospitals treat more and sicker patients; their patients experience fewer complications, go home sooner, and have higher survival rates; and the top-performing hospitals provide care less expensively than non-winning hospitals, Solucient says.

"The management teams at the 100 Top Hospitals have led their facilities to the highest performance levels in the nation by adopting new approaches that facilitate optimum care for patients, based on their real needs," says Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president of Solucient's Center for Healthcare Improvement that is responsible for the 100 Top Hospitals program. "The greater use of hospice services at these organizations is a reflection of this commitment."

CEO Josh Putter says Regional's consistent 100 Top Hospitals awards are a tremendous achievement and a well-deserved tribute to the hospital's staff. "I'm extremely proud of this latest accomplishment," Putter says. "Our employees, medical staff, board and volunteers all contribute to the continued success of Regional, and their efforts clearly show when we earn awards like this."

Among the key findings:
Although they are sicker than ever before, more coronary bypass patients across the nation are surviving surgery, and at higher than anticipated rates. The Solucient 100 Top Hospitals Cardiovascular award winners are leading the nation in this new trend.

The results showed a significant increase in the severity of co-morbidities and complications, which translated into a higher "expected" death rate of five more patients per 1000 by 2003. However, contrary to this expected rise in CABG mortality, the study shows the reverse: a significant decrease in the actual death rate of five patients per 1000 by 2003.

If cardiovascular services in all acute-care hospitals performed at the same level as the hospitals with the nation's top cardiovascular services, 4,200 additional cardiovascular patients could survive each year; and an additional 1,600 patients could be complication-free.

Winning hospitals are 35 percent less likely than non-winners to have post-operative infections and 20 percent less likely than non-winners to have post-operative hemorrhage for patients undergoing CABG or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Winning hospitals annually perform twice as many bypass surgeries and PCIs, including angioplasties, as their peers.

Cardiovascular patients at winning hospitals return to everyday life faster than those at non-winning hospitals. Patients at the winning hospitals were released more than a half-day earlier than patients at peer hospitals.

Average cardiovascular-related costs for benchmark hospitals were nearly 13 percent lower than at peer hospitals.

The sixth edition of the Solucient 100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success study analyzed acute-care hospitals nationwide using detailed empirical performance data from publicly available Medicare MedPAR data and Medicare cost reports.

Solucient scored facilities in seven key performance areas: risk-adjusted medical mortality, risk-adjusted surgical mortality, complications, percentage of CABG patients with internal mammary artery use, procedure volume, severity-adjusted average length of stay, and wage and severity-adjusted average cost.

Riverside Behavioral Center Reopens (10/1/04)
On Monday, October 4, Regional Medical Center's Riverside Behavioral Center will host a press conference to announce their reopening after damage due to Hurricane Charley. Riverside is County's only facility for medically compromised psychiatric patients.

The conference will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the main entrance to the Riverside building located at 1001 23rd Avenue Suite C, Tuscaloosa (directly across Olympia Ave. from Regional).

EVACUATION NOT A PART OF REGIONAL'S PRE-STORM PREPARATIONS (9.2.04)
Regional Medical Center continues to work toward total recovery in the wake of Hurricane Charley, a careful eye also has been placed on Hurricane Frances, destined for the east coast of Alabama on Saturday.

After careful consideration of all available information, and at the recommendation of the Office of Emergency Management, Regional Medical Center will not evacuate its facility. However, the hospital is continuing to follow all emergency preparedness procedures to ensure the safety of its patients and staff.

"As healthcare providers, we will continue to do what we do best - care for our patients," said CEO Josh Putter. We are dealing with an entirely different and reduced threat than we faced just weeks ago, and we are confident that all processes are in place to ensure continued care in our facility in this instance," he added.

As part of the hospital's emergency preparedness management plan, the hospital has already inspected and tested primary and secondary internal power sources, communications systems, patient care equipment and ensured that all life-sustaining resources are in ample supply. A readiness and response mechanism for additional staff is in place as well.

"Though there is a level of relief that we are not the target this time," Putter said, "our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents and healthcare providers on the East Coast who are bracing for the impending storm."

Regional Offers Free Supplies to Persons With Ostomies (8/26/04)
Thanks to a donation from the County American Cancer Society's ostomy cupboard, Regional Medical Center (RMC) is offering free supplies to persons with ostomies who may have lost supplies due to the storm, have no funds available to purchase supplies or who need supplies on a short-term basis until their regular supplier can be reached.

Regional is also offering ostomy care and assessments by an ostomy nurse for those requiring this health care service.

Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing skin changes due to an injury, rash or skin infection, please go to the nearest emergency room for an evaluation.

For more information, please contact Penny Maki at 205-752-5050 or the County American Cancer Society at 205-752-5050.

Regional's Rehab and Wellness Center to Host Health Fair (5/20/04)
On Wednesday, June 9, Regional's (RMC) Rehab and Wellness Center will host the free of charge "Cross the Bridge to Wellness" health fair, at its Port location from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This health fair is the first in what will hopefully become an annual event for area residents.

"We are excited about being able to offer this event in Port ," says Jose Morillo, director of Rehab and Wellness Services at RMC. "This is an excellent opportunity to get quick medical screenings that can give you an idea of your health status and if you should consider being further evaluated by a physician," he continued.

Morillo added this is also a great opportunity to visit RMC's rehab facility in Port , which houses state of the art equipment and a uniquely qualified, professional staff.

Screenings to be offered include bone density, body composition and blood pressure among several others. In addition, there will be a mini-massage station, refreshments and plenty of giveaways for those attending.

"Most of the screenings can be conducted fairly quickly, however, if you're planning on participating in the bone density screening, we are asking that you make an appointment ahead of time by calling the Wellness Center at 205-752-5050," Morillo said.

The Port Rehab and Wellness Center is located at 1931 Tamiami Trail, #8 in the LTM Party shopping center. For more information, please call the Rehab and Wellness Center at 205-752-5050

Regional Exceeds Fundraising Goal (5/17/04)
The final count is in, and Regional Medical Center (RMC) raised more than $20,000 for the County March of Dimes WalkAmerica event.

It couldn't have been done without the dedication of team members such as Nancy Ross, a psychiatric technician in the hospital's Riverside Behavioral Center.

"My cousin's little girl, Gabrielle, was born three months premature and now has cerebral palsy," offers Ross. "I feel that everyone can make a difference, and decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. [WalkAmerica] was a wonderful experience and I am grateful that the March of Dimes is looking out for our future. I can't wait to do it again next year," Ross finished.

In addition to the efforts of individual team members, bake sales, car washes, garage sales and raffles for various prizes are just some of the ways the Regional team was able to exceed the original goal of $14,000. There was also a dunk tank event, where RMC administration and doctors volunteered to take their turns in the dunk tank seat, and creative contests such as the musical chairs "cake walk" event.

"We are so proud of what we were able to accomplish as a team," says Josh Putter, chief executive officer of RMC. "Everybody pitched in and did their part to help make this event a successful one."

In the end, the County WalkAmerica event raised almost $90,000 for the Southwest Coast Division of the March of Dimes.

Bottoms Up for Babies at Regional (4/2/04)
Many of Regional's doctors and administrators took their turns in the dunk tank on Friday afternoon as part of the hospital's fundraiser for the March of Dimes Walk America event. To date, the hospital team has raised more than $3,600 toward their ultimate goal of $14,000.

Regional Valentine's Day Walk/Run a Success (3/1/04)
The results are in, and the Regional Medical Center (RMC) Heart Challenge walk/run was a success!

"We were very impressed with the event's turnout and felt it was a great race," said Jim Norton, RMC wellness center coordinator. "We want to thank everyone who made it possible - from the participants to the High School (CHS) volunteers, Zoomers running club and the YMCA, who donated use of their Edison Community College facility to us."

Norton said that there were a total of 102 participants at the Valentine's Day event, which raised just over $1,200 for the CHS wrestling team.

Regional Introduces Goodwill Ambassador, Scrubby Bear (3/1/04)
Hold onto your honey jars, 'cause there's a new bear in town!

There's been no shortage of smiles at Regional Medical Center (RMC) lately - due in large part to the hospital's newest employee and general goodwill ambassador, Scrubby Bear.

"We are thrilled that Scrubby Bear has arrived," said Danielle Dreher, director of marketing and public relations at RMC. "In coming months, Scrubby Bear will be working hard and making appearances at area schools, daycare centers, retirement homes and other community functions - spreading the word about the importance of healthy eating habits and regular exercise," Dreher finished.

For example, during his presentations to local elementary schools, Scrubby Bear will distribute coloring books and crayons and help to illustrate the importance of a healthy lifestyle - no matter what age you are.

In the meantime though, Dreher said he's concentrating his efforts on introducing himself to hospital staff and patients…bringing an unexpected element of surprise to their day.

So what are the initial reactions to Scrubby Bear?

"Scrubby Bear is great - we love him!" said Janet Robles, RMC employee. "He's very fun to have around and we hope he'll come back to visit our unit soon!"

Regional Employee to Compete in Upcoming Tae-Kwon Do Event.
Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Athlete. Runner. Survivor. All these words could be used to describe local resident Carol Russell.

Perhaps the most miraculous of these descriptions is that of survivor. Russell was never supposed to live past the age of 25.

At age 19, while at a sports car race with her husband in Washington state, Russell was struck by a car and dragged for 47 feet, crashing through three fences along the way. Doctors told her family that if she survived the accident, she wouldn't live to the age of 25 and she certainly wouldn't walk again.

"Almost every bone in my body was broken," said Russell, now a Tuscaloosa resident. Her list of injuries included a compound fracture in her right ankle, a broken back, two broken legs, seven broken ribs, a broken left hip and a cracked pelvic bone.

Defying her doctors' initial prognosis, Russell persevered 3 years in a wheelchair, 2 years on crutches and 4 years using a cane before experiencing a full recovery. Since that time, Russell has competed in a total of seven Boston Marathons, placing third overall one year, and taking the first place spot in the over-age-40 category another.

"God blessed me with a healthy body, and for me to abuse and not take care of it - well that's the worst thing I can think of," explained Russell, a Regional Medical Center employee.

In addition, to competing in several Boston Marations, Russell took the gold medal in the All Women's International Marathon held in Germany in 1978 (beating out competitors from 111 countries) and participated in the Rowdy 24-hour run in Cranston, R.I.

"Competing in marathons thrilled my heart - since I couldn't even walk to my mailbox without experiencing pain for many years following the accident," Russell offered.

Finally though, Russell decided to switch gears when she began having knee trouble.

"After my knees gave out, running was too painful. So, I decided to take a few years off," said Russell. When she was ready to exercise on a regular basis again, she decided to take up Tae-Kwon-Do and contacted Shuman's ATA Black Belt Academy in Port .

That was seven years ago.

Since that time, she has won two Tae-Kwon-Do World Champion titles (in 2000 and 2001) and plans on trying for a third at the World Championship competition later this year in Little Rock, Ark.

In the immediate future, Russell plans on competing at the March 6 Super Regional Tournament, in the "Forms and Weapons" category, at High School.

Regional Initiates New Volunteer Security Program (2/11/04)
days out of each week, David Myers can be seen walking the halls and maneuvering golf carts around the Regional Medical Center campus.

It's all part of his position as the tireless organizer and the first to volunteer for the RMC volunteer security program - comprised solely of retired police officers, fire fighters, EMTs and paramedics.

"I came to RMC six months ago and had two stints placed in my heart," explained Myers. "I was treated so well that I wanted to give something back to the hospital."

He started by volunteering to drive the courtesy shuttle between the hospital and parking lot. When RMC Director of Facilities Management George Sorbino learned that Myers had a law enforcement background, he asked Myers if he would be interested in volunteering as a security officer.

Myers was. In fact, he organized and assembled seven additional retired law enforcement officers, whom he met through his affiliation as a former volunteer with the County Sheriff's Office Special Deputy program, to form the first volunteer department of its kind at the hospital.

"We felt this was a perfect way to supplement our existing security staff and better serve our patients in an ever-changing environment," explained Sorbino. "Our volunteer security officers will be a visible force in and around the hospital campus - monitoring hallways, corridors and parking lots," Sorbino finished.

Before retiring to Tuscaloosa 13 years ago, Myers worked in the law enforcement arena as both a state marine police officer and as a sergeant in the Bristol Boro Police Department (located outside of Philadelphia). He is no stranger to volunteer security departments either. He originated the first auxiliary police force in Bristol Boro, Pa., and was a squad leader at the volunteer unit of the County Sheriff's Office, stationed at the County Airport.

"As RMC volunteer security officers, our primary function is to be seen around the hospital campus," offered Myers. He added that the hospital is looking to build upon its volunteer security unit. Any retired law enforcement officers interested in participating should fill out a volunteer application at Regional.

Jumpstart Your Heart Rate this Valentine's Day with the Regional Heart Challenge Run and Walk (2/6/04)
While many are expecting to receive flowers, candy or love notes this Valentine's Day, the first 100 participants of the Regional Medical Center (RMC) Heart Challenge will be receiving T-shirts!

Jumpstart your heart rate on Saturday, February 14 by participating in the 3rd annual Heart Challenge at Edison Community College (ECC). All proceeds will benefit the High School (CHS) wrestling team.

"The Heart Challenge race evolved from the Ranger Romp, a run that used to be held at Ranger Stadium in Port ," explains Jim Norton, coordinator at the Wellness Center at RMC. "About two years ago, we decided to start the Heart Challenge and have been donating all proceeds to the CHS wrestling team."

Norton added that last year's proceeds paid the way for several high school wrestlers to attend a wrestling camp they wouldn't otherwise have been able to.

Local Tuscaloosa running club, Zoomers, will be coordinating the start and finish lines and will also be providing timers along the 5K, or 3.1 mile, route. Additionally, the race will take place entirely on pavement, not grass. Walkers are encouraged to participate as well as children - there will be a one mile fun run for kids. The pre-registration fee is $12 and registration the day of the race is $15, beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the YMCA on the ECC campus.

An energy breakfast will be provided, as well as trophies to the winners, gift bags and random drawings for prizes. There is no rain date - the race will take place weather permitting

Step Up, Alabama comes to Regional Medical Center (2/6/04)
On the way to its final destination of Tallahassee, the flag representing the "Step Up, Alabama" campaign made a stop at The Wellness Center at Regional Medical Center on Friday morning.

At the Wellness Center to receive the flag was Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Manager Rachelle Andreu, R.N. and pulmonary rehabilitation patient Joseph Wingard. Wingard carried the flag while exercising on a treadmill before handing it over to campaign representatives for their next stop.

As Friday was Wingard's last day in the pulmonary rehabilitation program, carrying the fitness flag was a fitting end to his accomplishment. He's been working out three days a week for the past month.

"Through rehabilitation, we're able to get patients back to their normal, everyday activities such as making a bed, playing a game of golf or even returning to work on a full-time basis," explained Andreu.

Activities such as this are precisely what the Step Up, Alabama campaign is working to promote.

The month long campaign, spearheaded by the Alabama Department of Health, is designed to promote awareness of active lifestyles and the different physical activities available to Alabamians. Started in the Alabama Keys, the campaign will travel three different routes with scheduled stops in Alabama counties before reaching the final destination in Tallahassee for the opening day of the Alabama Legislative session on March 2.