Archives, July - December 2008 (continued)

REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER RECEIVES CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS FOR CARDIAC AND PULMONARY CARE, RANKED IN TOP 10% NATIONALLY (10/14/08)
Regional Medical Center today announced that it has received the 2009 Specialty Excellence awards for both Cardiac and Pulmonary Care Services from HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings company. These awards place Regional's clinical outcomes in the top ten percent nationally for each recognized area of care.

Other 2009 accolades include:

Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Cardiac Care - Four Years in a Row
Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Cardiology Services - Four Years in a Row
Recipient of the HealthGrades Cardiac Care Excellence Award™ - Four Years in a Row
Five-Star Rated for Total Knee Replacement and Joint Replacement Surgery - Two Years in a Row
Received Highest Possible Star Ratings for Treatment of Heart Attack & Heart Failure - Six Years in a Row
Five-Star Rated for Total Knee Replacement and Joint Replacement Surgery - Two Years in a Row
Recipient of the HealthGrades 2009 Pulmonary Care Excellence Award
Five-Star Rated for Overall Pulmonary Care - Three Years in a Row
Received Highest Possible Star Ratings for Treatment of Pneumonia - Three Years in a Row
Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for GI Medical Treatment
Ranked Among the Top 10 in Alabama for GI Medical Treatment

"Providing the highest quality patient care is not just a catch phrase for us here at Regional. It is a much more personal mission," said CEO Brad Nurkin. "These awards recognize the combined force of employees and physicians who keep the human element alive in the delivery of services."

These findings were included in the eleventh annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, which is the most comprehensive study of its kind, analyzing more than 41 million Medicare hospitalization records from 2005 to 2007 at the nation's approximately 5,000 non-federal hospitals. According to the study, if all hospitals performed at the level of five-star rated hospitals, 237,420 Medicare deaths could potentially have been prevented over the three years studied. More than half of those preventable deaths were associated with four conditions: sepsis, pneumonia, heart failure and respiratory failure.

While overall death rates declined from 2005 to 2007, the nation's best-performing hospitals were able to reduce preventable deaths at a much faster rate than poor-performing hospitals, resulting in large state, regional and hospital-to-hospital variations in the quality of patient care, the study found.

Based on the study, HealthGrades today made available its 2009 quality ratings for virtually every hospital in the country at www.healthgrades.com, a Web site designed to help individuals research and compare local healthcare providers.

PRIMARY STROKE CENTER DESIGNATION A TESTAMENT TO HOSPITAL STAFF'S MISSION (10/1/08)
Providing the highest quality patient care is not just a catch phrase for the staff at Regional Medical Center. It is a much more personal mission.

What makes Regional employees different, what elevates them from the rest? It is the immaterial force and individual knowledge within each employee that when captured and combined, provides the human element of healthcare that is so often missing.

Judging by the numerous national awards, certificates and recognition the hospital continues to earn, it is a powerful equation. In fact, just this week there is reason to celebrate yet another achievement.

Following an extensive on-site review, the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers was received once again, renewing the hospital's distinction as a Primary Stroke Center.

"Regional Medical Center demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients," says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

Achieving Primary Stroke Center designation is an unmatched validation process measured by facility compliance with consensus-based national standards, effective use of established clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care, as well as performance measurement and improvement activities. The certification process recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care, thereby delivering the best care possible to their patients.

"This designation recognizes the outstanding patient care provided collaboratively by the emergency medical responders with our hospital staff and physicians," said Brad Nurkin, CEO. "I am proud of our employees, who prove every day that it takes something more than just doing minimal requirements of a job to make a real difference."
Chief Nursing Officer Daniel Knell is leading the charge in the clinical areas of the hospital, and it is obvious that he is dedicated to keeping the human element alive at every level of patient care.

"Patients who arrive at our emergency department with stroke symptoms are seen within minutes by a designated stroke response team who immediately begin to make vital treatment decisions," Knell said. "This gives them a better chance of recovery with minimal side effects to the brain and body."

The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's statements/guidelines for stroke care. The program, which started in 2003, is the nation's first for accreditation of stroke centers. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.

REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WELCOMES NEW PHYSICIANS (7/08)
Regional Medical Center welcomes six new medical staff members. They are:

William Betz, M.D. (Radiology)
Eduardo Carmona-Gonzalez, M.D. (Psychiatry)
Frank Cuoco, M.D. (Cardiology / Electrophysiology)
Justin Pham, M.D. (Radiology)
Robert Watine, M.D. (Internal Medicine)
Michael Wei, M.D. (Pulmonology)

Regional, where we know you by heart. For more information or for a physician referral, call Nurse Connect at 205-752-5050.

REGIONAL NURSE PUBLISHES INSPIRATIONAL BOOK (7/08)
Gail Pelley, RN, of Regional Medical Center's Nurse Connect physician referral service and medical information line, recently published her first book. Titled Celebrate God: Seeing Him in Everyday Things, the book is a collection of personal short stories that point to the presence of God in everyday life. She says, "You can use them in your search to see God, as well as in your efforts to bring others to Him."

Gail started her journey as an author at the age of 18, when she began writing and collecting stories from her life. However, she didn't begin writing her book until 2001 (and finished it three years later), when her life slowed down a little, and God inspired her to write. Gail worked as a missionary in Vietnam during the war, where she served as director of nursing at a school with 45 Vietnamese girls. Eight stories of her book recount this time period of her life.

Gail plans to start writing a second book soon. Celebrate God: Seeing Him in Everyday Things is available for purchase at Amazon.com and at www.prismhousemedia.com.

MORE THAN "JUST A GYM" - PUTTING YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE (8/08)
Concerned with their weight or how they look in certain clothes, many people join a gym or fitness center hoping to shed some unwanted pounds. While shedding a few pounds or losing a few inches is great, many find themselves in search of something more.

"I've been working out diligently for a month, and I haven't lost a single pound. What am I doing wrong?" "What and how do I eat to get the most out of my fitness regime?" "What kind of lifestyle changes do I need to make to reach my health potential?" These questions and more often plague individual dedicated to putting an end to unhealthy habits.

This is where The Wellness Center at Regional Medical Center steps in. The Wellness Center is more than just a gym - more than just a fitness center. The staff is concerned with an individual's overall well being. Their team of certified athletic trainers, certified aerobic instructors, and exercise technicians are available to help you get on the right track to a healthier lifestyle. "The people who come to the Wellness Center are more concerned with their results than they are with cute outfits and full faces of makeup," says Jim Norton, wellness center coordinator. "We call ourselves a 'Wellness Center' because our goal is not focused solely on 'fitness' or 'working out,' but rather on the total wellness of an individual - from fitness, to nutrition, to lifestyle changes, and even health issue prevention." The Wellness Center has many programs tailored to meet individual needs, and personalized exercise programs are customized for each member.

The Fitness Center
Sit down with a trainer and create a fitness program designed specifically for you. The fitness center offers a full shower facility and lockers. Also included in membership are aerobics classes; including Pilates, yoga, strength training, stretch and toning, circuit training, and core strengthening. The weight room features a top of the line 16-station Cybex Magnum Mix, including a full-size free weight room and free weight benches. There are also three ellipticals, two upper body rowers, eight treadmills, two Stairmasters, four Airdynes and three recumbent bikes. For a small extra charge, the Fitness Center also offers bone density testing, infrared body composition testing, and arterial elasticity testing.

"Each new member receives a comprehensive and personalized health assessment based upon that individual's objectives and health needs, which leads to a one-on-one session with a personal fitness trainer who will tailor a program exclusively for that member," said Norton. "At any time during membership, at the request of the member, the personal trainer will reevaluate the program and determine what can be tweaked so that the member gets the most out of his or her time here. All reevaluations are included with membership."

Enrollment fee is $38; the monthly rate is $37 for an individual, $63 for a couple, and $80 for the family. The Wellness Center also offers quarterly and yearly memberships, student memberships, guest day passes, a fitness card (13 classes or visits, no expiration date), a walk-through program (For people with disabilities, a staff member will assist through entire session, twice a week.), and personal training.

Lifestyle Change Program
A popular program run by The Wellness Center is the 90-day lifestyle change program. The program is a 90-day challenge designed to help you reprogram your lifestyle into a healthy one. The program includes a body composition test before and after the program, an arterial elasticity test, all program books, and weekly meetings with a lifestyle coach.

The program features a three-step challenge. During the first four weeks, the focus is on nutrition. A lifestyle coach will help you learn and understand how to eat right. During the second four weeks, the focus shifts to exercise. You will learn how to exercise correctly using a program that fits into your lifestyle. Finally, during the remaining four weeks, the focus is on self-care - on changing your lifestyle so that you can successfully incorporate and continue your new, healthy lifestyle into the rest of your life.

Health Quest
Health Quest screenings are available for individuals or groups. Show your employees that you care about their health by scheduling a company-wide Health Quest Day, including: body composition testing, weight management workshop, arterial elasticity analyzation, non-invasive or invasive heart risk assessment, and/or osteoporosis screening. Discounts are offered for multiple or group testings. Our professional staff will be glad to answer any questions concerning the prevention and treatment of most disease states or to discuss maintenance programs designed to meet individual needs.

Massage Therapy
Pamper yourself! Perfect for de-stressing after a long week or rewarding yourself for job well done, a massage also makes a great gift for family members or that special someone in your life. The Wellness Center offers one-half and one hour massages and specialty massages such as a hot stone massage, salt glow exfoliation and massage, and a total foot experience. Massage packages are also available. Relax and treat yourself!

Enjoy the benefits of joining a total wellness center, and reap the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Located at 1001 23rd Avenue Suite C across from Regional's campus, the Wellness Center is open to the public and offers many exciting programs tailored to meet your individual needs. To start a personalized wellness program, call The Wellness Center at 205-752-5050. Start living healthy today!

Regional Opens Second State-of-the-Art Cardiac Cath Lab (11/08)
In March 1989, Regional proudly opened the first and only in-house cardiac cath lab in County. Over the years, additional cath labs were added to accommodate the growing needs of the community. Although other cath labs have opened in the area, Regional continues to provide the best equipped cath labs staffed by the most experienced physicians and clinical staff in County.

Recently, Regional renovated and opened a second state-of-the-art cath lab, updating it with the newest version of the top-rated Philips Xcelera, a multimodality cardiology image management, analysis, and reporting solution. According to Philips, the Xcelera R2.2 is a powerful and secure centralized system that addresses efficiency and workflow challenges while helping caregivers manage the multitude of examinations and procedures their patients undergo while receiving cardiac care.

"The XCelera is top notch piece of equipment with all the bells and whistles," says Brenda Neuman, cath lab director. "Our patients are our priority. The XCelera creates a fluid cath lab workflow, allowing our physicians and caregivers to give maximum focus to each and every patient."

Cardiac Catheterization is a diagnostic procedure that allows a physician to see heart problems via x-rays and other readings. The cardiac cath labs at Regional are equipped to handle a variety of interventional cardiology procedures. In addition to clearing blocked arteries, recent advances in heart care have made it possible to treat other forms of heart disease such as atrial fibrillations and atrial flutter in the Electrophysiology/Catheterization Lab.

Some of the other procedures performed include: Angioiet, Angioplasty, Atherectomy, Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Stenting, Drug-Eluting Stent, Rotoblator, Intravascular Ultrasound, Coronary Artery Thrombectomy, and Transradial Catheterization.

Regional Medical Center, where we know you by heart. For more information, call Nurse Connect at 205-752-5050.

Regional Medical Center's Sleep Center in Tuscaloosa Receives Program Reaccreditation (11/08)
Regional Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center recently received program reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

"The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates Regional Medical Center's Sleep Disorder Center on fulfilling the high standards required for receiving reaccreditation as a sleep disorder center," said Dr. Mary Susan Esther, AASM president. "The center is a significant resource to the local medical community and provides academic and scientific value in addition to the highest quality care for patients suffering from sleep disorders."

To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. The accreditation process involves detailed inspection of a center's facility and staff, including an evaluation of testing procedures, patient contacts, and physician training. Additionally, the facility's goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine currently accredits more than 1,500 sleep medicine centers and laboratories across the country.

Regional's Sleep Disorder Center is directed by Dr. Michael Wei and is located at 25097 Olympia Avenue, suite 205. For more information call 205-752-5050.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a professional medical society for clinicians, researchers, and other health care providers in the field of sleep medicine. As the national accrediting body for sleep disorders centers and labs, the AASM is dedicated to setting standards and promoting excellence in sleep medicine heath care, education and research.

Cardiac Rehab Program Teaches Patients a Whole New Way of Life (12/08)
When a patient leaves the hospital after a cardiac event, his quest to achieve a healthy heart is not over. In fact, in many ways, it has just begun. Maintaining cardiac health often takes a complete change in the patient's diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Regional Medical Center takes a comprehensive approach to guiding patients down a new and healthy path, a path that increases their chances for a heart that will serve them well for years to come.

"Cardiac rehab begins before the patient even leaves the hospital. The Cardiac Rehab staff begins working with the patient, helping him or her to increase their level of mobility and educating them on risk factors of heart disease," says Georgia Poggi, RN, Regional's Rehab and Wellness Center coordinator. "After they return home, home health nurses can assist the patient with an exercise program in their home until the patient is physically able to come to the hospital for outpatient sessions."

The duration of the outpatient program is usually between 18 to 36 sessions, depending upon the patient, according to Poggi. A typical session includes a regime of cardiovascular exercise and conditioning, using the stationary bike, treadmill, upper body machine, and recumbent bike. "The goal is to achieve 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise," says Poggi. "We start the patient out slowly and gradually increase the intensity of the workout as the patient's endurance increases."

Registered nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are in the cardiac rehab room at all times to monitor each patient's vital signs throughout their workout. "While the patient is exercising, a nurse is continuously monitoring the patient's heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. In addition, EKG monitoring is used. Based on this information, we can make adjustments in the patient's workout intensity. We also communicate with the patient's physician often and keep them abreast of the patient's progress," explains Poggi.

Still, the Cardiac Rehab Program is not just about exercise. "Education is a very strong component of what we do here," Poggi says. Patients attend classes on exercise, understanding heart disease, risk factors and lifestyle changes, heart-healthy food choices, medications and the heart, as well as one titled "All About Your Heart" so they can understand procedures they have had done. A Cardiac Support Group is available to lend emotional support to both patient and families.

Poggi says that it is extremely rewarding to see the tremendous progress patients make during the course of their therapy here. "The difference is often like night and day. A patient will start the program unable to perform a 10-minute activity without exhaustion. By the time he leaves, that same patient can do 30 minutes of intense exercise. And, best of all, patients are back to doing their favorite activities, such as boating and golfing. That's when they realize it's all worth it."

For more information about the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Regional, please call 205-752-5050.