Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Physician
FOCUS News for South County Hospital Medical Staff September 2012
This Issue
Message from Medical Staff President
New Residency Program
STAR Program®
New Colleagues
Close to the Summit
CME Opportunities
On the Bookshelf
Mark Your Calendar!
Of Interest
A Word With Fred Browne MD
5 Questions with...U r o l o g y A s s o c i a t e s , I n c .
Q:A:
Q:A:
What lifestyle changes can a man make to decrease his risk of prostate cancer?No specific actions directly affect prostate cancer in the way that, for example, non-
smokers can generally avoid bladder cancer. All heart healthy behaviors, however, are associated with at least a modest reduction in prostate cancer risk. Decreasing intake
of saturated fats, reducing percent body fat, and avoiding tobacco all may provide benefit. Literature supports intake of cruciate vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, as well as moderate supplementation of vitamins D, E and selenium, to reduce the risk of prostate disease. There is no good evidence that mega doses of vitamins are beneficial.
An enlarged prostrate is quite common amongst men. What are the latest treatment options available?
New medical therapies for prostate enlargement, also known as BPH, include Cialis, which is newly approved to be taken daily as a smooth muscle relaxer thereby improving flow and reducing voiding symptoms. Coverage is limited to those who
have failed standard therapies. A new combination pill, Jalyn, includes two drugs for BPH, an alpha blocker, tamsulosin (marketed as Flomax) and a prostate shrinking medication, dutasteride (also known as Avodart). The components have been around for many years and have a proven track record. New surgical therapies include laser treatments: vaporization of the obstructing tissue with a high power KTP (Green Light) laser, or enucleation of tissue using holmium laser energy followed by endoscopic morcellation. Laser therapies for prostate have been in use for more than 10 years and recent improvements are promising. The traditional TURP, transurethral resection of the prostate, using electric cutting current has been the gold standard for the past 50 years. Matching the patient and prostate to the procedure is the most important factor for success.
Continued
For Expert Care, Look No FurtherQ: Urologists treat men and women. What are the most common female complaints/diseases?
Urinary incontinence and recurrent infections are the most typical presenting problems for which women seek urologic care. Evaluation is focused on identifying A:
Perhaps you missed it, but you can be certain tens of
thousands of Rhode Islanders watched Robert Marchand, M.D., and his remarkable patient, Tony Medeiros, during a Channel 10 piece about MAKOplasty and partial knee replacement. If you didn’t see the story, it featured an 81-year-old former marathoner who’d been sidelined due to knee pain. Three months after surgery, he ran his first 5K race. You cannot buy this kind of
powerful coverage. Chances are, you have a patient who would make a compelling news story and help get the word out about a procedure you are doing, a disease that is under-treated, a scan that can save lives. The media is the best way, by far, of letting the public know about your specific skills, whether it be in treating Lyme disease, healing a wound, or simply giving someone back their quality of life. Everyone has a story—what’s yours? If you have a terrific patient story, please contact the Marketing Department at 788-1606.
Medical Staff President
Physician Focus is a publication to serve the medical staff of South County
Hospital. Questions or comments should be directed to Martha Murphy at 401 788-1606 or Jane Goodger at 401 788-1137.
Medical Staff Officers
Medical Staff President Leon D. Puppi, MD
Vice PresidentWilliam Sabina, MD
Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Rameaka, MD
Help Us Help You! Patient Stories Are Compelling
A TV or Newspaper StoryGives You Advertisingthat is Effective and Free
Press Ganey Survey Participation Sees Small Gains in 2012
Members of the
medical staff were recently asked to take a Press Ganey survey, and I’m pleased to report that participation has improved from the last time this was done. That said, there is still room for improvement, as the chart here illustrates. The purpose of the survey was to determine areas of Hospital operations that need improvement. Of the 175 physicians on the medical staff, 68 of you—or 38 percent of the medical staff—completed and submitted the survey by deadline.
The Hospital’s Anesthesiologists had the highest percentage of participation—77.78 percent. Of the nine anesthesiologists on staff, seven submitted a survey. Only one group, pathologists, failed to be heard from in sufficient numbers on this round; at least three surveys must be submitted by a department for the information to be deemed “significant” by Press Ganey. That means, unfortunately, the pathologist who did take the time to complete the survey is not represented in the data. You will be asked to fill out a Press Ganey survey only once every few years. While I’m
pleased to see an improvement in participation, I hope those numbers are even better next time. This anonymous survey is an important communication tool and one that can lead to a better work environment for you and, ultimately, better care for your patients. Everyone’s voice should be heard.
Medical News/Surgical News
Pharmacy Residency Program Set to Start in July 2013
Next July, South County Hospital will launch a first-year residency
program for post graduate pharmacists, a move that will greatly benefit physicians. “These kids will be here to be work-horses and to learn but also to provide information to physicians on the floor,” Director of Pharmacy Services Jon Mundy said. The Hospital’s Department of Pharmacy will bring on two graduate pharmacists for a 12-month residency program. “We have the perfect model to
establish a residency program. We’re a small hospital, with a clinically advanced pharmacy and we offer a number of innovative programs that are beneficial to a residency program,” Mundy said. Jackie Costantino, who has completed a American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists [ASHP] residency, will be Residency Program Director. Currently, students graduating from URI’s College of Pharmacy must go out of state if they want to pursue a first-year residency hospital program. The program, fully funded by Medicare, will be the only such first-
year pharmacy residency in the state (Lifespan’s Rhode Island Hospital does offer a second-year residency program). Once the residency program is up and running, ASHP will conduct an on-site survey as part of its accreditation protocol. “It’s a very grueling accreditation process. My colleagues have told me the ASHP survey makes the Joint Commission survey seem like a walk in the park.”
Jon Mundy can be reached at [email protected].
Good News for Cancer Patients! South County Hospital launches STAR Program® Program helps cancer patients increase strength and energy, alleviate pain, and improve daily function and well-being
A highly-regarded cancer rehab program called STAR (which stands
for Survivorship Training And Rehab), developed by Julie Silver, MD, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, is now available at South County Hospital. Dr. Silver, herself a cancer survivor, realized the need after completing her treatment. “I felt sicker than I had in my whole life,” she recalls, “but I was told to accept ‘the new normal’.” This unacceptable news got her thinking. “If you have a heart attack, you get rehab. If you have a stroke, you get rehab. But cancer patients got nothing,” she notes. Her observation was confirmed by other sources including a 2006 Institute of Medicine report
titled From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, highlighting the deficits in survivorship care and recommending it become a distinct phase of cancer treatment. Dr. Silver, a leading expert in rehabilitation medicine, decided to do something about that and co-founded Oncology Rehab Partners (www.oncrehab.com), dedicated to developing an in-depth, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program specific to cancer patients. Today, Oncology Rehab Partners trains clinicians at some of the best cancer centers across the county, including Johns Hopkins, in STAR care. Achieving STAR certification is a rigorous undertaking and requires intensive training, giving clinicians the tools they need to offer excellent oncology rehabilitation care. At South County Hospital, 25 staff members from diverse areas including physical rehabilitation, diet and nutrition counseling, and
mental health counseling are now STAR-certified. “Survivorship services, including oncology rehabilitation, are imperative to cancer care,” Dr. Silver notes. “Every cancer survivor should be offered the opportunity to heal as well as possible and function at an optimal level whether their cancer is cured, in remission or they live with cancer as a chronic disease.” For more information about the STAR program at South County Hospital, contact Sherri Zinno at 788-1695 or [email protected].
A Word With Fred Browne, MD
Mark Your Calendar
First 100 Days: A lot Accomplished, More to Come
Prostate Cancer Screening: Sept. 15
The Hospital and Urology Associates, Inc. is sponsoring a free prostate cancer screening. Saturday, Sept. 15, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Hospital Lobby (patients will be directed where to go) Tell your patients! Remember, screening save lives!
STAR Program lecture: Sept. 19
A panel of staff members certified in the STAR Program for cancer rehabilitation will give a lecture. Wednesday, Sept. 19 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Potter Conference Center
New Medical Staff Reception: Sept. 20
All new medical staff, hired between December 2011 and September 2012, are invited.
Thursday, Sept. 20 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hospital’s main lobby Light hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served. Spouses and partners are welcome.
When anyone starts a new
position, it is natural to have a set of goals and plans for the first three months of work. The presidents of the United States famously look at their “first 100 days” to gauge how successful they’ve been in completing their set goals. I’ve decided to do the same. When I started as your Vice President of Medical Affairs back in May, I had a long discussion with Lou Giancola and reviewed the Hospital’s Strategic Plans and we came up with the following goals: 1. Review medical staff bylaws, peer review policies, and meet with each Departmental chief to assess the strengths and opportunities for improvement in each department and the medical staff. 2. Meet with primary care physicians
in their offices to identify and address their concerns. 3. Develop two long-term strategies: (1) develop a strategy for primary care physicians and specialists to prepare physicians and the Hospital for a global payment system. (2) work with physicians to develop a physician dominated governance structure for a hospital-affiliated multi-specialty group. I am pleased to say that we are making great progress on all fronts. As you know, the Board has initiated a process to determine whether our Hospital needs to affiliate with a larger system to address changes in the healthcare marketplace. I can assure you that we will work closely with the medical staff to ensure that you are kept apprised of each step in that process and involved in any decisions made. Most recently we have engaged a consultant—Hammond
Hanlon Camp LLC (H2C)— to help us explore the healthcare market, our current situation, and advise us on future strategies. I will be arranging for them to meet with members of the medical staff to obtain your input. I am grateful for the support of the medical staff in modifying the peer review process. To date, we are caught up on any backlog and are getting full involvement from all of the department chiefs. We have scheduled an education session on October 15 where we will get more information on peer review from Attorney Paul Verardi from Horty, Springer and Mattern to help us further refine our process to match national standards. I look forward to continuing my work with the physicians on the staff of the Hospital as we face the many challenges ahead.
Cover Story
Continued from Page 1
Attention Parents of High School Athletes!South County Orthopedics
sports medicine physicians are holding a sports medicine seminar for athletes, parents, all southern Rhode Island coaches, assistant coaches, P.E. teachers, and athletic directors. According to the CDC, high school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations annually. Parents
of athletes have no doubt spent at least one night in the Emergency Department with their child due to a sports injury. Spotting these injuries, working to prevent them, and proper treatment are some of the topics that will be addressed at this event. The physicians will discuss common sports injuries, and how to prevent and treat them. .
A:
Q: A:
What: Sports Medicine Lecture
When: Tuesday, October 23, 6:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m.
Where: SC Orthopedics Sports Performance, 10 High St., Wakefield
Who: South County Orthopedics Physicians
and treating the particular causes; for example physical stress-related leakage, such as with a strong cough or heavy lifting, versus urge-related leakage associated with overactive bladder. Painful bladder conditions such as interstitial cystitis disproportionately affect younger
women. Kidney stones, while more common in men, are also a significant and frequent reason for women to see a urologist. We also seek to collaborate with our Gynecology colleagues in situations where both skill sets are needed.
Viagra is the most well-known med for E.D., but are there other alternatives that can help? That are better? Is surgery ever required?
Since the availability of Viagra made treatment of erectile dysfunction more convenient and discrete, other similar drugs, Cialis, Levitra and now Staxin ( a less expensive version of Levitra) are available. For men with adequate cardiac function and no need for nitroglycerine-related medication, these are
all options. Direct treatments such as the vacuum erection device or urethral suppositories can all be safely used alone or in combination with pills for added effect if required. Penile injection of vasoactive medications is a technique that predates Viagra and, for motivated men, is both safe and reliable. Men need some training and are cautioned that this method can produce priapism, an erection lasting more than four hours. Although many ads for pills warn of priapism, oral meds are almost never associated with this side effect. Men are encouraged to try all the above treatments before considering penile prosthesis placement. Surgery is rated as highly satisfactory by men and their partners who make this choice but with all the above options it is relatively uncommon. Vascular surgery is mostly of historic interest and rarely reported even at specialized centers.
John Heffernan, MD
Joseph Heineman MD
Andrew Dreslin, MD
Arnold Sarazen, MD
Richard Zuerner, MD
Q: What sets your practice apart from others of its type?
A: Urology Associates of Wakefield and Newport RI have been consistently and dependably providing high quality care to our patients and support to our colleagues and hospital communities since the
practice was founded in 1963. We are honored to treat each patient with gentleness and respect and hope to continue in service for another 50 years.
Do You Want To Submit an Idea/Story for Next Issue?
Contact Jane Goodger at [email protected] or 788-1137
Medical Staff News
Department Chiefs
AnesthesiologyJohn Grahm, MD
Diagnostic ImagingRichard Black, MD
Emergency MedicineWilliam Sabina, MD
MedicineStuart Demirs, MD
Family MedicineDariusz Krostrzewa
OB/GYNJeffrey Joseph, MD
Pathology/LaboratoryJames Carlsten, MD
PediatricsRoger Fazio, MD
Orthopedic SurgeryDavid Burns, DO
SurgeryJames McCormick, DPM
Our medical staff continues to score well on the Press Ganey
survey on patient satisfaction, which has helped the Hospital’s ranking as number one in patient satisfaction in RI for 11 straight quarters. One more quarter in the 99th percentile and the Hospital will be awarded the prestigious Summit Award.
The Summit Award is given to hospitals that score better than 95 percent of all other hospitals surveyed for 12 consecutive quarters. According to Press Ganey, “Recipients of the Summit Award truly set themselves apart from the competition. They do so by demonstrating their dedication to improvement and sustaining excellence in both quality of care and patient satisfaction.” The Hospital’s medical staff outshone their counterparts at other RI hospitals, with 85 percent of patients who responded to the survey reporting excellent communication from their doctors. That does represent a slide of 2 percent; last quarter that statistic stood at 87 percent. Still, that places South County
Hospital doctors in the 90th percentile of the 10,000 healthcare facilities surveyed. Physicians scored in the 84th percentile for treating patients respectfully, in the 86th percentile for listening skills, and the 90th percentile for the ability to explain treatments in a way that is understandable. In the
chart above, the medical staff scores at South County Hospital are highlighted in green, clearly showing superiority both in the state and region for the areas surveyed. To give you an idea how difficult it is for a Hospital to receive the Summit Award, last year only 37 hospitals in the entire country achieved this distinction. The American Hospital Association lists 5,754 registered hospitals in the U.S. Patient satisfaction is measured using a highly detailed questionnaire, which is mailed to everyone who has used the Hospital. All hospitals in the state of Rhode Island—and more than 10,000 other healthcare organizations nationwide—use Press Ganey to measure “patient satisfaction” on an ongoing basis.
Physicians Score High in Latest Press Ganey Survey
Welcome to the Medical Staff!
CME Opportunities
Jennifer Yee Yan Fung, MD
Jennifer Yee Yan Fung, MD, has joined the Hospital as a Hospitalist. After receiving her medical degree from the SUNY Downstate, in Brooklyn, NY, Fung completed her residency in categorical internal medicine from the Alpert Medical School at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, where she was supervising resident. She received her BA from Columbia University in biological sciences and pre-medical concentration in Asian America Studies.788-1590; [email protected]
Diane Pallante Hall, MS, RN, PCNS
Diane Pallante Hall, MS, RN, PCNS comes to South County Hospital from Psychological Centers in Providence. A University of Rhode Island graduate, where she received her Master of Science/Mental Health Nursing, Hall has an advanced academic background in mental health nursing. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, a nursing honor society, at URI. She received her Bachelor of Science/Nursing degree at Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ. 788-1277; [email protected]
Elizabeth Raposa, NP
Elizabeth Raposa, NP, comes to the Hospital from The Miriam Hospital, where she worked as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts, Adult Acute/Critical Care Nurse Practitioner. She completed a four-month preceptorship with the Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Service at The Miriam Hospital. Raposa was a Charlestown Ambulance Emergency Medical Technician volunteer for nine years. 782-8010; [email protected]
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific MeetingWhen: November 8-13, 2012Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CADescription: The meeting will offer an exciting array of educational sessions for physicians and allied health professionals, as well as some fantastic social events. Learn more.
Isocyanates and Health: Past, Present and FutureWhen: November 1-2, 2012 Where: Natcher Conference Center, NIH Campus, 45 Center Dr., Bethesda, MDDescription: The purpose of this international multidisciplinary conference is to identify and discuss the latest knowledge and important issues on the health effects of isocyanates, including current best evidence about exposure monitoring, environmental controls and clinical management. Learn more.
50th CLINICAL CONGRESSWhen: November 4-6, 2012Where: Simulation Center, Tampa General Hospital and Embassy Suites, Tampa Fla.Description: This program is designed for the practicing surgeon and physician in other medical specialties interested in abdominal pathology, its diagnosis and treatment. Special attention will be given by presenters to assist the attendees in gaining knowledge and current skill practice attitudes of abdominal surgeon professionals. Learn more.
The Back Page
Of Interest...Nine RI Hospitals Penalized for Hospital Re-Admissions, Providence Business News. South County Hospital is included in list of hospitals in this article. The Route of Physician Burnout, The Atlantic. Article looks at the reasons behind the high levels of burnout among physicians.Doctor Shortage May Swell to 130,000 with Cap, Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Medicaid limits the number of residency programs, which is contributing to the shortage. See article.
On The Bookshelf...
You Need Help by Mark S. Komrad, MDThrough a combination of user-friendly tools and real-life stories, Komrad offers step-by-step guidance that will help you help your loved one. He will assist you in determining when professional help is needed, choosing when and how to make the first approach, gathering allies, and selecting the right professional.
ASSUME THE PHYSICIAN: Modern Medicine’s “Catch-22” by John F. HuntThe book is written through the eyes of a bright family practice intern, Dr. Eddie Marcus. A satirical novel, it’s a humorous look at the “ridiculousness of the systems in which we work.”
Understanding Patient Safety, 2nd edition, by Robert Wachter.The essential book for anyone seeking to learn the core clinical, organizational, and systems issues of patient safety. Written in an engaging and accessible style by one of the world’s leading authorities on patient safety and quality.
Nantucket’s Seafood Secret!
99 Washington Street Ext.Nantucket, MA 508-228-4599
Derek Andelloux MD, a Family Medicine
practitioner working out of the Medical & Wellness Center, shared a great secret that tourists who rent cottages on Nantucket Island may not know—Sayles Seafood Market. The market will give you a “clambake to go,” including freshly steamed lobster, drawn butter, chowder, steamers, corn on the cob—the entire clambake packed for you to take back to your summer house.
Bakes start at $36 per person. Andelloux and his partner often spend time on Nantucket catching up with old friends, and Sayles Seafood Market is almost always part of their plans.
If you have a great getaway or travel tip, please share it here. Email Jane Goodger at [email protected]
