may 2006
SOMC Receives Chest Pain Center Accreditation
May 31, 2006 » SOMC has received full accreditation status from the Society of Chest Pain Centers.
"By meeting these national standards, we have dedicated ourselves to the early recognition of symptoms, diagnosis, treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome, and prevention of coronary artery disease," Amy Beinkampen, director of Heart and Vascular services, says.
SOMC is the 24th accredited Chest Pain Center in Ohio and the 262nd in the nation.
Dr. William Angelos is the Medical Director of the Chest Pain Center and chairs the Chest Pain Committee that meets monthly at SOMC.
"Chest Pain Accreditation is a concept," Dr. Angelos says. "It does not mean that we have to have a physical chest pain unit in the ED, but that we meet key criteria elements that prove national standards of excellence. However, a Chest Pain Center (CPC) or Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) is being planned in the new facility construction. This will be an observation unit that will be used for the ‘rule out’ period of a chest pain diagnosis."
"Our true goal is to give excellent service to our population, to make them aware of early recognition and treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes," Beinkampen says.
The Chest Pain Center’s protocol driven and systematic approach to patient management allows physicians to reduce time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack, when treatments are most effective, and to better monitor patients when it is not clear whether they are having a coronary event. Such observation helps ensure that a patient is neither sent home too early nor needlessly admitted.
SSU, SOMC Nurses Participate In Skin Study
May 30, 2006 » Nurses face many physical challenges in the course of a day on the job. Two organizations have conducted an unprecedented local study to see if nurses' skin is affected by cleansers and latex gloves.
For the first time, Shawnee State University and Southern Ohio Medical Center have conducted a joint study on the effects of continual hand-washing among nurses in a variety of hospital settings.
The study's preliminary conclusions revealed that nurses using germicidal cleansers and latex gloves had skin impairment, with a relationship evident between the impairment and the use of latex gloves.
Students in SSU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, under the supervision of SSU Nursing Professors Barbara Conn, MS, RN, and Beth Bullock, MSN, RN, conducted the program after being awarded financial support from the Shawnee Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF).
The students presented the report, "The Effects of Frequent Hand Washing With Germicide Cleansers As Compared to Latex Gloves on the Hands of Nurses," May 18 at Shawnee State's Celebration of Scholarship.
"These students developed the proposal, wrote the grant application, were awarded SURF support and made history being the first joint research project of its kind for SSU and SOMC," Conn says.
The pilot project was reviewed and approved by SOMC's Internal Review Board and conducted April 10 – May 6, Bullock explains.
"Twenty-five nurses from five units within the hospital participated in the students' pilot study," she says. "The RN study participants were surveyed for details about the conditions of their hands, and maintained a log of details related to their hand washing for four weeks with hand photographs during the period to review skin integrity."
Seven students committed more than 300 hours toward the project and were awarded one quarter hour of college credit. The students included SOMC registered nurses Marlene Carter, Adriann Cooper, Cathy Evans, Kim Malone, Kara Penley, Phyllis Thieken and Megan Whisman.
"This pilot project study has started what we hope will be a powerful foundation of data to support addressing important issues within the nursing profession," Conn says. "We hope to continue the project at SOMC as a hospital-wide study including all nurses with conclusions and revisions of data collection tools from these initial results."
Notre Dame Students Decorate Quilt For Hospice Patient
May 24, 2006 » Third-grade students in Wanda Dengel’s class at Notre Dame Elementary School recently presented Hospice patient Nan Webb, 90, (seated) with a quilt and greeting cards during a visit to Minford Retirement Center. Mrs. Dengel’s classes have presented a Hospice patient with greetings and a quilt for three consecutive years. The quilt was assembled by Donna Kayser. Pictured with Webb, Dengel and the students are Minford Retirement Center Administrator Jeanetta Collins, Executive Assistant Tina Brown and Susan Goins of Hospice of Southern Ohio, part of Southern Ohio Medical Center.
500 Participate In Hike For Hospice
May 24, 2006 » More than 500 participants supported care for the terminally ill in the 20th annual Hike for Hospice May 20. About $35,000 was raised in the non-competitive 5-kilometer walk, which included many individuals as well as teams representing businesses and organizations. Helen Lewis (right), shown with Sheila Riggs of Hospice, was the eldest walker in the event at 95 years young and is a member of the Golden Bears of Shawnee State University. Hospice of Southern Ohio is part of Southern Ohio Medical Center.
Irwin Nurse Manager
May 23, 2006 » Julie Irwin, RN, has accepted the position of Nurse Manager on 3 North A at Southern Ohio Medical Center. Irwin has worked at SOMC since 1996, serving as a staff nurse on 3 North and then assistant nurse manager on 3 North. She is a 1994 graduate of Shawnee State University with an associate degree in nursing and is currently pursuing a BS and BSN degree from Shawnee State University.
Irwin resides in Jackson with her husband Craig and four children, Zachary, Allyson, Madison and Delanie.
Lynn Chamberlin will assume the role of Nurse Manager for 3 North B after six years of success managing both 3 North A and B.
Byler Assistant Nurse Manager
May 23, 2006 » Jill Byler, RN, has accepted the position of Assistant Nurse Manager on the Monitored Care Unit at Southern Ohio Medical Center. Byler joined SOMC in 1999 with 15 years’ experience. She has experience as a Charge Nurse for MCU and has done Relief Nursing Supervision. Byler has two daughters, Nicole and Kristen.
Monitored Care provides specialized nursing care to cardiac patients, medical/surgical patients, hemodialysis patients and onocology patients.
SOMC Nurses Support Homeless Shelter
May 22, 2006 » SOMC Nurse Phyllis Thieken, who is working on her bachelor of nursing degree at Shawnee State University, organized a drive among nursing students to collect canned and dry goods for Operation Safety Net, the Scioto County Homeless Shelter. Shown are (from left) SSU nursing instructor Sharon Scott, nursing students Marlene Carter, Cathy Evans, Thieken, Megan Whisman, Ann Cooper and SSU nursing instructor Anna Gampp.
SOMC Team Prepares For Haz-mat Disasters
May 22, 2006 » Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Decontamination Team welcomed specialist Marty Carlton (left) of Zumro, Inc., during the set-up and practice sessions for a new inflatable decon shelter at the hospital. In preparation for multiple hazardous material exposures, the team practiced opening and deploying the shelter in the parking lot adjacent to the Emergency Department. The shelter includes an extensive portable cleaning and containment system for decontaminating victims of hazardous material exposure to get them into the Emergency Department quickly without endangering others in the hospital.
Back To Work After A Stroke
May 22, 2006 » A familiar face is back to work. Charles Day, 76, has returned work at Wolff Clothing following a stroke in March that left him unable to walk.
"I thank God for what He has done to help me through this, and the Rehabilitation staff at SOMC and the physicians who cared for me," he says.
SOMC Offers Free Valet Parking Beginning June 5
May 22, 2006 » SOMC will begin offering free valet parking services to patients and visitors on the main campus this summer, Craig Gilliland, SOMC director of financial services and facilities recently announced.
"We want to make access to our hospital as convenient as possible for patients and visitors," Gilliland said. "We're very excited about offering this free service to our community. With expansion plans in the works for our main campus, this is an opportune time to add valet parking. Our patients can now pull right up to the front door without having to navigate their way into the building, finding a parking spot or walking across the lot in bad weather."
SOMC has contracted with Healthcare Parking Solutions, an experienced vendor, who will provide the valet parking service.
"Healthcare Parking Solutions has an exemplary reputation," Gilliland said. "They are professionals in the field of valet parking and have the same commitment to quality service that all members of the SOMC family share. We believe this is a wonderful partnership that will benefit all our patients and visitors to the main campus."
The new service will begin June 5 on the SOMC main campus at both the front entrance on the north side of the building and the entrance to the Emergency Department on the south side. All patients and visitors to the hospital may use valet parking free of charge.
Pictured, an SOMC employee helps a visitor from her car in front of SOMC’s Main Entrance.
New Air Medical Helicopter Slated for Portsmouth
May 19, 2006 » An agreement has been reached between two non-profit air medical services and a regional ground ambulance provider to initiate 24-hour medical helicopter services in Portsmouth, Ohio. MedFlight of Ohio and HealthNet Aeromedical Services will jointly support the new helicopter base in partnership with Life Ambulance Service.
"This type of joint agreement is unprecedented in the air medical industry," said Chip Sovick, HealthNet’s President and CEO. "The two air medical partner entities have a strong history of safety, quality and exceptional customer service. By combining efforts for the Portsmouth base with an established, community-focused ambulance service we will be providing cost effective critical care transport services to the residents of southern Ohio, northeastern Kentucky and West Virginia."
Rod Crane, President and CEO of MedFlight of Ohio, said, "By joining with HealthNet and Life, we can now offer additional services to the region. Both air medical organizations are strong non-profit entities that have a community focused mission that directly goes toward transporting patients. Our ambulance partner has a strong history of growth and active involvement in the communities they serve," he continued. "We search for new and innovative ways to meet our customer needs. This is an excellent example of the spirit that the partners share."
A new AS350-B2 "A-Star" aircraft will be based in Scioto County by September 2006. However, improved access to air service in the Portsmouth area will come much sooner. "Beginning in June, MedFlight and HealthNet will temporarily re-position helicopters to the Portsmouth area on a rotating basis," Crane said. "Both flight programs want to solidify our partnership with the surrounding community."
Aviation services for the venture will be provided by Air Methods Corporation of Denver, Colorado. All aircraft pilots and mechanics will be employees of Air Methods. "The partners pride themselves on the recruitment and retention of high quality aviation professionals," Sovick said. "The pilots all have thousands of hours of experience in helicopters and are afforded extensive initial and recurrent training. Safety in flight operations is our top priority."
"This project is an estimated annual investment of $2 million in the community," said Clinton Burley, Base Manager of HealthNet’s Huntington, WV operation. "This makes a strong, regional economic impact."
HealthNet Aeromedical Services was formed in 1986 and has safely completed more than 45,000 patient missions. Headquartered in Charleston, W.Va., HealthNet operates four helicopter bases throughout West Virginia. Sponsor hospitals of the HealthNet system include Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston and West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown. HealthNet is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems. (CAMTS).
MedFlight of Ohio was formed in 1995 and operates six helicopters, five mobile ICU ambulances and two medically configured airplanes. The company is governed by a consortium of hospitals including OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, and Akron General Medical Center. MedFlight is also the preferred provider of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. MedFlight of Ohio completes approximately 10,000 combined patient transports a year and is CAMTS accredited.
Life Ambulance Service was formed in 1985 and operates 76 ambulances and three Mobile Intensive Care Units. The privately held corporation is based in Portsmouth, Ohio, and operates emergency vehicles in Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia.
LIFE Center Welcomes New Massage Therapist
May 17, 2006 » The SOMC LIFE Center staffs are proud to welcome Meredith Barger, MT, Licensed Massage Therapist. Meredith is a graduate of the Massage Therapy program of Hocking College in Nelsonville, OH. Her specialty areas include deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, massage for Fibromyalgia patients, and trigger point release.
Meredith is now scheduling new clients. Massage services are available by appointment at all LIFE Center locations in Portsmouth, Wheelersburg and Lucasville. To schedule with Meredith call (740) 356-7353.
Variath In Physician Guide
May 11, 2006 » Reena Samuel-Variath, MD, FACP, FABHP, has been included in the Consumer’s Research Council of America’s "Guide to America’s Top Physicians." Dr. Samuel-Variath is a practicing nephrologist on staff at Southern Ohio Medical Center. She is also a clinical professor of internal medicine at the Ohio College of Osteopathic Medicine as a member of the Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education. She is board-certified in Nephrology, Internal Medicine and Clinical Hypertension.
The Consumers’ Research Council of America is an independent research company based in Washington, DC, that evaluates professional services throughout America. No fees or donations are accepted from physicians or medical treatment facilities to insure unbiased selection.
LIFE Center to Help Form Road Runners Club of America
May 11, 2006 » Runners of Scioto County and the surrounding area, in cooperation with the SOMC LIFE Center are forming a chapter of the Road Runner's Club of America. The first meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at the SOMC LIFE Center, 1202 18th St. All runners, walkers, run/walkers, cyclists, multi-sport athletes, those interested in learning to run and running enthusiasts are welcome to attend. This non-profit group is being formed to promote long distance running as a competitive sport and as a healthful exercise. The club plans to establish quality programs and events to support running, runners and supporters of the sport at all stages in life. The first meeting will include an informal open forum to establish the running needs and goals of the running community.
Ashley Awarded Certification
May 11, 2006 » Wendi Waugh, director of SOMC Cancer Services, has announced that Heather Ashley, RN, BSN, OCN, has earned certification as a Breast Health Navigator. With this certification Ashley serves as a breast health program coordinator and patient navigator, assisting patients with answers to mammograms with suspicious results.
For more information about SOMC Cancer Center programs, call (740) 356-7490.
Khoury Promoted at OU
May 11, 2006 » Dr. Terry Johnson, Assistant Dean for Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, is proud to announce that Thomas L. Khoury, MD, has been promoted to the rank of Clinical Professor in the Department of Specialty Medicine at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Khoury’s faculty appointment as a clinical faculty member of the Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education (CORE) has been renewed for the college’s 2006–2009 triennium.
Dr. Khoury is a general and vascular surgeon at Southern Ohio Medical Center and Southern Ohio Surgical Associates.
Urgent Care Center Celebrates 10 Years of Service
May 8, 2006 » Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Urgent Care Center, 8770 Ohio River Rd., Wheelersburg, will celebrate 10 years of serving the community with an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21. Tours, refreshments, giveaways and visits for children with Scrubs the Health Hound are planned.
The Urgent Care Center has excelled in quality care approaches in the past two years, with patient satisfaction scores now among the best in the nation.
"We have implemented new processes and brought our scores from the 38th percentile two years ago to the 93rd percentile among health care facilities nationwide in our most recent quarterly survey," Nurse Manager Sherry Foster says.
The facility is designed as a faster alternative to Emergency Department visits.
"The Urgent Care Center provides care for minor illness and injuries in a quick and easy manner," Medical Director Craig McGlone, MD, says. "Colds, coughs, flu, sore throats, ear aches, vomiting, allergies, rashes and other similar illnesses can be handled here."
Dr. McGlone says the Urgent Care staff can also treat minor injuries involving cuts, sprains and broken bones including the ability to perform x-rays. Illnesses such as chest pain, severe abdominal pain, strokes, or major trauma require a trip to SOMC’s Emergency Department.
"Typically if it’s something that can simply be treated with medication, stitches or a brace and then the patient can be sent home, we can handle it," he explains. "If the patient will need a lot of blood work, IV medications or possibly a stay in the hospital then it’s probably an Emergency Department problem."
Dr. McGlone says the advantage to coming to the Urgent Care is time. "Usually you will be in and out within an hour," he says. "In addition, the cost for an Urgent Care visit is less than the Emergency Dept. and most insurance will have smaller co-pays for the Urgent Care."
He adds that using Urgent Care helps free up Emergency Dept. physicians for critical emergencies.
The Urgent Care staff includes 18 employees. Two physicians, two certified nurse practitioners, a nurse manager, six nurses, four x-ray technologists, a lab technologist and six registrars work on various shifts at the Urgent Care Center.
The public is welcome and encouraged to visit the center during the open house. For more information call (740) 574-9090. The facility is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Local Woman Receives Ramp From Volunteers
May 2, 2006 » Life Ambulance and the men of the "Coat of Many Colors" program at Cornerstone United Methodist Church recently worked with Dr. George Pettit and Mandee Cyrus, social worker with Southern Ohio Medical Center’s HomeHealth Care, to construct a wheelchair ramp for area resident Joann Mumaw, who has progressive multiple sclerosis. Shown with the newly completed ramp are (from left) Tom Toleman, Dr. Pettit, and Carlos Guilliams.
