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HSCMC NEWS DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY NOW OFFERED AT HSCMC
HSC Medical Center has enlisted a new ally in the fight against breast cancer. Digital mammography is a new technology that is now be available at HSCMC.
Mammograms play a key role in the early detection of breast cancer. Now, digital mammography offers benefits over traditional film-based mammograms. Digital mammograms produce images that appear on the technologist’s monitor in a matter of seconds. There is no waiting for film to develop, which can mean a shorter time at the hospital for the patient.
With digital mammography, the radiologist reviews electronic images of the breast, using special high-resolution monitors. The physician can adjust the brightness, change contrast, and zoom in for close ups of specific areas of interest. The sharper, clearer images allow more accurate readings and may even reduce the number of repeat exams. And since digital mammography delivers a 30-40% lower dose of radiation, it is a safer procedure for the patient.
Because they are electronic, digital mammography images can be transmitted quickly across a network. The digital images can also be easily stored, copied without any loss of information, and transmitted and received in a more streamlined manner.
According to Dr. Shawn Marvin, radiologist at HSC Medical Center, “Digital mammography offers more advanced technology for the women of this community. It will present clearer breast imaging which can produce earlier detection of breast cancer and a better survival rate.”
Sheila Williams, HSCMC CEO, says, “We are proud to offer digital mammography to the women of our community. It is our goal to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients and adding this state-of-the-art technology allows us to do just that.”
For more information about digital mammography or to schedule an appointment, call 501-332-7373.
CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry) July 5th was the official Go-Live date for CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry) at HSC Medical Center, according to Dee Schall, Chief Nursing Officer. The addition of CPOE is one of the requirements to meet Stage 1 of the legislation passed in February 2009 by Congress for adoption of an Electronic Health Record (EHR). There are three stages which must be achieved by 2015 in order to avoid penalties for non-compliance. HSCMC has been working diligently for many months to upgrade hospital systems and train hospital staff and physicians on CPOE. A training library was set up and classes for nursing staff and physicians were held several times weekly. The HSCMC Auxiliary purchased new computers for the training lab which provided a top notch training environment. Super-users were identified and assisted with training. All house supervisors were trained as super-users. The electronic format of CPOE will resolve medical record concerns such as legibility and dosing issues, ultimately leading to improved patient safety. Physicians enter their orders on laptop computers that are conveniently located throughout patient care areas and in the doctor’s lounge at HSCMC. Schall notes, “Physician acceptance and participation is critical to the success of CPOE. Our medical staff has supported the program and committed their time to learning the new system.” Dr. Ray Bollen, HSCMC Chief of Staff, says, “CPOE is the new reality in health care that physicians must accept. It will take a little time and patience for the medical staff to get used to CPOE and we are all working hard to master this new technology.” Catrina Gantt Promotion Catrina Gantt, RN, has been named the Clinical Nurse Analyst for HSC Medical Center, according to Dee Schall, RN, Chief Nursing Officer. Gantt has been working with clinical software upgrades including the implementation of CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry) for the last two years. She will be responsible for training staff on the use of these systems and will be working with all clinical components to streamline the use of the systems. Gantt will also be coordinating HSCMC’s efforts to meet the new federal guidelines for “meaningful use”. The hospital will be required to implement several more components to meet the “meaningful use” requirements and she will be working with all clinical areas to ensure a smooth transition is made. At HSCMC, Gantt served as the Medical-Surgical Nurse Manager for the past three years. Schall says, “Gantt did a wonderful job in that role and I know she will do an equally wonderful job in her new position.” Gantt will continue as the nurse manager on Med-Surg until a replacement for her can be found. Auxiliary for Volunteer week The HSC Medical Center Auxiliary is a group of volunteer men and women who provide their personal time and energy to support HSCMC through a variety of duties and fund raising. Just in the past year alone, over 8000 hours were volunteered at HSC Medical Center by this group of 35 members. In existence for over 50 years, not only is the Auxiliary invaluable to HSCMC but is also a very rewarding experience for the volunteers themselves! Auxiliary volunteers handle many different daily duties. Possibly the most visible responsibility is greeting and directing visitors through Information Desks in the Lobby, ER waiting room, and second floor hallway. Auxilians also transport patients to correct departments; make deliveries to patients, employees, and departments; distribute mail and newspapers; assist in meal tray delivery; maintain the waiting areas with fresh coffee and magazines; and any other job that may be requested of them. The Auxiliary adopts special outreach projects such as the WHALE program, which is a car safety seat occupant identification program of the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association. The volunteers willingly assist with other projects such as hospital health fairs, the diabetic support group, and Foundation fundraisers. A new focus for the Auxiliary is the promotion of Medic Alert, another program backed by the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association. Through this program, the public is provided information needed to enroll in Medic Alert. Participants in Medic Alert receive a bracelet to wear with an 800 telephone number to be used by any emergency service. Through that phone number, medical information about the participant is provided so appropriate treatment may be delivered. This service is especially helpful for heart and diabetic patients, as well as other patients who have chronic health problems. Medic Alert will also have emergency contacts on record for the participants. The Pink Lady Gift Shop in the lobby of the hospital is staffed by Auxilians and all profits from sales in the shop are put back into the hospital. The gift shop offers practical items such as toiletries and snacks for patients and family members, but also showcases attractive decorating and gift items including jewelry, handbags, seasonal décor, baby gifts, made-to-order gift baskets, and more. The Pink Lady Gift Shop is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other fund raising activities of the Auxiliary include book sales, jewelry sales, uniform sales, and gift wrapping. The proceeds from all these projects support scholarships for nursing students and equipment and projects for HSC Medical Center. In the past year, the Auxiliary has donated over $78,000 in money and equipment to the hospital. As a member organization of the Arkansas Hospital Association’s Auxiliary division, the HSCMC Auxiliary was recognized with the 2010 5-Star Rating for the auxiliary’s accomplishments and improvements during 2009-2010. The Auxiliary also received the Community Service Award for its work with the “Open Door Ministry” which provides food and other necessities for needy families in the Hot Spring County area. Vickie Shuff is the Director of Volunteer Services and The Pink Lady Gift Shop manager for HSCMC. The Auxiliary officers include Winifred Wheat, president; Mary Evelyn Lawrence, first vice-president; Jawan Gray, second vice-president; Marguerite Cranford, treasurer; and, Opal Morris, secretary. The Auxiliary welcomes all applications from interested persons wishing to become a volunteer. For more information about the Auxiliary, contact Vickie Shuff at 501-332-1011. To apply to become a volunteer, pick up an application at the Pink Lady Gift Shop or contact a member of the Auxiliary for an application.
HSC Home Care HSC Home Care, the home health agency at HSC Medical Center, provides home health services to people with medical problems or injuries in the comfort and security of their own home. HSC Home Care serves a 35 mile radius outside of Malvern that includes areas in Hot Spring, Dallas, Clark, Grant, Garland, and Saline counties. Home Health services cover nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and home health aide visits. To qualify for home health, you must be under a physician’s care and be homebound. Home Health is normally covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Home health is usually necessary when a person has recently been hospitalized or has new medications, has a new diagnosis, and requires teaching, or has had surgery, injury, or a life changing event happen. We assist patients in remaining at home with intermittent assistance to be safe, have increased knowledge, and recover from injuries or surgeries that have taken place. Registered nurses provide skilled nursing care in the home, functioning under the direction of the patient’s physician. The RN develops the plan of care, takes vital signs, assesses patients, teaches, and provides injections, IV medications, Foley catheter care, wound care, and lab work if ordered by the physician. The physical, occupational, and speech therapists assist patients with recovering or increasing their activities of daily living that may have been impacted by a disease, surgery, or injury. Home health aides assist patients with personal hygiene needs and are supervised by the RN’s or therapists. The patient must have a qualifying skill and an RN or therapist to qualify for home heath aide assistance. A home health visit by any of these services would be 30 minutes to an hour in length. HSC Home Care is fully staffed at this time with RN’s, therapists, and home health aides. For more information about HSC Home Care, please call 501-337-4471.
Stress Testing
Cardiac stress testing is non-invasive and provides an easy screening test to determine if a patient needs more invasive cardiac testing or if the physician needs to look for another cause of any symptoms. Patients who may need cardiac stress testing include those who have a history of cardiac issues, shortness of breath, fatigue, hypertension, abnormal holter or EKG results, or chest pain. Stress testing may also be used to monitor cardiac maintenance issues after a cardiac procedure. New and upgraded stress testing equipment was recently purchased through a donation from the HSCMC Auxiliary. The testing is done in a small lab housed in the Outpatient Center. Lydell Hays is the technician who handles the stress testing. HSCMC protocol requires that two ACLS staff and/or referring physician are present during the testing. The stress test itself takes less than 15 minutes. During the exam, the patient walks on a treadmill with a goal of increasing their heart rate by 85%. Once that target has been reached, the pace on the treadmill gradually slows down. The entire time, EKG, blood pressure, and heart rate are being monitored. The results of the test are printed and delivered to the referring physician for his analysis. Cardiac stress testing may be scheduled at HSC Medical Center Monday through Wednesday from 7 am to 3:30 pm. Cardiac stress testing must be physician ordered. Local family practice and internal medicine physicians, as well as referring cardiologists, may order the exam. For more information about stress testing at HSCMC, contact Carver at 501-332-7375.
Hospital Week
Dr. Ray Bollen, Chief of Staff at HSCMC, comments, “With so many small town hospitals closing, this week the citizens of Hot Spring County have the opportunity to express their thanks that HSC Medical Center continues to provide excellent care for our community. I am grateful for the support shown to our hospital and its fine staff and extend my sincere thanks to HSCMC for the high quality of care it offers.” Chairman of the HSC Medical Center Board of Directors, Kimball Davis, thinks that “our county hospital is one of the best around! I am proud of my association with our hospital and all of the people that work here. I think our community knows how great our staff and administration are, and how hard they all work to keep our community as healthy and happy as possible. I am glad this week is dedicated to showing our hospital employees that we appreciate them and their hard work. They all deserve a pat on the back!”
Nurses Week
At HSC Medical Center, National Nurses Week will be celebrated on May 12th at 6:30 a.m. The Leadership Team will host a pancake breakfast and slide show of the year in review for the nursing staff. “We have some of the most dedicated nurses I have ever had the privilege of working with,” says Dee Schall, Chief Nursing Officer. “In honor of National Nurses Week, I would like to thank each and every nurse for the compassion and wonderful care you give to our patients. I really appreciate our caring staff.” Schall adds, “Our nurses are here because they want to be at a facility that gives them the opportunity to give the bedside care they want to provide. Competition for nursing staff is tough since we are located within driving distance of several large facilities but many of our nurses like the community hospital atmosphere as opposed to some of the larger hospitals. The staffing ratio is good and the nurses get to know our patients”. Over 175 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, mental health technicians and certified nurse assistants are employed at the hospital. For most HSCMC nurses, this is their primary job but many of them have positions at other facilities such as Arkansas Heart Hospital, Baptist Medical Center, National Park Medical Center and others. Sheila Williams, CEO of HSC Medical Center comments that “the purpose of this week is to raise awareness of the value of nursing and of the role nurses play in meeting the healthcare needs of our community. Nurses work tirelessly to promote and maintain health within Hot Spring County—not only at HSCMC but also in our clinics, nursing homes, home health, schools and other facilities throughout our community.” Chief of staff Dr. Ray Bollen says, “Hot Spring County is truly blessed to have excellent nurses who are dedicated to providing consistent quality care. Please remember to take a moment this week to show appreciation for the compassionate and hard working nurses that are so vital to our community. A heartfelt thanks to each one of you!” As Kimball Davis, Chairman of the Board, states “Our hospital is incredibly blessed to have such an experienced and talented nursing staff supporting our hospital and caring for our patients. Their compassion and care is unparalleled and they are the backbone of Hot Spring County Medical Center.”
The Banquet opened with a Welcome by Williams and an Invocation by Craig McDaniels. Kimball Davis, HSCMC Board Chairman, was introduced as the guest speaker. Dinner from Western Sizzlin’ was served in the HSCMC Home Health Conference Room, which was specially decorated for the event. The presentation of awards followed the dinner. Those employees honored included: Lanita Beard and Charlotte McCollum, twenty-five years; Glenda Ponder, twenty years; Iris Clegg, Bridget Henderson, Sharon Jones, Sheila Robinson, and Cindy Williams, fifteen years; Deborah Hays, Paul Mickle, Susan Minge, Mary Presley, and Sheila Williams, ten years; Toni Aldridge, Pamela Cansler, Melanie Draper, Vicky Emberton, Sammy Fox, Ann Gasper, Paul Hankins, Mary Jane Motes, and Daniel Spayde, five years. The Awards Banquet is an annual event to recognize employees who have served HSCMC for at least five years.
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