care newsletter - august 2011

In this issue:

Page 2: Research Medical Center Celebrates Level One Trauma Center Designation

Page 5: Healthy Habits Corner

Page 6: Research Medical Center Opens 30-Bed Behavioral Health Unit

1: 27th Annual Practical Cardiology Symposium

Page 13: TIA Clinic at Research Medical Center

editor:Denise Charpentier VP, Marketing/PR

(816) [email protected]

layout/writer:

Mike RalstonDirector, Marketing/PR

(816) [email protected]

ReSeARCH MeDICAL CenTeR • A PUBLICATIOn fOR eMPLOYeeS • AUgUST 2011

CARECOMPASSIOn. ATTITUDe. ReSPeCT. exCeLLenCe.

On June 22 the American Heart Association honored Willie Edward Lawrence, Jr., MD, at its annual Awards Luncheon, naming him its national Physician of the Year. Dr. Lawrence, an interventional cardiologist for Midwest Heart Associates in Kansas City, was honored for his work as a patient advocate and for his efforts to fulfill the mission of the American Heart Association to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Lawrence was honored nationally for his expertise and compassion as a physician and volunteer leader with the American Heart Association,” said Kevin Harker, executive vice president for the American Heart Association’s Midwest affiliate. “He is truly a local hero and community leader who is dedicated to changing and saving lives from heart disease and stroke.”

In private practice and in public and political sectors, Dr. Lawrence has championed the American Heart Association’s 2020 Impact Goal. He strongly believes that health disparities must be eliminated to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent and to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent.

“In the nearly 20 years that Dr. Lawrence has devoted to patient care in an underserved area of Kansas City, he has inspired many as a prevention-focused leader,” said Kevin J. Hicks, chief executive officer at Research Medical Center. “When 12 cardiologists in his 14-member group moved to a suburban location last year, he recruited cardiologists to fill the void and rebuilt his practice in the underserved urban Kansas City community.”

Dr. Lawrence is chief of the Division of Cardiology at Research Medical Center and the director for Midwest Heart Associates. He is the founder and director of Research Medical Center’s Congestive Heart Failure program and the medical director of the Midwest Heart Associates’ Center for Wellness.

As president of the American Heart Association’s Midwest affiliate for the last two years, Dr. Lawrence served as the affiliate’s lead volunteer scientific and medical officer, responsible for medical, scientific and public health matters.

Dr. Lawrence received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his medical internship and residency at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He completed his cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In addition to his service with the American Heart Association, his committee board involvement includes president, Board of Directors, Heartland Fencing Academy, immediate past and co-president of the Harvard Club of Kansas City, and regional vice president of admissions, Phillips Exeter Academy.

American Heart Association Names Willie Lawrence, Jr., MD,

National Physician of the Year

11ReSeARCH MeDICAL CenTeR • A PUBLICATIOn fOR eMPLOYeeS • AUgUST 20112

According to the Trauma Center Association of America (TCAA), traumatic injuries—such as motorcycle and car crashes, assaults

and falls from significant heights—are the cause of nearly 170,000 deaths each year in the United States. That accounts for

400 deaths each day—many of which can be prevented. In its continuing commitment to the community to provide excellent

medical care, Research Medical Center has been named a Level One Trauma Center, the highest level designated by the Missouri

Department of Health. This designation reflects Research Medical Center’s dedication to provide advanced life-saving emergency

and trauma care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To become a Level One Trauma Center, Research Medical Center—which is celebrating its 125th year of serving the Greater

Kansas City metropolitan area— had to meet stringent regulations and each member of the trauma team, including physicians,

surgeons and nurses, met strict education requirements.

H. Scott Bjerke, MD, FACS, medical director of the Trauma Program, says trauma is 100 percent preventable and Research Medical

Center will expand community education regarding trauma prevention. “Trauma is the leading cause of death among children and

adults below the age of 45,” says Dr. Bjerke. “According to the TCAA, traumatic injuries are the leading cause of disability among

Americans.”

Research Medical Center has five trauma surgeons on the Level One Trauma Center team, a hand surgeon, plus two orthopedic

traumatologists who can provide care for complex pelvic fractures. “It’s not often that a designated Level One Trauma Center has a

specially trained orthopedic traumatologist, let alone two,” says Carla Sage, Trauma Center service director.

Research Medical Center also provides education support to outlying rural facilities and local Emergency Medical Service

providers. “These efforts will enhance our mission of ensuring that medical professionals receive optimal education to maximize

our trauma care,” says Dr. Bjerke.

Kevin J. Hicks, chief executive officer at Research Medical Center, says that the Level One Trauma Center designation aligns

with the hospital’s leadership in comprehensive care for patients. “The Level One Trauma Center is a valuable resource to the

community that is available all the time,” he says.

Note: View more photos of the Level One Trauma Celebration on our Facebook page - - www.facebookcom/researchmedicalcenter

Research Medical Center Celebrates Level One Trauma Center Designation

Highest level of trauma care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to care for traumatic injuries

(From left): Kevin J. Hicks, H. Scott Bjerke, MD and Smokey Dyer (From left): Steve Burr, Kirk McCarty and Jackie DeSouza Emergency and trauma care 24 hours a day, seven days a week

ReSeARCH MeDICAL CenTeR • A PUBLICATIOn fOR eMPLOYeeS • AUgUST 2011 3

Four HCA Midwest Health System Hospital Breast Centers Approved by NAPBC

HCA Midwest Health System recently announced that four of its hospitals have been granted a three-year/full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Research Medical Center have received this prestigious designation.

Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo an in-depth evaluation process and review of their performance.

During the survey process, each of the four HCA Midwest hospitals demonstrated compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who

are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement. Stephanie Graff, MD, medical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer at The Breast Care Program at Midwest Cancer Care at Research Medical Center says the NAPBC

accreditation assures patients and family members are getting the highest quality breast care. “And not just for those affected by cancer, but for screening mammography, education and prevention services,” says Dr. Graff. “We offer everything from digital mammography and breast cancer prevention services to complex multi-disciplinary breast cancer care including medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology and plastic/reconstructive surgery. Our NAPBC accredited team is committed to health and hope.” The NAPBC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to the improvement of the quality of care and monitoring of outcomes of patients with diseases of the breast. This mission is pursued through standard-setting, scientific validation, and patient and professional education. Its board membership includes professionals from 15 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care. Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services

• A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options

• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options

And, most importantly,• Quality breast care close to home.

Centerpoint Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Research Medical Center recognized for their commitment to comprehensive, quality breast care

Stephanie graff, MdMedical Oncologist

First Quarter Recognition AwardsTop paTienT SaTiSfacTion

6th Floor • Neuro/Ortho Unit

MoST iMproved UniT 5 East

Making a difference

MRI


U.S. News & World Report Honors Daniel Murillo, MD, and Gregory Starks, MD

U.S. News Media Group recently announced U.S. News

Top Doctors, a free searchable directory available at www.

usnews.com/top-doctors that lists nearly 30,000 peer-

nominated physicians across the country. Daniel Murillo,

MD, and Gregory Starks, MD, were among those recognized

in U.S. News Top Doctors.

U.S. News Top Doctors was created in collaboration with

Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., publisher of America’s

Top Doctors and other consumer health guides. It draws

from Castle Connolly’s database of Top Doctors, all

recommended for their clinical skills by other doctors

and individually vetted by a physician-led research team.

Consumers can search for a Top Doctor by location,

hospital affiliation, and a full range of specialties and

subspecialties.

U.S. News Top Doctors builds on the Best Hospitals

rankings, which U.S. News updated last week. Health

consumers can now see which Top Doctors practice at the

700-plus hospitals in the 22nd annual rankings by visiting

www.usnews.com/best-hospitals.

“For decades, the Best Hospitals rankings have helped

guide patients who need an especially high level of care to

hospitals that excel in providing it,” said Avery Comarow,

U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. “Top Doctors has a

similar mission. We want to help consumers find the doctors

in their area who come highly recommended by other

physicians.”

Castle Connolly assembled the roster of Top Doctors

by soliciting nominations from physicians in academic

medical centers, specialty hospitals, and regional hospitals

and physicians in private practice. Its research team then

reviewed each nominee’s training, achievements, and

appointments, among other credentials.

“We believe this brings important information on excellent

physicians directly into the hands of consumers,” said Dr.

John J. Connolly, President and CEO of Castle Connolly

Medical Ltd. “Given the unsettled future of the delivery and

financing of healthcare and the changing nature of physician

practices, it is critical that consumers have trusted sources of

high-quality information about both doctors and hospitals.”

daniel MUrillo, Md, has served as

medical director of the kidney and

pancreas transplant program at

Research Medical Center since 2003.

He also serves as assistant clinical

professor in the surgery department

at the University of Missouri-Kansas

City. He received his bachelor’s

degree in biology at the University of

California-Irvine and his medical degree at the University of

Wisconsin Medical School. Dr. Murillo served his fellowship

training in general and transplant surgery at Indiana

University Medical Center and the University of Nebraska

Medical Center.

gregory STarkS, Md, is a fellow of

the American College of Obstetrics

and Gynecology and a member of the

Society of Reproductive Technology.

He is an OB/GYN professor in

the University of Missouri-Kansas

City’s Division of Reproductive

Endocrinology and Infertility and

director of the OB/GYN resident

education program and in-vitro

fertilization/ART program at Research Medical Center.

He co-founded the Midwest Fertility Foundation and

Laboratory.

Searchable directory builds on Best Hospitals rankings


HealTHy HabiTS coMMiTTee

Comprised of members of various departments, the Healthy Habits Committee’s goal is to support and encourage employees who want to live healthier and happier lives through physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth. Healthy Habits has championed many initiatives, including Weight Watchers, ‘Biggest Loser,’ the Wellness Garden, Tai Chi classes, Two-Stepping classes, indoor and outdoor walking trails on the hospital’s main campus, the Farmers Markets on both campuses, the new Fitness Center on the hospital’s main campus, and coordinating the hospital’s contingency to the Country Music Marathon in Nashville this past spring. Because of the efforts of the committee, Research Medical Center was awarded the American Heart Association’s Gold Fit-Friendly Company award in 2009, 2010, and 2011 which recognized Research Medical Center for providing physical fitness and healthy eating options for employees, and for promoting a culture of wellness.

THe WellneSS garden

If you haven’t had the chance you should go out and check out the Wellness Garden (just north of the Outpatient West parking lot). It’s a pretty amazing sight. Hospital employees and community

gardeners have been busy with their assigned garden beds planting a variety of vegetables and flowers. It has been a great opportunity to contribute to our community. Seventeen of the beds are being attended by employees and 23 are assigned to

urban community gardeners who are members of the Kansas City Community Gardens Organization. Some of these gardeners have waited two years for a garden. Kevin Hicks and Jackie DeSouza supported

this healthy habit project and provided the land, paid for the cost of materials for the beds and installed the water supply. Plant Operations staff worked very hard to build the raised beds and filled them with soil. A large sign marks the Wellness Gardens. In honor of employees, fruit trees were planted and a ½ mile walking trail was established close to the gardens, with signs supplied by the American Heart Association.

Willie Lawrence, Jr., MD, has a bed and indicates that since boyhood he has been involved with community gardens. The gardens have been named after the Wellness Program that he has developed at Research Medical Center. As far as we know

we are the first hospital in the Kansas City area to have a community garden. Last month the Wellness Gardens was given the 2011 Beautification Award by the Southtown Council.

‘biggeST loSer’ coMpeTiTion

Hospital administration staff welcomed the opportunity to support employee efforts at improving their health through our first ‘Biggest Loser’ Challenge in January. We had over 130 employees who participated in the 12-team challenge, with over 1,000 pounds lost. Our challenge included a special prize, an iPod shuffle for any employee who lost 10 percent of their starting body weight and kept it off for two months. In order to facilitate change, this portion of the competition will continue throughout the year. Our second challenge started this June, with 75 employees participating. A third 12-week challenge will start in late September. A total of six employees have lost the 10 percent and kept it off for two months! A super achievement with a new iPod for those ongoing workouts!

HealTHy HabiTS coMMiTTee proMoTeS pHySical acTiviTy

The Healthy Habits Committee encourages 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week as part of the American Heart Association Physical Activity Guidelines. In many cases, the easiest path to physical activity is a regular walking program. The indoor walking path on A-Level and the new outdoor walking path by the Wellness Gardens offer excellent opportunities for beginning or continuing your pursuit of wellness. If you are ready to take it to the next level, you might be interested in moving for a cause at one of these local events:

Aug. 14 • 5K Race for the Cure @ Union StationAug. 28 • Royals Charities 5K @ Kauffman StadiumSept. 18 • The Great Prostate Cancer 5K Challenge Sept. 23 • Light the Night 5K Walk @ Corporate WoodsOct. 15 • Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K @ Crown CenterOct. 29 • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk @ Liberty Memorial

Submitted by: Jan Horton, Sue Funk, Susan Hendrickson and Cheri Hampton

Healthy Habits Corner

‘Biggest loser’ - Keith trammel34.25 lbs.

‘Biggest loser’ team Pretty Hot as teenagers (PHat)

75 lbs.(L-R): Deb Shane and Cady Pembroke.

Not pictured: Pam Hiestand.


Research Medical Center Opens 30-Bed Behavioral Health Unit

By Linda friedelReprinted courtesy of The Kansas City Nursing News

Research Medical Center recently opened a 30-bed adult inpatient psychiatric unit. The new unit, which will be managed by Research Psychiatric Center, is located on the seventh floor of Research Medical Center and will treat adults with a range of psychiatric illnesses in an inpatient setting.

"I just think they have a great team and a beautiful facility," said Carmen Kynard, RN, MSN, ARNP, MBA, chief nursing officer at the center. Kynard set policies and procedures for the new 30-bed unit. She said the unit will better serve the community. When Kynard moved to Kansas City from the West Coast 16 years ago, she said she saw a surplus of behavioral health facilities in the area

and many eventually closed. Then the pendulum swung back, she said. Needs increased and the community experienced a shortage of facilities. Research Psychiatric Center added the new unit to their existing 100-bed facility to help fill the gap.

"We've been under-bedded for several years," Kynard said. "Under-bedding is occurring across the country.” Kynard said stressors such as people losing their jobs and other problems resulting from the recession have led to a demand for more behavioral facilities. More beds in a psychiatric unit translate to smoother patient traffic in the emergency room, she said.

"With these beds we will be de-clogging the ER departments," she said.

The private and semi-private rooms were built with state-of-the-art equipment. High-tech alarms, monitors and specialized bathroom doors address safety issues for patients thinking about suicide, said Anne Snider, RN, BSN, nurse manager. Rooms are painted with calming browns and earth tones. The new multipurpose room for meetings, meals, socializing and therapy shines with natural lighting. Overall, the unit is aesthetically beautiful, she said.

"I'm very excited," Snider said. "It's such a great opportunity to start something new. It's going to be fantastic for the community." Snider said needs for the underserved population of patients diagnosed with depression and bi-polar disorder are astronomical. Many facilities have been eliminated throughout Missouri due to budget cuts. "We're losing beds all over the city," she said.

The center's staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and licensed professional counselors trained to care for patients with emotional or behavioral problems. Research Psychiatric Center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and by the state of Missouri.

"This new unit is emblematic of our commitment to provide quality and accessible patient care and will serve to meet the ever-expanding needs of adult patients in the greater Kansas City metro area," said RPC Chief Executive Officer Richard Failla.

Behavioral Health Unit Staff

Employee Engagement Survey Prize Winners

dell noTebook

Matt Cavlovich • Emergency Dept.

panaSonic blUe ray dvd player

Lisa Burke • 3 North

caSio digiTal caMera

Lynnette Flippen • Supply Chain

vizio 37” led TvRuth Long • IT&S Dept.

$25 viSa card

Becky Becker • Labor & Delivery

$250 viSa card

Marrita Edwards • HIM Dept.

$500 viSa card

Debbie Schaefer • Goppert-Trinity Family Care

auguSt 5: Bi-State Stroke education Consortium @ College of nursing Auditorium (B-level), 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

auguSt 15: 22nd Annual Research golf Classic @ Blue Hills Country Club, 12:30 p.m.

auguSt 17: Physician Lecture Workshop @ Research Medical Center Boardroom - “Pancreatic Cancer: Treatment Sequencing & endobiliary Stenting,” 7-8:30 a.m.

SePteMBer 16-18: Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp @ Heartland Center. Call (888) 688-5450 or visit strokecamp.org.

SePteMBer 30: 27th Annual Practical Cardiology Symposium @ Sheraton Overland Park Hotel.

octoBer 22: 2nd Annual Domestic Violence Conference @ Research Brookside Campus. Call (816) 276-4631 to register.

octoBer 29: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K @ Liberty Memorial.

noveMBer 5: Research Royal Rebound @ The College Basketball experience. Call (816) 276-4218 for more information.

Follow us at: facebook.com/researchmedicalcenter

U P C O M I n g

Events


Research Family Medicine Residency Class of 2011

Congratulations to the Research Family Medicine Residency Class of 2011. The graduates will be establishing their practices across the U.S. in the following locations:

• Jason and Lauren Bessey - Tucson, AZ• Katie Dias - Stanberry, MO• Shane Machen - Idaho Falls, ID• Jessica Mowry - HCA Midwest

Physicians, Brookside Family Medicine

• Christine Murray - Myrtle Beach, SC• Mahdi Mussa - Oklahoma City, OK• Stuart Prins - Aurora, CO• Pam Ralls - Trenton, MO• Valaree Smith - Geriatric Fellowship

@ Truman Medical Center-Lakewood • Summer Tucker - Campbellsville, KY

reSearcH faMily Medicine reSidency prograM - claSS of 2011 (Front row L-R): Lauren Bessey, DO, MBA; Katie Dias, DO; Jessica

Mowry, MD; Valaree Smith, DO; Christine Murray, MD; Shane Machen, DO. (Back row L-R): Stuart Prins, MD; Summer Tucker, DO; Pamela

Ralls, MD; Mahdi Mussa, MD; Jason Bessey, DO.

The Bi-State Stroke Education Consortium, slated for August 5 at Research Medical Center (B-level auditorium), is composed of 27 health organizations and the American Stroke Association. These organizations have agreed to collaborate to enhance the educational opportunities for providers of stroke care across the continuum. For more information, call Stacie Underwood at (816) 276-4108.

(agenda)

7:30-8 a.m Registration/Introduction 8-9 a.m. ”Strokes and Seizures” iftekhar ahmed, Md 9-10 a.m. ”Post cva Behavioral and emotional issues” Konoy Mandal, Md 10-10:15 a.m. Break

10:15-11:15 a.m. ”Stance control orthotics” Mike Shultz, BS, MBa, cPo

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. ”Spasticity in Stroke” Julie weber, Pt

12:15-12:30 p.m. Evaluation and Wrap-Up

Bi-State Stroke Education Consortium‘Stroke Care - Inpatient and Beyond’

Iftekhar Ahmed, MD Konoy Mandal, MD


Overland Park, KS – A total of 500 critically ill and premature

infants. Hundreds of thousands of miles driven in all kinds of

weather. A thousand anxious parents and thousands more anxious

grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. These are the numbers that

add up to a busy four years for the Midwest Neonatal Transport

Team. But the team’s mission and purpose goes beyond numbers.

Ask Kristi and Jason Fine to define the rollercoaster emotions they experienced when their daughter was born prematurely several

years ago at a Johnson County hospital. They’ll pepper their response liberally with “comforted” and “grateful.” Tiny Charli, the

Olathe couple’s second child, was born four weeks early and required specialized breathing treatment. Enter the Midwest Neonatal

Transport Team, who swaddled the newborn in an isolette and transferred her to Overland Park Regional Medical Center’s

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the largest in Kansas City, within 24 hours of her birth.

Kristi describes the neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), respiratory therapist (RT) and neonatal intensive care nurse who whisked

Charli in a specially equipped ambulance to Overland Park Regional Medical Center (OPRMC), part of HCA Midwest Health

System—Kansas City’s largest healthcare network—as both compassionate and focused.

“Jason and I were comforted by their presence, and they helped us get through that panicked feeling of being separated from

Charli,” says Kristi. “We were grateful she had such good caretakers.”

Since Charli Fine’s transfer two years ago, the Midwest Neonatal Transport Team has shuttled hundreds more critically ill

newborns to OPRMC and other HCA Midwest System hospitals with NICUs, including Centerpoint Medical Center, Research

Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center. The team, headed by Medical Director Robert Holcomb, MD, recently completed

their 500th transport in the region—and is still counting.

“When we launched our transport team in September 2007 to meet the increased demand of getting newborns from one hospital

to another for acute care and treatment, we anticipated 60 transfers in the first year,” says Dr. Holcomb. “We marked our first

anniversary in 2008 with more than 115 transfers. Now we’re into our fourth year and have 500 transfers. We know we’re serving

the region’s needs.”

The Midwest Neonatal Transport Team transfers babies from as far away as Ft. Scott to specialized medical care in Johnson and

Jackson counties and has two levels of teams to answer the emergency calls. “Unlike other transport teams in the area, we offer an

experienced neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) with every Level 3 critical care transport,” says Diane Sparks, RN, BSN, the team’s

coordinator. “Those transports are staffed with an NNP, registered nurse (RN) and RT. Convalescent or Level 2 transports consist

of an RN and RT.”

Dr. Holcomb says the diagnostic element an NNP brings to the transport team is crucial. “Each NNP has extensive NICU training,”

he says. “The level of critical thinking they bring to an in-the-field situation is invaluable.”

Sparks, a 25-year veteran of NICU work, and her team thrive on the main goal of getting a baby well enough to either return to

Midwest Neonatal Transport Team Marks 500th Transfer

As seconds tick by, a specialized team for HCA Midwest Health System transports precious cargo around the clock to receive the best care possible

11ReSeARCH MeDICAL CenTeR • A PUBLICATIOn fOR eMPLOYeeS • AUgUST 2011 9

Midwest Neonatal Transport Team (cont’d from pg. 8)

the referring hospital to be with the family or to “graduate”

it from the NICU for the momentous trip home. “I love the

relationship we develop with the babies and families and the

immense teamwork required,” she says.

In addition to newborn transports, the Midwest Neonatal

Transport Team offers continuing medical education with

lectures to physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and

other allied healthcare workers at hospitals throughout

the region. Some of the team’s transport leaders serve as

expert consultants alongside leaders in the field of transport

medicine.

The Midwest Neonatal Transport Team, together with HCA

Midwest Health System, also sponsors and participates in

various March of Dimes activities, including the annual

Bikers for Babies fundraiser. “We’re passionate about

educating and serving the community on the critical aspects

of neonatal intensive care,” says Dr. Holcomb.

The Midwest Neonatal Transport Team is working in

collaboration with American Medical Response (AMR) on

a state-of-the-art ambulance, which will be unveiled this

summer. “We’re always looking for opportunities to advance

our transport capabilities,” says Dr. Holcomb.

Dr. Holcomb says the men and women on the Midwest

Neonatal Transport Team are among the best he has worked

with in his 20 years of military and civilian critical care

transport. He often reflects on the parents of the fragile

cargo that his well-trained team transports. “Everything is

done to train our team—we leave no stone unturned,” he

says. “When I know that what we did for someone else’s

child—like Kristi and Jason Fine’s Charli—is exactly what

I would have wanted for mine, then I know we’ve done our

jobs to the very best of our capabilities.”

When Kristi pauses to remember a 24-hour-old Charli being

transferred by the Midwest Neonatal Transport Team to a

different hospital for advanced respiratory care, she uses

words that might come as a surprise given the gravity of the

situation. “Indescribably wonderful,” she says. “They took

wonderful care of my little girl.”

TIA Clinic at Research Medical Center

A TIA is a “warning stroke” or “mini-stroke” that produces stroke-like symptoms but is only temporary.

These symptoms may be one or more of the following:• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg,

especially on one side of the body

• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Severe headache with no known cause

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you may need to be seen in our TIA Clinic. The TIA Clinic provides a one day work-up for Stroke with quick results to your Primary Care Physician.

To make an appointment; 1. Ask your physician for a referral 2. Or refer yourself by calling (816) 276-3715

TIME IS BRAIN!!Don’t wait! If you have experienced a TIA, your risk for a full Stroke is much greater especially if you have any other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and/or you are a smoker.

1269 e 6/10

Call today and you will be seen within 72 hrs.


Research Family Medicine Residency Program Incoming Residents

Bob azar, MdCreighton University

carmella caldwell, MdUniversity of Texas-Galveston

renee diamond, MdCreighton University

Michael duke, MdMedical College of Wisconsin

Mani ghasemi, MdNew York Medical School

Jason goergen, doKansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience

ivan law, MdSaba University

Suzanne ozbun, MdUniversity of Kansas

Harveer Parmar, MdDayanand Medical College

Jay Patel, doAT Still College of

Osteopathic Medicine

darren Presley, MdRoss University

Mistee richardson, Md University of Kansas

Sara Sietsema, doKansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience


MandaTory coMpeTency fair

The last of the MANDATORY Competency Fairs for 2011 is Oct. 12 on the Research Brookside Campus at 7:30 a.m. - signed in by 2 p.m. Please plan your schedules accordingly.

THe life of THe TraUMa SUrgeon

Come join us for the August Listen and Learn! The Life of the Trauma Surgeon by H. Scott Bjerke, MD, FACS, will be August 16 from 7:30-9 a.m. and August 17 from 12-1:30 p.m. This program will be worth 1.5 continuing education hours and will be held in Meeting Room 1 in the cafeteria.

Clinical Excellence Update

The 27th Annual Practical Cardiology Symposium is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30 at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel. The event is designed to provide primary members of the healthcare profession with the tools and knowledge they need to indentify and treat various signs and symptoms of cardiac disease. Doctors who are scheduled to speak at the symposium are:

• STUarT zaricH, Md, facc • “Coronary Artery Disease and Diabetes”• JoHn caHill, Md • “Heart Failure Management: Role of Cardiac Imaging. Which Test? When? and For

Whom?”• raMeSH dagUbaTi, Md, facc, faSci • “ACS: Inpatient and Outpatient Management”• bangalore deepak, Md, facc, rpvi • “Approach to the Patient with Peripheral Vascular Disease”• caTalin logHin, Md, facc • “Valvular Heart Disease – The New Era”• Harold STiTeS, Md, facc • “Updates on Arrhythmias Management”

The event is broken up into two parts. The first three presenters will speak during the morning session, and the final three will speak during the afternoon session. Each presentation is one hour in length, and there will be a one-hour break for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Some of the objectives attendees should learn by the conclusion of the symposium are:

• How to identify current indications for cardiac imaging studies in heart failure• Outlining the role of different cardiac imaging modalities in guiding therapeutic management of heart failure,

echocardiographic and other imaging features of diastolic and systolic heart failure• Recognizing the value of cardiac imaging as part of a multidisciplinary team approach to heart failure management

27th Annual Practical Cardiology Symposium

Bangalore deepak, MdInterventional Cardiologist

13ReSeARCH MeDICAL CenTeR • A PUBLICATIOn fOR eMPLOYeeS • AUgUST 201112

be inforMed So yoU aren’T a vicTiM!There have been reports of phishing attempts and online scams related to FedEx online accounts. These emails will often contain embedded links that will redirect you to a malicious website, and urge you to update your account information to avoid account suspension. These phishing attempts and online scams could occur at work, at home, or on your mobile device.

proTecT oUr paTienTS, yoUrSelf, and oUr coMpany

If you receive a suspicious message that includes a hyperlink or attachment, DELETE THE EMAIL. Do not forward it, do not click hyperlinks inside the email, and do not open any attachments. If you have given up your username and password in these attempts, please contact your local IT Help Desk or your DISO/FISO immediately.

Familiarize yourself with signs of a PHISH and become a “hyperlink skeptic.” Refer to the InfoSec Awareness Communications email archive on Atlas for details:

• March – “Q. Who is at risk of being a target of a phishing scam A. You.”• april - “No doubt about it, you should be a hyperlink skeptic”

exaMple of THeSe pHiSHing aTTeMpTS or ScaMS

This is an example of the phishing scam that is showing up for FedEx. The email tries to persuade you to click the link and update your account information within the next 48 hours or your account will be suspended. FedEx will never send you an

email requesting you to log in and update your account information or face account suspension. Fraudulent activity has been reported from compromised FedEx accounts.

knoW THe riSkS aSSociaTed WiTH pHiSHing aTTeMpTS and online ScaMS

We know sensitive HCA data is being targeted by outsiders who seek it for financial gain and other malicious purposes every day through PHISHing attempts or online scams like the ones listed above.

These attempts and scams could result in any one or all of the following:• identity theft• a computer virus resulting in the loss of data• the HCA network going down and negatively impacting patient care• your being responsible for a data breach resulting in large fines and loss of reputation for HCA

None of us want any of the above to happen. It is critical that you take extra precautions against protecting yourself, our patients, and our company from these phishing attempts or scams.

Information Security UpdateBe Aware of Phishing Attempts and Scams Related to fedex

beWare of “SHoUlder SUrfing”Information Security isn’t about just securing our workstations and passwords it is also about the awareness of people dropping over your shoulder to visually obtain sensitive data from your workstation monitor or secure area known as Shoulder Surfing. This includes:

• Entering PHI in Meditech at the nurse’s stations etc.• Entering a security code to enter a secure location that stores PHI, Medication, or Financial records • Typing a sensitive e-mail to a need to know audience containing PHI• Typing your user ID and password for access to an application that contains/stores PHI

A person who is standing near you as you fill out a form in Meditech, enter your PIN number to access a secure area, or enter in your User Id and password may be doing more than just waiting their turn to use the computer. To help prevent shoulder surfing, shield your monitor when possible from view using your body or closing/minimize the window, and cup your hand over the keypad when entering your code for entrance to a secure area.

ReSeARCH MeDICAL CenTeR • A PUBLICATIOn fOR eMPLOYeeS • MAY 20102 ReSeARCH MeDICAL CenTeR • A PUBLICATIOn fOR eMPLOYeeS • AUgUST 2011

TIA Clinic at Research Medical CenterIn April, Iftekhar Ahmed, MD, stroke

program medical director, presented

“Cost Effectiveness and Efficacy of a TIA

Clinic” at the annual meeting of American

Academy of Neurology in Honolulu, HI.

In the TIA clinic, patients are referred

within 24 hours of symptom onset. All

necessary studies are performed within hours and patients

are treated prior to being discharged from the clinic.

Tests performed include, but not limited to, neurologic

examination by the neurologist, MRI/MRA, CT angiography,

echocardiogram, laboratory studies, blood pressure

monitoring, EKG, etc. Each patient also receives extensive

stroke prevention education.

Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability and the

number three cause of death. It can be prevented by early

diagnosis and treatment of underlying disorders. Up to 60-70

percent of TIAs precede stroke. Usually, 15-20 percent of

strokes will follow a TIA in about two weeks and as much as

30 percent in 30-90 days. We evaluated effectiveness of the

TIA Clinic in preventing strokes and its cost. Of 110 patients

who were treated in the TIA Clinic, multiple risk factors

for stroke were identified and found to be the cause of their

TIA symptoms. Risk factors identified were hypertension,

diabetes, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, patent foramen

ovale (PFO), blood clotting disorders, carotid stenosis, sleep

apnea, smoking and alcohol abuse, autoimmune disorders,

and more. Many patients had more than one of these risk

factors.

Patients were treated with antiplatelet drugs such as

aspirin, plavix, or aggrenox. Patients with atrial fibrillation

were treated with anticoagulation drugs. Patients with

symptomatic carotid stenosis were referred for vascular

surgery. All patients were referred to specialists for continued

follow-up and will be seen in the Neurology Clinic for

further monitoring.

The TIA clinic is highly effective in preventing stroke in one

year even in patients with multiple risk factors. It is also cost

effective in preventing hospitalization/rehab and subsequent

referral for nursing home placement.

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Ronnell Jones, Sterile Processing department, for being selected Employee of the

Month for July. Nomination comments by his co-workers include:

• Warm and friendly individual who is always smiling and never complains

• Very knowledgeable and diligent worker, making our jobs easier

• Hard worker; always willing to go above and beyond his role and help others

• Stepped up to the plate and switched shifts to fill a need in the instrument room

• Tests the autoclaves and ensures all policies are being followed by the OR staff

Ronnell Jones • steRile PRocessing DePaRtment

13


Midwest Women’s Healthcare Specialists

Effective July 12, Rebecca Johnson, MD, and Maria Hapke, WHNP,

will be available on Tuesday mornings on the Research Brookside Campus.

Effective July 6, Meredith Levine, MD, will be available

on Wednesday afternoons on the Research Brookside Campus.

Sheila Roth, CNM, Kim Anderson, CNM and Katie Lorand, CNM, are available

on the Research Brookside Campus on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

- Update -

rebecca Johnson, Md Maria Hapke, wHnP Meredith levine, Md

Sheila roth, cnMCertified Nurse Midwife

Kim anderson, cnMCertified Nurse Midwife

Katie lorand, cnMCertified Nurse Midwife


Facility Privacy Official UpdateAs a reminder, we recently communicated that it is imperative that FPOs stress the importance of HIM.PRI.003, the Minimum Necessary Policy, within HCA facilities.

As a reminder, workforce members must:

• Have a legitimate business “need to know” to access, use, or disclose patient information

• Only access, use or disclose the minimum information necessary to perform his or her designated job role, regardless of the extent of access provided to him or her

• Not access his or her own record in any system

Please refer to the article below from the Office of Civil Rights regarding a recent settlement by the University of California at Los Angeles Health System for minimum necessary violations.

UniverSiTy of california SeTTleS Hipaa privacy and SecUriTy caSe involving Ucla HealTH SySTeM faciliTieS

Following an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the University of California at Los Angeles Health System (UCLAHS) has agreed to settle potential violations of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules for $865,500 and has committed to a corrective action plan aimed at remedying gaps in its compliance with the rules.

The resolution agreement resolves two separate complaints filed with OCR on behalf of two celebrity patients who received care at UCLAHS. The complaints alleged that UCLAHS employees repeatedly and without permissible reason looked at the electronic protected health information of these patients.

OCR’s investigation into the complaints revealed that from 2005-2008, unauthorized employees repeatedly looked at the electronic protected health information of numerous other UCLAHS patients. Through policies and procedures,

entities covered under HIPAA must reasonably restrict access to patient information to only those employees with a valid reason to view the information and must sanction any employee who is found to have violated these policies. “Covered entities are responsible for the actions of their employees. This is why it is vital that trainings and meaningful policies and procedures, including audit trails, become part of the every day operations of any health care provider,” said OCR Director Georgina Verdugo. “Employees must clearly understand that casual review for personal interest of patients’ protected health information is unacceptable and against the law.”

The corrective action plan requires UCLAHS to implement Privacy and Security policies and procedures approved by OCR, to conduct regular and robust trainings for all UCLAHS employees who use protected health information, to sanction offending employees, and to designate an independent monitor who will assess UCLAHS compliance with the plan over three years.

“Covered entities need to realize that HIPAA privacy protections are real and OCR vigorously enforces those protections. Entities will be held accountable for employees who access protected health information to satisfy their own personal curiosity,” said Director Verdugo.

liz tremain Research Medical Center Ethics and Compliance Officer Facility Privacy Official

The Infection Control department has patient education sheets on the following topics. Alternately, you can complete a ‘Marketing & Public Relations Project Request’ form to order copies for your respective units. The titles of the education materials are:

• Information for Patients, Families and Visitors: Multi Drug Resistance Organisms• Patient Education: FAQs About Surgical Site Infections• Patient Education: Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections

Patient Education Forms

Stacie underwoodSchool at Work CoordinatorResearch Medical CenterClinical excellence Department(816) 276-4108

care newsletter - august 2011

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