St. V incent T imes

VINCENTIAN VALUES: Respect Compassionate Care Simplicity Advocacy for the Poor Inventiveness to Infinity

k.d. lang TO PERFORM FOR ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER

Recording artist expresses gratitude towardsSt. Vincent’s Physicians and Staff / Page 4

1st hospital in Los AngelesHow ER and Cath Lab experts cured a woman with a rare heart disease / Page 3

FEBRUARY 2011 publication of St. Vincent Medical Center

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t is with tremendous joy that we inform you that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted the Kidney Transplant Program Full Conditions of Participation in Medicare.

What began in 2005, has now ended. Many of you who were not with us may not know the significance of the decision were not with us may not know the significance of the decision by CMS, but all of you have traveled this road supporting the Medical Center and contributed to bringing the Kidney Transplant Program back to the Full Conditions of Participation.

This full compliance will allow us to move forward to help our This full compliance will allow us to move forward to help our patients who suffer from Kidney Disease and continue to make a difference in the lives of so many.

In particular I would like to acknowledge Robert Naraghi, MD, Medical Director; Tariq Shah, MD, Assistant Medical Director; Julie PoulsenJulie Poulsen, Director; our Kidney Program Associates Carol Poore and Mary Cunanan; and Glenn Krinsky, Legal Council.

Helping others is what it means to be a part of the Daughters of Charity. Without you, there can be no us. Thank each of you for your dedication to our Mission.your dedication to our Mission.

On that note, we are celebrating heart awareness in February, educating ourselves and others about exercising regularly, eating healthily, and seeing a doctor periodically. But most of all, we are reaching inside of ourselves, releasing our fear and showing people that we care. We need to remember to show that caring love to our patients and their families.

Each one of you is here because you have a calling. If people cannot see that you love what you do, all your technical skill may cure them, but it cannot touch their hearts. That is what we need to remember this month.

This was my heart’s desire on Valentine’s Day and every day. I This was my heart’s desire on Valentine’s Day and every day. I care for each and every one of you. I care for St. Vincent Medical Center. Most of all, I care about every patient and every family member who walks through our doors. We need to show them that love. Thank you and have a wonderful month!

For more of my communications, please go to the intranet and check out my blog. SVT

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Patient Transportation

Colonoscopes, Transport Monitors, Cardiac Pillows, and IV Pumps

FEBRUARY, 2011

COVER STORYRecording artist k.d. lang to perform at St. Vincent Medical Center benefit. Find out about her connection to the hospital.

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APLC FIGHTS LIVER CANCERImmunizing against HBV, managing CHB, and preventing liver cancer takes on social significance when the victim is a beloved spiritual leader. Find out about the crusade led by our medical community and dedicated clinical volunteers.

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HEART MONTH AT SVMCA riveting patient testimonial explains how important it is to have expert diagnosticians and practitioners ready to help. Sometimes a cure is achieved.

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St. Vincent Times is a publication for St. Vincent Medical Staff and Associates. Please submit articles as soon as possible prior and Associates. Please submit articles as soon as possible prior to or after an event for the earliest inclusion in the newsletter by e-mailing information to SharonGreengold@DOCHS.org or by calling (213) 484-5593. Medical Staff submissions may also be sent to SusanLauzier@DOCHS.org. Or call (213) 484-5525.

Ronald S. Fishbach, MD – chief of medical staff

Cathy Fickes – president/president/president chief executive officer

Sr. Sylvia Parks, DC – chairman of the board

g o t c o n c e r n s ?Physicians may report safety or quality of care concerns:

physician quality hotline: (213) 207-5783.

Call the Values Line at (800) 371-2176 or go online at www.dchsvaluesline.org to report concerns

confidentially and anonymously.

STVMC Times 0211_CC.indd 2STVMC Times 0211_CC.indd 2STVMC Times 0211_CC.indd 2STVMC Times 0211_CC.indd 2STVMC Times 0211_CC.indd 2STVMC Times 0211_CC.indd 2

When Lilibeth Sabado called in January to tell the story about how lifelong tachycardia was cured in one day, she couldn’t stay on the phone for long.

Lilibeth was calling from work, back to a productive life after a trip to the ER last fall that led to an angiogram, an EP study and ablation in the Cath Lab at St. Vincent Medical Center.

Born with a condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Lilibeth’s heart had been racing for 51 years: When she came to the St. Vincent ER, her heart was going at 178 BPM.

“At the ER, the nurses were moving very fast to put on the (heart) monitor and all the needed electronic gadgets.

Then the ER doctor came and asked me the same question: ‘Why only now?’ I told him the same answer as I gave the nurse. I thought it will go away.”

After medical management overnight, Lilibeth was taken to the Cath Lab on Oct. 22 for an angiogram by interventional cardiologist Khaldoun Sroujieh, MD, and EP study and ablation by electrophysiologist Amir Hedayati, MD.

“The procedure took two hours and involved a series of catheters into her heart and finding the area of the heart transmitting those very fast heartbeats and cauterizing it with radiofrequency energy,” said Dr. Hedayati.

“If you’re off by a millimeter, it could jeopardize the patient’s life or not lead to success. So it was a good day: Found it, terminated the arrhythmia and cauterized the tissue of heart that was responsible,” said Dr. Hedayati.

(See related Guardian Angel awards, page 6)

Electrophysiologist Amir Hedayati, MD

In a busy unit like Critical Care, Teresa Guerra knows how to prioritize her duties to meet the needs of the unit. When asked, Teresa goes above and beyond her regular duties or if not able, she assists us by letting the appropriate people know what needs to be accomplished in the CCU. Teresa does an exceptional job. She is hard-working and respectful of everyone. Recently, we received a note from the Pharmacy Department stating how clean and orderly the workroom looked. That is because of Teresa. She never wastes time. Whenever we call her for a “STAT,” she is promptly there to do her job.

p a t i e n t e x p e r i e n c e : c a r d i a c c u r e

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Vincentian Spirit Award

President/CEO Cathy Fickes presents Dawna Mills, AuD and neurotologist William Luxford, MD with Guardian Angel

recognition from a grateful cochlear implant patient.

Guardian Angel Award

Doug Kleam, COO (left) and Jan Stein, Executive Director of the St. Vincent Foundation (right) present urologist Barton

Tanenbaum, MD with Guardian Angel recognition.

Jan Stein, Executive Director of the St. Vincent Foundation. A patient who underwent a hip replacement said Dr.

Mynatt was attentive to her throughout the healing process.

h e a r t h e a l t h o u t r e a c h a t S V M C

Cardiology, Cath Lab and Cardiac Surgery associates and physicians sponsored Heart Health Day on Feb. 4, National Wear Red Day. They used the “forbidden fruit” to tempt associates and visitors into eating fresh fruits and other healthy choice foods. Meanwhile, there was a cooking demonstration

and preparation of salmon (high in Omega-3 fatty acids) in the Vincentian Café. The event was well-attended and was a conversation-starter about the importance of making healthy eating decisions throughout the year. Sodexo donated the apples for the heart-healthy event.

Interventional cardiologist Narinder Batra, MD, Noelle Deigan, RN, Pat Calvo, RN, electrophysiologist Marc Girsky, MD, and Jackye Gammage, RN, all from Cath Lab, distribute apples and

Cardiac Service literature.

Unit secretary Dora Magana, 5th Floor, takes an apple from Cath Lab staffers Pat Calvo, RN and Jackye Gammage-Rogers, RN,

and non-invasive tech Grace Hawkins in Cardiology.

sagittal section heart diagram

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Mission APLC: Fight Chronic Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer

In the best tradition of the Daughters of Charity, St. Vincent Medical Center physicians, In the best tradition of the Daughters of Charity, St. Vincent Medical Center physicians, nurses, chaplains and health benefits specialists came together in October 2009 to take care of Venerable Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa, a teacher of Buddhism and spiritual leader.

It was the greatest time of need for the lama and the most difficult time for students who revered him and followed his teachings.

At the time, 7th floor staffers were unaware that one of the lama’s Buddhist student visitors was recording artist k.d. lang, who spent many hours with him. She watched as physicians, nurses and chaplains came to provide care and comfort to her spiritual leader. “St Vincent took such great, loving care of him,” k.d. said. “A sister came in and they exchanged blessings and it was very beautiful.”

With a sense of gratitude to SVMC, which she calls “a wonderful treasure in Los Angeles,” k.d. lang is giving back by performing With a sense of gratitude to SVMC, which she calls “a wonderful treasure in Los Angeles,” k.d. lang is giving back by performing some of her songs as part of An Enchanted Evening: Journey Around the World, a hospital benefit to be held at the Dorothy some of her songs as part of An Enchanted Evening: Journey Around the World, a hospital benefit to be held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 26. “I extend my gratitude to St. Vincent Medical Center for Chandler Pavilion on March 26. “I extend my gratitude to St. Vincent Medical Center for putting in every ounce of effort and I will always be grateful,” said k.d.putting in every ounce of effort and I will always be grateful,” said k.d.

The singer was impressed by the way care was delivered to the lama and the multi-The singer was impressed by the way care was delivered to the lama and the multi-disciplinary efforts that were made on his behalf. He was admitted to SVMC without disciplinary efforts that were made on his behalf. He was admitted to SVMC without health insurance, and the Health Benefits Resource Center (HBRC) helped him to qualify health insurance, and the Health Benefits Resource Center (HBRC) helped him to qualify for Medi-Cal insurance. Several physicians treated him, including surgeon for Medi-Cal insurance. Several physicians treated him, including surgeon Hector Ramos, MDMD, interventional radiologist Juan Lois, MD, interventional radiologist Juan Lois, MD, interventional radiologist , gastroenterologist Martin Lee, MD, gastroenterologist gastroenterologist Barry Morguelan, MDBarry Morguelan, MD, and his internist, and his internist Jo Ann Pullen, MD Jo Ann Pullen, MD, and his internist Jo Ann Pullen, MD, and his internist, and his internist Jo Ann Pullen, MD, and his internist ..

“I have a very strong commitment to Dr. Jo Ann (Pullen),” said k.d. That is why k.d. will perform for us before catching a red-eye to Australia to start touring for her latest album, “Sing it Loud,” set for release in mid-April. She does not plan to perform her new material at the Journey Around the World benefit, but will sing some of her well-known ballads, accompanied by pianist Daniel Clarke.

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S t . V i n c e n t T i m e sSinging From the Heart: k.d. lang Will Show Love for

Lama and St. Vincent Medical Center

t h e p a t i e n t e x p e r i e n c e : c o m p a s s i o n a t e s e r v i c e a n d a d v o c a c y

Venerable Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa (1951- 2009)

Founder of Ari Bhöd, the American Foundation for Tibetan Cultural PreservationFoundation for Tibetan Cultural Preservation

recording artist k.d. lang

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(213) 484-7209KarenThomas@DOCHS.org

For tickets to attend An Enchanted Evening: Journey Around the World,

please call Karen Thomas at (213) 484-7209or e-mail KarenThomas@DOCHS.org.

When Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa died of liver cancer at age 58, he left behind a legacy of wisdom and compassion. His family and students continue to honor him by uniting to fulfill his life’s work. They sustain the many projects of his foundation Ari Bhöd, the American Foundation for Tibetan Cultural Preservation, and study at T’hondup Ling, his Los Feliz-based center for teaching and practice of Vajrayana Buddhism in the Tibetan Nyingma tradition.

The medical community honors his memory and the memory of many others who died from liver cancer by trying to control chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disease, the major cause of primary liver cancer. For more than three years, the Asian Pacific Liver Center (APLC) at St. Vincent Medical Center has targeted the Asian and Pacific Islander communities of Los Angeles in an effort to prevent liver cancer. CHB disproportionately affects people of Asian origin.

During the late stage of his disease, Lama Chödak Gyatso Nubpa was cared for at St. Vincent Medical Center, a profound and memorable experience for many of his caregivers. Though he was not a patient of the APLC, the lama’s case is a prime example of the clinic’s purpose.

“He was an incredible man,” said liver surgeon Hector Ramos, MD. “Unfortunately, the liver cancer was not operable.”

The APLC is funded by a charitable grant from the Daughters of Charity and led by two physicians who provide full-service medicine.

For years, APLC Medical Director Ho Bae, MD has taught lay people and other physicians that early detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and appropriate ongoing clinical care will help prevent liver cancer and allow a person with the virus to lead a

long and normal life. Untreated, the viral infection leads to liver inflammation and then to liver cancer, an extremely difficult cancer to fight.

A volunteer brigade of nurses, on behalf of the APLC, goes to churches and community centers on weekends throughout the year, educating people in multiple languages and drawing blood samples. So far the APLC has provided free hepatitis B virus (HBV) screenings for more than 10,000 people.

In addition to the free screenings, the APLC team:

Helps educate people to overcome the social stigma of getting a diagnosis of HBV; informs them that more than 90 percent are infected at birth through vertical transmission from their mothers, not through injectable drug use

Immunizes against HBV for those who test negative for the antibody

Schedules regular clinic visits for ongoing monitoring of those with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)

Provides antiviral medication for people who are candidates for treatment

Teaches primary care physicians in Los Teaches primary care physicians in Los TAngeles – more than 24 doctor-to-doctor lectures per year – the algorithms for determining when and how to begin antiviral medical treatment for people with CHB.

This year the APLC weekend volunteer nurses will continue to conduct screenings at Korean and Chinese community centers and will also go into the Vietnamese, Cambodian and Thai communities. Physicians and staff in the clinic will continue to take the time to carefully follow each patient and provide optimal treatment at the right time.

Mission APLC: Fight Chronic Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer

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S t . V i n c e n t T i m e sSinging From the Heart: k.d. lang Will Show Love for

Lama and St. Vincent Medical Center

t h e p a t i e n t e x p e r i e n c e : c o m p a s s i o n a t e s e r v i c e a n d a d v o c a c y

Ho Bae, MD, Medical Director of the Asian Pacific Liver Center (APLC), takes time with

each patient in clinic. He is on a mission to educate the medical community about the

importance of screening for HBV and how to treat patients with CHB.

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(213) 484-7209KarenThomas@DOCHS.org

In a busy unit like Critical Care, Teresa Guerra knows how to prioritize her duties to meet the needs of the unit. When asked, Teresa goes above and beyond her regular duties or if not able, she assists us by letting the appropriate people know what needs to be accomplished in the CCU. Teresa does an exceptional job. She is hard-working and respectful of everyone. Recently, we received a note from the Pharmacy Department stating how clean and orderly the workroom looked. That is because of Teresa. She never wastes time. Whenever we call her for a “STAT,” she is promptly there to do her job.

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Teresa GuerraEVS

Vincentian Spirit Award Winner

January 2011

Vincentian Spirit Award

President/CEO Cathy Fickes presents Dawna Mills, AuD and neurotologist William Luxford, MD with Guardian Angel

recognition from a grateful cochlear implant patient.

Guardian Angel Award

Doug Kleam, COO (left) and Jan Stein, Executive Director of the St. Vincent Foundation (right) present urologist Barton

Tanenbaum, MD with Guardian Angel recognition.

a w a r d sa w a r d s

H. Michael Mynatt, MD is presented with a Guardian Angel award by Jan Stein, Executive Director of the St. Vincent

Foundation. A patient who underwent a hip replacement said Dr. Mynatt was attentive to her throughout the healing process.

Lilibeth Sabado (not pictured) honors the ER

and Cath Lab staffs as her Guardian Angels for having taken great care of her when

she arrived with unstable arrhythmia.

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The St. Vincent Foundation awarded the hospital two colonoscopes, two transport monitors and 500 cough pillows for post-surgical heart patients in January. Grants totalling $97,225 were awarded for these items.

Also, by the end of next month, we will have 350 new Baxter SIGMA IV Pumps out on the floors for nurses to use.

CNO Kim Deese, Jo Radford, Director of Materials Management, and the team behind them have negotiated with Baxter to expedite the process and get this new equipment here for the better care of our patients. Training will be provided during the last week of March.

Getting around the city can be a challenge for anyone, especially for someone with an illness or injury that requires diagnosis and/or treatment. Transportation to and from the hospital is available.

St. Vincent Shuttle – (213) 484-5534 Patients who require transportation to St. Vincent Medical Center for tests, outpatient services or inpatient admission may receive free door-to-door transportation by taking the St. Vincent Shuttle. A medical office staffer may call three days prior to the day that the patient is scheduled to go to the hospital. The Shuttle coordinator will schedule a pickup for the patient, providing that he/she resides within a 15-mile radius of SVMC. Our Shuttle coordinator is available Monday – Friday, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proper communication with the patient, receiving department, and the van coordinator is important to ensure proper pick-up and drop-off times

St. Vincent Ambulance – (213) 291- 3077 If a patient has non-emergency problems that require ambulance transport with life support – like pneumonia, end-stage renal disease (transport for dialysis) – St. Vincent Ambulance would be the best choice. The patient or caretaker should call St. Vincent Ambulance to be transported the hospital. The fee for this service is substantially lower than for a 9-1-1 emergency ambulance service.

Upon discharge from the hospital, the patient either will be transported home by St. Vincent Ambulance or via the St. Vincent Shuttle, depending upon the patient’s level of need.S t . V i n c e

I s s a i i n s i g h t s

e must redouble our efforts and our ordinary duties on certain occasions when the service of God requires it;

then God will not fail to increase also our strength and our courage.” and our courage.” and our cour

– St. Vincent de Paul

In the spirit of our beloved Founder, St. Vincent de Paul, our DCHS teams are working diligently toward successful operations in the emerging health care delivery era. Our goal is to ensure we have resources and most effective processes in place to serve the sick and those living in poverty.

Our steadfast commitment to our Mission and Values serves as the driving force for this critical initiative we call LEAP. The definition of the word LEAP is to spring or bound forward. We have chosen this word during these challenging times and use it to visualize a positive outcome. LEAP translates to Leadership. Efficiency. Accountability. Performance.

Effective Leadership, in our case Servant Leadership, is the ability to act with integrity while integrating and maximizing resources to attain organizational goals. Servant leaders give priority attention to the needs of their colleagues and those they serve.

Efficiency minimizes the time and resources needed to complete a process or project. Accountability grows from a wholehearted commitment to make a difference in the lives of those whom we serve.

Performance means we adapt to our changing environment, always offering our best while respecting and listening to others.

Our entire organization sprung to action and embarked on an unprecedented journey last year. LEAP is about many things, but most important, it’s about doing things right, and doing the right things for those whom we serve.

We have redoubled our efforts. As our strength and courage increase we will rely on the words of St. Vincent to sustain and deliver us into our future.

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Patient Transportation

Colonoscopes, Transport Monitors, Cardiac Pillows, and IV Pumps

COVER STORY

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APLC FIGHTS LIVER CANCER

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HEART MONTH AT SVMC

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SharonGreengold@DOCHS.org (213) 484-5593SusanLauzier@DOCHS.org (213) 484-5525

(213) 207-5783

(800) 371-2176www.dchsvaluesline.org

cme lunch l e c t u r e s

Conference Rooms B&C at 12:15 p.m.Conference Rooms B&C at 12:15 p.m.The Documentation -Quality Link: Making the ConnectionThe Documentation -Quality Link: Making the ConnectionThe Documentation -Quality Link: Making the ConnectionMarch 3, 2011March 3, 2011Bernard W. Freedman, JD, MPH – Health Law and Clinical Bernard W. Freedman, JD, MPH – Health Law and Clinical Bernard W. Freedman, JD, MPH – Health Law and Clinical Bernard W. Freedman, JD, MPH – Health Law and Clinical Bernard W. Freedman, JD, MPH – Health Law and Clinical BioethicistBioethicistBioethicist

Adult Scoliosis and KyphosisAdult Scoliosis and KyphosisAdult Scoliosis and KyphosisAdult Scoliosis and KyphosisAdult Scoliosis and KyphosisMarch 10, 2011March 10, 2011March 10, 2011March 10, 2011March 10, 2011Samuel Bederman, MD – UCI Department of Orthopaedic Samuel Bederman, MD – UCI Department of Orthopaedic Samuel Bederman, MD – UCI Department of Orthopaedic Samuel Bederman, MD – UCI Department of Orthopaedic Samuel Bederman, MD – UCI Department of Orthopaedic Samuel Bederman, MD – UCI Department of Orthopaedic Samuel Bederman, MD – UCI Department of Orthopaedic SurgerySurgery

Allowing Natural Death (DNR)Allowing Natural Death (DNR)Allowing Natural Death (DNR)Allowing Natural Death (DNR)Allowing Natural Death (DNR)March 16, 2011March 16, 2011March 16, 2011March 16, 2011Hector Ramos, MD – SVMCHector Ramos, MD – SVMCHector Ramos, MD – SVMCHector Ramos, MD – SVMCHector Ramos, MD – SVMC

Tumor Board - Interesting Case PresentationTumor Board - Interesting Case PresentationTumor Board - Interesting Case PresentationTumor Board - Interesting Case PresentationTumor Board - Interesting Case PresentationTumor Board - Interesting Case PresentationMarch 17, 2011March 17, 2011March 17, 2011Randal Arase, MD – SVMCRandal Arase, MD – SVMCRandal Arase, MD – SVMC

Pain Management & Palliative CarePain Management & Palliative CareMarch 24, 2011Clinical Director – Compassionate Journey Consulting

Mixed Bacterial Intra-abdominal InfectionsMarch 31, 2011Arthur Jeng, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Infectious Diseases – Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

St. V incent T imes2131 W. 3rd St.Los Angeles, CA 90057www.StVincentMedicalCenter.com

VINCENTIAN VALUES: Respect Compassionate Care Simplicity Advocacy for the Poor Inventiveness to Infinity

k.d. lang TO PERFORM FOR ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER

1st hospital in Los AngelesHow ER and Cath Lab experts cured a woman with a rare heart disease / Page 3

doctors in the n e w s

Jan. 14, 2011Alexander Marmureanu, MD – Cardiothoracic SurgeryKNX newsradioTOPIC: Surgery complications among the agedJan. 27, 2011Thomas Horowitz, DO – Family PracticeKFWB newsradioTOPIC: 26 million Americans with diabetes Feb. 5 and Feb. 6, 2011Imad El Asmar, MD – Internal MedicineTelemundo Ch. 52 at 11 p.m.; Univision Ch. 34 at 6 p.m.TOPIC: Overeating may cause digestive upset; other ailmentsFeb. 6, 2011Barry Morguelan, MD – GastroenterologyKNX newsradio TOPIC: Overeating may cause digestive upset; other ailmentsFeb. 10, 2011Gregory Lekovic, MD, MPH – NeurosurgeryHealthLeaders MediaTOPIC: tPA for stroke victimsFeb. 12, 2011William Slattery III, MD – NeurotologyKFI and syndicated Clear Channel newsradio TOPIC: Nerve stimulation may thwart tinnitus