News Around the State

New technology in Respiratory Care Pulmonary Lab offers easier testing for FGH patients

Pictured, from left, are Forrest General respiratory therapists Debbie Bryant, LCRP, and Kim Underwood, LCRP, working with the new CareFusion IOS system.

Thanks to a new piece of technology recently installed in Forrest General’s Respiratory Care Pulmonary Lab, Forrest General patients can breathe easier when it comes to respiratory testing. This new technology is available for patients from two years and up, and is convenient and safe for patients with limited mobility or who use wheelchairs.

The new CareFusion IOS system gives Forrest General staff the capability to conduct effort-independent pulmonary function testing, which allows the patient to simply breathe quietly during measurements. Previously, this type of testing, also called spirometry, required patients to listen and respond to verbal commands and prompts while measurements were being taken. The IOS system, also referred to as Impulse Oscillometry, gives patients peace of mind in knowing that their test results are not affected by their ability to hear and follow the commands. “We are extremely excited to add this new Body Plethysmograph and IOS to our Pulmonary Function Laboratory,” said respiratory therapist Debbie Bryant, LCRP. “We are proud to be a part of an organization that is on the forefront of providing new and innovative technology to the communities we serve.”

IOS is able to differentiate between central and peripheral airway obstructions, which is helpful in diagnosing and monitoring asthma patients. Patients with asthma may not show symptoms with standard spirometry testing, but still show levels of increased airway resistance. IOS measures this resistance at different frequencies making detection easier. IOS can also provide a response for inhaled bronchodilator drug therapy, which often does not reach peripheral airways and is undetectable in regular spirometry testing.

“Forrest General is always striving to provide the most innovative care for our patients, and makes sure the hospital is able to receive the newest, most up-to-date equipment,” said respiratory therapist Kim Underwood, RRT, LCRP. “Forrest General’s Respiratory Department is truly proud and excited to be able to provide this new service to our patients.”

MRHC Foundation Allocates Funds to The Cancer Center at Magnolia

The Magnolia Regional Health Center Foundation Board of Directors recently allocated $5,000 for patient support services at The Cancer Center at Magnolia. The funds will be used to support medication and transportation needs for indigent patients.

In addition, the Board agreed to accept designated gifts for these services through the Foundation on an ongoing basis to ensure the continuation of existing and new patient support programs at The Cancer Center. The need for support services is great among cancer patients throughout the United States and Alcorn County is no exception. Plans are set to begin assisting patients in January 2010. 

“There are many unforeseeable costs that cancer patients incur. These funds will help improve cancer patients’ access to medications and other needed supplies,” stated Dr. Stephen Besh, a physician with The West Clinic.

Dr. Elbert Duncan, a physician with Radiation Oncology of North Mississippi, added, “This money will be used solely for patient expenses. We want to be able to provide as much support for cancer patients as possible during the time they are receiving care at The Cancer Center at Magnolia.”

Approaching the end of 2009, many donors are considering their year-end giving. Donating to patient support services provides a special opportunity for donors to invest in the future of health care. Gifts from the community make successes at MRHC and The Cancer Center at Magnolia possible. Donors can be assured that all designated contributions to this program will directly support patient services at The Cancer Center at Magnolia. Donors interested in supporting this effort, may do so by simply earmarking their gift for “patient support services.”  Contributions may be mailed to:  MRHC Foundation, Inc., 1001 South Harper Road, Corinth, Mississippi 38834. In order to be eligible for a 2009 tax deduction, charitable contributions must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2009. 

“It is my hope that as you consider your year-end giving plans, you would give strong consideration to including the Magnolia Regional Health Center Foundation,” stated MRHC Foundation Board President Clayton Stanley.  “In today’s society, there is no greater quality of life or economic development issue than high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare.  To that end, the Foundation is constantly focused on improving the health and wellbeing of our community.”

Established in 1980, Magnolia Regional Health Center Foundation, Inc. was organized exclusively for the purpose of supporting and benefiting the charitable, educational and scientific efforts of Magnolia Regional Health Center and similar 501 (c) (3) organizations in Corinth and Alcorn County. Today, the Foundation secures charitable support for quality healthcare programs and services that improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Corinth, Alcorn County and the surrounding region.  Funding from the Foundation specifically supports MRHC, community health initiatives and healthcare scholarships.  Magnolia Regional Health Center Foundation, Inc.  is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and a registered charitable organization.  All contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

ustin Achieves Board Certification with American College of Medical Practice Executives

Peter G. Austin, MBA, CMPE, Vice President of Physician Practices at Delta Regional Medical Center, has earned the professional designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) from the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). 

The designation of CMPE demonstrates that Austin has achieved board certification in medical practice management. ACMPE certifies an individual’s professional competence when he or she passes rigorous essay and objective examinations that assess knowledge of the broad scope of medical practice management skills sets. These include business operations, financial management, human resource management, information management, organizational governance, patient care systems, quality management and risk management. The individual must also complete a presentation requirement and earn a minimum of 50 continuing education credit hours.

Austin is originally from McComb, MS, and received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Millsaps College and his Master of Business Administration from The University of Mississippi.  He and his wife, Kathryn, currently reside in Greenville, where he has worked for Delta Regional Medical Center since July 2005.

Wesley Home Care hires marketing coordinator

Wesley Home Care recently announced the addition of Sandra Moseley as home care representative to their staff.
 
“We’re so excited to have Sandra join our team,” says Wesley Home Care Director Carol Tatum. “Sandra brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with her. She has great people skills and we know she will be a great addition to our experienced staff.”
 
Moseley received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to joining Wesley Home Care, she served as an independent marketing consultant for health care agencies throughout Mississippi and Alabama. She also served as professional sales specialist with Astra Zenca Pharmaceuticals and worked for 11 years as outreach coordinator with Pine Grove. 
 
“I look forward to bringing my many years of marketing and sales experience to the team at Wesley Home Care,” Moseley says. “Building relationships with providers to assist their patients is both my career and my calling. Nothing pleases me more than to know these patients are receiving the best possible care, regardless of where they may be.”
 
Wesley Home Care provides in-home skilled nursing, rehabilitation and social work services to homebound patients in 11 counties in south Mississippi.

SRHS Honors October Employees of the Month

Singing River Hospital has honored Marlene Thompson, Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist, Radiology, as the October Employee of the Month. Ryan Fisher, Registered Nurse, Cath Lab, was selected as Ocean Springs Hospital’s honoree.

Thompson was born at Singing River Hospital and grew up in Moss Point, attending Moss Point High School. She completed the radiologic technologist program and received her associates degree in applied sciences from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Thompson began working with Singing River Health System in 1983 as an X-ray Technologist. She began performing CT scans in 1991.

Thompson lives in Escatawpa with her husband, George. They have two children and one grandson. In her free time, Thompson walks and works out, does puzzles and watches movies.

She said she enjoys working at Singing River Hospital because of the people she works with. “We work really well together,” she said.
“I enjoy my job. I love working with patients and helping them.”

Thompson helps provide world-class service by doing all she can to make sure that the patients’ procedures go as smoothly as possible. “At the end of the day, I feel like I’ve accomplished my task,” she said.

Fisher was born at Singing River Hospital and lived in Moss Point, attending Moss Point High School. He received a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Mobile and worked at the Mobile Infirmary for five years in the intensive care unit.

Fisher joined Singing River Health System in 2001 in the surgical intensive care unit and joined the cath lab in 2007.

Fisher lives in Ocean Springs with his wife, Carolyn, and their three children. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, camping and scuba diving.

He said he enjoys working at Ocean Springs Hospital because of his co-workers and the care provided. “It’s where I bring my family for care,” Fisher said.

Fisher works to improve patient satisfaction by staying with the patient throughout the whole procedure, focusing on continuity to ease patients’ minds.  “I’m in direct contact with the patient the whole time,” he said.

Physician Joins Hospital Medical Staffs

 

The Board of Trustees of Singing River Health System has announced the addition of a new physician to the Medical Staffs of Ocean Springs Hospital and Singing River Hospital.

Rance B. Wilbourn, MD, neurologist, received his medical degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. He completed his residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. Dr. Wilbourn is board eligible in neurology and is practicing at Neurology Associates of Mississippi.

Baptist Announces Additions

 

Steve Stanic joined Baptist as Chief Information Officer. Previously, he was Vice President/CIO, Healthcare Practice for the Juran Institute. He was responsible for the delivery of process improvement and quality services to the healthcare clients of Juran with particular focus on electronic health record implementation. Stanic has been the National Director of the McKesson Solution Center, which is responsible for the implementation and on-going support of all McKesson, Revenue Cycle and Clinical applications. He also served as Vice President/CIO for Memorial Health in Savannah, Georgia. He is an active member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and a senior member of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Barry K. Jones has been selected chairman of Baptist Health Systems Estate & Gift Planning Advisory Board, a 19-member council consisting of local professionals who work in the area of estate planning and assist in identifying and securing planned gifts for Baptist Health Systems.

KDMC employees participate in Christmas project

King’s Daughters Medical Center employees Georgia Myers, Sharon Hughes and Jennifer May, members of the Mississippi Association of Healthcare Administrative Professionals, recently participated in a Christmas project for the Lincoln County Residential Center. Gifts and pizzas were provided to all of the residents.

Singing River Hospital Radiology Service Receives National Accreditation

The Radiology Department at Singing River Hospital has recently received accreditation for a three-year term by the American College of Radiology (ACR) for Breast Ultrasound. Singing River Hospital is also fully accredited by the ACR in OBGYN, General and Vascular Ultrasound.

“This accreditation is quite an accomplishment for our department,” said Karen Ehlers, Director of Radiology, SRH.  “We have talented and skilled employees in Radiology who are dedicated to providing the best quality diagnostic testing to our community, and being accredited by the American College of Radiology is another indication of the state-of-the-art testing that is available at Singing River Hospital.”

Singing River Hospital is currently one of only four ACR sites fully accredited in the state of Mississippi for Breast Ultrasound. 

ACR accreditation is awarded to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of practice. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. They assess the qualifications of personnel and adequacy of facility equipment. 

The American College of Radiology is a national organization serving more than 32,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services. 

SRHS Regional Cancer Center Receives Top Honor

The Singing River Health System Regional Cancer received Gold certification from the Mississippi Cancer Registry recently following a certification process conducted by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

The cancer registry program at the Regional Cancer Center is responsible for reporting data on the number and type of cancer cases diagnosed at the facility, as well as details about each case. The Gold certification is based on reporting of data from 2007, and reflects accurate and timely reporting for at least 95 percent of cancer cases.

“An achievement of this level is a true testament to the world-class care and behind-the-scenes work taking place at the Cancer Center,” said Chris Holland, Vice President of Cancer Services, SRHS. “The timely and accurate reporting of this data assists health care providers anticipate future cancer treatment needs and develop programs to aid in earlier detection and prevention. It also provides the foundation for future research initiatives.”

The cancer registry staff at SRHS Regional Cancer Center tracks and reports on approximately 675 cases per year.