News Around the State

Lisa Spencer named Employee of the Year at MRHC

 

Magnolia Regional Health Center recently announced their 2010 Employee of the Year: Lisa Spencer. 

Lisa has been working at MRHC for two years in the Dietary Department where she currently serves as a grill cook.  Lisa enjoys this position because it enables her to meet new people every day and help them with their needs.  “I have always enjoyed cooking.  Each day I try to make extra things for everyone to eat and enjoy."  The Employee of the Year is chosen from the 12 Employees of the Month nominated through the year.  These individuals are chosen by their peers as the “star” employee who consistently meets and utilizes the customer service Standards of Behavior, as well as, promotes MRHC’s Mission, Vision and Values day-to-day. 

Lisa has been described by her co-workers as being a “helper”, a “do a little more than you have to” employee and a “team leader.” Lisa consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty for the Dietary Department.  Director of Food Services, Vanda Lee, recalls one such instance, “There is a little man whose wife comes and gets him a burger every week and Lisa draws him a sweet message and a smiley face on his to-go box.  One week she was busy and forgot to draw on his box and the man’s wife just went on and on about how much he had missed his message from the hamburger lady at the grill. Needless to say, she never forgets his message now!” 

No matter what crosses her path, Lisa is always upbeat and positive.  According to Vanda Lee, “she comes to work every day with very few exceptions in a great, positive mood, ready to do her job.  My favorite thing is that she knows how to cook everyone’s eggs in the morning because she’s done it so many times….she knows our cafeteria customers well.”  As the grill cook, Lisa is responsible for all of the food served and cooked on the grill in the Magnolia Regional Health Center cafeteria.   

When she is not working, Lisa enjoys camping, fishing, racing, cooking, working in her flower garden and spending time with her family.  She has two children, Nick & Josh Malone, and five wonderful grandchildren, Vance, Dillan, Aiden, Brittany and Mia.  Lisa grew up not far from MRHC in Marshtown and has enjoyed watching MRHC grow over the years. 

When asked what she likes best about her job, Lisa replied, “My job at MRHC has brought me many new friends.  It’s like having an extended family.  My co-workers in Dietary are all great people.”  She also commented that having excellent leadership from her CEO and department director, Vanda Lee, makes her job very pleasant.

Magnolia Regional Health Center also recognized other exceptional Employee of the Month award winners for 2010 and thanked them for their hard work and commitment to Magnolia Regional Health Center:  Sherry Rogers, Jeanette Sullivan, Mae Gaines, Audie Patterson, Brenda Hopkins, Katrina Ramos, Amy Gray, Nathan Palmer, Bobby Holley, Linda Blassingame and Janet Lindsey.

New option in sinus surgery available at MRHC

 

Sinus sufferers can now find relief and rapidly be back to their normal routines.  A new, minimally-invasive technology used by surgeons who treat chronic sinusitis is now available at Magnolia Regional Health Center’s Corinth Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic. The Balloon SinuplastyTM System by AcclarentTM uses a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses.

Dr. Michael Peery of Corinth Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic is the first physician in the area to offer this service.

“The balloon sinuplasty device is a true advance in sinus care because in many cases, the procedure can be done without removing any tissue or bone,” Dr. Peery said. “That means quick recovery times and less post-procedure discomfort.”

Sinusitis is one of the most common chronic health problems in the United States, afflicting 37 million Americans each year. Patients suffer headaches, congestion, fatigue and other symptoms, said Dr. Peery. “The condition can significantly impact an individual’s physical, functional and emotional quality of life,” he added.

Sinusitis is typically treated first with medication. But, in at least 20 percent of patients, medication alone is not enough, and surgery is required.

“Conventional sinus surgery that requires bone and tissue to be removed to open blocked sinus passageways may lead to post-operative pain and bleeding that requires uncomfortable nasal packing to control,” said Dr. Peery.

With balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive sinus balloon catheter is inserted into the blocked sinus passageway through the nostril. The balloon is then inflated to restructure and open the sinus passageway, helping to restore normal sinus drainage and function in many cases without bone or tissue removal, Dr. Peery explained.

“Extensive studies have shown that this procedure is safe and effective for opening blocked sinuses,” he added.

MRHC Board of Trustees welcomes two new members

Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) recently thanked Malcolm Guyton of Corinth, MS, retired from TN Valley Community Development, and Darwin Wooten, M.D., of Crossroads Eye Center in Corinth, MS for their years of service on MRHC’s Board of Trustees. 

Malcolm Guyton was appointed to the board in November 1995, while Dr. Wooten was appointed in June 2005.  During their tenure, numerous accomplishments have been achieved at Magnolia Regional Health Center that have not only increased the hospital’s continuum of care, but allowed MRHC to better serve the needs of its community. 

During both Mr. Guyton and Dr. Wooten’s tenure on the MRHC Board of Trustees, the total number of physicians serving MRHC has increased from 38 to an astounding 116 - 76 of which have been added to MRHC’s family of physicians since 2005. In addition, the number of employees on staff at MRHC has increased from 825 in 1996 to a present number of over 1,200, making MRHC the largest employer in Alcorn County.

Mr. Guyton and Dr. Wooten’s years of service on the MRHC Board of Trustees have been highlighted by the following achievements, which include major renovations, construction projects and increases in service lines offered:

• 1995 Addition of 20 bed Transitional Care Unit
• 1996 Addition of Partial Psychiatric Program
• 2000 Addition of Corinth Surgery Center
• 2000 Addition of Community Service Center located on Harper Road
• 2006 Magnolia Regional Health Center named a Thompson Top 100 Hospital
• 2007 Corinth Surgery Center became Magnolia Regional Surgery Center
• 2007 Magnolia Regional Health Center Completed Construction of an 143,000 Square Foot Expansion, which included: 72 New Private Patient Rooms, 12 Surgical Intensive Care Rooms, 16 Private Short Stay Surgery Rooms, 2 State of the Art Cardiac Catheterization Labs, 8 Private Pre and Post Heart Cath Lab Rooms, 10 Bed Post Anesthetic Care Unit, 3 Operating Rooms for Open Heart, Vascular, Orthopedic, etc., Spacious Patient Waiting Wings/Suites and 6 Medical Office Suites
• 2007 Magnolia Heart & Vascular Center; Opened October 31, 2007
• 2008 Internal Medicine Residency Program; Began: July 1, 2008
• 2009 The Cancer Center at Magnolia; Opened: January 2009
• 2011 Project approved to Construct a New Emergency Department, Radiology Department, and the Creation of a Centralized Registration Program

 
Randall Frazier, MD

On March 1, 2011, Magnolia Regional Health Center welcomed two new board members to the MRHC Board of Trustees, Randall Frazier, M.D., of Magnolia Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, PA and Rebecca Spence, Branch Manager of Regions Bank in Corinth, MS.  MRHC is greatly looking forward to continued growth with the input and direction of its newest board members during a time of healthcare reform and continued expansion of its facilities and services. 

 
Rebecca Spence

The MRHC Board of Trustees is a jointly owned city/county board that is comprised of seven members.  Three members of the board are appointed by the City of Corinth, three members are appointed by Alcorn County and one member is jointly appointed by the City and County.  Each member of the MRHC Board of Trustees serves a five year term.  Current members of the board are as follows:  Larry James, Wayne Gann, PhD.Ed, Tommy Alexander, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Myrna McNair, Lex Mitchell, Randall Frazier, M.D. and Rebecca Spence.

MRHC was erected and is owned jointly by the City of Corinth, Mississippi, and by Alcorn County, Mississippi, under the provisions of Section 41-13-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, and is operated by a Board of Trustees under the provisions of Section 41-13-29, Mississippi Code of 1972.

The MRHC Board of Trustees is legally and morally responsible for the conduct of the hospital, accomplishments of its objects and purposes and the discharge of its responsibility to the patients and to the community.  Additionally, the Board of Trustees is vested by law with and shall exercise and discharge full authority, power and responsibility to operate and maintain the hospital and doctors offices or clinics and to accomplish its objectives and purposes.

For more information on Magnolia Regional Health Center and a complete listing of physicians, please visit www.mrhc.org

MRHC Foundation receives donation from Mass Mutual

Pictured left to right: Rick Napper, MRHC CEO, Sam Kemp, CLU, ChFC with Capital Financial Group, LLC. and Clayton Stanley, MRHC Foundation Board President

The Magnolia Regional Health Center Foundation recently received a $2,000 donation from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) as part of  an innovative National Breast Cancer Awareness Month finance seminar held during October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  From the well-received Never kissed a frog. Never had to.® series, the Pearls of Wisdom® seminar and discussion group was be led by Sam Kemp, CLU, ChFC with Capital Financial Group, LLC.

“I am delighted that local women struggling with breast cancer and the agencies that serve them will benefit from our donation and commitment to the cause,” said stated Kemp.  He added, “We look forward to continuing our support of organizations that provide information and hope to women with breast cancer.”

Kemp’s efforts are part of a MassMutual program that makes charitable contributions to local breast cancer awareness programs in the names of its local agents, who works extensively with women’s groups and women clients. Under the program, MassMutual uses its education financial seminars for women, like the seminar present by Mr. Kemp, to raise awareness of breast cancer.

MassMutual Financial Group is the fleet name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliates, with more than $450 billion in assets under management at year-end 2006. Assets under management include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual's affiliates.

Magnolia Wound & Hyperbaric Center of Excellence Achieves National Recognition

 

The Wound and Hyperbaric Center located at Magnolia Regional Health Center was recently named a “Center of Excellence” in wound healing by Shared Health Services, Inc.  Designation as a “Center of Excellence” recognizes the Wound and Hyperbaric Center for exceeding benchmarks in positive clinical outcomes, patient and physician satisfaction, proper documentation and safety compliance. The Center is only one of four in the nation to receive this prestigious award. The award was presented at the hospital on Wednesday, September 29, 2010.

It is estimated that over six million Americans suffer from chronic or hard to heal wounds.  The Wound and Hyperbaric Center at Magnolia Regional Health Care specializes in the treatment of patients who experience these debilitating wounds. Most wounds heal quickly, usually within four weeks, but there are specific types of wounds that cause severe problems if left untreated.

“We have seen several patients who have been suffering from wounds for ten to twelve years.  These chronic wounds have healed by utilizing evidence based wound care incorporating HBO (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy), synthetic skin grafting and multiple other cutting edge modalities,” explained David Pizzimenti, D.O., Medical Director of Magnolia Wound & Hyperbaric Center of Excellence. Dr. Pizzimenti, who also serves as Director of Medical Education for MRHC’s Medical Student and Internal Medicine Residency Programs, continued, “ This is one of the only medical student and residency sites, where participants in the programs have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in wound care and hyperbaric treatment.”

Rick Napper, MRHC CEO & President stated, “Our vision is to not only treat the patients that need wound care now, but to also prepare our students and residents to treat the diabetic population, which is now skewing younger than in past years.”  He added, “We are excited to hear that we are doing well and hope to continue to provide the highest quality care to our community.”

Under the direction of Drs. David Pizzimenti and Marissa Cruz, a multi-disciplinary team of wound care specialists, including general surgeons, podiatrists, vascular surgeons, and highly-skilled certified wound care registered nurses, works to achieve some of the best healing rates and fastest healing times in the nation. During the patient’s visit, the wound care team is able to perform many advanced treatment modalities making it one of the most convenient, comprehensive and sophisticated wound facilities in the region.  The Center’s staff , working in conjunction with the patient’s primary care physician, help with the diagnosis and treatment of arterial ulcers, diabetic and neuropathic ulcers, lower extremity edema (swelling of the feet and/or ankles), pressure ulcers, problem surgical wounds, animal and insect bites, trauma wounds and venous stasis ulcers.

The Wound and Hyperbaric Center offers evidence based care which is proven to reduce complications and amputations related to these chronic, non-healing wounds. During a typical visit to the Center a patient will undergo a complete assessment, wound measurement and photographs, debridement to aid in the removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue by surgical or other means to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue, infectious disease management, laboratory and vascular evaluation, advanced wound dressings, compression dressings, prosthetic and pressure relief assistance, wound VAC and/or hyperbaric medicine.

Hyperbaric medicine is a non-invasive procedure often used to increase the rate of healing of chronic non-healing wounds. During a hyperbaric medicine treatment the patient is placed in a chamber containing 100% oxygen at pressures of more than one Atmosphere. Hyperbaric treatments typically last about 2 hours. Most patients will feel no differently than they would at home in their beds. They can listen to music or watch TV, talk to family members, or simply take a nap.

“We are honored to be named a Center of Excellence” said Ronny Humes, Vice-President of Operations with MRHC.  “Our team of physicians, nurses, and staff is committed to healing chronic wounds and this award recognizes our efforts”.

Magnolia Regional Health Care partners with Shared Health Services, Inc., a nationally known provider of Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Centers, to provide some of their advanced therapies. “We pride ourselves not only in treating every patient like they are a member of our own family, but on the success of helping our hospitals remain up to date on every aspect of wound healing. We are very proud of the team at Magnolia Regional Health Care,” said SHS President David Davis.

Shared Health Services, Inc. is based in Johnson City, Tennessee and currently works with hospitals from Florida to Pennsylvania and from West Virginia to Kansas.  More information is available at www.sharedhealthservices.com/.

Magnolia Regional Health Center joined with Shared Health Services, Inc., a nationally known provider of hospital based wound care and hyperbaric medicine centers, to open a newly restructured wound care and hyperbaric medicine center locally in February 2010.  The center is designed to help heal wounds that are particularly problematic to treat. Magnolia Wound & Hyperbaric Center of Excellence provides the most comprehensive, modern and compassionate wound care available. It offers cutting edge advanced clinical approaches to wound management, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO), an advanced medical treatment which employs oxygen at levels higher than atmospheric pressure to enhance natural healing for the treatment of chronic wounds.

MRHC awarded continuing accreditation from Joint Commission

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of Magnolia Regional Health Center on April 19-23, 2010. By demonstrating continued compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for healthcare quality and safety, Magnolia Regional Health Center has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ effective April 24, 2010 for another three years.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission is dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of the nation's healthcare through voluntary accreditation. To maintain and earn accreditation, a hospital undergoes an extensive on-site review by a select team of Joint Commission professionals such as administrators, physicians, and nurses at least once every three years. The purpose of the review is to evaluate the hospital's performance in areas that affect patient care. Through the triennial assessment of a hospital’s processes and personal visits with its patients and staff, the hospital is evaluated and scored. Accreditation or continued accreditation may then be awarded based on how well the hospital met Joint Commission standards. Magnolia Regional Health center has maintained the Goal Seal of Approval since 1967.

According to Angela Jackson, MRHC Vice-President of Organizational Excellence, “We are thrilled to receive continuing accreditation from the Joint Commission. It is our goal to continually strive to meet and exceed quality and safety standards in an effort to better serve our patients and community.”

Elwanda Whitaker, RN, Director of Accreditation Services, spoke of her pride in a staff whose members remain committed to maintaining accreditation by The Joint Commission and provide quality patient care. "In addition, they appreciate the educational aspect of the survey and the opportunity to interact with the team of surveyors."
br> She called the accreditation, "proof of an organization-wide commitment to provide quality care on an ongoing basis."

MRHC has been awarded continuing AOA approval for internal medicine residency program

Magnolia Regional Health Center’s Internal Medicine Residency Program was awarded continuing approval for four years on April 8, 2010, by the AOA (American Osteopathic Association) Program and Trainee Review Council.  “The MRHC medical staff continues to support medical education efforts in our community and the surrounding communities that we serve," stated Gene Combest, M.D., MRHC Vice-President of Medical Affairs.  He added, “I am appreciative to my fellow physicians for the integral part they have played in achieving this accreditation.”

As the only accrediting agency for osteopathic medical education, the AOA is responsible for developing and enforcing postdoctoral training requirements, policies and procedures in order to ensure the highest quality residency programs.  According to MRHC President and CEO, Rick Napper, “We feel that through this program, MRHC will be able to meet the challenging task of recruiting primary care physicians to rural areas of northeast Mississippi.”  MRHC’s residency program is ACOI (American College Osteopathic Internists) approved for Internal Medicine Specialty.

A residency in internal medicine is the start of a commitment to lifelong learning. Osteopathic (and allopathic) internal medicine requires three years of post-graduate internal medicine training. Training for any type of sub-specialization begins after completion of three years of residency and continues for one to four more years, depending on the subspecialty. Most subspecialists choose to practice a combination of general internal medicine along with a chosen subspecialty.

As of July 1, 2010, MRHC will have three residents in their third year of training, four residents in their second year of training and seven residents in their first year of training.  Director of Medical Education, David Pizzimenti, D.O., stated, “We are thrilled to have established a thriving osteopathic residency program in northeast Mississippi.  It is our hope that the program will continue to grow and contribute to MRHC’s ongoing mission of providing the highest quality care to our patients.”   MRHC’s Internal Medicine Residency Program is the only internal medicine approved osteopathic residency in the state of Mississippi.

MRHC employees donate items to recent flood victims

During hospital week (May 9-15), Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) collected clothing and canned food items for the victims of recent flooding in Corinth, MS. MRHC delivered 19 Wal-Mart bags along with two large boxes of groceries to the Amen Food Pantry. Additionally, 31 bags, two large boxes of clothes, four bags of shoes and several miscellaneous items were donated to the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is still in need of items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, disposal razors and various toiletries.

MRHC is proud to offer support for people in need in our community. According to Vice-President of Organizational Excellence Angela Jackson, “The hospital staff is pleased to take this opportunity to assist the victims of recent flooding in Corinth in their recovery efforts.” She added, “It is our hope that this donation will make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the people in our community.”

Amy Gray named Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champion

 

3M and the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) announced that Amy Gray, RN, from Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, MS, was selected as a Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champion.  

Amy Gray joins a select group of nurse and infection prevention professionals nominated by their colleagues for demonstrating passion for AORN’s Recommended Practices (RP) for Hand Hygiene in the Perioperative Setting, fostering collaboration in hand hygiene compliance best practice within their facility or among professional communities and for their programs that had impact through the use of creative communications tools.  According to Vice President of Organizational Excellence, Angela Jackson, “Amy takes her responsibilities as MRHC’s Infection Control Preventionist very seriously and has worked diligently to increase awareness and compliance with hand hygiene recommendations.  She has made it her personal mission to help others understand the impact that this simple, yet important task has on increasing patient safety.”

“The hand hygiene practice ideas and program examples from the nominees can remind all perioperative professionals that training and education to implement AORN Recommended Practices can take many forms,” said Linda Groah, RN, MSN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN, executive director/CEO of AORN. “When we combine RPs with memorable learning tools, there is a higher level of compliance.”

As a Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champion, Amy Gray, will receive a certificate for her efforts, six months’ free membership to AORN for herself and will be invited to participate in special activities throughout the year that will enable her to showcase her creative programs and best practices.  According to Amy, “Studies have proven that hand hygiene saves lives by preventing the spread of infection and viruses. In healthcare settings, hand hygiene is the single most important way one can prevent potentially fatal infections from spreading from patient to patient and from patient to healthcare worker and vice-versa.”

“It’s because of the hard work and creativity of professionals like Amy Gray that a greater emphasis on hand hygiene is present in healthcare organizations across the country,” said Cheryl Pederson, marketing manager for perioperative hand hygiene, 3M Infection Prevention Division.  “We encourage all perioperative and infection prevention professionals to become champions of hand hygiene in their respective organizations and to continue to do their part in minimizing the risks of healthcare-acquired infections.”

MRHC announces implementation of advanced patient safety measure: TAR (Transfusion Administration Record)

Magnolia Regional Health Center has recently implemented the use of an electronic Transfusion Administration Record (TAR) as part of its ongoing initiative to provide better quality of care and information safety to their patients by utilizing information technology.

“Magnolia Regional Health Center is excited to be one of the first hospitals in the nation to implement TAR,” stated Rick Napper, MRHC CEO & President.  “This is one of many electronic advancements in patient safety that allows MRHC to continue to provide the highest quality care to our patients.”

Implemented at MRHC on March 29, 2010, TAR helps healthcare organizations, such as Magnolia Regional Health Center, to achieve their patient safety initiatives. The electronic transfusion verification system utilizes bar code technology. The nurse scans the patient’s bar coded wristband, the blood product’s bar coded label, and the user ID bar code at the bedside using either tethered or wireless scanners. The system verifies that the patient and blood product are both correct and allows the nurse to proceed with the transfusion. The nurse has the ability to document vital signs, the start and end time, as well as any transfusion reactions. The TAR application is fully integrated with MEDITECH’s Blood Bank application, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Patient Care System Module. 

Transfusion associated record (TAR) follows the principle of “Primum non nocere”, first, do no harm.  TAR is a way to increase patient safety.  TAR benefits MRHC’s Laboratory Services Department in the following ways:

1. Positive patient identification: scanning of the patient’s wristband at patient’s bedside with our MobiLab system which results in bar-coded specimens.
2. The bar-coded specimens are used for crossmatching thereby reducing the possibility of specimen “mix up”
3. Scanning of blood bank products and associating the products with the bar-coded patient specimen during crossmatching
4. Scanning the blood bank products at the time of issuing the products for transfusion
5. Scanning the patient’s wristband at the bedside and the blood products so that the right patient gets the right product.
6. All documentation about the patient’s transfusion is maintained indefinitely in the computer system

According to MRHC Laboratory Services Director, Bill Jones, PhD, “The patient is properly identified and all specimens and products are associated with the patient throughout the process from specimen collection until the transfusion process is complete, thereby creating a ‘closed loop’ process of patient safety.  We are always striving to mistake-proof all of our processes to insure complete patient safety.  TAR helps in meeting this goal.”

For more information on Magnolia Regional Health Center, please visit www.mrhc.org