News Around the State

South Central Opens New State-Of-The-Art ICU

 

Nothing showcases cutting-edge medicine as much as a new general surgery facility and a modern-day intensive care unit. South Central opened a new state-of-the-art surgery center in April of last year, and South Central recently celebrated the opening of a new Intensive Care Unit.

Doug Higginbotham, Executive Director at South Central Regional Medical Center, said," Our primary goal at South Central is to provide the best care possible for our patients. In order to accomplish that goal, we must constantly upgrade technology and facilities." Prior to developing plans for any new area at South Central, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals met to determine the best design for the area.
"We always consider efficiency, work flow and patient safety when developing any new clinical area," Higginbotham said.

The new 13-bed intensive care unit at South Central offers the latest technology in the ICU field. JoAnn Hinton, Director of South Central's Intensive Care Unit, said, "The Carescape CIC Pro, a computerized viewing station near the bedside, allows physicians and nurses to quickly navigate and review relevant patient information to help enhance clinical decision support at the point of care. They can see real-time and historical trends to help make informed treatment decisions."

Hinton said that the patient bed is of key importance in a critical care unit. "The new TotalCare beds manufactured by Hill-Rom effectively help treat conditions related to immobility. Each bed includes a tilt table which easily moves into full chair position. The "Smart Bed" technology is the best in its class for patient monitoring. It offers customizable alerts and provides automatic charting capabilities. The Advanced Microclimate technology removes heat and moisture from the bed surface and maintains the ideal thermal comfort range for the patient," she said.

Kim Dobbs, M.D., Pulmonologist at South Central and Chairman of the medical center's Critical Care Committee, said, "I have cared for patients at South Central for almost 10 years and I am pleased with the efforts made by administration to make our intensive care unit world class. I have worked in intensive care units across the Southeast and this unit rivals any that I have seen."

Dr. Dobbs is extremely pleased that the new intensive care unit allows nurses to be at the bedside of each patient rather than at a nurses station. "Unlike traditional intensive care units where the nurses station is located in the center of the unit, there are small monitoring stations located in between each two rooms to allow nurses easy access to their patients," she said.

Dr. Dobbs continued by saying that the nurses working in South Central's intensive care unit are excellent. They are well trained, but also kind and compassionate care-givers. "Our nursing staff is as good as you will find anywhere," she said.

Dr. Dobbs continued by saying that there are several components to providing excellent critical care-one is the facility and the other is compassionate care-givers. This new facility allows health care professionals at South Central to use their skills to provide the best care possible for our patients," she said. "Working through a critical illness is difficult for everyone-the patient and the family. I am pleased that the new family waiting room is right next door to the new ICU, and a new conference room has been constructed for private discussions between the physician and family."

"We have to keep changing," Dr. Dobbs said. "Medicine is not a static field. If we are going to continue to provide state-of-the-art care, we have to change with it and we have made the commitment to do that."

The purpose of the intensive care unit (ICU) is simple even though the practice is complex. Healthcare professionals who work in the ICU provide around-the-clock intensive monitoring and treatment of patients seven days a week. Intensive care has been shown to benefit patients who are severely ill and medically unstable. They typically have a potentially life-threatening disease or disorder.

Ashley certified as Licensed MH/MR Administrator

Clint Ashley was recently certified as a Licensed Mental Health/Mental Retardation Administrator with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Ashley serves as director of the Laurel Crisis Intervention Center operated by South Mississippi State Hospital and also serves as interim director of security and risk management at the Purvis campus of the hospital. Ashley, a Covington County resident, has been employed with SMSH since the hospital’s opening in 2000.

The Laurel CIC is a 16-bed crisis intervention and acute care facility that is operated by South Mississippi State Hospital, a 50-bed acute care facility in Purvis offering mental health treatment and services for adults in the southern part of the state.
 
The Licensed MH/MR Administrator program is a professional credentialing program designed for top-level mental health, mental retardation or addiction program administrators within the DMH.  Acceptance into the program requires a master’s degree or higher and completion of the Certified Public Manager and FOCUS programs.

FOCUS is an accelerated leadership program designed for the Mississippi DMH to develop leaders from within.  The overall goal of the program is to have the right people, with the right skills, at the right time. Ashley completed the FOCUS program in August 2009.

He holds a Master of Science Degree in Workforce Training and Development from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a 2003 graduate of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government.  He completed the Mississippi State Certified Public Managers Program in 2002 and was awarded the National Askew Award for best model project entitled “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient Safety.”  Ashely also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration from The University of Mississippi.

Crisis Center technician chosen as SMSH Employee of the Quarter

Tracy Royal, an active treatment technician at the Crisis Intervention Center in Laurel, has been selected as South Mississippi State Hospital’s Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2009.

SMSH is a 50-bed acute care facility in Purvis, that offers mental health treatment and services for adults in the southern part of the state. The Laurel CIC is a 16-bed crisis intervention and acute care facility that functions as part of SMSH. As an ATT, Royal is responsible for working with mentally ill adults, leading and/or monitoring patient education groups, documenting patient activity throughout the day and assisting with recreation therapy.

“I enjoy working with the patients and feel that my job is very rewarding,” said Royal. She has been employed at the Crisis Intervention Center since June 2007. Before coming to the CIC she was employed at Sanderson Farms for eight years. Royal graduated from Wayne County High School in 1995 and then attended Meridian Community College.

“Tracy takes her job seriously and gives 100 percent at all times,” said Tina Jefcoat, an RN at the Crisis Center. “She stays abreast of new information and makes sure all staff members are aware of things they need to know.

Royal succeeds Jefcoat as the last EOQ chosen from the Crisis Center. One benefit SMSH employees enjoy as Employee of the Quarter is a reserved parking space. Although Jefcoat says she will miss her parking space, she didn’t mind turning it over to Royal.

“It is hard to put into words what a delight it is to work with Tracy,” said Jefcoat. “. . . I couldn’t give [my parking space] up for a better person.” Royal lives with her two girls, Jaycelyn and Janiya in Waynesboro. She hopes to attend nursing school in the near future.

Laurel Pediatric Clinic most improved in patient satisfaction

Sitting: Karen Walters, Clinic Manager, and Nancy Eaves, Nurse Practitioner; Standing: Stacy Molloy LPN, Jeanae Croxton Business Office, Carie Riley Business Office, Sandra Bester LPN II,Amanda Williams LPN II; Not Pictured: Mary Ann Daughdrill Business Office, Selina McGee DOS and housekeeper, Catrina Stewart LPN II, Tomia Boot CPNP, Bert Bradford MD, Christie Chard MD and Sarath Dommaraju MD

Congratulations to South Central Regional Medical Center's Laurel Pediatric Clinic for the Most Improved Patient Satisfaction Scores during the second quarter of 2008. The clinic increased their score from 60 percent excellent for Overall Quality of Care to 80 percent.

IT Employees Placed 10th In The National Phi Beta Lambda Conference

South Central Regional Medical Center employees David Rayner and Kyle McDonald (I.T. Dept.) won 1st place in the State Phi Beta Lambda Conference securing them an invitation to the National PBL Conference.

David and Kyle participated in the National PBL conference in Atlanta representing JCJC and placed 10th in the nation on the Network Design Team.

SCRMC Security Officers Complete Law Enforcement Training Academy

South Central Regional Medical Center Security Officers Rickey Herrington, Jimmy McCoy and Nathan Fayard recently completed requirements for certification as law enforcement officers by attending a state certified training academy.

During the six-month certification process, officers received over 200 hours of comprehensive training in a wide range of law enforcement programs consisting of academics, first aid, driving, firearms, defensive tactics as well as intensive physical training. With their completion of this training , all SCRMC Security Officers are now academy certified.

SCRMC Intensive Care Nurses Receive Baccalaureate Degree

Several South Central Regional Medical Center nurses graduated from the University of South Alabama recently with their Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. Each nurse was on the presidents list and Jo Ann Hinton was awarded an Excellence in Practice Award.

These nurses (from left to right) have continued to work in the SCRMC intensive care unit while returning to school and have now earned their degree. They are: JoAnn Hinton, Director of ICU; Stacey Tolbert, Charge Nurse; and Mary Ann Bynum, Charge Nurse.

Holder named Employee of the Month at SCRMC

South Central Regional Medical Center recently recognized Joe Holder at South Central's Employee of the Month. Joe is a pharmacist and has worked for South Central for 19 years. He attended high school in Bay Springs and graduated from The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. Joe has been married for 27 years to his wife, Rebecca. He has one daughter, Maggie, who is 22 and one son, Benton, who is 20.

When asked the following questions, Joe responded:

Proudest Moment: June 14, 2008 - The very second I stepped off the boat on a fishing trip with the PT employees.

Hobbies: Not deep sea fishing

Favorite Book: "Deliver Us from Evil" by Seon Hannity

Favorite TV Show: The Andy Griffith Show

Favorite Movie: Schindler’s List

Was there anyone in the organization who influenced your desire to strive for excellence? After 19 years, there are too many to name.

South Central Regional Medical Center names Buford Employee of the Month

Amanda Buford was named Employee of the Month by South Central Regional Medical Center.  Buford is the School Prep Preschool Teacher at the Children’s Academy and  has worked for South Central for 1 1/2 years.

She attended Wayne County High School and Jones County Junior College.

Amanda is married to Tom Buford. Her parents are Bruce and Pat Mowinski of Waynesboro.

When asked the following questions, Amanda responded:
Proudest moment: “My wedding day.  I married a wonderful man.”
Favorite Book:  “The Bible”
Favorite TV Show:  “American Idol and Gilmore Girls”
Favorite Movie:  “Any girlie movie and cartoons”

When asked what she likes best about working for South Central she said “I love the children and parents.  It feels as though I am part of each family.  The staff is great as well.  Everyday is exciting and fun.”

The Employee of the Month is chosen each month by the South Central Ambassadors, a group of employees representing different departments of the hospital.  Employees are nominated by their peers and the selection is made by the Ambassadors.  The employee chosen must exhibit  service above and beyond the call of duty and display the performance standards of the hospital.  Amanda Buford fulfills all these requirements and more.

South Central Regional Medical Center recognize 2008 Nurse of the Year

South Central Regional Medical Center recently celebrated National Nurse Appreciation Week. To celebrate the national theme: “Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day” the staff of South Central selected 26 nurses to represent departments as “Nurse of the Year.” Of those, Linda Dearman, RN, was chosen as the 2008 SCRMC Overall Nurse of the Year. Linda has worked for South Central for over 21 years including 8 years as a medical/surgical nurse and 13 years as a staff nurse at South Central’s Extended Care Facility in Ellisville. She graduated from Jones County Junior College Licensed Practical Nursing Program in 1971 and from Meridian Community College with an Associates Nursing Degree in 1991.

Marsha DeReamer, Director of Ellisville Extended Care Facility, said “If I didn’t know the difference, I would have thought the Florence Nightingale Pledge was written by someone knowing Linda Dearman. She is the example of the word NURSE. She always has a beautiful smile and warm, welcoming attitude. These qualities are not learned but can only come from the heart, the effects are priceless. Linda changes the lives of her patients for the better. We are blessed that she is a part of South Central Regional Medical Center’s Extended Care and proud that Linda has been chosen to represent South Central as the 2008 Nurse of the Year.”

When asked her philosophy of Nursing, Linda said, “Nursing is more than a vocation, Nursing is a calling, ministry, challenge, and opportunity to help those in need and hopefully change lives for the better.” Linda displays her dedication to her profession in every interaction with patients, visitors, family, and coworkers. Linda and her husband, Bobby Dearman, have two daughters and sons-in-law, Shelly & Mike Reid and Amy & Ray Winstead and seven grandchildren. She resides in Laurel and attends Oakland Grove Baptist Church where she is active with the choir and Senior Saints Club.

Beth Endom, Associate Executive Director of Nursing said, “Nurses like Linda Dearman are what make our healthcare team excellent at South Central.”