News Around the State

Winston Medical Center Social Worker named Social Worker of the Year

On November 9, 2012, as a part of the Mississippi Society for Social Work Leadership in health Care annual conference in Jackson, MS, Barbara Gay was named “Health Care Social Worker of the Year 2012”. Barbara is currently Director of Social Services at Wisnton Medical Center where she has been employed since 1980.

Read more from Winston News Online here.

Winston Medical Center implements Aero DR Solution

Winston Medical Center is the first hospital in the state of Mississippi to implement Konica's wireless Aero DR solution, which turns analog X-rays into digital images. Winston Medical is utilizing the new technology in both its dedicated X-ray room and on a portable system that brings the imaging to the patient—ideal for critically ill or immobile patients. The results are shorter exam times for faster diagnosis and higher image quality that can significantly enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

“With the speed and ease-of-use of the Aero DR, we have reduced the time a patient is in the X-ray department,” says Robert Higginbotham, Radiology Director at Winston Medical Center. “This not only increases throughput, but more importantly when combined with the high image quality of the system, we have reduced the radiation dose delivered to our patients—in many instances we are using half the radiation dose previously used,” adds Higginbotham.

Patient diagnosis is also faster with the DR images, as technologists no longer have to process film or cassettes. With the Aero DR, images are available for preview in less than 3 seconds. This is particularly important in the Emergency Room, notes Higgenbotham, where time can be crucial to a patient’s care. He adds that in addition to enhancing patient care, the Aero DR panel was a cost-effective solution with the flexibility to use in a fixed or portable system. Plus, the durable carbon fiber and lithium ion capacitor offer longer life with fewer replacement costs, which translates to a lower total cost of ownership over the average product lifespan.

MSHFMA announces new chapter leaders

The Mississippi Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association (MSHFMA) recently announced officers for the 2010-2011 Chapter Year. MSHFMA is a professional membership organization for individuals in financial management of healthcare institutions and related patient organizations. MSHFMA was recently recognized at HFMA’s Annual National Institute in Las Vegas, June 22nd, for attaining the highest level of achievements in all categories – Gold Award, Education; Gold Award, Membership & Gold Award, Certification.  

 
 
Sandy Riley, CME
President
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

 
Lexie Fuller
President-Elect
Rush Foundation Hospital
Meridian, Mississippi

 
Melody Green
Treasurer
Winston Medical Center
Louisville, Mississippi

 
Kim Cappleman
Secretary
Tupelo, Mississippi

Winston Medical Center honors employees for years of service

Winston Medical Center in Louisville recently recognized employees for years of service during National Hospital Week. Honored for years of service were: Fran Misso, Joe Ann Arterberry, Dottie Strait, Barbara Krause, Makeysha Glenn, Kimberly Rankins, Shana Bell, Melanie Jackson, Shoneylisa Haynes, 5 years; Carol Shields, Fran Garretson, Anna Berry-Carter, 10 years; Pear Hodge, 20 years; and Cathy Stevenson, 25 years.

Purchase cookbooks from WMC

Winston Medical Center and Nursing Home have composed a cookbook in efforts to raise money for Relay for Life. Cookbooks can be purchased for $10 at the Emergency Room. For more information, call Fran Misso at (662) 779-5121.

Hospital Auxiliary donates Doppler

Nancy Swain, director of nursing at Winston Medical Center in Louisville, recently accepted the gift of an OB and vascular Doppler purchased for the hospital by the Auxiliary. The instrument is used to listen for fetal heart tones, to locate systolic blood pressure and to listen to blood flow within a vessel.