Over the Waves
Our Vision To forge extraordinary connections with our community that support health at every stage of life.
A Different Approach to Primary Care Healthcare consumers who are looking for a primary care provider have a choice – see a physician or a certified nurse practitioner. South County Health has both on its medical staff, giving consumers more choices and greater accessibility to primary care. Certified nurse practitioners, Jennifer Avedisian, RNP and Mary Joyal, FNP-C, are among the board certified nurse practitioners on the South County Health medical staff. They provide primary care in family medicine for children and adults at the South County Health Medical & Wellness Center in East Greenwich. As a primary care provider, what is the fundamental difference between a physician and a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners and physicians are educated through different models - the nursing model and the medical model. These complement each other because we may have slightly different ways of seeing an illness or situation, which can be helpful in collaborating and giving our patients the best possible treatments. Can nurse practitioners offer healthcare services without being part of a physician’s practice? In some states nurse practitioners are able to practice independently without a supervising physician and Rhode Island is one of those states.
check-up we go through the same procedures and routines that a primary care physician would. We review and update family, social, and past medical history, review current medical issues and concerns, order necessary bloodwork and imaging, and make sure patients are up-to-date on vaccines and cancer screening tests.
Contents
•Above & Beyond............................2 •Conrad-Nestor Scholarship..........2
•NPs as PCPs cont'd.........................3 •2018 Tribute Campaign..................3
•Ask Me.............................................4 •Zero Harm in the Workplace........4 •Flu Hitting Hard.............................5 •Galaxy of Stars................................5 •State Budget and Healthcare.........6 •Opioid Crisis Lawsuit....................6 •Volunteer of the Month.................6
•Healthy Cooking............................7 •Welcome to the Fold......................7 •Cyber Security Champion.............7 •Calendar of Events.........................8
Top: Jennifer Avedesian, RNP Bottom: Mary Joyal, FNP-C
South County Hospital South County Home Health South County Medical Group South County Surgical Supply
What can a patient expect when they see a nurse practitioner, rather than a physician for their annual check-ups? When we see a patient for an annual February 2018 1
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Above & Beyond A small note to show you care
The Medical Transcription Department would like to send a huge thank you to Lou Sharbuno for making our transition to remote transcription much easier than we ever thought it could be. His incredible knowledge and exceptional patience were a huge bonus in helping us get acclimated to the remote system before we went home and continues now. When an issue arises in the home environment, we know that he is just a phone call away. He replies immediately to our problems and never makes us feel that our requests or problems are silly or insignificant. Thank you! —Cheryl Friel, Medical Transcription I want to thank Ed, one of our couriers. He and the other couriers go way above and beyond just to help me send and receive outside studies for our tumor board so our patients get the full and complete picture of their cases. —Judy Ingram, Diagnostic Imaging
Thanks to the housekeeping and transport staff for all your hard work on a busy evening shift on Ortho/Frost 1. —Frost 1 evening staff IV Nurses Day is celebrated national on January 25 each year. We're thankful for the great care our infusion nurses provide to the cancer center patients every day. Sitting left to right: Katie Ormondroyd, RN, BSN, OCN; Sue Haberle, RN, BSN, OCN; Michelle Fishburn, Pharm D., Cancer Center Pharmacist. Standing left to right: Kathleen Hemhill, RN, BSN; Stephen Locke, RN; Tonia Williams, RN, BSN; Kimberly Carlson, RN, OCN, CHPN, Clinical Leader, Nursing, Cancer Center.
Teamwork makes the dream work! I want to say thank you to my team in the Cancer Center for all of their hard work even when we are short staffed, the quality never suffers! Thank you to: Marcia, Donna MA, Donna Lab, Ashley E., Deb, Brian and Mrs Kim, Lisa, Effie and Jessica (float MA) Sue and Sara (lab ladies), Ben (volunteer), Denise (volunteer), MJ (volunteer), and everyone else who supports our patients! Let us encourage each other to always be the best! —Belkys Perez, Cancer Center
Attention Staff with Graduating High School Students Apply for the Conrad-Nestor Scholarship
The Conrad-Nestor scholarships are awarded annually to students who are entering post-secondary training and who demonstrate a combination of academic achievement and financial need. David Chronley, MD, created the Conrad-Nestor Scholarship honoring two country doctors in 1999 at South County Hospital (SCH). Robert L. Conrad, a general surgeon, was on staff from 1965 to 2000 and was instrumental in improving the facilities, staff, and patient care at SCH. He served as both President of the Medical Staff and Chief of Surgery. During his tenure he established the first EMT training in the state, the first radio communication between SCH and the rescue squads, and the first FAA-approved hospital heliport in New England.
Thomas A. Nestor, MD, a surgeon and family doctor, was on staff at SCH from 1946 to 1986 and was known for his formidable schedule and compassion for his patients. He made house calls until his retirement. Serving as a Major in WWII Parachute Infantry, Dr. Nestor made numerous jumps under fire to care for wounded soldiers on the battlefields of the South Pacific. DEADLINE The Scholarship Committee must receive your application by April 15. Grants will be made on an objective, nondiscriminating basis. Visit www.southcountyhealth.org for more information on how to apply and to learn who qualifies to earn the scholarship.
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Q&A: NPs as PCPs continued If a patient can’t get an appointment with a primary care physician, can a physician’s office refer them to a nurse practitioner for their primary care? Yes! In our current climate of ever-changing healthcare, there is increasing demand for primary care services and a shortage of primary care providers. Nurse practitioners help to offset this shortage by offering high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered health care.
to-date on new medications and treatments. We work in collaboration with specialists to make sure patients receive proper treatment for any chronic medical issues. The health of our patients is our primary concern. We are always available to discuss any questions or concerns patients have about their health, medical tests, diagnoses or treatments that they have.
Are visits to a nurse practitioner covered by health insurance? Yes, we are covered by health insurance. Some plans require a physician’s name to be listed as the “primary care doctor,” but our services are billable and recognized by insurance companies. How do you ensure that the patients you care for receive a high level of care and an exceptional patient experience? Our goal is to make sure we are giving our patients the best possible treatments and health guidance, and that you are happy with the care you receive from us. We are always checking for new medical guidelines and attending continuing education classes to make sure that we are up-
Tribute campaign Names 2018 Honorees
Add the name of your honoree to the Frances McGillivray Tribute plaque The Honorees for the 2018 South County Health Frances McGillivray Tribute are two people who have made a difference in the lives of others and forged extraordinary connections with the community that support health at every stage of life. This year’s Staff Honoree is Sherri Zinno, registered respiratory therapist and manager of the South County Health Cardiopulmonary Services & Physical Therapy Services. A dedicated employee for the last 30 years, Sherri developed the hospital’s wellness exercise and survivorship programs to benefit all cancer patients, as well as many other programs that promote good health.
Lincoln Almond
Former Governor Lincoln Almond, the 2018 Community Honoree, has been an active participant and supporter of the Wellness & Fitness Center at South County Hospital since 2014. He has personally improved his health under the supervision of highly trained exercise physiologists and respiratory therapists, and continues to support their efforts to help others improve their health.
If you would like to recognize someone by adding their name to the Frances McGillivray Tribute wall plaque, contact the Fund Development department at developmentoffice@ southcountyhealth.org or call ext. 1492 (401-788-1492).
Sherri Zinno, RRT
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Ask Me
why I’m South County Health - Monthly word jumble!
As part of our ongoing Ask Me campaign, the Marketing Department invites you to participate in a monthly word jumble contest! Unscramble the following words correctly and you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card to Amazon, Panera Bread, or Dunkin Donuts (prizes are taxable)! You must send your unscrambled answers to hcosta@ southcountyhealth.org. Winners will be announced in the next issue of Over the Waves. This month’s word scramble theme is American Heart Month: krtoes
krosmes
nionsteeryhp
gihh olbod rsersupe
AND THE JANUARY WORD JUMBLE WINNERS ARE... 1. Patricia Griffin 2. Stefanie Gannon 3. Tricia Shea To claim your prize, email Hillary Costa at hcosta@southcountyhealth.org or call 401-788-8597. Answers from Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: vxreci nmauh liolmvaisuesppair cervix human pap piboys biopsy
pscyplcooo colposcopy
‘Zero harm’ is critical for patients and physicians alike Mike Davidson was a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon who operated on critically ill patients that other doctors had turned down. His murder by a patient’s family member in 2015 was reported nationally in the media as a tragic example of workplace violence and led to widespread calls for improvement in the safety of healthcare providers. Despite increased awareness generated by violent acts, hospitals, by nature of their open access to patients, visitors, delivery personnel and the general public, remain high-risk settings for physicians and staff. An editorial in a 2015 issue the New England Journal of Medicine provided the following statistics on the scope of the issue: • The healthcare industry is the second most violent in the US, behind only law enforcement. • 75% of all workplace assaults between 2013 and 2015 occurred in a healthcare setting. • 80% of all emergency medical workers will be a victim of violence during their career. • 100% of ER nurses surveyed at the time reported that they had been the victim of verbal abuse and 82% reported being the victim of physical assault. Even more shocking, these numbers likely underestimate the true extent of workplace violence in healthcare due to underreporting. For too long medical personnel have failed to report acts of violence perpetrated against them and considered it “part of the job.” Even at South County Hospital, a small rural institution in Washington County, Rhode Island, violence against our staff, particularly front line providers, occurs not infrequently.
We are exposed to the same factors that trigger violence elsewhere. These include unpredictable patient behavior due to dementia, delirium, and substance abuse. Likewise, our patients and their families deal here, as elsewhere, with other stressors known to trigger violence such as long wait times and receiving unexpected bad news about themselves or their loved ones. In the coming weeks and months, medical staff leadership and administration will collaborate on a program to mitigate violence against staff within the South County Health System. This endeavor has kicked off with a comprehensive third party assessment of current safetytraining and security measures at South County Hospital. Our education will be critical to the success of this initiative. We as a medical staff must learn what constitutes acceptable patient and family behavior and we must be taught how to de-escalate and otherwise deal with individuals whose behavior deviates from these standards. Education alone, however, will be insufficient. Other institutions have found it necessary to increase security staffing levels, to invest in equipment such as door locks, cameras and other new technology that can discretely and immediately notify security staff and summon them to a specific location in the hospital. I suspect these types of interventions will be needed here as well. We have rightfully committed as an institution to becoming a High Reliability Organization with a goal of zero patient harm. After all, we cannot uphold the Hippocratic Oath if we as providers remain in harm’s way. This article - condensed here - originally appeared in the January issue of Physician Focus written by Aaron Weisbord, MD, South County Health Medical Staff President. Dr. Weisbord can be reached at South County Cardiology, 401-471-6440 or aweisbord@southcountyhealth.org.
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Washinton County Feeling Strain of Severe Flu Season Each week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issues a report on the incidences of influenza like illness (ILI) which is shared throughout South County Health by Lee Ann Quinn, BS, RN, CIC. Based on these reports, ILI is hitting hard in Washington County.
Infection prevention As the director of Infection Prevention & Control, Environmental Health & Safety, Lee Ann emphasizes the importance of infection prevention to stop the spread of illness.
Strain A is the predominate strain being reported and hospitalization rates had doubled week-to-week. In the second week of Influenza Season, the number of ILI rose to the “moderate” level. If the trend continues to rise to the “red” level, South County Hospital staff will respond accordingly to minimize any impact to operations.
“Hand hygiene and cough etiquette is especially important when illnesses such as the flu are widespread,” she said.
Most affected: Those 65 years of age and older, followed by the 50-64 year-old age group. Mortality: Statewide, eleven influenza–associated deaths have been reported as of January 10.
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If you have a fever, cough, sore throat or other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider to get tested.
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If you are diagnosed with influenza, get treated. Antivirals are very useful if taken within the time frame of early onset of symptoms.
South County Health is tracking incidence of ILI in staff. Managers are asked to email the Employee Health department with the names, shifts and duration of any employee’s illness.
Galaxy of Stars: December 2017
Maggie Thomas and Bob Buscher
Kim Jenestreet
Nick Martirossian and Kathy Egan
Bobby McGillivray
Nancy Gobin with Kevin Murphy and Karen Velleco
Materials Management
Denise Newhouse and Ron Gothberg
Maggie Thomas and Christina Puppi
Nathan Kinsella and Nadine McCauley
The Galaxy of Stars Program provides an opportunity for staff to recognize their colleagues who demonstrate our Guiding Values or exemplify and enhance a Culture of Wellness. Visit the Intranet to download a form and nominate a colleague today! Michael Armstrong Bob Buscher Leslie Canning Wendy Collins Jim Covington Michael Daskiewicz Leah Glennon Nancy Gobin Heather Gordon Ron Gothberg Maria Greene Kim Jenestreet Nathan Kinsella Lou Laudone Kathy Lynch-Reels Nick Martirossian Bobby McGillivray Ralph Mitchell Julie Parrillo Shelby Pezzullo Ralph Riccio Dany Vachon
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HARI Reacts to Governor’s Proposed Budget The FY19 proposed state budget released by Gov. Gina Raimondo on January 18, 2018 includes elimination of inpatient upper payment limit payments (federal funds used to ensure Medicaid reimburses hospitals at an amount equal to Medicare) and a Medicaid payment rate freeze. The Hospital Association of Rhode Island continues to analyze the impact of these proposals. The Hospital Association of Rhode Island and its members are disappointed the proposed budget includes hospital payment cuts. We look forward to working with the General Assembly and the Administration to help protect our hospitals, which provide nearly $7.6 billion in economic impact to our state. The proposed cuts are disappointing and fail to take into consideration the uncertainty of funding at the Federal level. As officials in Washington D.C. have proposed cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals (DSH), funds that provide essential assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations are also in jeopardy.
The impact of the federal cuts is compounded by the budget, as proposed by the Governor, which eliminates the inpatient upper payment limit payments and eliminates expected Medicaid rate increases. The Governor’s proposed cuts, when taken together with the Federal reductions, will result in a $50 million loss of revenue to hospitals in Rhode Island. Founded over a half century ago, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI) is a statewide trade organization that assists member hospitals in effectively meeting the healthcare needs of Rhode Island, through advocacy, representation, education and services. HARI members work collaboratively to improve the quality of care delivered and address issues threatening access to healthcare. HARI members work together to ensure that all Rhode Islanders will receive comprehensive, high-quality healthcare.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: John Roberts John Roberts has been a South County Hospital volunteer for eight months and has accumulated almost 200 hours. John puts in long days escorting patients and visitors throughout the hospital with a smile on his face! John was born and raised in Rhode Island, where he was married to his high school sweetheart Sandra for over 50 years. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. John began his career driving trucks for Fiore before spending over 30 years delivering for UPS. Once John retired from UPS, he wanted to donate his time however he could. He began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, but wanted to do more. John loves to help other people and he is someone you can always count on. That is what brought him to South County Hospital. John loves to spend his free time being outdoors and camping. When he is not volunteering or spending time with family, you can find him in his shed working with his scroll saw. The ornaments on our Holiday Giving Tree are just a few of his many pieces of art. Our front desk wouldn’t run as smooth without the assistance of people like John. We are fortunate to have him at South County Health. For more information on how you can become a volunteer, contact Nadine McCauley at nmccauley@southcountyhealth.org or call 401-788-1982.
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Health eCooking: Mini Chicken Nachos Calories: 161 | Serving Size: 3 chips | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 138mg
Corn chips will never be the same once you try this healthy recipe for mini chicken tacos. This healthy chicken filling and these tasty toppings work great in standard corn taco shells too. Ingredients 1 large Spanish onion, sliced thin 2 garlic cloves minced 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp paprika 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken stock (gluten free if needed) 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 Tbsp lime juice 24 baked round corn chips (gluten free if needed)
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 cup chopped ripe tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped fresh pineapple 1/2 avocado sliced thin 2 radishes sliced thin 2 jalapeĂąo peppers sliced thin 2 limes, cut into wedges 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt (gluten free if needed) Hot Sauce (optional)
Preparation Lightly coat a skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the onion is translucent. Add garlic, cumin and paprika and stir. Add the shredded chicken and stir. Add the stock. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil. Add cilantro and lime juice and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir well. Cover and set aside for 10 minutes. Top each chip with a tablespoon of chicken mixture and desired toppings. Serve immediately. Visit Health eCooking at www.southcountyhealth.org for more recipes!
Cyber Security Champion MIS would like to congratulate this month's Cyber Security Champion: Maureen
Klaboe, MIS
A Cyber Security Champion is someone who goes above and beyond to protect our patient data from being compromised. Thank you for keeping the safety of our patients’ data always in mind!
Welcome to the Fold New Staff
Kristen Amaral, Physician Support Joseph Brady, SC Surgery Practice Janine Brooks, Hospitalist Kristin Brown, Oncology Practice Kristen Calabro, Laboratory Gayle Drewry, Operating Room Melody Egan, Primary Care Wakefield Paige Farias, Dietary Marcos Figueroa, EVS Angela Givens, HIM Joyce Hanson, HIM Rachelle Horton, HIM
Stephen Locke, Infusion Paul Pacheco, EVS Belkys Perez, Oncology Practice Angela Rizzo, HIM Lamin Sallah, Emergency Room Michelle Solitro-Fitzgerald, Process Improvement Breanna St. Pierre, EVS Stephanie Weathers, EVS Jeffrey Wilkinson, Labroratory Jashe Wright, HIM
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Upcoming Events Expectant Parents Info Session Wednesday, Feb. 28, 5 p.m. South County Health Medical & Wellness Center, Westerly South County Health's Expectant Parents Info Session provides support to families who are thinking about becoming pregnant, considering where to deliver their baby or have questions regarding what to expect before, during and after delivery at South County Hospital, in a casual, group setting. This group provides the opportunity for you to chat with a family who has delivered at South County Hospital's Women & Newborn Care Unit and used other obstetrical support services with South County Health. Learn more > Sports Injuries: Prevention is the Best Medicine Tuesday, March 6, 6:30 pm – 8 pm South County Health Potter Conference Center Don’t let your student-athletes suffer irreparable harm that could prevent them from participating in the sports that they love. This lecture will be presented by Orthopedic Physician Dr. Charlotte Moriarty of Ortho Rhode Island South County. Learn more >
We've Got Your Back Tuesday, March 20, 6:30-8 p.m. Greenville Public Library, Greenville, RI Join South County Health for a FREE lecture presented by spine specialist, Dr. Ian Madom to help answer your questions! •
How do I know when my pain is bad enough to go see a doctor?
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Are there things I can do on my own to control the pain?
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Is surgery the only option to fix the problem?
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What treatments are available to me for back pain?
This lecture is FREE! To ensure your space please register by calling 401-788-1647 or online. Hand Pain: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments Tuesday, March 27, 6:30-8 p.m. South County Health Medical & Wellness Center, Westerly Join South County Health for a FREE lecture presented by Dr. Ben Phillips, hand surgeon, to help answer your questions such as: •
How do I know when my pain is bad enough to go see a doctor?
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Are there things I can do on my own to control the pain?
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Is surgery the only option to fix the problem?
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What treatments are available to me?
This lecture is FREE! To ensure your space please register by calling 401 788-1937 or register online. February 2018
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