A PUBLICATION OF HENRY MEDICAL CENTER January/February 2011 www.henrymedical.com
Introducing our NEW
Angioplasty program
Health for Life is intended to provide general health information only. It should not be used to self-diagnose or as a substitute for advice by a physician or other healthcare professional. For questions or comments about Health for Life, please write or call the Henry Medical Center Marketing Department, 1133 Eagle’s Landing Parkway, Stockbridge, GA 30281, 678-604-1026.
Charles Scott President and C.E.O. Jeff Cooper Vice President and C.O.O. Donna M. Braddy Director of Marketing, Public Relations, Community Education and Volunteer Services Michelle A. Nunnally Public Relations Specialist Health For Life is a Gold award winner at the 2010 Georgia Hospital Association's Healthcare Marketing & Public Relations Society annual Target Awards. Design and Art Direction by tbg design
on the cover
Heart attack survivor, Jean Latour and his son Vlad.
Terry B. Gardner – Designer Leigh Delozier – Writer Michie Turpin – Photographer Health for Life, January/February 2011. Published bi-monthly by Henry Medical Center. All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of the publisher’s ability. No responsibility is accepted for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies. No materials contained herein may be reproduced without the exclusive written permission of the publisher. ©2011 Henry Medical Center. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
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In this issue - it's all about Heart Care 2
The Heart of the Matter
6
Breaking Blockages
8
Firsthand Care
11
Perfect Timing
12
HMC News
13
Foundation News
Health for Life January/February 2011
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The Heart of the Matter Henry Medical Center provides top-notch
cardiovascular services, but physicians and staff wanted to offer even more. The first steps toward the department’s expansion will come in early 2011, when the hospital adds coronary angioplasty to its list of services.
“We’ve been wanting to expand and grow our cardiovascular program for some time, and this is the next logical step in that process,” said Charles Scott, Henry Medical Center’s president and CEO. Initial steps toward adding coronary angioplasty to HMC’s existing services began a few years ago when the hospital added a second cardiac catheterization lab. “We needed it for diagnostic caths anyway, but knew we would also need it for angioplasty,” Scott said. “We put the capacity, the equipment and the facilities in place before actively pursuing approval with the state.”
The Georgia legislature opened the door for Henry Medical Center and similar facilities to offer coronary angioplasty. A bill passed in 2009 allowed hospitals without open heart surgery to perform coronary angioplasty – if they met a lengthy list of requirements. After applying in May 2010 and receiving approval the following July, work began to bring the program to life.
The months since approval have been filled with activity. “It’s really been a hospital-wide initiative,” said Karen Kiel, RN, vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer for Henry Medical Center. “Some of our staff was already experienced with coronary angioplasty, which is an advantage. We also already had good physicians on board who were anxious to get things up and running. It’s been a team effort.” One stipulation of the process was that Henry Medical Center partner with hospitals that currently
“We’re fortunate to already have excellent interventional procedure physicians on staff. They’ve been very supportive.”
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~ Charles Scott
offer open heart surgery, for those patients who need surgery after angioplasty. HMC has agreements with Piedmont Hospital and Emory Healthcare. “The regulations say that you need to partner with at least one hospital,” Scott said. “We partnered with two so patients and their physicians can have a choice.” HMC worked with Piedmont Heart Institute as
a consultant while writing treatment policies and procedures, creating patient education materials and training staff. “Piedmont has tremendous expertise and has been a huge help as our consultant,” Scott said. “They were especially helpful with where we concentrate our education,” said Roddy Calicott, interim manager for Cardiovascular Services at HMC. “We had classes
Health for Life January/February 2011
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“We’ve projected that we’ll have approximately 264 patients come to us in 2011 who’ll need coronary angioplasty.” Roddy Calicott, interim manager for Cardiovascular Services at HMC.
here and at Piedmont. Our staff was able to scrub in on some angioplasty cases at Piedmont and received hands-on experience.”
active heart attacks,” Scott added. “Being able to offer definitive artery opening treatment right here is a tremendous benefit to our community.”
Planning has gone beyond HMC staff to include the county’s EMT and emergency transport teams. “We worked with them on the mechanics of transferring patients to Piedmont or Emory after angioplasty,” Kiel said. “The doctors will tell you that ‘time is heart muscle’ for these patients – every second counts. We want everyone involved to know exactly how things work.”
Calicott and other staff are looking forward to the benefits coronary angioplasty will have for their patients. “We’ve been sending about 18 to 24 heart catheterization patients to other hospitals every month because they needed angioplasty or other procedures we didn’t offer,” he says. “Now we’re able to treat many of those patients here. The good thing for them is that they’ll be able to get the care closer to home. It’s going to be really good for Henry County.” Once procedures are completed, Henry Medical
“Many patients come to the Emergency Room with
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The addition of coronary angioplasty will further enhance the wide range of cardiovascular services Henry Medical Center provides. Patients needing diagnostic tests or specialized heart care can turn to HMC for:
Cardiac catheterization Electrophysiology Nuclear imaging MRI and CT scanning Echocardiograms Exercise stress tests AngioJet thrombectomy
“The staff has been training since early September. Everything might sound good on paper, but we want to be sure it really works.” ~ Karen Kiel, RN Center offers an expansive cardiovascular rehabilitation program to help patients get back to full, healthy lives. It’s just one more way Henry Medical Center strives to offer whatever healthcare the community needs, close to home.
“We’re already setting benchmarks to be sure we stay under the national guidelines for how quickly these patients are treated.” ~ Roddy Calicott
During the preparation of this issue of Health for Life, Karen Kiel, RN, HMC vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer, leader in the development of the angioplasty program, began experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain during exertion. She visited the doctor who determined she needed a heart catheterization. Tests indicated blocked arteries and she proceeded to have three angioplasty procedures at an Atlanta hospital over the next few days. Kiel is resting at home and will soon return to work. While she would have preferred to have her angioplasty performed at her “home” hospital, she is thrilled that in the future patients will have the opportunity to remain close to home for this life-saving procedure.
Health for Life January/February 2011
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Breaking Blockages “The whole point of angioplasty is symptom relief,” says Stockbridge cardiologist Vikram R. Mandadi, M.D. “We want you to be able to keep doing your thing.” Dr. Mandadi and other local physicians will help area residents get back to their normal lives more easily, thanks to Henry Medical Center’s new coronary angioplasty services. Physicians expect to see more patients undergo angioplasty locally instead of transferring to an Atlanta hospital, which means more convenient care from both the physician and patient standpoints. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. That’s why it’s
When a person experiences chest pain or other suspicious symptoms, the first step is to see a cardiologist. The physician can perform a stress test to reproduce symptoms in a controlled environment. The patient’s response helps the physician to determine whether they’re dealing with actual coronary problems or something else. Henry Medical Center has offered coronary angiograms for years (angiograms allow physicians to see inside the patient’s coronary arteries). “These procedures are very safe, but there are still risks,” Dr. Mandadi cautioned. “Always talk with
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so important to know risk factors and early signs. Individuals who are smokers or who have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a significant family history of heart disease are at greatest risk, according to Dr. Mandadi. “It’s important to realize that symptoms can be different for women and men,” he said. “Shortness of breath with exertion is common for everyone, but women often have greater fatigue or bilateral shoulder or jaw pain. Men usually experience angina (chest pain) or shortness of breath.”
your doctor beforehand to be sure you understand everything.” During an angiogram, the physician injects a special dye into blood vessels to show how well the blood flows. The physician might treat small blockages with medication; he or she might recommend angioplasty to correct more severe blockages. “Blockage in the artery is known as stenosis,” Dr. Mandadi said. “During angioplasty we insert balloons to relieve blockages so we can keep the arteries open.” The physician inserts a wire to go through or around
the patient’s blockage. Next, he places a balloon in the artery and inflates it to push the blockage aside. The final steps include releasing the balloon and inserting a metal stent to prevent the artery from closing off again. “I tell people I’m a glorified plumber,” Dr. Mandadi said. “The arteries are like pipes that get clogged. We use different treatments to unclog them.” The addition of coronary angioplasty at Henry Medical Center means fewer patients will need to transfer to other hospitals for treatment if angiograms show blockages. “Only about 20 percent of patients treated by our offices need to have bypass surgery,” Dr. Mandadi said. “The evolution of technology means that stent placements are more successful than ever before, so angioplasty might be all a patient needs.”
National Institutes of Health
Dr. Mandadi and other physicians are quick to say that the addition of coronary angioplasty is a great advancement for Henry Medical Center. “Almost 95 percent of cardiovascular services can be done at the local hospital now,” he said. “It’s great to have the technology fully available so we can treat the right kind of patients here safely. It’s a real advancement for Henry County.”
“Even after having the procedure, it’s very important to follow your physician’s instructions.” ~ Dr. Vikram Mandadi Health for Life January/February 2011
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Firsthand
A fter working in Henry Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Services Department for three years,
Jean Latour of Stockbridge is accustomed to helping care for patients. But in April 2010, Latour found out firsthand exactly what it’s like to be cared for by his co-workers. Latour spent a Friday afternoon doing yard work for an aunt. He likes to stay active, but said he didn’t feel quite normal when he finished the work that day. “I tried to rest, but eventually started having chest pain,” he said. “The discomfort and pain would come and go. I never thought I might have a heart attack. I thought it must be something else.”
The pain continued off and on through Saturday, but Latour didn’t let it slow him down. He even spent part of the day helping move furniture. “He told me he had some chest pain,” Latour’s wife Gina said. “He never complains of anything, so I
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Care Jean Latour and son Vlad. Health for Life January/February 2011
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knew it must be pretty bad for him to mention it. I told him if he wasn’t going to the doctor he needed to at least take aspirin.”
By Sunday, Latour knew the aspirin weren’t enough. “We were going to a party, and Jean said maybe we should go to the hospital afterwards,” Gina said. “He had the air conditioning blasting in his face but was still sweating. When he said he thought it was time for me to drive, I said it was time to go to the Emergency Room.” After an EKG, X-rays, and other tests, the staff at Henry Medical Center told Latour he’d had a mild heart attack. They contacted the cardiologist on call, stabilized Latour, and admitted him to the critical care unit (CCU). Latour underwent cardiac catheterization on Monday. The procedure revealed three blocked arteries, with one being 100 percent blocked. “They recommended angioplasty,” Latour said. Jean Latour on the job with Carrie Clayton.
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“Since Henry Medical Center couldn’t do it, I was transferred to Emory University Hospital Midtown. I had angioplasty and they inserted one stent. I’ve been fine ever since.” Although Latour speaks casually about it now, he knows how fortunate he was. “I’d never had any indications of heart trouble before,” he said. “The doctor told me two years earlier that I had borderline high cholesterol. I didn’t take my medicine regularly so think that might have had something to do with the heart trouble.” “Considering what could’ve been, I think I was very lucky,” Latour added. Now he takes his medication as directed and follows up with his doctors every three months. “He stays very active and has never been sick,” Gina said.
“We would’ve never thought he would have a heart attack, but you just never know. People need to know the signs and not ignore them.”
Perfect Timing
Russ Abernathy with his wife Chryl.
Russ Abernathy went to Henry Medical Center one night in February 2008 because he had a serious cut that needed treatment. But stitches soon became the least of his worries when chest pain and other symptoms struck.
“The physicians here are the same ones doing the procedures at hospitals in Atlanta.” ~ Dr. Reddy
“I started feeling nauseous, then I started having excruciating chest pain,” the Locust Grove resident said. “They were preparing to sew up my hand when I told the nurse I was having pain all through my shoulder and back.” Abernathy had an EKG. Physicians thought he’d had a heart attack, which is when Stockbridge cardiologist Rajasekhar Reddy, M.D. took over his care. Dr. Reddy completed a cardiac catheterization to learn more about Abernathy’s situation. He discovered that one artery was 80 percent blocked, and another 70 percent. Surgery to insert stents in the affected arteries was the next step, but one that couldn’t take place at HMC until now. Dr. Reddy transferred Abernathy to an Atlanta hospital for the procedure. “Mr. Abernathy is lucky nothing happened before he had the procedure,” Dr. Reddy said. “We couldn’t give him any clot busting medication because he was still bleeding so much from the cut. Things could’ve been much worse.” Those concerns lessen when physicians are able to go straight from catheterization to coronary angioplasty. “It was critical that we got this program running at Henry Medical Center so we can avoid situations like Mr. Abernathy’s,” Dr. Reddy said. “It’s a great benefit to patients, which makes me feel good as a physician. The unpredictability goes away – we see the problem, fix it, and it’s over.”
Health for Life January/February 2011
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Henry Medical Center News Henry Medical Center Places on Quality Honor Roll
Auxiliary Purchases New Recliners for HMC
Blood Drive Hosted by Henry Medical Center and LifeSouth
Henry Medical Center has been named to the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) Quality Honor Roll - Presidential category, one of the highest recognitions.
The Auxiliary at Henry Medical Center recently purchased 11 recliners for the Medical Surgical (MSON Unit A) floor in the hospital’s North Tower.
Henry Medical Center and LifeSouth will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 between 11:00am and 5:00pm.
The honor roll is based on clinical data provided by the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), which administers the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid programs. The data details how well a hospital adheres to the clinical processes of care known to be most effective in the treatment of patients suffering heart attacks, heart failure or pneumonia, determining whether a patient received the right care at the right time.
The recliners allow patients to sit up at their bed side promoting circulation, better positioning for expanding the lungs for breathing and assistance with rehabilitation. The recliners offer comfort to patients who are unable to get in and out of bed without assistance, especially patients who have had orthopedic surgery.
The blood drive will be held in the hospital’s Executive Dining Room located on the Ground Floor of the South Tower.
A donation of $21,300.00 from the Henry Medical Center Auxiliary was used to pay for the 11 recliners.
Henry Medical Center Receives More Than $35,000 in Support of Its REAL
MEN WEAR PINK Campaign
Charlie Scott, HMC President and CEO, Laura Simmons, Tanger Outlet Center, Holly Duffey, Tanger Outlet Center, Cristy Ethridge, Chick-fil-A at Eagle’s Landing, Lucy Stevens, Westbury Health & Rehabilitation Center, Betty Cox, Westbury Health and Rehabilitation, Carl Knowlton, Principal of Tussahaw Elementary School and 2010 Real Men Wear Pink representative and Adam Stanfield, Executive Director of Henry Medical Center Foundation
As part of Henry Medical Center’s Real Men Wear Pink Campaign this year, four groups in the community chose to hold fundraisers to in support of breast cancer awareness. Each of the groups, Chick-fil-A at Eagle’s Landing, Tanger Outlet Center, Tussahaw Elementary School and Westbury Health and Rehabilitation Center, presented Charlie Scott, HMC President and CEO and Adam Stanfield, HMC Foundation Executive Director, with a check before the hospital’s entire Director/Manager staff on December 8, 2010. Chick-fil-A at Eagle’s Landing raised $972.00 Tanger Outlet Center raised $32,509.00
Tussahaw Elementary School raised $1,200.00 Westbury Health and Rehabilitation Center raised $610.00
In total the groups raised $35,290.93 which will be used by the Henry Medical Center Foundation to further the hospital’s breast cancer awareness initiatives.
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Foundation News 31st Annual Garden Party benefiting Henry Medical Center Saturday, May 7, 2011
Henry Medical Center Foundation Golf Tournament at Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club
Henry Medical Center Foundation Announces New Board Members
The foundation held its 11th annual golf tournament, presented by Piedmont Healthcare, on Friday, October 8, 2010 at Crystal Lake Golf and Country Club. The tournament provided a PGA like atmosphere with special events including the Renfroe
The theme of the 2011 Garden Party is Cirque Du Henry which by name alone garners nouvelle images of amazing performers and acrobats. From the moment you step into the Gateway Event Center, you will be enraptured in a fun filled journey that evolves right before your eyes. You will travel to different worlds as the night’s menu exudes an Epcot flair showcasing multi-cultural cuisines, delicacies, and décor. Join us for an evening designed to take your breath away. For Garden Party sponsor or ticket information, please call Adam Stanfield at 678-604-5018 or email astanfield@hmc-ga. org. You can also visit www.hmcfgardenparty. jacquierives.com for additional information.
Presenting Sponsors – Piedmont Healthcare
Mike Vigil is the new Chair of the Henry Medical Center Foundation Board where he has served for several years. Vigil is vice president of Allan Vigil Ford where he manages the operations of both the Morrow and Fayetteville facilities. He and his wife, Kristy, have three children and are long time residents of McDonough.
Helicopter ”Ball Drop,” VITAS Long Drive Competition hosted by MOI Golf, a trick shot demonstration and fundraising event provided by special guest Rocky Shipes. The golf tournament grossed $53,000 for programs and services such as the HMC Foundation’s Nurse Scholarship Program and for purchasing medical equipment for use at the hospital.
HMCF Corporate Honor Roll Member of the Month – State Farm Grant Carter is a State Farm life insurance agent whose office is located in McDonough. He provides various insurance options including life insurance policies, home coverage and auto policies. Grant Carter can be reached at 770-957-3122.
GRANT CARTER, AGENT McDonough, GA 770-957-3122
Vickie Loper is President-Elect of the Foundation Board. She has worked in Henry County for the past ten years in the financial industry. Loper and her husband, Kendall, have lived in McDonough for 17 years. They have one daughter, Jessica.
Additional New Board Members Arthur Richardson Amy Olson Dr. Peto Fallas Ginger Moats Kathy Rutledge Dody Morris Bryan Shockley Julia Kelley Lisa Kinchen
www.grantcarter.net Health for Life January/February 2011
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Support Groups Al-Anon
Cancer Education/Support
Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Every Wednesday and Saturday, 7:00–8:00pm.
Call 678-604-1040 for more information.
Ala Teen
Call 678-604-1040 for more information.
Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Every Wednesday from 7:00–8:00pm.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Every Wednesday and Saturday, 7:00–9:00pm.
Classes
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA)
Crohn’s & Colitis Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Third Tuesday at 7:00pm.
Diabetes Support Group Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Pre-registration required. Third Tuesday at 6:00pm. Call 678-604-5106 for more information.
Fibromyalgia Support Group
Lupus Support
Post-Partum Support
Meets second Saturday each month, 11:00am–1:00pm in the Foundation Education Center.
Meets in the 4th floor classroom of the North Tower. Every Wednesday at 8:30am. Call 678-209-4739 for more information.
Narcotics Anonymous
Sisters By Choice
Meets the second Saturday of each month, 11:00am-Noon in the Foundation Education Center.
Meets every Friday from 8:00–9:00pm in the Foundation Education Center and every Sunday from 5:30–6:30pm in the Executive Dining Room.
For women diagnosed with breast cancer. Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Second Tuesday at 7:30pm.
Grief Recovery
Overeaters Anonymous
Southern Crescent Parents of Multiples
Call 678-604-1054 for registration, dates and times.
Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Every Thursday, 7:00–8:30pm.
Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Fourth Thursday, from 7:30–9:00pm.
Meets in the Foundation Education Center. Last Thursday of every month from 7:00–8:30pm.
Georgia Losing for Life Weight Loss Surgery
Get Moving Again
LaLeche League
Look Good Feel Better
Rescue techniques are taught by the American Heart Association guidelines. Call 678-604-1040 to register.
For hip and knee surgery patients. Meets the last Saturday of the month.
Provides education, information, support and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Meets second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Women’s Service Classroom on the 4th floor of the North Tower.
This program is designed to help women undergoing cancer treatment to regain self-confidence and control over their lives. Meets at Henry Radiation Oncology Center monthly from 10:00am–12:00pm. Call 770-631-0625 for dates and to register.
Two-day classes are held each month.
Evening Seminar Series Offers classes on lung and heart disease, cancer and healthy cooking.
Meets Fourth Tuesday, 7:00–8:30pm in the Foundation Education Center.
Stroke Resources Call 678-604-1040 for more information.
WomenHeart Meets the first Tuesday of each month, 6:00-7:30pm in the Foundation Education Center. Call 678-575-7746 for more information. Group is open to men and women.
For more information about classes, please call 678-604-1040.
CPR and First Aid
Diabetes Self-Management
Southside Weight Loss Surgery Group
Health Fairs Free screenings are offered for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, bone density, prostate and many other services.
On-Site Health Related classes
Planning for your Final Healthcare
Henry Medical Center offers customized on-site health related classes that can be conducted at your business, school, or organization.
Learn how you and your family can discuss and plan in advance for health care at the end of life. Call 678-604-1054.