Fauquier Health Healthy Happenings Newsletter Spring 2018

Healthy

HAPPENINGS THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF

Preventing Infection Keeping patients safe

Staying Heart Healthy Comprehensive cardiac care

Mark Your Calendars

Upcoming educational events and classes SPRING 2018

Emily Moulton, infection preventionist works to reduce infection rates and improve patient safety.

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HEALTHY HAPPENINGS

Keeping it Clean

Hospital patients and their families take for granted that their surroundings are clean, but providing an environment free from harmful agents requires constant vigilance. Fauquier Health is committed to providing evidence-based care to keep patients safe and free from healthcare-associated infections.

Efforts at the hospital to reduce infection rates and improve patient safety are showing positive results.

In 2017, Fauquier Hospital reported zero catheterassociated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). In addition, the hospital scored better than the national CDC benchmarks for events that are associated with being on a ventilator, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections, and clostridium difficile infections. The hospital has also seen a drop in its surgical-site infection rate.

Data on infection rates and initiatives for improvement are presented on a regular basis to the hospital’s board of trustees, department of surgery, the Committee for Quality and Patient Safety and other key stakeholders.

Infection Prevention Measures Ensure Patient Safety

• Daily meetings among caregivers to discuss the status of each patient. One focus of these meetings is to look for potential infection risks.

• Daily checks of medical devices by nursing leaders and infection preventionist.

• Hand hygiene monitoring and education.

• Monitoring of routine cleaning via ATP testing (see below).

• Thorough investigation of any infections, with an eye toward future prevention.

Rigorous continuing education keeps staff up-to-date on new evidence-based processes and procedures. CDC data, hand hygiene compliance rates and any new policies or products are continually reinforced.

Infection preventionist Emily Moulton, RN, said, “I believe our team approach has had a positive impact on our infection rates because there is a personal accountability for every piece of equipment used for patient care. Lowering our infection rates is important for maintaining and improving the health of the community. Patients are at the hospital to heal. Here at Fauquier Health, we come together to do our part to prevent infections that can hinder the healing process.”

New TECHNOLOGY

In order to monitor cleaning procedures and identify opportunities for improvement, Fauquier Health recently purchased an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing device.

The device uses a swab to test surfaces for ATP -- organic material present on the surface. The swabs contain a light-producing enzyme that binds to ATP and is collected on the swab. When the swab is placed in an illuminometer, a numeric value is generated. The lower the value, the less ATP is present.

The goal is to use effective cleaning and disinfection procedures to minimize the amount of ATP that is detected. Results are available in 15 seconds; if the results indicate that ATP is out of a safe range, staff can immediately correct the issue.

Infection preventionist Emily Moulton said, “We are currently using this device to monitor all clinical areas to make sure our cleaning practices are as effective as possible.”

The Hygiena SystemSURE Plus uses a swab sample to analyze surfaces for biological contaminants.

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Cardiac Care Close to Home Fauquier Health offers a wide range of services to keep you “heart healthy” Chest Pain Accreditation Fauquier Hospital is an accredited Chest Pain Center. The accreditation (by the American College of Cardiology) ensures that processes are in place to: reduce the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment; treat patients more quickly during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart may be preserved; monitor patients carefully to make sure that they are not sent home too quickly or admitted to the hospital unnecessarily.

Cardiac Screenings Cardiopulmonary and Vascular Services at Fauquier Hospital include an array of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for those with cardiac, neurological, vascular and respiratory conditions. This department is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.

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EKGs and holter monitoring for infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric populations with cardiac symptoms or conditions.

Cardiac stress testing, treadmill, pharmacological, nuclear, stress echocardiograms for adolescent, adult and geriatric clients. Fauquier Hospital recently added Bicycle Ergometer Stress Testing.

Thirty-day cardiac event monitoring and tilt-table testing for diagnosing neurocardiogenic syncope for those aged 16 years and older.

The Vascular Lab offers venous duplex, carotid doppler and arterial studies for the adolescent, adult

HEALTHY HAPPENINGS

Fauquier Hospital is an accredited Chest Pain Center.

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and geriatric patients with vascular problems or conditions.

Vascular screenings are used to detect the presence of mild-to-severe disease. There are three screenings: carotid artery plague for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and peripheral vascular disease screening.

Medical Imaging • CT scans utilize a fan-beam of X-ray (radiation) to produce thin, cross-sectional images of any part of the body. The scans help detect disease or trauma.

CT scans are critical in the diagnosis of strokes.

• MRI scans employ a magnetic field and radio waves (no radiation) to create extremely detailed images of the body’s internal structures (especially the brain and spinal cord, other soft-tissue structures and the vascular system). Among its many applications, MRIs can be used to further detect the presence of a stroke or other vascular or neurological disease.

Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring A Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (CACS) CT scan can detect early signs of heart disease. This non-

invasive diagnostic exam is performed on a low-dose CT scanner and produces highly specialized images of the heart. A board-certified radiologist evaluates the images for calcium (calcified/hard plaque) within the coronary arteries. The measure of plaque is measured against the average, taking age and gender into account. The amount of calcium detected can predict the amount of coronary atherosclerosis.

Fauquier Hospital offers this self-pay exam for $99, but for the month of March, the cost will be only $75.

Payment is due at the time of service. Patients are provided a copy of their scan, along with their initial score. A physician referral (order) is required for this exam.

Sleep Studies The Fauquier Health Sleep Center offers a comprehensive service to diagnose and treat patients who are suffering from sleep disorders. The Sleep Center helps those who have problems with normal, restorative sleep – including those who experience symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea: snoring and breathing cessation.

Sleep deprivation can result in excessive daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, heart rhythm abnormalities and stroke.

The Sleep Center is located on the third floor of the Warrenton Professional Building on Blackwell Road.

Call 540-316-2660 for more information.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Fauquier Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is a medically prescribed exercise and education program for those who have had a heart attack or heart surgery or who have stable angina or other forms of cardiovascular disease.

The key to the cardiac rehab program is professionally supervised exercise. Each patient’s heart rate and rhythm,

What’s NEXT?

Fauquier Health received word in January that the hospital has been approved by the Virginia Division of Certificate of Public Need for cardiac catheterization services.

The addition of a Cath Lab will allow Fauquier Health to bring cardiovascular services together in a continuum, including: the Emergency Department, cardiac testing, cardiac rehabilitation, community education, inpatient care and the Wellness Center.

blood pressure and exercise intensity are carefully monitored during the exercise session by registered nurses or exercise physiologists.

Insurance companies typically cover 12 weeks of rehabilitation. Referring physicians receive progress reports about halfway through the program and at the end of the program.

Cardiac rehab is offered at the Fauquier Health Wellness Center. Call 540-316-2640 for complete details.

Keeping You “Heart Healthy” Fauquier Health Wellness Center offers an individualized and medically based program using exercise and education to facilitate good health. It is for people who want to take control of their health and live an active lifestyle.

At the Wellness Center, the emphasis is on individualized success, with lots of equipment choices, one-on-one attention from exercise specialists, nutrition support, and a convenient, comfortable, beautifully designed facility.

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Classes & EVENTS Healthy Lifestyles

Support Groups

AARP Smart Driver Course Mondays: March 19, May 28 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15 AARP members; $20 for non-members Sycamore Room Call 1-800-350-7025 to register

Addiction Recovery Support Group Tuesdays 7 p.m.

Chestnut Room Call 540-935-8148 to register

American Red Cross Blood Drive Fridays: March 30, June 22 Tuesday April 17 Monday May 14 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sycamore Room Visit redcross.org to register Cholesterol screenings Monday through Friday $35 Fauquier Health Wellness Center Call 540-316-2640 to register Junior Chef Program Saturdays: May 12, August 11, November 10 9 a.m. to 12 noon $45 equipment and ingredients fee For ages 10 to 18 Fauquier Hospital Bistro on the Hill restaurant Look Good … Feel Better Mondays: April 9, June 4 10 a.m.

Chestnut Room Call 240-994-2863 to register Medicare Made Easy Friday, June 8 1 to 3 p.m.

Chestnut Room Safe Sitter® Babysitter’s Training Saturdays: March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For ages 11 to 14 Sycamore Room Vascular Screening Wednesdays $50 for individual tests or $125 for three tests Fauquier Health Vascular Lab Call 540-316-5800 to register

Alzheimer’s and Dementia-Related Illnesses Support Group Fourth Wednesday of the month 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The Villa at Suffield Meadows Call 540-316-3800 to register Bereavement Support Group First and third Mondays of the month 1 p.m.

Chestnut Room Call 703-957-1800 to register BLUE CREW Prostate Support Group Third Wednesday of the month 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sycamore Room Call 540-316-2273 to register

Motivational Change (Addiction Support) Third Friday of the month 7 to 8 p.m.

Chestnut Room Call 540-364-0065 to register

For Parents Baby Care Essentials Thursdays: March 15, April 12, May 17, June 14 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Family Birthing Center Breastfeeding Made Simple Friday April 6; Monday June 4 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Family Birthing Center

CREW (Cancer Resources, Education and Wellness) Second Monday of the month 4:30 p.m.

Chestnut Room Call 540-316-2273 to register

Your Childbirth Experience (weekdays) Mondays: March 5, 12, 19, 26 (four session class) April 2, 9, 16 and 23 (four session class) 7 to 9 p.m.

Family Birthing Center

Families Overcoming Drug Addiction (F.O.D.A.) First and Third Thursday of the month 6:30 p.m.

Chestnut Room Call 540-316-9221 to register Lyme Disease Support Group Third Thursday of the month 7 p.m.

Chestnut Room Call 540-341-8245 to register

Diabetic Retinopathy

With Marena Patronas, M.D., ophthalmologist Monday, March 5 7 p.m. in the Sycamore Room

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness under the age of 65. It currently affects 70 percent of diabetics, ten or more years after onset. Dr. Patronas will go over the types of diabetic retinopathy, evaluation and treatment options.

HEALTHY HAPPENINGS

Stroke Support Group First Wednesday of the month 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.

Chestnut Room

Breastfeeding Support Group Mondays 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Family Birthing Center

Doc TALKS

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NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Piedmont Family Support Meeting Third Monday of the month 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sycamore Room Call 540-347-9104 to register

Your Childbirth Experience (weekend) May 25 and 26 (two session class) June 8 and 9 (two session class) Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Family Birthing Center

Fauquier Health is pleased to announce that nearly all classes and events will now be free to the community.

Registration is still required for classes and lectures; unless otherwise indicated go to FauquierHealth.org or call 540-316-DOCS (3627) to register.

Chronic pain & the opioid addiction crisis With Ash Diwan, M.D., family medicine Wednesday, March 21 7 p.m. in the Sycamore Room

More than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic or recurrent pain.

Depending on a variety of factors, as many as 40 percent of those may become addicted to the medication prescribed to treat it.

Dr. Diwan will discuss treatment options for chronic pain and addiction and how to best address the opioid epidemic.

Unused Medication and Sharps Collection Saturday, April 7

9 a.m. to 12 noon Medical Office Building, adjacent to Fauquier Hospital Sponsored by: Fauquier Health and the Warrenton Police Department Please Note: • Medicine should be in original packaging if possible.

• Personal information should be blacked out with a marker.

• Return sharps in rigid plastic or metal containers (no soft-sided plastic that sharps can penetrate).

• No businesses or doctors offices, please.

Stay

IN TOUCH

HOSPITAL SERVICES

PHYSICIANS SERVICES

Fauquier Hospital 540-316-5000

Patient Accounts 540-316-2970

Family Practice at Bealeton

Patient Scheduling 540-316-5800 or 866-341-0845

Patient Information 540-316-INFO (4636)

Hematology/Oncology 540-316-4360

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 540-316-2680

Infectious Disease 540-316-5940

Fauquier Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center (FHRNC) 540-316-5500

Neurology 540-316-5980

Physician Referral 540-316-DOCS (3627) or 800-322-7500 Program Registration 540-316-3588 Family Birthing Center 540-316-4000 Home Care Shop 540-316-4437 Human Resources 540-316-2900 Medical Imaging 540-316-2670 (Warrenton Professional Bldg.)

540-316-4500 (Fauquier Hospital)

Sleep Center 540-316-2660 The Villa at Suffield Meadows 540-316-3800 Wellness Center 540-316-2640 Wound Healing Center 540-316-HEAL (4325)

540-439-8100

OB/GYN 540-316-5930 Piedmont Internal Medicine 540-347-4200 Rheumatology 540-316-5940

Urology 540-316-5940

Outpatient Registration 540-316-5819

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE Fauquier Health System

Published quarterly by

500 Hospital Drive Warrenton, VA 20186 Robin Earl Writer/Editor Will Thomas Director of Marketing Chad Melton President/CEO For more information on Fauquier Health services, call (540) 316-DOCS

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Coughs, colds and sore throats Earaches Fever Insect bites and stings Minor burns and infections Minor cuts and lacerations Rashes Mild allergic reactions Sprains and strains

EMERGENCY ROOM

URGENT CARE

Urgent OR Emergent?

Deciding where to go for care can be confusing. Use this chart to help find the most appropriate level of care.

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Difficulty breathing Head trauma Chest Pain Shortness of breath Loss of consciousness Poisoning Stroke symptoms Severe pain Uncontrolled bleeding Vomiting/coughing blood