Fall/Winter 2015
A NEW ERA
of Orthopaedic Care C3 Logix—the region’s most advanced concussion technology New AHN Health + Wellness Pavilion Westside to open in Spring 2016
Sophisticated technology. Unparalleled expertise. Superior care.
At Saint Vincent, we’ve assembled the most experienced, most trusted team of cardiac experts in the region. Performing more heart procedures and delivering better outcomes than anyone else in our area. We’ve expanded our program by bringing specialists trained at the nation’s leading facilities here to Erie. And we’ve expanded our
Preventing a heart attack or stroke starts with you. Know your risk—schedule a vascular screening today. Includes a carotid artery screening, an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and an ankle brachial index—all for only $75. To schedule your appointment, please call 814.866.4850.
capabilities, expertise and experience in order to provide the world-class heart care you and your loved ones deserve.
To learn more about our superior, technologically advanced care, visit ahn.org/SVheartteam today.
risk. And quite possibly save your life.
Board of Trustees Mark Webb, Chair Jeff Szumigale, Vice Chair Karen Hanlon, Treasurer Helen Baran Terry Cavanaugh Natalie Dwyer-Haller, Esq. R. Steven Jones Dennis Prischak Michael Redlawsk Tim Shuttleworth Scott Whalen, PhD, FACHE
contents
Saint Vincent Hospital Vitals Magazine • Fall/Winter 2015
The Saint Vincent Orthopaedic Institute
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C3 Logix: The Complete Concussion Management System
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Health Happenings
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At-Home Heart Failure Monitoring System
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Jacqueline Bauer William Goldfarb, MD Tony Farah, MD Patricia Liebman John W. Paul
President/CEO Scott Whalen, PhD, FACHE
ON THE COVER
The Saint Vincent Orthopaedic Institute: Providing a new standard of comprehensive care for our entire community.
Special pull-out calendar
Read the full story on page 2.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/SaintVincentHospital FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SVErie
Questions or Comments? Please call the Saint Vincent Marketing Communications Department at 814.452.5706.
Vitals Magazine is a publication of Saint Vincent Hospital
Advanced Lung Care
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NEW AHN Health + Wellness Pavilion Westside
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INTRODUCING THE SAINT VINCENT ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE
The body of an adult human being consists of 206 bones, 230 joints and numerous muscles, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissue. Whether it is caused by injury, wear and tear, osteoporosis or disease, an injury or condition involving just one of them can be devastating to quality of life. Without expert intervention, treatment and rehabilitation, the daily functions we all take for granted can become difficult or even impossible. The new Saint Vincent Orthopaedic Institute is a one-stop center designed to help patients with orthopaedic issues resume their normal, active lifestyles. The multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physicians, nurses, physician assistants and rehabilitation specialists work together to develop a coordinated treatment plan specifically designed for every patient’s individual needs. Together, the physicians of the Saint Vincent Orthopaedic Institute have more than 80 years of advanced clinical experience and insight to guide their patients through a comprehensive continuum of care.
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This comprehensive care model also includes rehabilitation therapy and services, provided by the highly skilled experts at the onsite office of Saint Vincent Rehab Solutions. Patients will also benefit from a beautifully renovated Orthopaedic Unit at Saint Vincent Hospital, complete with 16 private rooms and a patient gym on the same floor for early rehabilitation. In addition, Saint Vincent patients with joint replacement will work with therapists on how to get in and out of their cars, thanks to an actual car located inside the hospital. The vehicle was donated to Saint Vincent by Scott Bonnell of Bonnell’s Collision. Offering the latest orthopaedic techniques and technologies, the Saint Vincent Orthopaedic Institute is on the forefront of innovations in musculoskeletal research to provide even more effective orthopaedic treatment options.
THE PHYSICIANS OF THE SAINT VINCENT ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE
SERVICES INCLUDE:
Mark Bloomstine, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon
Arthroscopic Surgery Foot and Ankle Care Hand and Upper Extremity Care Joint Replacement
Mark Buseck, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Orthopaedic Surgery Orthopaedic Trauma Osteoporosis Care
David German, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon
Rehabilitation Sports Medicine*
*Housed within the Institute is a satellite office of Saint Vincent Sports Medicine, which also has an office in west Millcreek. The sports medicine experts there provide a continuum of services addressing performance, prevention and treatment for athletes of all ages. The Saint Vincent Orthopaedic Institute is located at 204 West 26 Street in Erie. To make an appointment, call 814.454.2401.
Robert Lupo, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon
Jeffrey Kim, DO Sports Medicine
Philip St. Julien, DO Sports Medicine
Laura McIntosh, DO Sports Medicine
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: THE ADVANCED CONCUSSION EVALUATION PROGRAM When a student athlete suffers a concussion, it can be a worrisome time. Questions abound. How serious is the concussion? When is it safe for the student to return to athletic activity? Saint Vincent Sports Medicine’s C3 Logix Complete Concussion Management System can help provide answers to those questions. C3 Logix provides a series of tests designed to assess potential injuries that may occur when an athlete suffers a concussion. The test is administered using an iPadTM with specially designed software and tools, including a gyroscope.
Saint Vincent is the only hospital in northwest Pennsylvania to provide this advanced technology. What does it measure? C3 Logix tests more than an athlete’s cognitive function. The program also evaluates the vestibular system, visual acuity and balance. Advances in the knowledge regarding the dysfunctions occurring during a concussion indicate these areas may be vital in identifying and monitoring an athlete with a concussion. How is it done? Ideally, athletes receive a C3 Logix pre-screening test when they are healthy, prior to experiencing a concussion or suspected concussion. If they do suffer a concussion or suspected concussion, the pre-injury testing data collected
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by C3 Logix serves as a baseline for comparison of the athlete’s performance on C3 Logix post-injury. Saint Vincent experts can closely follow the athlete’s recovery. It is one of the tools our physicians use in determining when it is safe for the student to return to the game. C3 Logix is more sensitive if a pre-injury screening is performed. However, it is not mandatory for pre-screening to take place. C3 Logix testing is consistent with all of the recommendations from the 2012 International Conference on Concussion in Sport. Why is testing important? With Saint Vincent’s C3 Logix concussion technology, parents and school athletic programs will be able to evaluate injured athletes in a broader array of areas. The information is presented in an easy-to-understand format designed to aid physicians in identifying areas of concern that might require additional testing or treatments. In 2014, Saint Vincent’s Sports Medicine physicians treated more than 1,100 athletes for concussion. With the cuttingedge technology provided by C3 Logix, they are now able to provide a higher level of confidence in managing the complexity of this injury. For more information about the C3 Logix System or to schedule your student athlete for a pre-injury screening, call Saint Vincent Sports Medicine at 814.835.2035.
WALKING AGAIN, Thanks to Specialized Rehab for Osteoporosis
For years, Judith Minnaugh, 76, took the simple pleasure of going for an evening walk for granted. But, that came to a halt when she developed osteoporosis and experienced a compression fracture in one of her vertebrae. “I’m not even 100 percent sure of how I got the fracture. There was no dramatic fall or accident. It was pretty surprising,” Minnaugh said. Saint Vincent neurosurgeon Brian Dalton, MD, performed a procedure called kyphoplasty to stabilize the compression fracture, but after recovering from the surgery, Judith was afraid she would reinjure herself, due to the ongoing issue of osteoporosis. “I was afraid to do almost any of the things we all do in our daily lives. Making a bed, running the vacuum, bending over to pick something up,” she said. “Going for walks was the furthest thing from my mind.” Judith addressed her fears with the expert help of Cheryl Curtis, MPT, WCS, BCB-PMD, of Saint Vincent Women’s Rehabilitation Services. Using the Meeks Method—a special type of training for osteoporosis patients—Curtis worked with Minnaugh to strengthen the muscles in her back and hip extensors, using devices such as bands and rollers. “We also corrected some postural concerns and improved her body mechanics. This puts Judith at a far lower risk for future vertebral fractures and falls. She has done very well,” Curtis said.
Minnaugh also suffered from chronic lymphedema—or swelling—in her legs, so Curtis referred her to Krista Taylor, PT, CLTLANA, for therapy. Taylor, also a therapist at Saint Vincent Women’s Rehabilitation Services, specializes in lymphedema treatment. She used manual lymph drainage (MLD)—a type of massage therapy to help remove excess fluid from Minnaugh’s legs. She also taught Minnaugh self-massage techniques she could implement at home, as well as other lymphedema management strategies. “My legs feel so much better now,” Minnaugh said. Eventually, Minnaugh was able to get rid of her cane and return to normal activities. She keeps up with a prescribed program of weight-bearing exercises and has returned to one of her favorite pastimes, walking with her husband. She now uses walking poles, which not only keep her posture more upright, but also provide balance and upper-body weight-bearing exercise. “I feel stronger now, and it’s nice to be able to do and enjoy the everyday things in life.”
For more information on women’s rehabilitation services at Saint Vincent or to schedule an appointment, call 814.452.7867. To consult with a neurosurgeon about a fracture, call 814.452.7864.
No Time for Infusions? Ask anyone who requires ongoing infusion therapy, and they’ll tell you that having a job and scheduling an infusion do not mix. But, thanks to the extended weekday and weekend hours available at the Saint Vincent Infusion Center, patients can now receive the infusion therapy they need without taking time off work. The Saint Vincent Infusion Center, located at 2315 Myrtle Street in the Hardner Building, offers the following convenient hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m
To schedule your infusion, call 814.452.7848. ahn.org
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Community Cancer
R.I.P.P.E.D When: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Spin When: Fridays, 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Core Plus When: Wednesdays, 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Glutes, Guns, and Guts When: Mondays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Gentle Yoga When: Saturdays, 9 to 10 a.m.; Tuesdays, noon to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Saint Vincent is dedicated to your good health! Purchase a 10-class pass for $50 at the Saint Vincent Inspired Gift Shop in the main lobby at 232 West 25 Street. Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at the Saint Vincent Fitness Center, Hardner Building, 2315 Myrtle Street, Lower Level.
Saint Vincent Fitness Classes
Health Happenings
When: October 1, noon
If you’ve experienced a cardiac event, this popular support group will reinforce that you’re not alone. Learn more about heart care and prevention from a Saint Vincent expert, and receive a gift.
Saint Vincent Cardiac Support Group
Meet and Great Thursday, October 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saint Vincent Main Lobby Register at www.meet-dr-right.com or call 855.856.0319.
Meet, mingle and make appointments with doctors from Saint Vincent at this free event. • Family doctors and internists • OB/GYNs and pediatricians • Many more specialties
Need a new doctor? Come find the right match.
Meet Dr. Right
Pull out and post this calendar!
Monday Preparation for Labor (a three-week class) When: Mondays, October 5, 12, and 19; November 30, December 7 and 14; February 1, 8, and 15 and April 4, 11, 18, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Cost: $30 per couple
Newborn Care When: Wednesday, December 2, or Thursdays, March 3 or June 2, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Cost: $15 per person
Online eLearning Childbirth Education Class Check out our convenient alternative for expectant parents who cannot attend a conventional prepared childbirth class due to bed rest, scheduling conflicts or time constraints. It can also be a helpful refresher course for repeat parents. Registrants can work with class materials online and also receive a hard copy of the book for future reference. To learn more, scan the code below with your smartphone.
From childbirth to newborn care and even a class for expectant dads, this class series is just what you need when you’re expecting. Beautiful Beginnings classes may be reimbursable, so be sure to check with your health insurance provider. Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at the Saint Vincent Women’s Center, 311 West 24th Street, Erie. Register by calling 814.452.5255.
Beautiful Beginnings Classes For Expectant and New Parents
A class schedule is available online at ahn.org.
Classes Include: Sensing the HeART Art Therapy Journaling From the HeART From The HeART Art Therapy Massage for Cancer Care Massage Mondays at RCC Tools for Holistic Healing The Benefits of Acupuncture/Acupressure
Wellness For Life A class series for cancer patients, presented at the Regional Cancer Center, 2400 West 12th Street, Erie. For class dates or to register, call 814.836.2643 or email shumphrey@trcc.org or visit www.trcc.org/wellness-for-life. The classes are free of charge for cancer patients.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Family Support Group When: October 28, December 1, January 27, February 24, 6 p.m. Where: Saint Vincent Women’s Center 311 West 24 Street, Erie Cost: Free
Look Good, Feel Better for Female Cancer Patients When: February 22, May 16, August 22, November 21, 4 to 6 p.m. Where: Saint Vincent Women’s Center 311 West 24th Street, Erie RSVP: 800.227.2345 Cost: Free
Learning and Support
When: November 11 and 18 or December 2 and 16 Cost: Free
Bariatric Seminars If you have a significant amount of weight to lose and are struggling with traditional weight loss methods, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. Learn more about these procedures, which provide new hope for patients, at one of our free bariatric seminars. Please call 814.452.7800 to RSVP. All seminars are held at 6 p.m. in the McGarvey Learning Center on the following dates:
Bariatrics
Refresher Class When: February 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. Where: One West Conference Center at Saint Vincent RSVP: 814.397.3883 Cost: $15 for AARP members $20 for non-members
AARP Smart Driver Class For Drivers Over 55 When: October 22, October 23, March 3, March 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. Where: One West Conference Center at Saint Vincent RSVP: 814.397.3883 Cost: $15 for AARP members $20 for non-members
Especially for Seniors
February 11, noon. Where: Saint Vincent McGarvey Learning Center RSVP: 814.452.5706 Cost: Free
Maternity Tours Tours of the Mother-Baby Center are part of the Labor Prep classes. However, for those moms and dads who are unable to attend class or who would like another look, tours can also be scheduled by calling 814.452.5664. Scan the code below for a video testimonial on the Saint Vincent Mother-Baby Center.
So, You’re Going to be a Grandparent: A Class for Expectant or New Grandparents When: Monday, May 2, 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10 per person/$15 per grandparent couple
Dads Make a Difference: For Fathers-to-Be When: Monday, April 25, 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10 per dad
Sibling Preparation When: Tuesday, April 26, 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10 for one child; $5 for each additional child
Breastfeeding Support Group When: Tuesdays, November 10, December 8, January 12, February 9, March 8 and April 12, 1 p.m. Cost: FREE
Breastfeeding When: Thursdays, November 12, December 10, January 7, February 4, March 10 and April 7, 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $15
Saturday Preparation for Labor (a two-week class) When: Saturdays, November 7 and 14, January 9 and 16, March 5 and 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $30 per couple
SAINT VINCENT HOSPITAL BECOMES FIRST TM IN THE REGION TO OFFER CARDIOMEMS A New At-Home Heart Failure Monitoring Solution
Retirement. It’s that light at the end of the tunnel when years of daily work finally come to an end. It is a time of life that offers more free time and relaxation. Kim Rogers, 62, of Franklin, PA, was looking forward to his retirement, but instead of relaxation, his health became his focal point. As a long-time owner of a Dairy Queen® restaurant in Franklin, Rogers worked extensive hours and spent most of them on his
feet. He began experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, but often ignored the symptoms and continued to work. Ultimately, in late 2014, he was diagnosed with severe congestive heart failure. Heart failure (HF) affects nearly six million Americans and is the leading cause of hospitalization in people older than 65. When heart failure occurs, it means the heart’s pumping power is weaker than normal and cannot pump enough oxygen
Saint Vincent Earns Mission Lifeline Accreditation Saint Vincent has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Heart Attack Receiving Center Accreditation. This accreditation recognizes hospitals that meet or exceed quality of care measures when treating people experiencing the most severe type of heart attack in which blood flow is completely blocked to a portion of the heart.
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and nutrients to meet the body’s needs. As a result, the body begins to retain fluid and becomes congested. Patients with heart failure also have a reduced quality of life and face a higher risk of death. But now, a revolutionary new system available at Saint Vincent Hospital aims to change those odds for patients suffering from the most severe form of congestive heart failure. Saint Vincent Hospital is pioneering a new miniaturized monitoring sensor to manage heart failure. The CardioMEMSTM HF System is the first and only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to significantly reduce hospital admissions through daily, wireless monitoring of each patient. “This device allows us to know when something is going to go wrong about two-to-three weeks before the patient exhibits any symptoms,” said William Mecca, MD, of Saint Vincent Consultants in Cardiovascular Disease. “Our ultimate goal is to keep these patients healthy and out of the hospital so having this information prior to the onset of symptoms will help to achieve that.” The CardioMEMSTM HF System features a small, inch-long, wireless sensor that is implanted in the patient’s pulmonary artery (PA) during a nonsurgical procedure in the Saint Vincent Catheterization Lab. The sensor is used to measure pressure. An increase in PA pressure can appear before any overt symptoms of heart failure—which include shortness of breath, abdominal swelling, ankle edema and weight gain. Once implanted, the sensor sends pressure readings to an external electronic system housed at Saint Vincent Hospital.
“It’s a very exciting technology,” said Dr. Mecca. “We are able to address a patient’s shortness of breath by adjusting their medications in order to optimize the pressure in the lungs. If the pressures in the lungs are either too high or too low, we will receive warning messages so we can intervene.” The CardioMEMSTM sensor is designed to last the lifetime of the patient, and it does not require batteries. There is no pain or sensation for the patient during the readings. The patient monitor is located in a specially made pillow which the patient presses to his or her chest in order to obtain the sensor readings and transmit the information to the Saint Vincent Heart Failure Clinic. All of this can be easily accomplished without the patient ever leaving his or her own home. For Rogers and patients like him who suffer from severe congestive heart failure, this system also means an improved quality of life without the need to make frequent visits to the doctor’s office or hospital. “It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Franklin to Erie and then an hour and a half back home, plus a lot of time spent in the heart failure clinic,” explained Rogers. “This will be quite time saving for me.” In addition, the CardioMEMSTM HF System has proven to reduce heart failure hospitalizations by up to 37 percent in the patients who have received it since it was approved. Better days are ahead for Kim Roger’s retirement, thanks to CardioMEMS.TM “It’s amazing what they can do in medicine now,” he said.
For more information on CardioMEMSTM, call 814.454.5700.
Mark Your Calendar for Holiday Magic: The Saint Vincent Festival of Trees Bayfront Convention Center
1 Sassafras Pier
For more information: ahn.org/festivaloftrees or call 814.452.5073.
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Event Hours: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, CLOSED Friday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
‘Twas the Night Before Festival: Our exclusive light-up night preview Tuesday, Nov. 24, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, Nov. 28, 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. ahn.org
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EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE Saint Vincent Provides Advanced Technology for Lung Care
Breathing. You do it, on average, 12-to-18 times per minute. And the expert physicians and specialists at the Saint Vincent Advanced Lung and Airway Center have in-depth training and decades of experience in helping those with lung and airway disease to breathe easier. Recently, the practice began offering several advanced technologies to its patients to make testing, diagnosis and treatment faster and more convenient. These technologies are only available at Saint Vincent and can help to diagnose and treat lung ailments faster, helping patients to return to normal life.
Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy™ Now You Don’t Have to “Wait and See” The Saint Vincent Advanced Lung and Airway Center now offers the earliest possible detection of lesions or tumors in the lungs with Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy™ (ENB). This advanced technology provides minimally invasive access to lesions deep in the lungs by extending the reach of the conventional bronchoscope. This enables physicians to diagnose benign and malignant lung lesions earlier and avoid the need for higher-risk procedures. The system also provides feedback faster than a traditional bronchoscope and, for many patients, is able to eliminate the need for patients to “wait and see,” allowing physicians to locate areas of concern and treat them before they become life altering.
Endobronchial Ultrasound Eliminating the Need for Traditional Surgery Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) offers a non-surgical option for diagnosing lung ailments, including infections and inflammatory diseases, and to more precisely identify the stage of lung cancer. Unlike traditional bronchoscopes, the EBUS gives physicians the opportunity to perform a transbronchial needle aspiration, the only technique that can sample tissue from lymph nodes in hard-to-reach areas of the lungs.
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Low-Dose Computed Tomography Finding Lung Cancer Sooner According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five deaths annually is attributed to cigarette smoking. Smokers who qualify can have a Low-Dose Computed Tomography (CT) scan for the early detection of lung cancer. To qualify, you must be between the ages of 55 and 74 and an active smoker or a smoker who quit less than 15 years ago after being a pack-a-day smoker for 30 years or more. Depending on insurance, this screening may be covered. If it is not, an affordable self-pay option is available. Talk to your doctor about scheduling this screening.
Bronchial Thermoplasty An Aid for Chronic Asthma Nearly 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. While inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists help control this disease, there are some who endure severe persistent asthma that is not well controlled by these treatments. For them, bronchial thermoplasty may be an answer. This FDA-approved outpatient procedure is available for patients 18 and older and is performed by a pulmonologist. Saint Vincent is the only hospital in the region to offer this advanced technology.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about the services available, call the Advanced Lung and Airway Center at 814.864.4755.
Chest Diseases of NW PA
You and the Flu
Chest Diseases of NW PA has expanded to better serve patients by opening a second location and adding a new specialist, Shameen Salam, MD.
Every year, an estimated 5-20 percent of Americans are diagnosed with the flu, leading to 200,000 hospitalizations —including 20,000 children under the age of five, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thousands more lose their lives to the flu every year. That’s why the CDC recommends that everyone over six months of age receives a flu vaccination.
Locations include: Chest Diseases of NW PA 3580 Peach Street, Erie 814.864.4755 Chest Diseases of NW PA - Hillside Branch Hillside Building, 145 West 23rd Street, Suite 302, Erie 814.878.0290
You can get your flu vaccine at any one of Saint Vincent’s network of primary care practices. Need a doctor? Call the Saint Vincent Referral Center at 814.452.7864 or visit www.SwitchToSV.com. ahn.org
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Allegheny Health Network Health + Wellness Pavillion Westside
SAINT VINCENT APPROVED TO ADMIT HOSPICE PATIENTS IN CRISIS Every day, patients choose Saint Vincent for their medical care, entrusting us to help restore their health. Sometimes, families also trust Saint Vincent with the solemn responsibility of caring for loved ones at the end of their lives.
For Erie’s west county residents, the challenge of balancing access to family healthcare with a busy life is about to get easier. The Allegheny Health Network Health + Wellness Pavilion Westside will open in Spring 2016, providing a one-stop location for many of the healthcare services families need. Located at 4247 West Ridge Road in Millcreek Township, the Pavillion will include: The Saint Vincent Imaging Center, providing the most up-to-date imaging technologies, convenient scheduling and improved patient access Saint Vincent Urgent Care, offering immediate access to non-emergency medical care, seven days a week Saint Vincent Sports Medicine, providing athletes with the area’s best care for performance, prevention and treatment Saint Vincent Rehab Solutions, addressing the individual rehabilitation needs of patients so they can return to the fullest life possible West Ridge Family Practice and Asbury Family Medicine are relocating to the new complex, along with a Saint Vincent pediatrics office, Children’s Health Care West Associated Clinical Laboratories, offering west county residents a closer, more convenient additional location for diagnostic testing The Allegheny Health Network Health + Wellness Pavilion Westside marks the fourth Health + Wellness Pavilion within AHN. The strategy behind the Pavilions is pretty simple: to offer a onestop healthcare experience in Erie County and to increase access for patients. Offering free parking and a wide array of outpatient services in one location, the AHN Health + Wellness Pavilions have been designed to offer a convenient and patient-centric experience—one that provides the services and support to meet the patients’ health and wellness needs. All in one place. Watch for more information on this new community asset to families in the west county area.
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Saint Vincent recently received approval from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to admit patients under a general inpatient hospice status. Vitals Magazine recently discussed with Christopher Strzalka, MD, medical director of Regional Home Health and Hospice and Director of the Saint Vincent Palliative Care Program, how this new service will impact patients. VITALS: How does inpatient hospice status help terminally ill patients? DR. STRZALKA: Inpatient care is provided to hospice patients by the expert medical team of Regional Home Health and Hospice (RHHH) when patients have uncontrolled, distressing symptoms that require IV medications and 24/7 monitoring—which are best provided in a hospital setting. This is a more advanced level of care than the RHHH team is able provide to patients in their homes or at traditional nursing home facilities. The goal of general inpatient hospice status is to provide crisis management—symptom control—over a three-to-five-day period, so that the hospice patient can return to either his or her home or a residential nursing facility. VITALS: Are the providers of this care specially trained? DR. STRZALKA: The physicians, nurses and staff of RHHH are more experienced in and more sensitive to patients who require comfort-directed care. These highly compassionate professionals provide a specific, high-level type of care, offering IV medication to control pain and other symptoms, 24/7 monitoring and special procedures specific to hospice patients. RHHH is a Medicarecertified hospice provider, which is required for this type of service, and these experts work with the doctors and nurses in the hospital to develop the care plan that meets the needs of our hospice inpatients and makes this difficult time as comfortable as possible for them. VITALS: Caring for a terminally ill family member can be challenging. How does this change help family caregivers? DR. STRZALKA: Patients can now be admitted to respite care for up to five days at Saint Vincent Hospital so that the family caregiver is relieved of providing care. Respite care can be used once per benefit period.
Saint Vincent Welcomes New Physicians
Patricia Salvador, MD Infectious Disease The Travelers’ Center Infectious Diseases of Northwestern PA 2314 Sassafras Street, Suite 310, Erie 814.456.6194
Shameen Salam, MD Pulmonology Chest Diseases of NW PA (Hillside branch) 145 West 23rd St, Suite 302, Erie 814.878.0290
Anthony Davis, MD Saint Vincent Bariatric and Metabolic Institute 145 West 23rd Street, Suite 303, Erie 814.452.7800
Dawn Karns, DO Primary Care East Harbor Family Practice 4950 Buffalo Road, Erie 814.899.7000
Lydia Travnik, DO Primary Care West Ridge Family Practice 4535 West Ridge Road, Erie 814.833.2902
SAINT VINCENT’S TEAM OF HOSPITALISTS EXPANDS Saint Vincent is pleased to welcome the following new hospitalists to its medical staff. Hospitalists are on staff 24/7 at Saint Vincent Hospital, 232 West 25 Street in Erie. Joumana Abuaram, MD
Ankit Kadakia, MD
Shisher Raman, MD
Shahriar Alam, MD
Matthew McCafferty, DO
Courtney Sampson, DO
Amitava Das, MD
Akash Patel, MD
Sumangaly Thambiaiyah, MD
Constantine Dy, MD
WHAT IS A HOSPITALIST? If you or a loved one has been hospitalized recently, chances are a hospitalist oversaw your care. A hospitalist is a doctor who specializes in caring for patients while they are in the hospital. In the past, patients had to wait for their primary care physician to finish office hours before coming to see them in the hospital. Hospitalists are available in the hospital 24/7. There are numerous advantages to having your care provided by a hospitalist: • Hospitalists have more expertise in caring for complicated hospitalized patients on a daily basis. • Hospitalists are in the hospital 24/7 to meet with family members, follow up on tests, consult with nurses and handle problems that may arise. • Patients who have hospitalists generally have a shorter length of stay and faster discharge because hospitalists are onsite, can see the patient more frequently, can track test results and can respond promptly. • Hospitalists are in direct communication with the patient’s primary care physicians (PCP). • Since the hospitalist’s “office” is the hospital, they are familiar with the hospital’s policies and activities and are often involved in efforts impacting patient safety, medical error reduction, effective communication between physicians and staff and cost-effective patient care.
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232 West 25th Street Erie, PA 16544
TROUBLE SLEEPING? Everyone can experience sleep problems from time to time, but if you experience the following symptoms, you may have a sleep disorder: • Difficulty sleeping • Feeling tired during the day, even if you slept for at least seven hours the night before • Reduced or impaired ability to perform regular daytime activities • Drowsy while driving • Struggle to stay awake when inactive • Difficulty paying attention or performance problems at work, school or home • Difficulty with your memory • Slowed responses • Difficulty controlling your emotions • Feel the need to take naps almost every day Not getting enough sleep can impact your ability to perform duties at work and at home. It can negatively impact your memory, stress your relationships, and can increase the likelihood of occupational injury and automobile accidents. If you think you may have a sleep problem, talk to your primary care physician about scheduling a sleep study at the Saint Vincent Hospital Sleep Lab. For more information, call 814.868.7581.