Over the Waves
Our Vision To forge extraordinary connections with our community that support health at every stage of life.
SCH appoints Lisa Rameaka, MD, as VP Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer
Lisa Rameaka, MD
Lisa Rameaka, MD, has been appointed South County Health’s vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer. Lou Giancola, president and CEO, made the announcement upon Dr. Rameaka’s acceptance of the position. Over the last three years, Dr. Rameaka has worked half-time in this role, demonstrating her commitment to performance improvement, problem solving operational issues, and honest and open communication with providers and staff. She has partnered effectively with the leadership and staff of Surgical Services to accommodate our growing demand for surgical time.
As VP and CMO, Dr. Ramaeka will be responsible for working with the medical staff on quality, recruitment, system improvement and growth. As a senior leader, Dr. Ramaeka will work with the executive team and the Board on formulating short and long-term direction for the System. She will collaborate with Ann Rubino, Associate VP for South County Medical Group (SCMG) and Lou Giancola on clinical and administrative issues facing SCMG. In addition to her new responsibilities, Dr. Ramaeka will continue her involvement with the Women’s Health service line and Surgical Services. Although she will phase out of many of her provider responsibilities within the Center for Women’s Health, she will continue her on-call rotation and provide outpatient service on a limited basis. The appointment was decided jointly by the Board of Trustees Executive Committee and Lou Giancola. Her official start date was July 3, 2018.
Opioid Sparing Pathway on NBC10
Contents
• Above & Beyond.........................2 • Cyber Security Champion.........2
• SCH doc raises the bar...............3
• Ask Me!........................................4 • SCHH accreditation...................4 • New SCH podcast series............4
• Securing perimeter doors...........5 • Employee Awards highlight.......5 • Nursing resources.......................6 • Online appointment sched........6 • Volunteer of the Month.............6 • Health eCooking.........................7 • Welcome to the Fold..................7 • Calendar of Events......................8 • SCH Awarded for Wellness.......8
South County Hospital South County Home Health South County Medical Group South County Surgical Supply
In case you missed it, our Opioid Sparing Pathway program used in Orthopedic procedures was featured on NBC 10 at the end of July. The narcotics sparing method of pain management after surgery has been in place at South County Hospital since December for orthopedic patients and has contributed to a major decrease in the use of opioids. Watch the video on our social media or on turnto10.com/healthcheck Left: Dr. Henry Cabrera is interviewed in the OR by Barbara Morse Silva of NBC 10 Healthcheck.
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Above & Beyond A small note to show you care
I want to thank the entire Wound Care Center. My 90 year old dad had a long-term, non-healing biopsy site on his head that was being treated in his hometown in New Jersey. That treatment was not working. Dad was in Rhode Island visiting for the week and I saw it looked pretty bad. I stopped in the Wound Care Center to see if they had any tips for me to help him and they told me to bring him in. It just so happened that he was meeting me for lunch in the Coffee Shop that day and we stopped in afterwards. They made time to see him and were all very attentive and kind. They cleaned up the wound and prescribed him an ointment. By the time he left at the end of the week, it was markedly healing. He was amazed by the entire team and SCH. He couldn’t stop talking about how great the SCH Wound Care Center was. I think you are all pretty great as well! —Kate Hill, Facilities Management Andrew “AJ” Laperche – thank you for all the great work you’ve done as a Credentialing Specialist and all the good tips you’ve given me for restaurants, places I should visit, how to get to places within the hospital, being my first go-to for IT and/or phone issues/questions, setting up all the documents in our database, letting me know who does what here at SCH, providing some history of SCH and of the area, and everything you’ve done to make our office work so well. On a personal note, thank you also for helping me move the bigger items into my apartment and for generally being a friend. I wish only the best for you in your new adventures in North Carolina! Stay in touch and don’t forget us in the SCH medical staff office – we sure won’t forget you. You will definitely be missed! —Rosie McGee, Medical Staff Office I would like to send a shout out to Karen Zarlenga, RN, Diabetes Educator. She is such a valuable resource to me as a liaison to nursing education and medical staff, knowledgable in caring for diabetic patients, and helpful in formulating policies that span the laboratory and nursing departments. She has a winning personality, which makes working with her
a pleasure. I consider her one of my greatest assets! — Amanda (Mimi) Casavant, Point of Care Coordinator, Laboratory I was born at SCH. Three years later I clearly remember being held high above my fathers shoulders as he stood next to the tiny cedar tree in the front (now back) parking lot to see my mother inside the WNCU when my baby sister was born. All through nursing school I worked as a nursing assistant here. As a student nurse in the 1970s, SCH gave me more than financial support. The loving and caring nurses here mentored me. They taught something that formal education could only hope to imitate. They educated me in the art of loving my patients. In loving the profession of nursing. In enjoying the environment which I could practice this skill. Now a veteran nurse of 43 years, 30 of those years here at SCH, I am astonished how fast the years have passed. Through these years I have experienced the rushed and impersonal care of large city hospitals. I thank God every day for redirecting me back to my roots at SCH. We have a unique jewel. It is the people who make SCH the valuable gem that it is. I have worked through five varied administrations and still it is the staff in every department that make our hospital so special. The family atmosphere of trusting, mentoring young professionals, and demonstrating the quality of excellence in our delivery of care. That tiny cedar tree that I remember as a child is now taller than the original hospital itself. It has endured all kinds of storms yet it continues to flourish and grow more beautiful every year. I am known for "the Night Shift." Some continue to live the night shift lifestyle. Others that started on the night shift are now on days or evenings in a variety of specialties. All these individuals are very dear and special to me. I would like to thank all the nurses, CNAs, and staff who I have worked with and remember as far as anyone knows "we're a nice normal family!" You all make me smile genuinely from my heart and I will miss you so at the end of my watch. So long but never goodbye. —Deb Colvin, Nursing
Cyber Security Champion
MIS would like to congratulate this month’s Cyber Security Champion: Stephanie Parente, Infection Prevention 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! August 2018 2
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Dr. Mackey-Fowler sets the bar on health, and lifts it As a primary care physician, Heather Mackey-Fowler, MD, routinely encourages her patients to eat healthy and exercise. But, like many people, Dr. MackeyFowler found that giving health advice was much easier than heeding that as an athlete until she took that first step toward fitness.
competition held on June 3. Six months prior, her training became focused for that event, learning to perfect her body positioning to perform lifts with heavy weight without getting hurt. In the process, she lost 15 pounds of excess body weight while building up lean muscle.
“I ran cross-country in high school, and my husband played soccer at the collegiate level, but when we looked at Heather Mackey-Fowler, MD our lifestyle now, I realized we weren’t being very health conscious,” she said.
While the medal is a great way to start, Dr. Mackey-Fowler said that the benefits of any type of exercise are its own rewards. “I’ve gotten a lot of personal satisfaction from power lifting, apart from the health benefits,” she said. “Now I’m able to discuss the power of exercise with patients who are recovering from grief, wanting to improve their ability to set goals, and other life benefits.”
In 2016, Dr. Mackey-Fowler’s mother died from lung cancer at age 57. To help her through her grief and focus on improving her own health, the doctor heeded her own advice and incorporated physical activity into her daily routine.
She’s also not ready to end at a lone silver medal.
The USA Powerlifting Massachusetts/Rhode Island 2018 Championship took place at Twin River in Lincoln, RI. It was Dr. Mackey-Fowler’s first time competing against other athletes. Competing in the Women’s Masters category, she took second place and was awarded a silver medal. “It was a learning experience,” she said after the event.
“I can’t wait to sign up for another meet,” she said.
Turning to the gym, weight training became part of her workout regimen. Dr. Mackey-Fowler discovered an untapped strength - in mind and body. As her workouts became more challenging, she found that self-motivation was often the toughest part of working out. With that in mind, she began to look for camaraderie. “I needed to be accountable to someone other than myself, she said. She found a website whose community was doctors who lifted weights. Through e-mail, web posting and Skype, Dr. MackeyFowler could benefit from others’ experiences and share some of her own. In the gym, Dr. Mackey-Fowler was lifting twice her body weight – 230 pound squats and deadlifting weights over that amount. Under the guidance of her trainer, Julia Girman, Dr. Mackey-Fowler set her sights on a USA Powerlifting
Dr. Mackey-Fowler and two of her biggest fans.
Dr. Heather Mackey-Fowler practices Family Medicine with South County Medical Group Primary Care, Medical Office Building, 70 Kenyon Ave., Suite 211, Wakefield, RI. She can be reached at 401-789-8543.
Follow Along With Us
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Ask Me
why I’m South County Health - Quick Quiz
As part of our ongoing Ask Me campaign, the Marketing Department invites you to participate in a monthly contest! Answer each question 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 answers to hcosta@southcountyhealth.org. Winners will be announced in the next issue of Over the Waves.
Choose the place the patient should go: 1. Coughing and achy and chills that make me shakey. Achoo- I think I have the flu. a. Emergency Room b. Express Care c. Primary Care 2. Standing in the sun with no water on hand. Dehydration, perhaps, has caused this patient to collapse. a. Emergency Room b. Express Care C. Primary Care 3. Climbing a tree can be dangerous if it’s not done carefully. One mistake may cause a bone to break! a. Emergency Room b. Express Care C. Primary Care
AND THE JULY WORD JUMBLE WINNERS ARE... 1. Ashley Perrino 2. Sarah Smith 3. Lisa Bettey To claim your prize, email Hillary Costa at hcosta@southcountyhealth.org or call 401-7888597. Answers from UV Safety: lemaoman rdmtoelgyao melanoma dermatology ioadtiran plpraye radiation reapply
Home Health Accredited for Quality Service by PCA America South County Home Health has been accredited by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America). PCA America, an affiliate of Healthy Families America (HFA), recognized SCHH as a provider of high quality home visiting services to families who want to improve their child’s health, nutrition, and developmental outcomes.
Home Health Staff
The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements. The process involves an in-depth examination of the site’s operation, as well as the quality of the visits made by HFA home visitors.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for the South County Home Health team. It symbolizes a large step forward in the care we provide our community as far as caring for the entire lifespan of the communities we serve,” said Marcia Werber Feldman, assistant vice president for home health, South County Health. SCHH staff received extensive training in a wide range of areas that can cause stress and worry to just about every new parent: caring for a new baby, ensuring the baby is receiving the nutrition needed, promoting healthy child development, and coping with a myriad of other potential stresses, such as financial, housing, partner relationship, etc., that may become heightened with an addition to the family.
New Podcast Series Available Learn more about the physicians and services of South County Health anywhere, anytime! South County Health Talks is a podcast series that interviews providers of South County Health about health care topics that affect you and your loved ones. Available on our website and on various third-party applications you can download on your smart devices. Ep. 1 - Prostate Conditions & Treatment featuring Dr. Joseph Renzulli, urologist Ep. 2 - Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Guidelines featuring Dr. Tina Rizack, medical oncologist August 2018 4
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Securing Perimeter Doors One of our top priorities at South County Health remains the safety of patients, visitors, and staff. Our culture of safety extends to all facets of the organization, including keeping our physical environment secure, particularly during evening and overnight hours. On Monday, July 30 the new schedule was implemented with perimeter doors (which does not include the main entrance, Switchboard entrance, and Emergency Dept.) unlocked at 6 a.m. and locked at 7 p.m. on weekdays. Entry is accessible through badge access only beyond this timeframe. You will be able to exit the building from these areas at any time. The main entrance and Switchboard entrance will continue to remain unlocked until 9 p.m. daily. As a reminder: • Staff are required to wear a badge at all times when on the Hospital campus, and is necessary to gain access through the perimeter doors once they are locked. • Do not allow patients or visitors to follow you through a locked door after unlocking it with your badge. They must enter through unlocked doors only.
Location
Unlocked
Locked
Main Entrance
5 a.m.
9 p.m.
6 a.m.
9 p.m.
7 a.m.
9 p.m.
6 a.m.
7 p.m.
7 a.m.
7 p.m.
MOB West
6 a.m.
7 p.m.
West Entrance
6 a.m.
7 p.m.
Employee Entrance
6 a.m.
7 p.m.
Cafeteria
6 a.m.
7 p.m.
Potter
6 a.m.
7 p.m.
Switchboard
6 a.m.
9 p.m.
ED
24/7/365
Main Entrance (Saturday) Main Entrance (Sunday) MOB Main (Mon-Sat.) MOB Main (Sunday)
Employee Awards Highlight: 2018 Patient Safety Champions Teamwork was the highlight of Lisa Munkelwitz’s presentation of the Patient Safety Champions at the Employee Awards Ceremony. Collaboration, communication, and caring are key to patient safety, and all members of the South County Hospital community work as a team to ensure it exists. This year, the Patient Safety Champions are the third shift crew of the Emergency Department: Sarah Virbilla Marianne Annaldo Talia Coppola Rebecca Williams Stephanie Williams Steve Johnson Eric Carnavale Audrey McDonald Michelle Flanagan Nick Martirossian Lisa Munkelwitz recognizing members of the third shift ER team at the June 15 Michael Tormey Employee Awards ceremony. Jon Frey And the ED doctors: Drs. Sabina, Willis, VanHemelrijck, Casci, Levine, Bouslough, and Cromwell. The Emergency Department’s exemplary teamwork and dedication to patients granted them this year’s award. August 2018 5
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Resources to help nurses care for older adults The NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) website allows members access to a number of resources. These resources assist hospital staff to improve their understanding of aging and emphasize the safe management of older adults during hospitalization. In addition to online education, there are a number of best practice strategies and tools to assist nurses to better serve the elder population. Monthly webinars also offer free one contact hour education credit for one hour programs. One of the benefits of the NICHE program is the GRN for RNs and the GPCA for CNAs within the Knowledge Center. These modules can be performed at home and provide free contact hours to employees of South County Hospital. The GRN grants 21 continuing education contact hours to RNs after the completion of the 14 module program. Likewise, the GPCA will provide 11 education hours toward CNA licensure. There are a number of resources within the NICHE “Knowledge Center”. In addition to the geriatric programs available in the Acute Care area of NICHE, there are contact hour programs that provide coursework in the areas of Long Term Care. Additional course work may be completed in specialty areas including; Critical Care Nursing, Nursing Care of the Older Adult with Cancer, Primary Care, Elder Mistreatment and Geriatric Emergency Nursing (at a small cost). All programs target the geriatric patient with the goal of improving outcomes for those 65 and older. To obtain information or to sign up for this useful site contact Carolyn Moretti at cmoretti@southcountyhelath.org.
Make Your SCMG Appointments Online We're giving you the access to make your appointment online -- anytime, anywhere. You can now make an appointment online for the Center for Women's Health and South County Medical Group Primary Care. Visit https://www.southcountyhealth.org/booknow.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Susan Cohen Susan began volunteering at South County Hospital in the 1980’s, giving her time in many ways, even filling in as the Volunteer Coordinator. Shortly after, Susan took a break from volunteering to become a technical writer for a hospital software company for 30 years. Upon retirement, she immediately returned to volunteering at South County Hospital. Since then, she has accumulated more than 2,300 hours over 11 years of service. Currently, Susan splits her time between the inpatient lab and Ambulatory Care Center. In her free time, Susan loves to read, garden, and sew. She has previously served as a Board Member for the Narragansett Library and the Women’s Resource Center. When she is not at the hospital, you can find her spending time with her friends and family. Her family has a long history of volunteering, which has become a tradition that she continues to pass down to future generations. “Susan became a great support to me personally in the Lab over 10 years ago when I was asked to be a team leader. I was able to successfully manage both Hematology and Chemistry sections in the lab with Sue’s help. She spent every Friday assisting me with anything I needed. She is a great volunteer and an even greater friend. After all her years volunteering in the Lab, we would be honored to have her continued support for another 10 years.” -Linda Parfitt, Laboratory Do you know a volunteer who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for Volunteer of the Month! Print the form and submit it to Nadine at nmccauley@ southcountyhealth.org or via interoffice mail, Nadine McCauley, Director of Volunteer Services..
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Health eCooking: Grilled Turkey Burger
Calories: 364 | Serving Size: 1 burger | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 482mg | Fiber: 2g | Protein: 39g This burger is so packed with flavor you’ll never miss the beef. Stuffed with mushrooms and topped with Swiss cheese, this turkey meat loaf burger recipe will become a family favorite.
Preparation
In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Add onion, garlic, tomato and bread cubes, and cook until onion is softened and mixture is combined well, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered, for 20 minutes or until completely cooled. In a small bowl, combine eggs, basil and parsley, and whisk until beaten well. In a large bowl, combine turkey, egg mixture, mushroom mixture, lemon juice, pepper and salt, and stir to combine well. Form 10 patties, transfer to a plate and chill, covered, for 30 minutes. Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray and preheat the grill. Grill burgers for 6 minutes with grill lid open. Turn burgers, add a slice of cheese to each burger, and close grill lid. Grill for 6 minutes more, or until meat is no longer pink. Serve on rolls with sliced lettuce, tomato and red onion for garnish, if desired.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil 4 cups white button mushrooms sliced 1 onion chopped 3 large garlic cloves minced 1 small tomato chopped 1 slice of white bread cut into cubes 2 eggs 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves 2 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 lbs lean ground turkey breast 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice Black pepper to taste 1/8 tsp salt 10 reduced-fat Swiss cheese (1 oz each) 10 light whole wheat Kaiser rolls (2 oz each)
Welcome to the Fold New Staff
Lisa Aguirre, Medical Staff Office Rebeka Alencar, X-Ray Teresa Babb, ICU Stephen Bellows, SCSS DME Jennifer Blake, Home Health Susan Bryan, Center for Women's Health Emma Ceres, Communications Catherine Danis, Med Surg Unit Kathryn Farrell, Laboratory Jake Finan, X-Ray Paula Golden, Center for Women's Health Donna Gordon, SCMG Patient Accounting Daniella Gould, Telemetry Amanda Handy, Pharmacy Joyce Harmon, Laboratory Alicia Huhn, Float Joyce Jones, Operating Room Elizabeth Keene, Human Resources Michael Leighton, Telemetry Jessica Lutz, HIM Deborah Marchetti, Central Supply
Angel Mendoza, EVS Samantha Michaud, Volunteer Services Susan Molack, PACU Lucy Navarrete, Ultrasound Margie Nimeskern, HIM Daniel O'Hearn, Westerly Express Care Heather O'Leary, Wakefield Primary Care Kathryn Palmer, Communications Kimberly Penvose, HIM Kristy Quirk, Clinical Operations Lori Robertson, Cardiology Practice Paula Robinson, Would Care Clinic Jason Sadlier, PACU Tanya Siranian, X-Ray Sarah Siart, Dietary Sherri Simpson, WNCU Vicki Smith, Wakefield Primary Care Lori St. Lawrence, HIM Ariedne Velez, Westerly Primary Care Austin Wagner, Sleep Lab
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Upcoming Events Visit southcountyhealth.org/events for a comprehensive listing of all classes, clinics, community lectures, continuing education, counseling and support, health screenings, and other special events.
SCH Awarded for Worksite Wellness South County Health received top honors for being one of RIs Healthiest Employers. The Healthiest Employer list is published annually by Providence Business News and awards businesses that promote wellness in their organization. This year, PBN named 34 Healthy Employers that were divided into five categories based on their size. South County Health is one of six Rhode Island businesses to be awarded in the 500-1,999 employees category and has received the top honor for six consecutive years. Pictured at left: Members of the South County Health Human Resources team with their newest award plaque at the PBN luncheon ceremony.
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