warmemorialhospital.org SEPTEMBER 2016

@WarMemorial facebook.com/WarMemorialHospital

Robotic Surgery comes to WMH

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War Memorial

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WMH HEALTHBEAT 2 SEPTEMBER 2016

For YourConsideration

A messagefrom President and CEODavid Jahn

2016 has been a good year for WMH. We received an “A” from the

Leapfrog Group which measures patient safety and just recently, the

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the Hospital Star ratings and WMH was a “4 star” hospital.

CMS measures quality and cost of care data which they then use to compare hospitals and rate them based on a “5 star” system. Our “4 star” rating means that we are in the top quartile of all hospitals in the United States with regards to quality and cost measurements. This is a great accomplishment and it reflects the excellent job that our physicians, nurses, techs, therapists, ancillary and support personnel do each day

to make patient care our number one priority.

Even though this publicly reported data is not perfect (most information is over a year old and the measures do not take into account socioeco-nomic data for each region that may impact care) it is a way for the gen-eral public to get some idea of how each hospital performs.

I would like to congratulate our Care Team for achieving this “4 star” rating for WMH and I look forward to taking the necessary steps to improve these results in the future.

The Community Health Access Coalition, better known as CHAC, wants everyone to be ready for open enrollment season and reminds you of these upcoming dates:

MEDICARE:The date approaching most quickly is

related to Part D and Part C. Sign up for or change a Part D or Part C

plan October 15-December 7

MARKETPLACE INSURANCE PLANS:2017 Open Enrollment

November 1, 2016-January 31, 2017

Open enrollment dates approachingCHAC offers help navigating the enrollment process

What’s with these letters?A guide to understanding professional credentials

If you peruse the back page of your Healthbeat, you will see the names of many talented professionals with extensive medical education. Every name is followed by a group of letters, but do you know what they all mean? Here’s our quick and easy guide to the professional credentials listed on our back page.

MEDICAID:You can apply anytime of the year

Have questions about healthcareplans? Call one of CHAC’s three offices:

Sault Ste. Marie (906) 635-7483

Newberry (906) 293-8355

St. Ignace (906) 643-7253A series of outreach events will also be conducted throughout the Eastern UP in the months of November, December and January. Look for more information in the next Healthbeat.

CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

CNM Certified Nurse Midwife

CFNP Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

DO Doctor of Osteopathy

DPM Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

FNP-BC Family Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified

MD Doctor of Medicine

MSN Master of Science in Nursing

NP Nurse Practitioner

NP-BC Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified

PA Physician Assistant

PA-C Physician Assistant – Certified

RN Registered Nurse

Ever wonder how much training goes into gaining these degrees and certifications? Just ask your provider. Our staff members are proud of their education and will be happy to explain.

(removing uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus) and any surgery where I am concerned about potential scar tissue,” explained Dr. Sara Amo – an OB/GYN at Sault Women’s Healthcare.

“The robot offers us a lot of advantages over traditional laparoscopy such

as being able to see in 3-D and having a greater range of motion with our instruments,” she added.

Combining the skills of physician and robot is at the heart of the technology. As explained by the company, the surgery is performed entirely by the doctor, who controls specialized instruments, including a miniaturized surgical camera and wristed instruments like

scissors, scalpels and forceps. These instruments are designed to help with precise dissection and reconstruction deep inside the body.

Amo is well-aware of the benefits of robotic surgery, having utilized it in her previous practice.

“When I was practicing in Indianapolis, I was doing a lot of

WMH HEALTHBEAT 3 SEPTEMBER 2016

Robotic surgery comes to operating rooms at WMH

COVER STORY

my hysterectomies robotically,” she recalled. “The robot was especially helpful in someone who had a large uterus or some who had a lot of previous surgeries which can cause scar tissue. These are cases that, if attempted with traditional laparoscopy, they would be at risk for conversion to an open case.”

The comparison to an “open” surgery is at the heart of the case for robotic surgery. With the technology, the surgeon makes much smaller cuts as compared to an open surgery. The less-invasive option is known to lead to shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, fewer complications, faster recovery, and less need for narcotic pain medicine.

Surgeons and operating room staff will receive special training with the robotics and will have access to experts in the technology, with a company representative expected to assist in a minimum of 50 cases at WMH.

“We feel that robotic surgery is the technology wave of the future in healthcare and we want to be on the forefront of this new technology,”

Jahn said in a message to staff. “This is great news for our community, the patients we serve, our physicians and employees.”

Incision size varies dramatically for a benign hysterectomy using, from left toright, open surgery, laprascopic, and single-site robotic incision.

Robotic instruments can perform precisionwork not accessible by human hands

Embracing the next wave in healthcare technology, WMH will begin to utilize new robotic surgery equipment this month and is the first hospital north of Traverse City and in all of the Upper Peninsula to do so.

In July, hospital Trustees authorized the purchase of the da Vinci Si Surgical

System – a tool that helps surgeons perform minimally-invasive surgeries that may have otherwise required a trip to another hospital.

“Studies have shown that patients who have robotic surgery have fewer complications, quicker recovery times and a shorter length of stay in the hospital,” said CEO David Jahn, explaining the appeal of the new system.

Robotic equipment can be used in a number of specialties, including urology, gynecology, bariatrics, and general surgery.

While some physicians may require special training on the technology, others are ready and excited by the prospect of bringing robotic surgery to patients in appropriate cases.

“I plan on using the robot for hysterectomies, myomectomies

WMH HEALTHBEAT 4 SEPTEMBER 2016

At 92 years old, with her children and grandchildren gathered around, Lillian Rawlings passed away in March on the hospital’s Long Term Care (LTC) Unit. As a very special tribute to her memory, Lillian’s family has committed to an important goal: the designation of a Family Respite Room.

The purpose of the room will be to provide privacy for the resident and family at the end of life while also providing for privacy and comfort of those who may share the same LTC room.

“My mom shared a room with three other people,” explains daughter Julia Rawlings. “There were eight of us crowded around my mom’s bed. This isn’t the way a family should have to go through this. The other residents were very kind and caring, but a family should have privacy and so should the other residents who live in the room.”

Fundraising has begun to cover the renovations and furnishings needed

Mom’s passing inspires meaningful changeIn memory of Lillian Rawlings, a Family Respite Room takes shape at WMH

for the Family Respite Room. When a patient is nearing the end of life, they can be transferred to this comfortable, private space where family can gather without any others present. When the room isn’t needed for that purpose, it will be utilized as a gathering place for any LTC family members who need a place to congregate.

“The Long Term Care staff is fabulous,” explained Rawlings. “They do everything they can to make you comfortable and they realize it is a difficult time. They were just super to us, but a family needs more space.”

If you would like to make a financial contribution toward the creation of the Family Respite Room on WMH’s Long Term Care Unit, please contact Teresa Armstrong at (906) 635-4351 or send your donation to: WMH Development Fund, 550 Osborn Blvd, Sault Ste. Marie MI 49783.

At the urging of Rawlings and her siblings, Ruth Neveu and John Rawlings, War Memorial Hospital has committed to the creation of the room, which is estimated to cost roughly $11,000. Memorial contributions made in Lillian’s memory have already been designated to the project, in addition to donations made by family members.

Beyond financial contributions, the family will be making at least one more sentimental donation to the room: a cribbage board.

“Mom was a big cribbage player,” Rawlings explained, commenting on how even as her mother’s health was failing, her ability to play a round of cribbage was unimpeded.

Lillian was born in Madison, WI and lived in several Upper Peninsula cities before landing permanently in Sault Ste. Marie. In the late 1930s, she lived in Raco, where her parents owned St. Pete’s Bar. She graduated from Brimley High School in 1941 and lived a life of dancing and adventure before settling down to raise her children. In later life, she enjoyed her role as grandmother and American Legion volunteer, in addition to many hobbies.

WMH HEALTHBEAT 5 SEPTEMBER 2016

Behind the scenes with a Certified Nurse AssistantWorking 12-hour shifts at a job that is both physically and mentally demanding might sound less than ideal, but for the men and women who work in the hospital as CNAs (Certified Nurse Assistants), the rewarding work of helping patients and residents makes it all worthwhile. CNAs work throughout WMH, including in the Emergency Department, Medical-Surgical Unit, and in a variety of other departments, but for a glimpse into the day-to-day life of the CNA, we focus here on the Long Term Care Unit. CEO David Jahn suggested a story about the work of these sometimes unsung heroes because they play a critical yet demanding role

“The CNA job is the toughest job in healthcare,” Jahn commented. “They are lifting people, helping them in the bathroom, but they also have to have a compassionate heart,” he said. Kristin Krull has been a CNA for four years, working for the past two years on the Long Term Care unit. She works side-by-side with her “pod partner” Jessie Piippo – another CNA who helps care for as many as 10 patients during a 12-hour shift. Dressing patients, helping them with meals, assisting them to and from the toilet, and serving in some ways as a friendly companion are all part of the job. “After you help me, you can take the week off,” one gentleman tells Krull as she helps him into bed. Another woman reminisces with her about hanging laundry on the line. Always

busy and always on the move, Krull is also always ready with a smile for residents and a helping hand for her fellow LTC team. “We have some residents who don’t see much family, but they see me every day, so they smile when I walk in and that’s a really rewarding part of the job,” she explains. She remembers when she originally trained for the CNA job. “You train for two months but at first it seems overwhelming, like you don’t know where to start,” she recalls with a laugh. On the day of this interview, she is working the morning shift, which is a flurry of activity between resident rooms and the dining room. It’s no surprise to see Krull sprint to a room when she hears an alarm go off to indicate a resident who is unable to walk unassisted but is attempting to do just that. The career of the CNA offers some options. With a high school diploma

and a short, but intensive period of training and passage of a state exam, CNAs at War Memorial Hospital make a competitive salary. Some choose to spend their careers as CNAs, while others take advantage of the hospital’s educational loan and assistance programs to pursue an RN degree. Krull is currently focused on a change of scenery, leaving her LTC post to work as a CNA in the Emergency Department. She continues to work a shift or two on the LTC unit each month, allowing her to keep in touch with the residents who are like family. Regardless of whether it’s LTC or in the ER, the work allows Krull to keep doing what she loves most. “I like helping people,” she said, encapsulating what most hard-working CNAs at WMH would describe as the most rewarding part of their work.

If you would like to explore a career as a CNA, contact the Human Resources Department at War Memorial Hospital at (906) 253-1056.

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Healthbeat is a publication of Chippewa County

War Memorial Hospital, Inc.

Stories by Angela Nebel, Summit Public Relations Strategies, LLCDesign and printing by Paul Ignatowski and Sault Printing Co.Selected graphic elements by Freepik.comCover photo by Picture This Photography & Design

War Memorial Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Pursuant to the authority granted to Det Norske Veritas Healthcare, Inc. by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, this organization is deemed in compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation for Hospitals (42 C.F.R. §482). This certificate is valid for a period of three (3) years from the Effective Date of Accreditation. Effective Date of Accreditation: October 26, 2014.

WMH HEALTHBEAT 6 SEPTEMBER 2016

A major upgrade to the servers and software that power the War Memorial Hospital electronic health record will occur later this year, im-proving efficiencies for the hospital’s physicians and ultimately benefiting patients.

“We want our patients to tell their story once, in a single patient record. We will achieve that goal through this upgrade because the physician office and inpatient data will be on a single platform at the physician’s fin-gertips,” said Sandy DePlonty, WMH Senior Director of Clinical Services.

DePlonty and her team will work through the upgrade with Meditech, the hospital’s long-standing health-care technology partner. The project, dubbed “One Patient. One Record.”will begin in October and, when all is said and done, come at a price up-wards of $4 million. Software, hard-ware, servers, and on-going training and consulting services all figure into the expenditure.

“This could actually be described as more than just an upgrade. They have actually re-created the whole system, working with physicians to design

it so it is more patient and physician friendly,” DePlonty explained.

One of many features is a new qual-ity module that will focus on how conditions are managed. If, for ex-ample, a patient has been treated for congestive heart failure, the system will prompt providers to make sure a follow-up appointment has been made at the time of discharge.

“The system will help our providers to catch things up front before the patient experiences a problem,” she explained. “It helps them implement preventative care measures and

actively manage chronic conditions, which is a key part of our quest to keep our community healthy.”

Vice President of Nursing/Operations Marla Bunker agrees that the im-provements will be beneficial to all. “This upgraded record will provide more organization of information to allow physicians and nurses a better way to communicate what is going on as the patient progresses from admis-sion to discharge,” she explained.

During the transition, patients should experience no change to their person-al use of the WMH Health Portal.

Mark your calendar and watch the LSSU Lakers take on Alaska on Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday festivities include Halloween Party with costumes and games, silent auction, raffles, and giveaways at the door. Proceeds go to local agencies addressing breast cancer and women’s health.

Get ready for PINK IN THE RINK 2016Oct. 28 & 29, 2016 LSSU Norris Center

Join us at this free event for health screenings, fitness demonstrations, information tables, immunizations and more.

SAVE THE DATE!

Fall into Health FairNov. 5, 2016 9am-Noon • LSSU Walker Cisler Center

Come see a live demonstration of

the new da Vinci Surgical Robot!

Hospital invests in improving electronic health record

WMH HEALTHBEAT 7 SEPTEMBER 2016

Wall of Gratitude: One way to thank donorsBy Teresa Armstrong, Director of Community Relations & Development Fund

Businesses and individuals will be

recognized based on the level of

support. Gifts greater than $5,000

can be made via a multi-year pledge.

For more information, please contact the Development Fund at 906.635.4351 or via email at contactus@wmhos.org.

Lance Horde (left) and Steven Kymes constructing the “wall of gratitude.”

War Memorial Hospital has recently installed a new “Wall of Gratitude” in our main lobby. We are excited to recognize the generous individuals and businesses in our community who support high quality healthcare in the EUP.

The current display focuses on our recent Emergency Department and Cancer Care campaigns. The display will grow in time to represent cumulative giving and be a more permanent display. It’s a great space with lots of traffic and I am excited to see the progress into a more permanent display the EUP community can be proud of.

Please join our “Wall of Gratitude.” Supporting your community, non-profit hospital helps to enhance WMH facilities, assist in the purchase of the most up-to-date technology and address other areas of need.

Join us and make an impact on healthcare in the EUP. Donors will be listed in Healthbeat, their name(s) displayed on the donor wall in the lobby, receive invitations to programs and luncheons, and receive applicable state and federal tax deductions.

Wall of Gratitude– LEVELS INCLUDE –

SUPERIOR CIRCLE $10,000+ • LEADER $5,000+PARTNER $2500 + • FRIEND $250+

SUSTAINING DONOR $500 (Recurring Annually)VISIONARY Planned gift through a will,

life insurance or trust

Your local health care providers

SAULT PRINTING CO.

500 Osborn Blvd.Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

(906) 635-4460www.warmemorialhospital.org

WAR MEMORIALHOSPITAL

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LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

EAR, NOSE & THROATSault Otolaryngology M. Wallace, DO (906) 259-0244 EMERGENCY SERVICES *T.G. Adams, MD *J.M. Neri, DO *M. Oates, MD *B. Samuel, MD *A. Seidner, MD *K. Raycraft, MD GENERAL SURGERY K.L. Mc Cullough, MD (906) 635-1048 Advanced Surgical Care *J. Adair, MD *P. Rechner, MD (906) 253-9770INFECTIOUS DISEASEWMH Infectious Disease *A. Luka, MD (906) 253-2665INTERNAL MEDICINE E.J. Ranta, MD (906) 632-6823Lakeview Internal Medicine T. Chander, MD (906) 635-9090WMH Internal Medicine *C. Rivera, MD (906) 632-5824 *K. Sawruk, NP (906) 253-2665NEPHROLOGYWMH Nephrology *M. Haider, MD (906) 632-5824OB/GYNECOLOGY Sault Women’s Healthcare *S. Amo, MD *N. Cristof, MD *A. Donmyer RN, CNM *M. Guevara, DO (906) 635-3002ONCOLOGY WMH Oncology *B. Arango, MD *J. Brow, NP (906) 253-2685

OPHTHALMOLOGY Grand Traverse Ophthalmology M. Madion, MD D. Thuente, MD P. vonKulajta, MD J. Wentzloff, MD (906) 635-9802ORTHOPEDIC SURGERYWMH Orthopedics *R.W. Ganzhorn, MD *S.M. Woolever, DO (906) 632-4740PAIN MANAGEMENTUpper Peninsula Pain Institute *A. Alshab, MD *A. Daha, MD (906) 632-5849PATHOLOGY C. Liu, MD (906) 635-4434PEDIATRICS *P. Newhouse, MD (906) 635-4401Sault Pediatrics *R. Beckman, DO (906) 253-2605PODIATRIC SURGERY R. Sehgal, DPM (248) 553-4040PULMONARY/CRITICAL CAREWMH Pulmonology *E. Al-Ghandour, MD *A. Ellis NP (906) 253-2652RADIOLOGYCedar Straits Medical Assoc., PC R.J. Duman, MD S. Bailey, MD (906) 635-4438SLEEP MEDICINEWMH Sleep Medicine *J. Sand, DO *F. Siddiqui, MD (906) 253-2788UROLOGYWMH Urology *L. M. McCormick, DO (906) 632-5808

Drummond Island Family Health Care, PC C. Cordray, CFNP, MSN (906) 493-6644Drummond Island Medical Center *S. Aldridge, MD *S. Daniels, PA (906) 493-5221ALLERGIST/ASTHMA Great Lakes Allergy & Asthma Center, PC P. Ranta, MD (906) 253-0400ANESTHESIOLOGY *Joe Beccario, CRNA *A. Daha, MD *D. Marjomaki, CRNA *N. Newhouse, CRNA *N. Sattar, MD *J. Slade, MD *F. Winkler, MD *E. Woolever, CRNA (906) 635-4589BARIATRIC (WEIGHT LOSS)Advanced Surgical Care *J. Adair, MD (906) 253-9770BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICESBlue Water Behavioral Health *L. Armstrong, NP *P. Sorgi, MD *D. Wilson, NP (906) 495-2209CARDIOLOGY Michigan Heart & Vascular W. Doghmi, MD D. Miranda, MD N. Overton, MD Jason Ricci, MD (906) 253-0668DERMATOLOGYWMH Dermatology *I. Siniakov, MD (906) 253-2652

FAMILY PRACTICE P.W. Niemi, DO (906) 632-1100Bay Mills Health Center D. Maloney, MD D. Furr, NP A. Rivard, NP (906) 248-5527Bridgeview Family Medicine T.E. O’Connor, MD J. Garlinghouse, MD J. Peterman, MD (906) 253-9374Community Care Clinic *S. Bartz, PA *R. Brand, NP *B. Gier, PA *W. Jamros, NP *T. Marino, NP *D. Paquette, PA *L. Tetzlaff, NP (906) 635-4401LSSU Health Care Center S. Bartz, PA-C M. McLeod, NP-BC T. Siesel, NP (906) 635-2110Riverside Medical Associates M. Crawford, CFNP R.H. Mackie, MD T. Malloy, FNP-BC P. Nichols, CFNP J.P. Ockenfels, DO T.N. Tetzlaff, DO (906) 632-1800 Sault Tribe Health Center C. Behling, CFNP E. Javellana, MD G. Maloney, MD V. Sherman, MD L. Styer, MD R. Werner, MD (906)632-5200Superior Family Medical J.M. Pahn, MD Tracey Marino, NP (906) 632-0370 VA Community BasedOutpatient Clinic Colleen Burton, NP (906) 253-9383WMH Community Care - Kinross *C. Harris, MD *J. Sommers, NP (906) 495-1344WMH Family Care – Cedarville *B.M. Slater, DO *S. Daniels, PA (906) 484-2295WMH Family Medicine *E. Baccari, DO *P. Gunasekera, MD (906) 253-2665

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSAULT STE MARIE, MI

PERMIT NO. 22

* Services provided by War Memorial Hospital