early warning tool reduces in-hospital cardiac arrests and ... · foundation founders’ circle...

A Newsletter for the Medical Staffs of DeKalb Medical

Send us your news…Published? Presenting? Need to announce a meeting that will be of interest to fellow physicians? Communique is a great venue to inform others about educational opportunities and achievements that demonstrate the expertise of DeKalb Medical’s medical staff. Send story ideas and information to [email protected] or call 404.501.5565.

Early Warning Tool Reduces In-Hospital Cardiac Arrests and Overall Mortality Rates

JANUARY 2016

The results are impressive. In the first year of implementation of the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), an automated calculation of vital sign data that provides an early alert to potential deterioration of a patient’s condition, the improvements include:

• 10 percent increase in Rapid Response Team (RRT) calls; • 9 percent decrease in patients transferred to a higher level of care; • 23 percent overall reduction in mortality; • 56 percent decrease in cardiac arrests outside the intensive care unit (ICU);

Data has shown that a patient exhibits signs of deterioration about six to eight hours prior to an actual arrest situation. RRTs were established at DeKalb Medical in 2006 in response to this data and have proven to reduce cardiac arrest rates outside the ICU. The MEWS tool calculates the factors needed to recognize even earlier deterioration. The auto-calculated score is based on defined vital sign and oxygenation parameters. Each vital sign – heart rate, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, neurological status and oxygenation status – is assigned a numeric value between 0 and 3, with 0 representing normal

status. A MEWS of 4 or greater, or 2 above the baseline score, indicates a possible need to call the RRT.

The tool, which was created in-house by DeKalb Medical programmers, is activated in all medical and surgical inpatient care areas, as well as telemetry and behavioral health units.

“Although vital signs are commonly used to identify patients at risk, the MEWS is a composite score, more than just a single parameter and is easily visible to frontline caregivers,” said Nancy D. Curdy MSN, RN, CCNS, CPPS, CPHQ, director of patient safety and infection prevention. “Other electronic medical records have similar tools but ours is unique because, in addition to automatic display in the vital sign flowsheet, it is also displayed on the patient tracker board in each nurses’ station and flashes red as a visual cue of the need to assess the patient.”

MEWS also helps hospitalists determine which patients to see first because it is displayed on their rounding sheet, and a report available to unit leaders displays the MEWS to help unit leaders zero in on their most vulnerable patients first and easily keep track of them throughout the day.

“From an ongoing educational aspect, this tool helps facilitate productive discussions with nurses at the bedside and facilitate critical thinking skills,” Curdy said. “This was truly an all-encompassing project with input from multiple disciplines. It’s a mechanism to use predictive data to prevent patients’ worsening. Nurses and physicians want to come to work each day to do the best they can for their patients and families, and our auto-calculated MEWS gives them a tool to help facilitate their efforts.”

For questions or comments, contact Nancy Curdy at 404.501.5754.

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2 Communique JANUARY 2016

DMPG PHYSICIAN’S LOUNGE

Spann Appointed to NRG Oncology CommitteeCyril O. Spann Jr., M.D., has been appointed as a member of the NRG Oncology Uterine Corpus Committee.

NRG Oncology is a non-profit research organization formed from three international research leaders: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the Gynecologic Oncology Group. The organization conducts oncologic clinical research and disseminates study results for informing clinical decision making and healthcare policy.

As a member of this committee, Spann’s expertise is now applied on a national level with other researchers who are exploring concepts for new trials and transforming those concepts into protocols that are offered to communities around the nation, including DeKalb Medical’s.

Congratulations, Dr. Spann.

Singh Joins North Druid Hills Internal MedicineVarinder K. Singh, M.D. has joined DeKalb Medical Physicians Group North Druid Hills Internal Medicine.

Dr. Singh performed her family practice internship and residency, and completed a fellowship in faculty development at Morehouse Family Practice in Atlanta. Her previous experience includes Northlake Family Medicine as a private practitioner and medical director of Family Practice and Weight Loss Center of Atlanta in Duluth. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and has a special interest in women’s health and obesity management of patients with obesity-related comorbidities.

Conduah Now Seeing Patients in Decatur OfficeDeKalb Orthopedics and Sports Medicine orthopedic surgeon Augustine Conduah, M.D., is now seeing patients in the practice’s Decatur office on Wednesday mornings. The office is located at 505 Irvin Court, Suite 200, near the DeKalb Medical North Decatur campus. Conduah primarily practices at the Lithonia office - 8225 Mall Parkway, Suite 150.

The DeKalb Orthopedics and Sports Medicine surgeon team includes Drs. Robert Bachner, Chris Haraszti and Paul Richin, and physician assistants Elizabeth Berlin and Brian Leland.

To refer a patient, please call 404.294.4111 for the Decatur campus or 770.482.3241 for the Lithonia campus.

Continuing Medical Education – Upcoming Conferences

Cyril O. Spann, Jr., M.D.

February 1: Tumor Conference, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Stubbs Auditorium, North Decatur Employed staff and private physicians have the right to express concerns regarding safety or quality-of-care issues to the Joint Commission without fear of disciplinary or punitive action. Concerns may be submitted via mail, fax, email or online using the instructions found on the Joint Commission website - www.jointcommission.org. Select “Report a Patient Safety Event” under the Action Center menu on the right.

5: Chest Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+

8: Tumor Conference, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Stubbs Auditorium, North Decatur

12: Cardiology Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+


16: Critical Care Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Theater, North Decatur*

19: Infectious Disease Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+

22: Lung Conference, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Stubbs Auditorium, North Decatur

23: Hillandale Primary Care Conference, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Board/Community Room, Hillandale^+

26: Hillandale Tumor Conference, 7 to 8 a.m., Board/Community Room, Hillandale

26: Surgery Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+


March4: Chest Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+


11: Cardiology Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+


15: Critical Care Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Theater, North Decatur*

18: Infectious Disease Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+


22: Hillandale Primary Care Conference, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Board/Community Room, Hillandale^+

26: Hillandale Tumor Conference, 7 to 8 a.m., Board/Community Room, Hillandale

26: Stroke/Neuro Conference, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Keeton Auditorium, North Decatur*+


Please note that the schedule may change. To check for late notice cancellations or the current week’s schedule, call 404.501.5638 and press “2” to hear an updated message. All conferences listed below are approved for a maximum of one continuing medical education credit.

* Conference webcast to Hillandale Board/Community Room+ Physicians can request participation from individual personal computer or mobile device with more than one day notice^ Conference webcast to Theater at North Decatur


3 Communique JANUARY 2016

FOUNDATIONSYSTEM NEWS

Tafari Setting Tone for Physician Giving

Making DeKalb Medical a hospital of hope has been a focus of Solomon Tafari, M.D., since he joined the medical staff in 2010. The Ethiopian-born internist and DeKalb Medical Foundation Founders’ Circle member said “it takes a village” to meet today’s needs.

As System Program Director for the Hospital Medicine and Hospitalist Intensivist programs, Tafari is building a culture of care and compassion, and hoping all hospitalists will join the Founders’ Circle.

“Gratitude is what builds great institutes,” Dr. Tafari said. “Having the best of everything starts with benefactors. When the community sees doctors donating, it makes them want to do the same.”

For information about how you can be a part of Physicians in Philanthropy, please contact Elisabeth Nark, Manager, DeKalb Medical Foundation at 404.501.1344 or [email protected].

Share Your Medical Expertise With Seniors in Your CommunityThe DeKalb Medical Community Outreach Department is inundated with requests from senior facilities that want speakers who can talk about topics such as managing the side effects of blood pressure medications or providing an overview of shingles symptoms, causes and treatments.

“We are usually able to provide six to eight weeks’ notice for speaking opportunities and are open to other topics that are of interest to the senior community,” said Beth Jansa, manager of community outreach director at DeKalb Medical. “Most times are during weekdays.”

If you are interested in taking advantage of these opportunities to meet potential patients and their families, and share your knowledge, email Beth Jansa at [email protected].

Central Scheduling Client Service Manager Joins DeKalb Medical

Adrienne Vialpando has joined the DeKalb Medical staff to work with physicians and their office staff during the implementation of the new centralized scheduling system.

Vialpando is uniquely qualified to serve as the liaison between the hospital system and physicians. At both Emory Healthcare and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta she was responsible for the implementation of Central Scheduling, Order Facilitator and other call center software designed to streamline the processes between physician offices and hospital departments.

As described in the December issue of Communique, DeKalb Medical is building a new department to enhance physician and patient satisfaction through centralized online portals, fax and phone-in functionality to make it simpler to schedule diagnostic or treatment services at the hospitals. To ensure a smooth implementation, clinical areas served by the new department will be rolled out in phases, with Imaging Scheduling first to come online in early spring of 2016 and full implementation of all other departments including Surgery to be completed by summer 2016.

For more information about central scheduling, contact Adrienne Vialpando at 404.501.5039 or [email protected]

Solomon Tafari, M.D.Adrienne Vialpando


2701 North Decatur RoadDecatur, GA 30033

Community Outreach: Promote Your Practice in 2016Community events provide a great opportunity to meet potential new patients and educate the community about preventive healthcare and

staying healthy. DeKalb Medical’s very active community outreach staff is always looking for physicians to speak to community groups or to offer health screenings at local events. A few of the key events already on the calendar for 2016 include:

March 12: Tucker Chili Cook-off – Main Street TuckerNeed volunteers for two shifts – 12 to 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 5 p.m.

April 2-3: Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival – Conyers International Horse Park

Multiple shifts available.

April 30-May 1: Snellville Days – Briscoe ParkMultiple shifts available.

May 14: Tucker Day – Main Street TuckerVolunteers needed for two shifts –

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m.

For more information about how you can market your practice through speaking opportunities, contact Beth Jansa at [email protected] or call 404.501.7481.

Emergency MedicineAlice M. Fray, M.D.

NeurologyBruce S. Rubinowicz, D.O.

OphthalmologyGregory M. Lewis, M.D.

PediatricsCindy L. Juster, M.D.

W E L COM E N E W PH YSIC I A NS - December 2015


early warning tool reduces in-hospital cardiac arrests and ... · foundation founders’ circle...

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