CAMC Today is a publication of the CAMC Health System

Experience a day in the life of a cancer nurse…Page 2

Find out about upcoming events like the West Virginia Challenged Sports championships, the CAMC NICU Grad Party and the Power of Organ Donation night…Pages 2-3

Are you interested in volunteering at CAMC? Read inside to learn more about how you can help…Page 3

THe CuTTing edgeThe hemoglobin A1C test is now being used to diagnose diabetes…Page 4

Learn about the first pediatric robotic surgery in the state, performed at CAMC…Page 4

Find out about a different approach to performing cardiac catheterizations…Page 4

April 13, 2010

Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Cardiology and Electrophysiology, WVU Physicians of Charleston.

The primary goal of the EP lab was, and still remains, to provide specialized diagnostic and interventional treatment for patients who have irregular, or abnormal, heart rates.

“Our lab is similar to others that I have had the opportunity to visit around the country,” said McCowan, who is an Associate Professor of Medicine at West Virginia University – Charleston Division and CEO of Arrhythmia Treatment Associates, PLLC. “There is a prevailing sense of service to the patient and a desire to deliver excellent, current and compassionate care.”

“What is most unique about this lab is that we have a physician, Dr. McCowan, as well as two nurses, Shawn Allen and Cliff Thorpe, who were the pioneer staff and have remained here,” said Lorena Landrum, MD, electrophysiologist. “To have EP lab personnel in the same lab for 18 to 20 years is almost unheard of. That experience is unparalleled and is an extraordinary benefit to our EP lab and this hospital.”

CAMC’s electrophysiology (EP) program began in 1989 under the direction of Ronald McCowan, MD, FACC. There were two dedicated RNs and one dedicated cardiovascular technician (CVT) at that time. The lab itself functioned on a floor separate from other cardiac services until it was integrated into the new CAMC Heart & Vascular Center in 2009.

Shawn Allen, RN, has worked in the EP lab since its inception. “Our EP program is very unique in that it started without much guidance from the outside,” she said. “It was put together through much dedication and education.”

“Dr. Ronald McCowan deserves a tremendous amount of credit for providing EP services in Charleston for many years, essentially by himself,” said Brett A. Faulknier, DO,

About 1,500 EP cases per year are performed in the lab at CAMC and include pacemakers, ICDs, and other device implants for abnormal heart rhythms, and also cardiac ablation, a relatively non-invasive procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin or neck to render damaged tissue in the heart inactive.

Nurses cross train on monitoring and mapping systems, and all staff can assist on implants. All EP staff is required to be certified in both advanced cardiac and basic life support. There are two full-time EP labs, and one shared with cath. CAMC has three full-time electrophysiologists, two cardiologists who perform implant procedures, four dedicated EP nurses, three float nurses, five dedicated radiologic technologists (RT) and one float RT.

“The best way to prepare is to properly train staff to accommodate anticipated volume,” Landrum said. “Our laboratory is diligently seeking to hire dedicated EP staff, as well as continuing to cross train present cath lab staff to accommodate our volume.”

Many of the EP staff are trained to assist in the catheterization labs. However, if they are hired as dedicated EP staff, extensive training is done by existing staff to prepare them.

Electrophysiology lab continues to grow 20 years after its beginningNationally, EP procedures continue to rise, and there is no exception locally.

“With atrial fibrillation, a type of abnormal heart rhythm, becoming so prevalent in our aging population, there is definitely a need for more ablation to be performed in West Virginia,” Faulknier said. “Further tools need to be developed that will make the ablation lesions more uniform and deliverable.”

CAMC continues to grow and has remained in the top 20 hospitals nationally in heart procedure volumes for many years. Since EP is labor intensive and demands expertise in training of ancillary personnel, CAMC continues the training of more technicians and nurses and also anticipates the forthcoming addition of another EP physician.

For more information, visit camc.org.

It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago CAMC held the first HealthFest at the Capitol. While the annual event is now at the Charleston Civic Center, the focus remains the same – providing the community with low cost screenings and health information.

With health care and insurance costs increasing, it’s never been more important to take a proactive approach to your health and help control your medical costs.

In 2009, more than 1,500 people attended HealthFest. Participants came from approximately 18 different counties. There were 65 different types of screenings available at HealthFest, and the total number of educational activities experienced (including screenings given) was 10,949. In addition, nearly 300 middle and high school students received free sports physicals.

Many displays will be set up to promote health and safety. Most screenings are free. There is a minimal cost for screenings requiring blood work.

Free and low-cost screenings at HealthFest include:

Peripheral artery disease: blood pressure checks in the arms and legs to determine if you have certain symptoms.

Diabetes: talk with an educator to see if you’re at risk. The hgbA1C finger stick ($5) gives you an idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working to help prevent or delay complications from your diabetes.

Stroke: screeners check blood pressure and listen to arteries in the neck.

Osteoporosis: a foot scan checks bone density to determine its strength.

Heart: a finger stick ($5) checks your cholesterol; learn about heart healthy foods and lifestyles. The hs-CRP test ($10) helps predict a healthy person’s risk for cardiovascular disease.

Get Physical: FREE sports physicals for middle school and high school athletes, noon to 2 p.m.

Blood work (7a.m. to noon, requires pre-registration)

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel ($15, includes lipid panel)

• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is nitrogen in the blood. This is a waste product that is normally removed by the kidneys in the urine.

• Creatinine is a waste product of protein digestion and a measure of kidney function. Doctors use the creatinine level to determine how well the kidneys are removing waste products from the body.

• Sodium (NA) levels indicate your balance of salt and water. They also are a sign of the functioning of your kidneys and adrenal glands.

• Potassium (K) affects several major organs including the heart.

• Chloride (CL) levels often go up and down along with sodium levels. This is because sodium chloride, or common salt, is a major component of blood.

• Anormalbicarbonate or CO2 level keeps the blood acidity at the correct level.

• Calcium is a major component of bones and teeth. It also is needed for nerve transmission, blood clotting and muscles to work properly and in chemical reactions in the cells. The body controls the amount of calcium in the blood.

• Glucose (blood sugar) is a test that measures the amount of sugar in the blood and is used to test for diabetes. A blood sample is taken before breakfast, after a 10- to 12-hour fast.

Lipid Panel:

• Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. It is measured to assess Continued on Page 4

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF HEALTHFEST

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF HEALTHFEST

HealthFest celebrates 10 years of screenings and health information

Become a fan of CAMC Health Systemand CAMC Foundation on Facebook.www.facebook.com/camchealthsystemwww.facebook.com/camcfoundation

Living with your ICDCome to each session prepared to interact in group discussion with others who live with an ICD.

2010 Schedule | June 15 • Oct. 19 | 6 to 7 p.m.

CAMC Institute Training Center3211 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston(Across from CAMC Memorial Hospital)Free parking: Ask registration for details

To register call (304) 345-9051

Inside this issue

Brett Faulknier, DO; Ronald McCowan, MD, FACC; Lorena Landrum, MD

Save the date!CAMC HealthFest Saturday, June 5, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Charleston Civic CenterSome screenings require registration and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Look for the CAMC HealthFest ad in Charleston Newspapers on May 16 for registration information. Registration will begin Monday, May 17.

WV CHALLENGED SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS: MAy 27-29, 2010Events: Track and Field, Swimming, Archery and Marksman

GOLF Challenged golf SCramble: SEPT. 16, 2010WV Challenged Cup: SEPT. 17, 2010

TENNIS WheelChair TenniS CliniC & exhibiTion: SEPT. 18, 2010

CAMC’s Medical Rehabilitation Center sponsors statewide sporting competitions for athletes of all ages with physical disabilities through its challenged sports program, which is the only organized, sanctioned sporting program for the physically challenged in West Virginia. The program offers year round competitions in track and field, marksman, swimming, basketball, tennis, archery and golf. Local athletes who meet qualifying standards at these events have the opportunity move on to national competitions. Visit camc.org/challengedsports for entry forms and more information.

CAMC MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTER’SCHALLENGED SPORTS PROGRAM 2010 COMPETITIONS

A day in the life of a cancer nurseA cancer diagnosis is one that patients and their families never forget. CAMC has very special caregivers to take care of whatever they may face during this unexpected journey.

“A typical day starts off very hectic on 5 South [the inpatient cancer floor],” said Tammy Copeland, RN. “On any given morning, you get reports and just try to stay ahead of the game. Afternoons are a little calmer because there is finally time to get caught up on charting and to get to know your patients and their families better.”

Most patients admitted to 5 South suddenly hear the word cancer in the midst of living their lives, working at their careers and building their families.

“When they hear it, their lives come to a screeching stop and they find themselves on our unit for days, weeks, and sometimes months, fighting an uphill battle for their lives,” Copeland said. “Often the things they want are not easy to make happen - like the patient who wanted to see the fall leaves at her cabin in Tennessee just once more, the mother who wanted her last Christmas with her daughters to be a good one, the elderly gentleman who wanted to make sure his cat was taken care of or the business owner who wanted to live long enough to make sure his son was ready to take over the family business.”

Although it’s sometimes impossible to make these requests a reality, Copeland and the other nurses on 5 South try to help make those things happen in whatever small way they can, even if the only thing they can do is simply listen.

Being an outpatient cancer nurse doesn’t differ much. Sheila Wright, RN, certified oncology nurse, clinical nurse IV, agrees that the patients and their families are most important, and that the ever-changing tasks that come with being a cancer nurse make her job less than typical.

“The best part of my job is that there is no typical day,” Wright said. “The David Lee Cancer Center employs six oncologists who treat a vast array of cancers, not to mention

the individual needs and challenges that arise with each patient, so each day is a unique experience. My job is to make sure that their time spent with us - whatever the outcome may be - remains a positive experience.”

As a cancer nurse, Wright facilitates all that is required to get a patient initiated on chemotherapy and associated treatments. She serves as a resource for any physical, spiritual or emotional needs that patients may require.

“I provide patient education, triage calls related to side effects from therapy, complete insurance prior authorizations,

and serve as a liaison by arranging referrals between multiple departments and offices,” Wright said. “In addition, I provide assistance with hands-on patient care during office procedures, and utilize and manage central vein access devices. I am also available to provide my patients with additional support for whatever may arise during the course of a day. ”

Though both Copeland and Wright work very busy days as cancer nurses, both say they love their jobs.

“The most common question I get asked when people find out I am a cancer nurse is ‘How can you do that on a daily basis? Isn’t it depressing?’” Copeland said. “My answer is yes, it is depressing at times, and sometimes I don’t know how I do it. Cancer nursing is challenging and inspiring, and I love it. I cannot see myself ever working in any other field, unless it would be nursing education because I’ve found that I also enjoy teaching.”

“I did not start out wanting to become a nurse, but the path that I have taken in life

has led me to where I am, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” Wright said. “It is not the day-to-day tasks that make my job rewarding, but the many life lessons my patients have taught me. Whenever I meet someone and explain to them that I am a cancer nurse, I get a similar reaction: ‘How do you deal with all those patient needs, and how do you deal with the loss of so many patients?’ These people do not understand what a courageous group of individuals I am blessed to care for on a daily basis. The magic in my profession, and the reward that I receive, is witnessing the adaptability of the human spirit as it faces struggles.”

Even though a cancer diagnosis is depressing in itself, these nurses have found that the majority of patients have come to the realization that the end of their time on earth may just be a few short weeks, months or years away and they want to fill it with happiness. Copeland and Wright both think about their patients when they are not working, and also look forward to the continuing evolution of cancer treatments.

“After my shift is over, as I drive one and a half hours to my home, my patients are often on my mind, as well as on my days off.” Copeland said. “It is hard not to form bonds with them when you are right there experiencing all the changes, fears and emotions with them. I remain in touch with several family members of past patients.”

“Improvements in cancer treatments, in the treatment of chemotherapy-related side effects, the ability to test and diagnose at earlier stages and our plans to build a new outpatient cancer center at CAMC allow me to look forward to many more exciting days as a cancer nurse,” Wright said.

2 camc.org

AARPDriving Classes

May 5 and 6 1 to 5 p.m.

Must attend both days for certificate.

AARP members $12/person

Non-members $14/person (Checks only. Make payable to AARP.)

Class size is limited.

Call (304) 345-9051 to register.

If you can practice nursing at CAMC, you can practice anywhere in the world. That’s true because of the vast range of opportunities available to nurses here. We have one of the top heart programs in the country, a Level I trauma center, Level I pediatric intensive care unit, Level III neonatal intensive care unit, the state’s only kidney transplant center, and a nationally-accredited program in cancer care.

We are a teaching institution. We are a research institution. We have top-notch programs in neurosciences, medical rehabilitation, orthopedics, medical imaging and maternal-fetal medicine. Plus, we support a wide variety of outreach efforts through our Family Resource Center and elsewhere that help us remain responsive to the communities we serve.

Our nursing career ladder defines clear objectives for those who want to expand their skills, while our continuing education programs keep nurses at the forefront of the latest medical advances and technological innovations.

In short, CAMC opens doors for nurses who accept the challenge of pursuing their career at one of our hospitals…and we are extremely grateful for their talents. No one represents the nursing profession better than our very own nurses.

CAMC appreciates our nurses’ dedication and commitment to our patients, their families and our community.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has awarded the Medical Rehabilitation Center at CAMC a three-year accreditation, the most prestigious level of accreditation possible, for the following programs:

Brain injury rehabilitation programs •

Comprehensive inpatient •rehabilitation programs

Stroke specialty programs •

Spinal cord system of care •

This is the sixth consecutive three-year accreditation that CAMC’s Medical Rehabilitation Center has achieved.

“We are committed to providing the best possible services to our clients,” said Kenneth C. Wright, MD, medical director of the Rehabilitation Center at CAMC.

“Achieving such a high level of accreditation would not have been possible without the dedicated work of staff members of several medical rehabilitation teams and numerous support departments throughout CAMC,” said Peter Americo, CAMC corporate director for rehabilitation services. “This accreditation demonstrates that we hold

ourselves accountable to the highest standards in the industry.” CARF is considered the gold standard and premiere accrediting body for rehabilitation programs. It is a voluntary accreditation process, which means that organizations seeking the accreditation spend their own time, money and efforts to undergo the in-depth assessment in order to meet the organization’s stringent standards.

“It’s the best way to ensure that you’re providing the highest quality of care for your customers,” Americo said.

CAMC is the only medical center in West Virginia and the tri-state region with a Joint Commission Stroke Center of Excellence and CARF accredited stroke specialty program. In addition, CAMC is home to the only CARF accredited programs in brain injury rehabilitation and spinal cord system of care in West Virginia.

CARF is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting body promoting quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the patients served.

CAMC’s Medical Rehabilitation Center earns national accreditation

New grants receivedFunds were awarded from the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, a Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future (PIN) funding partner, in the amount of $10,000 to the CAMC Health Education and Research Institute, on behalf of the West Virginia Nursing Leadership Institute. These funds will support program costs for training seven to nine nurses from health care organizations in the six county areas served by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. PIN is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded program to create new partnerships with local foundations to encourage investment in nursing workforce solutions.

CAMC Institute received $17,358 from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health Office of Epidemiology and Health Promotion’s cardiovascular health program to assess and develop strategies for improving cardiovascular health in West Virginia.

Sheila Wright, RN, OCN, CNIV Tammy Copeland, RN

CAMC nurses represent the best in professionBy Dave Ramsey, President & CEO

Published by CAMC Marketing & Public AffairsElizabeth Pellegrin Editor

Dale Witte Jessica Duffield Editors/Writers

Tony Campbell Graphic Designer

Julia Noland Leslie CarpenterWriters

Celebrating NICU graduatesFamilies of NICU graduates are invited to enjoy food, fun and entertainment at the 20th annual...

NICU Grad PartySunday, April 25 | Noon to 4 p.m.

State Capitol lawn, Charleston

The grad party will take place at the March of Dimes March for Babies. For

information in participating in the march visit www.marchforbabies.org.

CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital believes that all of our NICU graduates and their families are special, so we hope you will join us for this celebration. Please call (304) 345-9051 to RSVP by April 19.

Now is the time to get healthier with two exciting Ornish programs. For people with heart disease, diabetes or those who are at significant risk for heart disease, the Ornish Reversal program is the gold standard. It is the ONLy program that is clinically proven to reverse heart disease. The Reversal Program has had proven success at CAMC for more than eight years, with 23 groups of participants with improved health. The program is being improved upon in 2010.

“The program materials being used at CAMC have been revamped and are very participant friendly,” said Kelly Anderson, RN, recruitment specialist/nurse case manager. “The Ornish Reversal Program is one of active participation and includes lots of education on label reading, food choices, food prep demonstrations and even a tour of a local grocery store with the nutrition educator for hands on learning with label reading and food identification.”

camc.org 3

Special designations

West Virginia’s largest medical center •

13th highest volume heart center in U.S. •

Only kidney transplant center in West •Virginia

Site of one of only two Level I (highest •ranking) trauma centers in WV

Level I pediatric intensive care unit •(highest ranking)

Level III neonatal intensive care unit •(highest ranking)

Fully accredited by The Joint •Commission, including recertification as a Primary Stroke Center

CAMC cancer program awarded a three •year approval with commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer in 2009

Primary medical safety net provider •of women and children’s and trauma services in central and southern West Virginia

1 of 5 bases of operation for HealthNet •Aeromedical Services (HealthNet transported 3,111 total patients in 2008)

2009 awards and recognitions

For the third year in a row, CAMC was •named one the top performers in the CMS/Premier Healthcare Alliance Pay-for-Performance’s Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration project

Named a 2009/2010 Consumer Choice •Award winner by the National Research Corporation for hospitals and health systems chosen for the best overall quality and image

Named a best ear, nose and throat •hospital by U.S. News and World Report

Recognized by the American Diabetes •Association for meeting the Educational Standards for Diabetes Self Management Education

Patient care (2008)575,467 outpatient visits •100,845 emergency room visits •3,100+ trauma patients admitted •37,258 inpatient discharges •26,950 general operating room •procedures

33,269 ambulatory surgery procedures •1,687 open-heart bypass procedures •8,791 procedures performed in cardiac •cath labs

39,137 David Lee Cancer Center •encounters

1,681 newly diagnosed patients with •cancer (2007)

CAMC treated 12% of the total cancer •discharges in WV

3,150 babies delivered •660 neonatal intensive care unit •admissions

44 kidney transplants •

Financial facts (Fiscal Year 2008)Payroll and benefits = $325 million •Community benefit = $107,755,862 •$17,825,304 in charity care at cost •$36,793,649 to provide health •professions education/graduate medical education

$621,506 in subsidized health services •to meet identified community needs

$4,762,740 for community benefit •programs and services

$15 million for Medicaid provider tax •$46,655,122 unreimbursed cost for •treating patients with Medicaid coverage

$1,097,542 unreimbursed costs for •treating patients in other public programs

$59,759,003 unreimbursed cost for •treating patients with Medicare coverage

$20,307,834 written off as bad •debt at cost

A snapshot of Charleston Area Medical Center – 2010

“Power of Organ Donation Night” to honor kidney donors and recipients

Kanawha County selected for program fighting childhood obesity

Get healthy with two Ornish program options

Last fall, for the first time in its history, the national organ transplant wait list topped 100,000 people. The list is now up to 105,506, of these an astounding 83,175 are waiting for a kidney. Every 11 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list though sadly, an average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

To help raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, the Kidney Transplant Center at CAMC General Hospital, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education and the CAMC Foundation will sponsor the fifth annual “Power of Organ Donation Night” at Appalachian Power Park on Friday, June 11. Current and former patients of CAMC’s Kidney Transplant Center will be honored on the field at 6:40 p.m. prior to the start of the WV Power baseball game at 7:05 p.m. The event will highlight the importance of organ and tissue donation by recognizing donors and recipients and giving fans the opportunity to sign donor cards.

CAMC employees will receive a discount of $1 per ticket to the game by showing their ID badge. Plus, $1 of every employee ticket sold will be donated to the CAMC Foundation. There will be a fireworks show after the game.

CAMC volunteer services is seeking volunteers to serve in various areas across the CAMC Health System. Currently, there are more than 150 active volunteers throughout CAMC, and 216 volunteers contributed time in 2009. CAMC has seen many volunteers make the decision to resign or retire from service, and during the past year, 27 percent of volunteers who did so cited age or health as primary reasons.

“Unfortunately, our volunteer population continues to get older,” said Kristy Fidler, volunteer services director. “In addition, several active volunteers have passed away in the last few years, leaving a void in the areas where they served.”

CAMC is home to the only kidney transplant center in West Virginia. Currently there are approximately 179 local adult and pediatric patients on the waiting list to receive a kidney transplant. In addition, more than 500 patients are being evaluated for transplantation.

For ticket information, call the West Virginia Power box office at (304) 344-2287.

Volunteer hours have gone down as a result of these losses, and many areas within the health system could use additional volunteers to help with their needs. There are volunteer positions available at CAMC General, Memorial and Women and Children’s hospitals, as well as Teays Valley Hospital, in both patient and public areas and behind the scenes in office work. Most volunteers work about four hours a day, one or two times a week.

Adults, and teens between the ages of 14 and 18, and in good academic standing at their schools, are eligible to become volunteers. Some of the benefits of being a volunteer for the CAMC Health System include free parking, five dollars toward

meals (after three hour shifts), free flu shots, free uniforms, earning service hours for school/college and much more.

“Our mission is not to replace the volunteers who have retired or passed away, but instead to find others in our community to help car-ry on their legacy of service,” said Fidler.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at a CAMC hospital, you may apply either online at camc.org or request a paper application by calling (304) 388-7426. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering at Teays Valley Hospital, call (304) 757-1891.

Volunteers needed in many areas across CAMC Health System

The CAMC Ornish team with Dr. Dean Ornish. (Back row: Betsy Greer, Susan Poindexter and Denise Chiartas; front row: Kelly Anderson, Dr. Ornish and Caroline Charonko)

KEyS 4 HealthyKids has been awarded a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to improve opportunities for physical activity and access to affordable, healthy foods for children and families in Kanawha County. Based on a rigorous selection process that drew more than 500 proposals from across the country, it is one of 41 sites selected for the RWJF Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative.

In Kanawha County, 47 percent of predominately low-income children are overweight or obese. These children face health issues such as higher rates of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and may also incur higher medical costs and be generally less productive in school. As its name suggests, KEyS 4 HealthyKids will use a four-key approach to achieve healthy communities:

• Thekeytoknowledge• Thekeytoeatinghealthy• Thekeytoyouthbeingactive• Thekeytosafetyandempowerment

The initial focus will be on at-risk youth and families in the West Side and East End of Charleston and the Kanawha City area, eventually expanding to other communities.

Jamie Jeffrey, MD, a CAMC pediatrician and director of the KEyS 4 HealthyKids initiative, said she often encounters parents who struggle to find affordable, healthy foods and safe places for their children to be active close to home.

“I am so excited for this opportunity for our youth,” Jeffrey said, “We all want to be healthier and now, through this grant, we will be able to accomplish the policy and environmental changes needed to make our dreams a reality. But, we will need local residents to participate to have the greatest impact.”

KEyS 4 HealthyKids will have an opportunity to work with after-school programs to adopt improved nutrition, health and environmental guidelines that ensure food and beverages include healthy choices as well as create an environment to engage and empower youth to be active every day, in their own backyards.

The other Ornish program offered at CAMC is brand new and based on Dr. Dean Ornish’s newest, best-selling book, The Spectrum.

“The CAMC Ornish team spent time in Pittsburgh with Dr. Ornish a few months ago for a retreat, and to preview the new Spectrum program,” Anderson said.

In The Spectrum, Ornish shows how to personalize a way of eating and way of living based on personal health goals, needs and preferences. This educational program is about freedom of choice, there is no

Encouraged by this opportunity to make long-lasting changes in the community, Judy Crabtree, director of the Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement, and coordinator for KEyS 4 HealthyKids, said, “Community mobilization and seeking meaningful environmental change are two strategies that research indicates can influence entire communities.”

KEyS 4 HealthyKids is a county partnership of more than 22 organizations including business, education, city government, social services and health agencies.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, a national program of the RWJF, advances community-based solutions that will help reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. It focuses on changing policies and environments to support active living and healthy eating among children and families. The program places special emphasis on reaching children who are at highest risk for obesity on the basis of income, race/ethnicity and geographic location. It will support RWJF’s efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States by 2015.

diet to get on or off. Nothing is forbidden. It is based on love – joy of living, not fear of dying; feeling better, not denying yourself pleasure.

The Spectrum program is replacing the previous Ornish Advantage program, and is a six-week lifestyle improvement education program based on where a person’s current health and optimal health falls along the Spectrum. It allows the choices that people make help them meet their health goals based on extensive research on lifestyle change and health promotion. It is an ideal program for those wanting to get healthier, become more fit, reduce stress and gain balance in their life.

Both programs are covered by Mountain State BCBS and PEIA. For information, call (304) 388-9411.

Power of organ Donation night at aPPalachian Power Park

friDay, June 11, 2010

7:05 P.m.

camc emPloyee Discount: $1 off Per ticket (must show iD baDge)

call (304) 344-2287 for more information.

Cardiologists practicing at CAMC and employees in the cardiac catheterization lab recently trained on the transradial approach to perform cardiac caths. Instead of using the femoral artery in the groin as is the traditional procedure for a cath, the transradial approach uses the radial artery in the patient’s wrist. The catheter is then threaded through the artery to the heart and its chambers.

“From a historical standpoint, we’re going ‘back to the future,’” said Stephen Lewis,

JOB surfing? apply online camc.orgCharleston Area Medical Center Health System, Inc. 2010

Charleston Area Medical Center Health System, Inc. 2010

4 camc.org

Getting to the heart through the wristMD, medical director of the cath lab at CAMC. “The radial approach was designed about 20 years ago, but has been more widely used in other countries because most cardiologists in the United States are trained using the femoral approach. Information regarding improved patient outcomes has increased the interest for this approach.”

“Once you are in the artery, the procedure is performed in the same way as a traditional cardiac cath,” said Lisa Hoffman, director of the cardiac cath lab/post cardiac cath unit at CAMC. “Benefits of doing the procedure this way include less recovery time, and the patient can move immediately after the procedure.”

After a cardiac cath is done through the femoral artery, the patient has to lie still for several hours to prevent bleeding from the entry site.

“There are less bleeding complications and less vascular problems when using the

radial site,” Lewis said. “It’s also a matter of patient preference and comfort level.”

To prevent bleeding from the wrist site, a device called a TR Band is used to apply pressure to the entry site after the procedure is completed. The band is clear, so caregivers can see the entry site and quickly access it if there is any bleeding.

“The band compresses the artery to allow blood return without affecting nerve structure and is usually removed within two hours of the procedure,” Hoffman said.

Most patients are well-suited to the transradial cath procedure. “It’s only around 7 percent of the time that you can’t use the radial approach,” Lewis said. “It’s particularly well-suited to patients who have a large body mass index or patients with peripheral artery disease.”

For more information about cardiac services at CAMC, visit camc.org.

Nine-year-old Allison Matthews was back to playing basketball just a couple of weeks after she had surgery, thanks to James P. Tierney, DO and a skilled surgical team assisted by a high-tech surgical robot.

Matthews underwent a pyeloplasty, which is done to remove a congenital obstruction of the ureter, the muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. The procedure was done with the assistance of the da Vinci Surgical System, which is a laparoscopic surgical robot that allows for the use of smaller ports instead of a traditional large incision associated with many surgeries.

This was the first pediatric robotic procedure performed at CAMC, and to the knowledge of Intuitive Surgical, the company that makes the da Vinci, the first in West Virginia.

“This procedure, which involves cutting out the obstruction in the ureter and sewing it back together, would have traditionally been done with a large incision on the patient’s side. This would have made a more difficult recovery for the patient, and it would have left a significant scar,” said

First pediatric robotic surgery procedure in state performed at CAMC

HealthFest Continued

Marian Campbell, RNFA, robotics team leader for CAMC.

The da Vinci Surgical System combines the latest advancements in robotics, computer-enhanced technology and the skills of surgeons. The surgeon’s hands are at the control of this state-of-the-art robotic device and can perform the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched accuracy.

Instead of the traditional large incision associated with open surgery, small ports are placed in the patient’s abdomen, into which the arms of the surgical robot are inserted. The surgeon operates the arms at a console beside the patient. Additional members of the surgical team assist at the patient’s bedside.

Allison’s mother, Debbie Matthews, said that her daughter’s recovery went very well. “I think it was better in that the actual healing process went quickly. It’s great when new technologies come out, especially for kids.”

Having surgery definitely hasn’t slowed Matthews down. When asked about her plans for the next few months, she said “I’m ready to play softball!”

For more information about robotic surgery at CAMC, visit camc.org.

A1C test now used to diagnose diabetesWest Virginia is the number one state in the U.S. for diagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes. It is estimated that while 234,000 people in West Virginia have been diagnosed with diabetes, there are 78,000 people who are undiagnosed.

Diabetes is typically diagnosed with a glucose tolerance test or a fasting glucose test. Recently, the use of the hemoglobin A1C test has been recognized as a way to diagnose diabetes. The hemoglobin A1C test gives an average of a person’s blood sugar over the past two to three months, and has typically been used to show how an individual’s diabetes treatment plan is working.

“The hemoglobin A1C test is another option for diagnosis of diabetes,” said Teresa Waugh, RN, certified diabetes educator at CAMC. “It’s not a ‘new’ test because it has been used to measure average blood sugar control, but earlier this year, the American Diabetes Association accepted it as an accurate diagnosis tool.”

Regardless of the way in which diabetes is diagnosed, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes:

• Increasedurination• Increased thirst• Feelingtired• Increasedhunger• Blurredvision• Dizziness• Dry,itchyskin• Increasedinfection

Diabetes can be treated by adhering to a program of education, physical activity, meal planning, medication and monitoring blood glucose. The goal of treating diabetes is to get blood glucose levels under control.

If not properly managed, diabetes can have serious complications.

• Twooutofthreepeoplewithdiabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

• Diabetesistheleadingcauseofnew cases of blindness among adults.

• Diabetesistheleadingcause of kidney failure.

• Therateofamputationforpeople with diabetes is 10 times higher than for people without diabetes.

The CAMC Outpatient Diabetes Education program provides individual and group training for diabetes self-management as well as diabetes and pregnancy. “We recently started an insulin pump training for people interested in beginning insulin pump therapy,” Waugh said. Diabetes education services are covered by most insurance companies.

For more information about the program, call (304) 388-5555 or e-mail diabetes@camc.org.

The West Virginia Immunization Network presented CAMC with its “Hot Shot Award” during its fifth annual awards banquet.

Of the seven awards that were distributed, CAMC received the highest honor. The Hot Shot Award is defined as public or private sector individuals or organizations who have gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to give tremendous amounts of time and effort to increase immunizations.

The organization recognized CAMC for its success with the 2009-2010 influenza immunization program.

The event was held at the Cultural Center with many state officials, as well as several members of the West Virginia Legislature present.

Many people are responsible for the success of the program, including clinical epidemiology and the Nursing Retention Recognition Council, who have been responsible for providing vaccinations on the units for the past five years. This year the Retention Recognition members were responsible for educating the clinical staff, and many of them participated in the vaccine clinics.

Hands-on training,hands-off patients

Every action is recorded by a computer. At the end of the procedure, the computer gives trainers and the doctor performing the procedure a report on what action was taken and what happened based on that action.

“This allows doctors to see the results of their actions, both good and bad,” said David Matics, simulation education specialist and life support training center coordinator. “This system provides state-of-the-art simulation-based training with unique clinical and simulation realism.”

There also are multiple access options and a variety of patient scenarios to challenge the learner’s procedural capabilities.

One of the best ways to get better at something is to practice.

The CAMC Health Education and Research Institute recently added new training equipment to its simulation center to give doctors more specialized training in a variety of procedures.

The Mentice VIST™ is a high fidelity endovascular simulator that provides realistic hands-on training for angiographic and interventional procedures.

The VIST will be used to help doctors in training practice exploratory medicine looking for injuries and illnesses and interventional medicine where they’ll practice going in and correcting the problems they’ve found.

Matics says the VIST will ultimately play a role in the vascular fellowship once physicians and Simulation Center staff establish the training modules.

It also could be used for training in cardiac, carotid and renal stenting.

Since opening the Simulation Center in 2005, the CAMC Institute has been striving to improve patient safety through training, education and assessment of simulated procedures.

The CAMC Patient Simulation Center is the largest and most advanced facility of its kind in the state and a premier center nationally. At the center, students and health care professionals are able to gain experiences similar to real medical settings by treating life-like, computer-controlled manikins, which helps to prepare them for the demands of the field.

“The latest addition to the Simulation Center is an example of the Institute’s continued focus on offering more training techniques and procedures,” Matics said. “We’re always looking for better ways to train doctors and other clinicians in a safe environment with the goal of enhancing clinical performance, reducing cost and in the long term, improving patient safety.”

CAMC recognized for vaccination rate

risk for coronary heart disease and to follow the effect of dietary manipulations. It is important to measure the HDL-cholesterol and the LDL-cholesterol. The HDL- cholesterol is the good cholesterol (it is okay for it to be high). It seems to protect the heart and blood vessels from becoming clogged. LDL-cholesterol is the bad cholesterol, which causes plaque buildup on the inside of your blood vessels and they become clogged. Triglyceride is another a fatty substance found in the blood.

• Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) is a lipoprotein substance (combination of a fat and a protein), which acts as a carrier for cholesterol and fats (particularly triglycerides) in the bloodstream.

Prostate-Specific Antigen or PSA ($18): Only the prostate makes PSA. Generally when a test shows higher than normal PSA levels, there’s a greater chance of having prostate cancer. Aside from the blood test, actual prostate exams (FREE) run from 7 – 10:30 a.m. only.

TSH (thyroid) ($18) Evaluates thyroid function and symptoms of hyper- or hypothyroidism.

Participants also can discuss their medications with a pharmacist, get help preparing living wills and medical powers of attorney and learn about nutrition and lung care.

For children, there are height and weight checks, fingerprinting and games.