Tuesday, November 9, 2010

WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Stroke Program Recognized with Prestigious Award

WellStar Health System is pleased to announce WellStar Kennestone Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award.
The award recognizes WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

New Documentation System Will Deliver Improved Quality of Care to Mothers and Infants

WellStar is replacing its WatchChild documentation system with the GE Centricity Perinatal Clinical Information System. This new documentation system supports efficient documentation of mothers and infants throughout the perinatal continuum of care. It is more robust than the WatchChild system and will allow for customization as needed as well as reporting.

Centricity Perinatal integrates information from multiple devices and systems, expanding the depth of clinical information available at the bedside, helping to improve communication among caregivers, streamline workflow, and enhance patient safety needs.  Information regarding the training for this new documentation system will be distributed soon at each hospital.

November Issue of Information Technology Newsletter

Click here to view the latest Information Technology newsletter. Featured newsletter topics include: WellStar Implements New Enterprise Master Patient Index, Video Conferencing Update, Physician Portal Privacy, Video Success for the Cardiovascular Operating Room and Telephone Equipment Replacement at Physicians Sites.

Office of Student Affiliations

In response to an increasing number of individuals seeking clinical training and observation experiences at WellStar facilities, processing and orientation responsibilities have shifted from the Medical Staff office to the new Office of Student Affiliations. In addition, new policies have been implemented.

WellStar Achieves Quality Honor Roll

The latest Appropriate Care Measures (ACM) rates from April 2009 to March 2010 show that WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Kennestone hospitals continue to meet the 93 percent threshold for the Presidential Level of the Quality Honor Roll! (The most recent Quality Honor Roll can be found by clicking here.)

WellStar Cobb Hospital's New Vision Program

New Vision is a voluntary service that WellStar Cobb Hospital offers adults who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from using alcohol and drugs. Since July 2009, this service, which is the first of its kind in Georgia, has treated about 300 patients.

WellStar Medical Group Welcomes Its First Neurosurgeon

William J. Benedict, M.D.
WellStar Health System is pleased to welcome William J. Benedict, M.D., to the WellStar Medical Group.  Dr. Benedict will head the development of a neuroscience service line for the System.

Dr. Benedict received his doctorate of medicine from Loyola University in Chicago. He completed his residency in general surgery at Loyola University Medical Center where he was named Resident of the Year in 2001.  He went on to complete a six-year residency in neurological surgery at Loyola University Medical Center. 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Early Detection Means Better Results – Nearly 600 Enrolled in I-ELCAP









The WellStar Cancer Research program has partnered with the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), an investigational lung cancer research study which allows people at high risk for lung cancer an opportunity to be screened for early stage disease.

Medical Records Alert

WellStar has an ongoing review processes to evaluate compliance with standards such as The Joint Commission and Medicare.  Recent reviews have identified instances where Medical Staff members are not in compliance with these standards and, in turn, have had inappropriate medical record documentation.  We want to make sure every Medical Staff Member is aware of the applicable CMS/Medicare Conditions of Participation, State Rules and Regulations for Hospital Licensure and The Joint Commission Standards requirements for medical record documentation to allow those Medical Staff members out of compliance to immediately correct this.  Click "Read more>>" to view the requirements.

A Message about Blood Conservation

In fiscal year 2010, WellStar Health System transfused more than 26,000 units of packed red blood cells and more than 37,000 total blood products.

Vote Yes on Amendment 2

For a number of years, the Georgia General Assembly has recognized the need to fund trauma care in Georgia. The death rate in Georgia from trauma injuries is 20 percent higher than the national average, in large part due to the limited resources available to provide care. In addition, Georgia has lost trauma centers over the last 10 years due to the low reimbursement, high costs and other requirements for trauma designation.

New Medical Staff - As Approved at the September WellStar Governing Board Meeting

For a complete list of new Medical Staff and Advanced Practitioners, click "Read more>>."

New Medical Staff - As Approved at the August WellStar Governing Board Meeting

For a complete list of new Medical Staff and Advanced Practitioners, click "Read more>>."

October and November Department Meetings

For a complete list of October and November department meetings, click "Read more>>."

October and November CME Events

For a complete listing of October and November CME events, click "Read more>>."

Talking Shop with WellStar


WellStar Health System has partnered with 100 local salon owners and their stylists to launch Talking Shop with WellStar – a program that encourages salon clients over 40 who have never had a mammogram to have regular screenings at a WellStar imaging facility.

WellStar Concierge Services Now Available for Patients








Did you know the same convenient and time-saving concierge services available to WellStar team members are also available to WellStar patients? A WellStar concierge can help patients and their family members with almost any non-clinical need.

Carol Edwards Named Vice President of the Cardiology Service Line


Carol Edwards has joined WellStar Health System as Vice President of the Cardiology Service Line. She will report to Candice Saunders and work closely with Barry Mangel, M.D., Chief Cardiology Officer.  Carol will have Systemwide responsibility for planning, directing and coordinating growth initiatives; quality and patient safety; customer service; physician integration; and consistency of practice for the WellStar Cardiac Network.

Pat Horton’s Resignation


Pat Horton, Chief Nursing Officer for WellStar Kennestone Hospital, recently announced her resignation so that she can spend more time with her family, effective Oct. 29, 2010. Pat joined WellStar Kennestone Hospital in 2007 as the Executive Director of Medical Nursing and became the interim Chief Nursing Officer in 2009.

Brett Scullen Named Vice President of Pulmonary Services

Brett Scullen has joined WellStar Health System as Vice President of Pulmonary Services. He will report to Candice Saunders and work closely with Alan Muster, M.D., Chief Pulmonary Officer. Brett will have Systemwide responsibility for planning, directing and coordinating growth initiatives; quality and patient safety; customer service; physician integration; and consistency of practice for the WellStar Pulmonary Network. His office will be located at WellStar Kennestone Hospital.