Quantum Radiology - Radiation Dose Reduction at WellStar

Quantum Radiologists are working hard to reduce radiation dosage received from diagnostic radiology studies at Wellstar. Our goal is to use the least amount of radiation needed to answer the clinical question from the referring physician. Most notably, we are eliminating most multiple phase scan protocols for routine contrast enhanced body CT scans, which cuts the dose in half the affected areas. (This change will not be implemented for relevant urologic histories such as hematuria, or for trauma, and if there is a particular clinical request for delayed images, we will be happy to discuss this with any referring physician.) We are also eliminating “overlap” double-scanning when combining chest and abdomen scans and reducing the dose from additional phases of some of the remaining multiple phase scans, such as dedicated liver protocol studies.) Additionally, we have ensured dose modulation techniques are activated whenever available for body protocols, and have increased internal dose reporting and monitoring to ensure compliance with these changes.

Safety First Re-certification Schedule for Physicians and Mid-Levels

For a list of upcoming Safety First Re-certification dates at WellStar Kennestone and Cobb hospitals, click "Read more>>." 

Critical Care Policy

The Systemwide Critical Care Committee developed a new Critical Care Policy that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2011. The goal of this policy is to assure that patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) receive appropriate, safe, quality care.

Upcoming CME Events

• Breast Tumor Board, 12/22, 12/29, 1/5, 1/12, 1/26, Kennestone, 7 – 8 a.m.
• GI Tumor Board, 12/23, 12/30, 1/6, 1/20, 1/27, Stat Clinic, 7 – 8 a.m. 
• Thoracic Clinic, Kennestone Hospital, every Wednesday, Post Stat Clinic, 5 p.m.
• Tumor Board, Cobb Hospital, every Wednesday, Wisteria/Jasmine, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Surgical M&M Cobb, 1/27, Wisteria/Jasmine, 7 a.m.
• Surgical M&M, Kennestone, 12/29, Camellia Room, 7:30 a.m.

Questions: Petra Young, Director of Physician and Provider Education (CME), 770-956-6412 or petra.young@wellstar.org.

Physician Leadership Academy

A few openings remain for the Physicians Leadership Academy starting on Jan. 8. Please contacts Don Campbell at don.campbell@wellstar.org for information.

Leo Reichert to Lead WellStar Legal Team

Leo Reichert has been named executive vice president & chief legal counsel for WellStar. He will be joining us on Jan. 1, 2011. In this position, Leo will serve as part of our senior leadership team and provide legal advice, services and counsel to our entire System and all our business units.

Leo is currently a partner at Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs L.L.P.  His practice focuses on representing hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers in a broad range of matters including commercial litigation, fraud litigation, government investigations, reimbursement disputes and certificate of need litigation.  He also advises clients on the development and implementation of compliance programs.

Crysty Cornett Joins Cancer Data Center

Crysty Cornett joined WellStar on Nov. 29, 2010 as manager of the Cancer Data Center. She reports to the executive director of the Cancer Network Service Line and will work closely with our oncology medical director, Robert Hermann, M.D., and all of our cancer physicians and staff.

Crysty has Systemwide responsibility for planning and managing the Cancer Data Center, changes in the data-related Standards of the American College of Surgeons, and continuing to find ways to assist physicians in measuring quality through its database.

Previously, she served as cancer registry manager in Rome, Ga. and Memorial Health Care System in Chattanooga, Tenn. She has a Bachelor's degree in organization management and is a Certified Tumor Registrar.

Kennestone Blood Bank Stat Requests

In order to improve communication between the Blood Bank and the clinical services, the Blood Bank has devised a flow sheet to process stat requests for red blood cell units.  It is important that the individual ordering the blood has the pertinent clinical information listed below when calling the Blood Bank (770-793-5479). This improved communication will allow the Blood Bank to appropriately and efficiently deliver blood to your patients.

WellStar Honors Patients' Rights and Wishes Through New POLST

On Nov. 8, WellStar rolled out an updated Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) – a pink, user-friendly form that will ensure patients’ treatment wishes regarding end-of-life care are honored and they are provided only the care they want. Decisions on end-of-life care include CPR, antibiotics, IV fluids, feeding tubes, etc.

The ethics committee at each facility will assist in coordinating the rollout of the new POLST form which will replace the current goldenrod form that’s been used by WellStar for more than five year. This new POLST form should be utilized and any unused goldenrod forms should be destroyed.

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

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

STAT Cancer Clinic Serves Its Thousandth Patient

Bill Mayfield, M.D.

WellStar Health System designed the STAT Cancer Clinic, a multidisciplinary program that not only delivers the best results possible, but also streamlines patient care so patients spend less time waiting.

“WellStar is the only organization in the region with a comprehensive, multidis­ciplinary clinic specifically designed for patients with cancer,” said thoracic surgeon William Mayfield, M.D. “What’s more, this patient-focused approach signifi­cantly reduces the amount of time between diagnosis and treatment.”

Mindy Gentry, M.D., Joins WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine

Mindy Gentry, M.D.

WellStar Cardiac Network is pleased to announce that Mindy Gentry, M.D., joined WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine and began seeing patients at the East Cobb location on Oct. 11.

Dr. Gentry received her bachelor’s degree with specialization in genetics at Georgia Institute of Technology and her doctorate of medicine at Medical College of Georgia. Prior to joining WellStar Cardiovascular, she was an assistant professor of medicine, section cardiology, in the department of medicine, at Medical College of Georgia. She is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases, nuclear cardiology, and echocardiography. She also has been published in multiple publications, such as Preventative Cardiology and American Journal of Cardiology.

November and December CME Events

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

November and December Department Meetings

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

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Amyn Hirani, M.D.

Amyn Hirani, M.D. with WellStar Pulmonary Medicine, was recently published in the October issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. The original article, titled “The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Postoperative Complications,” can be viewed here. Click "Read more>>" for a summary of the article's findings.

WellStar Cobb Hospital Celebrates New Joint Camp

A grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held for WellStar Cobb Hospital's new Joint Camp gym, located on the 4 South orthopedics campus at the Center for Joint Replacement. The Center will offer a group therapy “Joint Camp” twice a day for joint replacement patients. The healthy competition between patients decreases recovery time and creates an environment of camaraderie and support.

In June, the Cobb Center for Joint Replacement’s hip and knee programs were recertified for a second two-year term by The Joint Commission. Congratulations to WellStar Cobb Hospital’s Joint Replacement Program for being honored with The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval!

Redesign of Nursing Leadership

Mary Lou Wesley, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer

The strength of nursing leadership is critical to patient care and safety and the satisfaction of both our patients and our nurses at the bedside.  Our nursing leadership structure must be designed to foster effective communication, to have clear accountability for outcomes, to provide appropriate support for our nursing staff and to offer opportunities for development of new leaders.

With the overall goal to strengthen the leadership roles closest to the bedside, we have identified three bedside leadership tracks: management, education and practice.

Patient Satisfaction

The patient satisfaction graphs for the previous and current quarter are now available. To view the graphs and read a summary of the results, click "Read more>>."

Physician Leadership Academy

WellStar Health System has partnered with Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business to provide our physicians, advanced practice nurses and physicians’ assistants with graduate level leadership and business education. Those who complete the 10-week program will be granted a Certificate in Healthcare Leadership from WellStar and the Coles College of Business.

The next Physician Leadership Academy program, which will span over 10 Saturdays, begins Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, and ends on Saturday, July 9, 2011.  Successive sessions occur approximately every third Saturday and each session will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  at the WellStar Development Center. Some reading and project activities will take place between formal sessions.

Demand for this training may exceed the number of available slots. Applicants for the first cohort will be chosen based on their past and current medical staff and Physicians Group activities.
Information and application materials are available on eSource under the WellStar Learning Network tab. Contact Don Campbell, M.D., at don.campbell@wellstar.org for further information.

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.