Patient Satisfaction Graphs

WellStar Named Top Nonprofit by the National Association for Female Executives

WellStar was again named to the NAFE Top 50 Companies and 10 Nonprofits for Executive Women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). Overall our System was ranked No. 1 among nonprofits, up from third last year. The list identifies organizations whose policies and practices encourage women’s advancement and whose numbers at the highest levels of leadership demonstrate that commitment.

This is a recognition we should all be proud of, as it speaks directly to our System’s strong dedication to the advancement of women in leadership – and on a national scale. Females account for 82 percent of our workforce and 75 percent of the top 20 percent earners. These women lead our business units and have direct budget responsibilities.

On the clinical side, we recently introduced a Clinical Nurse Leader program for team members interested in careers focusing on patient outcomes strategies. There are also numerous on-site business and leadership courses available through our collaboration with Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business.

Those are just a few of the many career development opportunities available to our team members.The connection between WellStar’s reputation as a national leader in healthcare and accolades like the one above is no coincidence. We know that building a culture that encourages the success of all team members across every level is one of the fundamental drivers of world-class patient care.

March CME Events

• Breast Cancer Tumor Board – March 7, 14 and 28; 7 a.m.; Stat Clinic Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB) – March 7, 14, 21 and 28; 12 p.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB) – March 2, 16 and 30; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference – March 27; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M – March 22; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board – March 1, 8, 15 and 22; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Network Conference – March 2 and 16; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Surgical M&M – March 28; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Neuroradiology/General Neurology Patient Care Conference – March 7; 7 a.m.; Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Neurosciences Conference – March 7; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital – Purple Tower
• Safety First Recertification - Kennestone – March 23; 10:30 a.m.; Admin Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Safety First Recertification - Paulding – March 26; 5:30 p.m.; Chestnut Room; WellStar Paulding Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic – March 7, 14, 21 and 28; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Trauma Grand Rounds – March 29; 7 a.m.; Auditorium; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Wound Case Conference – March 2; 12 p.m.; Auditorium; WellStar Cobb Hospital

HealthStart March Lunch and Learns

Heart Month Promotions

During Heart Month, we have been promoting the WellStar Cardiac Network through our patient testimonial TV spot, in addition to our radio, magazine and billboard ads. These feature a wealth of information on the WellStar Cardiac Network and also promote our Heart Screens and Know Your Heart program.

In addition to radio traffic report sponsorships, below are a couple "extras" going on this month as part of our Cardiac promotion:

1. STAR 94, an FM radio station at position 94.1, is promoting cardiac health on the air by asking listeners to go to the radio website for more information and to register for a Spa Sydell gift certificate. As the below link shows, once a listener goes to the radio website, they see the WellStar logo and the link to our cardiac information on our website. http://www.star94.com/Contests/Register.aspx?ContestID=149351

2. Comcast and The Cooking Channel are promoting a new show called "Not My Mama's Meals," which features Paula Deen's son, Bobby Deen, reinventing her recipes into healthier versions. At the end of the promo for the show, WellStar gets a "tag" which directs people to WellStar's Call Center at 770-956-STAR, or to visit wellstar.org website for cardiac information. It's an excellent way to be noticed above and beyond our 30 second commercials. Please visit the WellStar Wire on eSource to view the Comcast promo with our tag at the end.

WellStar Health System Named One of Atlanta’s Healthiest Employers

During an awards breakfast held on Feb. 17 at the Loew’s Atlanta Hotel, the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognized WellStar as one of Atlanta’s healthiest employers. WellStar was ranked number six in the large company’s category (organizations with 500 or more employees). Below is the list of the top 10 employers in this category:

1. Printpack Inc.

2. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

3. Duke Realty Corp

4. The Home Depot Inc,

5. McCarthy Building Cos. Inc.

6. WellStar Health System

7. Burr & Forman LLP

8. Jackson Healthcare LLC

9. WIKA Instrument Corp.

10. Verizon Wireless

The Atlanta Business Chronicle partnered with Healthiest Employers, a wellness technology and data research company that collects, measures and compares corporate wellness data worldwide, to select the top 10 companies working to improve employee health and fitness in three categories: Large Company, with 500 or more employees; Medium Company with 100-499 employees; and Small Company with 1-99 employees.

WellStar’s profile in the Atlanta Business Chronicle article highlighted WellStar’s HealthStart program, which includes individual health assessments, health coaching and incentives to encourage participation. More than 3,200 of WellStar’s 12,500 team members are full participants in the first year of the HealthStart program.

The article also mentioned how WellStar became a tobacco-free environment in January 2012 and provides resources to its team members who are interested in becoming tobacco-free, from coaching and support classes to nicotine replacement therapy.

“Taking care of our WellStar team members’ health and well-being is just the right thing to do,” said David Anderson, executive vice president of human resources and organizational learning and chief compliance officer. “The HealthStart program is a great added benefit and is our next step on our journey to become a truly great place to work.”

Physician Partnership Action Plan Update

Having a strong relationship with our medical staff is key for WellStar to achieve it vision of delivering world-class healthcare. To assist us in building this relationship and discovering areas for improvement, we annually conduct a satisfaction survey of our medical staff. This survey provides us important feedback regarding the quality of patient care, responsiveness of leadership and access to the technology you need. WellStar senior leaders, which include hospital, WellStar Medical Group and physician leadership, use this survey information to prioritize efforts to provide our patients the highest level of care and to create a great place to work for our medical staff and team members.

Last year, 61 percent of our medical staff participated in the study. This is well above the national participation average of 43 percent and shows that our staff cares and is engaged in our efforts to improve. The survey results shown below clearly indicated that there are opportunities for improvement to reach world-class satisfaction levels.  However, this information helped us determine key opportunities for improvement at each facility.

WellStar leadership has developed and is implementing detailed work plans based on your feedback and additional insights gained through rounding at the physician practices, medical staff leadership meetings and direct conversations with medical staff.

WellStar leadership will continue to refine these plans throughout the remainder of this fiscal year. You will be provided updates monthly at the MEC meetings and through the Medical Staff Newsletter.  If you would like to be involved in any of these action items, please contact your hospital president.

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing our progress with improved results in our next satisfaction survey to be conducted in April. Thank you for participating in the survey and providing your feedback in order for us to improve and achieve our vision of delivering world-class healthcare to our community.

Tower & Church Bistro Opening Soon at WellStar Kennestone Hospital

When Tower & Church Bistro, a new restaurant, bakery and deli opens at WellStar Kennestone Hospital at the end of February, it will have its guests asking themselves if they really are on a hospital campus.

The 5,200-square-foot facility, which is located in the former Women’s Imaging space, is designed to provide its guests with an oasis from the traditional institutional environment. Featuring a dining room resplendent in rich wood, tile and stacked stone finishes, with an eclectic mix of transitional and antique furnishings, Tower & Church Bistro offers the convenience of a casual dining experience right on the hospital's campus.

General Manager and Executive Chef, Steve Barron, CEC, ACE,AAC, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with 30 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Chef Barron will offer a variety of delectable breakfast, lunch and dinner menu options, featuring French-Mediterranean and other international cuisines. The menu also will include salads, sandwiches, soups, hand-tossed pizzas, calzones and “Knead to Go” take-out options. A limited Starbucks® coffee menu also will be available.

WellStar Health System’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement

General and Nephrology-Specific Clinical Documentation Tips

WellStar Health System’s Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Program is designed to ensure that clinical documentation in a patient’s medical record appropriately reflects the care provided. The most vital role of the CDI program is facilitating a true representation of healthcare services provided, through accurate reporting of the principal diagnosis, co-morbidities and any treatments or procedures.

As part of the program’s ongoing efforts, the CDI team offers specific tips monthly from the Program’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement. 

General Tips:

• Multi-organ failure: list organs separately, such as “acute respiratory failure” and “acute renal failure.”
• Link disease processes as appropriate (i.e. PVD caused by controlled DM or heart failure caused by hypertension).
• Urosepsis is a nonspecific term, document UTI only, or sepsis due to UTI, as appropriate.

Renal:

• AKI: Clarify if this is acute kidney injury or acute kidney insufficiency.
• ARI or acute renal insufficiency is not interchangeable with acute kidney injury or failure. Clarification will be sought when both are documented in the record.
• Clarify the abbreviation of A/CKD. Acute kidney disease is non-specific, please specify as acute insufficiency or acute injury.
• Document underlying cause of acute kidney injury or acute renal failure, if known.
• Remember to document ATN when appropriate.
• Clarify stage and underlying cause of chronic kidney disease (i.e. CKD III due to diabetes).
• Document linkage when a UTI is related to a foley or suprapubic catheter.

Radiation Reduction Policy for Without and With

WellStar Health System and Quantum Radiology are dedicated to providing world-class healthcare to our patients, particularly with diagnostic imaging. In addition to reducing radiation dose for individual CT scans, we are committed to eliminating specific CT studies that provide no supplementary diagnostic value. To eliminate excess radiation exposure and cost to the patients, we ask that the technologists directly contact a radiologist for protocol confirmation or modification. These studies include:

1. CT of the chest without and with IV contrast (no CT angiogram protocol)
2. CT of the neck without and with IV contrast
3. CT of the temporal bones without and with IV contrast
4. CT of the sinuses without and with IV contrast
5. CT of the orbits without and with IV contrast
6. CT of the maxillofacial without and with IV contrast
7. CT of the spine without and with IV contrast

With orders for a CT scan of the chest without and with IV contrast, the technologist should contact the following radiologist in order:

1. South Cobb Imaging Radiologist – 678-945-8648
2. Cobb STAT Radiologist – 770-732-3505
3. Kennestone Fleuro Radiologist – 770-793-5526

With orders for a CT scan of the neck, temporal bones, sinuses, orbits, maxillofacial, or spine without and with IV contrast, the technologist should contact the following neuroradiologist in order:

1. Cobb Neuroradiologist – 770-732-2240
2. Kennestone Neuroradiologist – 770-793-7937
3. Outpatient QR Neuroradiologist – 770-953-0108

We hope that this simple policy will continue to provide our patients with the quality care that they deserve.

March of Dimes March for Babies

Every year, more than 10,000 babies are delivered at WellStar hospitals. We strive for each of those babies to arrive healthy and strong. We are committed to supporting the March of Dimes research and the annual West Metro March for Babies to help improve the health of all babies in our community.

This year we are asking that every team member at WellStar take part and help us to reach our goal of 200 WellStar walkers and raising $30,000 to help fund the research that helps promote healthy babies. Last year, with your support, WellStar raised more than $9,000 for the March of Dimes.

We are asking that you take the time to support this cause by participating in one of the following activities:

· Join the WellStar team, participate in the walk and help us raise funds. To join the team, visit www.marchforbabies.org/wellstar. You can then ask for donations from friends and family to support you in the walk and/or team up with other WellStar team members to organize fundraising activities. This year’s West Metro March for Babies will be held April 28 at Marietta Middle School. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 9 a.m.

· Help out by supporting the March of Dimes fundraising activities such as bake sales, a cookbook sale and many others that will be held across the System in support of the WellStar team between now and the walk.

· You can also make a direct donation by credit card to March of Dimes by going to http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=1454015. Make sure you indicate that your donation is in support of the WellStar Health System Team.

Four Simple Ways to Improve Medication Safety

Medication errors are often caused by simple communication errors.  More than 50 percent of errors in written orders involve mistakes interpreting these common numbers and letters.  Click here and then click on the "Video Webcasts" near the upper right side of the page to view a short video about how you can prevent errors.

Avastin (bevacizumab): Counterfeit Product - FDA Issues Letters to 19 Medical Practices

The FDA is warning healthcare professionals and patients about a counterfeit version of Avastin 400mg/16mL which may have been purchased and used by some medical practices in the United States. The counterfeit version is labeled as Avastin, manufactured by Roche, and does not contain the medicine's active ingredient, bevacizumab, which may have resulted in patients not receiving needed therapy. Nineteen medical practices in the United States purchased unapproved cancer medicines from Quality Specialty Products (QSP), a foreign supplier that may also be known as Montana Health Care Solutions. Volunteer Distribution in Gainesboro, Tenn. is a distributor of QSP’s products.

WellStar did not purchase Avastin from the supplier mentioned above.  As the media has highlighted the recent multiple shortages of critical, life saving medications, WellStar has made significant efforts to reduce the impact on our patients. Major media stories have reported hospitals resorting to purchase medications from the secondary market, or "gray" suppliers, where purity may be compromised. WellStar pharmacies only purchase medications from an FDA approved wholesaler or directly from the manufacturer. Patient safety is our utmost importance.

The only FDA-approved version of Avastin for use in the United States is marketed by Genentech (a member company of Roche). The FDA-approved version does not include the Roche logo on the packaging or vials. FDA approved versions of these medicines are available in adequate supply to meet demand.

WellStar Wins Two Statewide Patient Safety Awards for Excellence in Patient Care

The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) presented its prestigious Quality and Patient Safety Award to WellStar Health System and to WellStar Windy Hill Hospital, both in Marietta. The health system’s project titled, “Glycemic Control Initiative,” improved inpatient diabetes care and won second place in the Hospital/Health Systems Category. WellStar Windy Hill’s project, titled, “War on the Spore: Clostridium difficile among Patients in an Acute Care Long Term Hospital,” decreased infection rates and won third place in the Hospitals with Less Than 100 Beds Category.

WellStar Health System was also presented with a Circle of Excellence Award, an honor given to hospitals and health systems that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to quality and patient safety as evidenced by not only winning a patient safety award in 2011, but also by earning three or more PHA Patient Safety Awards within the previous five years. These annual awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.

WellStar Health System set a goal to standardize the care of diabetes patients to optimize outcomes, specifically for hyperglycemic patients (those with high blood sugar levels), at each of its hospital sites. Multidisciplinary teams led by physician champions were formed at each site and diabetes educators at two sites formed best practices/education programs. These programs included patient education; better communication with attending physicians regarding glycemic management; and post-discharge follow-up calls to high-risk patients.

To efficiently identify and improve processes of care for hyperglycemic patients, a daily email list was developed and sent to all hospital units and pertinent staff, including nurse managers, unit educators and diabetes best practice nurses. Additionally, a toolkit with sample clinical guidelines was used.
Results showed a decrease in readmissions for diabetic patients and a decrease in hospital-acquired conditions related to manifestations of poor glycemic control.

The goal of WellStar Windy Hill’s project was to decrease the incidence of the Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) by 15 percent. Clostridium difficile is a bacterium found in the intestines that can cause life-threatening intestinal conditions. It is the second most common hospital-acquired infection in most hospitals.

Diabetes Team Meetings

March 8 – Wisteria/Jasmine Room, WellStar Cobb Hospital

March 12 – Manchester Room, WellStar Douglas Hospital

March 13 – Garden Room, WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

March 14 – Kennesaw Mountain Room, WellStar Kennestone Hospital

March 15 – Dogwood Room, WellStar Paulding Hospital

All meetings are 12-1 p.m. in the Wisteria/Jasmine Room. Reminders for each meeting will be sent out before the meeting via e-mail. Please note that these meetings are subject to change. You will be notified by e-mail of any changes or cancellations. Please contact Kimberly Roberts at kimberly.roberts@wellstar.org or call 770-793-7829 for more information.

Free Continuing Education Cultural Competency

Changes in the racial and ethnic composition of patient population has become more evident over the past several years. In order to better understand and communicate with patients and provide culturally competent patient-centered care, the following FREE resources are available to physicians and other providers. Visit the following site: https://ccm.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov

Physicians and PA’s earn 9 CME credits. Nurse practitioners earn 9 contact hours.
Cultural Competency Tools & Resources on eSource

CultureVision is a robust database that is geared to healthcare professionals. It provides cultural, religious and other information about several ethnic groups.

DiversityToolkit is a resource designed for managers, leaders and front-line workers to help you to successfully build and manage diverse workgroups.

CareNotes provides inpatient/discharge information and drug-related information to patients. Information can be customized in multiple languages.

Primary Care Update Course: Rheumatology

May 5, 2012 from 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at WellStar Development Center

Breakfast will be included.

To register, call 770-22-MYCME (69263)

2012 Joseph M. Still Burn Symposium

March 4-5, 2012 at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

Established in 2007, the Joseph M. Still Burn Symposium is an annual gathering of medical professionals dedicated to the constant improvement of burn care in America. The sessions are presented by leading experts and provide the most current and thorough information regarding burn care, while offering the opportunity to earn educational credits. For more information, please visit www.jmsbc.org.

Sleep Medicine Boards

Congratulations to Patrick C. Melder, M.D. (ENT Associates of North Georgia) and Vivek Gupta, M.D. (WellStar Bi-County ENT) for passing their Sleep Medicine Boards!

Dr. Gupta completed his undergraduate degree in biology at Washington University in St. Louis. He obtained his medical degree at Washington University School of Medicine, one of the top five medical schools in the country. While in medical school, Dr. Gupta also obtained a master's degree in molecular biology doing cutting-edge research on head and neck cancer. He completed his general surgery internship and residency in otolaryngology head and neck surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. Since finishing his residency in 2003, Dr. Gupta has been in practice in Austell and Douglasville.

As a board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Gupta treats both adult and pediatric patients. He has a special interest in sinus surgery and utilizes the latest technologies, including computer-guided sinus surgery and minimally invasive balloon sinus surgery. Dr. Gupta also has an interest in office treatment of inner ear disorders. Dr. Gupta is an active member of the medical staff and has served on multiple committees at WellStar Cobb and Douglas hospitals. He is married with three children.

Dr. Melder received his undergraduate degree from Houston Baptist University and his medical degree from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. He served on active duty in the U.S. Army, completing a general surgical internship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. He completed his training in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he was later named chief of the Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Service. During his tenure at Walter Reed, Dr. Melder was a pioneer in the application of robotic surgery in the field of head and neck surgery.

Dr. Melder served 13 years on active duty and was honorably discharged as a lieutenant colonel. He has a unique interest in the applications of digital technologies in the field of endoscopy. He is also an expert in the field of sleep-disordered breathing: snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Melder established the first surgical sleep-disordered breathing clinic during his tenure at Walter Reed. He is the founder of Envisionier Medical Technologies, developers of the world’s first palm-held endoscopic imaging system. He is a board-certified otolaryngologist.

Physician Lunch and Learn: Glycemic Control in the Hospital

Presented by: WellStar Diabetes Services and Ann P. Ward, M.D.
WellStar Cobb Hospital
Feb. 1, 2012
12-1 p.m.
Auditorium