CyberStars Needed for WellStar Connect

As part of WellStar Connect, our implementation of Epic® electronic health record system, super users, known as CyberStars, will be needed to provide departmental go-live support and serve as long-term resources for end users. More than 800 CyberStars will be needed Systemwide during the entire implementation. Leaders across the System have begun nominating team members to fill that role for each department.

CyberStars need to be individuals who are good communicators, are respected by peers as a go-to person in the department, understand departmental workflows and are competent in basic computer skills. Physicians and advanced practice professionals are encouraged to consider being CyberStars.

If you are interested, please contact Laika Steiger, WellStar Connect Training Manager, at 470-956-6418 or Laika.Steiger@wellstar.org. 

Ethics Forum to Discuss the Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports

WellStar Diabetes Services Awarded Foundation Grant

WellStar Diabetes Services was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the WellStar Foundation to provide meters, testing strips and lancets to low-income or underinsured individuals. These supplies are quite costly and the grant will make a huge impact on people with diabetes who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford the appropriate supplies for testing blood sugar levels.

The in-patient educators at WellStar Cobb and Kennestone hospitals will identify qualified candidates.  Participants will receive a meter and a one-month supply of test strips and lancets for free. They also will be allowed to purchase on-going supplies, at cost, through the WellStar Pharmacy Network.

Help Support the March of Dimes

Plus, Earn 10 HealthStart Points!

More than 10,000 babies are delivered at WellStar hospitals every year. We strive for each of those babies to arrive healthy and strong, which is why we remain committed to supporting March of Dimes research and the annual March for Babies. This year’s West Metro March for Babies will be held April 27 at Marietta Middle School. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 9 a.m.

The event also is a great way to earn 10 HealthStart points. Simply enter your participation in the HealthStart Cardio Log at www.wellstarhealthstart.org.

WellStar’s 2013 goal is to raise $40,000. Last year, thanks to your support, WellStar raised more than
$21,000 for the March of Dimes.

Go to www.marchforbabies.org/team/wellstar to join the WellStar team. You also can help by supporting March of Dimes fundraising activities such as bake sales being held throughout the System.

WellStar Named a Healthiest Employer

WellStar was ranked as one of Atlanta’s Healthiest Employers in the annual rankings compiled by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, ranking seventh in the Large Employer (500+ employees) category. WellStar was recognized for its HealthStart wellness program launch, which drew more than 3,000 team members.

“In addition to improving our team members’ health, the wellness program supports our efforts to better manage our medical plan costs, which continue to rise each year,” said Cecelia Wagoner, assistant vice president, WellStar Corporate & Community Health. “With healthier and happier team members we believe we will continue to see an increase in team member productivity and engagement.”

WellStar Inducted into 2013 Companies That Care Honor Roll

WellStar was recently inducted into the 2013 Center for Companies That Care’s 11th Annual Honor Roll. This is the sixth straight year that WellStar has made this prestigious list.

The Honor Roll, a national list recognizing employers for outstanding workplace practices and active community involvement, includes privately-held and publicly-traded organizations, as well as not-for-profit employers from around the country, and represents several industries. Each has outstanding workplace practices and active community involvement.

“WellStar continuously strives to be an employer of choice here in metro Atlanta,” said David Anderson, executive vice president, Human Resources, Organizational Learning and chief compliance officer. “Having awards and recognitions from organizations like the Center for Companies That Care demonstrates to all that we value our team members and thus allows us to hire and retain the best available employees.”

"These employers are among the best in the nation," said Marci Koblenz, Center for Companies That Care's co-founder and president. "They are engaged with their employees and communities. They are strengthening individuals and families within and outside of their workplaces with such practices as open communication, career development, volunteerism and health assessments. Their leaders are evaluated on how they lead others, as well as the business results they achieve. These organizations have consistently proven how values-driven practices can lead to success. They deserve to be emulated."

WellStar's Hitendra Patel, M.D., appears on WSB's The Weekly Check Up

Hitendra Patel, M.D., medical director of WellStar's sleep program, appeared on the Sunday, March 10 edition of the WSB Radio program The Weekly Check Up, hosted by Bruce Feinberg, M.D.

During the two-hour program, Dr. Patel discussed sleep apnea, night terrors, snoring, surgery options and narcolepsy.

Sleep disorders are a growing problem in the United States, with approximately 40 million children, teens and adults suffering from chronic long-term sleep disorders and an additional 20 million people experiencing occasional sleep problems.

To read more and listen to the interview, use the link provided here: 
http://www.wellstar.org/education/pages/press-releases/2013/weekly-checkup-hitendra-patel-03-10-2013.aspx.

Activity Kit Improving Care for Dementia Patients at WellStar Kennestone Hospital

 Shared Governance Council members with initial activity kit: Standing, Chad Dupree, RN, and Suzanne Wood, RN; sitting, Dorothy Clark, CCP; Emily Segars, RN; and Rhonda Sugalski, RN.

Thanks to Suzanne Wood, RN, on WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s 6 Blue West, and the WellStar Foundation, patients with dementia have new activity kits.

In Sept. 2011, Kennestone was designated as a NICHE hospital (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders). One component of the program is training RNs and clinical care partners on the unique characteristics of the older population and what they can do to help them have a safe and high quality hospital stay.

After attending a class taught by Darcia Jones, RN, WellStar NICHE coordinator, Wood was inspired to assemble an activity box based on NICHE research. The box contained puzzles, colorful building blocks, dominos and other items aimed at increasing safety and cognitive stimulation for patients with dementia.

“I introduced the initial kit through our Shared Governance Council,” explained Wood. “I researched therapeutic activities for our older patients using resources from NICHE, and funded the kit myself, but I had a limited amount to spend. I drove to multiple stores and used some of my own items. During our daily huddles, I educated staff on using the items with dementia patients. I covered the benefits of the kit, cleaning and safety.”

One patient’s daughter wrote a letter of appreciation about the kit. “She was so thrilled to be able to interact with her mother using the blocks,” said Wood. “She said it was a joy to see her mother using her hands to manipulate the blocks. ‘Please allow other incapacitated individuals the same mental pleasure,’ she wrote. I was determined to do that, by improving the kit and expanding its use throughout Kennestone.”

Wood researched a superior therapeutic kit with a reasonable price that could be ordered hospital-wide from one supplier.

“I am so grateful the WellStar Foundation generously funded new, larger, more durable kits,” said Wood. “They will provide many benefits for our older patients.”

The new kits will be implemented in April.

Disaster Drill Held

WellStar participated in a large-scale, weather-related disaster drill on March 5. The drill was conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, Institute for Health Management and Mass Destruction Defense. The drill tested our System’s response to multiple WellStar facilities being struck by tornadoes. Shown are WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Pat Mayne, Laura Garlow and Janet Woods during the drill.

WellStar Wins Healthcare Supply Chain Achievement Award

WellStar was one of eight healthcare organizations nationwide to receive the Healthcare Supply Chain Achievement Award from the ECRI Institute. The prestigious award honors healthcare organizations that demonstrate excellence in overall spend management and in adopting best practice solutions in their supply chain processes.

The winning organizations were chosen from nearly 2,500 hospitals and health systems that subscribe to ECRI Institute’s supply and capital procurement advisory services.

NorthStar Church’s ‘Big Give’ Makes a Big Difference to WellStar Patients

  NorthStar member Diane Iderton and Lawrence Jones with his new pair of fuzzy socks at WellStar Kennestone’s Infusion Center.

On Feb. 5, members of NorthStar Church in Acworth delivered 500 pairs of fuzzy socks to WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Infusion Center. As part of the church’s annual “Big Give,” they aim to have a big impact on the community.

“The patients’ reactions were awesome,” said Kathi Mansfield, manager, Infusion Center. “They can’t believe strangers are doing something so special.”

Each pair of socks sports a bow and a note telling patients they are being thought of and prayed for.

“Our patients have warm blankets thanks to WellStar volunteers’ donation of our two blanket warmers, but with cooler weather and feet sticking out from under blankets, the socks are perfect,” said Mansfield.

NorthStar is also donating 200 pairs of socks to WellStar Cobb Hospital.

March New Providers

Sheba Antony, M.D.
Dr. Antony received her medical degree from St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore, India. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Board certified in pediatrics, Dr. Antony is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is certified by the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. She is in practice with WellStar Kenmar Pediatrics.

 
Catherine Meredith, M.D.
Dr. Meredith received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, and earned her medical degree from Medical College of Georgia. She completed her internship and residency in family practice at the Floyd Family Practice Residency Program in Rome, Ga.
She is board certified in family medicine. Dr. Meredith is in practice with WellStar Urgent Care at the Cooper Lake and Shallowford locations.

New Medical Staff as Approved at the March Governing Board Meeting

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Memberships
Boleman, William T., M.D.	Allergy and Immunology	Center for Allergy & Asthma WG	CH, DH
McDonald, Kristine G., M.D.	Hematology/Oncology	Georgia Cancer Specialists IPC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Pickens, Beverly A., DO	Obstetrics and Gynecology	WellStar North Douglas OB/GYN	DH, WSMG
Schwartz, Steven J., M.D.	Urgent Care	WellStar Urgent Care (Acworth HP)	WSMG	CH, KH, PH
Siddhanthi, Madhavi, M.D.	Rheumatology	Rheumatology Associates	KH, WSMG

Advanced Practice Professionals

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Bright, Stephanie D., PA	Physician Assistant	Hospitalist Group	KH, WSMG
Churbock, Cathleen A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	PH	CH, KH
Foster, Stephen G., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Hartley, Christina M., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Pediatric & Adolescent Center	CH, WSMG
Jean-Jacques, Emmanuel, PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH, WH
Jeter, Nancy T., CRNA	Nurse Anesthetist	Windy Hill Anesthesia Asscs.	KH, PH	WH
Roman, Mark D., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Vy, Nhu B., PA	Physician Assistant	Comprehensive Pain Management	CH

Patient Satisfaction Graphs

April 2013 Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
OB GYN Dept.	April 1; 12:30 p.m.	Auditorium
Credentials	April 2; noon	ABR
Medical Executive Committee	April 16; noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room

WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	April 2; noon	Sycamore Room
Medical Executive Committee	April 9; noon	Sycamore Room
QRC PI Committee	April 11; 7:30 a.m.	Sweetwater Room
General Staff	April 18; noon	Comm. Room – DMC

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	April 3; 7 a.m.	KMR
Medical Executive Committee	April 9; 6 p.m.	KMR
Advanced Practice Professionals Leadership Council Meeting	April 10; 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
Surgery	April 17; 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	April 11; 12:30 p.m.	Chestnut Room

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	April 17; 5:00 p.m.	Admin. Conference Room
General Medical Staff Meeting	April 17; 6 p.m.	Galleria

April 2013 CME Events

• Kennestone Surgical M&M: April 24; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M: April 25; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Trauma Grand Rounds-KH: April 25; 7 a.m.; Auditorium; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB)-KH: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB)-CH: April 3, 10, 17, 24; noon; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Breast Cancer Tumor Board-KH: April 3, 10, 24; 7 a.m.; STAT Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic Kennestone-KH: April 3, 10, 17, 24; 5 p.m.; STAT Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic Cobb-CH: April 4, 11, 18, 25; 5 p.m.; STAT Clinic; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board Kennestone-KH: April 4, 11, 18, 25; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Neuroradiology/General Neurology Patient Care Conference: April 3; 7 a.m.; Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference: April 30; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital

WellStar Kennestone Hospital Receives CON Approval for Neurointerventional Surgery Program

The new state-of-the-art biplane will provide three-dimensional images of the brain, enabling neurointerventional procedures

In Mid-January, WellStar Kennestone Hospital received Certificate of Need (CON) approval from the department of Community Health for a neurointerventional suite. With the addition of this suite, Kennestone will be expanding its neuroscience capabilities and will have one of the few comprehensive cerebrovascular neurosurgery programs in the region, offering both open vascular and endovascular procedures.

"The addition of neurointerventional services at Kennestone enables us to provide the most state-of-the-art stroke care to our patients, as we continue along on our journey toward world-class healthcare," said William Benedict, M.D., co-chief, Neuroscience Service line.

“The new suite is in keeping with our vision of Kennestone as the tertiary hospital for our System,” said Jerry Tillery, vice president, operations, WellStar Kennestone Hospital. “It is a prime example of Kennestone Hospital offering a higher level of specialized care to meet the needs of our region.”

“Time is of the essence when it comes to protecting the brain,” explained Ahmad Khaldi, M.D., who leads the interventional neurosurgery team. “The quicker we can intervene, the better the patient’s chance of recovery. We will be able to treat patients with all types of cerebral vascular diseases, such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and strokes at Kennestone, which already is a primary stroke center. Previously we were sending patients who needed interventional procedures to other hospitals in the region.”

Dr. Khaldi, who joined WellStar in September 2012, is a neurosurgeon specializing in interventional procedures. Kennestone’s new interventional neurosurgery suite will be like a catheterization lab for the brain. Just as cardiac interventionalists go in through the groin with a catheter to stent blocked vessels around the heart, neurointerventionalists treat blocked brain arteries by removing or breaking up the blood clot and embolizing AVMs and aneurysms of the brain.

Neurosurgeons perform brain surgery through “open” procedures –cutting open the skull; interventionalists perform minimally invasive, image-guided procedures with a state-of-the-art piece of equipment called a biplane, which WellStar soon will acquire. Biplane technology provides three-dimensional imaging of the brain; the biplane rotates, helping to track the clot or pathology.

“In the hands of Dr. Khaldi and our specially trained staff, our new equipment will help save lives and allow patients to return to the lives they enjoyed before their stroke or injury,” said Tillery.

“We are excited about building this high-quality, comprehensive program, and creating a specialized team of neurosurgical healthcare professionals,” added Dr. Khaldi.

Plans call for the neurointerventional suite to be operational by September 2013.

BIG Initiatives Aim To Improve Care

WellStar’s vision to deliver world-class healthcare actually has its foundation on a more local level. To that end, Best in Georgia (BIG) was launched in March 2012, with a goal to improve patient safety and well-being across WellStar.

While a Systemwide BIG team convenes monthly to elevate performance measures, WellStar Kennestone Hospital has a specific group of healthcare professionals, led by Executive Vice President and WellStar Kennestone Hospital President Candice Saunders, who focus their efforts within the regional medical center campus.

“We are working to design and transform care delivery processes that achieve and sustain excellence,” said William A. Cooper, M.D., Cardiovascular Surgery Services medical director and WellStar Kennestone Hospital BIG member. “Improving performance measures will include supporting a culture of patient-centered care and continuous clinical improvement."

As they make provider decisions, today's consumers are researching healthcare performance measures in larger numbers, turning to sources such as HealthGrades, U.S. News and more. Through the work of the WellStar Kennestone Hospital BIG, there is focus and momentum towards raising the bar and better positioning the hospital in the public domain.

Other physician members include Barry Mangel, M.D., Chief Cardiac Network officer; Arthur Reitman, M.D. and Joel Wachs, M.D., WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine; Bob Lubitz, M.D., WellStar Kennestone vice president of medical affairs; Louis Lovett, M.D., medical management physician advisor; and Robin Wilson, M.D., senior vice president, medical management and chief health innovation officer.

The WellStar Kennestone Hospital BIG also draws on the multidisciplinary strength of a number of team members representing Clinical documentation, Coding, Clinical Decision Support, Service Coaching, Informatics, Public Reporting and Public/Government Affairs.

WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals join WellStar Kennestone Hospital with their dedicated BIG initiatives.

WellStar Connect Go-Live Preparation: What You Need to Know

WellStar Connect, our implementation of Epic electronic health record software, is one of the most important projects ever undertaken by WellStar. It will change the way we share information and integrate clinical and revenue cycle operations across our System.

Over the next 18 months, WellStar Connect will be a top priority for all team members. Go-live and training dates for the three phases of implementation are listed below (side/whatever).  The WellStar Connect website available from eSource lists facilities and their go-live phases.

Phase	Facility/Entity	Training Dates	Go-Live
One	WellStar Medical Group (WMG) Offices (Group 1)	8/12 – 9/20	9/23 – 10/4
Two	WellStar Kennestone Hospital and medical staff,  WMG Offices (Group 2), Home Health and Urgent Care	10/21 – 11/29	12/2 – 12/13
Three	WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals and medical staffs, Hospice and  WMG Offices (Group 3)	2/17/14 – 3/31/14	4/1/14 – 4/14/14

Training may consist of as many as 40 hours of online, classroom and independent practice depending on your specific role. For team members in training, vacations will not be allowed during the training and go-live periods without senior leader approval; successful completion of all required training prior to go-live is mandatory.

For additional information, visit the WellStar Connect website.

WellStar Cobb Hospital’s New Vision™ Program Offers Help, Hope for Substance Abuse Patients

New Vision™ is an inpatient medical stabilization service at WellStar Cobb Hospital for adults with drug, alcohol and related health issues. The medically supervised, three-day hospital stay includes:

• Crisis intervention
• Referral
• Assessment
• Medical management through a multidisciplinary team approach

“This is a voluntary service,” explained Melissa Wetherington, service coordinator. “Patients are admitted to regular medical floors - typically 5 South or 6 South - so they must be psychiatrically stable. Specially trained nurses work with the patients.”

According to Wetherington, patient exit surveys and follow up calls have been overwhelmingly positive.  “One patient said, ‘This program helped me get my life back.’  Another said, ‘I did not know what to expect, but the entire staff treated me with dignity and respect.’”

Hamid Bakhtiary, M.D., and Victor Sukumar, M.D., are the program’s medical directors.

For more information, contact Wetherington at 770-739-4670.