New Medical Staff as Approved at the October Governing Board Meeting

Medical Staff

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Alford, Corrie E., M.D.	Dermatology	Metropolitan Dermatologic Surg	PH
Bankston, Stephen A., D.M.D.	Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery	Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery	DH	WH
Bendeck, Kirsten, M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Clayton, Jessica R., M.D.	Anesthesiology	Tri-County Anesthesia	CH, DH
Davis, Joshua C., M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Goodwin, Mary C., M.D.	Breast Surgery	The Breast Center	CH, KH, WH
Li, Aimin, M.D.	Pediatrics ER	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, KH
Mason, Brian P., M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Mills, Romni O., M.D.	Internal Medicine	Internal Med Assoc of Marietta	KH, GRP
Reddy, Shravantika B., M.D.	Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine	Family Med & Geriatric Med	KH, GRP
Shah, Reshma P., M.D.	Endocrinology	Endocrinology	KH, GRP
Simpson, Andrew J., M.D.	Gastroenterology	Atlanta West Gastroenterology	CH, DH
Staviss, Susan G., M.D.	Pediatrics	Pediatrics - East Cobb	KH, GRP

Advanced Practice Professionals

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Ballard, Kevin M., PA	Physician Assistant	Resurgens Orthopaedics	CH, DH
Balos, Lee G., CRNA	Nurse Anesthetist	Tri-County Anesthesia	DH	CH
Blackwood, Elizabeth P., NP	Nurse Practitioner	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Dry, Tonia G., PA	Physician Assistant	Surgical Assistants of America	CH, KH, WH
Earley, Melissa K., PA	Physician Assistant	NW Georgia Oncology Centers	CH, DH, KH, WH
Herrington, Angela C., NP	Nurse Practitioner	West Cobb Medical Center	GRP
Mackay, Neil S., Jr., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Robinson, Tonette, PhD	Clinical Psychology	Psychological Services	CH, DH, KH, PH, WH, GRP
Shuford, Carlton J., PA	Physician Assistant	Pinnacle Orthopaedics & Sports	KH
Stoll, Sarah A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Pulmonary Medicine	CH, DH, KH, GRP
Tetreault, Colette M., CNM	Nurse Midwife	South Cobb OB/GYN	CH, GRP
Thrower, Eileen J., CNM	Nurse Midwife	South Cobb OB/GYN	CH, GRP
Tucker, Paula R., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Georgia Kidney Associates	CH, KH, WH
Vandelinde, Nikole G., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Ware, Erin B., AuD	Audiology	Bi-County ENT	GRP
Zamani, Rad, PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH

HealthStart

HealthStart is an exciting new wellness program for all WellStar team members. This comprehensive benefit program includes health assessments, individualized health coaching and incentives to encourage team members to improve their health.

We strongly believe that everyone needs to understand their current health status; therefore, we are encouraging every team member to complete a free online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and biometric screenings even if you don’t plan to participate in the entire HealthStart program. The biometric screenings include height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose. All individual health information is confidential.

All team members who want to participate in HealthStart and be eligible for program incentives must complete the HRA and biometric screenings. The deadline for completion is Dec. 16, 2011. The HRA and biometric screenings are not required for medical plan coverage.

You can learn more about the program, complete your HRA and schedule your screening by visiting the HealthStart website at wellstarhealthstart.org. You can also call the HealthStart customer service line at 1-877-224-6672 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or e-mail us at healthstart@wellstar.org.

New WellStar Medical Group Providers – Month of October

Crystal Nelson, M.D. -  WellStar Medical Group, Psychiatry                
Dr. Nelson received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Spelman College in Atlanta and earned her Doctorate of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine. She completed her general psychiatry residency program at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System and her geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Emory University Health System.  Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Richmond Psychiatric Society and Christian Medical and Dental Association. She is board certified in general psychiatry.

Shravantika Reddy, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Reddy earned her medical degree from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College in Gulbarga, Karnataka, India. She completed her internship in family medicine from Louisiana State University and residency in family medicine from San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas. Dr. Reddy completed the LSU Lafayette Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program at University Medical Center in Lafayette, La.

Dr. Reddy is a member of the Karnataka Medical Council in India, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Geriatrics Society and American Medical Director’s Association. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, traveling and shopping.

Reshma Shah, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Endocrinology                                  
Dr. Shah received her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from University of Michigan before earning her medical degree at Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. She then completed her residency in internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine through the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Dr. Shah is a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Endocrine Society, American Thyroid Association and American Diabetes Association.  She is fluent in Gujarati and Spanish.

Susan Staviss, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Pediatrics
Dr. Staviss earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with minors in chemistry and psychology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She earned her medical degree at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Before joining WellStar, Dr. Staviss was sole owner of Kaleidoscope Pediatrics, P.C. in Marietta.

Dr. Staviss is board certified in pediatrics. She is a fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury and Poisoning Prevention and SAFE KIDS of Cobb County.

Eric Williams, M.D. – WellStar Medical Group, Family Medicine (no photo available)

Dr. Williams received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Michigan and his master’s degree in Public Health from the Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor.  Dr. Williams completed his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Alabama – Birmingham, followed by his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Dr. Williams is board certified in family practice.

WellStar In the News

This fall, WellStar Health System and our physicians have been featured in the media.

CBS Better Mornings Atlanta - WGCL
For the months of September, October and November, WellStar will be featured in a series of health stories on different topics.

In September, Dr. Sahir Shroff with Summit Surgical Specialists was filmed and interviewed regarding the laparoscopic liver surgeries he performs.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it was only natural to feature breast surgeon Dr. Kristin Corgan with Georgia Breast Care. Click here to view this piece which aired on Oct. 19 during the 9 to 10 am broadcast of Better Mornings Atlanta.

November will feature Dr. Mark McLaughlin and CyberKnife.

WellStar Weight Loss Challenge - WXIA (Atlanta & Company)

Formerly "Atlanta's Biggest Loser, Sponsored by WellStar Health System," this season's edition has been renamed the WellStar Weight Loss Challenge and features Amar Patel, M.D., of WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine as the lead physician. Each Friday during the 12-week contest a WellStar physician appears live in the studio to discuss a health topic related to obesity and/or weight loss. Thus far this season Dr. Patel spoke about the health screenings for the 12 contestants, Dr. Neelima Kothari of WellStar Medical Group - Pulmonary Medicine spoke about sleep apnea and Waldon Garriss. M.D., of WellStar Medical Group Family Medicine - East Cobb discussed diabetes. Videos of their segments can be seen here: http://www.11alive.com/life/contests/wellstarweightloss/default.aspx
Upcoming topics/physicians include childhood obesity/Dr. Eva McGuire, bariatric surgery/Dr. Dennis Smith and behavioral health/Dr. Ryan Breshears.

WellStar Wellness Minute - WXIA
Dr. Waldon Garriss at WellStar Medical Group Family Medicine - East Cobb taped four segments that will each air three times for a total of 12 :60 second spots. They will run throughout the WellStar Weight Loss Challenge (Sept. 21 through the first of December) during the morning news between 6-7 a.m.

Click the following video links to view each tip:   

1. Portion Sizes

2. Drinking Empty Calories (Sports Drinks, Sugary Juices and Sodas)

3. Teaching your children about "Go, Slow and Whoa Foods"

4. The importance of eating a healthy breakfast

Brandon Reese joins WellStar Health System as Executive Director of Government and Community Relations

WellStar Health System is pleased to announce Brandon Reese as executive director of government and community relations. In his new role, which began Oct. 10, Reese will work with lawmakers and community leaders on healthcare policy and legislation.

“Brandon’s extensive experience working with elected officials is key as we strive to inform our leaders about important decisions impacting the healthcare industry,” said Kim Menefee, senior vice president of public and government affairs for WellStar Health System. “We are looking forward to the positive impact his work will have on our ability to provide the highest quality care to those we serve.”

Prior to joining WellStar, Reese served as a government relations representative with Georgia EMC working closely with the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Congressional Delegation and local elected officials. He has more than 10 years of legislative experience, including four years with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, where he was director of government affairs. Reese also worked with the Georgia Nursing Home Association as a legislative affairs consultant.
"I am excited to join WellStar, an organization that plays such a vital role in our community and am anxious to begin working with our elected officials on the important issues facing healthcare," said Reese.

Reese earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia. He is a graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development and sits on the board of directors for the state YMCA and Georgia Magazine. Reese also serves as vice chairman of the Georgia Chamber’s Environmental Committee. He was named to the top five of the James Magazine List of Top Company & Association Lobbyists in 2008 and 2010. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Alison, and their daughter.

Go-Live Date Set for McKesson 10.3.1.5 Upgrade

WellStar’s mission is “to create and deliver high quality hospital, physician and other healthcare related services that improve the health and well-being of the individuals and communities we serve.” Clinical Information Technology plays an integral role in enabling and supporting our teams’ accomplishing this mission. 

WellStar Health System is excited to announce an upcoming major upgrade to our McKesson  Hospital Information System. This upgrade to version 10.3 will impact the majority of our hospital-based electronic health record and clinical decision support systems and will go-live March 4, 2012.

Advanced functionality with this release means improved patient care through better application integration, management of clinical data and reporting and implementation of Computerized Provider Order Entry with online medication reconciliation. All new servers and a related database upgrade will improve system stability and performance. This upgrade is the next milestone on WellStar’s Right Path. Right Path branding will help team members recognize steps on our journey to improving patient care through information technology.

Certified technology in the 10.3 upgrade will allow WellStar’s eligible hospitals to qualify for the government’s Meaningful Use program. This will result in WellStar receiving stimulus funds exceeding $30 million over the next four years, intended to offset the cost of our Clinical Information Technology projects.

We understand our teams’ preparation and training will play a critical role in our successful implementation of this upgrade, and we are working closely with Organization Learning to finalize plans that will include multiple training methods including online and in-person training as well as our newly branded, “CyberStars” team. CyberStars are super-user team members who will provide on-site support and expertise, particularly during implementation.

More details regarding timelines, training and next steps will be communicated over the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to implement this important upgrade and begin our journey along the Right Path.

November Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	11/1 - noon	Administrative Board Room
Medical Executive Committee	11/15 - noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room

WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	11/1 - noon	Sweetwater Room
QRC	11/3 – 7:30 a.m.	Sweetwater Room
Medical Executive Comm.	11/8 – noon	Community Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	11/2 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medical Executive Committee	11/8 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Surgery Department	11/16 – 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
OB/GYN Department	11/21 – 5:30 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Advanced Practitioner Meeting	11/30 – 7 a.m.	Kennestone Auditorium

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	11/10 – 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room
Department of Surgery	11/10 – 6 p.m. This meeting has moved to 11/9 after the general staff meeting	Marietta Country Club Cobb Galleria

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	11/9 – 5 p.m. (Before the WellStar General Staff meeting)	Galleria

All Medical Staff

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
General Medical Staff Meeting  *The Paulding Hospital Department of Surgery meeting will be held immediately after the General Medical Staff Meeting. Please meet right outside the conference room.	11/9 – reception at  5:30 p.m., dinner/ meeting at 6:30 p.m.	Cobb Galleria

December Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
OB/GYN Department	12/5 – 12:30 p.m.	Auditorium
Credentials	12/6 - noon	Administrative Board Room
Surgery Department	12/12 – 5:30 p.m.	Administrative Board Room
Medicine Department	12/12 – 5:30 p.m.	Jasmine/Wisteria Room
Family Practice	12/12 – 5:45 p.m.	Magnolia Room
General Staff	12/12 – 6:30 p.m.	Auditorium
Pediatrics Department	12/13 – 12:30 p.m.	Magnolia Room
Medical Executive Comm	12/13 – noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room

WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	12/6 – noon	Sweetwater Room
Medical Executive Committee	12/13 – noon	Community Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
New Provider Orientation & Safety First Training	12/2 – 8 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Credentials	12/7 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medical Executive Comm	12/13 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medicine Department	12/15 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Family Medicine	12/15 – 5:30 p.m.	Conference Call
Pediatrics Department	12/20 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	12/8 – 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room

Physician Partners

This year, the Physician Partners Advisory Council has chosen the WellStar Community Clinics as its focus project that transcends specialty and service lines and highlights our goal that “We believe together we can make a difference.” Gifts may be designated to any project approved by WellStar Health System.

Join your fellow physicians who are helping to make a difference:
*Donny Page, M.D. – Chair
*Avril Beckford, M.D.                                   
*Nydia Bladuell, M.D.                                   
Gerald Bortolazzo, M.D.                                   
*Perry “Chip” Busbee, M.D.                       
*Don Campbell, M.D.
Arun Chervu, M.D.
Indira Chervu, M.D.
Richard Cohen, M.D.
Ana Combes, M.D.
*William Cooper, M.D.
*Marcia Delk, M.D.                                   
*Tom Emerson, M.D.                                   
*Marla Franks, M.D.                                   
Thomas Gearhard, M.D.                                     
*Tony Griffith, M.D.                                   
David Hafner, M.D.
Murl Hagood, M.D.
Robert Hermann, M.D.
Yousef Hindi, M.D.
*Allen Hoffman, M.D.
Noel Holtz, M.D.                                   
George Kramer, M.D.                                   
*Alison Krause, M.D.                                   
Gunter Kurrle, M.D.           
*Kenneth “KC” Kunze, M.D.                       
Hans Lee, M.D.                                   
*Barry Mangel, M.D.
*Brenda Marino-Fuller, M.D.
*William Mayfield, M.D.
Elizabeth B. McGee, M.D.
*Mark McLaughlin, M.D.
*Alan Muster, M.D.                                   
*Steven “Gig” Oweida, M.D.                       
*David Parks, M.D.                                   
Michael Ray, M.D.                                   
Arthur Reitman, M.D.
Robert Stephens, M.D.
*Jeffrey Tharp, M.D.
Joel Wachs, M.D.
Scott Wottrich, M.D.

*Physician Advisory Council Member

For more information about Physician Partners and how you may become involved, contact Jane Bunn, development officer, WellStar Foundation at 770-956-6674 or jane.bunn@wellstar.org.
All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. WellStar Foundation‘s Tax ID# is 58-1627413.          

WellStar General Medical Staff Meeting

All medical staff members and advanced practitioners, including their spouse/guest, are invited to attend the WellStar General Medical Staff meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Cobb Galleria Centre. The reception is at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner/meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Reynold Jennings, WellStar President & CEO, will be the featured speaker. Please RSVP to Medical Staff Services by calling 770-732-5570.

Primary Care Course – Endocrinology

Jan. 14, 2012
7:30 a.m. - noon

WellStar Development Center
WellStar Health System is accredited by the Medical Association of Georgia to provide continuing medical education for physicians. WellStar Health System designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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

MAG is conducting a Law and the Physician CME seminar in Atlanta on December 3. Physician’s can receive up to 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for attending.

December CME Events

• Kennestone Neurosciences Conference - 12/7, 7 a.m., Azalea/Camellia Room, WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Breast Tumor Board – Dec. 7, 14 and 28; 7 a.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiothoracic Case Conference – Dec. 20; 7 a.m.; Radiology Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference – Dec. 27; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Cancer Conference – Dec, 7, 14, 21 and 28; 12 p.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M – Dec. 22; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board – Dec, 1, 15, 22 and 29; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Surgical M&M – Dec. 28; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic – Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital

November CME Events

• Kennestone Neurosciences Conference - Nov. 2, 7 a.m., Azalea/Camellia Room, WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Breast Tumor Board – Nov. 2, 9, 23 and 30; 7 a.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiothoracic Case Conference – Nov. 15; 7 a.m.; Radiology Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference – Nov. 29; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cobb Surgical M&M – Nov. 17; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• GI Tumor Board – Nov. 3 and 17; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Surgical M&M – Nov. 30; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic – Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital

MAG Law and the Physician Seminar

Earn up to 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™* at this free CME-certified seminar

Saturday, Dec. 3 from 7 a.m. - noon

Emory Conference Center Hotel (Free Parking)

The seminar will address Accountable Care Organizations ■ ICD-10 Coding ■ Telemedicine

Space is limited - please register today!

Registration form is available at www.mag.org/education/workshops.shtml  

Contact Andrew Baumann at 678-303-9286/abaumann@mag.org for details.

* This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Physicians' Institute for Excellence in Medicine and the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG). The Physicians' Institute is accredited by MAG to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Physicians' Institute designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

WellStar Kennestone Hospital Embarks on Journey Toward Improving Older Adult Care

WellStar Kennestone Hospital was recently designated as a Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders (NICHE) Center. NICHE is a leading national organization designed to help healthcare professionals improve the quality of care for the rapidly expanding older adult patient population. 

As a center for collaborative learning, NICHE offers an extensive portfolio of resources and tools to help achieve our goal and responsibility of providing the highest quality of care for older adult patients and their families.

The NICHE designation was received after a select group of WellStar Kennestone Hospital nurses completed an eight-week online leadership program through the Hartford School of Nursing at New York University.

These nursing leaders will develop and mentor all members of the WellStar Kennestone Hospital healthcare team regarding this important initiative.

Plans are in place to expand the NICHE program to WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill Hospitals over the course of the next two years.

CDI

WellStar Health System’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement

General and Infectious Disease 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

• Document every condition that impacts the patients care, including chronic conditions.
• Document the diseases associated with the patient’s signs/symptoms.  

Infectious Disease Tips:

• Bacteremia is defined as a non-specific laboratory finding of bacteria in the blood with no signs of illness.
• Bacteremia and sepsis are not considered synonymous terms.
• Sepsis is SIRS due to an infection (An infection-introduced syndrome in the presence of two or more manifestations of SIRS without organ dysfunction).
• In cases of severe sepsis, identify the affected organs when known.
• Identify the source of the infection or trauma that is responsible for SIRS (e.g. sepsis or SIRS), secondary to pneumonia.

Definition of terms:

• Bacteremia: Nonspecific laboratory finding of bacteria in the blood
• Septicemia: Systemic disease associated with the presence of pathogenic organisms in the blood
• Sepsis:  An infection-induced syndrome without organ dysfunction
• Sever Sepsis: Sepsis with associated acute organ dysfunction
• Septic Shock:  Severe sepsis in which the cardiovascular system begins to fail, blood pressure drops and vital organs are deprived of adequate blood supply.
• SIRS: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome refers to systemic response to            infection, trauma, burns or other insults. Criteria for SIRS include meeting two or more of   the following:
• Fever > 100.4 F or hypothermia < 96.8 F
• Leukocytosis - WBC >12,000 or leukopenia WBC < 4,000 or > 10 percent    bands
• Tachycardia- > 90 beats/minute

Celebrating National Clinical Documentation Improvement Week (Sept. 18-24)

WellStar Cobb Hospital Clinical Documentation Specialists with hospitalist, Dr. Hindi.

WellStar Kennestone Hospital Clinical Documentation Specialists with (2nd from left) Dr. Ricky Washington, hospitalist; (3rd from left) Sheri Chazen, PAC, Urology Associates and (4th from left) Dr. Beau Dusseault, Urology Associates.

WellStar Kennestone, Cobb and Douglas Hospitals’ medical staff celebrated the Association of Clinical Documentation Specialist’s first annual Clinical Documentation Improvement Week with snacks and clinical documentation improvement tips offered by WellStar’s Clinical Documentation Specialists.

Clinical Documentation Specialists are part of the WellStar Health System’s Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Program, which 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.
Coding rules and regulatory requirements often differ from the way physicians are trained to document their clinical thought processes. Clinical documentation specialists are knowledgeable in interpreting physician documentation and can identify opportunities to bridge the differences between clinical language and coding terms. The CDI professional works to facilitate the overall quality and completeness of clinical documentation to accurately represent the severity, acuity and risk of mortality profile of the patient being treated.

WellStar Health System’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement
As part of the program’s ongoing efforts, the CDI team will be providing monthly general and body system specific tips from the Program’s Gold Standards of Clinical Documentation Improvement in this and future issues of Medical Staff News.

Tips of the Month:
General:

• Clearly document the patient’s “reason/diagnosis for admission”
• If the patient’s reason for admission is a symptom, document the likely cause including probable, possible, suspected or differential diagnoses

Circulatory system:

• CHF: clarify type and acuity: acute, chronic or acute on chronic along with diastolic, systolic or combined
• Cardiomyopathy documented with EF is not synonymous with heart failure in coding terms
• Hypertension: please clarify as accelerated or malignant when present
• Angina clarify cause when known or suspected such as: post MI syndrome, progressing CAD, Prinzmetal, Accelerated or Dressler’s syndrome
• Chest pain indicate likely underlying cause i.e cardiac arrhythmia, pleuritc, GERD, CAD, psychogenic

If you have questions or need more information about the CDI Program, please contact:

Katrina Allen, Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Improvement, WellStar Kennestone and Douglas Hospitals: (770) 842-9731 or Katrina.allen@wellstar.org
or
Darcee Sellari, Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Improvement, WellStar Cobb Hospital: 770-842-1299 or darcee.sellari@wellstar.org

Focus on Patient and Family Centered Care Revitalizes Hand Hygiene Campaign

Throughout each of the five WellStar hospitals, and on screen savers throughout the System, a new series of Clean Hands = Better Health posters showcases the images of several ordinary people in clinical settings, wearing their normal work or hobby attire. These posters are a reminder of the lives our patients leave behind when they come to us for care.

As part of our patient and family centered care focus, it is our goal to help our patients return to their normal lives as quickly as possible, and we know that eliminating hospital-acquired infections through hand hygiene compliance helps us to achieve this goal.
During the course of the next year, Clean Hands = Better Health posters and screen savers will be rotated to feature a total of 15 different individuals.

In addition, bi-lingual Clean Hands = Better Health signage also is being installed at each hospital above wall-mounted foam sanitizer units in heavily-trafficked areas, above nursing unit hallway sinks and on freestanding foam sanitizer units at all hospital entrances.

Thank you for helping restore our patients to health by following, and reminding others to follow good hand hygiene practices.

Service Excellence Commitment Pays Off

Far left, back row: Audrey Berry, nurse manager, 5 West Cardiac Telemetry with several team members of her team.

Our team members are working hard at WellStar Kennestone Hospital to provide our patients and their families with high-quality, compassionate care in support of the WellStar mission. These consistent and hardwired efforts are reflected in improved departmental patient satisfaction scores. The recent achievements of the teams on 5 West Cardiac Telemetry and 6 West Inpatient Rehabilitation are just two examples of this fact:  

Hourly rounding: Realizing that it takes 21 days of repetitive behavior to hardwire a personal habit, the dedicated team on 5 West Cardiac Telemetry recently made a 30-day commitment to ensure that the eight behaviors of hourly rounding were being done by every team member on every patient, correctly and consistently. At the end of the 30-day period, patient satisfaction scores rose dramatically, driving the mean unit score from 84.0 to 90.4 and the percentile ranking from the 18th  to the 91st  percentile.

Seeking patient feedback: To reverse an unusual dip in the unit’s normally high patient satisfaction scores several months ago, the 6 West - Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit team began refocusing on fundamental behaviors, such as bedside rounding, and began a practice of reviewing Press Ganey scores and discussing patient discharge call comments at team meetings. They also began a practice upon admission and discharge of letting patients know they will be asked to provide feedback by completing a patient satisfaction survey. As a result of these efforts, the unit’s fourth quarter satisfaction scores were in the 99th percentile. Consistent, hardwired service excellence efforts are how we demonstrate a high-quality care experience to our patients and their families. Congratulations to these teams for their success!

New Medical Staff As Approved at September Governing Board Meeting

Medical Staff 

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment
Bekele, Dagim M., M.D.	Hospitalist/ Internal Medicine	Hospitalist Group	CH, DH, KH, PH, GRP
Carrick, Ryan P., M.D.	Pulmonary Medicine	Georgia Lung Associates, P.C.	CH, KH
Case, Amy S., M.D.	Pulmonary Medicine	Georgia Lung Associates, P.C.	CH, KH
Cooper, Amy L., M.D.	Pediatrics	Pediatrics - East Cobb	KH, GRP
Dusseault, Beau N., M.D.	Urology	Urology Associates, P.C.	CH, DH, KH
Hsu, Carolina L., M.D.	Pediatrics	East Paulding Pediatric Center	KH, GRP
Hunsel, Ryan B., M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, PH
McGann, Patrick M., M.D.	Trauma Surgery	Trauma Surgery	KH
Montgomery-McGuire, Eva Y., M.D.	Pediatrics	Pediatrics - East Cobb	KH, GRP
Reed, Ward L., III, M.D.	Hyperbaric Medicine	HyOx Medical Treatment Center	CH, KH, WH
Revell, Sally M., M.D.	Otolaryngology	ENT, LLC	KH, PH, GRP
Starnes, Trevor T., M.D.	Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand	Pinnacle Orthopaedics & Sports	KH
Sultan, Alsadek, M.D.	Hospitalist/ Internal Medicine	Hospitalist Group	CH, DH, KH, PH, GRP
Taghechian, Shaya, M.D.	Urology	Georgia Urology, P.A.	CH, DH, KH

 Physician Extenders

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Conner, Mary L., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Marietta Neonatology	CH	KH
Heisler, John W., PA	Physician Assistant	Georgia Lung Associates, P.C.	CH, KH
Herrington, Angela C., NP	Nurse Practitioner	West Cobb Medical Center	GRP
Jones, Ashley L., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	DH	CH, PH
McDonald, Blake A., CRNA	Nurse Anesthetist	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH
Saboura, Jennifer A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Rehabilitation Medicine	CH, KH, WH, GRP
Wall, Donna V., NP	Nurse Practitioner	NW Georgia Oncology Centers	CH, DH, KH, WH
Zimmerman, Cheri S., NP	Nurse Practitioner	The Heart Clinic, P.C.	CH, DH, KH