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.

WellStar Garners Two Work-Life Distinctions

WellStar recently received two national distinctions as a leader in work life balance for its team members.

A NAFE Top 10 Nonprofit

For the fourth year, our System was named one of the National Association for Female Executives’ Top 10 Nonprofit Companies for Executive (NAFE) Women. WellStar was honored for its commitment to female leadership.

Eighty-two percent of WellStar team members are women. In 2012, 80 percent of promotions to manager and above went to women. Also, of the 13 employees promoted to executive positions, six were women.

AWLP Work-Life Seal of Distinction Honoree

WellStar is one of 54 organizations nationwide to earn the Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP) seal of distinction. The seal is a mark of excellence designed to identify organizational success in work life effectiveness. WellStar was one of only two Georgia organizations honored.

2013 WellStar Foundation Champions Campaign

Helping To Make a Difference for Newborns with On-site Bilirubinometers in WellStar Medical Group Pediatric Practices

This year, the WellStar Champions are raising money to make a difference for newborn babies by providing cutting-edge technology to WellStar Medical Group (WMG) Pediatric practices. Sixty percent of all babies have jaundice (caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood).  Recent advancements in bilirubinometer technology have made accurate, on-site testing with results delivered in 30 minutes or less possible. 

Babies who are jaundice at their newborn office visit often have to be taken to an offsite lab or hospital facility to have their bilirubin checked. This is inconvenient for a new mother and baby, and can take three to 12 hours from the time of lab registration, blood draw and availability of results. The new on-site testing is a quicker, easier, safer and more convenient method. It will significantly improve the customer service experience of our littlest of patients and their parents.

To add this new technology to our WMG Pediatric offices, the cost will be $45,000. Through direct mail, the campaign has already raised $17,000 from generous outside donors. For more information on how you can help, go to www.wellstar.org/champions or contact Kati Hyland at kati.hyland@wellstar.org or 470-956-6673. 

WellStar Champions are members of our community who, through their donations to The WellStar Foundation, provide vital support to the not-for-profit WellStar Health System and make a difference in the lives around them. 

Illumination’s Medical Hair Loss Salon Opens at WellStar Kennestone Cancer Center

Kelli Christie at the newly-opened Illuminations Medical Hair Loss Salon at WellStar Kennestone Cancer Center

Illumination’s Medical Hair Loss Salon is now open in the WellStar Kennestone Cancer Center.

The salon specializes in customized wigs and hair replacement systems for women experiencing hair loss due to disease or cancer treatment.

The salon’s owner, Kelli Christie, works closely with Recover with Confidence, an organization dedicated to bringing hair loss alternative information and support to chemotherapy patients. The salon provides professional fittings for comfortable wigs, especially suited for sensitive scalps.

“Having our salon at Kennestone will save patients an extra trip,” said Christie. “A typical patient coping with medical hair loss has plenty of other challenges to deal with besides getting custom fitted for a wig. With endless medical appointments and everyday concerns, hair should be the last thing on their mind, but it usually isn’t. Outward appearance can be greatly tied to morale and perseverance. When people look better, they feel better.”

For an appointment or more information, call 770-827-2100. Hours are by appointment; Illuminations works with most major insurance companies.

WellStar Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary of Sleep Program

Program has helped nearly 30,000 people get a better night’s sleep

WellStar Health System is celebrating helping people sleep better with the 20th anniversary of WellStar’s Sleep Medicine Program.

The Sleep Medicine Program began in March of 1993 when a two-bed sleep center opened at WellStar Kennestone Hospital. Today, WellStar’s Sleep Medicine Program has 20 beds at four locations in metro Atlanta and has performed nearly 30,000 sleep studies. 

About 40 million people in the United States suffer from chronic long-term sleep disorders, and an additional 20 million people experience occasional sleep problems.  The WellStar Sleep Medicine Program treats sleep disorders ranging from insomnia to sleep apnea.

Sleep centers are located at WellStar Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill Hospitals and the WellStar Acworth Health Park.  The Sleep Medicine program now offers home sleep testing and plans to open two additional sleep centers at South Cherokee Medical Center in Woodstock and at the new East Cobb Health Park, slated to open September 2014. 

H.U.S.H. - Help Us Support Healing

By reducing the noise level in and around patient rooms, patients experience overall greater satisfaction with their visit, as well as a positive impact on their healing. According to Press Ganey, noisy environments can lead to disturbed sleep patterns, at a minimum, and ultimately increase morbidity levels and decrease the ability to fight infections. Not only is a noisy environment dangerous to the healing process, it’s also harmful to staff. Noisy environments cause increased stress levels and medical errors; research shows links between auditory distraction and clinical mistakes. Unfortunately, many people become accustomed to such auditory distractions that can lead to such errors.

Did You Know?
The average noise levels in hospitals have risen from 57 decibels to 72 decibels during the day and from 42 to 60 decibels at night (on average). The World Health Organization recommends noise levels in patient care areas not exceed 35 decibels during the day and 30 at night!
Common Sounds and Their Decibel Levels:

• Whisper – 10 dB
• Quiet library – 40 dB
• Normal conversation – 60dB
• Garbage disposal – 80 dB
• Motorcycle – 100 dB

So during the day, most patient care areas are only slightly less noise than a garbage disposal!

Tips for Reducing Noise:

• Close doors to patient rooms
• Add white-noise machines to patient rooms
• Schedule noisy housekeeping tasks for the least disruptive times during the day

Patient Satisfaction Graph

WellStar Family Medicine at BridgeMill Welcomes New Providers

Jeffrey Donohue, M.D.
Dr. Donohue earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeast Louisiana University and his medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport.  He completed his residency at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Board certified in family practice, Dr. Donohue is a fellow of the American Board of Family Physicians and American Academy of Anti-aging, Functional and Regenerative Medicine. He is a member of American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Society of Bariatric Physicians. He is in practice with WellStar Family Medicine at BridgeMill in Canton.

William Porter, M.D.
Dr. Porter received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. Dr. Porter completed his internship and residency at Temple University’s program at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Del., where he also served as chief resident.

Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Porter is a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. He is in practice with WellStar Family Medicine at BridgeMill in Canton.

March 2013 Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	Mar. 5; noon	Magnolia Room
Family Practice Dept.	Mar. 11; 5:45 p.m.	Dogwood Room
General Staff	Mar. 11; 6:30 p.m.	Auditorium
Internal Medicine Dept.	Mar. 11; 5:30 p.m.	Jasmine/Wisteria Room
Surgery Dept.	Mar. 11; 5:30 p.m.	Magnolia Room
Medical Executive Committee	Mar 19; noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room
Pediatric Dept.	Mar. 26; 12:30 p.m.	Jasmine/Wisteria Room

WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	Mar. 5; noon	Sycamore Room
Medical Executive Committee	Mar. 12; noon	Sycamore Room
Advance Practice Professionals	Mar. 20; noon	Sweetwater Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	Mar. 6: 7 a.m.	KMR
Medical Executive Committee	Mar. 12; 6 p.m.	KMR
OB/GYN	Mar. 18; 5:30 p.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
Pediatric Dept.	Mar. 19; 6 p.m.	KMR
Surgery	Mar. 20; 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
Advance Practice Professionals	Mar. 28; 6 p.m.	General Meeting in Auditorium

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	Mar. 14; 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	Mar. 20; 5:15 p.m.	Admin. Conference Room

March 2013 CME Events

• 2013 Joseph M. Still Burn Symposium: Mar. 3-4; 8 a.m. both days; Chateau Elan
• Breast Cancer Tumor Board-KH: Mar. 6, 20 and 27; 7 a.m.; Stat Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB)-CH: Mar. 6, 13, 20 and 27; noon; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB)-KH: Mar. 4, 11, 18 and 25; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference-KH: Mar. 26; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mtn. Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• GI Tumor Board-KH; Mar. 7, 21 and 28; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Neurosciences Patient Care Conference: Mar. 6; 7 a.m.; Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Surgical M&M-CH: Mar. 28; 7 a.m.; Jasmine/Wisteria Room, WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Surgical M&M-KH: Mar. 27; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic-CH: Mar. 7, 14, 21 and 28: 5 p.m.; STAT Clinic, WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic-KH: Mar. 4, 11, 18 and 25; 5 p.m., STAT Clinic, WellStar Kennestone Hospital

New Medical Staff as Approved at the February Governing Board Meeting

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Andujar, Jose E., M.D.	Colon & Rectal Surgery	WellStar Surgical Assoc. of Marietta	DH, PH	KH, MG
Barak, Andrew P., DO	Otolaryngology	ENT Plastic Surgery Center	CH
Breckwoldt, Richard J., M.D.	Internal Medicine	Premier Internal Medicine, Inc	PH	CH
Donohue, Jeffrey A., M.D.	Family Medicine	WellStar Family Medicine (Bridgemill)	KH, MG
Erb, Betty J., M.D.	Cardiovascular Disease	WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine	WH, MG
Habtemarkos, Rediet, M.D.	Hospitalist (Medicine)	WellStar Hospitalist Group	CH, DH, KH, PH, MG
Harris, Jing J., M.D.	Observation	Observation Medicine Spec, LLC	CH
Jaglan, Sandeep, M.D.	Nephrology	Georgia Kidney Associates	PH	CH, DH, KH
James, Kimone M., M.D.	Nephrology	Georgia Kidney Associates	PH	CH, DH, KH, WH
Jones, Frank K., M.D.	LTAC Coverage	Windy Hill LTAC	WH
Lakkappa, Vijay D., M.D.	Hospitalist (Medicine)	Hospitalist Group	CH, PH, MG
Lightfoot, Harry M., Jr., M.D.	General Surgery	WellStar Cobb Surgical Associates	WH	CH, MG
Miller-Thrasher, Melinda, M.D.	Hospitalist  (Obstetrics & Gynecology)	WellStar OB/GYN Hospitalist Group	CH, DH, MG
Mittal, Rohit, M.D.	LTAC Coverage	Windy Hill LTAC	WH, MG
Nelson, Crystal L., M.D.	Psychiatry	WellStar Psychiatry	DH	CH, KH, WH, MG
Newton, Jonathan C., M.D.	Pain Medicine	North Atlanta Spine Pain Care	WH
Panini, Aruna S., M.D.	Urgent Care	Urgent Care (Towne Lake)	MG
Patel, Amish N., M.D.	Nephrology	Georgia Kidney Associates	PH	CH, DH, KH, WH
Peng, Sam Q., M.D.	Family Medicine	Kennestone Family Medicine	KH
Porter, William E., M.D.	Family Medicine	Family Medicine (Bridgemill)	KH, MG
Pruitt, Russell F., M.D.	General Surgery	NW Georgia Surgical Specialist	PH	WH
Pulido, Carlos A., M.D.	Pain Medicine	Comprehensive Pain Management	CH
Riddell, Christopher F., M.D.	Psychiatry	WellStar Psychiatry	DH	CH, KH, PH, WH, MG
Shotwell, Michael W., M.D.	General Surgery	Meridian Surgical, PC	PH
Watson, Steven B., M.D.	Hand Surgery	Atlanta Hand Specialist	DH, KH, PH, WH
Williams, Geri M., M.D.	Emergency Medicine	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH

Advanced Practice Professionals

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Bernhard, John P., III, NP	Nurse Practitioner	Georgia Lung Associates, P.C.	CH, KH
Childers, Tabitha A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Crim, Sarah, PA-A	Physician Anesthesia Ass’t.	Tri-County Anesthesia	DH
Deringer, Ashley C., NP	Nurse Practitioner	WellStar Palliative Medicine	CH, DH, KH, MG
Ferguson, Karen M., PA	Physician Assistant	WellStar Radiation Oncology	KH, MG
Gaskin, Kara L., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Urology Associates, P.C.	DH, KH	CH
Glenn, Brenda A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	WellStar Neurosurgery	KH, MG
Goers, Barbara Z., AuD	Audiology	WellStar ENT Associates of North GA	MG
Gorham, Sara E., NP	Nurse Practitioner	WellStar South Cobb OB/GYN	MG	CH
Kanyuira, Jane W., NP	Nurse Practitioner	WellStar Hospitalist Group	CH, PH, MG
McKenna, Dennis G., PA	Physician Assistant	Atlanta Gastroenterology Assoc	KH
Nematollahi, Shekofe, PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Patel, Sejal R., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Thornsberry, Joshua D., NP	Nurse Practitioner	WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine	CH, DH, KH, MG
Whatley, Carter M., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH

January-February New Providers

Alexandr Babayeuski, M.D.
Dr. Babayeuski received his medical degree from Belarusian State Medical University in Minsk, Belarus. He completed his internship at Atlanta Medical Center, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine.

Dr. Babayeuski is a member of the American Academy of Physicians. He is currently serving as a hospitalist for WellStar Health System.
                                    



David Cohen, M.D.

 David Cohen, M.D.
Dr. Cohen earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and classical studies from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. and his medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta. He completed his residency in internal medicine at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where he also served as chief resident.

Board certified in internal medicine, Dr. Cohen is currently serving as a hospitalist for WellStar Health System.

Betty Erb, M.D.

Betty Erb, M.D.
Dr. Erb received her bachelor’s degree from Duke University, and earned her medical degree from Medical College of Pennsylvania. She completed her internship at Emory University in Atlanta, where she also completed residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology.

Board certified in internal medicine and cardiology, Dr. Erb is a member of the Medical Association of Georgia, Atlanta History of Medicine Society, American Society of Echocardiography, Atlanta Women’s Medical Association, and a fellow of American College of Cardiology. She is in practice with WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine in Marietta.

Muhammad Ali Pervaiz, M.D.

Muhammad Ali Pervaiz, M.D.
Dr. Pervaiz received his medical degree from Hamdard College of Medicine & Dentistry in Karachi, Pakistan. He completed his residency at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. Dr. Pervaiz completed a fellowship in clinical genetics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He also completed a fellowship in clinical biochemical genetics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Dr. Pervaiz is board certified in internal medicine, clinical genetics and clinical biochemical genetics. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, Society of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, American Association of Clinical Chemistry, National Lipid Association, American Society for Mass Spectrometry and American College of Medical Genetics. 

Dr. Pervaiz is currently serving as a hospitalist for WellStar Health System.
                   

Madhavi Siddhanthi, M.D

Madhavi Siddhanthi, M.D.

Dr. Siddhanthi received her bachelor’s degree and medical degree from Guntur Medical College in Guntur, India. She completed her internship and residency at the University of California, Los Angeles Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, Calif., where she also served as chief resident. Dr. Siddhanthi completed a fellowship in rheumatology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif.



Board certified in internal medicine, she is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Rheumatology and American College of Physicians.

Dr. Siddhanthi is in practice with WellStar Rheumatology Associates.



WellStar Kennestone Hospital Part of Worldwide ICU Mobility Movement

ICU Mobility Team Working to Improve Patient Outcomes

WellStar Kennestone Hospital's mobility team, from left, Wendy Forman, physical therapist; Martin Fortes, clinical care partner; and Caroline Hallen, RN

WellStar Kennestone Hospital is working to improve ICU outcomes by getting patients up and moving. The hospital is the only Georgia facility in the Mobilization-Network, an international network for early mobilization of mechanically ventilated intensive care patients.

Kennestone’s mobility program began in October 2012, with the help of Dale Needham, M.D., Ph.D., from Johns Hopkins University, and Christiane Perme, physical therapist, of Houston’s Methodist Hospital. The mobility team traveled to Houston to train with Perme and has participated in two Institutes for Healthcare Improvement webinars on sedation use and early mobility.

The team works with non-sedated patients and those sedated and vented. Caroline Hallen, RN, mobility team member, said it’s important to remember mobility does not mean walking.

“Only a small portion of our patients walk,” she explained. “There is a wide spectrum of what we might do in a session, which typically lasts 30-45 minutes. Even if we max assist, holding the patient up ourselves, we try to at least sit the patient on the edge of the bed.”

The trend in critical care is not only for safe and early mobility, but for decreased sedation. “That means many patients will be intubated and not sedated,” explained Hallen. “Studies show sedatives can cause acute brain dysfunction. By reducing sedation, we reduce delirium, bedrest, vent days, length of stay and improve discharge disposition.”

WellStar Launches HeartCaring Program

Join us at our February Events for Women or become a designated HeartCaring physician or practice.

As part of the Spirit of Women hospital network, WellStar recently joined HeartCaring, a national program committed to gender-sensitive cardiovascular medicine. HeartCaring proactively addresses the growing body of research that demonstrates an under-diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in women. Despite treatment and diagnostic advances, healthcare systems and clinicians need to better understand gender variations in symptoms of cardiovascular diseases and conditions such as peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) and stroke.

HeartCaring addresses these gaps by providing clinician education and opportunities for women to take action with their health. How can you take action? Ladies, please join us for the February Speaking about Wellness for Women events, “Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle: Wholehearted Health,” Tuesday, Feb.12 (Kennesaw State University Center for Continuing Education) or Tuesday, Feb. 19 (Douglasville Conference Center). From 6:30-8 p.m., you’ll learn the signs of heart disease and how to make heart healthy choices. Come early and enjoy a HeartCaring Healthy Happy Hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

And here’s another way to take action: If you’re 50 or over, attend one of the February Speaking about Wellness for Seniors events focusing on heart health and wellness. “The Heart of the Matter” will be presented by WellStar Cardiac Rehab team members Angela Schoen, M.S., on
Feb. 11 at Indian Hills Country Club and Phyllis Hyde, exercise specialist/manager, on Feb. 13 at Acworth Health Park. Events are from 6:30-8 p.m.

Cost for each event: $10, which includes dinner and dessert, presentation by a featured speaker, educational materials and a free gift. Please call 770-956-STAR for more information or to register.

Physicians/Clinicians: If you are interested in learning more about HeartCaring and/or becoming a designated HeartCaring physician/practice, please call Virginia Sullivan, NP-C at 470-956-9964, or e-mail virginia.sullivan@wellstar.org. Additionally, if you would like to participate as a presenter for community heart health presentations and/or the HeartCaring program through WellStar's Speaking about Wellness programs, please contact Kristin Caudell at 770-793-7385 or
kristin.caudell@wellstar.org.

Make the Connection: WellStar Connect is Rapidly Moving Forward in 2013

WellStar Connect, WellStar Health System’s innovative Epic™ electronic healthcare record (EHR) system implementation, continues to move forward as planned in 2013.  Major strides have been made in addressing variations between WellStar Health System practice and Epic’s Model system as we proceed with application build and testing.

• Validation sessions executed by WellStar subject matter experts were completed in December 2012 and will ensure the Epic Model workflows work in our environment. 
• Final sign-off on all workflows is at 67 percent complete with many teams beginning next steps in content design.
• Go-lives begin in September 2013

Click on the link below to learn more about WellStar Connect facility go live dates http://wellstarconnect.wellstar.org/Pages/default.aspx.

WellStar Cobb Hospital Wins Three Statewide Patient Safety Awards

The Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) presented two of its prestigious Quality and Patient Safety Awards to WellStar Cobb Hospital. The first award-winning project titled, “Optimization of Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Focus on Timely and Appropriate Initiation, Administration and De-escalation of Antibiotics,” won second place in the Hospitals with Greater than 300 Beds Category. The second award-winning project titled, “Project Re-Engineer Discharge: A Pathway to Excellence,” won third place in the same category.

WellStar Cobb Hospital 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 2012, 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 Cobb Hospital has taken the lead on two very important initiatives and has improved patient care,” said Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) President Joseph Parker. “We applaud its successful efforts in the critical areas of antibiotic administration and readmission reduction and are grateful for its dedication to providing the best and safest care possible for its patients and community.”

WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Blue Tower West Opens

WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Blue Tower West was dedicated on Jan. 15, 2013 and patients began moving in that day. The new tower has 108 beds and increases the number of private rooms available to patients.

From Friday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 20, more than 400 patients were moved to different units within the hospital. As part of the move to the new tower, destination units were created throughout the hospital. Destination units allow patients to be cared for by a team of physicians and caregivers who specialize in those specific patient populations, such as cancer, cardiac, neurology, surgery and total joint. The use of destination units improves both clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Thanks to the WellStar Kennestone leaders and team members who have worked hard for many months in preparation and then in executing the move flawlessly.

Photo above: Candice Saunders, executive vice president, WellStar, and president, WellStar Kennestone Hospital, cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the new tower. With her, are, from left, Janie Maddox, chair, WellStar Board of Trustees; Reynold Jennings, president & CEO; Betty and Tom Phillips, for whom the tower is named; and Robert Lubitz, M.D., vice president, Medical Affairs, WellStar Kennestone Hospital.