November is Diabetes Month
By Angela Serafin RN, MSN, CDE, Certified Diabetes Educator

Diabetes is a complex medical condition which affects blood sugar regulation and affects 8.3 percent of the US population or more than 25 million people. In Type I diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin. In Type 2, the pancreas
doesn’t produce enough insulin, and the cells of the body are resistant to it. In
pre-diabetes, blood sugars are higher than normal, but are not high enough to
meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

Uncontrolled diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic
lower limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among
adults in the US and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and the
seventh leading cause of death in the US. It is important to note that
these complications most often occur when diabetes is not controlled.

Diabetes is considered controlled if it meets the ABC’s of diabetes
control set by the American Diabetic Association (ADA):
• Average daily blood sugar of 154 for the three months prior to the
test
• Blood Pressure: 130/80 or less if no other medical goal exists.
• Cholesterol:
• Total under 200
• LDL under 100 and under 70 for cardiovascular disease
• HDL greater than 50
• Triglycerides under 150

How does someone with diabetes learn to balance diet exercise and
medication to achieve glucose control?  By participating in a Diabetes
Self-Management Education (DSME) program.

A DSME program incorporates the needs, goals and life experiences of
the person with diabetes, guided by evidence-based standards. The
goal is to teach them to learn to manage their disease, in conjunction
with the healthcare team, and therefore improve their quality of life.

St. Joe’s outpatient Diabetes Education Program is recognized by the
ADA as meeting the national standards for quality diabetes selfmanagement
education, which allows Medicare and other health insurers
to cover this service. The extent of coverage depends on the specific
plan benefits.

DSME are offered weekly at the Walnut Medical Pavilion in Downtown Reading:
• English-language classes are taught on Wednesdays, from 11 am -
12 noon.
• Spanish-language classes on taught on Thursdays, from 1 pm - 2
pm.

Comprehensive classes are scheduled throughout the year at Bern Township
Campus, Shelbourne Square in Exeter Township and, in 2012, at our new Broadcasting Road
site. The class schedule is available on our website, in hospital waiting areas and in
the hospital and doctor’s offices. Family members and support persons are always
welcome to attend class with the registered class members.

Individual instruction appointments are also available at the Walnut Medical Pavilion
and in the Medical Office Building. All appointments and classes must be
registered through Central Scheduling, 610-378-2100. A health care provider prescription
is required.

Individuals with diabetes can live a happy and full life and prevent or reduce
complications by learning to manage their diabetes, and working as a partner in
conjunction with their healthcare team. If you have diabetes and are not where
you need to be, consider teaming up with your Diabetes Educator.

Click on the link below for WFMZ's coverage

http://www.wfmz.com/news/Local-hospital-among-tops-in-US-in-cardiovascular-care/-/121458/4763368/-/nlbhimz/-/index.html

St. Joseph Medical Center is named one of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in the U.S.

Thomson Reuters bestows award after studying data from more than one thousand hospitals

Reading, PA., November 15, 2011 -- St. Joseph Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Thomson Reuters.
 
The study examined the performance of more than 1,000 hospitals by analyzing outcomes for patients with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions such as angioplasties.

This year’s winners were announced November 14th in Modern Healthcare magazine.

http://www.100tophospitals.com/top-cardio-hospitals/

“This year’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals have continued to deliver excellent care and have been able to improve their performance in a tough economic climate," said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals® program at Thomson Reuters.

She continued: “The hospitals in this study have provided measurably better care and are more efficient than their peers, demonstrating incredibly strong focus by hospital leadership at a time when the healthcare system is steeped in volatility.”

The study shows that 97 percent of cardiovascular inpatients in U.S. hospitals survive and approximately 96 percent remain complication-free, reflecting improved cardiovascular care across-the-board over the past year. The 50 Top hospitals’ performance surpasses these high-water marks as indicated by:

> Better risk-adjusted survival rates (23 percent fewer deaths than non-winning hospitals for bypass surgery patients).
> Lower complications indices (40 percent lower rate of heart failure complications).
> Fewer patients readmitted to the hospital after 30 days.
> Shorter hospital visits and lower costs. Top hospitals discharge bypass patients nearly a full day sooner and spend $4,200 less per bypass case than non-winners. 
> Increased use of internal mammary artery (IMA) for coronary artery bypass surgeries.  Top hospitals have increased their use of this recommended procedure from 88 to 96 percent.
 
How St. Joe’s became a Top 50 Heart Hospital? 

According to Lori Shober, Director of St. Joseph's Heart Institute, St. Joseph has become a Top 50 Heart Hospital by having the right people and right processes in place and delivering care quickly.

"Unlike other illnesses or injuries, if you are having a true heart problem, making the right decision where to go for your care is the most important choice you make," Shober said.  "So, first, if you are having chest pains, call 911 because pre hospital care is vital to quick diagnosis." 

She continues:  “Heart care continues with Emergency doctors who are on the receiving end of vital information from EMS providers and can quickly assess and stabilize the patient.   Then our cardiologists, who use the latest techniques, even participating in clinical trials for medical equipment and procedures to determine their usefulness, diagnose the problem and determine the interventional plan.  They then work in state-of-the-art interventional laboratories using the latest technology to diagnose and treat the patient.  If the patient needs open heart surgery, the patient is referred to our Open Heart Team for care.  And, finally, but not last, our doctors are supported in the Cath labs and in the hospital by staff who are highly trained and experienced in caring for cardiology patients.”

“There will be people celebrating the holidays this year with their families and friends," Shober noted.  "And they will be able to celebrate because they were treated by a team that, as this recognition shows, is among the elite in the nation when it comes to the best heart care treatment.”

"We are honored by this designation and proud of our Heart Institute's commitment to quality service and role in helping to set national standards,” said John R. Morahan, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph. “Being in the Top 50 in the nation recognizes our leadership position in bringing the best cardiovascular care to our region.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment," Dr. Lou Borgatta, a board certified cardiologist and a member of Berks Cardiologist, Ltd. said. "It is a result of the hard work and dedication of our physicians and staff, who strive every day to provide the best possible care for our patients.  This recognition signifies what can be achieved when we focus on teamwork and offer patient-centered care."

The Thomson Reuters 50 Top Hospitals designation is the latest in a series of honors that recognize the quality of care provided by St. Joseph Medical Center.   Recently, St. Joseph was acknowledged as a Blue Cross Center for Distinction for Cardiac Care, and, very recently, St. Joseph also was honored by Healthgrades for coronary intervention excellence in 2011 and with an award for the 'best patient experience.'

The study on which the Top 50 designation was based on evaluating general and applicable specialty, short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals treating a broad spectrum of cardiology patients.  Thomson Reuters researchers analyzed 2009 and 2010 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data, Medicare cost reports, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare data.  They scored hospitals in key performance areas: risk-adjusted mortality, risk-adjusted complications, core measures (a group of measures that assess process of care), percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, 30-day mortality rates, 30-day readmission rates, severity-adjusted average length of stay, and wage- and severity-adjusted average cost

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.  They combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization.

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St. Joseph Medical Center will offer free flu shots to those 18 years and older on Wednesday, November 16, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Bern Campus lobby. 

St. Joseph Expands Wound Care Program with New Spring Township Location

New facility will also offer lab, physical therapy and lymphedema management services

St. Joseph Medical Center’s Wound Care program today added a second outpatient location with the opening of a new facility at Keiser and Broadcasting Roads in Spring Township.

The office is off the Broadcasting Road exit of Route 222 at 2610 Keiser Boulevard, on the corner of Keiser and Broadcasting.  It is in the building owned by Berks Family Practice, which relocated there after their previous building in Kenhorst was destroyed by a fire in 2010.

Other St. Joseph Services available at the Spring Township facility include: Laboratory,  Physical Therapy and Lymphedema Management.

The hospital will continue to operate the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine program at its Downtown Reading Campus at 6th and Walnut Streets.

The new location will provide care to patients with hard-to-heal and chronic wounds, including venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers and pressure sores.

 

 

Construction workers today placed the final steel beam atop the new Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, marking a milestone in the construction of the freestanding building. The beam bearing the signatures of patients, staff, students, volunteers, donors, and community members was hoisted into the air by a crane then carefully lowered and guided into place.

“Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital already offers state-of-the-art care, and soon we will have a facility to match. The strong support we have received from donors and the community as a whole and the hard work of many people, including the construction team, have made this moment possible,” said Harold Paz, M.D., Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center chief executive officer, senior vice president for health affairs for Penn State, and dean, Penn State College of Medicine.

A ‘topping off’ ceremony is a long-standing tradition of construction workers, particularly steel workers, to commemorate the completion of a building’s structure – specifically the placement of the final steel beam. In keeping with the tradition, the beam placed atop Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital today was adorned with a small evergreen tree on one end and an American flag on the other.

“Today we celebrate another major step toward completion of the new Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, which will enhance the quality of medical care for children in central Pennsylvania,” said A. Craig Hillemeier, M.D., medical director of Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

The completed Children’s Hospital is scheduled to open in late 2012. The 252,000-square-foot, five-story facility will include five operating suites designed for surgical care of children and adolescents, an eight-bed surgical recovery area, a cardiac catheterization lab for pediatric heart patients (all located on the second floor), as well as significantly expanded space for pediatric intensive care—vital infrastructure to support the role of Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital as the region’s only Level One Pediatric Trauma Center.

The first floor of the new Children’s Hospital will include an outpatient pediatric cancer pavilion with eleven infusion rooms and eight exam rooms to support bone marrow transplantation and other therapies vital to treating children with cancer. The first floor also features educational resource centers for families, including a “safety store” and areas for families to learn about childhood illnesses, health and wellness.

The ground floor includes a new pediatric radiology unit, as well as a state-of-the-art blood bank and pharmacy, which will serve both children and adults.

In addition to critical patient care areas, there are several elements planned throughout the new Children’s Hospital to provide children and families with a distraction from their worries about illness or injury. These elements include a meditation room, an outdoor roof terrace with green plants, and an interactive learning wall located on the hospital’s first floor.

All of the inpatient rooms, which are located on the third and fourth floors, will be private rooms and include space where two parents can comfortably spend the night with their child.

Watch a video of Penn State Hershey Medical Center staff, students and others signing the beam in the days leading up to the ceremony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Wm9SbKDmY

St. Joseph Medical Center's partnership with Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital Pediatric Specialists allows Berks County children access to their resources and expertise, closer to home.  For more information, please contact 610-898-1800.

 

St. Joseph Security Director tells students and families enjoy college, but be wary
Hospital hosts event to keep college kids safe, healthy
 
College can be among the best times of a person's life, but being aware of your surroundings and "trusting your gut" when something doesn't seem right are rules you need to follow to remain safe, St.Joseph Medical Center security director and retired police sergeant Dan Billings told attendees at a hospital-sponsored talk Wednesday.
 
Billings talk was sometimes humorous, sometimes chilling and sometimes both in the same sentence as when he said "never stop to help a man who is asking for (driving) directions.  Because, as most of you know," he deadpanned to his mostly female audience.  "Men never stop to ask for directions!  So, if they do, they're probably after something else."
 
Once the chuckles subsided, Billings moved on to discuss conduct at parties, noting there is safety in numbers (when you are with people you know) and "never accept any beverage that you did not get yourself." 
 
He urged them to "pay attention to the people around you at all times.  If someone is coming toward you as you walk down the street and there is something that concerns you about that person, change directions immediately."  The father of two daughters who are out of college, Billings also cautioned that "(what is a) safe environment during the day, can become something completely different at night."
 
He provided a long list of cues that should serve as warning signals for situations that could turn bad, and he emphasized that, "'No' is a complete sentence. And, if you say 'NO' to someone and you are ignored that should be a big red flag.  Never--ever--negotiate what 'No' means with a stranger."
 
Billings, who finished his 28-year police career with with Wyomissing Police as a detective prior to joining St. Joseph, listed other intuitive and physical signals that "if you experience them, should set off alarm bells" including hesitation, doubt, nagging feelings, physical sensations and anxiety.  He also cautioned against the excessive use of alcohol because it lowers both inhibitions and awareness and he warned of a new fad among some college students who are using bath salts to get a high, noting the salts have been linked to overdose and death across the country.
 
OTC meds, first aid can help students cope with minor emergencies
 
The second St. Joseph speaker, Pharmacist Bob Bak, said he has "learned a thing or two" about helping his twins prepare for illness or injury as they get ready again to leave for two different colleges
 
With a child each at Penn State University and Temple University, Bak said he has "double dosed" on purchasing over the counter medications for his children.  He reviewed a suggested list of medicines, the problems or symptoms they treat and the ideal and maximum dose of each.  He discussed medicines for allergies, fever, pain, heartburn, congestion and diarrhea among others.  He also suggested that students know where the closest pharmacy is and the phone number in case they need prescription medicines.  He also cautioned against sharing prescribed medications.
 
Bak also discussed the value of creating a multi-purpose first aid kit out of a shoebox, which should include assorted sized band-aids, gauze pads, tape, first aid cream (neosporin) scissors, tweezers, hot/cold pack and ACE bandage.
 
He also discussed what to look for in the college's health center and suggested that students become familiar with the closest emergency room and urgent care and that they have directions on how to get to both.  And, he noted, when a real problem occurs always call 911 for quick medical response.
 
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Strong and Smart; Living Well with Cancer
Dial-up Seminar Series
Thursday, July 21, 1 p.m.
Free one-hour session
Register now! Call 800-278-7837

Join us from the comfort of your own home or office. Listen to our experts via phone and view their presentations on your computer. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions.

Planning for the Future – Making Your Wishes Known will cover:
• Advance care planning – what is it, who needs it and how to begin
• Tools for advance care planning
• Matching your care to your goals – a brief look at palliative care and hospice

Presenters:
Tammy Bhang, ARNP
Palliative Medicine Service
St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Tacoma, WA

Christine Cofer, MD
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Franciscan Health System, Tacoma, WA
The Strong and Smart: Living Well With Cancer dial-up seminar series is presented by St. Joseph Medical Center

Thursday, June 16, at 1 pm
Free one-hour session
Register now! Call 800-278-7837

Join us from the comfort of your own home or office. Listen to our experts via phone and view their presentations on your computer. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions.

Cancer Survivorship – Moving Beyond Your Cancer will cover:
• Common chronic health problems in cancer survivors
• The cancer connection with these health problems
• Healthy living after cancer treatments

Presenter:
Meg Trewhitt, APRN-NP, OCN, CBCN
Cancer Survivor Navigator
St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, Lincoln, NE

The Strong and Smart: Living Well With Cancer dial-up seminar series is presented by St. Joseph Medical Center.

 

Stroke Risk Factor Screening

Participants will receive a stroke screening which includes a carotid Doppler ultrasound and an assessment by a vascular surgeon.  A limited number of FREE SCREENINGS are available. Reservations are required by calling 610-378-2553.

Saturday, May 14 8:30 am – 12 noon at the Bern Campus

 It is common for people to feel anxious when facing radiation therapy. Learn what to expect from the comfort of your home or office at 1:00 pm, on April 20. To register for this free one-hour educational event, call 800-278-7837.

Shedding Light on Cancer Treatment: What Patients and Providers Should Know about Radiation Therapy is part of the Strong and Smart: Living Well With Cancer dial-up seminar series. Participants listen to medical experts via phone, view presentations on their computers and have an opportunity to ask questions.

The April seminar will cover:

• Radiation therapy from the patient’s perspective
• The role of radiation oncology in the multi-disciplinary cancer team
• How technological advances are improving outcomes and reducing side effects. 

This month’s presenter is Leonard Tuanquin, MD, St. Joe’s radiation oncologist, and also a professor of radiology at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.  Tuanquin is a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American Brachytherapy Society and the American Medical Association. He has published journal articles and presented on radiation oncology. 

Future Srong and Smart events include:

· May 12: Cancer Research Trials and What They Mean to You

· June 16: Cancer Survivorship – Moving Beyond Your Cancer 

The goal of the series is to make education and information more readily available to a greater number of cancer patients in the Berks County community. 

St. Joseph wins national environmental award

“Partner for Change Award – with Distinction” honors hospital's work toward mercury reduction, waste reduction, and pollution prevention

St. Joseph Medical Center again has been honored with a 2011 “Partner for Change, with Distinction” Award from Practice Greenhealth, a national organization for health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations. The Award is one of Practice Greenhealth’s seven Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector.
 
The award recognizes healthcare facilities that have achieved improvements in their mercury elimination, waste reduction, and pollution prevention programs and show leadership in the local community and/or in the health care sector for recycling efforts and waste reduction.
 
“The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize success stories,” said Anna Gilmore Hall, executive director of Practice Greenhealth. “St. Joseph Medical Center is a successful model of how health facilities can develop and implement pollution prevention programs to greatly improve the health of their patients, staff and community.”
 
This is the third year St. Joseph Medical Center has received the award for waste reduction.  Through the efforts of its employees, the hospital kept 217 tons out of landfills in 2010.  St. Joe’s strives to continually improve upon that number by increasing awareness of recycling.
 
Currently, St. Joe’s recycles clear, green, and brown glass, plastics #1-7, aluminum and tin cans, cardboard, blue wrap, printer and fax cartridges, eyeglasses, and cell phones.  The hospital was recognized with the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award in 2008.
 
"We are excited, affirmed and pleased to have our efforts recognized by this prestigious healthcare organization," explained hospital President and Chief Executive Officer John R. Morahan.  "St. Joseph is committed to reducing its environmental impact and we are continually monitoring our progress and seeking more ways to reduce waste and recycle. Receiving this award--again--is confirmation we are on the right track.  It is also keeping with our Franciscan roots emphasizing respect for all God's creations."
 
The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards are presented each year in conjunction with CleanMed 2011, a global conference for environmental leaders in health care.
 
Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment. Practice Greenhealth is a source of environmental solutions for the health care sector. For more information on Practice Greenhealth, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org.